Texas Traditions- What The MUM?

Having 2 teenagers in High School is strange enough, but having them in Texas has been quite the education- for me. My crafting skills have been tested in ways I never imagined.

Football practice started this week, which means it's time to start thinking about "The Mum". For those of you living outside of the state I am sure this is a new one like it was for me. Actually, having lived in Utah for 8 years, I can't believe they have not adopted this one!

It's the homecoming mum, and it has come a long way since the corsage days. Evidentally there used to be a real chrysanthemum flower given by a boy to his date with a few ribbons on them. Today, they are huge Gypsy-like silk chrysanthemums decorated with ribbons, stuffed animals, bells, and any kind of "Texas bling" you can think of. Even LED lights! There are special braids as well. It is not good enough to just hang ribbons. No, you must also braid them in intrecate fashion. My son will not be spending the hundreds of dollars that some boys spend. That's where I come in...

 This is the mum given to my daughter last year by her date...

And this is the start of this year's mum for my son's date. This would be the Military Braid. Notice that it is customized with my son's Offensive position... Nothing but the best from this Mom.

There will definitely be more to come on this subject. Stay tuned...

Welcome to Texas!

This is an official 'Welcome to Texas' post for my sister!

We just spent the evening unloading the last of 3 loads brought from California to their new home. Her husband is officially in the running with the Clampetts for the best stacking design on a moving vehicle. The Beverly Hillbillies have nothing on him...1 Polaris Ranger, 1 Polaris Razor, 2 4-Wheelers, 4 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 1 weedeater, 1 wheelbarrow, 2 jackstands, and 3 gas cans on flat bed trailer! Picture this...all being pulled by a motorhome packed with every item under the sun including the family cat and a caged parakeet.

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings



Sundays are always a great time to have a nice down home meal that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside- and today was no exception. This is one of my family's favorites. Thought I would share...

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use frozen)

1 tsp. chicken bouillon

2 cups baby carrots

2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large can cream of chicken soup

1/2 can water

2 tsp parsley flakes

1 tsp poultry seasoning

Salt and Pepper

Dumpling Topping

Place chicken in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients except dumplings in order given. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours. Cut chicken into smaller pieces . Prepare Dumpling Topping and spoon over chicken mixture. Tilt lid to vent steam and cook on high for 30 minutes or until dumplings are cooked in the center.

Dumpling Topping:

2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 Tbsp sugar

Cut in until course and crumbly:

1/2 cup butter

Add and stir until completely moist:

2/3 cup cold milk

Laundry Soap

I don't like laundry, but I love this laundry soap...I have been using it exclusively in our house for over a month. Everyone that walks through our backdoor (by the laundry room), asks what that good smell is. My oldest son is about the most critical of any laundry smell on his morning shower towel-and he loves it too. Not only does it smell good, but the clothes are nice and clean. Whites are white, and my HE washer hasn't had "that smell" either. I haven't even used additional laundry softener like I have always done. Having been a Tide/Downey person, I am shocked that I have stuck with this.

Give it a try...

Mix all ingredients well in a 5 gallon bucket and then just refill a smaller container for daily use. I use 1/4 cup for small loads and 1/2 cup for large loads, placing it directly in the drum of the washing machine before loading the clothes.

1- 4 lb. box Borax

1- 3 lb. 7 oz. box Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1- 3 lb. container Oxy-Clean

2- 14 oz. boxes of Zote soap flakes

1- 4 lb. box Arm and Hammer Baking soda

3- 28 oz  bottles Purex Crystals

*Yield- 168 loads ($.15/load compared to $.63 Tide/Downey)

 

 



Repurposed Window Wall Decoration

Repurposed this old window I found at a barn sale this summer. It was in pretty bad shape, but I saw it's potential! Sanded, painted, and added wooden flower boxes filled with an arrangement of spring flowers. Made a curtain on the back and topped it all off with a great family quote. I donated it to our annual Wade-Beale Family reunion this summer in Wimberly, TX as a raffle item. Can't wait for next year's 50th reunion!

Norris Family Tree Wall Hanging

This is the appliqued Family Tree I made for my brother Justin and his new wife Caitlin as a wedding gift this summer. It starts with their leaf at the bottom containing their birth dates and wedding date, with each leaf winding all the way to the top 11 generations back to Nicholas Norris and his wife Sarah Cox. They married in New Hamphire on 11/21/1663. Nicholas was the first Norris to immigrate to America in 1654 as a 14 year old stowaway. Since Justin is the last in this long line of Norris' I am hoping this will give him a hint...

This tree was constructed in the same manner as my other one. Each couple's information was embroidered on a rectangle piece of fabric, each leaf shape cut out around the names and dates, and then placed on the background with wonder under. The tree was drawn in around the leaves since they are the focal point. I added additional leaves, acorns, and the Norris banner to fill in the space and then machine appliqued everything in place. The final framed size is 30 1/4 x 44 1/4.

Justin and Caitlin showcased their Family Tree in the entrance to the church at their wedding. 

Repurposed Pillow Case Apron

Last summer my husband and I joined other adult leaders and 200+ teenagers in Oklahoma as Ma and Pa for a Mormon Pioneer Trek reinactment. We spent months preparing all the items needed for an authentic pioneer experience. Thats when I figured out how to repurpose an inexpensive pillow case into a cute apron for the girls. By cutting everything exactly- no waste and no hemming..

Cutting Out The Pieces:

				8"
				21"
		OPEN
		END
			4"

1.       Cut 8” off for pockets.

2.       Cut 4” off for waistband/ties.

3.       Iron Open

4.       Pockets- Split seams, cut top in half, making 4 pieces- 8" X 10”

5.       Waistband/ties- split seams on strips, making 2 pieces, 21 " LONG 

		4"

 
6.     Open up the 4" seam on each strip.

7.       Cut the extra 4" off one strip, save 21" for waistband.

8.       Cut the other strip in half, making 2- 2" X 25" strips for ties.

STITCHING/FINISHING:

1.       POCKETS- Iron 1/4 under all sides. Fold top down 1" and stitch. Place 2 pockets  4" from center.

2.       APRON SIDES- iron 1/4" under, turn 1/4" again and top stitch both sides.

3.       TIES- Fold right sides together, stitch, turn inside out with pin. Iron. Close 1 end.

4.       WASTEBAND- Gather apron top at 1/4" and 5/8" with long stitches. Pull and gather to 1"       inside each end of waistband. Pin waistband to top of apron right sides together, stitch, turn, leaving ends open.

5.       TIES- Place open end of tie into waistband opening. Fold, Stitch, close.

Decorate any way you like... Enjoy.