A Few Stitches

 I don't know what happened to November...or the rest of the year for that matter. And here we with our feet planted in December. It just makes me laugh because I have heard that time passes quickly if you're having fun so apparently we are having the time of our lives. LOL. 

Alas, all of this fun hasn't allowed me much time to sew. Not a complaint - just an observation. I only worked on and finished one quilt in November, but it's a gift so I'll show it after Christmas. But I did pick up 2 quilts from Jackie 2 weeks ago

 and I spent a little time stitching the binding to the fronts:

 So I've got something to bind during the month of December and with these longer evenings, that's always a welcome project.  The WNFR (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) began last night. That's 10 nights of something we enjoy watching although we record it each night and watch the previous night's performance the following evening so we can watch earlier and not have to stay up so late. Our eyes begin to close by 8:30.

 So if you need me after the sun goes down, I'll be curled up on the sofa. Watching the WNFR. With Skeet. Next to DH. Sipping hot tea. Binding a quilt. It's a good way to close out the day.

Thanksgiving Recap

 Here's hoping all of you that celebrate, had a Blessed Thanksgiving. We had a houseful for 5 days over Thanksgiving and I wouldn't want to have it any other way. They both have to make road trips...one from the east and one from the west. It's 6 hours for one and 8 for the other...but factor in a little one and it takes a little longer. I am so grateful that they all enjoy coming home to visit although I know it's quite an ordeal...making arrangements for critters to be tended to at home and feeling like you're packing everything but the kitchen sink when you have a baby. Time for Gram to step things up and keep some of those things here so they don't have to pack everything.

I was making the pumpkin pie when they showed up and our girl jumped right in and whipped up the apple pie. I'd been in the kitchen for most of the day. I'd made Taco Soup and left it in the crockpot for anyone who was hungry. I'd made the cranberry sauce, the vegetable casserole, boiled the eggs for deviled eggs, baked a pound cake, and made the spinach dip. I wanted to get the rolls made, but had cleaned house earlier and just ran out of time. All I know is that once this little one showed up with her Mama and Daddy,  I didn't want to spend any more time in the kitchen than I had to:

I have passed the turkey torch and Kenny is now the official smoker of the turkey:

 I started making the rolls first thing. Then there was only the dressing and potatoes and corn on the cob left to tackle. Many hands make light work and it just makes my heart so happy to see everyone working and laughing together. Grateful seems like such a small word to describe this big love I have for this tribe. 

Uncle Kenny is a natural

And sweet E hit the jackpot in the Aunt department

Kenny brought one of his duck dogs:

Ducks beware! 

Hunting buddies:

They are a fun couple:

And all of us were smitten with this little peanut:

Raising a reader begins early around here:

There's a big world full of adventure outside that window

First family picture:

Steph is such a good Mama

And it's such a precious thing for a Mama to watch her first born with his first born - this is my favorite picture:

Helping Daddy get the gate

E had her first ride in the Ranger:

Here's everyone making their way back to the ranger with photo props for family pictures:

I love that our girl captured her brother in this carefree moment:

DH was sick so we didn't get any pictures of him with E, but they are all coming back for Christmas so we'll make up for it then!

I am pooped, but my heart is full!

Weaned Calves

 Now that the calves are weaned and have been turned out for a few weeks, they needed to be gathered and run through the chute for another round of vaccinations.

They weaned beautifully - not one sick calf

On Thursday, we ran the steers through:

And on Friday it was the heifer calves' turn

When I dropped the boys off on Friday, it was 25°, but it was completely still and the sun was doing it's best to take the chill off:

I headed back to the house, slowly, because I wanted to soak in the crisp, still air

And an hour later, they reached the pens

We're not out of the drought yet, but so grateful to have winter feed in the pastures for a change

The calves are grateful too!

So much to be grateful for - DH has help in the form of a new North Camp man

Once the calves are processed, the boys moved them to North Bull pasture where they'll hang out until we sell them, which is usually about 45 days after weaning.

Thankfully, this was an exceptional year for rain and we get to keep the heifers!

Wishing ya'll a Blessed Thanksgiving! 

Chicken Gnocchi Stoup

 One of my parents' neighbors and friends shared this recipe with me earlier this year and I finally got around to making it. 

Here's the original recipe:

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

He's a very good cook - he and his wife fed me often. We loved it although I changed the way I made it just a little. My version is a cross between a soup and a stew and I think I heard that Rachael Ray called that a 'Stoup' so stoup it is!

Chicken Gnocchi Stoup

6 C chicken broth - I used Better Than Bullion 

4 cloves, minced garlic - shortcut that works for me: I buy it in the jars

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 onion, chopped

3 carrots, thinly sliced

1 rib celery, thinly sliced

1 package prepared potato gnocchi (I found mine in the pasta aisle)

1 can peas, drained

A splash or two of 1/2 & 1/2 or heavy cream

4 C cooked, cubed chicken (I use chicken tenderloins and brown them in the butter)

Freshly ground black pepper

Hunk of good Parmesan

* Brown chicken in melted butter - I season with pepper, and seasoning salt. Remove from pan, let cool a bit and dice into bite-sized pieces. In same pan, add onion, garlic, celery, and carrots - saute for about 5 minutes, stirring up all the good flavor from the cooked chicken and butter from the bottom of the pan. Add chicken broth. Stir in gnocchi, and some freshly shredded Parmesan. I added a heaping tablespoon of Tapioca flour to thicken the broth and a splash of 1/2 & 1/2. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve with more freshly grated parmesan, some red pepper flakes, and good bread!