I NEED TO GET ORGANIZED

I do so envy those who have organized and neat tidy sewing rooms. My "sewing room" is actually the dining room table. It is not only necessary (since we don't have the space anywhere else), it is convenient because I can watch my son while I'm (trying to) sew. Too bad I'm so disorganized though. I bought a bunch of plastic containers with lids to organize my supplies, but it seems like everything still ends up all over in the table in a huge mess. When I sew or cut out patterns, I just kind of push everything to the side and hope it doesn't slide over the edge of the table. I think I need help. P.S. Note the Fisher-Price toy train on my sewing table - what's that doing there?

It's snowing!

Just when I planted my tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, you name it - SNOW! Of course! In Northern Nevada, always expect snow until June. Just last week, it was 85 degrees and sunny. This morning we woke up and - guess what - just to keep everyone on their toes - snow and freezing temperatures. I do have plastic covers on my tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkins, but everything else was hit. I'll just have to wait and see how they fair. I might have to re-plant.

Everything is FOOD!

Hmm, it seems like 50 percent of my life revolves around food - what to cook, what to eat, what not to eat, etc. It's 3:00pm and I'm trying to figure out what to cook for dinner tonight. I really like Rachael Ray, so I looked up her website and found a recipe for Cheese Straws (very easy and uses only six ingredients. I thought I would have it with Veggie Chili (I use whatever is in the garden or whatever is in the freezer!) Find the recipe at http://www.rachaelraymag.com

Only 160 days 'til Halloween!

Only 160 days until Halloween! That means, start preparing now! Here is an good link for Halloween crochet patterns. http://home.inreach.com/marthac/hallo.html
I haven't started on one yet, but when I do, dear reader, I will keep you posted.
Also, I'm including a vintage photo of some cute Halloween decorating for your home. It looks like from around the 1920's or 30's.

pie - after

pie - after
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

Here is the "rustic" rhubarb pie baked.

pie - before

pie - before
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

Here's my first rhubarb pie of the season. Since we are overflowing with rhubarb this year, I've got to find something to do with all this rhubarb! Although this pie tastes really good (I added cinnamon for flavor), the crust is a little bit messy! I do not have a lot of patience for pastry perfection! So, my motto is - when it's not perfect, call it "rustic" ! (It will look a lot better baked.)

Railroad museum

For Mother's Day, my husband, my son and I visited the railroad museum in Carson City. My son is a train nut so, needless to say, he had a hard time eating his lunch before we visited the trains! For those of you possibly visiting Carson City (Nevada), I recommend the museum. Although it is small, it has some great examples of old western steam engines. It also has a small "train" that kids can climb into called the "Puffing Billy". Also, every weekend in the summer, they have steam engines running that you can ride. There is a great outdoor park area, and sometimes the Jaycees do a fundraising BBQ as well. Here are some pics of the "G" man enjoying the trains and some other neat train pictures.

Homemade granola bars

Here is my first attempt at homemade granola bars. They turned out pretty good, but very sweet! Gus (my three year old) had some this morning and it was a hit! I was pretty excited, especially since my son is the king of picky eaters! For those who are interested, I found the recipe on http://southernfood.about.com. I modified the recipe a little bit to fit the ingredients that I had already in my pantry.
Tip: grease the pan you cook it in really well - the bars really stick when they cool off.

1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup melted butter
2/3 cup peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 - 4 cups muesli cereal
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/3 cup ground flax seed

Mix all ingredients together till mixture is sticky clumps. Press mixture into greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.

apple blossoms

apple blossoms
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

stinky pear

stinky pear
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

swing area

swing area
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

baby daffys

baby daffys
Originally uploaded by buchanan_shelley.

Late Spring Northern Nevada Style

Summer is finally here in Northern Nevada. Since we had an unusual amount of rain early in the season, things have been blooming like crazy. There are blossoms all over my fruit trees (apple, pear, plum). Unfortunately, the blossoms all over my pear tree smell like dead fish for some reason. Fortunately, those blossoms are finally beginning to fall off.
In addition to all the blossoms, we've got weeds, weeds, weeds. And not only the usual bindweed and mini-baby tumbleweeds in the making (more on that later) - we've got dandelions all over. I've been pulling and digging and pulling! Since we have that hardpan soil (hard dry clay with rocks - lovely!), those babies just break off at the roots! Grrrr.