one dash one dash one one!

wow!  I can't believe it really is 1-1-11.  What a fabulous year it has been.  Hen & Chick wish you so much happiness for 2011.  I was searching through some pictures and found this in the Lil' Squirtz archives...made me smile, so I thought I would post. it.  Have a wonderful and safe evening!

signed,
baby chick

In October we rode the rails to Washington DC

 the hallway of sleeper car

 out the back of our sleeper car

 privately own cars parked in Havre, Montana

 old school house in Vandalia, Ohio

  Chicago

train station in Harpers Ferry, West Virgina

Merry Christmas To You All

Higgins - 4 months old

my holiday cake

I think this is too pretty to eat.  I just want to stare at it.

Let the holiday baking begin!

Enjoy the day.

mother hen

Yellow Lab - Black Lab

Our Barley Boy

It was a very sad day in October when we lost our Barley from cancer on the heart.  Even today it is hard to write about him without tears.  He was our best buddy and he brought us a lot of enjoyment over the years.  Even at 8 years old he had a lot of spunk!

Some of the things that Barley loved and made us smile are:  carrots, raspberries-he picked them right off the bushes, apples-when our trees had fruit he would eat at least three a day, spending time in the garden with Rob, duck hunting with Rob, sleeping in front of the wood stove, Rob's hats-loved to steal them, shoes-just loved to carry them around, chasing the coyotes in the valley, fabric-always would take fabric scraps from the garbage cans and run around with them, the grand kids, our family, friends and neighbors, our mail lady, our UPS driver. 

Things he did not like:  riding in the car without being in his crate, mousetraps, mean people, walking on a leash, being alone.

Thank you Barley for all the love and happiness you gave us.  You will always have a special place in our hearts.

We did not want to be without a dog.  So off we went to Klamath Falls, Oregon, to pick up our newest family member.  He has already brought us so much enjoyment.  He is wonderful, smart and very handsome.  We have fallen in love with Higgins.  He is awesome!

Meet Thornwood's Mr. Higgins Kobar Spencer

Rob and Higgins getting acquainted in Klamath Falls, OR

 Higgins taking a nap

I hope Higgins makes you smile and much as he does us.

Enjoy the day.

mother hen



Happy October

1935 Sears Catalog

Collections - Cookbooks

Collection: A group of objects or works to be seen, studies or kept together.  An accumulation

COLLECTIONS:  Part V - Cookbooks    

Cookbooks - book shelves full of cookbooks!  Helen, a.k.a. my mom, started me cooking and baking at a early age.  She  also had a cookbook collection, which I inherited.  I started my own collection when I was 18.  I love sitting down and looking through my cookbooks.  It provides me a lot of enjoyment and relaxation.  I also love to bake and cook.  But I especially love baking.  The holidays are so much fun in the kitchen with the grandkids and whoever else joins in!

A few of my of old favorites that are no longer in print include:

• Homemade Cookies by the Food Editors of Farm Journal - 1971
• A World of Baking by Delores Casella -1968
• Fantastic Favorites from Fallon Grace Lutheran Church, Fallon, Montana

Newer to my collection includes:

• Magnolia Bakery Cookbook by Jennifer  Appel and Allysa Torey -1999
• All of the Cooking Light Cookbooks - awesone recipes

Let's see - what should I fix for dinner?  I just don't know what to fix - so I guess we'll just have to go out to eat!

It is no wonder that baby chic is obsessed with food!

Cook something yummy. 

Enjoy the day.

mother hen

The "Lists"

You know how you have all these little "things" on lists that need to be taken care of - well I have "my list" and I have my "honey-do list".  These are things that aren't necessarily difficult or take a lot of time to complete, but they are things you either have forgotten about, don't really want to do, or maybe you have moved on to something else.  Well, as of this morning my "honey-do list" has been completed!   Things are moving along!  Hmm, I guess I will need to start a new one.  Of course  "my list" is a mile or two long!  But  I am slowly getting things marked off.   It sure feels good to get things completed.

I hope your "lists" show some movement towards completion too!

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Another Step Closer in The Kitchen Remodel

Rob refurbished our 1920-30's Riddle chandelier

Underneath all the layers of paint - who would have known?

What a wonderful job he did to put it back to its original look!

Enjoy the day.

mother hen

yes...I love what I do and I love who I do it with!

There is not a week that goes by that I don't have to answer the infamous questions..."do you work?"  And for almost 5 years now I have said the same answer... "No"... followed by a huge "BUT I ..." then proceed to explain all the different jobs I do have. And I'm not just talking about raising my children and doing all the tasks and work that is involved in keeping a house, family, budget, let alone a stocked kitchen!  I'm actually talking about work: you know, that thing we do that actually pay us.  

I spent two wonderful weeks vacationing with my husband and kids last month in two of the most amazing places on the west coast: Santa Cruz, CA and Lake Tahoe!  I was able to spend many days relaxing on the beach and swimming in the lake, watching my children laughing and giggling, riding my sweet beach cruiser bike and just hanging out.  These were great times for reflecting and realizing what a wonderful, special life I live...and what a true gift it is that I am able to do so many different things!  I love what I do and I love who I do it with.

