Do You Eat These??

If you are planning to celebrate the New Year in the Southeast, it is most likely that you will be offered black-eyed peas in some form, either just after midnight or on New Year's Day. From grand gala gourmet dinners to small casual gatherings with friends and family, these flavorful legumes are traditionally, according to Southern folklore, the first food to be eaten on New Year's Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.

Today, the tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme including:

• Served with greens (collards, mustard or turnip greens, which varies regionally), the peas represent coins and the greens represent paper money. In some areas cabbage is used in place of the greens.
• Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.
• For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.
• Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health.
• In some areas, actual values are assigned with the black-eyed peas representing pennies or up to a dollar each and the greens representing anywhere from one to a thousand dollars.
• Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck for the New Year, unless of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unlucky way to start off the year.

The catch to all of these superstitious traditions is that the black-eyed peas are the essential element and eating only the greens without the peas, for example, will not do the trick.

This story is from: About.com

No Photos to share :(

 

 The Mommie was bad last night... the poor Wittle Itty Bitty Pitty had to stay home when I went out and delivered Christmas meals. I started to go home and get her .. .. but the traffic was like being on the Indy 500. I just wanted to get finished up with my Holiday Giving and get back home. Where I received tons and tons of  happy puppy kisses from her excitement to see ... mean ole me!

I was able to finish up my last volunteer job last nite ..

  Now to get it all together so I can head out of town on Sat to 

spend the day with my reunited grandbabies!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

to all my sweet blogging friends!!!

Valentines Swap

Hello Ladies I want to do a Valentines day Swap but don't know what to swap...

I would like some new and fresh ideas :O)

Please leave a post with your fantastic suggestions!

Christmas Blocks

All the blocks are in but one set.. I have sort of been waiting to see if arrives. Since it is the Christmas Holiday things can get blogged down. I have decided for the safety of the blocks.. I am going to send them RIGHT after Christmas.. I want to make sure they have a great chance of returning back home and not getting lost in the Holiday Hustle and Bustle....

Thank you for understanding my safety concerns for your blocks...

Holiday Treats to make your mouth water ;)

Yes ladies it's time for me to share more Chocolate recipes with you! What a great time to try out one of my many posted Chocolate recipes.... Enjoy!!!

Magic in the Middle Cookies 
from:

Just a Pinch Recipe Club

English Toffee
from: Bake Eat and Love.

Coconut Peaks Candy
Taste of home 

Fudge Any Way You Want It.
at the:
Food Network 

.
Old Family Favorite:

Cherry Mash Candy
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 pounds confectioners sugar
2 boxes of Instant Cherry Frosting mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large jar of maraschino cherries (101/2 ounce size)
Reserve juice from cherries
Chop the cherries. Then mix all ingredients together. Roll into small balls.
Freeze Now, melt 2 large (12 ounce) packages of chocolate chips and 1 bar of
paraffin. Add to this 1 pound chopped peanuts. Dip the cherry balls into the
chocolate mixture. Put on wax paper to set.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
from What's for Dinner?

Cookie Dough Truffles
The Domestic Mama

Two fun Videos >>>> That Make Me Smile

Something to Ponder.....

The Difference Between
Kindness and Loving-Kindness

A teacher once asked the class to tell the meaning of loving-kindness. 

A little boy jumped to his feet and replied, 

"Well, if I was hungry and you gave me a piece of bread, 

that would be kindness. 

But if you put a little jam on it, 

that would be loving-kindness."

I wish.....

It's been a bad week for me this week as far as my pain level. I was in bed early most of the week and a couple of days in bed all day.  I'm so happy I get to go to the Dr on Wed and get my pressure point injections... How could anyone be happy getting 6 plus shots in their back and neck....Believe it or not.. I'm Excited!!! Those shots should help me get through most of the winter months along with my pain meds and my TENS unit. I will have to go back in Feb when the pain starts getting to great again. I don't know if you know anything about those shots but they help ease some of the muscle pain, which is an A plus for me in the winter months.
I should feel like a new woman or close too after I go on Wed.. Yeah... because I want to do some more power sewing before Christmas! Your saying to yourself what is power sewing... Well that is where you have this huge list of things in your head that you want to make for everyone in your family.. It's like you will sew ever spare minute and then eek out just a few more if necessary the night before Christmas to get it all done. I have some very fun Ideas in my head that I want to complete.. One thing I really want to do is work on a Christmas Quilt.. I don't know if that will happen before Christmas.. if not right after the New Year. I have received some very wonderful fun blocks over the last few years and I want to put them in to Quilts. Right now they are in a drawer all laid out nice and neat... just waiting on me to do something with them....
I did make myself go Christmas Shopping yesterday for a few hours.. but it was very few then it was back home and lay around!! Yeah for NetFlix ;) It's a MUST I have to feel better this month. The month is caulked full of helping others and doing nice things for family and friends.... Wish me luck on getting everything done that is ole brain has planned in her head ;)

