Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Feeling a little blah.....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:21:00 +0000

I'm not sick but I'm not 100% either, I have this semi congestion thing going on, it's giving me headaches and just making me blah.

So I've decided to just get the kids to bed and then climb into mine and watch movies, I'm not exactly going to sleep, I'm wide awake and not tired but I'm in the mood for a good ol' movie watching marathon.

You ever have one of those on a Friday night or on the weekend?

If you need me for anything, I'll be in bed with all of these next to me, now I'm now saying I'll get through every single one but a few at least and hey, if you've seen any and want to let me know what you thought, I would appreciate it.

3:10 to Yuma

That classic Western spun a tale of captured outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford)--deadly but disarmingly affable--and the small-time rancher and family man, Dan Evans (Van Heflin), desperate enough to accept the job of helping escort the badman to Yuma prison. Wade, knowing that his gang will be along at any moment to spring him, works at persuading the ultimately lone deputy to accept a bribe, turn his back on "duty," and go home safe and rich to his family.

Little Ashes

About the young life and loves of artist Salvador Dalí

Ghost of Girlfriends Past
A bachelor is haunted by the ghosts of his past girlfriends at his younger brother's wedding

Love Takes Wing
Wounded by the recent death of her husband, Dr. Belinda Simpson (Sarah Jones) arrives in the tiny town of Sikeston to take up the post of town physician. Once there, she discovers that many of the town’s residents, including children at an orphanage run by Miss Hattie Clarence (Cloris Leachman), have fallen ill to or died from an unknown ailment. Soon, Belinda begins to worry that she is in over her head, despite reassurances from her best friend, Annie (Haylie Duff), and the town's blacksmith, Lee (Jordan Bridges).

S Darko
Two young women on a cross-road trip find themselves entangled in a dangerous glitch in the time space continuum.

Autumn
The virus was fast, airborne and without warning or discrimination. Whole towns died within minutes. Most of the world's population dropped liked leaves and was gone within a few hours. The shocked and unprepared survivors could never have been ready enough for such devastation. This global holocaust hit survivors with such a force of impact that few could possibly have possessed the mechanisms or life experiences to know how to cope. Survivors wondered how they were to make it through as the Northern Hemisphere began to move into winter.

He's just not that into you
The Baltimore-set movie of interconnecting story arcs deals with the challenges of reading or misreading human behavior.

Knights of Bloodsteel

The film's world, called Mirabilis, is dependent on the rare metal called "bloodsteel," a precious element that is the source of all magical power. But the bloodsteel is running out, and the forces of evil—led by the ruthless and powerful Dragon Eye —are descending on Mirabilis to take control of the remaining bloodsteel.

Acting on an ancient prophecy, the elf wizard Tesselink (Lloyd) recruits four ordinary people to save Mirabilis: a human vigilante, John Serragoth (Elliott); an elf bounty hunter, Perfidia (Malthe); a goblin with extrasensory powers, Ber-lak (Dru Viergever); and a young con man, Adric (Christopher Jacot). Together they become the Knights of Bloodsteel and undertake a quest for the mythical Crucible, reputed to be the source of all bloodsteel.

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I think I have quite a few and there's a bunch more that I can't even remember the names right now LOL

But yeah, I'm not feeling that great so I'm heading to bed, I'll visit all the Slow cooking links tomorrow ok?

God Bless!

Slow Cooking Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:56:00 +0000

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

As always, share your slow cooking recipes but if you REALLY REALLY don't have one and still want to participate, then you can share any kind of recipe.

Crock-Pot Breakfast Casserole

* 32 oz. frozen hash browns with onions and peppers
* 1 small red pepper, diced
* 1/2 lb. regular bacon or vegetarian bacon (optional)
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 12 eggs
* 1 cup milk
* 1 tsp. kosher salt
* 1 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper
* 6-8 drops hot sauce
* 1 tsp. dry mustard

1. Spray the slow cooker stoneware with cooking spray.

2. Place hash browns in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with diced red pepper.

3. If using, cook bacon until crisp. Crumble on top of the diced red pepper.

4. Top with cheddar cheese.

5. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour evenly over the mixture in the Crockpot.

6. Cook on low 10-12 hours.

The Pink Elephant in the Room......

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:59:00 +0000

OR the post where I complain about my weight and the fact that I'm reaching the point where I am starting to feel better with myself and not worry so much about what I weigh.

Do you want to join the discussion or should we get rid of the elephant and move on to happier subjects?

I mean, we could, but I think it's something all women struggle with in some capacity and I for one blame society for this image that we need to be a certain size and look a certain way, if we don't fit the bill, then there's something wrong with us.

Before I got married I weighed 115 lbs, too thin I may add, but now a marriage, 2 children, dogs and deployments and moves and whatnot later......I'm at 140 lbs. I'm not scared or ashamed to say it, it's part of who I am.

Boy have I struggled with this issue for years, to the point where I started hating meal times because every single bite that went into my mouth made me cringe, made me start calculating the calories and pounds and if it would stick to my thighs or migrate to my behind. It became painful for me, it became almost like a prison, I couldn't enjoy food anymore and for someone who loves cooking and loves food, it's a sad way to be.

As the years have gone by, I've tried diets, I've tried exercising and I've tried to watch what I eat but that is all short term and temporary because once the weight dropped, it came back just as fast and brought some friends along.

So as I sat at the kitchen table yesterday eating dinner and clearly still hungry after my little portion, I eyed the remaining food and cursed myself for wanting to eat more and then it hit me....WHY?!?!?!

Why do I need to go hungry just because I think that I need to loose weight?

My husband is happy with the way I look, so are my kids, so why does it bother me that much?

And right then and there I made a decision, I made the choice to go in for seconds and to actually enjoy the food, to savor it, not just chew it fast and will the metabolism to start working right away.

This doesn't mean that I am going to overdo it or that I'm going to pig out, no, for me, it means that I will still try to eat healthy but I will no longer think of mealtimes as a horrible ordeal. I will sit down at the kitchen table and I will eat and not once think about how much, or how many calories or weight that bite is.

