Ewe Creek Cottage

Like a Newborn

2009-10-28T06:35:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone just popping in for an update
We brought him home on Saturday last and things are progressing forward slowly. He is being a great house patient but the whole situation is like having a newborn in the house- he is rightly first in everything and the new mom me lol eats when she can, grabs a shower when there is time, and naps when he naps/sleeps and part of the house gets picked up when I can and lol laundry strangely is multiplied and never ending in hyperdrive it seems LOL. Each day is a lil better but no established routine yet and the blog surfing is non existant at this point lol. I sure hope he grows up quick hehe.
Please keep him in your prayers he is having normal issues related to the types of medications he is on and although they are only bothersome at this point the issues decreases his comfort levels and are becomming irritating.
Thank you for your support and Look forward to getting back to visiting yall and posting decor and cooking bits.
RaNae

Just Call him SUPERPATIENT

2009-10-22T16:38:00.000-05:00

Well this is just a note to let you all know my husbands nickname at the hospital is Super Patient His surgery took half the time and went perfectly and his recovery is progressing at twice the speed but none of this would be possible without any of you ya'lls prayer and support brought us through- really and seriously they brought us peace and strength and comfort and I know that it if wasn't for that we wouldn't be headed down the long road to total recovery.
I'll be back in a few days once we get settled into our new routine.
Forever in your debt with gratitude
RaNae and Doug

An Update and Thank You

2009-10-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone I just wanted to pop in and give a great big Thank You to all the wonderful people in Blog land that are praying for us and keeping us in their thoughts. I am sorry I haven't been around but Since OCT 2 we have had out of state company/family visiting and been busy with Dr's apts and such. Our Surgery Date is during the 3rd week of Oct but don't want to post the exact date on the WWW.
This week I should be able to get my fall decorating done and my sewing so hopefully I can get some decor posts up. I hope yall understand if I can't get by your blogs - I'm gonna try my best now that it's back to a somewhat normal routine this week but I just might not make it. I hope you all are doing well.
thanks again for everything
RaNae

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup = Chicken Pot Pie

2009-10-01T22:03:00.009-05:00

So in getting ready for the next couple of busy months I decided to make a big batch
of Chicken noodle soup and freeze some but when I do this I leave out the noodles
and I just make them at the time we are gonna eat it I'll make the noodles on the side
and add the soup.

My chicken noodle soup this time was a big stock pot filled with water, several sliced
carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks, dash of white pepper, large tsp poultry seasoning and
3 split skinnless chicken breasts with ribs and a couple squirt liquid aminos. Bring
to a rapid boil , cover reduce heat to a nice heavy rolling simmer and cook till the
breasts are cooked about 40-60 minutes- remove the breasts from the stock take
the meat off the bones shred it and put back into the simmering stock for 15 more
minutes.

So here we are today - all but one container was put into the freezer the other
day
and although it was 90 with severe thunderstorms here in Texas today- being the
yank at heart that I am my internal clock still says it's fall and time for comfort
food, nurturing warm your bones meals.... it's time for Chicken pot pie.

I placed my chicken soup into a deep frying pan and turned it on
medium heat

I chopped up a package of mushrooms to brown in a

combination of butter and EVOO

set the oven to 425 and placed a rack in the lowest position

I cut up 4 medium red potatoes and cooked them in the microwave

and added them to the chicken soup

after sweating the mushrooms and the small sweet onion I cut up

I sprinkled them with almost a 1/4 cup of flour and stirred to mix

and cooked that for 3-5 minutes stirring pretty regularly

at this point you start adding the broth from your heated chicken soup

a lil at a time to your flour coated shrooms n onions

- stirring constantly to form your gravy.. I gott a lil vaklempt at this point

and forgot to take the pics because all the sudden my shroom pan

was pretty full and I had to transfer that to my big frying pan with the chicken

soup but it all worked out and turned into a nice chicken

vegetable gravy mix perfect for a pie crust

buy a box of double crusts and let come to just room temp

place one in bottome of ungreased pie plate

fill with your gravy mixture and of course place your pie

pan on a baking sheet

top with other crust- slit the top 3 to 4 times and place on

bottom rack

cook for 15 -20 minutes then cover edges with foil and

cook for another 20 minutes and

voila

Open Heart Surgery, Fabulous Finds & Makeover Teaser

2009-09-26T09:26:00.002-05:00

Well Open Heart Surgery is in my 47 year Old husbands near future

God is Good He is our Strength and our Healer

Will know more on Tuesday

Please lift us up and all the Dr's Nurses and Technicians involved in our case.

This apparently is an undiagnosed birth defect or an injury to an artery that healed but has calcified and blocked 100%

It's been a shock This all began to be diagnosed Thursday but for months I have been praying for God to Heal my husband his body mind and spirit so I want to publically witness and thank Him for answering prayers and putting us in line with great dr's who are extremly intelligent and kind and you can tell many of them love and know our savior personally.

now for a post I made on Wed

I'll keep ya updated.

Thank you in advance

We believe in the Power of Prayer and Positive Thoughts.

Well this all started because I wanted to be a part of Tabletop Thursdays so I put this setting together and sat with it a few days

Then I thought hey I have all this fabric in my stash so I pulled it out

WHAT A GREAT FIND

I love the way it is all so french country and warm and cozy and going so perfectly with what I already have in my dinning room sooooo.