So I dare you to ask me now "do you work?..." because here is what I will say

Yes, I am a working mother!

I'm a partner in a successful children's clothing company

I'm a part-time dance instructor

I'm a part-time free lance graphics designer

And yes...I am also a full time mom, wife, daughter & friend!

{lake tahoe} view from the lovely home our friends shared with us

{santa cruz} betty, frank & beans, and the diamond

{lassen state park} our favorite un-planned, stumble upon destination

Honeybee fax #7

                                bee fax for you          

Did you know?  From the minute a worker bee comes out of her brood cell she is "as busy as a bee."  For the first three weeks she will have a number of different jobs to do inside the hive.  First she is a house bee, cleaning and polishing the cells.  Three days later she becomes a nurse bee.  After ten days of being a nurse bee  she becomes a wax-making bee.  She hasn't even left the hive yet!

Summer eats

We love grilled veggies.  Grilled veggies in a salad are great.  Due to our lousy spring weather our garden had a slow start.  But now the garden is looking pretty darn good.  We have a large garden - enough to feed five families!  We give fresh veggies out to our family and friends.  Our lettuce is really doing  well so we have been eating a lot of fresh salads.  Garden lettuce is the best!   I grill up veggies and put them on a bed of  lettuce, add some raw snow peas; they add a nice crunch to the salad.  Sometimes I add grilled salmon or chicken.  To make the salads meatless I add black beans, rice, pasta or whatever is in the frig.  Top it off with some homemade low fat green goddess dressing - yummy, nothing could be better.  I make a really good basil inspired green goddess dressing.  Here's how I make it. 

In a food processor bowl add about:  1 cup low fat mayo, 1/2 cup low fat sour cream,  1 tbls. white wine vinegar, 1 tbls. fresh lemon juice (I add a little more), a little bit of fresh parsley (not too much because you are going to add basil -  if you don't have parsley, skip it), a good handful of fresh basil leaves, a good handful of some snipped fresh chives,  salt and fresh ground pepper, a couple of anchovy fillets, rinsed and patted dry or use some anchovy paste.  I usually use the anchovy paste, 1/2 to 1 tbls.  Frankly, the stuff grosses me out, but I add it for the flavor.   Blend up and adjust to your liking.  If you want regular green goddess dressing omit the fresh basil and use a good size handful of fresh parsley - it's good too!

Bon appetit!

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Written in 1926

This certainly made me chuckle.

This is a quote from Agatha Christie's 1926 novel, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.  "all this making a fuss about things because someone wore or used them seems to me all nonsense.  They're not wearing or using them now.  The pen that George Eliot wrote The Mill on the Floss with-that sort of thing-well, it's only just a pen after all.  If you're really keen on George Eliot, why not get The Mill on the Floss in a cheap edition and read it."

My thoughts exactly!!  I just haven't figured out why someone's belongings are sold on Ebay or at other auctions for exorbitant prices.  I don't get it.  It appears even back in 1926 people were obsessed with  famous people's stuff.

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Footnote:   My husband said, "Sorry dear, I don't get it."  Does anyone get it?  Oh well.

Summer Crafting Project

On my weekly outing to the library with baby chick and the grand kids I picked up an old copy of a Martha Stewart Living magazine.  I found these instructions to string jade beads with ribbon to create a cool necklace.  I thought this would be a great summer project.  Start now on your Christmas gift projects!   I can imagine  all kinds of beautiful possibilities. Use the following instructions for stringing guidelines, but use your own ideas for beads, ribbon and cording.  I think I'll pull out my beads and ribbons and create some great necklaces for gifts and one for myself!

A single strand of beads is enough for a necklace, thanks to satin ribbons.  The beads are strung onto silk cord that comes with a needle on one end for easy threading.

 Cut two 1-yard lengths of ribbon.  Unwind the silk cord fully from its spool.  Thread 1 bead onto cord, sliding it down and leaving a 5-inch tail.  Attach ribbon:  Holding bead on tail,  use cord to tie a secure double knot at midpoint of 1 ribbon.  Secure bead:  Pull needle back through bead (1).  Knot tail and needle ends together next to bead (2); trim tail.  Thread second bead; knot cord next to bead.  Repeat to add remaining beads.  After last knot, use cord to tie a secure double knot at midpoint of second ribbon.  Pull needle back through last bead, and tie a knot around existing cord; trim ends.

Happy beading.


Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Raspberries

raspberries from the yard

the pickers-

Shannon, Laurence, Myrna, Terry, Van, Ellie, and Barley

Our little beekeepers

the grandkids helping papa with his bees

 papa is very proud of them!

Baby Quilt

Quilt I made for our friend's new baby boy - he's due any day now!

I love the back of this quilt!