It was a wake up call for me when my 10 year old daughter turned to me the other day and said "I need to loose weight". This from a tiny little girl who weighs less than her 6 year old brother and when I asked her why in the world she would say that, her reply was that because the girls on tv always talk about being thin and she wants to be like them.

But it also hit me, it made me start thinking about what she may be watching me do or say, what will she remember years from now? Her memories of dinner time would probably be mommy eating a tiny portion of dinner and complaining the whole time that she needed to loose weight. Nope, I'm done doing that to myself and to my daughter.

Please don't think I'm saying this is how it should be for everyone, but if you've known me for a while and have been one of my long time readers, you know that I'm very honest and very open when I blog and I'm not scared to talk about things that others may not.

I have to say that just that little shift in my mind yesterday has made today seem brighter, I sat down for breakfast and drank my coffee, ate my bagel and smiled, feeling relieved and refreshed and like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders...how ironic is that?

If any of you have struggled with weight too or want to add anything to what I've said, feel free to do so. :)

Today flew by and Menu Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:57:00 +0000

I wish I could say I was in some really cool place doing some super neat activities or something, but I wasn't. I was at home, reading and watching tv and doing absolutely nothing, which might I add feels so good.

So how is everyone doing tonight? Anything interesting going on?

Come on in and sit with me a bit, we can have delicious Buttery Pound Cake and some coffee or tea, if you prefer.

I've been sitting here getting my menus planned for the next two weeks and the grocery list too, tomorrow is payday which means I need to run errands and buy groceries and all that other stuff that comes with running a household.

Now speaking of Menu Planning, I've talked about it before on my blog but I recently had an email asking me just how I do it, if I go by what is on sale or what I have available in the house or what. I thought I would answer that today.

I don't really go by what is on sale, maybe I should start doing that but the way I Menu Plan is for two weeks at a time.

I will sit down a day or two before payday and I'll draw up a Menu, I used to just do dinner but I've actually started adding in lunch and breakfast too, now mind you those two meals are simpler and easier than dinner.

For breakfast we usually have either pancakes or waffles, cinnamon toast or cereal or french toast sticks or whatnot. So when I plan the grocery list I just make sure to add in a couple of breakfast items and the same thing for lunch which is usually sandwiches, chicken nuggets, ramen noodles, leftovers, quesadillas etc.

Dinner is where I spend the most time on, I like trying out new recipes but they have to be quick, simple and not include any weird or gourmet items....personally I just don't like dealing with that, I prefer comfort food, trusted family recipes etc.

So I use my cookbooks and online recipe sites and old family favorites, I do use what I already have on hand and check the pantry and freezer etc while I make the menu so that I can use up what is available. I am not one of those that has a full pantry overflowing with all sorts of different things, I have the basics and what I need for the two weeks of groceries.

Menu Planning may not work for everyone but I've been doing it for over 11 years and just can't see getting by without, it cuts down on prep time because I look at the menu every night and pull out whatever is needed for the next night and also saves me the time I would take trying to figure out what to cook. Let's not forget the time and money saved when you know exactly what you need to buy and don't just go to the grocery store and throw a bunch of things in the cart.

I really could go on and on about Menu Planning but I think you get the idea.

Do you Menu Plan too?

Well I'm out, I need to finish this list and then get the kids ready for bed. Hope you're all having a great night!

God Bless!

Happy Homemaker Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:06:00 +0000

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's already 91 degrees and it's going to be another scorcher here, I really wish we would get some rain.

One of my simple pleasures:
Ironing, believe it or not, I do enjoy it and find it relaxing.

On my bedside table:
Wizard's First Rule - Still haven't finished it.
The Forgotten Garden - LOVE this one, just started it the other day and am enjoying it so much.

On my TV:
Hearts of War
Little House on the Prairie

On the menu for tonight:
Teriyaki Steak

On my To Do List:
Put away 2 loads of laundry
Clean the bathrooms

New Recipe I tried last week:
I tried it yesterday and will have the recipe up later, it's for a Buttery Pound Cake. SO good!

In the craft basket:
Just yarn, I finished my crochet bag so I'm deciding on my next project.

Looking forward to:
Library Summer Reading Program on Thursday, there will be some Zoo animals for the kids.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Fold the laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer, it saves on having to iron a LOT of clothes later on.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Baking Bread without an Oven from Codlins and Cream. What a great post!

Favorite photo from last week:

Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches.....to die for.

Lesson learned the past few days:
That there are never enough hours in the day and enough days in the week and enough weeks in the month. It seems that Summer just started and yet we're starting to get ready for school again.

On my Prayer List:
My children and husband
My family
My bloggy friends

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

It's done......

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:11:00 +0000

I'm so happy with the way it turned out, I do think it's a itty bit big and I may just make it smaller next time but, I love it, everything about it.

I love the color combination even though at first I wasn't sure if just using 4 colors would work since all the others I've seen have so many, but I like this.

I think the handles need to be a little bit longer too, at least for me, so I'll also change that with the next bag I make.

The flowers have got to be my favorite part of the whole bag, instead of making them all the same, I changed out the colors so each one is different.

So quick and so easy to make, you really do need to give it a go.

I also changed the handles, I made them thinner than Lucy's, hers were 7 rows and mine are only 5, not that much of a difference.

So there you have it, my crochet bag completed and it only took me 2 weeks and that's because I was on vacation, if I actually count how many days I worked on it, then it was 5 days. Not bag for such a cute project huh?

What do you think? Are you ready to try it out for yourself?

This and That.....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:15:00 +0000

and a whole lot of nothing in particular.

This post is just that, a bunch of mumbled subjects, a little of this and a little of that and just me being me, rambling about everything and anything.

I hope I don't bore you or at least put a few of you to sleep, I would hate to be blamed for those keyboard marks on your foreheads. *snicker*

So anyway, come on in and sit with me, let's chat for a bit.

