Catch Up

Well, it's been a coupla weeks since I last wrote.  We've been having beautiful weather here in south central KY!  Not too hot. 
I just got back from a visit in Cincinnati with my family.  I had a great time.  My niece and I set up our wares at Second Sunday on Main in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.  It was the first one of the season, and we really enjoyed it.  My dad came and sat with us for a few hours and I was so glad he did!  The next one is July 10 and the theme is Dog Days of Summer.
I went to book club with my mom and niece while I was up there.  We discussed And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.  If you've never read it or seen any of the movies, it's one of those where you just can't figure out who could be pulling off all these murders.
Now I'm home and working on my next event-the 5th Annual Kentucky Appalachian Craft Fair-at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY.  It's June 25 and 26.
If you have time, come check out my studio, Homemade by Ann, on Artfire.  I'd love to see what you think of my crafts!

Just a short one today.  My sister-in-law is selling Tupperware, and I know in my area, it's hard to find someone who sells it.  So I told her I would have an online party to help out.  If interested in ordering, please click on the link below.  Choose No that you won't be attending the party and then an order button will pop up and you can browse.  Once you order the item(s), you're done.  Your Tupperware will be delivered to you!  Thanks in advance!
http://order.tupperware.com/coe/app/!twx$eparty_ctl.p_dispatch?pv_v=invitation_view&pv_a=new&pv_eparty=f600ed511a723b089fbb5d2aa03335d9

Recipe!

This past weekend I had a wonderful visit with a bunch of family.  Friday I was in Cincy-my brother & nephew had come in from Colorado & there was a birthday party for my niece.  Saturday my brother & nephew came to KY and spent the night with me, and Sunday we had a family reunion!  Whew-it was great, tho.  Anyhow, I wanted to make something nice for supper on Saturday.  And even though it was hot I decided to make my grandma's 5 hour stew.  They loved it!  So I thought I'd share the recipe on here.  My grandma's been gone many years now, but I still miss her.

Five Hour Stew
2 pounds stew meat
1-15 ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
3 onions, thinly sliced
6 carrots, sliced fairly thick
1 cup celery
4-5 potatoes, cut into large pieces
1/2 cup seasoned croutons
1 T. salt & sugar
3 T. minute tapioca
1/2 cup red wine

Don't brown the meat.  Mix all ingredients in a covered casserole.  Bake covered for 4-5 hours at 250 degrees.  Stir occasionally.

I change this up a little.  Instead of the red wine, I use either beef broth or water & a boullion cube.  And instead of minute tapioca, about 2 hours into the cooking time, I mix a little water and flour together and stir it in to the stew-that helps make it a little thicker.  And I have no idea what the croutons are for, but I always add them-you don't even know they're there when it's finished.  I feel sure the croutons could be left out, though.  This works best in a dutch oven with a lid.

Contest

Yes, I'm holding my first ever contest on here-only, there probably won't be a prize!  LOL  Actually, there probably will be-I just have to think about it.  Anyhow, here's the deal:  I think all my stuffed animals, or amigurumi (what a mouthful), should have names.  So I'm starting with the giraffe because I'm the proudest of him.  So please let me know on here or my Facebook account - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homemade-by-Ann/182979461735216 what you think the poor feller ought to be called.  He doesn't like being called poor feller...

I made an online sale!!

Hip hip hooray-I sold somethin'!  I've really been working hard at my crocheted & other items and getting them out there online & at shows, so when I finally sold a beautiful doily last night, I was over the moon!  Now, I hope she likes it!

I really enjoy crocheting with thread.  The problem with doilies is finding a market for them.  People just don't use them like they used to.  But I think they look really nice on an old piece of furniture-very vintage.

Happy Tuesday!

Well, I'm up and at 'em finally.  I think I went to sleep around 3 this a.m.
You've probably seen the book selections to the right of this blog.  These are 3 of my favorite books.  My mom & niece belong to a book club in Cincinnati & share their reading list with me.  The Guernsey book was such a fast read-it's written in letters.  I really became attached to some of the characters.
I listened to Water for Elephants on CD while I was working, and I didn't want to stop for breaks!  It starts with an old man in a nursing home thinking back about his life with the circus and it's so wonderful.  It's been made into a movie with Robert Pattinson & Reese Witherspoon, which I have yet to see.
And Tess is maybe my favorite classic book of all time.  It's very tragic. 
If you read any of these books, let me know what you think!

I can't sleep!

I'm new to this blogging stuff.  I've been meaning to start a blog for a while now, and tonight I can't sleep, so here I am!  I have no job now, so my sleep pattern is sooo messed up.  I like being home, though-it has given me so much time to work on my craft projects, websites, and vendor shows.  The next event I'm doing is Second Sunday on Main in Cincinnati on June 12.  Anyone in the area ought to come out.  It's in Over-the-Rhine on Main Street between 12th Street & Liberty Street.  It's the second Sunday June-Oct.  It sounds like a lot of  fun.  There will be a biergarten, music, & indie crafts, etc.  Check it out on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/OTRSSOM?sk=info
While you're at it check out some of my craft photos:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homemade-by-Ann/182979461735216
If you like what you see, please "Like" my page.
I'm going to be working on uploading more photos & giveaways & such, so stay posted!
Night-night