Happy Friday Everyone!

This summer is going by much to fast and I have too much todo before the end of October (stay tuned).  Anyway, it was cool enough (less hot anyway) yesterday and I was able to work in my yard and today it is pouring rain so I have a great excuse not to go out there when I get off work!  I am almost finished with "Old Salem" and hope to have him up on eBay in a few days.  This will be a busy weekend - cleaning, laundry, groceries, and hopefully sewing.  Hope you all are well and your little kitties, too!

101 Autumn Recipes - YUM!

Just had to share this recipe that showed up on Gooseberry Patch's blog this morning! Will make it for our next church dinner and movie night and maybe sooner to munch on at home! Let me know if you vary the recipe at all!

Hamburger Crunch

2 lbs. ground beef
1 T. onion, minced

2 10-3/4 oz. cans tomato soup

1 t. chili powder

4 c. corn chips

8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef and onion together in a large skillet over medium heat; drain. Stir in soup and chili powder. Spread in an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan; top with corn chips. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, until cheese melts. Serves 6 to 8.

Fall $1 Sale at Country Life Graphics

If you need some fall or Christmas clip art, head on over to http://www.countrylifegraphics.com/ because they are having a $1 sale on all their printables and their graphics collection are a low $1.49. I just love their art!!!

Nothing But Blue Skies

That song has been going around in my head all morning.  Although, I'm not really a CW fan, I have to admit I do like Willy Nelson.  We've really had our share of "gray" skies here in the midwest all summer. This is what it looked like recently (looking north where the rich people live {not me}) from my back porch. You can see the storm front moving in (again!). 

I have been working lately on getting my home ready for my daughter and her hubby to stay with us for a few months this winter (my little girl is expecting her first baby and we are over the moon)! They will be moving back to the midwest from Oregon.  She and hubby are hoping to go back to school.  Molly has been working in theater for the past several years and would like to get her master's degree.  I can't wait.  It's been so long since she has actually been home for Christmas!!!! So, I am painting rooms, moving my sewing area up to a our small computer room (major project), and getting the lower level ready for them (along with help from hubby and my mom and dad). And, yes, I actually did find time to sew last evening and actually have a few items listed on eBay.  I've also cut out the wool for my first "Old Salem" of the season!!! Well, hope you all are doing well and your little furry angels are behaving (or if not, at least keeping you entertained!).

Meet OLD SALEM!

Yes! It's time for fall crafting! My favorite time of year. I hope to get some time to sew soon.  Work is very hectic, the lawn won't stop growing (as well as the field weeds in the corn), there are rooms in the house to be painted, and the basement to clean up! But I have managed to change my banner today! Whew! Please meet "Old Salem!" He is my own "Cat Tales" halloween kitty pattern that I have been sewing up and creating variations on for sale on eBay over the past years! I just love "Old Salem." Look for him on eBay in a couple of weeks.

LATEST ISSUE OF CREATIVE TIMES AVAILABLE

Good morning! I hope you all are doing well.  It is very humid and muggy here in Iowa this morning! Glad to be indoors with the air conditioner running. I just wanted to post a little note that the latest, free, issue of Creative Times is now available at http://www.creativetimesmagazine.com/current_issue.php

Give it a look! They usually have a lot of great ideas!

Enjoy the day and stay cool.

CHECK YOUR MEDICINE CABINETS

Good morning all! I'm at back from a really restful vacation and saw this alert this morning and thought I would pass it on to you all!

McNeil Expands Recall To Include Additional Lots of Benadryl Allergy Ultratab, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Motrin, IB, Tylenol Extra Strength, and Tylenol PM. McNeil Consumer Healthcare is recalling 21 additional lots of over-the-counter medicines, including Benadryl Allergy Ultratab, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Motrin, IB. Tylenol Extra Strength, and Tylenol PM. This recall is a follow-up to product recalls that McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced on January 15, 2010 and June 15, 2010. These three recalls are due to consumer complaints of a musty or moldy odor that has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). After a full investigation, it was determined that the source of TBA and odor was the result of a breakdown of a chemical that is applied to wood used to build wooden pallets that transport and store product packaging materials. Although consumers have reported stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea with the recalled product, McNeil has determined that the risk of serious adverse medical events is very low. For more information and a list of the 21 recalled lots numbers, please visit:

http://www.iguard.org/r/06dSs8RY80Y

CrossStitch Pattern Found!

JulieF was kind enough to direct me to a Blackbird design that is very similar to Fred Tripp's painting. Any one who is interested can find it at this web site. It looks like a delightful pattern! 

CROSS STITCH PATTERN - OUR FLAG

I have and idea and/or challenge for any one who creates cross stitch patterns -- please consider creating one for Fred Tripp's oil painting called "Our Flag." A visitor to my blog saw my posting for 5/27/2010 and asked if I knew of a cross stitch patten for this painting. I can't find anything on the Internet but perhaps one of you fine ladies who have this talent could make one up some time! I would be very interested and I know the lady who asked me about it would be too! Thanks in Advance!

Still Here!

Hi All My Blogging Buddies! Yes, I am still here and alive. I've just been incredibly busy at work and at home.  I am leaving for the North Shore of Minnesota tomorrow for a much needed break.  I've taken a bit of a break from crafting, too, because summer work and summer chores have been taking up so much of my time.  Hope you and your kitties are all doing well.  Will be back around the 12th of July.  This year my mom and dad are going to house sit for us and watch our kitties so I am really relaxed about taking time away.  I know the house, yard, and kitties will be well taken care of.  Hope you are all enjoying the summer! 

Take a minute and browse through some new giveaway contests posted on my sidebar.