The first thing I want to tell you is that my new Review Blog is not really getting as much traffic as I thought it would and I really only started it because I didn't want to overload this blog with reviews but seeing that it's not working out, guess what? Yeah I know, you're probably cringing but, you'll be getting reviews on this blog again. HA!

Oh don't worry it's not that bad, I promise to spread them out and really most of them have great giveaways attached which you'll be missing out on, like my Build a Bear Giveaway that just ended today and which not many signed up for.

Anyway, moving on from that, if you'll notice on my right sidebar, I added a little poll to see what people wanted more of on my blog. I see some of you want recipes and cooking but that's what my Food Blog "Full Bellies, Happy Kids" is for, sure I'll point you in that direction when I post something but other than that I'm afraid that is about the only cooking/recipes you'll see on here, quite frankly I don't even know why I put that option up on the poll LOL

Boy I do seem to be coming off as cranky this morning don't I? I apologize, I truly am not in a foul mood and I don't mean to seem like the mean teacher standing at the blackboard with a wooden ruler in her hand just waiting to smack the unruly pupil.....though if anyone is in the mood for a good smack.....nevermind, I'm just kidding LOL Forget I said that!

Last night I watched a really good movie, actually I had seen a previous version from Netflix before called Victoria and Albert, but this latest one I watched is called Young Victoria (watch trailer here)and it's also the story of Queen Victoria which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you haven't seen either one, I suggest you do, they're so good.

I have a few movies to watch this weekend like Knights of Bloodsteel, Push, The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond, Defiance and Revolutionary Road, plus my latest Little House on the Prairie from Netflix. I've heard that the movies are all good, but maybe I'll have a different opinion once I've actually sat through them?

I noticed on my library post that a lot of you were interested in The Forgotten Garden and wanted to know what I thought, well, guess what? I started it and I'm loving every single word Kate Morton wrote, I'm only a few pages in but what a great book it is so far, I can't put it down, though I have to because I'm working on finishing my crochet bag which is almost done, you should see how adorable it looks, I will have to show you once I attach the last little flower.

Of course it also catapults me into more crochet projects, like this little beauty I found on Flickr

How adorable is that and so easy too.

Are you still with me or did you drop off already? If I tempt you with a goodie will you stay and read til the end?

Will a Snickerdoodle Ice Cream sandwich do it? I'm sure you're probably staring at the screen and wondering where I bought these, but I didn't, I made them and you too can make these super easy sandwiches, all you need are Snickerdoodle cookies and Cool Whip. If you want to make them healthier just use the Light Cool Whip.....but either way, slather on a bunch between two cookies and then freeze them. YUM.EE!

And we've made it to the end, see, I didn't bore you that much did I?

I'm off to putter around here, get some laundry done, wash some floors and then indulge in some reading, movie watching, crocheting etc. It's way too hot to go out, we're under a Heat advisory and I doubt the kids, or us for that matter, want to go hang out in 115 degree temperatures.

Have a wonderful Saturday ladies and don't forget to check out my Paperspring Review just below, you can get 15% off by using the code in the post. Enjoy!

Paperspring

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:52:00 +0000

I just recently received some samples from Paperspring.com.

I have to start by saying that I absolutely LOVE stationery and paper, all sorts of pretty paper so this opportunity to get my hands on some of their products was great.

Paperspring was launched in 2008 by Charlie Chan Printing, a commercial printing company based in Los Angeles, California. Founded by none other than Charlie Chan (not the detective, just a regular guy who happened to be named "Charlie Chan") in 1969, our humble printing company has produced beautiful print products for over 40 years. Our corporate clients include ESPN, Paramount, and the Westin hotels, to name a few.

In 2002, Charlie's son, Hamilton, took over the family business after graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and thoroughly burning out of the corporate lifestyle. He is now the proud father of two wonderful (and unruly) toddlers, and delights when they play with Paperspring products, marking them up with crayons and placing them all over the house.

Today, Paperspring's family of designers, project managers, programmers and presspeople aim to please our clients with our trademark and legendary standards of service and quality.

They have THE.CUTEST designs, I only wish I had known about them when I was having my children and scrambling to find affordable Birth Announcements, OR, for Christmas but never fear, because that's exactly where I'm going for my cards this year.

But you know what I thought was the greatest of it all?

Their StickyStock paper. OH.MY.WORD! It sticks like a Post It note but imagine your kids adorable faces on there or your cute pet?

They even have sweet Moving announcements.

Go on over to Paperspring and check it out, I'm sure you'll find something cute in there. Oh and while you're there if you order something, go ahead and use this 15% off code: SHM8316

Visiting an old friend!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:59:00 +0000

You probably think I'm talking about an actual living breathing person, but I'm not, I'm talking about something else, something that doesn't speak to me (not in the sense of actual words), something that doesn't move, it just sits there but oh does it bring so much joy to my heart.

If you know me well you know that I am happiest when I'm with my family in my home and surrounded by books, I'm pretty sure I've given it away now........The Library!

It had been about a month or so since I'd been there and when I walked in through those doors today it took everything inside me not to let out a little whoop and dance a little jig.
I'm sure my family appreciates that, I have no doubt they would have disappeared and acted like they didn't know me if I had done it LOL

It was time to go fill up my book bag with little treasures for my Summer Reading List and while I was there, we picked up the kid's Summer Reading Program baggies, they're so excited to participate again being that it was such a hit last year.

But enough talking let me show you what I got and a lot of these have been recommended to me by other bloggers so I'm really eager to get started.

The Forgotten Garden (This is the one I'm reading first, I am dying to read it)
In 1913, a little girl arrives in Brisbane, Australia, and is taken in by a dockmaster and his wife. She doesn’t know her name, and the only clue to her identity is a book of fairy tales tucked inside a white suitcase. When the girl, called Nell, grows up, she starts to piece together bits of her story, but just as she’s on the verge of going to England to trace the mystery to its source, her grandaughter, Cassandra, is left in her care. When Nell dies, Cassandra finds herself the owner of a cottage in Cornwall, and makes the journey to England to finally solve the puzzle of Nell’s origins. Shifting back and forth over a span of nearly 100 years, this is a sprawling, old-fashioned novel, as well-cushioned as a Victorian country house, replete with family secrets, stories-within-stories, even a maze and a Dickensian rag-and-bone shop. All the pieces don’t quite mesh, but it’s a satisfying read overall, just the thing for readers who like multigenerational sagas with a touch of mystery.