A block for me :O)

I had such a good time working on my Blocks ... I completed all 24 in record time..I started them on Friday afternoon and finished them early Sunday Morning....Some how I miss placed the first set I was working on. I have been doing a cleaning and remodel of the sewing area.. I don't know where for the life of me the first set of blocks I was working on went too... Oh well they will show up in a box that I packed away with extra sewing stuff I'm sure.... 

Pictured here is an awesome block that I made for myself after all the Christmas Swap Blocks were completed... An amazing Christmas Angel... It's really really hard to see in this photo but I have used variegated thread in almost all of this block.. What do you think of her curly hair.. I loved how this stitch turned out.. It was and application on the machine.. not at all for curly ringlets.. but it worked out amazingly ;)

Next weekend to finish up on my Christmas Stocking for my Swap :)

Time to rest

The Thanksgiving Holiday is almost over. I just sent my daughter out the door so she could drive 3 hours home... she stayed with me a couple of days. Yeah she was so helpful ... she helped me finish up my blocks... she sat and press the pieces on the backing material and I did all the applique sewing.. they turned out fantastic.. I can't show them.... I love to have them as a surprise :O). I did received some blocks this weekend... they are lovely .. note to sender coming soon :O) Just a bit tired right now after entertaining almost all weekend.... I have been busier this weekend more than I have been in several months... wore me out... I need to go take a pain pill and nap....dang its only Two Pm.... OH well I had a great weekend and I Hope all of my readers did too :O)

Monday's fun

Annie went to work with me on Monday. You ask why? It was a very special day.

Monday was the day that the 85 Turkeys were delivered to our Police Station for families that could

use an extra boost for the Holiday.

In my personal life.. I don't have a whole lot of extra cash that I can offer.. but I can volunteer to help

deliver these .. and hopefully they will be a delicious bird.. to put smiles on the young and old a like ;)

As always I try to encourage my readers to do something kind for their fellow beings.

This Holiday if you can't financially help.. help by taking an elderly neighbor a home cooked meal. Volunteer at your local food kitchen... Organize a food drive, or a coat and mitten drive at your work. 

Every little bit helps to make someone else's Holiday special :)

 

Annie is watching as the boxes are being brought in to the building.

Here is Annie sitting on a couple of the boxes that have been finished and filled with all the Holiday Goodies.

Here is Annie waiting on me to finish filling up the back of my little Pick Up... Look she is very happy :)

The Pitty is telling Annie what fun!!! We are going to go and make new friends and deliver Turkey Meals to little boys and girls.

Pitty is like... Mom hurry up lets get this show on the Road.. its cold out here!!

Here we are.. Pitty is Helping The Mommie drive to the first destination...

Oh look Mommie.. I spotted something!!!

What could it be that my little eyes didn't miss???

 It was Uncle Bubba in his big Yellow Tow Truck.. He was just getting off work :O) The Pitty was beside herself seeing Uncle Bubba.. she loves him so :O)

We finished delivering the Turkey Dinners without more photos because it was starting to get dark when we came across Bubba.... The photos I did take were not very good... I can tell you we had a good time putting smiles on others faces.. then we finished out the evening at Momma Bears where we had a very tasty home cooked dinner. Good thing we got finished when we did.. it rained buckets... but that was well needed rain.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Friends out there in Blog Land :O)

∩ │◥███◣ ╱◥███◣
╱◥◣ ◥████◣▓∩▓│∩ ║
│╱◥█◣║∩∩∩ ║◥█▓ ▓█◣
││∩│ ▓ ║∩田│║▓ ▓ ▓∩ ║
•°*”˜˜”*°• From our house to your house •°*”˜˜”*°•
•°*”˜˜”*°•Happy Thanksgiving to your family and friends•°*”˜˜”*°•

Assigning partners...