Family and business

Having a family run business is challenging at times.  But today I was reminded how much fun it can be!  Lil' Squirtz is very busy right now and we are short on help.  Everyone pitched in and helped get items ready to ship.   Rob  worked all day with us plus he entertained the grandkids and took us all out to lunch.  The grandkids were having so much fun.  Ellie was sewing buttons onto pieces of fabric and Van was taping up the stairs with blue tape!   The workroom looks like a tornado hit it - but really who cares.  The work got done and fun was had by all.  It really is fun having family around you all day.

Thank you Lil' Squirtz for all the good memories.

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Beach Pajamas!

From the 1933 Sears catalog

Have you ever heard of beach pajamas?  I totally love these!  I want one.  I wish I could buy one of these darling outfits today for 79 cents!   I might have to sew one up in my spare time (as if there is any spare time - maybe after my new window coverings in the kitchen, a new tai chi shirt,  doll clothes for Kit and Emily, my many quilts that are unfinished,  and the list goes on and on).   But I am definitely adding a beach pajama outfit to my list!

What is on your to do list?

Enjoy the day.

mother hen

Feathers

Peacock Feathers

Think of all the wonderful things you can do with feathers.    There are so many beautiful feathers and so many possibilities.

Honeybee fax 6

bee fax for you

Did you know?  Most egss the queen bee lays are no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence.

The Machinery

After my family, my dog, and my friends comes my sewing machines! Not only in my Lil' Squirtz life but also in my personal life. I LOVE my sewing machines! They make me very, very happy. I thought I'd share with you three of my newest machines that I love to sew on. I think sewing machines should be on the list to write about for my collections series. Yes, I have more machines. Oh my gosh, I need to write another collections article! I've been so busy with Lil' Squirtz I have totally forgotten about the collections article. Keep an eye out, maybe something next week!

Juki industrial serger - it is fast, fast, fast

AKA: The Animal

Another view of The Animal and table

Juki industrial straight stitch - trouble free machine
AKA: Big Bertha

The head of Big Berta

The newest addition

My Bernina 830

AKA: Bella

Oh did I mention - Bella has an embroidery module!
Awesome

Just some more things that make me smile. Do you know what makes you smile?

Enjoy the day

mother hen

Honeybee fax 5

bee fax for you

Did you know?    Most cells in the beehive are used for storing honey, but some are used for the queen to lay her eggs.  They are called brood cells.

Memorial Day

With the Memorial Day holiday approaching I wanted to post something in memory of all the men and women who have lost their lives in war.  For kids in school and for people who work, a three day weekend is an awesome event.  For many,  the Memorial Day holiday represents the beginning of summer: camping trips, bar-b-ques, the beach, gathering with friends, etc.  Often we forget why we actually have this holiday.  Take a moment to honor those who fought and lost  their lives protecting our freedom.  CNN has a detailed list of all the men and women who have lost their lives in the Gulf.  You can read about our warriors and you can even post a message and/or comment. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/war.casualties/index.html

Personally, my Uncle Henry a flight navigator, gave his life fighting during World War II when his B-29 bomber was shot down over the South Pacific.  Henry was my mom's baby brother.  My brother is named after the uncle we never met.

My Uncle Henry

2/21/1920-9/29/1942

Awards:  Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal & Purple Heart

Thank you Uncle Henry for your ultimate sacrifice.  My thoughts are also with my Grandma Tillie for all the pain and suffering she lived with for losing her only son. 

Take a moment to remember.  Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.  Our family has a lot of fun activities planned.  We are hoping for dry weather!

Enjoy the day.

mother hen

#39 - and more to come

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ROB AND ME!  It's #39 - I ask myself, "where has the time gone?"  It is hard believe it has been 39 years.  Here are some pictures for a quick glimpse of our  past.

  Rob in Vietnam 1968/69 - we met after he returned to the States.  What a cutie!   Air Force meets Navy.   He was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Cailifornia and I was working for the Navy at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. 

May 14, 1971  - We got married in a little chapel in Reno - easy, fast and ( most importantly in those days) cheap!  Our family and friends all joined us for the event.  Got married on a Friday - back to work on Monday.

The happy couple

Leaving the chapel with wedding certificate in hand.  Check out the outfit!!  See the man and his camara behind me?  When we filled out all the paperwork they asked if we wanted pictures, so we checked yes.  After the ceremony he handed us a roll of 35mm film to get developed.  We still laugh about it!!

That winter we took a trip to South Shore Lake Tahoe with friends.  Oh my gosh, we look like babies!

A day at the ocean

Rob holding Lance - 1972

Lance and me at the Oakland baby zoo.   I was pregnant with baby chick.

Our family before the kids left home

Rob, Sharon, Lance, and Shannon

My mom Helen, and me  Christmas 1995.  This was her last trip to Washington.

Helen:  6/6/1913-5/19/1996

This was quite a fast run down memory lane.  What beautiful, wonderful, funny pictures!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Pictures are more precious years later.

Enjoy the day.

mother hen