Pioneer Farm: Living on a Farm in the 1880s
Uses the story of a young girl and her family to describe life on a small farm in Minnesota in the nineteenth century.

Along the Santa Fe Trail: Marion Russell's Own Story
In 1852, seven-year-old Marion Russell, her mother and brother traveled in a train of 500 wagons along the Santa Fe Trail, from Fort Leavenworth, Kans., to California. Wadsworth, whose children's biographies include accounts of John Muir and Rachel Carson, has adapted Russell's memoirs of the tumultuous journey, which were transcribed by her daughter in the 1920s. As she explains in a foreword, Wadsworth preserved Marion's "eloquent voice" as much as possible. Her flowing first-person narrative contains lovely descriptive passages ("The vast open country that is gone from us forever rippled like a silver sea in the sunshine"), as well as such engaging particulars as Russell's frustration at not being able to reach all the buttons in the back of her dress ("Why couldn't they have been put in front where I could get at them?"). Watling's art pays similar attention to period details. Whether depicting a glorious sunset on the plains or the bustling streets of Santa Fe, his polished colored ink and colored pencil pictures are historically accurate and filled with energy.

The Oregon Trail
In 1846, a young man of privilege left his comfortable Boston home to embark on a strenuous overland journey to the untamed West. This timeless account of Parkman's travels and travails provides an expressive portrait of the rough frontiersmen, immigrants, and Native Americans he encounters, set against the splendor of the unspoiled wilderness.

The Story of Women who shaped the West
Fox chooses a few people to illustrate why women in general went west and what they found. An abrupt ending spotlights Annie Oakley. Battle covers the events and personalities of this bloody two-day Tennessee conflict and its significance in Civil War history. An additional source to more general books on that war, its focus on a single event demonstrates this series' strength.

The Thirteenth Tale
Settle down to enjoy a rousing good ghost story with Diane Setterfield's debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale. Setterfield has rejuvenated the genre with this closely plotted, clever foray into a world of secrets, confused identities, lies, and half-truths. She never cheats by pulling a rabbit out of a hat; this atmospheric story hangs together perfectly.

There are two heroines here: Vida Winter, a famous author, whose life story is coming to an end, and Margaret Lea, a young, unworldly, bookish girl who is a bookseller in her father's shop. Vida has been confounding her biographers and fans for years by giving everybody a different version of her life, each time swearing it's the truth. Because of a biography that Margaret has written about brothers, Vida chooses Margaret to tell her story, all of it, for the first time. At their initial meeting, the conversation begins:

"You have given nineteen different versions of your life story to journalists in the last two years alone."

She [Vida] shrugged. "It's my profession. I'm a storyteller."

"I am a biographer, I work with facts."

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression
Kalish's memoir of her Iowa childhood, set against the backdrop of the Depression, captures a vanished way of traditional living and a specific moment in American history in a story both illuminating and memorable. Kalish lived with her siblings, mother and grandparents-seven in all-both in a town home and, in warmer weather, out on a farm. The lifestyle was frugal in the extreme: "The only things my grandparents spent money on were tea, coffee, sugar, salt, white flour, cloth and kerosene." But in spite of the austere conditions, Kalish's memories are mostly happy ones: keeping the farm and home going, caring for animals, cooking elaborate multi-course meals and washing the large family's laundry once a week, by hand. Here, too, are stories of gossiping in the kitchen, digging a hole to China with the "Big Kids" and making head cheese at butchering time.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume Izzy Bickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories.

Daughter of Grace The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister
When Corrie Belle Hollister and her younger brothers and sisters unexpectedly found their father on the streets of Miracle Springs, their shocking reunion was tentative at best. It would take the full story of My Father's World for them to discover each other in their hearts and to start to become the family God wanted them to be.

Wild Grows the Heather in Devon
Bestselling novelist Michael Phillips crafts a new historical fiction series, "The Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall", set in 20th-century England. With the coming of World War I, Amanda Rutherford returns from London to Devon to become Lady Heathersleigh. But her cousin Geoffrey comes forward claiming to be the true heir. Will he foil her legacy in the old family estate?.

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What do you think? Did I get a good variety of books or not?

I'm really excited to get started and I think after The Forgotten Garden, my next one will be the Little Heathens.

What's on your reading list for this summer? And what kind of a reader are you, fiction, non fiction, hardcore heavy reading that makes you think and what about reading 1 or 2 books at the same time, do you ever do that or do you stick to just one?

Let's chat about books, you know it's one of my favorite subjects.

Slow Cooking Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

As always, share your slow cooking recipes but if you REALLY REALLY don't have one and still want to participate, then you can share any kind of recipe.

Camp Stew Recipe

2 (10-ounce) cans chicken
2 (10-ounce) cans barbecue pork
1 (16-ounce) can creamed corn
1 (16-ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
Juice of 6 medium lemons
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce

Stir all ingredients together in a slow cooker.

Cook for 4 to 6 hours.

You may use real lemon juice in place of fresh lemon juice.

You may also use your own cooked and chopped chicken in place of canned chicken.

Puttering Around the House.......

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Starting off the morning with coffee, it's the fuel I need to get the cobwebs out of my head and concentrate on the day ahead.

An unmade bed needing attention

A load of laundry waiting to be washed, dried and put away

Filling the sink with soapy water for the rest of the day, I throw in dirty dishes throughout the day and wash as I go.

Who says decorating has to be expensive? I've learned to use what I have around me and when I went to trim my Honeysuckle bushes this morning, I kept the trimmings, filled some mason jars with water and VOILA!