I am currently working on redoing my drapes and accessories for the tabletop....

stay tuned.

Need Your Prayers Thank You Thursday

2009-09-24T20:21:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to thank God for the blessing of nature and the abundance of it right out my front window.

Thanks God

I also wanted to thank God that he is our healer and I am totally standing in Faith on that.

Please Pray for my Family tonight and especially tomorrow from noon on

Thank You.

Meatless Mexican Main Dish Monday ooops it's Wednesday...Eii Carumba

2009-09-23T20:46:00.006-05:00

This recipe comes from : The Low-Fat Way To Cook

Published by Oxmoor House a division of Southern Progress Corporation

Published in 1993

So I am thinking it was offered by Southern Living I used to have a subscription with them during that time and this I either ordered or it was a gift .

I'd like to say when I post my recipes I do so in a manner as if I was trying to impart what small amount of knowledge I have to a novice cook or my teenage neice,

hoping that they learn lil tidbits alot earlier than I did.

See my Father raised me and my husband taught me the basics after that- then I stumbled around for years till I found

The Food Network

and I have learned so much from all the shows there.

Thank You Food Network I love you... giggle.

Bean and Corn Burritos

Yummy we -well I- have been making this for years and it is a repeat request in our house. This recipe introduced me to Cilantro well I should say it started my love affair with the herb and it is a must for this recipe.

A Reenie Tip for moving chopped items into a bowl or pan don't rush out and by a pastry scraper or some other gadget use the largest spatula you have on hand... saves time and your knife blade - not good for your knife to scrape along the cutting board especially if it is resin or glass.

A Reenie Tip when cutting or chopping peppers place the shinny side on the cutting board this way your knife won't slip

I mash the beans with a potato masher

place your mixture near the edge

Grab tuck tight and roll

I made a double batch so we would have some for lunch tomorrow

both tortillas are carb smart but one is whole grain- mine

I forgot to put the cheese on the inside so I sprinkeled some on the outside and it looks like more than was actually used. I used a colby jack

topped with salsa, sour cream and cilantro yummy

Hope you enjoy

INGREDIENTS

Preheat oven to 425

4 servings

355 Calories per serving

Vegetable Cooking Spray(I use EVOO)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon minced pickled jalapeno pepper
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1(16oz) can light red kidney beand, drained rinsed and mashed
1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed and drained
4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
3/4 cup (3oz) shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar Cheese ( i used colby-jack)
1 cup comercial medium salsa
1/4 cup nonfat sour cream alternative (we use real just not that much) **have you ever noticed how the alternative won't wash off your serving wear or whatever can you immagine what it takes to get it out of your body??**
Jalapeno pepper slices (optional)
Fresh Cilantro Sprigs(optional) but really enhances it
Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium heat until hot. Add onion, green pepper, jalapeno pepper, and garlic; saute until tender, Stir in cumin and white pepper. Cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in mashed beans and corn.

Place desired amount of bean mixture in tortilla, sprinkle cheese over that roll up tortillas and place seam side down on a backing sheet. Bake at 425 for 7 to 8 minutes or untill thoroughly heated.

Top each burrito with salsa, sour cream and garnish with jalapeno slices and cilantro sprigs.

(if done according to directions) Fat 7.8g Protein 18.5 Carb 57.1g Fiber 5.4g Cholesterol 14mg Sodium 316mg

I'd Like to Introduce the Newest Member of My Flock

2009-09-18T11:22:00.002-05:00

Everyone I'd Like you to meet

Gaston Henri Agneau the Ewe

He is a Curly coat corn lovin sheep of the resin breed and he is excited to be in his new home here at

Ewe Creek Cottage

where he was saved from a dismal life on a clearance rack at the hardware store lol

He has many new friends to call his own

There is Daisy, Snoop and Sugar

There is also

Rose

and Humphrey

Then there are the Relatives from England

Aldrid, Alfie and Elwood in the back row

then

Marabel & Manford

then

Litton, Eppie and her baby Emilee

and finally Tuk

There is also his French Cousin

Madeleine

with her babies

Lucienne and Lysette

Well I hope you have enjoyed meeting

the menagerie here at

Ewe Creek Cottage

Have a great weekend and visit again real soon!

Must Have Kitchen Items

2009-09-17T17:10:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone I have to share my must have kitchen items First there is my salad spinner I have had it for years I don't even remember where I got it. There is nothing worse then soggy lettuce and a spinner does just what it says spins your washed lettuce dry. Yall gotta get one.

Next it's my Rubbermaid Produce Saver I of course use it for lettuce but I also use it for fruit and mushrooms and all sorts of stuff it's even microwave and dishwasher safe and the best part is it does just like it says keeps your fruit and produce fresher longer and in my house that means less stuff gets thrown out which = $$ saved

Monday Recipe: Weight Watcher Beef Stew

2009-09-14T14:11:00.108-05:00

Hello everyone this is a recipe I am trying for the first time today it is from

Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook published in 1998

I'll post my notes by the pictures then the recipe at the end.

This pic is just a lil tip I got from watching the food network~ place your cutting board over a damp paper towel to keep the cutting board from slipping.

