2012 planner cover (DIY)

This year I went out to look for a nice planner with which to organize my hectic life.....I couldn't seem to find much in the way of a planner, so I decided to make my own.  I started with a blank sketchbook.  I wanted the cover to scream country girl, and be something that I liked, so I'd want to use my planner....well, here's what I came up with...

Different components:

• the background is scrapbook paper that was mod podged on there
• the cowgirl silhouette was cut (using a pattern) from fabric and applied in the same manner as the paper
• the strip of fabric on the left side was also applied using mod podge
• the tag on the bottom right was made following a tutorial I found over at Bursts of Creativity.  Check it out here.

I had so much fun making this....I added my favorite cowgirl boot stamp to mine to give it a little extra flair.

So much fun made possible by mod podge....love that stuff!  :)

New Cookbook!

I'm back, after my long absence from the blogging scene. I hope to blog more regularly....we'll see!  I want to share with you a few pictures (taken with my gorgeous new camera).

Here's my newest cookbook!  "The Pioneer Woman Cooks," by Ree Drummond.  I absolutely love it!  It's among my top five cookbooks!  This book has a ton of absolutely delicious recipes in it, along with a ton of gorgeous pictures that show you how Ree made that particular dish.  She also has included photos from around her ranch, and gives little exerpts of some of the things that go on in a normal day at her place.  It's a must have for any farmgirl or country loving woman who has an interest in cooking and baking.  Ree also has wonderful blog, that you simply must check out.  Here's the link.

Last of all, I'm gonna share a photo of what I made for breakfast today!

They are entitled:  "Elly Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes."  Found in Ree's new cookbook!  Did I mention I really liked it?!  ;)  

Hope y'all have a wonderful day!

White Apron

I said way back when, that I was working on making a white apron.....well, it's all done.  Now I get to show you!

I absolutely love it!  I had to have a white apron for school, that's why it's all white....believe me, I would have way more color in it if I could! 

The pattern I used is free...believe it or not!  I added a bit of my own twist to it though.  If you want the pattern check it out here!   Check out the whole blog as long as you're there.  It's well worth your time!  :)

Sorry if it seems like I've deserted all you lovely people out in blog-land.  College and work seems to take up way more time than it should.   I'm hoping after mid-terms I'll get to catch up with y'all.  Have a lovely day!

Cowgirl's new kicks!!!

The other day I got to go shopping at this awesome western store that's not too far from my hometown.  It was the first western store I've ever been to....and I loved it.  Check out my purchase!!!

This year is flying by so quickly...we're staring fall in the face.....this next picture captures the idea of  what I love about summer time....everything from the gorgeous sky to the soft green grass to the corn growing in the field!

My current project:

I'm working on making a white apron..."white?" --you say?  I will explain once I get it all done and pictures put up for you to see!

Have a lovely day!!!!

Cowgirl T....& Craft Heaven link!

Hello again!   wow! It's been so long since I've contributed to the blogging world!  Well, first off, I want to share a refashion I did a little while back.

This was a regular short sleeved T-shirt.  I cut the sleeves off, cut them into strips, cut the strips into fringe, and sewed it on like so...

Pretty easy!  Also makes for a super cute and unique shirt!  
I also wanted to tell y'all that I found this site that has a ton of patterns on it for just about anything you would ever want to make.  And it's not just sewing,  they have everything!  I think I'm hooked on all their ideas. It's like some kind of craft idea heaven!!!! You should check it out.  Here's the link. 
In one month I start college classes!  Yikes!!!!  I still have supplies to get!  I'm going to be taking a program called Baking/Pastry Arts.   I had Baking Boot Camp this summer, as a preliminary course.  It was a lot of fun!  So I'll be busy with that this fall, and farming!  
Anyone else loving swimming pools in this hot summer weather?   :)    Hope you all are doin well!!!!!

All Dressed Up!

Here's what I wore today!!!

This is a thrifted outfit, except for the shoes.  The dress and sweater totalled just under 10 dollars!!!

My friend and I went shopping yesterday, and found these super cute red high heels!  Sadly we got so excited trying them on and taking pictures, we simply assumed they were too expensive for either one of us, and forgot to actually check the price tag...we may be a bit blonde!  ;)

I really want to go back to the store and see how much they were!!!

Well, hope you all have a Happy 4th of July!  Enjoy the freedom that we have in this country!  And remember.....our freedom wasn't free...many people sacrificed their lives so we could live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Strawberries and Summertime!

Hey Everybody!!!!

Things have been insanely busy around the farm.  Between chopping, and STRAWBERRIES and general chores, taking care of the cows and livestock....whew!!!!!!!!!!!

Why did I have strawberries in all caps?  Well, we have this big strawberry bed.....which is finally dwindling now.  Our biggest picking was about 90 quarts!!----in one day!!! Isn't that insane???

I was almost dreaming about strawberries!

I made some strawberry jam, then a few strawberry pies!  I found a recipe for a graham cracker-walnut crust.  Pair that with a fresh strawberry pie filling.....spells YUMMMM!!!!   You can find the recipe for the crust here.   The recipe I used for the filling is about the same as anything you can find when you google "fresh strawberry pie recipe."

It's been rather hot here lately too.  Our favorite thing to do to cool off is to go for a ride in my dad's dunebuggy.  For those of you who have no clue what that is, here's a picture.

Ours isn't quite that shiny anymore, but it's the same color and looks the same.  My dad had a guy rebuild the engine this spring.....it really has some "get up and go" now!  The guy that did it, builds engines for race cars....he did a street version for us.  My dad has had that dunebuggy for as long as he's been married which is over 40 years!!!!!!!

What does your family do to cool off on these hot summer days?

I know a lot of our neighbors are putting in pools!  I've been tempted to run next door and jump in!

Hope y'all can keep cool and have fun doing it!!!!!!!!  :)