My lemon tree is growing again, I love watching the progress from a tiny sweet scented flower to lemons

I'm off to finish my crochet bag and see what else needs tending to.

Have a great day everyone, and don't forget that tomorrow my Slow Cooking Thursdays are back.

Washing dishes.....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:16:00 +0000

"Simple living is about living deliberately. Simple living is not about austerity, or frugality, or income level. It's about being fully aware of why you are living your particular life, and knowing that life is one you have chosen thoughtfully. Simple living is about designing our lives to coincide with our ideals."
- Janet Luhrs -

Thank you all for the wonderful comments left on yesterday's post, it thrills me to know that like me, there are so many out there wanting to go back to the basics too and do things more simply.

As I make the transition to a simpler life, I'll be sure to share it with you.

Now as I stood at the sink tonight with all the dinner dishes around me, I made the decision to wash them by hand instead of hurriedly popping them in the dishwasher and quickly moving on to my next task.

I began washing and as I did I wondered why it is that suddenly we stopped doing things like washing dishes by hand, rinsing and drying and talking to the family while we do it?

I understand that times are different and there are days that we're so busy we need to just get things done, but for me, I've actually stopped using the dishwasher and only do it if I am sick or have a huge amount of dishes, or am in a really big hurry and headed out the door.

It feels to me that there was a time when people used to bond, do you remember doing dishes two people at a time? Standing at the sink shoulder to shoulder, one washing, one drying and all the time talking about the day or your interests?

Just feels that people had a lot more time to bond, nowadays once we're done with the kitchen work we rush into the living room and either get on the computer or on the tv and there we stay, for hours on end, everyone engrossed in their own thing, no one talking.

So next time you go into the kitchen, instead of popping the dishes in the dishwasher, fill up your sink with warm water and bubbles, turn some music on, slide your hands into the warm water and use the time you are washing dishes to meditate, to think, to pray, to ponder, to relax.

You'll be surprised at how good it feels!

Walk with me on this path

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:03:00 +0000

Many already know it and others have never heard of it.

I'm talking about the Simple Life path, the one where I learn to make do with what I have and strive to lead a good simple almost self sufficient life.

I feel the calling, pulling me back to my roots, that longing for a more traditional homemaking, making things from scratch, needlework, gardening and so forth.

But I find myself a little overwhelmed, oh there are plenty of blogs that I visit and get good ideas from but it's quite a different thing when you read and actually try to implement it into your own life.

I guess this is where you come in, I know a lot of you already lead a Simple Life, you have your own homesteads and you raise chickens and bake bread and sew etc.

I think there is nothing more exciting than seeing the fruits of your own labor, cooking that meal for your family, baking your own pies, knitting or quilting that special item that you can one day pass on to your children.

I'm hoping that by opening myself up to you all, I will get a lot of helpful information, you have no idea how much I want to learn, so if you know how to make ice cream or cross stitch, if you have stories about milking cows or gathering eggs, won't you share them with me and the other readers?

See I was sitting in bed the other day and thinking about the joys of making something with your bare hands and how wonderful it is to give handmade gifts, to know that you are creating an heirloom.

I feel like I have the prairie girl spirit in me and no matter where I am or how far from the country I live, I think it's something that will always stay in me, there's this connection, this joy that I feel when I'm sticking my hands into a big bowl of dough, it's like for that brief moment I'm a Pioneer woman, back in the day.

Oh I'm sure by now some of you may think I've done lost my mind but I can't help the way I feel.

So what I'm asking for is ideas, advice, how-to's, you can even just drop me some links and I'll go wander on over by myself, what do you say?

It might actually become fun if we teach each other and learn together.

I guess my first contribution will be to show you a neat trick I use for Dryer Sheets. Store bought I way too expensive for me and I can't quite bring myself to spend $5 for a little box, so I use my own.

All you need is a tupperware bowl or even an empty butter container, fill with half water and half laundry softener, then grab a washcloth and drop it in there, when you are ready to use it, pull it out, wring it and toss it in with your laundry.

When done, just toss it back in the bowl and cover it.

Now I'm off to enjoy a cup of hot tea and some fresh warm out of the oven Snickerdoodles.

Happy Homemaker Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:22:00 +0000

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's a blue sky with not a cloud in sight and feeling pretty hot already even though it's only 7:30 am.

One of my simple pleasures:
Taking a long hot bath with the lights off and only illuminated by candlelight.

On my bedside table:
Wizard's First Rule - Need to finish this one
Return to Sullivan's Island - just finished it and think it's a great summer read, you can read my review here.
Blue like Play Dough - can't wait to start on this one

On my TV:
Paranormal State tonight
Phoebe in Wonderland - started this one yesterday but didn't finish it, not quite sure if I like this movie

On the menu for tonight:
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

On my To Do List:
Laundry
Sweep and Mop the floors
Make cookies for the cookie jar

New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new last week, was still on vacation

In the craft basket:
Finishing up my crochet bag

Looking forward to:
Visiting the Pioneer Living History Museum here in Arizona

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Every two weeks or so I rotate the appliances on my counter tops, I actually take out one from my pantry and set it on the counter, if I see it, then I'll use it. You know how you have tons of great stuff like the Foreman Grill, Rotisserie etc but never use it because it's packed away?
Well this way, I see it and I make sure to plan my menus around it.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Bonnie's post yesterday just cracked me up, I think if we were ever to meet we would have a blast OR end up in jail or something LOL

Favorite photo from last week:

This old wagon from the early days we saw up at Geronimo, AZ. I just love it!

Lesson learned the past few days:
That your home is your sanctuary, that no matter how far you may go, there is NOTHING like returning to your safe place.

On my Prayer List:
My children and husband
My family
My bloggy friends

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

1 John 5:1

Relaxing crochet....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:36:00 +0000

If you need me today, you will find me surrounded by yarn as I finish off my crochet bag.

Remember I started it the night before we left on vacation?