 UP DATE.. PARTNERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED. ;)

Thank you all my sweet friends for the get well wishes.. your my heros :)

Ladies please accept my apologies.. but I am under the weather and unable to assign partners today.. I went to work and came home with a migraine... I need to take some meds and lay down..  hopefully I can get this done in the next couple of days.. thank you for understanding!!

This is the perfect day to post this!!

Hello ladies.. if you have followed my blog from it's beginning.. You always know that I try to encourage my readers to help our fellow man throughout the year, especially during the Holiday Season.

I know this is the time of year that we all say hey........

I should help at the Food Bank or I should get extra ones to put in the red kettle.

I need to make sure I get those items on the list for the drive at work.

LADIES :o)

I have found the most perfect loving Pay it Forward thing to do this year...

Battalion Buddies: 

Supporting the children of deploying troops.

Operation Gratitude

There are a lot of Agencies that use Buddie Bears and toys 

to help the small children that are going through a time of crisis.

Expample:
Police
Fire
Ems
Hospitals
And now I have found
Operation Gratitude

The following excerpt from Operation Gratitude Blog.

Having already shipped more than 600,000 care packages to service men and women deployed in combat zones, Operation Gratitude is pleased to announce the launch of “Battalion Buddies” — a new program designed to serve and encourage the young children of deploying troops.

In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude will begin providing special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.

“Our hope is these gifts will offer some degree of comfort to children while their moms and dads are far away, serving their country,” explained Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek.  “We want the children to know that they too have caring friends across the country who are aware of their sacrifices and send their appreciation.”

Those wishing to donate brand-new stuffed toys (ready-made or hand-made) to be used as Battalion Buddies may send them to the following address: 

Operation Gratitude
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: Battalion Buddies Program 

Financial donations are welcome and may be made online here:
Donate to Battalion Buddies 
or by check made payable and addressed to:

Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436

I can hear you saying to yourself.. our troops are coming home.. 

Don't forget those men and women that are still stationed all around the world.

In places like Japan, Turkey, Germany and so on. 

Their children could benefit from or loving donations also.

Ms Ronda here is the perfect project for you...
A great way to give away your (lovingly) handmade Bears!

11-11-11

If I was younger

Posted on Steampunk Galore.

If I were younger.. I would be so into this style.
But alas I am an old heavy gal and I don't think this would look too hot on me..
But I can dream! I can still love the style :)
Your asking what is this style... well read on.....
This ladies is Steam Punk.
 .

Steam Punk (cyberpunk) adapts the style of the 19th century. It's a cross between Victorian era Britain and science fiction or fantasy. The styles are based on Victorian fashion, culture, and architectural style and art. Steampunk was the coined phrase given to this style of genre, which originated in the late 

1980's by author K. W. Jeter.

There are two types of Steampunk: 

Historical Steampunk and Fantasy Steampunk.  

Historical Steampunk tends to be more "science fictional": presenting and alternate history, 

presenting real locales and persons

from history with different technology. 

Fantasy Steampunk, on the other hand, tends to present Steampunk in a complete

imaginary fantasy realm. Often populated by legendary creatures coexisting in
a Steam-era or anachronistic technologies.

Although originally conceived as being Victorian-era science fiction only, the term has become common use

for many related forms of speculative fiction set in the pre-electric age era.

Steampunk was influenced by, and often adopts the style of the 19th century scientific romances 

of 

Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Mark Twain and Mary Shelly.

One of the earliest mainstream manifestations of Steampunk was the original CBS television series

The Wild wild west. (1965-1969).

Steampunk is usually depicted in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, prior to a lot of electricity. Since the 1990's the Steampunk label has expanded to include the fantasy world that rely heavily on steam or spring powered technology.

The gnomes and goblin in world of Warcraft also have technological societies

that can be described as Steampunk. 

John Clute and John Grant have introduced the category "gaslight romance" Steampunk stories

are most commonly set in the romanticized, smoky , 19th century London.

Example: the early years of

Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes.

Steamgoth is a dark side of Steampunk.

Another setting is Western Steampunk, which overlaps with both Weird West and Science fiction West.

Several current utilitarian objects are used or modified to be used in

Steampunk style. 

Polished brass, iron, wood, and leather, computer keyboards, 

and electric guitars as long as these items are consistent with the Victorian era.

Will Steampunk break into the mainstream and have staying power? 

The Clockwork Century blogglist believes it will..

Steampunk comes from a philosophy of salvage and customization. 

