Hurricane Sandy

Our prayers go out to all that have been effected by Sandy.  We experience tornados in Illinois.
In 2008, we did get 9 inches of rain from Katrina.  Experienced flooding in our basement and thanks to my cousin and his family we bailed and used shop vacs to suck out the rain water. 

Last year we had a basement system installed, as once you've had flooding, it continues to find a way in when the ground is saturated.

To all those out East--stay safe and remain strong.
Praying,
Terry

Sheep Shuffle Surprise

How do you get to the quilt store via the Great Sheep Shuffle?  LOL  I would have never believed that Saturday would bring that kind of adventure.  My friend, Kelly and I took off for Beaver Dam, WI, about 7:45am.  In the back seat of her Malibu was a dog crate with a 40 lb ram lamb in it named, Pearl Jam.  Pearl Jam was the perfect passenger.  He never said a Baa....just chewed his breakfast of hay.

We were to meet Sandy at the McDonald's in Beaver Dam and transfer Pearl Jam to her car. Kelly and I ran inside because we were a little early.  We both love the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, so filled our tummies for the rest of the journey. Sandy arrived and the instant kismet we all had over our pets was stunning.  All of us are hopeless animal lovers.  We headed out to the parking lot and moved Pearl Jam to Sandy's car.

 

Sandy explained that she had just come from the local fairgrounds where she purchased three hens.

Kelly's eyes were as big as saucers at the sound of chickens for sale.  She listened to Sandy's directions to the fairgrounds and we were off to buy chickens.  We found the chickens she wanted right away but finding the seller was a little more difficult.  Kelly knew what she wanted and it was accomplished in 10 minutes.  We were on a mission...we had delivered the lamb, bought three hens (now in the dog crate in the back seat), and were headed back to Sun Prairie to shop for fabric at JJ Stitches. 

( Please visit OK Acres blog, www.okacres.blogspot.com to see Kelly's amazing fiber farm.)

 

 I explained to to Kelly that she probably would want brighter fabrics for her quilt.  Oh no, this writer was wrong!  Before 10 minutes were up, she had picked out a pattern and was picking out fat quarters like a pro.  To check our selections, we asked Julie Hendrickson, the owner of JJ Stitches for assistance.  Julie calculated the additional fabric we needed and pulled additional fabric bolts.  Before you could say "Jiffy Cake" we had all the fabrics for Kelly's queen size quilt and were standing at the cutting table.  We told the ladies working at the quilt store about our morning sheep shuffle, paid our bill and waltzed out to the door to head home.   All that shopping had made us hungry, so Kelly whipped into Popeye's Chicken for refueling our tummies.

 

We made it back to Monroe by 2pm and loaded my vehicle with all the goodies and I was off for home.   I needed to arrive at Los Ranchitos Restaurant by 4pm for dinner with DH and our bowling partners.  I was 18 minutes late but called DH to order for me.

 

Had a safe trip home, bowled and headed home to unpack the Acadia and settle in for night.

I love making spontaneous plans, look what a great adventure it turned into. Terry

 

Dessert Is Served!

Chocolate Heath Pudding Pie

 

After posting my first story today.  I went out to the kitchen to check on dessert.  MMMMmmmm.... looking good.  Rod and I are enjoying it.  Getting our chocolate fix.

Move over Baker's Square, there's a new pie-maker in town.

Terry :)

Lunch Popped Up

Today I cleaned house, gathered and started doing laundry, planned some menus and created a grocery list.  Headed out to do the shopping.  On my way to Wyanet, stopped and decorated Grandma Ruth's grave for fall.  Grave decorating was important to her so I have tried to change the flowers on Mom and her graves seasonally.

Visited the Wyanet Locker to stock up on meat.  Bought a package of bacon as my dad sent me home with a huge tomato that is calling out for bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches for lunch tomorrow.

