Spiced Apple Rings-NO Red Hot Candies!!

I remember the spiced apple rings of my childhood-Daddy made them and I would eat them like there would never be another one!

He never used red hot candy to make them. I searched for a recipe using real spices and finally found one.
It is located here at the The Iowa Housewife's Blog.

Apple Butter-mmmmm GOOD!

Wash, peel, core and cut up your apples-amount doesn't matter at this point.
Place them in a heavy bottomed pot.
Add 1½ cups of one of the following-apple cider(best), apple juice, water.
Cook on very low heat with the lid on.
Occasionally stir. They will break down into mush.
At this point, measure the apple mush.
For each cup of apple mush add ½ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. You can adjust these two ingredients to your own tastes and the type of apples you are using.
Put back in heavy bottomed pot and cook till thick.
Put in hot jars. 


Process in a water bath 15 minutes for pints.

Oreo Cookie Truffles-YUM! YUM!

I have a newly discovered sweet wonder! A lady came through my check-out line at Wal-Mart in Dickson, TN and told me about making truffles with Oreo cookies. At the next break I got online and discovered the easy recipe and proceeded to buy the ingredients when I clocked out that night.

Many thanks to this un-named lady!!!

Here is my recipe with variations:

While shopping I bought the Great Value brand of regular Oreo type cookies and the Oreo Berry Burst Ice Cream (strawberry) and Oreo Mint and Cream flavors.

I also procured strawberry Flavoring, Mint Flavoring, 1 8 ounce package of cream cheese per bag of cookies and various sprinkling toppings (finely crushed pecans, colored sugar, coconut) and Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips, regular chocolate chips for melting and dipping.

You will also need wax or parchment paper.

At home I took one flavor of cookies (strawberry), crushed them in my non-electric food processor (it is very similar to the one seen here.) Then I dumped it into a mixing bowl, added a teaspoon of strawberry flavoring and the room temperature cream cheese. After trying to mix this with a wooden spoon, I decided to put a disposable exam glove on and mixed with my hand.

I sat the bowl in the fridge for about an hour while the cookie sheet lined with wax paper was in the freezer getting cold.

Then I used a small ice cream scooper/cookie dough scoop-it looks like this-to scoop the dough out onto the cold, lined cookie sheet.

I then set the balls in the freezer and proceeded to melt a bag of Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips-adding just a touch of paraffin.

I took the very cold truffle dough and rolled in the melted chocolate and paraffin, placed back on the cold, lined cookie sheet then sprinkled with red, white and green candy sprinkles from the cake decorating department. Do the sprinkles while the chocolate is still warm and sticky!

These were then placed back in the fridge to harden.

I will be making these smaller--most recipes I found on the Internet said "walnut sized balls"--I think about half that size is better for party trays or even to give as gifts.

I used regular, alcohol based flavorings but feel that the oil based ones sold in the cake decorating section would be better.

You could use white chocolate for dipping and add food colorings to suit your taste or the occasion.

The plain ones, just regular Oreo cookies will have coconut sprinkled over some and finely chopped pecans sprinkled over some.

Colored sugar doesn't look exactly right on dark chocolate but may on white chocolate.

You could also dip in melted peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips.

You could dip in dark or sweet chocolate, let harden then drizzle with melted white, dark or milk chocolate, peanut butter or butterscotch chips. Please-if anyone could have a peanut allergy do not even consider opening anything with peanuts or a peanut warning on the label in your kitchen for several days before you make these or until after you have removed these from your kitchen.

I can see these in so many ways! This just may become as popular and famous as my Two Handed Oatmeal Cookies!

Lots Of Things

This day was productive.

I made several bead rings. These will be offered for sale at Pau Wau this year. 

My hubby's friend went with me to the paid storage building and we got the sewing machine, lots of cloth, and a few odds and ends.

We came back and straightened up the storage building here--hoping that will be a full fledged Craft Room by January--hint, hint Honey. (My birthday is in January.)

Then, we realized we had to go back over to the paid storage building as my jewelry making supplies were not here. Note-It was starting to storm outside. Luckily the rain held off a few hours.

Brought a box in the house that needs to be gone through. Bet most of it can be trashed.