The beginning of the recipe calls for minced carrots so I cut my time by starting with carrot strings I had in the fridge for salads and nuc cham... always handy to keep on hand.

minced carrots. onion, celery

I used a family 3 pack of some steak I got on sale a few weeks back and had in the freezer... buy 1 pack get 2 packs free couldn't beat that.

forgot to take a pic of the tomatoes I just used a cup of canned chopped tomatoes this pic shows everything in pot for first 45 min simmer.

I was running short on time so I gave the potatoes and carrots a fine cube so they would cook faster. I use a big spatula to move things from the cutting board into bowls ~really makes things easier.

I also couldn't find pearl onions frozen or therwise at the market so I used 3/4 of a medium sweet onion.

Everything in pot for second cooking of 40 minutes but only took me 25 because of smaller cube on the vegg

The last ingredients- the recipe calls for fresh herbs I didn't have them - I cut the mint in half to 1/2 TBSdried and it was just a tad too much I would suggest starting out with 1/2 tsp of the dried mint if that is what you have on hand and then go up from there according to taste because dried mint is really really dense in taste and can overwhelm a recipe easily.

Final verdict is very good both my husband and I would deffinitly eat this again and look forward to getting the mint ratio right. If anyone knows the equivalent of 1TBS fresh to dried I'd appreciate ya leaving a note in the comments.

Hope you enjoy.

What are you cooking today?

BEEF STEW

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon minced onion

1 Tablespoon minced carrot

1 Tablespoon minced celery

1 pound beef round cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes

1 cup chopped canned plum tomatoes with juice

1/2 cup dry wed wine

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried leaves

1 bay leaf

Salt and Freshly ground black pepper to taste

8 frozen pearl onions

(**TIP if you can't find frozen pearl onions, use fresh but you'll have to peel them**)

2 carrots peeled and cut into 1"chunks

4 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1" cubes

1 cup thawed frozen peas

1 Tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley

1 Tablespoon minced mint

In a medium nonstick Dutch oven or heavy saucepan , heat the oil. Saute` the minced onion, carrot and celery until translucent, 5-6 minutes. Add the beef and saute` untill browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, wine, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, partly covered, stirring occassionally about 45 minutes.
Add the pearly onions, carrots, potatoes and 1 cup hot water. Cook covered 40 minutes
Stir in the peas; cook 4 minutes then add the parsley and mint and cook 1 minute longer. Discard the bay leaf.

NUTRITION PER SERVING

356 Calories, 8g total Fat, 2g Sat Fat, 51 mg Cholesterol, 511 mg sodium, 41 g total carbohydrate, 7 g dietary fiber, 25 g protein, 75 mg calcium.

Shooting Blind

2009-09-06T20:45:00.001-05:00

Well I really lucked out today... shooting with an lcd only digital camera I find myself very often shooting blind when it comes to taking pictures and the sunshine. I have to laugh at myslef at one point I was standing there for about 3 minutes trying to find the view hole and then realized ahhh that was my old camera LOL.... I'm sure some of ya'll will be able to relate to that.

Hope you enjoy my blind shots.

RaNae

Late Summer Visitors

2009-09-05T21:12:00.004-05:00

With Summer finally winding down and the temps beginning to break a bit which us humans here in Texas really enjoy- it's been a long hard hot summer here- well we have been having a slew of visitors at the butterfly bush right outside our family room window which is such a simple pleasure that brings so much joy that I thought I'd share a few shots with yall and spread the joy.

Wonderful Spring So Far

2007-06-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

I hope you all have had a wonderful spring so far we sure have.
I have only had to water maybe 5 times so far otherwise the rain has been enough. My Butterfly bushes are thriving and full of butterflies and hummers all day long . Lots of projects have been in production- made all new shears for the windows, lots of new pillows, recovered an ottoman and slipcovered another.

We started sprucing up our master bedroom with new bedding and window treatments, decor accents and recovered lamp shades. I have plans to make a duvet cover but I am scared LOL- being a self taught novice sewer this will be my largest most difficult project so I am putting it off LOL.

We have also started to redo our master bath.

Well hope all is well with you all.
I'll be back soon with pics.
Happy Spring,,, summer is almost here
RaNae

Tag I'M it

2007-01-20T13:11:00.000-06:00

My Great Blogging Friend Wendy Has tagged me to share 6 Weird things about myself - I am psyched I have been wanting to be tagged LOL

I like to put dressers inside of closets - it buggs Doug to death lol but I think it makes the closet more efficient especially if you can't afford a california closet system or a diy system from your local home improvement store. It also frees up footprint space in your room.

I love to play spider solitare I have mastered 2 suits in as little as 126 moves

Religiously whenever I turn on the computer and connect to the web before I do anything else I have to go to People Magazine on line and check out the latest gossip on the celebrities- I think it's genetic my Mom always loved the celbrity rags and so do my Brother and SIL I even purchase In Touch Weekly each week- but they do showcase a decor segment either a stars home or a famous resturaunt or outdoor living each week- that's my justification on that LOL

I have a hammer toe on each foot. My pinky toe folds over to the next- makes buying shoes difficult but not impossible. My grandma and aunt had the same thing. IT's kinda funny when ever a child sees it they will bend down and smash my toe back over to the suppose to be position... too cute.

We have a treadmill and bike right in our living room better health deffinitly wins out over home decor this time lol
Our dogs sleep under the covers with us and it's in their genetic code they were originally bred in Germany from Terrier lines (they are not related to Dobermans at all) to be mousers for the German Housewives back when they used to have dirt floors. The Min Pin was always at the Housewives side or watching for intruders. They would sleep under the covers to protect the family members from roving rodents. They also were rat catchers in the stables.