Well I'm *this.close* to finishing this project and I'm super thrilled, it's been one of the most enjoyable crochet patterns I've ever tried, thanks to Lucy at Attic 24. You won't believe just how fast this works up and boy does it make a huge bag, I think I'm going to turn it into my library bag because I can never quite find one big enough.

Right now, it holds the yarn I'm using for this project.

I considered lining it, but I don't think I will, I really like the way it looks as is and it's pretty thick so I don't think it will need any reinforcement.

All that is left to do are the handles and the little flower embelishments, then I'll show you all the completed bag.

If you're interested in trying it for yourself just head on over to Lucy's and check out her Crochet Bag Pattern, and if you do make one for yourself, won't you come back and show me?

While puttering around the kitchen this morning I found the cutest little hummingbird right outside the window, now I'm not sure if this is the same little one that used to visit me all the time. What I do know, is that he reminded me that I need to refill the feeder, best get on that right away.

If you love reading as much as I do, I'm sure you've noticed by now that on the left sidebar I have an ongoing list of Summer Books I want to read, I'll add more as I go but if you have one that you think is an absolute Summer MUST READ, let me know and I'll add it to the list, think of it as *our* list of books where we can get ideas for the next read.

Oh and if I may make a suggestion, I just finished a good one and did a review for the blog tour starting today, you can head on over to my Review Blog and read it there, it's for Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank.

And I think that is all I had to say, I bet by the time I hit Publish Post I'll remember something else but I guess that will have to wait until next time.

Happy 4th of July!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Happy Fourth of July!

We're planning to have a BBQ....just us.....some Bratwurst, Steak, Potato Salad, Beans, Corn and a Flag cake for dessert.

Later we'll watch the fireworks, they're not exactly allowed on base but the military does sometimes put on their own show OR we will just enjoy the fireworks being put out by people outside the base.

What are your plans for today?

EDIT: I just added a few recipes to the food blog, they're perfect for today's celebration, go on over and check out the 4th of July Cake, Sandra's Potato Salad and the Best Grilled Steak Marinade.

So let's chat.....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:04:00 +0000

It really does feel great to be back home.

One thing I've noticed is that before you go away on vacation you kind of get into this rut about your housework and as much as you may enjoy your home, there is nothing like leaving it for a few days or weeks to renew your love for everything inside and even for the chores which at other times become redundant.

I'm definitely enjoying my renewed love in my home and everything in it.

Here I sit, my laundry is all done, I just have two loads to put away. My floors are mopped and there is a shine and a beautiful scent of Lavender permeating the air.

The beds are all comfy and clean with freshly washed linens and quilts and my dishes are sitting on the rack drying.

I look around and I see my children and husband enjoying their computer games, but, it hasn't been this way all day.

Early this morning we headed out to get groceries something we never do together because either the kids are in school or hubby is at work, so having everyone there was a welcoming change. After a quick bite to eat we returned home where Curt proceeded to mow the lawn in the backyard, just two weeks of being away and it was like a jungle out there.

There's been swimming in the kids pool, ice cream melting down sugar cones, water sprinkling in the yards and now, there's dinner on the stove......Swedish Meatballs.

You have no idea how much I missed cooking and for those that don't particularly like it, you may find that a weird statement to make, but believe me, I really missed being in my kitchen.

The rest of the day is going to be an easy going one. We still have two weeks together before Curt returns to work, we plan on visiting the Pioneer Living History Museum close by...yes I know, remember I said there were none around here, well imagine my surprise as we arrived in the Phoenix City Limits and saw a bunch of signs for one right here.

Not quite sure what else we will do, I'm sure we'll think of something fun.

So tell me, what have you been up to the past two weeks while I was away? Are you having a vacation this year or a Staycation? Any fun things going on? Let's chat, I've missed catching up with everyone.

Oh and btw, I do hope you have some coffee ready, I'm finally going to sit down after dinner and open my Google Reader, wish me luck and if you don't hear from me by tomorrow morning please come and rescue me, I'm probably drowning in new posts.

New Review Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:59:00 +0000

I think it's about time I opened a different blog for all the reviews I have, I really don't want to turn this one into one, this is my main blog and where I get to share all my daily going ons with the world.

From now on I'll post all my reviews on the Diary of a SAHM Review Blog, but don't worry, you won't miss anything because everytime I post one, I'll let you know here, like now for instance, I just posted a giveaway for a Build a Bear Gift Card.

Go on over and check it out and be sure to follow the blog to get all the updates and giveaways, you don't want to miss out on anything do you?

Hugs,
Sandra

HairZing!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Remember I told you I have quite a few reviews for you, well this one is right up my alley, there's nothing I love more than summer and summer accessories.

No one says you have to go out and be uncomfortable in the summer heat, if anything, you can look absolutely fabulous with a super cute hair accessory.

I was sent some HairZings to try out and the minute the package arrived, Jasmine tore into it and immediately begin playing around with the clips and trying out new styles.

Let me tell you about them first, if you want you could just go on over to HairZing and see for yourself.

Our company is founded on the belief that business and education are two great equalizers. When used correctly, they increase the quality of life for everyone they touch.

One of our goals is to bring business opportunities to women, especially in areas that have limited resources and support. The second goal is as to ensure that girls in these regions receive education.

You change the world one girl at a time….

HairZing is based on the principle of "stretch and contraction." It adapts to EVERY type of woman's hair -thick, thin, long, short, and curly. You have all the control necessary to set the holding power in motion. Just stretch the combs far apart to make the hold snug and firm. For a looser hold, don't stretch them as much.. HairZing is made by women for women…and you'll feel the difference that makes!

I tried it for myself, I have extremely thick hair and I struggle to find a clip that will hold it back, it's actually frustrating going through so many hair accessories and spending so much money only to find that it does nothing for me, OR, the worst, it breaks off in my hair leaving the little teeth behind LOL

HairZings actually held my hair in place and I could feel it snugly against my hair, I loved it and Jasmine did too. I can't wait to try out the different hairstyles and play around with them a little more. They're also pretty inexpensive and right now you can buy one and get one for free for just $9.95.