Sat down and watched "Every Which Way But Loose" while I beaded "Dakota" in pale yellow with a pale green background.

Yes, it is very hard to read. I believe it will be made into a choker for her. She's still too small for a bracelet with her name. Little bugger, she pulls her earrings out then tries to take her Mom's out!

Giorgianna and I went to Linden, Tennessee the other day. Stopped at the Cane Creek Market. Bought a new mortar and pestle, Farmer's Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, bologna, and oil based natural flaorings to use in some of my products.

Nothing like shopping at a true country market!

Hubby has been sickly the last few days--seems to have bronchitis, but you know these hard headed men!!! Refuses to go to the doctor. Of course going to the VA can be a true pain at times.

Had a pattern made to make Ms. Robbie some jumpsuits that zip up the back--she has an annoying habit of taking her Depends off and then wetting herself. She also has developed a habit of tearing them apart and flushing them down the toilet.  That gell just swells and stops it up. A friend snaked the toilet for us last week.  She will also play in the poop in the toilet--this was the best way I could figure to stop these activities.

I will be working on getting at least three made this week.


Here are some pictures one is the bead work for Dakota's choker and the other some of the bead rings:

Yellow Outfit for Dakota Dream

It's a bad photo but I am so proud of this. It is so pretty! I cannot wait for her to put it on.

Kimberlee Came to See Unci

Okay, Unci is the Lakhota word for grandmother-go here to hear the proper pronunciation.

Through the efforts of the American government, Christians and other well-doers, the Waccamaw (and many if not most Nations and Tribes) lost their original languages over the years. We do know that our language was Siouan based.

I'll not go into a history/language/culture lesson here, as that is not what this post is about. Suffice it to say that I choose Lakhota to learn and teach the grandchildren for a reason.

Kimberlee's parents, my Virgillia and her husband Ivy (also father to all 3 children), are divorcing. As usual, it is hard on the children.

IJ, the three year old boy, came to stay with me a week, two weeks ago. Now, its Kimberlee's turn.

We made my camping cot (which never gets used anyways) out in the living room. She usually sleeps on the couch but I decided that making it a bit more special this time would be nice under the circumstances.

We got it out and went and found a foam bed overlay that had been brought out for Mr. Bob, but never used. She helped me get that on it and then we folded a comforter in half and put on it. Then a set of new sheets and a comforter to cover up with. All nice and fluffy now.

She really did not want to go to sleep, which is actually unusual for her--bedtime is bedtime and Unchi does not believe in "spoiling" the grandchildren. Loving re-enforcement of the home rules is the way to go.

Kimberlee said she missed her Mama and would she come get her tonight? I reminded her she brought her clothes to stay and we read a Bible story. I did sit on the couch and crochet until she fell asleep. Which did not take long since she had been yawning for an hour!

She insisted on having her doggie pillow, a little stuffed doggie and the blanket her Mama made for her.

Today we are trying on clothes a friend sent over for all the grands. All she is really interested in is the shoes--she has always loved shoes!

We may bake a cake in little bit. Poor Man's cake with chocolate and cake spice. Yum-Yum!

Latest Sewing Project

Sat up last night and cut out this pattern for my granddaughter Dakota Dream.

Making view "A"- the one in the center. It's a dark yellow what a lot of sports teams use and call gold.

She is a true Indian baby with a round face and pretty dark skin. She will look very cute in this (and no Unchee does NOT have a biased opinion! LOL)

This will be her Christmas present.

Pictures coming when it is done. Right now I have the hardest job of all-finding a zipper and bias binding that will match the cloth color.

Been Sewing Again!

Well, I have been at the sewing machine again. Here is what I have so far and there will be more from the Jayme Bodice - one for each of the Granddaughters.

The first is a Tear Skirt for Kimberlee.

The dress with the bunny skirt is for Dakota Dream.

The two denim dresses are for Kimberlee and her sister Di'Chariah.

Still have to make for Nikole and Makenzie.

More photos to come!

Giorgianna's Graduation Jewelry

I made Giorgianna a jewelry set for her graduation from nursing school.

Bracelet, double tier necklace, earrings.

Invitation to Cultural Arts Festival in Tennessee

I met the former residents and descendants of former residents of Promise Land, Tennessee several years ago at the motel I work at. They are a group of of very sweet, beautiful People that are trying to keep their ancient culture alive, just as we Native Americans are.