So that is my 6 and now I have to tag 6 of my friend to do this so here goes

also check out their great blogs.

Melissa

Meg

Christy

Maddy

Diana

Tara

***Here are the rules: Each player of this game starts with "6 weird things about you". Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you're tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means.**

FORCED HIBERNATION = CABIN FEVER LOL

2007-01-20T12:17:00.000-06:00

ZZZZZ zzzzz ZZZZZ zzzz

Hello everyone I've been in hibernation of a forced sort- first it was getting sick right after the holiday and my birthday and it was a doozy of a bronchitis that zapped me then the clouds rolled in and the storms hit.. We haven't seen the sun in so long we wonder if it is still out there ??? tell me is it? And the cold and rain and or snow or ice just won't stop... I know an awful way to start out a blog griping but both Doug and I are miserable lots lately- thus the hibernation - in layers of clothes and under warm blankets with lots of warm drinks and our 4 legged heaters we have survived and have heard a rumor it is to be 50 and sunny tomorrow once the rain ends in the morning and we can hardly wait. We plan on walking the dogs all around the neighbor hood as they have cabin fever also

**on a positive note our area was under a drought and all the snow and ice and rain has been very beneficial.

So here are some pics of some things I've been doing while curled up in blankets on the couch I knitted 3 scarves one pink one isn't pictured it was a gift for a friend. I have been pouring over my favorite book ever- it is packed with fabulous ideas and I think written specifically for me the best thing I got it at the half priced book store this past summer. In it are lots of embellishment ideas so I broke out my leftover beads from past lamp projects and embellished 2 votive holders and 3 glass jars- when my tea lights are light inside the beads sparkle and cast wonderful dancing shadows on the walls. All I did to make those was to clean the glass with rubbing alcahol 70% and then glue on with Aileens super tacky white craft glue. I allowed them to dry for 6-8 hours before lighting the candles that night.

I have decided to knit a blanket for the living room. It is my own design. I am applying the principle of strip quilting. I am making long strips of alternating colors of the blue and green pictured to form blocks. Each strip will alternate in the oposite and when I connect the strips I am hoping for a patchwork effect which I will then border with the green. It isK2rows P2rows size 10 needles very simple since I am a novice and I am using red heart plush yarn - super soft. I had to get out my pamphlet to get me started again since I hadn't knitted in like 6 years- and this isn't the pamphlet I was looking for but it has served me well. I finish my first strip today - yay.

Last time we were grocery shopping at Wal Mart I found these great corn husk baskets large enoug to hold 14 large skeins of yarn for only get this- 3$ each I picked up 2 and I found the perfect rosy shade of lip gloss it is Rimmel Vinyl Stars in HOT ROCK... just love it when it's on my lips it brings a rosy glow to my cheeks and light to my eyes this is a must have girls.

Well I hope that yall have a great weekend.

Hugs RaNae

Hello Friday

2007-01-05T09:27:00.000-06:00

TGIF lol
Hello everyone just a quick note to let you know I went to the dr on Wed- she said I was 2 days away from Walking pnemonia. I'm on 3 drugs including steroids and go from over active to knocked out lol.
Hope you all have wonderful weekends
I've been thinking about you and hope to catch up soon.
RaNae

Susie Q u Sweetie U

2007-01-02T17:46:00.000-06:00

Thank You SUSIEQ you are the sweetest most talented gal I am so glad we got to be friends
Look what she did yall tooo cute.
HUGS
RaNae
http://rabbitruncottage.blogspot.com/2006/12/happy-birthday-ranae.html#links

Goals For 2007

2007-01-02T09:20:00.000-06:00

What do you hope to progress forward with in 2007

Here is what I would like to move forward with

Decorating goals in no specific order

Paint guest bath a light cream that matches my shower curtain- still builders white
Paint the master bedroom and bathroom a medium deep dusty purple
Dinning room- re work window treatment, make chair cushions, table cloth with placemats and napkins, paint the table and chairs and add more storage units
Kitchen- decide between an island with stools or more cabinitry and a long narrow farm table and then make it happen

Life goals

be more conscious of my communication with my Mom
continue working towards better health
really try and search out Gods purpose for my life I really want to get closer to what HE wants me to do whatever that is
Read More
Craft More

Bronchitis was my gift LOL

2007-01-02T07:48:00.000-06:00

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes I felt so special as I read each one today.

My day was great nothing spectacular happened except for the most awesome card from my husband I cry every time I read it ... awww and oh yeah I came down with allergy related bronchitis ;=/ yuk yuk yuk that is why I haven't been on the webb just been sitting in the recliner and knitting. Well I did manage to take down all my Christmas Decor {except for my kitchen items} over a 2 day period starting on my birthday... soo sad it goes up so slowly and comes down so quickly. I do have to say I did manage to not expand my christmas storage limit ... even though I did buy a few more things this year and made a bunch of ornies... must be a gift from the organizing Gods lol... Another thing I want to say was this season I put up my decor the day after thanksgiving and it really helped me to have a better mental attitude all season long- this will be a must do for me from now on.
Hope you all have a great day today I'll be back in a couple.
Oh yeah we watched The Davinci Code last night if you haven't seen it yet ya gotta rent it very good.
RaNae

Todays MY Birthday

2006-12-30T10:35:00.000-06:00

Today is my Birthday- YAY!!!

