It might be small, but it works.  When I found out that there was a pond on our land I was excited that the grandchildren could skate on it.  Jim had informed me that it was way too small to skate on.  Well, I hate to say it but he was wrong.

Thanksgiving day the kids went to check it out, but it was not quite frozen yet all the way.  On Friday they spent almost all day out there, either on skates or just wearing their boots.

Since it was still hunting season no one went outside without the beautiful blaze orange vests on.  The city kids got with the program and the country kids felt like they were at home :)

and this one I'm keeping for myself.  It's the Ribby Toque by Carol J. Sulcoski found over at the Interweave Store.  The color isn't exactly the right color in the photo.  I took this picture the other night after we came back in from a walk outside, so the lighting isn't the greatest.  It should be more of a golden color.  You can tell my cheeks are a bit red from the cold.

I've never really been a hat person but I'm starting to like them.  I'm making another one for myself and that one I'm making a cabled band on it.  Can't wait to show you.

I was in a pillow swap over at Dutch Sisters.  When I joined this swap I had no idea what I was going to do.  My first thought was to knit or crochet a pillow top.  But after thinking on it for awhile I decided to do the painting technique that I used on the wall-hanging.  I didn't have any other stencils so I used the ones I had.  The only fabric I bought was the piece of fabric I painted on and the piping that I put around the edge of the pillow.

I made up my own pattern with the fabric I had to work with from my scrap stash.  I forgot to take a picture of the back which was fabric from one of the border colors.  This pillow went to New Zealand and I hope she liked it.

I still have lots of projects going on and I'm happy I was able to finally show you this one.

When we get together the grand daughters are always doing something and usually it's putting on a play of some sort and this year was no different.  This year they put on a Thanksgiving play.

Here they are plowing the field,

and now they're planting the field.

Since it's Thanksgiving they have to go out and hunt for the turkey (notice the blaze orange vests they're wearing).

Now to sit down and enjoy their Thanksgiving meal.

Well look...they invited the turkeys to dinner...:))))

Taking their bow.

It's always fun to see what they come up with and what imaginations they have.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone so fast.  Pretty soon Christmas will be here.  It seems like we just moved to our new place here in Southwest Wisconsin.  Our neighbor down the road asks us everytime we see him, how we're liking it here.  And, every time I tell him, I love it :)

The house is quiet now.  No babies crying...no pitter pattering of little and big feet around the house.  We had an awesome Thanksgiving weekend.  I'll try to post about it the next couple of days.

I made the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie.  It's my first time making pecan pie and it turned out good.  It's one of Jim's favorites and I'm not sure why I've never made it before.

We had two turkeys and a ham.  I stuffed one and cooked it in the wood stove.  Yes, I stuffed it....We love stuffing cooked in the bird in our house.  I did make another huge pan of stuffing which was gone I think by that evening.  I also made the Pioneer Woman's-Herb Roasted Turkey, which I think was a hit from the traditional way to make a turkey.  I did not stuff it and I cooked it not in the oven but in my big electric roaster pan.  This is a first for me, not putting the turkey in the oven or stuffing it and I would have to say that this one was my favorite.  The herb gravy was awesome!

I did not...could not...would not...set a Thanksgiving table.  With 33 people...16 adults and 17 children, counting the two babies that didn't eat.  There was no way I was going to try and set a beautiful table.  I asked about putting my tablecloth/wallhanging quilt down on the table and I got a firm no-way.  So I guess it's a wallhanging instead.  So, we had a buffet style dinner.  A prayer was said before we sat down then Jim and I served everyone as they went through the line.  Usually in our house it's feed the kids first.

The house was full and we all had a wonderful time.  We not only enjoyed the wonderful food that we all made, we also enjoyed visiting with each other.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Judy

We had an ice storm Wednesday night and Thanksgiving morning we woke up to this.

Everyone made it safe and sound through the freezing rain.  I can't wait to see how your Thanksgiving day went.  But, family is still here and I thought I would get in a quick post before everyone woke up.

Blessings,

Judy

I'm thankful for all of you...my blog readers.  The other night there was a beautiful moon rise.  Looking at the moon made me think that my blog readers are seeing this same moon.

I wonder...How many of you were looking at the moon the other night too?

I wish each and everyone of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Blessings,

Judy

I'm thankful for nisu rising on the wood stove.  There's nothing like fresh baked nisu right out of the oven.

If you don't, here's a few you can pick from :)  Wild turkeys can be found eating in the early mornings.  This flock I spied on my way to work one day.

It's been busy around the Gentle Hearth Farm this week.  I've been sewing and making rolls for Thanksgiving.  Today I have to work and possibly tomorrow, but that all depends on the work load I'll have today.  I am making the Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie that she made at the Throwdown with Bobby Flay and of course I'm making my favorite PUMPKIN.  I do have a couple other desserts I want to make and if I have time I will.

I hope you've enjoyed the "what i'm thankful for" posts.  Those will be coming to and end on Thanksgiving day.  With all but 3 of the kids and their families coming for Thanksgiving, life at Gentle Hearth Farm will be busy.

It got down pretty low this morning.  I suspect snow will be following shortly.

How cold did it get in your area?

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Judy

I'm thankful to be able to pull up a chair and sit by the wood stove on cold days such as this.  With the temps this morning being in the single digits it's nice to have a fire going.

I plan my meals out for the week and today I planned to make a soup.  Since today was really a not so nice day with rain and fog, it was the perfect day to make it.  I made a wild rice soup and it was yummy!

Cheesy Wild Rice Soup

9 to 10 slices bacon, diced

1 onion, chopped

2 (10 3/4- oz.) cans cream of potato soup

1 1/2 c. cooked wild rice

2 pints. half and half

2 c. American cheese, shredded

In a skillet over medium heat, saute bacon and onion together until bacon is crisp and onion is tender.  Drain and set aside.  Combine soup and rice in a medium saucepan; stir in bacon mixture, half-and-half and cheese.  Cook over low heat until cheese melts, stirring occasionally.

Along with the soup I made a hot bacon dressing that we put over a plate of mixed greens...The dressing is served warm and it's another YUM!

Hot Bacon Dressing

1 lb. bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

2 c. water, divided

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 T. cornstarch

In a large skillet, saute bacon, onion and garlic until bacon is crisp.  Add brown sugar, vinegar, 1 1/2 cups water, salt and pepper; simmer until mixture cooks down by half.  In a bowl, mix together cornstarch and remaining water; add to pan and simmer until thick and bubbly.

Makes 2 cups.

The weekend was quiet.  I did manage to make a dent in my Christmas sewing.  I made another block for the block of the month quilt I'm making.  It seems like forever until this will be done.  I'm only on block 4 (sigh)

You all have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Judy