HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada, the weather is just gorgeous, just the right temperature (mid 70's) and sunny. The trees have turned a gorgeous color of reds, golds, and yellows. This is my favorite time of year. Harvest is in full swing in my area. You can hear combines and grain dryers going steady. DH has been out combining corn all weekend. The turkey is ready to go into the oven and the wine is chilling for our Thanksgiving dinner tonight with all of the fixins. I even went for a walk in the woods and picked a huge puff ball. I am going to include that in the menu for dinner tonight. I thought I would share some photos of some of my fall decorations.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Puff ball...this one is the size of a football

Pumpkin/Crow Harvest display

The Wicked Witch!

Primitive Scarecrow

Primitive Pumpkin Man

Fall Mums

FRIEND

FRIEND

A Friend is a treasure

A Friend is someone we turn to, when our spirits need a lift.

A Friend is someone we treasure, for our friendship is a gift.

A Friend is someone who fills our lives, with beauty, joy and grace.

And make the world we live in, a better and happier place.

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

Meet the newest member of our family. Her name is "Izzy". I got her on Saturday. She was dumped off at a local Antique Shop and I told the owner I would take her and give her a home. I surprised DH with her. I told him that I got him a present. I had her hidden in the barn. Needless to say, he really liked his surprise! The two are now inseparable She is the sweetest little soul. We just love her. She has settled in really well and is getting along with our other cats. She is only about 6 weeks old. She has even grown some since Saturday.

DH and "Izzy"

DH and "Izzy"

One of my fall displays on my porch

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

I have almost finished all of my canning for this season. Below are some of my Chili Sauce and Cranberry/Pear Chutney. My pantry is full and so is my freezer. DH and I planted an amazing garden this year. I have never seen so many tomatoes. They had great flavor too. At least we didn't get the blight this year like we did last year. All I have to do is make some peach jam and pear jam and then I will be finished.

Last Saturday, Hayley from "Prim it Up" invited me over to her home for the afternoon. She has done an amazing job decorating her place. I just loved the colors and all of her Primitive accessories. It is nice to have someone who shares the same interest in Primitives. She gave me a great Antique Bail jar and some of her Primitive Eggs that she makes herself. Thank you Hayley, I just love it.You can check out her Blog.

http://hayley-primitup.blogspot.com/

Chili Sauce and Cranberry/Pear Chutney

Prim Eggs gifted to me from Hayley of "Prim it Up"

I even added a feather from my sister Audrey's Guinea Hen that I got when was out visiting her in British Columbia a few weeks ago. I also found the perfect bowl to display them in.

Antique Bail Jar also a gift from Hayley

THE WINNER IS

I used the random generator.org to pick the winner and it was number 4

BECKYJEAN.....Congratulations!!

Please click on the sheep and email me and let me know how you would like your graphic personalized.

(the generator Max shows 100, but I did put 11 in for Max, but it switched to 100 when I copied and pasted it.)

Min: Max: Result:4Powered by RANDOM.ORG

HOME FROM A GREAT VACATION

DH and I just returned home from a fabulous vacation in beautiful British Columbia. It was a short trip, but well worth it. We flew out on Monday morning and we flew back on Friday. We have not been able to go away together since our honeymoon 19 years ago because of all of our "Critters". We are lucky to have a lady who lives not too far from us who agreed to come to our place twice a day to feed and care for our "Critters". My Jack Russell Terrier is getting older so she let her stay at her place. If not for her, our vacation would not have been possible. She did a great job too.

We stayed at my sister's house. We had a great time. Her meals were fantastic. I thought the seats in the airplane had gotten smaller but I think I was bigger on the way home after all of her great meals. Thanks Karen, your dinners were delicious.

My sister Karen and her husband Allen were great hosts, they even had a family gathering on the Wednesday night with prime rib, salads, potatoes, and all the fixins. Homemade apple or strawberry rhubarb pie and ice cream for desert too. My father, my other sister Audrey, her husband and our niece and nephew were all there. It was a great time.

The next day, we went to my sister Audrey's home and got to see all of her animals and had some nice pastries and coffee. Boy, I thought I had lots of critters. She has parrots, a pea hen, chickens, roosters, goats, and two dogs. I took a few pictures of some of the critters.

My niece is great at playing the piano so she played the first song on my Blog, River flows in you by Yiruma. She played it so beautifully, my sister and I cried. It was awesome!

Myself and my two sisters went shopping to my favorite store "The Weathered Rooster".

It is my all time favorite. They have lots of Prim stuff and lots of Colonial furniture and lighting and textiles. DH and I are already looking forward to our next trip out there!

One of the goats

Guard Dog for the animals. This guy keeps all the predators such as coyotes away from all of the other animals. His name is "Jake"

A friendly face

A flock of chickens

My niece playing "River Runs in You" by Yiruma

A couple of textile runners that I got from the Weathered Rooster

A primitive pumpkin from the Weathered Rooster

AUTUMN GIVEAWAY

Seeing Autumn is almost here and it is my favorite time of year, I am having a giveaway.