Today is my Birthday I am 42 years old- I feel old lol my body aches from the abuse I have harped upon it... oh well don't want to get into that today lol.

I had thought about scanning in a bunch of pictures of me and my Father who passed in 92- as a tribute to him and a way of sharing my Birthday with him - he was my everything- he protected me from my verbally and physically abusive mother- he was there for me every step of the way of growing up he was my Father and My loving Mother- I love and miss him terribly but thought that if I went through the pictures today it would be more than I could handle so I thought I would just share about my wonderful week and shopping/thrifting trip yesterday.

My week was great - I have spent alot of quality time on the couch with Doug (who went back to work on Thursday he's sleeping right now but I know he would say hi to yall) and the girls watching tv and knitting- the only finished knitting project I accomplished so far was a pink scarf as a present for a friend I spent the day with on Thursday. I forgot to take a picture of it but was very proud of it since I am a self taught, novice knitter and hadn't picked up needles in bout 3 years. I love knitting. I've never done more than a few scarves but I love how the yarn feels in my hands-it amazes me how we can maniputlae it into patterns weave it into garments- I love yarn all the different textures... smooth velvety chunky prickly I love yarn but then again I did crochet my first afghan at age 5- ohh what a site to see that was- verigated pink yarn and on each row i added a stitch the end result was a lopsided wonder LOL. Yesterday while at Wal Mart I picked up some green and blue yarn they had on clearance hopefully I can fashion some type of blanket out of it- it may end up being a doggie blanket lol but I am looking forward to trying it after I finish the scarf I'm currently working on. And each weekday I look forward to 10 am because they have placed the diy show Knitty Gritty on HGTV- I am learning alot.

Well like I said I went thrifting yesterday- I never find the furniture I am looking for ugh ... lol but I always seem to find something.

This was my haul except for the Texas Santa my girlfriend Charla made that and gave it to me isn't it adorable!! The mirror, cow, silver and peuter pieces all came from one store and was a total of 17$ they were having an 85%off sale- originally the mirror was 14$ and the cow/moon $25 so I think I did good. The dog and french planter came from another and was a total of 3 $ something.
The boxes along with kleenex boxes not shown was a total of 4$ and the vintage box of cards- 19 out of 21 was only 3$ for the whole box.
I also picked up a bunch of stuff at Walmart to make a care package for my Mother- envelopes and writing paper etc Hopefully she will like it.

Well off to drink some coffee and assign rightful places to my new treasure and pick up those knitting needles again.
Thank you all for reading and for your good thoughts.
RaNae

2006-12-25T11:41:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone

Update on our Vacation

2006-12-21T21:21:00.000-06:00

note if you click on pics it will enlarge them

Doug again, RaNae is on strike she says when she is on Vacation i gotta do all the typing LOL. I guess that means i gotta do all the laundry Too LOL??

So we went out to a celebrated German Town 57 miles from here on Tuesday in the rain guess what it was terrible!!!We will not identify it or the bad resturant we ate at we will just leave it at that. (or the bogus antique store)Well Wensday RaNae was a sweetie she let me catch up on my sleep since i work awkward hours there is usually one day i have to sleep big time. She was so nice to let me sleep while she worked on her Christmas House and kept everything quiet how can you not love someone like that?

So Today (thurs)we left to the Dickies outlet store to get me some pants for work. I have to wear uniforms and the company that supplies them could care less if the britches fits. I sent in 1/2 of my pants and they came back the same length and waist and wore out so we decided we would just go buy pants that fit and stop fighting the system. Well luck would have it they only had one pair RaNae could hem to fit me out of a billion. She got lucky....
After we left we went to the Mellow Mushroom for pizza and possibly a Shiner Bock or two.
We left the Mushroom and went down town to the Flying Saucer so we could go on the balcony and take pictures of downtown Fort Worth Sundance Square and i had to take one for the team I was forced to buy a beer so we could go up i hated to do it but it was for the cause.

When we were on the baclony we spied Shackolad chocolate and had to score some and it was yummy.
After we left we came home and i made some cabbage rolls it is usually on a day off or vacation i make them because of all the tasks required. They sure were good we chowed down on them and afterwards i was sitting in the office with RaNae and the dogs and we fell asleep Imagine That!!

I appreciate all the wonderful comments yall made after my first blog and thank you for being so nice to me.
See ya next time Doug

Monday the 18th

2006-12-18T20:26:00.000-06:00

Well this is interesting i am Doug, RaNaes husband and am starting my vacation and first thing that happens is i get instructed to post on this blog! So who is actually on vacation? I got home from work and we discussed what to do and decided to go to the Stockyards today

and window shop since we have not been there since our early recon missions before we moved to this area. It was fun we got in right before the cold front rushed in. We took some pics and ate some candy

and i drank a local micro brewed beer which was good.

