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Yummy, yummy for the tummy!!!

I love to cook almost as much as I do garden. So the other night it was cold and I decided to make some homemade soup and cornbread. It really turned out yummy so I wanted to share the recipes. The first is my navy bean soup. This is so easy to make, rather inexpensive and great for cold winter nights. Check this out...

Navy bean soup

3 cans of navy (or northern) beans-if you are feeling energetic, home cooked beans work great
2-3 cans of chicken broth(homemade works too)
1 package of smoked sausage sliced - I used Butterball turkey sausage(comes in links)
1 can of rotel tomatoes
2-3 red potatoes cubed or chopped
1 package of frozen soup mix-not thawed
salt
pepper
ground cummin-optional
chili powder-optional

Brown sausage in Dutch oven, then add beans, broth, tomatoes and potatoes. I usually bring this up to almost boil and then lower temp. When potatoes are almost done I add the soup mix and seasonings and let simmer. I don't really know how long it simmers, just long enough for the seasonings to cook into the soup.

Jalapeno cornbread

1 cup of yellow cornmeal (not cornmeal mix)
2-3 Tblsp. all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar (you can reduce the amount or not use at all)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tblsp. oil
2 eggs-lightly beaten
Sweet milk, mix to desired consistency
1/2 can of cream style corn
1 Tblsp. or more chopped pickled jalapenos(can leave out if you prefer)

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add oil, eggs, milk, corn and jalapenos. Bake in 425 degree oven until done. It usually bakes in 20-25 minutes. Can test to see if it is done by lightly pressing down, if done it should spring back up. I usually heat my pan with a bit of oil in the oven and then put the cornbread in it to cook.
Like spaghetti, this soup is better on the second day. I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Giving and Receiving

Most folks say it is better to give than receive. Luckily I have gotten to participate in both in the last couple of weeks and I think they are both great! As soon as Jacquie from The Middle of 11 won my giveaway I entered one sponsored by Miss Sandy at Quill Cottage. Sandy is a very sweet lady who is extremely talented. She writes beautifully, takes wonderful photos and is quite talented in the crafting department. If you would like some really nice craft ideas for Christmas check out her blog. Anywho I found out the day after Thanksgiving I had won! Yippee, I never win anything. So I wanted you to see what I received....Noticed the cute wrapping of each individual gift. How sweet is that?Each little package had this sweet little name tag on it. It doesn't look homemade but I assume it is one of her little beauties. The great thing about them I can use each and every one.Another little beauty that I received was this gorgeous snow flake ornament. Even my husband was impressed that it was handmade.This is all the packages unwrapped. I received a wonderful Victorian Christmas magazine, Christmas CD, tree scented candles and wonderful hot cocoa mixes.

So in the end, I have to say giving gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling that makes you feel really good inside. Receiving? I'd have to say I experienced those wonderful feelings as well.

Also, just to let you know Miss Sandy is having giveaways all month long so be sure to check out her blog and enjoy!! Thanks again Sandy!!!

The last of November

I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of December. Is that incredible or what? The last few days here have been semi-warm, very foggy, rainy and gloomy looking. Today we saw a little of Mr. Sunshine but not much; Mr. Windy sure showed himself today. Tonight there is a possibility of snow. Crazy weather!

I was able to walk outside a take a few pictures of what is left of the garden. This is what I saw.

The pincushion flower is still showing off a little. This plant bloomed for me almost all winter last year. I am hopeful it will again this year. I love the fact that it is an evergreen.

The three upright evergreens I planted this past June are doing great. I think Gloria is enjoying her home here.
These are the sweetspires I blogged about several weeks ago. I wanted you to see the beautiful orange/red color of the foliage. With this rainy, foggy weather they had really stood out. They almost look like they are glowing.
The Arkansas Blue grass is still pretty with it's golden glow. But as hard as it is trying, it can't wake up the sleeping butterfly weed beside it.
Then I discovered my rosemary blooming. This is a nice surprise. My rosemary I had in GA was 4't and 4'w and never bloomed. This little one is tiny compared to that but its smiling at me big time.

Well that is about it from my garden for now. Hope you enjoyed the tour. I do have a current project going on but it has been too wet to work on. I will blog on it when finished. Of course that could take til spring(lets hope not, but I don't like cold weather).

Do ya'll remember my post about the butterfly patches my grandmother made? If not, or you are new to my blog, that post is dated Oct. 27, 2008. Any way this is what I came up with. Many of you gave me great ideas and I thank you for them.

I originally thought I would hang it in one of the spare bedrooms but since I never go in those rooms(much) I decided to hang it in the hallway. Yes, I know that is a pretty bland wall; another paint project, waiting to happen.

And the winner is........

Congratulations Jacquie you are the lucky winner!!! For those who are not familiar with Jacquie's blog she is the middle of eleven kids, hence the name. For a fun read go to her blog here. I noticed you have your e-mail address listed on your profile so I will contact you for the mailing address. Once again congrats!!!

I have to say I enjoyed doing this giveaway a lot. I want to thank each and every one who entered. A lot of you guys left some very sweet comments and I appreciate each and every one. If I don't have another chance to tell you I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks again for entering ya'll.

It's a Giveaway!!!

Decorative paper, shiny bows
All wrapped up, ready to go.
A little package, nothing great,
just to say I appreciate
Your stories, pictures, comments too,
little happies, just for you.

With the holiday season upon us I decided I wanted to help spread a little early Christmas cheer. So, as you can see from the picture everything will be a little surprise. I will give only this one little hint. There are a couple of things that are sure to please the gardener but I think anyone will like these surprises.

To be eligible for the drawing just leave a comment, nothing more. No links to my blog are necessary. The drawing is open until Sunday the 23, 10:00 p.m. I will have my hubbie draw the winning name. The winner will be announced Monday evening. Good luck everyone!

Turkey day apparel.......

With Thanksgiving fast approaching I thought it appropriate to show you a couple of my favorite aprons. As a matter of fact they are my only aprons. This first one was made by my wonderful Aunt Lucy. It's a little blue check with jars of jellys and jars of peaches. She gave this to me while we lived in Georgia. She thought it appropriate since Georgia is the Peach state. Aunt Lucy is always thoughtful like that.This next one was made by my grandmother many years ago. It actually belonged to her and my mother gave it to me after grandma passed on. You can tell how old it is because the material is very soft and faded.

I love both these aprons much because they were both made by exceptional, loving women. Which one will I wear while cooking for turkey day?Not sure but which ever it is I will definitely feel I'm wrapped up in love.

Do you have a favorite you wear for the holidays?