This giveaway is for the Autumn Logo below, handmade by me. You can use it for a Blog header, logo, or print it out for candle labels or onto fabric or whatever you like. I will personalize it just for you.

This is a one of a kind logo. You must be a follower of my Blog and comment on this post. New followers are welcome. I will draw for the winner on September 1st. It will be sent to the winner in a JPG format.

TEXTILE SWAP

I really should have posted this picture last week, but my family has been going through some tough times. My Father in Law had been very ill in the hospital and sadly he passed away on Monday night. I had to write my exams for second term all through this turmoil also.

I participated in Char's Textile Swap and Julie from Dog Trot Farm was my partner and these are the items I received from her. Thank you Julie, they are just great. You are so kind. I especially love the pincushion. I am just learning hand applique, so I will use this pincushion for the special needles and pins I will need for that. I hope you like what I sent to you.

Janet

PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY, AND CAT MINT???

Does anyone know what kind of herb this is?? I found it in my little herb garden this afternoon.

Our cat Sylvester decided to take a nap in my little herb garden that I have in an old laundry tub that sits on an old wash stand on my porch. It has been so hot and muggy here that he was just looking for somewhere cool.

MICHIGAN ROAD TRIP

Yesterday was such a fun day. Hayley from "Prim it Up" picked me up at 8 am and we headed to Michigan for a road trip. We had never met before, but we had so much fun. We crossed the border at 9 and drove to Utica Michigan and did some shopping. After that, we headed for Holly Michigan as we were going to check out "Holly Hills Primitives". We got to Holly around noon and we had lunch in a charming little restaurant called "Bittersweet Cafe". I think the name itself drew us in. They had such wonderful selections on their menu, everything homemade.

They must have at least 10 different salad selections that were meals in themselves and lots of delicious sounding wraps and sandwiches. We both decided to have the herbed turkey sandwich on pumpernickel. What a good choice, it was delicious! It was a meal in itself....I am so glad I didn't order a salad too, I would never have been able to eat it all.

After lunch we crossed the street to "Holly Hills Primitives". Dawn, the owner greeted us as we entered. Dawn makes her customers feel right at home. Her shoppe is just wonderful, filled to the brim with primitive antiques, feed sacks and lots of handmades. I was just in awe!!! I am sure Hayley was too :)

Hayley and I found a couple of treasurers that we had both been searching for for quite some time. I found an antique rake in excellent condition. I have been looking for one of those for a couple of years. Hayley found herself a wash stand in great condition. Dawn's prices were very reasonable too. She makes some of her handmade primitives herself and the quality is excellent!

I found this prim black cat that I just had to have. After browsing the shoppe, we stepped into the cafe next door (that is attached to Dawn's shoppe) and had some cake and lemonade. The cake was delicious and the lemonade so refreshing. The lady that owns the little cafe was so nice, we all sat down and had a nice chat. We even got to meet Dawn's little grand daughter, who I was told just loves horses. I will definitely go back to Dawn's shoppe, I was really impressed. Holly Michigan is such a quaint little town too. Dawn, it was so nice to meet you and visit your shoppe.

We left Holly, then stopped at a yard sale just outside of town and we both found a couple of things there to take home. Then off do some more shopping. We drove closer to Port Huron and went to Hobby Lobby, Walmart and a couple of other shops. Supper was next, then we headed for the Border. By the time I got home, It was 11 pm. Talk about "Shop till You Drop".

I was so tired. What a great day! Thanks Hayley. It was so nice to meet you, I had an awesome time!

Janet

Antique rake that I found at "Holly Hills Primitives"

Prim Black Cat....couldn't pass this up!

Left to Right....Hayley, Dawn, and myself

Holly Hills Primitives Shoppe

NEW YORK TRIP

I spent the weekend in Horseheads (Elmira) New York. I was down there Judging a Horse Show.

I just couldn't believe how beautiful it is in New York state. The show was at a fairgrounds nested in the Adirondack mountains.........gorgeous! In the morning you could see the mist just floating in the mountains. It was a long drive down there, but well worth it. The scenery was breathtaking. I headed down there on Friday afternoon and took the scenic route through some small towns. It poured rain all the way down, so heavy that my wipers could hardly keep up. I guess they really needed the rain though, as we did up here in Canada. The show was huge, horses came from all over, even Quebec and Ontario competitors came. We wrapped up at 5 p.m last night and I headed home. I couldn't believe I actually made it all the way home without having to stop. I just stopped to grab a large black coffee to keep me awake. I arrived home exhausted at 11:30 last night.

SUMMER KITCHEN

I have finally finished painting my huge pantry cupboard in my summer kitchen. The Sawbuck table is also now finished. It was lots of work but I just love the outcome. DH did this summer kitchen for me last winter and just finished up 2 days before Christmas. He also built the sawbuck table and the pantry cupboard.It is off the back of my kitchen in our farmhouse.

