The Great Pumpkin

Thank you SaraBeeDesigns for including my pumpkin runner in your Treasury West! You really brightened my day!

I would be ever so grateful if you all would kindly head over to The Great Pumpkin treasury to click and comment:)

'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' Jeremiah 5:24

Say yes to the dogs

Bandito dogs are a favorite originally from Recipezaar. We have made a few changes to the recipe and consider them practically perfect now. They are so quick, so easy it's almost like eating out!

BANDITO DOGS1 (1 lb) package hot dog
2 (15 ounce) cans chili- use your favorite or even homemade
8 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained & optional

TO SERVE:
Hot dog buns
Chopped onion or green onion
Mustard
Ketchup
Crumbled Fritos
Shredded cheddar cheese

Combine the chili, Velveeta, and green chilies in a slow cooker. Gently mix in hot dogs. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

When you can't stand it one. more. minute, it's time to dig in. Serve hot dogs in buns. Pile on some chili sauce and your toppings of choice.

Trust me. You'll be glad you said yes.

Posted to Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Crockpot Wednesday.

What I've been making... Part 2

I am delighted to participate in Pretty Organized Palace's Weekend Boutique! What fun to peek in and see what all you crafty people have been hand making with love. And I'm hoping for a little PR for my PrairieCottageRose & Puddintoes Etsy shops, too:)

Today I'm highlighting the newest autumn handiwork from PrairieCottageRose:

Harvest moonlight hand painted plate. This is a pattern from Terrye French and one of my favorites to paint. Love the prim moon watching over a little saltbox farmhouse and the scarecrow guarding the pumpkin patch.

Prim ruffled turkey and pumpkin table runner. (Mr. Turkey is trying to hide out in the punkin patch. Thanksgiving is coming, you know:)

A prim scarecrow table runner. He has forsaken the corn patch in favor of his beloved pumpkins. He may, in fact, be the very same scarecrow in the above painted plate. There is an uncanny resemblance.....

See more of my Scarecrow and Turkey pumpkin runners and harvest moonlight hand painted wood plate here.

The Smartest Dog in the Whole Wide World

We have a dog named Opie Pye. Clearly, the younguns were at the height of their Andy Griffith phase when the name picking took place. And we had just read Ginger Pye. Which explains his "middle" name.

Opie prefers to be called "your highness" and the poor wee thing spends his afternoons like this:

We always imagined Opie Pye to be quite intelligent, in addition to the massive cuteness. Then we came across this video of what is decidedly and without doubt the smartest dog in the whole. wide. world.

Ever.

And apparently, his name is Opie too.

Maybe we should only let dogs vote.

Fabulous Fajitas

Mercy. Fabulous does not begin to cover it:) These are an absolute favorite and there is never a bite left when we make them. They turn out tender and juicy every single time. While it is made in the crock pot, it is not an all day type recipe. I like to throw them in before leaving for one of daughter's softball or son's baseball games. I add the veggies when we get back and dinner is ready in about 10-15 minutes.

Always a bonus.

FABULOUS FAJITAS

1 and 1/2 pounds boneless sirloin

2 tablespoons cooking oil

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 and 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 large pepper, cut in strips

1 large onion, cut in strips

tortillas

First the steak needs to be cut into strips. I find this is easier if it has been partially frozen. The knife slices the strips easily, without the meat squirming away. Brown the steak strips in oil. Place the steak and drippings in the crock pot. Add lime juice, garlic and dry seasonings. Stir. Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours, or until meat is tender. Add peppers and onion and let steam just until crisp/tender, about 10-15 minutes.

Serve with tortillas and toppings of choice, which may or may not include salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, etc.

Can you hear that? They're calling your name.

Posted to Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Crock Pot Fest and Crock Pot Wednesday.

What I've been making...

Not your granny's "granny." A new, more modern twist on the traditional granny square. I made it for a gift and the recipient picked out the bright colors. They look great together! It's really big, though! Each square is almost 12 inches and it kept me busy for the first half of summer.

Next up, Miss Skyleigh's mom requested a crochet blanket for baby girl's 1st birthday. In chocolate and lavender, no less. That girl has taste.

The search was on for a new and different pattern to use for her blankie. When I saw this daisy square I was in love. Well, as much as you can love a pattern. Because people. It has daisies! You know how I love my flowers... I just had to try it.

Then I got the pattern. Forty years of crocheting did nothing to prepare me and I almost. gave. up. Three (!) strands of yarn that must be kept in front, working in front of work and back, stitch markers everywhere. Profusions of yarn strands, markers, loops and near catastrophe loomed. There ensued much weeping and gnashing of teeth.

But.

The persistence. It pays off in the end. And I LOVE it again!

Another variation of a granny square. What do you think?

The birthday girl liked it too. It was totally worth it:)

This pattern for Daisy Charity Square is available from KrochetKrystal. To get the pattern, you need to join her yahoo group. The pattern will then be accessible and is free, but you must crochet a daisy square and send it to her to be added to one of her charity blankets.

Come on. Be brave and give it a try!

So they are no longer two, but one.

Here are some candid shots from the wedding. I won't have any of the "real" photos to show you all for awhile:)

Uncle Jared helps Nolan (the ring security specialist) with his tie.

Success!

Uncle Matthew with Nolan.

My new daughter, Sara, with Skyleigh.

Skyleigh always has a smile for Uncle Jared.

Skyleigh with Jared, Sara (the bride), Megan (my oldest girl) and Nolan Ryan.

One last thing.

We don't normally wear cowboy hats.

Or boots.

I hope you're not too disappointed.

So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. Matthew 19:6