camping in the great smoky mountains

Last week, even being sick still, my Beloved and I packed up our "new" subarbuan.  We had been planning on going to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair all year and decided we could do this.  Yes, we are a bit crazy.  Food is still not settling, even today.  Both my Beloved and my head still hurts but we made it!  I could post the pictures from last year because the colors were just as glorious.  

Taking as many pictures of the leaves did not happen because I was feeling badly but I think all the smiles from the colors helped.  And the smells!  I wish I could post how everything smelled.  The people we met at the campground and at the fair were awfully nice.  I am going to show off what I got tomorrow.  I am very excited!

We actually car camped for the first time in years.  We both realized that we had missed it, only using a trailer in the last five years or so.  There will probably be more of this in the future.  But without a kitchen, food was simpler but not too much.  We had two dinner salads on consecutive nights.  Proteins and vegetables are really working best on my stomach.  

This salad was easy over the fire and tasty.  I would use sweet vinaigrette on it but if you do not, it is still tasty or use something that you would like.

mexicanish meat salad

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 onion, peeled and chopped

3/4 pound beef, cut into bite size pieces

1/2 jar salsa, I used one with peach and mangos in it

half a head of romaine

In a cast iron skillet, heat the oil.  Add the onions and let brown.  Add the meat and let brown.  Add the salsa and let heat through.  You may wish to heat it a bit until some of the liquid cooks offs.

Put the greens on two plates.  Pour the meat mixture over.  Dress with a vinaigrette or a dressing of your choice.

Easy and simple for car camping.  Easy on my unsettled stomach.  It is actually what I should have made for dinner tonight!  Dinner did not settle at all!

and the last bit for baby nacho

I had enough fabric leftover to make a bag for Baby Nacho's present.  My Beloved uses this type of bag for when he and Small Mister are out gallivanting.  I figured Poppa Nacho would appreciate.  Maybe Momma Nacho too.

I have to admit that it makes really good "wrapping paper" as well!

Because I did so much stitching with this fabric, I have actually started Baby Nacho's quilt, even though I have not finished the two I am working on currently.  The neighbors across the street had twins and Miss A and Mister G are very cute.  I am almost half way done with the nine squares for those two.

for baby nacho - part 2

When I was going through my stash for Baby Nacho, I found a Mei Tai baby carrier that was all but finished.  One of the fabrids I know is a favorite for Baby Nacho's Momma and Poppa, but they have it with a black background and made into shirts.  I started this for Small Mister but the Tall Short Person and my Beloved really liked the slings I had made so I never finished it.  The Tall Short Person likes skulls and skeletons so that is why I picked these fabrics in the first place.

I found the directions on line and put it together.  Finished almost a year after Small Mister was born for another babe.  Is that not how stashes work?  Rose is modeling the pocket I put in the outside so Momma or Poppa Nacho can put a diaper or a blanket there for Bably Nacho.  Now, if Poppa Nacho wears is black background shirt, Baby Nacho will complement but not blend.

a simple meal

This evening was busy!  We had a simple meal with friends.  Bread.  Soup.  Apple crisp.  Small Mister helped me start the bread.  He likes to stir even if he is not good at it yet.

The pot was full and everyone got enough.  There was conversation and laughter.  Just friends around the table.  As autumn and winter come to be, there will be more of these nights.

a rainy Saturday

It has been a rainy Saturday.  But I got another bed in the garden planted with vegetable seeds.  It did not rain that hard for a bit this morning and that is when I got it done.  I also got a quilt that has been sitting on my pile of things that need finishing pinned together for sewing.  It has been a long time since I quilted something of this size.  And it will be free hand sewing.  It is going to be interesting.  But it just has to stand up to wear.

I did do something just because.  I bought some wool from purlsoho.com a while back.  It was a wool bundle of Mary Flanagan Woolens.  All the wools are in blue.  I started cutting the quilt squares from them.  It will be fun to see how it turns out.  I will not be surprised if I have to supplement with other woolens but this is going to be fun.