Secondly Steampunk is participatory , and yet is simultaneously rebels and its inconclusiveness

The BBC series Doctor Who also incorporates Steampunk elements, 

reference the Doctor's time machine.

Because of the popularity of Steampunk with people in the 

Goth , Punk and Rivet cultures, there is a growing 

movement toward establishing Steampunk as a culture or alternate lifestyle.

Steampunk fashion has no guide lines, but tends to synthesize modern styles 

influenced by the Victoria era. 

Examples: Corsets, petticoats, and bustle, suits and vests,

coats and spats, boots, large sole, buckles, straps, 

or military-inspired garments. 

Items often used are timepieces, parasols, 

flying/driving goggles, and ray guns.

Several fashion styles have spun off of the Steampunk ideals...

Lolita fashion in Japan to the aristocrat

styles, and goth.

Steampunk music is less defined and tends to apply to any modern musicians 

whose music evokes a feeling of the

Victorian era or Steampunk.

A slogan for Steampunk:

What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner.

 This image from AmandaDevial.

 

Image taken from BohoCircus

Cooler Weather is here :)

Nothing better in the cool days of Autumn or the Cold days of Winter than a big piping hot bowl/cup of soup. I can hardly wait for those first cold days to fire up the huge cooking kettle to make my self some home made soup. Yes I make a lot extra so I can freeze it for later meals... I recently made a huge pot of Roast Beast Stew.. My favorite soup....It was so yummy... I had it at home for lunches and dinners.. I even took it to work and everyone loved it. My next favorite soup is Baked Potato soup.... Here is a great recipe... enjoy ;)

LOL anyone that knows me .. its Forget the Low Fat anything .. give me the real stuff...

This would be great served with some yummy home made bread.. or some corn muffins.

 Recipe from Savorthesenses.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Recipe type: Soup

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 3 lbs small Yukon gold potatoes
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups low-fat milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 cup chopped green onions (divided)
• 6 bacon slices (cooked & crumbled)
• salt (to taste)

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water until soft (about 25 minutes).
2. Set aside 1/2 pound of the cooked potatoes.
3. Mash the remaining potatoes and set aside.
4. Heat the flour in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat, then slowly add the milk, whisking until well blended.
5. Continue to cook the milk over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8-10 minutes), stirring frequently.
6. Add the mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese is completely melted.
7. Remove the soup from heat and stir in the sour cream and 1/2 cup green onions. Add additional salt to get desired taste.
8. Return the soup to medium heat and continue to cook until heated through (about 10 minutes). Do not let the soup boil.
9. Cut the reserved potatoes into small cubes and divide the soup into serving bowls.
10. Top each bowl with a few potatoes, cheese, green onions and bacon bits to serve.

To Cute not to share :)

Isn't this funny!!!

Happy Halloween :O)
Photo by:DiscoverMilton.com

A Winter Wonderland

I promised that once we got the Christmas block swap underway.. that I would announce the Next Swap. I know your very excited to hear what I have in store.... :) I tossed several things around in my head, like a table runner.. but there is a swap going on right now for that. I thought about another Crumb Catcher Mug Rug swap.. but I think I am sort of tired of those!! I even thought about us doing a Christmas Annie Doll swap.. but decided to for go that idea also... Your saying to your self is she doing an Apron swap? No not an apron swap :) I can tell you this swap will be a lot of fun!!! Ok I have stalled long enough!!!

 WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CHRISTMAS STOCKING SWAP :)

Yes you will be making your partner an awesome handcrafted stocking.

 This adorable Stocking can be found at RoxyCreations on Etsy.. I love this girls work .. Her stockings are so much fun!!! If you can't sew and want to play in this swap.. your more than welcome to purchase a handcrafted stocking ;)  There are a number of fun stockings for sale on Etsy.. (Support Handmade)

Requirements for the SWAP:

You will be making one Handmade stocking at least 16 inches in length and approx 7 inches across. 

(Please line your stockings) (Name on stocking Optional)

Once your stocking is completed it's time to stuff your stocking :)

Please include the following two items, the rest of the stocking stuffers are your choice.

It wouldn't be Christmas without these two items ;)

You must include:

One store purchased or one handcrafted Christmas Ornie. Your choice.

Some sweet sugary goodness. (Everyone knows the APP loves her some Chocolate)

Please be generous and fill up your stocking. 

