Check it Out

Remember how I told you that we're on Etsy now? Well we just listed a great vintage cookbook called "Farm Journal's Freezing and Canning Cookbook. Besides being a great reference for preserving and freezing, it's got some really neat recipes. We decided to put one of the recipes out there for everyone to use. It's a great recipe for Apple Cranberry Pie Filling that you make and freeze for later use. So check out the site and jot down the recipe! Here's the link: www.etsy.com/shop/rubysgirls

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Life is Good

Friday afternoon: The sun is shining

The sheets are drying on the line,

The garden is growing

Roses are in bloom

And...

Life is Good!

O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD... Psalms 107:1

We're on Etsy, We're on Etsy!

My sister Linda, and I are taking it to the streets-figuratively speaking that is. We've just opened an Etsy shop called 'Ruby's Girls'-named after our mom. As you can see, this post is being written at 1:23 am because I've been up all evening working on policies, shipping, paypal, and the like. So far we only have a few listings, but that will change. It's a small start, but sometimes big things come from small beginnings. Wish us luck! Here's the link:

www.etsy.com/shop/rubysgirls



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A Father's Day Tribute

I'm dedicating this poem to my husband, Kelly, who has done so much for all of our children:

What Is A Dad?

A Dad is someone who

wants to catch you before you fall,

but instead picks you up

brushes you off,

and lets you try again.

A Dad is someone who

wants to keep you from making mistakes,

but instead lets you find your own way,

even though his heart breaks in silence

when you get hurt.

A Dad is someone who

holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you-even when you fail...

Unknown

Happy Father's Day Kelly!

Love you lots!

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Which Square is the Bestest?

When you were a little girl, did you ever lie under a special quilt or afghan that was made by your auntie, your mama, or someone else special; and try to decide which square was the prettiest? Me too. So I'm crocheting a granny square afghan with all the pretty colors found in this sweet Mary Engelbreit pillow on my sofa. With each little square I create, I imagine my sweet grandchildren curled up beneath the afghan, (little pink toes poking through the holes), picking their most favorite square. I must admit, I've been playing this little game of favorites with myself-but every time I make a new square, it becomes my favorite! I'll post a picture of it when I get done.

Note: Many thanks to Alicia Paulson http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/ for her amazingly inspirational creations. Stop by her blog look at that Sunshine Day baby quilt. It'll make a granny square lover out of you!

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A Gathering of the Clans

The MacKinnon Clan Crest:

Fortune Assists

the Daring.

We attended the Highland Games on Saturday. As a great-grand-daughter of Alexander Laughlin Mckinnon (on mothers side), I have more than a passing interest in all things Scottish. Even as a little girl, whenever the bagpipes passed by in a parade, I'd get a lump in my throat and all misty-eyed.

Mom was Scotch and English on her mother Lydia's side, Dutch on her father, Walter's side. The McKinnons, according to mom, were a lively clan. They were a lyrical, musical bunch who loved to sing, dance, and laugh. Grandpa's side, in contrast, were serious, hard-working, and religious--steady and responsible. When the folks migrated west from Michigan where many of the Mckinnons lived, to Lynden, Washington, a Dutch community (and still is a largely Dutch community), mom was miserable. She longed for her Scottish kin.

I love both of my heritages; though I must admit; when faced with the dilemma of whether to attend Highland Days or Holland Heritage Days (both being celebrated last Saturday), I chose former. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to kick up my heels and do a little jig with the Wicked Tinkers! And yes the drone of the pipes at the gathering of the clans still brings a tear to the eye!

BTW: The crest depicted above is that of my clan- Mackinnon. The slogan is "Fortune Assists the Daring".

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