Country Roads, Take me Home

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:54:00 +0000

to the place I belong.....

I'm home, finally and thankfully. I would ask you to guess what I did as soon as I walked through that door but I'm sure you already know......I cleaned. You can go ahead and start laughing but I just have to get things done my way and put into order before I can completely relax.

Needless to say, my house is once again spotless, all laundry is done, floors are swept and mopped and I'm completely unpacked. Whew, I'm exhausted which means that dinner is Pizza Hut though I tell you one of the things I most missed about home was being able to cook. I'm too much of a homebody, I finally realized that I'm most happy when I'm surrounded by my own things.

It's not that I don't like going on vacation or staying with family but no matter how much they make you feel at home, it's still THEIR home, right?

We had a pretty good drive home, well, if you don't take into account my poor little one's car sickness, at one point I was stretched out from the front passenger seat to the back, holding a bag while he threw up into it.

But let's not talk about that LOL

Let me show you a few pictures of what we did today, where we stopped and what we saw.

I love New Mexico's scenery, it's beautiful and there is so much to see as you drive through.

Our drive back took us through the Petrified Forest National Park and I don't think there is much I can say other than Wow and I didn't know that wood could do that?

Look at this big chunk of wood, it's literally turned to rock.

We stopped at this placed called Geronimo where you can see the biggest petrified tree ever.

Then we started approaching Flagstaff and as always I was just in awe of how beautiful it is.

Then it made me wonder why the military pick the worst spots for their bases? I'm not kidding, seriously, they could have placed this base further north, like Flagstaff you know, where it's green and pretty? LOL

Anyway, I am going to get some rest because tomorrow I need to go and get groceries and run some errands and then I'm coming home to do some blog reading, I'm SO behind on my Google Reader that it's tempting to just hit the "mark all as read" button, but then I would miss out on tons of good posts I'm sure.

Also, just a heads up but the next few days you will see a ton of reviews I have for you, some of them great book giveaways and I even have a Build a Bear gift card up for grabs too.

Alright I think I've babbled enough for today, it's so good to be back, I can't wait to catch up with you all.

Last day in Texas!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:16:00 +0000

It's been such a relaxing and restful trip, we've gotten to enjoy seeing family again, laughing and reminiscing, sitting around the table talking about good times, but we also have gotten to enjoy some of the most stunning scenery you could ever come across.

It's true, Texas has never been one of my favorite States but I think this last visit is kinda sorta maybe swaying me in the "I could learn to like Texas" way.

So we're spending the last night here, tomorrow morning we begin our road trip back home to Arizona and though we will miss the family, we are also eager to return to our own home. I'm sure you remember my post about being such a homebody, there's something about that wonderful feeling of returning to your own home, seeing the familiar surroundings and being in your own bed.

We'll be taking our time getting back, there is no rush and we do hope to enjoy some of the beautiful scenery of New Mexico and stop here and there, of course there will be tons of photos to share.

So I leave you with the last few visual memories of Texas and the promise that by Friday morning I will be back to blogging full time and telling you all about our vacation, or whatever I didn't get to share the past two weeks. Please remind me to tell you about how much I hate Chiggers. UGH....UGH....UGH! I'm sure if you're from Texas you know exactly what I'm talking about.

By the way, there will be no Slow Cooking Thursday this week, I'll be on the road and not sure if I'll get another chance to log in until we arrive in Arizona, even if I do get some Wifi at the hotel, I doubt I'll have the time to compile a post for you all. Slow Cooking Thursday will be back next week though :)

Have a blessed day and keep us in your thoughts as we make our way home.

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If you look closely in the middle of this photo you can see two fireflies. There's one in the middle and one right by the tree.
It's been one of the kids favorite things to do at night, chase fireflies.

Living in Arizona means that everything I'm used to seeing is brown and dry so I can't get enough of the luscious greenery I'm finding here in Texas.

This next set of pictures I think pretty much depicts what we've been doing a lot of here, watching, admiring, observing.

These photos have become one of my favorites and I'm planning to have them enlarged and framed.

Have you ever heard of Bodark Apples or Hedge Apples? I hadn't until I got here, my in laws have quite a few trees of these around their land. I find them absolutely stunning to look at and apparently, according to them, the local horses around here love eating these apples.

My kids are fascinated by these frogs at the neighbor's pond. We spend many hours just watching them.

Happy Homemaker Monday - June 29

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0000

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Still pretty hot here, nothing compared to Arizona though but enough to make you enjoy being inside instead of outdoors.

One of my simple pleasures:
Reading a book on vacation, knowing that I don't have to stop for anything, I can read as long as I like without interruptions and enjoying beautiful scenery around me.

On my bedside table:
Nothing back home but here I have my cellphone and a book

On my TV:
Been watching some great Christian movies like The Climb and Facing the Giants.

On the menu for tonight:
Whatever my mother in law fixes? LOL

On my To Do List:
Begin packing to head back home on Wednesday
Another load of laundry, I can't just leave the dirty clothes until we get back home LOL
Plan our trip back, we want to take our time and stop at interesting sights etc.

New Recipe I tried last week:
No recipes while on vacation

In the craft basket:
I have my crochet bag with me and work on it when I get a chance

Looking forward to:
Returning back home to see my pugs, I miss them SO much.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Take your camera everywhere, you never know what you will see and you may just miss the perfect pictures

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Will have to leave this one blank, I haven't even opened my Google Reader since being here, but I'm sure you all understand :)

Favorite photo from last week:

Crocheting on the front porch with nothing but the birds chirping around me.

Lesson learned the past few days:
That I need to find a church like the one my in laws go to. It's a small town church, everyone knows each other and there is a real sense of family. Wish we could find one like this back home, because if there is one thing I've learned while being here, is that I need that time every Sunday, I need that time with the Lord.

On my Prayer List:
Our road trip back home this week
Family

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8

The beauty of nature!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:25:00 +0000

Every single day I am reminded of what a beautiful world we live in, all it takes is for you to step outside and enjoy it.