Sawbuck table with the top stained and the legs now painted barn red and antiqued

The sawbuck table with one of the table topper quilts I made

Barn Red pantry cupboard 7 feet high

Side view with my freezer

On my freezer is the primitive wool stitchery that my sister made me last Christmas. AHHHHHSUM!

1939 Findlay Oval woodburning cookstove

Sawbuck table and Stove

SEWING GATHERING AND TRIP TO NEW YORK

Well my exams for the first term of my College course are over so I had 5 of my Quilting friends over for dinner on Wednesday night. It was so hot......in the 90's and we don't have air conditioning, but we all had a great time. I made a big pan of Lasagna and garlic bread with cheese. I also made a garden salad with strawberries, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. And of course we had wine with dinner and strawberry rhubarb pie for desert or lemon cake. After dinner we all worked on one of our sewing projects.

The next morning I left for Syracuse New York as I had to Judge a horse show on Friday. It took me about six hours to get there. The show was great, and very large. I enjoyed it. I was fortunate to be able to work with some really nice people. It was a long show that started at 7 am. and finished at 9:30 pm. In the Judging world, we call that a "Marathon". I went back to my hotel room and got a good sleep and got up early the next morning and headed home. I decided to take the scenic route home, 5 and 20 instead the Interstate 90. I had a beautiful trip home with some beautiful scenery. I got to travel along the finger lakes. The small towns I went through were very quaint. I stopped at some nice shops and even some quilt shops. I went into one quilt shop in Caledonia New York, called "Chestnut Bay Quilt Shop" The shop owner was so nice, she owned some horses so we had a nice talk. I purchased a Quilt Kit for "Banner Day", a Jo Morton design. I have always liked the American themed fabrics and Quilts so now I can make one. It came with some beautiful civil war fabrics. so I will have to get that made this winter. I didn't arrive home until after 5 pm. It took me twice as long to get home as it did to get there.

The dinner table set with my crow dishes

Brenda is teaching Michelle to hand quilt

Shirley, Mary and Linda working on their projects

Brenda is hand piecing quilt blocks

Shorty taking a nap....................it is so hot!! and I have had enough of watching all those ladies sewing :)

The pattern for "Banner Day" by Jo Morton

Civil War fabrics that are in the kit.

SOME THOUGHTFUL FRIENDS

I thought I would show this picture of the cards we received from some thoughtful friends after Gemini's passing. One of my favorite shoppes, "The Bayberry Shoppe" in Bayfield, ON. sent me a beautiful card with a German Glass Christmas tree horse ornament to remember her by.

There were also numerous emails. Thanks to all. It is never easy to loose a friend, but all of the support helps.

~Janet

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT

CARDS OF SYMPATHY

DELICIOUS BROWNIES

Here is a great brownie recipe. Last month I took a batch of these to one of our quilting get-togethers and everyone loved them!

BROWNIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1/2 Cup of Butter

8 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate

1 Cup of Flour

1/4 Cup of Cocoa

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

2 Cups of Sugar

3 Large Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla

Melt Chocolate with Butter.

In another bowl, combine Flour, Salt, Cocoa, and Baking Powder.

Wisk together Eggs, Sugar, and Vanilla, then pour in the cooled Chocolate mixture and combine well.

Using a spatula, stir in the flour mixture and scrape into pan.

Bake until toothpick comes out clean. Top will be shiny and mixture will start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Baking time depends on the size of pan.

You can put this mixture into two 8x8 pans and it takes 30-35 minutes. I have found that if I put all the mixture into one 8x8 pan, it usually takes an hour. So it depends on how thick you would like them. I usually do them in one 8x8 pan.

Enjoy!

A VERY SAD DAY

Well today I had to say goodbye to a very, very special old friend.

My horse Gemini that I have had and loved for 40 years passed away during the night. We were blessed to have had her for that long, as horses do not live to be that age. She was such a special horse, so kind and gentle. She greeted me with a nicker every morning when I went in the barn, but this morning it broke my heart to find her gone. We almost lost her 4 years ago, but with extra care and love she pulled through. She loved eating her apples every day and her special friend Sylvester the cat used to like to sleep on her back in the winter to stay warm.

Rest in Peace my friend.

We will always love and remember you.

Your family

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Gemini with DH last summer 2009

Gemini on the day she was born June 10th, 1970

Gemini and me at the Horse Show at our town Fall Fair 1981

Gemini and my sister Audrey at the Horse Show at our town Fall Fair 1981

NOW IT'S MY TURN

I have seen some others post about this before, so I guess now it is my turn. I was a little upset to say the least tonight when I found a graphic that was given to me as a gift, sitting there on someone else's Blog. It would be nice if people would ask before helping themselves to other

people's things.

QUILT SHOW

This week our Quilters' Guild is putting on a fabulous Quilt Show in St. Marys Ontario.

If you get a chance come and enjoy some time looking around and seeing some of the gorgeous Quilts that will be on display. We have many talented members at our Guild and they will be showcasing some of their Quilts. There are numerous door prizes, workshops, and lots of good food. Everyone is welcome! You will even see me working there :)

huronperthquiltersguild.com