It is Christmas ;)  

Please wrap your extras with tissue ;)
The stuffers don't need to be expensive...
Examples:

Tea wallet

Zipper Bag
Shoop Shoop Bag

Cup Cozy
Pin Keep
Cookie Cutter
Chap Stick
Nail Clipper
Holiday Broach
Small tube Hand Lotion (please place in sealed zip bag)
Stickers
Note Pad
Sewing items
Fabric
Ink Pen
Book Mark
Color Pencils
Emery Board
Key Chain

Cup cake papers
Cup cake picks
Hand crafted recipe cards
Christmas CD Mix you make

Sign ups start Today and sign ups end Nov 11th

Once you sign up and get a return email from me.. please start your stocking..

I will try to get partners assigned 2 days after swap closes.

Your swap MUST be completed 
and mail by Dec 16th,

We want your partner to enjoy your lovely handmade stocking for the Christmas Holiday.

Please send the swap Mommie the following to:
auntpittypatsfun@yahoo.com

Name

Address

Phone number (swap mommies eyes only)
Blog
International... No or Yes

Ladies PLEASE if you can not complete this swap on time.. DO NOT sign up!!

I don't want any disappointed partners.. it's Christmas... let's put a smile on each others face... 

Sorry No Angel on this swap! 

There will not be enough time to make up the swap and get them out before the Holiday.

Swap Button to come soon... keep watching ;)

*A side note*

Thank you ladies for getting your 

Halloween Tote Mug Rug Swaps

out on time for your partners to enjoy ;)

It's started...

  Out with the old in with the new ;)

It has been beautiful here in Ta Town just the perfect weather to install my new front door. 

We had to do some rebuilding of the opening .. but I think it will all work out nicely. 

Removal of the old front door. Gezeee sort of a mess. 

Oh well that is why we have brooms and shop vac's.

 

New door.. still needs a bit of frame work. The opening was about 8-10 inches to large. 

We had to rebuild the framing area. 

This is a problem you run into sometimes when you have an old house with 10-12 foot ceilings. 

The door opening is way to large, for the new modern doors.  

Unless you special order.. and that is very expensive.

This door is going to look awesome with new siding and trim attached to it.

Since this photo new brushed brass door handles have been installed.

I have to tell a funny story The Pitty is having a tad bit of trouble adjusting to the new front door.

She sat all night the first night and just stared at it. She could see that it was different, but could not figure out why. She could see the cars driving down the street and the Lights from the city across the fields.

She stayed up all night Watch Dog-ing just so The Mommie could be safe and sleep. 

Only thing was..... she kept barking at all the new sights and kept The Mommie wide awake. 

Such a sweet protective little girl ;)

 

Look who's here!!!

All up set with The Mommie that she has to stay in her play pen.

For her safety and my piece of mind she had to go into the safe place for babies.

 I didn't want The Pitty running in and out of the house freely.

 There are monsters outside of that doorway, that the Pitty just doesn't understand.

Cars, Trucks, Tractors, Combines, Dogs, Cats, Hawks, Eagles, Horses and other Predators OH MY!!!

It's the Beginning ;)

Today.. the work on the Oleo Ranch (one of the cheaper spreads) begins...

the new front door is to be installed today!!! 

I can hardly wait to see it finished.

The door had to be gel stained and then sealed before it could be installed. 

I have not seen it since the first coat of stain.

It was beautiful then and I am sure it will be more beautiful now. 

Just putting in the front door will make a huge difference in the old farm house. 

But it will really pop when the new siding and trim gets on!!!

I am so excited.. yes I will try and take photos as the work progresses!

I was sort of pleased with myself ... my dad's friend De-way a long time friend.  

I do mean a long time friend... over 50 years.

Has a handy man that is doing the work for me. 

Inc has been De-way's handyman for years and he recommended him to me.

I am so excited to find a handyman that can help me out around here for a reasonable wage.

We have several projects line up for him to work on over the next year ;)

De-way called Daddy O and chatted with him a few days ago. 

He told Daddy O he had seen my door, and said how nice and pretty it is.

I have not gotten excited about the whole thing until I woke up today... the new begins!

I picked out a very expensive door with a Stain Glass Panel... It really is pretty .. you will see soon :)

I chose to put an expensive door in the house because the old one is not level and has a huge gap in it.. 

I know that is where a lot of my AC and heating goes. 

The Daddy O was very excited for me! That I am getting the improvements.

