Warning: Politics Ahead!

It doesn't matter what position you hold, I don't think anyone will argue that this year is filled with intense passion on both sides of the fence and at this point in the race, I think everyone's just growing plain weary of politics. That being said, I am going to go out on a limb and break the rule about discussing politics. I've always been a rebel anyway. Grin! After all, we are a country built on freedoms and this is my blog and I simply want to put my thoughts down because I am excited! After all these years I am finally an American citizen and this is my first year to vote in a Presidential Election! I can't wait! My excitement finally bubbled over yesterday - Sarah Palin had scheduled a stop in town and we were NOT going to miss it! Even if it meant waking groggy children in a hotel room early yesterday morning, in Abeline, Tx, where we had attended my niece's beautiful wedding, the night before, in order to make the 5 hour trip back in time to attend the rally.

We had 30 minutes at home before heading to town where we stood for 4.5 hours in support of the McCain/Palin ticket. I was shocked by the huge crowd and long lines. The endless boothes selling buttons and hats and shirts and all manner of political paraphernalia looked like the entrance to a concert.

I'll admit, it was a LONG wait and it was HOT, but it was an amazing experience! I really got excited when a man with a guitar appeared and they announced Hank Williams Jr! Very cool. I enjoy his music a lot although I wasn't sure he was the best choice for representing conservative, moral values! Grin! But there I was, rocking out with everyone else and it suddenly occurred to me that I was acting just like a teenager! LOL!



I love that the kids were excited about attending this rally! This is DS's first time to vote too. They were all good at entertaining each other during the long wait.

When Sarah Palin arrived, I really got excited. I love her. No, she does not have the foreign policy experience that everyone keeps harping on, but neither does Obama and he's running for President! Everyone keeps taking about change. I think she's a breath of fresh air and combined with John MaCain's record, I think they make a good team! I like what they stand for and I had ball yesterday!

I wasn't very confident that I would be able to snap any decent pictures, but I am pleased with the ones I captured.

I hung around after the rally in hopes of getting the opportunity to just shake her hand and I ended up not only shaking her hand, but getting a hug from her, getting her autograph and visiting with her for just a few seconds. She said, thank you, ma'am and that it's people like me that they want to represent and that they really appreciate our support. After she chatted with a few others, she looked back over at me and looked at me directly and said, "Thank you!" Even though there were thousands of people clammoring for her attention, she focused on me for just a minute and that made a huge impression on me. This gal speaks my language and darn if I didn't want to invite her over for a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and a round of skeet! It would have had to be a huge pie in order to feed the multitude of secret service men that flanked her from all directions though.

I believe in the issues they support and here's a list of reasons why they'll get my vote on November 4th:

1. National Security
2. Military / Defense - no-one favors war, but the fact is, we are a free country because throughout the years, we have been willing to fight for that freedom and defend our nation.
3. Pro-Life
4. Tax Policy
5. Experience
6. Energy Policy
7. Less intrusion of federal government
8. Character
9. Integrity
10. Honor
11. Ethics
12. Will not simply redistribute income, but will create income via an increase in jobs and let families choose how to spend it, not government.

I'm not looking for a debate here. Just voicing my opinion and excitement about living in a country where we have a voice to do just that.

I know things have a been a mess, but I think its our own fault. The economy's a mess because we've become a country of excess. A country who has become accustomed to living above their means. A Country who thinks everything should be handed to us on a silver platter. We have drifted away, far away, from the principles this country was founded on - namely, and most importantly - we have wandered out and away from God. The men who founded this amazing nation were Godly men who knew what was most important. They relied on His guidance daily. It scares me greatly to think just how lost we have become.

The Republican ticket is running on a slogan of 'Country First'. That's a big improvement over the 'Me First' slant I'm getting from the opponent, but how about we get back to what it really should be, "God First".

A friend and I were discussing this and she said that God will never remove His hand from His people, but I do think he has removed his hand from this country. That pretty much sums it up. Lets pray that we find our way back and put our trust back in God. That's the only change that really matters.

Quick Winter Project

Something about the arrival of winter gives me the urge to sit behind my sewing machine. I've recently been bitten by the sewing bug again. I have a 20 year old Kenmore sewing machine that has seen better days, but it has served me well thus far. Funny thing is, growing up, I never had any desire to sew. I even petitioned the school administration to let me take Shop instead of Home Ec in high school - and they agreed! I was 26 when I suddenly asked for a sewing machine for my birthday. I think my mother almost fell over.

