Good Friends

Well the weather here is chilly and the upcoming days are supposed to be wet and cold so I was happy to spend the day at home with my good friend Jean who own The Teapot Quilt Cottage and Garden Center. We caught up on small talk and things going on in the town. Had tea and chatted while I helped her set up an Etsy shop. Jean has so many beautiful quuilted items and recycled wool and denim things, I can't wait to watch her fill the shop. I will share the link with you when she gets some items listed.

Of course, I have no idea where she finds the time. Jean and her husband have a farm where they grow the produce sold at the garden center, their stand and local farmers markets. Besides running the Teapot Quilt Cottage 7 days a week. The shop is amazing with treasures in every corner. From cookbooks and jellies, fabric and yarn to rag quilts and wool mittens. Amazing

These photos are from last year, they now have replaced the tent with a white gazebo , but there are loads of pumpkins and fall items as well as a shop full of things to see. If you are passing through Montello droop in and see for yourself.

I added another fun hat to the Etsy shop yesterday......and yes I facebooked it and the model was thrilled! NOT

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

GINGERSNAPPY CRUST
1	box gingersnaps (about 16 oz.)
1	stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
1/4	cup sugar
1/2	cup pecans, chopped fine
1/4 tsp	cayenne pepper (trust me)
FILLING
3 pkg	(8 oz. each) cream cheese, room temperature (may use low-fat, but do not use fat free)
1 1/4	cups pumpkin puree-- 15oz. can (not pumpkin pie filling)
5 lg	eggs
1	cup sugar
1/2	cup heavy cream
2 tsp	ground cinnamon
1 tsp	ground ginger
1/2 tsp	ground cloves
1/2 tsp	freshly grated nutmeg
1 tsp	allspice
1/2 tsp	salt
SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE
1/2	cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2	cup sugar
1/2	stick (1/4 cup) butter
1/3	cup water
1/4	cup heavy cream (can use milk)
1/2 tsp	pure vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 tsp	salt (trust me)
	crumbled gingersnaps for garnish
	toasted pecan halves for garnish

Big changes here

                                    Since I last posted much has been happening around here.
                My shop Pattibears Place in Montello has closed. That was a very hard decision, but.....it was not holding its own any more and it was time to move in a new direction. If all goes well when the diner opens we will add a gift section to it and I can once again fill it with the handpainted items and baby gifts. On the good side I will have more time this year before the holidays to spend at home and with the grandkids and maybe just by chance enjoy it more. Less stress and far fewer worries about how do I do everything in the time mI have.
                 My four year old grandaughter Becky was diagnosed with diabetes, that hit very hard just three weeks before a new baby is due at their house. I now have time to go there and be of some help. My plan is to pamper and boost Beckys mood and get alot of baby holding in. They live about four hours from us and those babies grow so fast, I seem to miss alot of the good stuff!
               My MOM ( I have 2, I was adopted ) moved up to Montello from Tulsa after by brother died unexpectedly. In the past few weeks we have spent alot of time just chatting and catching up. We also found here a great apartment not far from us and got her moved in over the weekend. In case she had missed seeing all the grandkids.....a couple weeks at my house with seven of them under foot has probaly cured her!

BIG SUMMER Sale

Summer is here and time for our Big Summer Sale. The 6 car wooden train set is our first big sale item. This beautifully handcrafted set is made to be played with. Each car can be arranged in any order. Engine,12 inches, coal car, 9 inches, log hauler with logs,11 inches, open car with barrels,11 inches, a dumper car that really dumps , 11 inches, and a caboose, 10 inches. A must for the train lover in your family this season! Perfect toy to bring out imagination, no batteries required, runs on imagination!

Each set is on sale for $25.00 shipping is $22.50    total $47.50
http://www.pattibear.etsy.com/  to order
 

Personalized Gingerbread Family is a cute way to decorate for the holidays. A great gift idea for Grandma, the sitter or Yourself!  Add the family name and names of each member . The Big gingerbreadman measures about 16 inches high and is handpainted and ready to hang. Please specify how many small cookies up to 6.  More upon request. Special requests or wording available.  $15.00 and 9.80 shipping total $24.80 to order http://www.pattibear.etsy.com/

Think ahead to your holiday shopping and order early!!!

50's style meatloaf

Part of my plan with this diner is to make it a family place where everyone can come enjoy some comfort food and reconnect. From the seniors in town to the kids who need a place to get a basket of fries and a couple cokes and talka bout boys or girls and just have a place to BE. That spot where you can stop in the morning for a cup of coffee and a muffin on the run or grab breakfast and read the paper. No dress code just good simple food, at reasonable prces with some friendly conversation and maybe if you saved room a cupcake for desert!






Enjoy moist, delicious meatloaf slathered in Heinz Ketchup with this free meatloaf recipe from H. J. Heinz. Equally great for family dinner or Monday Night Meatloaf at the Diner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesIngredients:
•1 slightly beaten egg
•1 cup Heinz Ketchup ®
•1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
•1-1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
•½ cup dry bread crumbs
•½ cup chopped celery
•½ cup chopped green bell pepper
•½ cup chopped onion
•½ teaspoon salt
•¼ teaspoon pepper
Preparation:
In saucepan, cook onion, celery and bell pepper in oil until tender-crisp; stir in ketchup. Combine ½ cup ketchup mixture with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper. Shape into a loaf (8” x 4”) in shallow baking pan. Bake in 350°F oven for 1 hour. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Pour remaining ketchup sauce, cold or heated, over meat loaf. Makes 6 servings.