I'm blessed that my in laws live in a country home surrounded by vast land, ponds and all sorts of amazing sights to see, so I thought I would take you on a virtual tour of what I'm surrounded by daily.

I'm fascinated by the huge spiderwebs I'm finding all over the land, it's almost like a white blanket spread out over the banks of the pond.

I am not fond of weeds but even I have to admit that this Creeping Thistle is beautiful.

Wooded area behind the house....ok well it's not exactly a forest, but just a bunch of trees at the end of the yard.

I love dragonflies and I've been enjoying my share of these beauties around here. I didn't even know there were so many different colors.

Yet another spiderweb

Right behind the house is this white rock, it seems that it used to be a river or some sort of creek or something. But we even found fossils in that rock, of course the kids were ecstatic.

When we first arrived there were tons of tadpoles in the pond, the other afternoon we went for a walk and had to literally watch every step we took, these little ones had turned into the cutest frogs.

I'm off to enjoy the sunset, hope you all like the photos :)

Slow Cooking Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Mr Linky's usual linkies are not working, so we have to use Image Linkies, all you do is click on the green "Mr Linky" and it will open up the list for you to add your name to.

Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

As always, share your slow cooking recipes but if you REALLY REALLY don't have one and still want to participate, then you can share any kind of recipe.

Slow Cooker Potatoes With Country Ham

Cook Time: 5 hours
Ingredients:

* 2 1/2 to 3 pounds potatoes, red skinned, peeled or left unpeeled
* 4 to 6 small sprigs fresh rosemary
* 6 to 8 ounces country ham, rinsed, or diced smoked ham
* 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 3 cups chicken broth

Cut potatoes into 2-inch chunks. Dice ham.

Layer potatoes with ham, rosemary leaves, and sliced garlic, sprinkling each layer with a little salt and pepper. Tuck a bay leaf among the potatoes, then pour chicken broth over all. Dot with butter and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until potatoes are tender.

Discard bay leaf and spoon into a serving bowl.
Serves 6.

Grayson County Frontier Village

noreply@blogger.com (Sandra) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Guess what I got to do today? Well maybe don't guess because I'm sure by the pic above you can see.

Let's just say that I was totally in my environment this afternoon. It's not the first and I'm sure it won't be the last time that I talk about my love for Pioneer days so when I found out that just a few minutes from where we are stood the Grayson County Frontier Village, there was no way I was going to let this vacation end without visiting.

Take a walk back in time to the days when pioneer Grayson County residents used hand tools to shape logs notched together at the corners to form one-room cabins, some with lofts for added space to house families of six or more.

I have a lot of photos on my flickr album, so I won't post them all here but I still wanted to share some on the blog and also tell you a little about each house we visited.

**************************

Thompson House

Judge James George Thompson came to Grayson County in 1830 and was the first county judge. He built this home at the tip of Preston Penninsula and it was moved to the Frontier Village in 1990.

Hendricks House

Jessie Elvis Hendricks migrated to Texas in 1845 and built the log cabin section of this house on land northeast of Sherman near the old Shannon Church.

Bradley/Bodkin Cabin

Thomas Bradley built this cabin around 1842 after coming to Sherman with his parents in 1838. He married twice and reared 14 children in this one-room cabin.

Evans Carpenter Cabin

Built around 1857 by R.J. Evans in the Cherry Mound Community. J.C. Carpenter bought the cabin about 1900 and added three additional rooms.

Country Store

A replica of a typical pioneer Texas business, it contains original equipment and other artifacts of the late 1800s.

Weaver Wagon

In 1934 two young Sherman women and their mother traveled to Colorado in this tin-covered wageon, enduring hardships similar to that of pioneers who came to Grayson County. Winnie their cow made all three trips for a total of about 4000 miles.

Fitzgerald House

Constructed by George S. Fitzgerald in 1866 on his 800 acre farm on Red River. All of the framing is hand-hewn logs fastened together with wooden pegs in the absence of nails.

Bullock/Bass House

Randolph Bullock built this house in 1850 and is said to have the first glass windows in Grayson County. It was later sold to Col. T.C. Bass. His daughter, Miss Nettie Bass, was born in the house, lived there 97 years and died in the house.

Cold Springs School

The Holder family emigrated to Texas in the mid 1840s and built this school house. Miss Maud Mangum, the first teacher, slept in the loft and ate with the families of the pupils.

Sophia's Cabin

When Sophia Augenbaugh Coffee Butt Porter came to Grayson County in the late 1830s with her second husband Holland Coffee, they lived in a one-room clapboard cabin.

Barber Shop/Dentist Office

An early day barber shop and dentist office with a display of furniture and instruments used in their profession in the late 1800s.

Newspaper Office and Saddle Shop

A replica of a newspaper office on one side and tack room on the other.

Lankford Home

William T. Lankford, one of the first five Commissioners of Grayson County, built this house in 1847 on his 1800 acre land grant east of Denison. He hauled the lumber by ox-freight from Jefferson, TX.
The ceiling was removed to make coffins during the cholera epidemic in the 1870s. The home was in the Lankford family for 124 years.

Country Church

This replica of an early Texas church is fully equipped with pews, organs, kneeling bench and pulpit.

Price/Shaw Cabin

This Texas Dogtrot cabin was built about 1860 by Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Price.

Davis/Ansley Cabin

This cabin was built about 1838 by Micajah C. Davis, one of the original founders of Grayson County. Rev. Sumner Bacon formed the Pilot Knob Presbyterian Church in the cabin in 1842, Davis served as the first elder.

Smokehouse

Early day tools and other equipment are stored in this replica of an early Texas smokehouse where meat, usually pork, was smoked or packed in salt for preservation.

I had such a blast and I can't wait to sit down and learn a bit more about the families that lived in these homes and what their lives were like in the 1800s. Hope you enjoyed it too.

I'll have more fun stuff for you, I'm so glad I'm able to take you on this trip with me.