Recently, I've been working on that quilt for DD, made some potholders, made that apron, and yesterday I made this tied fleece blanket that is sure to see a lot of use this winter.

Don't know why the backing material looks turquoise in the photo - it's really green. Oh and I'm sending out an invitation to anyone who has the urge to help me rid this house of that awful paneling!

I stumbled upon this material a few years ago and just had to get it since it was the same as the material I used to make DDs curtains and quilt. The fabric store is a dangerous place to be. Just remember to print out a 40% off coupon before you enter Hobby Lobby!

This a fun, quick project that can be whipped out in a few hours. I tied this one while watching a couple episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. In fact, I think I'll curl up with it right now - Leave it to Beaver's on! I don't watch much TV, but Opie and Beaver are welcome around here anytime.

My Cooking Sabbatical is Over...Come on by...

Yep. You read that correctly. My self-imposed cooking sabbatical is no longer in effect. I kind of thought it would last a little longer!

Something about the cold front that blew through last night just beckoned me into the kitchen. Well, that along with the fact that I had a strong desire to donn that cute apron I made yesterday! So, as per request of me actually wearing the thing:

The cold, wet, overcast morning just called for a good hot pot of homemade green chile stew. Add to that a batch of cheese quesadillas and my trusty apron and you have a happy homemaker! That's quite a turn around coming from a girl who never wanted to get within a mile of a kitchen growing up!

So stop on by...stews on!

Just can't promise you that there will be any brownies left when you get here!

October 12 of 12

I've been good about taking these on the 12th of each month, but not so good when it comes to posting them. The challenge really involves making a scrapbook page from these photos, but that'll have to wait. The 12th rolls around way too fast around here! But I do enjoy getting the photos taken and looking back on the months. So here's a peek into my day yesterday:

With all that's been going on, where else would I start the day than in the kitchen? It seems to be the only place I've been these past few weeks. I'm being held captive and when I walked in this morning at 4 am, I was greeted by the first pile of clean dishes in the sink drainer.

First order of the day: cut out the donuts. It's become a tradition for me to make homemade donuts on the last day of works around here. I make the dough the night before and stash it in the icebox where it can do its thing.

Then, I'll be honest, I crawled back into bed for a few minutes while they began to rise. I made breakfast burritos a bit later, but caught a few winks before I started throwing those together.

Here are the fried donuts. So NOT healthy, but so VERY yummy! I sugared most of them, but glazed some as well. Sometimes I fill them with jam, but not this time. The donut holes are just too convenient to pop into your mouth and yes, I did just that!

The morning was cold and drizzly. It had rained most of the night and last 3 members of the crew pulled out about mid-morning and headed back to Texas. They were a huge help and we enjoyed having them, but as they pulled out, it was a welcome sight. We were pooped! I did not envy them the long drive.

More dishes, what else?

Here's a smart critter. Taking a cat nap seems like the thing to do!

So here I've been complaining about spending all of my time in the kitchen adn what do I do? - make a new apron?! However, I've been trying to get this apron sewn for some time now. I saw the pattern in the local quilt store and have been coveting this material at Hobby Lobby for a while. I just didn't know what to do with it - I think an apron will be so cute. I am a messy cook and I've ruined more than one shirt so an apron is the way to go.

Hello shoes. I've missed you! These are the hiking shoes I walk in every morning - well at least every morning when I'm not cooking for a dozen men.

A late afternoon walk was just what I needed. I can't begin to tell you how good it was to walk in the warmth of the fall afternoon. Yes, I was exhausted, but just getting out there restored my soul.

Everyone laughs at me when I talk about the 'golden light' that falls in the early mornings and late afternons, but there it is. The sun just sets things afire, especially in the fall.

Even the penned cattle seemed to be basking in the last remains of sunlight.

When I returned home, I finished up that apron and pleaded with DD to model it for me. I love it and will definitely be making a few more although it might be too cute to get dirty! There's some fall fabric that caught my eye last week.

That concludes our visit for today. After I snapped this photo - I headed directly to bed.