HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

May you have lots for which to be thankful!

Computer problems

I can't post pictures but this time its my picture downloading system.  The window changed when I upload from my camera and even tho it says they have been downloaded, I can't find them on my computer.  I just wish Win10 would stop changing things willy nilly. It didn't change from anything I did or changed.  Since its on my computer and not thru Explorer or Edge, its frustrating right now.

But I can still type so that's a blessing.  I'm preparing for adding my food to our Thanksgiving menu.  We will be at least 18, probably more, and there will be 3 birds made.  I'll stuff one of mine with sausage stuffing and my DDIL will deep fry one of mine and make Italian stuffing in a casserole dish.  Her brother is bringing the other turkey.  We like to have lots of food for folks to take home leftovers.
This year we're having lots of time for appetizers.  Mine will be pepperoni rollups which are usually well received. I understand there will be plenty.  The idea is to keep them all happy while the main turkey course is finished and food set out.   My other dish will be mashed potatoes.  This, too, is well received at dinners.

Tip on making tasty mashed potatoes:
Use peeled Russets, each cut into several pieces, and fill pot to just covering the taters.  Add 1-3 teaspoons of salt to the water, depending on how big a pot you're making.   Boil them over medium heat til they are tender.  Drain.
Put them back into the same hot pot (now empty) and place over the burner to help dry out the potatoes.  Its the wetness that makes them gummy. I stir them around over the hot burner with a wooden spoon for a few minutes to release the dampness.
Remove pot from heat.
I add butter, mash just a little til melted, then add cream and milk and mash some more, moving the masher in a clock-wise direction around the pot.  I use any old-fashioned masher available.  Salt and pepper to taste.  At the end I take a wire whisk and whisk those taters till they are smooth.  Add a bit more milk if the taters feel too thick.
If you don't have cream, try coffee creamer or a bit of sour cream for richness.
Note:  I never use a mixer.  It breaks down the potatoes too much which in turn lessens their rich flavor.

I know that everyone coming to our house on Turkey-Day will be bringing a side dish so we'll have plenty to share.  Some are bringing desserts, others side dishes, some appetizers, and some just themselves.

I hope you are having a nice Thanksgiving and have reason to be thankful for the food on your table this year, whether friends and family join you or not.                  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Downy Woodpecker visited this morning.

This little guy came to the feeders this morning.  Its a first one I've seen this season.

I had to take pix quickly so took them thru the blinds.

 

Another view.

 

The last view before he flew away.

I know, not very good, but the best I could do under the circumstances.  If I opened the door, I knew he'd be gone in a second.

 

I'm just happy to add another bird to my list.

Have a Wonderful Day.!

A few more pairs of towels.

I've finished a few more pairs of towels. 

A few more towel sets to put in the Turkey-Day basket for guests.

 

This is the rough drawing from which I make my wallhangings.  I draw a scene the way I want it, and then use it for the final product.  The fabric is layered on the backside of this sheet of paper and stitched.  That's why I love this technique.  Its not difficult at all.

 

This is what you see on the front side.  Of course, this one isn't finished yet. 

 

 

This is the first replique piece I worked on.  It took first place in the applique division of a quilt show some years ago.

I've made several wallhangings in all sizes since then and love every minute of it.

 

Butterfly Garden is one I finished most recently.

 

Have a Wonderful Day!

A Christmas Wallhanging is in Progress.

I needed to get in the mood for quilting again so to start, I drew a Xmas design and I'm making a replique wallhanging from it.  This is it in progress.

Frosty and His Friends

 

There's still quite a bit to do.  I have a couple of red cardinals I want to add to the tree and some holly leaves and berries.  And the touches to Frosty's face; carrot and eyes and so forth.  The finishing touch will be the wide satin-stitching so it looks like its stained glass.  I love the technique.

Have A Wonderful Day!

I've been working on crocheted hanging dish towels.

I like making these dish towels that hang on the door of one's oven.  You can make them in all colors and all themes.  I started out with Halloween towels for gifts for family.

This is one pair.

 

Here's another version.  I gave these out to different family members, a pair to each person.

 

Then there are the Thanksgiving towels.  One pair here.

 

More for another family member.

 

A little thing I do at our Thanksgiving Dinner, is make some small project that I give out to guests as gifts.  Sometimes its towels, or placemats, or gift bags or sleeping masks.  This year I bought a supply of Xmas theme towels so I'm making these up for the guests.

 

Here are a few more pairs ready for Turkey Day gifts.  I have several more pairs to make before Thanksgiving Day rolls around.

Luckily they are fun to work on while watching TV in the evenings so I manage to get them made then.

Have a Wonderful Day.

A Purple Finche dropped by today.

I had a visit from this little guy this morning.

Its a male Purple Finch.  See his little topknot.

 

The finch is on the left and on the right is a white-breasted Nuthatch.

I love checking the birds every morning to see if anyone new shows up.  They are always so cute and busy.

Have a Wonderful Day!