Improvements are always good ;)

THANK YOU EVERYONE THE SWAP IS FILLED ;)

Thank you ladies for helping me fill up the spaces for our 

Annual Christmas Block Swap 

your the greatest.. 

Happy Sewing and have a great time creating ;)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Yes ladies you have read right. The blog is starting to look like Christmas even though Halloween has not passed us by ;) One must get a head start on getting all those fun and exciting swaps started.. the reason you say??? So there will be enough time to get them accomplished. If you have noticed over the last couple of days...The Christmas block swap is starting to fill up nicely. There are only a few spaces left to fill .....so hurry hurry hurry.. don't miss out on receiving some fun and creative blocks. Let's get them filled ;) 

Ask your sewing friends if they would like to play in the swap.. I always like to see new faces! 

After the Block swap is under way ... 

I will announce another Christmas Swap in the Beginning Of November. 

So stick around to see what that is going to be all about ;) 

Until the announcement of the next swap... 

Make Aunt Pitty Pat a happy girl and lets get the last few spaces filled... 

I am so excited!!!

I want to take a moment and say a big THANK YOU to all of you that have answered my email and have either joined in on the fun or have declined. I am very surprised ....that the swap has slid by a lot of my regular Block swapping ladies without their notice. I am so happy I sent out an invitation email to my prior participants :) If the ladies decided they did not want to join in on the fun... I asked for feed back and I have received some very good suggestions. I hope to use them during the next swap season!
I know I have not given any of you that have signed up for the swap my address yet.. once we get the groups filled, I will send out a reminder of the rules and my email address.. thank you for waiting on that :)
I hope everyone is having a great weekend.. don't forget to drop by JoAnn's its the Columbus day Sale Weekend.. I picked up 16 yards of warm and white... used my 50% off coupon and my Birthday Gift card from my family...Yeah for great sales.. also Simplicity Patterns are on sale for 99cents..
I was very disappointed.. I wanted a certain pattern and it was sold out.. Oh well maybe next time..

It looks like swapping days are about over??

We only have a few days left to get the spaces filled for the Christmas Block swap. Before the sign up date ends. The swap has not filled up as quickly as I had hoped. I have always enjoyed my block swaps... but it looks like they are becoming a thing of the past. I have been struggling to get people to join in on the fun. I think I know the reason for the hesitation... No one likes to wait on others that are late getting their swaps in on time. I hate that it happens. I have no control over that...I wait to receive the late ones to send the complete set back out. ME......I just hope each time I hold a fun block swap that everyone will get them in on time....
OK Now here is the deal.....
Ladies I need your help to get others to join in. If you know someone or can recommend someone that would like to join in on the swap give them my email.... I would love to have them! I always like to make a new friend in my swaps.... some of my oldest blog land friends have came for joining in on fun swaps. Some of my swaps were sensational and others were duds. The way I see it .... it's fun and you can make a new friend that enjoys the same interests ;)
So come on ladies lets recruit new participants in the swap and get these last spaces filled up ;)
Thanks in advance for you help :)

I must have these~~~~

I have been craving Chocolate the last couple of days and look what I found.. 

Yes yummy yummy Chocolate!!!

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies..

I found these yummy yummy Cookies at: Betchacanteatjustone's 

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (recipe called for 5-6 but I only had 4)
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled 
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups plus 3 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment
Cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add the Vanilla.
Sift together dry ingredients and then add them to the butter mixture.  Beat until well combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.
*original recipe suggests chilling the dough overnight but I made them right away
Place a large scoop (about 2 tbsp) on the prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your hand.
Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges are looking light golden brown.
Cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheets before moving to wire racks to cool completely.

Block size

 

Hello ladies.. just wanted to point out.. if you do a patched block.. please make sure your finished blocks are

12 1/2 inches in size.. it's easier to trim off fabric than put back on a 1/2 inch... 

I do not square up my blocks.. I send them out a little over sized. That way they can be trimmed prior to sewing together.. The blocks unravel when handled...That way through handling and shipping...They will still be 12 1/2 inches after trimming..... when its time to put them together.. Just a little food for thought .. Thanks M

Christmas Block Swap 2011

Sign ups start Sept 26, 2011 and end Oct 14, 2011

Hello ladies its time to get our thinking caps on to start the annual Christmas Block Swap. Those of us that played in the 2011 Halloween Block Swap had a blast. We received some awesome and creative blocks... So Sign up have some Holiday Fun with us :)

I will try for two groups of 12.

Here are the rules for the Christmas Block swap...