{ how come I have such a pretty wife? she looks like Maria Carey!!}

They have a cattle drive

down main street in the morning and afternoon and we got there in time to see the afternoon drive (4pm) which included the most beautiful Texas Longhorns I have ever seen

and the cowboys and cowgirls looked like they knew what they were doing.
After we took the pics we wanted,

the cool air 55 degrees (which i gotta tell ya it was 76 when we first got there I might of possibly not been correctly dressed for the cooler weather but i will admit no wrong doing, since i usually am never wrong LOL) The 55 degree air made the decision for us to split. So the only thing left was what form of meat will we eat for dinner. Well i gotta admit after looking at those Longhorns

i wanted some Brisket. So we went to a local BBQ place and had a good meal. When we got home and downloaded our pics from our "new camera" we noticed some quality problems so after some discussion i finally decided i better look at the owners manual which was a last resort. So i think we now have it dialed in and i took some pics of RaNaes trees with the lights on in the dark with no flash let us know what you think.

Well this is way too much hunt and peck typing for me i gotta go give my index fingers a rest.

Have a Happy Night
Hugs Doug

PS look at our treasure from the trip a cowboy boot ornament.

Good Monday To You

2006-12-18T08:18:00.000-06:00

7 Days until Christmas
6 Days of shopping left
5 Gold Rings

Well today is the beginning of a wonderful gift 9 whole days with my husband

can we all say VACATION.

This is soo wonderful it is unexpected and is really the best gift of all because we really like each other - we like spending time with each other, we make each other laugh and finish each others sentences... too funny I know but what ya gonna do after 23 years of knowing each other. We are best friends - he is the only person in the world I trust 100%. Anyways enough gushing - giggle... because I could go on forever- like how I gave him a haircut the other day and he looks soo hot... anyways..

We have lots of fun stuff planned- lots of movies in the theater to see and a day trip or two, a couple new resturaunts to add to our repetoire and maybe some thrift stores along the way. I'll be sure and take along the new camera for lots of fun to share.

Happy Monday Everyone

Happy Christmas

Hugs RaNae

Pics for the day here is a shot of My Puca Santa and elf on our desk in the sea shore office We got them in Vegas last year when there at Christmas(I have family there)

They are just tooo cute!!!

Wendy Asked to Share Ornies

2006-12-17T15:47:00.000-06:00

Christmas Ornaments.... ahhh memories
Wendy of A Day in the Life of an Ordinary Person Blog asked her readers/friends to share their ornies so here goes...
First I'd like to say I am missing a Christmas Box since our move last year- I had vintage elfs and a memorial ornament for my Father and some others ...... wahhh
I redid my tree yesterday because of a light malfunction. Here is the new version I flattened the branches and used bagged plastic snow instead of the quilt stuffing I like it much better.

I have a small collection of snow people and these love doves well My Mom gave them to me says they look like me and Doug... awww.

This elephant is my new favorite I got him half off at Bombay when I was with my girlfriend- having never been in a Bombay before I have to say I fell in love with some of their ornies.

Here starts my handmade favorites on my small tree by the fp. I cross stitched these back in the late 80's

This was one of two that a dear lil ole lady customer made for us workers at the Kennel that used to keep her dogs back in 1990 love it because she made it it has potpuri inside.

Looking forward to you sharing your ornies.
RaNae

New Digi Cam

2006-12-17T13:53:00.000-06:00

Early Christmas Gift

Well this past week we got a new digi cam and now that I am recovered from technical overload I thought I would share some of the first pics with you I also wanted to say we got a great deal on it at Best Buy it was $254.99 on sale for $179.99 and we used $140.oo worth of points on it sooo for $39.00 (not including the cost of card, extra battery and carrrying case) we have a $250 camera. Can you say Thrifty Can you say Kachinggggggg lol
Oh ps click on the pics to enlarge especially the one of Jorgie it makes it sooo clear... still working on proper sizing etc.... and if anyone knows how to post a video we have been taking min pin videos... I know we are silly doggie parents lol.
Have a great Sunday.
RaNae

MMM MMM Good Mags lickin her chops after eating lol

Jorgie Sittin Pretty

Snuggle attack by Mags LOL

And this cool Christmas decor shot I took with our old cam.

Kachinggggggggg lol

2006-12-17T13:39:00.000-06:00

My latest Thrift Finds
Here are pics of my latest thrift scores
This is a glass vase that was displayed as a candle holder in the thrift shop but I think it will make a nice vase also.

This is the silver pitcher isn't it awesome and 2 cherubs which I will paint a warmer tone for my guest bath

This was the tapestry score right before thanks giving I have yet to hang it waiting till after Christmas

This mirror I scored up in Tulsa- I have a thing for mirrors I will be giving it a paint treatment to match a frame in the dinning room

Here is a not so good pic of my precious treasure from last Friday with my girlfriend the scrolling is all gold I have it on my pass through ledge right in front of the sink.... just love it

This is a 2 sided bisquit tin I bought to resell but I am considering keeping it and doing lots of pink and green accents in my kitchen for the spring inspired by an inherited partial set of desert rose china and how great it looks against my yellow walls in the kitch.

Soul Sisters

2006-12-17T13:31:00.000-06:00

Friendship Far and Wide

Today I am sooo greatful for the WWW . It is a wonderous thing to be able to connect with people all over the world who have similar intersts as you do. And it is a wonderous thing when they become dear friends as many of you have... friends who perhaps have never heard each others sweet voice or maybe never seen each others sweet face but that doesn't matter because somehow the WWW connects your souls and you look forward to the blessings you receive through the typed words of your soul sisters.... so to each of you I say Thank You and I ask the universe to bestow wonderous blessings upon you- blessings for health, wealth and HappyNess... I'm glad you are in my life ... each and every one of you.
Hugs R

It's FRIDAY YAY

2006-12-08T19:21:00.000-06:00

Today has been a wonderful day I hope for you also!!!