Stocked up on ground chuck for casseroles, soup and hamburgers on the grill.  Then on to grocery store for the rest of the necessities.  Over a $100 spent at that stop.  Yikes, you can tell it has been sometime since I bought groceries.  By the time I arrived home it was after lunch time and I was famished. 

So I popped up some popcorn, added some butter and popcorn salt.  Poured a Diet Coke and then my two buddies showed up to share. Meet the Popcorn Vulchers.

They circle and beg until I finally give in and share my popcorn.  Harry Potter is the black, white and tan Australian Shepherd and Rascal, five pounds of tenacious Yorkshire Terrier.  Can't you just read the pleading and begging look they are giving me while I stuff my mouth full of buttered, warm popcorn?  So after we shared the popcorn, they went and took naps.  That left me to finish putting away all the groceries and to start cooking.

Today I was able to make a party corn casserole (shown below,

Grandma Pat's casserole, scalloped potatoes and ham, chocolate heath pie, and put a chicken in to roast.  Rod came home and we put an acorn squash in the oven for dinner and he grilled brats.  After the chicken cools, I will pick the meat off the bones and then put the carcass back in the stew pot and cook it more to make broth.

I plan to make the recipe for Easy Chicken Stuffed Pasta Shells from the Colorado Lady's blog (www.coloradolady.blogspot.com/search/label/Recipes).  The picture looks mouth-watering yummy.

My goal today was to start stocking up on meals ready to pop in the oven so I can spend more time quilting.  I am off to a good start.  Hope you had a productive day, too!  Terry

Harry Potter, Therapy Dog

Enjoyed accomplishing one of my retirement goals today.  Harry Potter, my Australian Shepherd and I were the guest speakers at the Care Givers Support Group at the Bureau County Metro Center today.  I spoke about my care giving experiences with my mom, dad, grandmother and my son.  Then I provided Harry's story and the journey to becoming a therapy dog. Harry gave an awesome laid back presentation.  After a question and answer period, Harry generously provided therapy to all.  Of course, those who slipped him a doggie treat got a little extra atttention.  Many thanks to Nedda Simon and Kathy O'Malley for the invitation along with Tammy Lange and Elaine Russell of the Bureau County Metro Center.

One of the people with whom I got to reconnect with today was Carol Gugerty(on the left, Elaine Russell on the right and me in the middle).  Carol, her daughter-Amy Affelt, and myself all lived in the same apartment complex 27 years ago. 

What a great day!  Harry even got to go into the Quilter's Garden and give therapy to Beth and Carol.  He had them on their knees!! 
Happy Fall, Terry

Do You Burgoo!

This view is the downtown view of Utica, IL, today.  The annual Burgoo Festival was held as a fund raiser to support the Historical Society.  Over 100 craft vendors, flea market vendors, and of course food vendors were participating today.   As it shows in my picture, it started out gray and chilly while we shopped the vendors.  We headed back to the house for the people watching, getting warmed up, shrimp cocktails and bloody mary's while waiting for dinner to finish cooking.  

Mmmmm.... the sweet smell of grills. We enjoyed a mouth-watering meal of pulled pork, pasta salad, etc. Our hosts today were Tony and Luci, our new bowling partners.  A great time was had by all!  So proud of myself, I didn't buy a thing.

On the way home, I convinced Rod to drive by Kohl's.  I had some Kohl's cash burning a hole in my pocket and wanted to pick up some new PJs.  I love a bargain and got new PJs for $7.92!

We headed to the horse barn.  Watered and fed the horses, along with giving them some attention.
Cleaned the barn and headed home.  About the time we headed for home we both realized it was now warmer than it had been all day.  Go figure! Arriving at home, I tackled the loads of laundry waiting.  My motivation was the planned sewing day at Mary's tomorrow.  Its Columbus Day and Mary has the day off.  Woo HOO!  I'm ready.  Haven't even unpacked from my Hand Applique by Machine class taught by Beth Ferrier on Saturday.  Sleep tight.......Terry