A. UNFINISHED 12 ½ inch blocks using 100 % quality Cotton.
B. Christmas colors up to you and each block can use different fabrics (same theme though).
C. You will need to pick a theme. Only one theme for each group. If I have too many of the same theme I will request you to choose another one ;) Or I will suggest one to you :) Please look to see what has already been spoken for in group and choose another fun theme.
D. I have chosen " Unk I will have to think on this one ;) ”
E. Exp: I will make 12 UNK finished blocks (same theme)... size 12 ½ inches using any Christmas fabrics I wish.
F. You  may use any technique you want, some ideas; pieced, paper piece, applique, embroidery, fusing, whatever makes you comfortable. You can also send embellishments for the finished block. Do not add these, you have to quilt your quilt.. so please put the embellishments in a zip lock baggie.
G. Some ideas; Reindeer, Santas, Santa hats, Snowmen, Angels, Christmas Bells, and Stockings. The list could go on and on.
H. SIGN your THEMED blocks on the FRONT any way you would like, I will have to write because I do not have a machine that can embroider.
Example:
AuntPittyPat
Oz, Kansas
That’s, all you need to do any more is fine and up to you.

3. I am trying to stay away from traditional blocks, I want this to be an “out of your box” swap.
4. Blocks are DUE not mailed... by DUE Dec 2nd, you only have about two months to work on your blocks. That way you will have time to put you quilt together prior to Christmas! I will not wait this time on blocks being late... The blocks will be sorted with in a few days of being due and shipped back out.. If you can not meet this dead line please please do not sign up!!! Thank you in advance for your courtesy.

5. US residents can send their blocks to me any way they want but they MUST go back to you in your self address stamped Flat Rate Priority Envelope, it is 4.95. Your postal inspector will know what a Flat Rate Priority Envelope is, so no worries. No Bar Code for shipping.. this is not accepted at my post office .. it MUST be a stamp!

International participants, we can talk about shipping later. Most of my International participants pay via Pay Pal after I get the total due for return postage :)
In order to join YOU MUST E-mail me @
auntpittypatsfun@yahoo.com
Please email to the above email account.

Please email the following:
Your full name
Address
Email
Blog link
Phone Number
And your Christmas theme (MUST be included) 

I will provide you my address when I confirm your slot in the swap ;)
This is a first come first serve basis on the theme, so do not wait to long!!
I know this is a lot of information; I am always here to answer any questions.
I look forward to another wonderful fun Christmas Block swap!

There are changes in the air.

The almost unbearable heat has finally left.. I wake up in the mornings now with fog and dew on the windshields of my little truck. I turned the heat on a long time ago in the house for the Pitty... she was a pup-cycle. The Mommie can't have a frozen sweet wittle itty bitty puppy :) Although it's still getting warm in the afternoons. It's not so bad we can't stand it without the AC. We will see if that furnace up grade was worth the extra money when they put in the new AC a few weeks ago. I am in the process of getting an upgrade on the house also. I have ordered the siding for my home. The order should be in any day now. I am leaving my beloved yellow house with white trim behind for a nice country cream and white. I did notice the country cream appears to be a very very pale yellow. That was my main want in my color.. yellow. I am sadden to say every color of yellow was harsh. It was too yellow.. you could almost use it for road divider lines... that would have been to much for a two story house...  Yes I toned it down to make everyone happy and I am sure myself happy in the end :) It will be beautiful, LOL I hope :)  Even though it will not be yellow. I had a butter cream yellow in my head.. That is exactly the color... but alas no such animal. I will go out sometime this weekend and find a new front door. What is up with all the metal doors? I want a wood door to replace my wood door!  The one I have has been on the farm house since it was built in the late 30's. It's in pretty bad shape now. NOT energy efficient at all. Finally I am going to put seamless guttering on the house. The Oleo Ranch will once again be a show place ;) Or at least not looking like it is in dire-straights to have a paint job ;) Always nice for improvements.. I guess you can say .. I said goodbye to the dream of having a new studio building put up.. Oh well in the future :)

I have been in the mood to sew Halloween Mug Rugs.. I have two completed and am working on another. I have been searching the net for some other great Applique ideas.. but so far everything seems the same as last year... Darn wanted some new inspiration! Here is what I have made so far... sorry for the lousy photos I had to rush to take them. The rugs needed to go the new owner..... She needed them in a couple of weeks for a Halloween Party....