Today has been the best day I spent the whole day with my girlfriend Charla we met via the internet through an msn decorating group and hit it off. We live about 40 minutes from each other and today was our second outing. Today I shuttled her around to my favorite thrift shops- although one was closed only to open with a big sale at 6pm today- but I had to get my husbands dinner and lunch ready for him to take to work so we didn't go back there but otherwise I think we both had fun at least I hope she did and I know I did- I also know I talked her ear off LOL.
Anyways about our treasures- no pics on my end sorry girls- long story short no more router no more lap top no more new digi pics till I get a new digi cam that is up to date or finish a roll of reg pics which ever comes first but doo let me tell you about them
I had two things in hand at the first store but put them back before leaving- good thing cause I barely remember what they were so they weren't spectacular.

Next store we went to was a retail store called Bombay- we both left there with a Christmas ornament- scenario there is ornie to die for + big sale= cash out of pocket and treasure for the tree lol.
Then we went to lunch I introduced her to Vietnamese quisine.... I wonder what she really thought of it ???
Then to my house- she met the hubby and my doggies Maggie and Jorgie and they fell in love with her as much as she fell in love with them the dogs that is LOL. They already miss their Aunt Charla.
Then it was off to my circle of thrift stores and treasures were found by each of us... Charla got the most adorable Birdhouse topiary floral arrangement and Me wellll....

I scored what I believe to be a real silver pitcher even if it is only plated for 10$ it was a score!! I found a beautiful plate with Jesus surrounded by sheep and holding a lamb- and it has 10kgold scroll work all along the rim of the plate... can you say awww. I also grabbed 2 cherubs and the most unusual glass vase that I am using as a candle holder. The Top of the vase is lattice done in glass.... it's really pretty.

Well that brings us to the end of a wonderful day.
I hope you all have superb weekends.
Let me leave you with.... The doggie shot for the day not much on manners those two, but whose fault is that really??? lol

A Shot of Christmas Past

And Christmas present

Have a Happy Evening everyone it's so good to be on the web.
RaNae

Good Tuesday Morning!!!

2006-12-05T10:59:00.000-06:00

Good Morning Everyone

Hello everyone I hope you have a wonderful day today. I am itching to get my hair color done as my roots are all the sudden too "there" lol u know what I mean? It just baffels me how one day they can be fine then the next ~~ ohh my gosh I have to cover these up LOL.

Shabby in the City http://shabbyinthecity.blogspot.com/ complimented me on my red transferware bowl so I thought I would share a picture of my collection that my husband blessed me with one year for Christmas.

I just love it and would love to add to it in the future. We use these dishes everyday.... what's the point of being blessed with something so beautiful and "saving" it for special occasions... wouldn't you agree?

Here are 2 pics for the day one of Christmas Present

And one of Christmas Past 2005

Here is the doggie shot for the day this is Maggie and her plastic foot she loves this foot she grabbed it herself to snuggle with go figure lol

And a cottage shot from the past. This is an incarnation of our br in our old house I am posting this because I miss it and am facing the decision as to what to do with our MBR in the house we are in now. I bought a matchy matchy set for our new house last year that is cottagy in a way I hadn't had a matchy matchy set in probably 12 years. I even bought the coordinating bathroom stuff but I haven't pulled the room together with it all i.e. re done lamp shades etc. or painted the room and at this point I just long for this past look .... Doug has 12 days off for the holiday soon a good time to tackle our master suite.... decisions decisions decisions...

Have a Happy Tuesday Everyone.
RaNae

It's Monday

2006-12-04T09:22:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone it'sssssssss Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend? Today is the start of ours I'm sure there will be a dinner out, a Christmas light tour and lots of crafting. I have a ? for you all.....

Do ya likeahhh the sauce?? {ref an old episode of SNL}

Last week I made Turkey Noodle Soup as I'm sure many of you did after Thanksgiving.

So I'm wondering how do you like your soup? Do ya likeahhh the sauce or like it dry?

My Husband likes his dry very chunky

with very little "sauce lol"

And me well I like mine well I likeahhh the Sauce

very juicy I love how the hot liquid warms me to the bone and I like to think the more "sauce" ya have the less calories you have lol. {my NY yank side is showin hehe}

So how do you like yours?

Well I think I'll share a pic of Christmas past this is at our old house in Oklahoma. DH and I made the fireplace by oursleves and laid the laminite floor- were actually doing that Christmas day. Funny thing is 2 months later we decided to sell and move to Texas- best thing we ever did... the ole saying is true I wasn't born here but I got here as quick as I could.

Next how bout the Doggie Picture for the day this is Maggie at the beginning of the summer with her first aplint on her- poor thing had some problems this past year with her legs- hopefully that is behind us now.

Happy Monday everyone

Happy Holidays

RaNae

All I want to do is...

2006-12-03T11:30:00.000-06:00

Well today I confess I slept in on top of heading to bed early- & it felt great- I think sometimes our bodies need that would'nt you agree ladies? However I awoke to the realization of what a busy day I have ahead making me want to snuggle right back under the covers lol.

