Things To Love…

on a Friday.

Finding this adorable ancient picture of little miss Fluttershy from a while back. Way too cute not to post.

April’s spooky house that’s all decked out for Halloween!!

Finding out that Monster Pops (Big Sticks) are now made with natural colors!!

Josh getting to take a lovely, two week vacation to Japan!

My lovely flowers that are recovering nicely from being blown off the porch ledge by the wind. Crazy!

The perfect shirt to wear if you’re going to hold a nearly all black kitten–unless you need a picture of that same kitten. Haha.

More beautiful rain. I’ll always take more rain.

Good old Hobbes–who I love,  that still wants to sleep by me even though he’s very grumpy about…

all these cute little six week old kitties–who I also love.

What about you? What are you loving on this happy Friday?

 

 

 

Grammy’s Crocheting World

This happy little puzzle was given to me by Rhen and Jessica for my birthday. I adore ever single inch of it–because it’s so positively me.

Me, I tell you–from head to toe, floor to ceiling, side to side and every other which way.

I mean–look at those containers of crochet hooks—

just like mine!

Look at that very busy, very colorful sewing machine—

just like mine!

Look at all of the yarn stacked up all over the room…

just like mine!!

Look at all the fun jars and flowers and mugs and more yarn on the shelves…

just like mine!

Look at all that grey curly hair….ahem…only without the curls—

just like mine!

Even the funny little hand winding the pink yarn is…

just like mine!

So, it should be perfectly simple to see why I LOVE this puzzle–right?

Because it’s positively perfect–right?

Welllllll, there was one teeny tiny thing about this puzzle that was not quite perfect. It was the name. Originally, it was called…

Grandma’s Knitting World.

Ummmm…WHATTTT?! How can this be?!

Obviously THAT was a serious type-o.

Knitting?!! HA! I think not.

But don’t worry…

I know a guy named WhiteOut…

and he can fix anything.

Now…

everything is as it should be…

and all is right with the world.

 

 

The Condiments

If you want to be prepared–for any occasion–well then, it would be a great idea to carry with you–at all times…

a little mustard.

You never know when you may find someone selling corn dogs.

And if you’re going to be extra-extra prepared, you’re going to need ketchup too…

for the occasional hamburger that shows up unexpectedly.

I mean, goes without saying…right?

And here I was storing wheat and refried beans.

Sheesh.

Heh, heh.

 

 

 

Octoberfest Skillet

Long, long ago, when my first two kids were really little, there used to be an event at the local shops called Octoberfest. Now, I have no idea what Octoberfest is like in some far away land, all I know is that here in Utah, back then, it was a cozy little festival with vendor booths and Autumn food and games and prizes. For a mom of two–at that time in my life–let’s just say that getting anything for free made it an exciting event to look forward to.

Everything was fall leaves and pumpkins and Autumn and cider and caramel apples and candy corn and scarecrows and hay bales–everywhere you’d look. And there I was with my two babies in a stroller, walking merrily from booth to booth, playing the games, sipping the cider, tasting samples, collecting coupons  and filling my new Octoberfest tote bag with so much free stuff and prizes that I could hardly carry it all. Happy as a little clam.

Back then, there was a booth that made dinner plates of some mysterious dish that smelled soooo good. As I got curious enough to come closer though, I realized that the dish was made with sauerkraut–which was a big nope for me in those days. I moved on the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies booth.

Some years later,  my sister forced me to try a Polish dog–with sauerkraut and mustard. Hmmmm…not bad, I thought. Then later, she gave me a bite of her Reuben panini–with sauerkraut and pickles.

To my shock…

apparently I had matured a tad and so had my tastebuds.

I fell madly in love.

So when I saw this Autumy looking skillet dinner, that– from out of nowhere– reminded me of those sweet little Octoberfest days with my first babies, I knew I would need to make it–right now.

Oooooh, did my house ever smell good!

And it tasted just as incredible as I knew it would.

So, here’s the recipe and if you want to really bring in the season, try it with a glass of warm cider.

I’m so excited for you to make it.

Welcome to Octoberfest!

 

 

Octoberfest Skillet

Ingredients

5-6 medium red potatoes, diced

2 Tbsps. butter

2 Tbsps. onion flakes

1- smoked sausage (16 oz.) , cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 jar 16 oz. sauerkraut–well drained

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

pickles, mustard optional–but soooo good!!

Directions

In a large, non-stick skillet, sauté the potatoes in butter until lightly browned and soft through– 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in sausage and allow it to brown slightly. Sprinkle in onion flakes. Add sauerkraut and pepper and stir to combine and heat through. Allow to cook for a bout 5 more minutes to combine flavors. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Serve with mustard and pickles.

Octoberfest Skillet
 
:
: Dinner
Ingredients
  • 5-6 medium red potatoes, diced
  • 2 Tbsps butter
  • 2 Tbsps onion flakes
  • 1- smoked sausage (16 oz) , cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 jar 16 oz sauerkraut
  • ¼ tsp ground pepper
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • pickles, mustard optional--but soooo good!!
Instructions
  1. In a large, non-stick skillet, sauté the potatoes in butter until lightly browned and soft through-- 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in sausage and allow it to brown slightly.
  3. Sprinkle in onion flakes.
  4. Add sauerkraut and pepper and stir to combine and heat through.
  5. Allow to cook for about 5 more minutes to combine flavors.
  6. Top with Parmesan cheese.
  7. Serve with mustard and pickles.

 

The Book–At LAST!

Of course, I’ve already told you about my amazing daughter-in-law who just finished writing her very first novel called, “Light Among the Shadows.” It has been available in digital form for a few months now from Amazon.

So, imagine her excitement when the mail came today with the actual, physical copy–

that she could finally, FINALLY hold in her two little hands!!!

We are all so excited for her–she’s waited so long!

Coming soon–the real, live, BOOK!!!

(I’d use more explanation points, but I don’t want to over do it. Hahaha)

I can hardly wait to get my very own copy.

Wonder if she’ll sign it for me.

After all–I did make the guy she’s married to and that should get me first dibs.

Don’t you think?

Hee, hee!

 

 

Facebook Reel for Light Among the Shadows

Trailer for Light Among the Shadows by Kortney J. Anderson