Ms. Serina Gilbert, the main organizer of the annual events came by the motel yesterday. As always, it was wonderfully refreshing visit.

This coming June 6, 2009 they will be having African Tribal Dancing and Arts & Crafts displays and sales. This email is an invite from Ms. Gilbert, extended to you through me to come be a part of this cultural event. All artists can set up a booth for free and demonstrate their arts and sale their wares.

They wish to extend a special invite to Native American Dancers with the understanding that regrettably, they are unable to provide any funding to cover your expenses.

Personally, I see this as another wonderful opportunity to not only share our culture but to educate others as to the truth and remove the stereotypes society has towards the Indigenous Peoples of this land--our Ancestors.

I do plan to attend and demonstrate myself. My skills and talents are limited compared to most of yours.

I have made arrangements for a discounted rate for all Native Americans that will be demonstrating at this event. The discount will be based upon how many are willing to show up. If you are planning to attend or even think you might attend, please call Ms. Serina Gilbert at 61... and tell her you received a copy of this email.

Her email is gilbertsk@bellsouth.net. My contact information is WaccamawWoman@gmail.com, home phone is 615-952-2740 and if you are on Verizon cell you can me free at 864-99.... If you are planning to participate and will need lodging accommodations at a motel, please let me know ASAP. There are several groups coming into the motel that weekend of June 6, 2009. We do have more than one motel available to use with discounts.

For more information you may wish to check out these links:
Promise Land Tennessee http://www.promiselandtn.com/
Promise Land South Carolina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promised_Land,_South_Carolina
The Motel I work at and the first choice for you all to stay at http://tinyurl.com/boysss

For those that travel in RVs, there is a KOA campground and a state Park: Dickson KOA Campground150 W Christi Dr., Dickson TN 37055, 615-446-9925
Tanbark Campground125 S Spradlin Rd, Dickson TN 37055, 615-441-1613 Montgomery Bell State Park
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/MontgomeryBell/index.shtml

Please, if you know any crafts person or dancer that may be interested, please pass this information on to them.

Cha'kwaina
The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us....
Big Thunder (Bedagi) Wabanaki Algonquin

Baby Blanket for a Friend

I have finally finished a blanket for a friend. She is expecting a boy and is doing his room in teddy bear browns.

WACCAMAW 2008 PAU WAU/POW WOW

HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE!!!!

Waccamaw Pau Wau or Pow Wow 2008 Will Soon Be Here

Beaded Amulet Bags

I have just completed two very cute beaded amulet bags:

This one is made of beige 100% cotton thread with different colored, metal lined, glass beads.

This is made from variegated cotton thread with different colored seed beads.

Each of these are for sale in my shop on Etsy.com

Prayer Cloth for my Brother

I was checking out some blogs of others on CrochetList at Yahoo! Groups and found this pattern-Filet Prayer Cloth Pattern.



With a few changes as to hook size and yarn, the below picture is what my finished project looks like:



Yarn used: "Silkine" Pearl Cotton, Mercerized, #5 by The American Thread Company in a yellow.
Hook Used: Steel #3

Another Pair of Earrings

Below is a pair of earrings I made.

Hand Crafted Diary

This is a Diary or Journal I made for a Special Friend for Christmas one year.

Leather Bag

I made a slide show of the leather bag I made. It was a commissioned piece.

I Am Selling My Crafts Online!

Someone sent me a link to their shop on etsy.com to look at their stuff. Well, I started exploring and decided to open a shop there.

It is so wonderful. Every shop there sells handmade items or supplies to make things with. Cottage Industry has itself a home on the Internet!!!

Everyone there is so friendly and helpful. They have groups of members that are either regional or they do similar crafts. There is even one group for homeschoolers that sell handmade items!

If you want to buy handmade and support cottage industry, etsy.com is the place to go!!!

Found Some Pictures

I was organizing some pictures on my hard drive and found some pictures of things I have made.


Hope you enjoy.

This is the blanket I made for my granddaughter Di'Chariah.

This is my Regalia. I made all but the cocunut shell belt and my son, Pistol Ball gifted me the raccoon skin.