Anyways with it being our Friday {work schedule} I have to balance the checkbook to the statement, pay bills, finish cleaning { the baths are left yuk yuk yuk}- head to the Super WalMart for groceries and some garland and lights, I also have to cut back my front flower garden for the garbage tonight { the freeze with the snow finished off my flowers for the season}, and I have to put up garland with lights around my front door. Somewhere in there I have to also cook and get in a walk(because it's worth it).... and all I want to do is

Snuggle up with my endless collection of Magazines I haven't read and sip tea all day long... see I collect tea I love tea it is so warm and comforting yet can be exhilerating at times, some teas I like honey in - like my lemon soother and others need sugar like the razpberry zinger and still others need sugar and milk such as the red rose... ahh I love tea

Well I'm off to face this busy day.

Happy Sunday

Happy Christmas

RaNae

Township in The Making

2006-12-02T13:48:00.000-06:00

Well thanks to a friend Cherry my creativity has been sparked- she made the most wonderful Christmas Village Houses inspired by her desire to save $ compared to what she saw at a container store and that in turned inspired me. I'm using different materials than she.

Here are some pics of my first in progress and you can notice the inspiration pic I am using also. Lets hope this works out well.

RaNae

Is it Worth It?

2006-12-02T12:28:00.000-06:00

Is it worth it? That is a question that has been forefront in my living experience today.

Is it worth it to walk this morning for excercise? I don't know it's cold out side and I'd much rather be doing work on my houses and drinking coffee and ff cocoa.... but like Oprah, I too who hates to excercise, decided it was worth it and bundled up, harnessed Jorgie and off we went. Did I like it... well it was sunny and breezy and my hands froze- {note to self wear mittens next time dufus LOL} Was it worth it? Yes my heart rate got up- my circulation got going- my metabolizm got boosted- and it got done. And the big plus is Jorgie loved it.

Next I heated up a Lean Quisine Chicken Portabella meal for breakfast it has chicken and wildrice with portabella mushrooms and broccoli and some kind of cherry concoction for desert-{didn't feel like weight control oatmeal this am} and my first concern was the cooking instructions- they didn't have you slit the film for steam realease and it took a longer amount of time to cook it compared to Healthy Choice frozen meals. Well when it was all done cooking it had me wondering big time if it was worth it because the whole inside of the microwave was dripping with steam and was a bit of a pita to clean up. Well I began to eat and the flavor of the chicken and rice was so pleasing I found myself weighing the ? is the clean up worth the taste.... then I bit into the cherry desert concoction and about gagged and immediately realized NOPE this ain't worth it LOL.

So ask yourself today is it worth it?

Happy Saturday

RaNae

OH PS here is a pic for this morning Jorgie lounging around

Eweltide Greetings

2006-12-01T13:12:00.000-06:00

Just a little Eweltide Greeting

Happy Decorating Everyone

First of December what a wonderful time of year

2006-12-01T09:23:00.000-06:00

Well it snowed here are the pics

Jorgie on the left and Maggie on the right in the blue Maggie is going on 7 and Jorgie is going on 3 they are the light of our lives and are soo filled with personality.

I have to say that the girls really enjoyed it- they love being in their sweaters and I love seeing them in their sweaters - Jorgie in the black plaid to me looks like a lil sheep and you all know how much I love sheep- and if you didn't well I love sheep LOL- Doug {those are his legs in the pic he is my husband, best friend, cooking instuctor etc etc etc} he says Jorgie looks like a lil horse in her horse blanket.

This is Doug everyone I'll have to get a new pic of him he has a goaTee right now and I really really love it ;-) His commute to work was fine which I'm greatful for but I'm even more greatful that he made this for dinner before he left

He is a great cook and although he cooks mainly his "specialties" and I do everything else I have to say I am always greatful for the break and greatful he has taught me so much - well untill we got the Food Network and Fine Living on Satelite- Ya Gotta Love Rachel Ray and Michael Chiarello and The Barefoot Contessa and the rest of them I learn so much from them all now.

Well Happy Day Everyone

RaNae

Like a Child on Christmas Morning

2006-11-30T11:34:00.000-06:00

I'm a snowbaby! Born at the end of December in the heart of the Snowbelt in Upstate New York. I grew up loving snow, playing in it, all bundled up, from the time I could walk. There were igloos, tunnels, snowmen & woman. There were walks through the park and endless hours of sledding down hills with names like The Popcorn and Devils Twist. Snow was a given each year for Christmas and a beautiful glistening blanket throug March untill springs first peepings in April. Snow is a part of me an element of my blood.

Then as a young adult @ 18 I fell in love with my soulmate and shortly there after followed him South first to Alabama filled with a wonderous beauty all it's own and then to Oklahoma for the next 20 years.... Where for probably 15 out of those 20 years we were blessed with snow sometimes for just a day and at others it lasted weeks, each time filling me with Joy and taking me right back to my comfort zone, my element, my childhood.

15 months ago we moved 5 hours south from Oklahoma to the Dallas Fort Worth area and although DFW was sometimes mentioned in our nightly OK weathercasts we didn't really understand how different 5 hours south was weatherwise till we experienced it for ourselves. Last winter I never wore more than a sweatshirt for warmth. This past summver we had over 40 straight day of 100+ temps. And snow is a RARETY (sp?) down here or so they say. Untill.....

An arctic blast has come barelling into North Texas with a fury and a promise of snow for today... so like a child on Christmas Morning I have awoken before the crack of dawn anxious to open my gift and enjoy every minute of this wonderful day.

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow