RAFFIA SISTERS

Remember the word!

How about Vintage Kitschy!

Just in.........and how about the photos that came with them! Perfect!

each one of a kind! Tons of great colors and OHHH SOOO FUN!

 

May Sisters STYLE

Hello

Blue Skies

 

 And, we have 2 coordinating add-ons

 

come on over

 

Sunny Yellow

 

 

 

meet  

 

Green Meadows

 

 

  

 

 

Kitschy! The word of what's left of the week!

And I love the word.  KITSCHY!!! SAY IT AGAIN.........

Seems to me that is the look for all the new arrivals this week, starting with these jewels!!!

I'm in LOVE!

Easter Dinner

So in love with the man in brown yesterday!  HE DID GOOOOD!  Can't wait to show you some of the new things.  But first need to get them organized and then I need a little modeling for some of the other things....ohhhhh I can't wait to show you them!!! Till then it is EASTER meal Wednesday. 

Made some of my EASY favs for Easter this year.  I had such good intention to take pictures all day but as it got close to meal time the pictures actually didn't get taken so you will just have to trust me that they are good.

First on the list, Jess's pork tenderloin.

SO SIMPLE YET SOOOOOOOOOOO DARN GOOD!  ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAV'S~!! TRUST ME YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS.

So here it is. Go to Costco.  Pick up the pork tenderloins.  (they are wrapped in 2 sections with two in each section) (while it doesn't look like a ton of meat, 3 of them fed all 15 of us)

don't get the real big one by mistake, while it is good it is not as good

then pick up this (at Costco too)

pour a bit on the meat to marinade. (best in a baggie but of course not a stinkin' baggie in my house) (I used about a quarter of the bottle for all four) Marinade overnight!

throw on the grill at medium to high heat.  sear all sides then turn down to med and let cook (turning occasionally) for about 25 to 30 min.

We like our meat done so we cook it till there is not any pink in the middle. (Jess likes it less done and pulls it off when there is still a touch of pink)  Let rest 5 to 10 min.  Then slice in little medallions. 

And just like that you will have one of the MOST AWESOME pieces of meat you have ever tasted!!!  TO DIE FOR!!!

Then for a simple potato dish, peel some tators, and then shred them

(I used mom's good ole shredder cause I did so many of them)

the next secret to making these potatoes perfect is to WASH WASH WASH THEM!  Making sure that you get as much starch out as possible!  I even let them soak a bit.  Next you just get these two ingredients

Put a layer of potatoes in a baking dish, salt very well and then pour over some whipping cream or heavy cream to cover.  Add another layer and repeat.  It is that easy and THAT GOOD!  Cook for a couple of hours at 350, till  the cream has soaked in good and top is nice and brown.  The key to making these extra good is extra salt.  So have at it!  (hey you don't eat cream everyday so it's ok) (salt throughout the cooking time if needed)

Now, my classic strawberry salad.  Same ole as always, but great for a summer / spring treat when the strawberries are getting good.

pick up some good lettuce and strawberries

brown in butter some slivered almonds, top roman noodles (no sauce packet) and some sunflower seeds

then throw in a pretty bowl with the lettuce and strawberries.  To change it up for Easter I also added some mandarin oranges and feta cheese.

The dressing for this is so simple yet so good.

equal amounts of oil, vinegar and sugar and a dash or two of soy sauce.  THAT'S IT!! ( I used half cups of each for this bowl full) (Plus since I added the feta I wanted a bit more kick and added a little bit of ground onion ) Toss with dressing right before serving. 

Dessert~~~ will have to come tomorrow! I AM LATE FOR WORK! Happy COOKING!!!

Hmmmm, where to begin

Seems like forever since I have updated you on the Kraft family life.  Whooo hooooo! (pure excitement you know)

So Saturday we were busy working cows, Sunday busy working cows, Monday busy working cows.  And TODAY....ahhhh off to Raffia.  And NO we didn't actually work cows on Easter, although there have been many times in our life when were were taking cattle to the Valley and had an Easter sandwich.  And heaven knows as nice as it was Sunday, we probably should have been working cows.  (since today is not as lovely) 

It's the time of year that we start gearing up for fun.  AI season starts next week, and will probably go all month.  Branding dad's cattle Saturday at Rapelje.  Moving cattle to the valley.  At the end of this month, you will be tired of hearing about COWS!  But must admit as we sorted off pairs (moms and babies to match) and headed to Pryor Creek yesterday, it so made my heart HAPPY.  There is just something about this time of year that I love.  And while I know soon it will be irrigating boots and HEAT and I will be wishing for fall....OH PLEASE JUST BRING IT ON!!

And on a final note for the day, last night we had our CLOGGING REVIEW. This is where we go over all the BSSG judging sheets, have some pizza and watch over our songs.  One of the parents made an incredible CUPCAKE display (look out cupcake wars) that I HAVE TO SHOW YOU!  There was a cupcake theme for each of the twenty some songs we as a group did.  And while my pictures do not do justice let me just tell you AMAZING

 

AMAZING I SAY!!!! Happy Tuesday!

new at sisters

Our card challenge entries have been slow!! Bummer!! Here we thought we were doing so good!  But thanks to Miss Shannon for joining in the fun.  Way to go Shannon great cards to send to Jordan!  Thanks to you for reading my BLOG!!!

Still hope someone is in the card making mood and sends well wishes from Montana!!  (maybe you all just needed to be enticed by new papers)!!! Happy Monday!! (lost of Easter stuff to share, but off to load some cattle pairs to take to Pryor.....it's SPRING!

 

 

Check

invites

menu

grocery list

Costco

house cleaned (long ways from check)

eggs dyed (not yet)

final grocery run (just about maybe tonight)

excited kids

sister gone on vacation

Easter goodies

new curling iron (mine broke during bssg ~long bad hair week)(quick morning trip to Target) (REALLY NEED TO CHECK)

Sunshine (questionable)

COLD

Table setting idea

possibley cutest paper placemat we have EVER made ~~ CHECK!!

Not to late for you to do the same CHECK!

Well excuse me but I think you got my CHAIR

no that ones not taken I don't mind, if you sit here.  I'll be glad to share.

Yes usually, packed here on Friday night.

Nothing like CLASSIC GEORGE TO START THE DAY!!!

(hey, I really think if I EVER GET ME KITCHEN DONE...these might have to be MY CHAIR!) (STINKIN" CUTE) (and the tables aren't bad either)

 

doesn't everybody

wear a princess dress to dye easter eggs

buy eight special glasses to dye easter eggs

move the furniture so you have the least dingy white wall in the back ground of the pictures to dye easter eggs

find some white plastic to cover the icky coffee table (so as not to damage it) to dye easter eggs

put flowers in your hair to dye easter eggs

go play outside in your princess dress, with your zillion dolls,cover yourself up with the blankets from lea and cheryll, & last about 2 minutes before you falls asleep in the grass cause you got up at 6:00 to dye easter eggs

doesn't everybody?

Leave it to Lovely!

do you know how hard it is to take a picture of a glass jar

Lyn and I have this blog thing lately where she loads the pictures, I do the writing. So of course this morning when I opened up this little post the message above awaited!  DUHHHH of course I know it is hard, that is why I saved it for you DA! (Seth's name for Lynda when he was little, it still sometimes sticks) 

I now am an official camera holder again.  Went for the Canon after my husband said I should, only to have it arrive and have him say I thought you wanted the Nikon!!! MAN!  But I was pretty pleased with the few pictures I got this past weekend so maybe I made a good choice.  And the blogging should be back to somewhat normal (if not easier for me)  

Grrrr was the only thing I could think of this morn when I stuck my head out from under the covers!  (well if you know me the word wasn't exactly grrrr)  But at least I get to go to the store where I will be surrounded by SPRING!! (trust me I need surrounded by SPRING!) And of course thanks to Lovely and her creative little genes Sisters is looking super cute with tons of new as well

Just in case you have  a little extra time this week, these would certainly make your Easter decor cuter!!  Hope you all have a HAPPY TUESDAY!! SNOW AND ALL!!

Goin' for GOLD!!!

 

Lori~~ 3 Golds 2 Silvers

Anna~~ 10 Golds

Lori and Anna ~~Two blue hearts that are sad it is all over.

Lori ~~ One grateful person to be surrounded by such a great group of people that we call our clogging family!! Have I told you, I LOVE CLOGGING!!

Card Challenge And Giveaway

It isn't often that we put out a challenge.  But this one we just couldn't resist.  You may remember last week my reference to a young military man that had lost both  his legs in Afghanistan a few weeks ago.  I stumbled upon the blog via a link from the Farm Chicks.  And have been checking back often ever since.   For the full story stop over at Blessed Moms Simple Home.  Here is one of her latest posts.

I have an address for Jordan and I thought I'd

let you all know that he has a birthday coming up in about a week. 

For anyone that would like to write him an encouraging word 

or send a birthday card, this is where you send it.

NNMC
8901 Wisconsin Ave
Bldg. 10 Ward 5 East
Rm #17
Bethesda, Md. 20889-5601

If you want to, you can add Attn: Jordan M., although as long as you 

have the room number, it should get to him.

I'd love to see him overwhelmed with notes of encouragement, so thank you

to all of you who are considering writing him. We know it's a miracle
that he is able to celebrate this birthday.

Latest facebook update:

"Jordan is doing really good! He had a scheduled surgery this morning, no updates from that yet. But he had surgery Monday morning to cut away dead tissue from his left leg and drain fluids. They may work on his elbow a little today, they may not... He has a gaping wound on his elbow and his bone is exposed, his elbow is also fractured in several different places. So the doctors will be putting plates in his arm.

 Siblings and Jordan's son, Jay, will be going to Maryland SOON! Hopefully within the next week or so. Therapist said it would be best for Jay to be there with Jordan and the family to go through it with all of us."

Thank you again for your love and prayers for Jordan :-) 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Marcia

 

So we want to get the word out to overwhelm Jordan with well wishings.  And we CHALLENGE YOU to do the same.  All you have to do is make a card and send it on it's way.  It is truly that simple.  If you email us a picture of your card, we will put it up on the blog next week.  AND IF YOU POST THE CHALLENGE ON YOUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK/TWITTER PAGE and let us know WE WILL ENTER YOU IN A DRAWING TO WIN A COMPLETE SISTERS STYLE KIT FOR MAY!!!!  I would LOVE to be posting cards all next week!   Heck even if you don't scrap, please drop Jordan a line saying thanks for serving our country. Let us know you too have put out a challenge and we will stick you in the drawing as well.  

 

What a small thing we can do for such an incredible sacrifice!!  Let the challenge begin!!!!

TOYS FOR US KIDS

 

It was Seth's favorite saying as he drove by the Toys R Us store.  He was sure the name was Toys FOR us.  Pretty smart actually.  Now many years later his "toys" are turning out to be a bit different.  CARS!!!!  Seth officially as of yesterday has his "REAL"  DRIVERS LICENSE!!! SCARY!!!!! And he officially branded his first steer calf yesterday.  Growing up!!

The driving thing kinda SCARES ME!  Was very relieved to see cousin Jake pull up this morn to take him to school.  I was ALL ready for the big lecture before he took his first official drive on his own.  (something that has been a bit of a HOT topic between Brad and I) ( I tend to be a little more over the top than Brad) So at least I have a day or so think about how the lecture might go. 

But any how back to Toys for us. 

We officially got STUFFED yesterday.  And if these don't make you SMILE.........

I am not even a cat person but these are my fav.

    

 

So for those of you that are still in this TOY stage ENJOY!!! Trust me, soon it will be big TOYS!

 

All tied up

Do you know how long we have been waiting for this twine!!!???

You too??? Easy to say now but well WORTH THE WAIT!  Let the projects begin!

Hippity Hoppity

Feeling shall we say, a bit more "with it", today.  A  weekend filled with a bit more sleep, clogging practice, and our usher gig last night, not to mention the sunshine this morn has lifted my soul.  Last week we had a few things thrown at us (as you could probably tell by my post) but happy to say all has worked out and life is back at it!  

 

So how about Sir Elton???? Many of you recognized Lyn and I in our pretty green vest and tie.  How lucky for us that one of our good friends helps to set up security measures for the Metra, and knows when they are short helpers we will fill in.   This is my second time doing security for Elton (do you think he appreciated my commitment to making him safe while here in Montana??)  It really isn't a bad job,  kinda funny actually.  You even learn a few things.

 

MENTAL NOTE TO SELF# 501- Don't wear REALLY high heels to a concert if your going to do LOTS of drinking and need to walk up and down the stairs. The METRA IS BUILT WITH STAIRS!

 

Note to self #511- don't take a girl to a concert where her about to be ex husband is there and not expect that she may go home with him. 

 

Note to self #513- don't wear sweats to Elton John, NOT COOL. 

 

Note to self #689- yes, you too, acted like that at one time.

 

I think you may be getting my learning curve.

 

Anyhow, it was fun and saw tons of people I knew, making it even a better time!!

 

Had a customer in the other day and we were visiting about Easter. Had a calendar reality check!! Yes, TWO WEEKS!  Hard to believe.  So let me just show you some of our Easter fun. I have my stuff out, do you????

 

 

Just in case you need a few more goodies to make your Easter table  more fun!!!!  I know, I have a couple of 'em in mind.

Happy Monday friends!!!  Hope your recovered from a late night!

April Showers bring...

Raffia flowers

 

  

 

Which way to go!

A million things I could share today...but it is a twist between reality and life or keeping your chin up and smile.  

Myself, I often go blog surfing to get away from reality.  A tiny break in the day where I can be totally taken away with beautiful photos and funny stories.  Dream homes being built and lovely food temptations.  Blog surfing is my magazine getaway. Safe colorful escapes.

But I often return when I know there are struggles.  A check in to make sure things are ok.  And a reality break that for me things aren't so bad.  I was recently directed here.  And must say I check back often for a report on a young man whose life has changed forever all in the name of Freedom.  

Yesterday was a subtle reminder of life.  How strange it can be, how blessing may come for some while pain comes for others.  How  new endeavours for some mean a quiet ending for others.    How no matter how hard you try to make it right sometimes it just stays wrong. 

And with all of that comes today.  And a robin standing on a subtle white skiff of snow (blessings that it was not 6 inches), a father sitting here as I type with his daily interruptions ( we are currently talking about birds as I type, now the laundry and his grocery list for tonight). Today he makes me smile, as much as his interruptions can drive me crazy. A small reprieve that it's Friday and a daughter whose heart is "about to explode with joy" (her words not mine) because it is almost Big Sky State Games. And her "JOY" turning into list of things that, " did you get done mom?" And again a father talking about taking care of his sweater (part of my favorite costume for dance)
.....and remembering the big games, and how he had to talk in front all these people, and wondering how his high school friends are......

and that is how you go... On.... counting blessings, with a smile, as life  slowly  returns to what is normal.       

But did you really see them

I got to be the girl in charge at Sisters the other day. (notice the word got instead of HAD).  I was officially in charge of putting out some of the new goodies just received.  (tough gig I know) Seems like everywhere I looked there was something that caught my eye.  And it has to be my must start with for today.

And while I am pretty sure you have seem them before trust me you must take a second look.

 

(I have this thing about carousel horses, they intrigue me!!)(which in turn makes me love all the vintage circus carnival stuff that is so hip right now)

so now that I showed you my walkabout ~~ (this post is getting a little picture heavy)(but hey it's cute stuff)

On to the NEW that I got to stick out!!! LOVE this line!

Hope it all makes you as happy as it did me!!

I told you...EVERY pair

That way you don't have to think!

Just Thinkin'

Is it ever gonna be nice outside?

Nikon or Canon?

Can hardly wait to see a good friend at lunch today, note to self: make sure to do it again.  This lady makes you smile!

Gotta finish getting dance stuff organized. TONIGHT!

Sure wish I was going back to Deadwood with the cousin Krafts today. (and our friends from Great Falls) Bummer!

Why do some things always have to be a battle?

How many lunch boxes can one kid have if you get a call from school that they forgot their lunch and the one you take to them being the nice mother you are is WRONG!

Why is it that when your almost done calving you get another set of twins.  Back to the bottle and "did you remember to feed the calf?"

Canon or Nikon? DANG!!!!

Should you always stand up for what you believe or do you say nothing and by saying nothing support what is wrong?

I am so lucky to have to work with JACKIE!!!

I don't say enough how cool my kids really are.

Is Anna really old enough for contacts even if just for dance?

Hope we get some good freight today.

If I have to get my father ready for another doctors appointment soon I may have to slit my wrists!!

Those are the cutest stinkin pajamas!!!

Do you think it is ok to have one of every pair?

Is it apposed or opposed?

Pretty sure it's opposed.  TYPO!! DANG!

What was I thinkin'???

I just love it when three hot tobasco signs come up on the machine.

I wasn't!!! Thinkin' that is!

When you're over 40, even if you are performing, you shouldn't really wear red sequins in your hair....it's just not right!

Well you probably shouldn't wear a wedding dress either.

Coffee, I need more coffee!

I can't wait to see Mona!

Would a vodka tonic help?  I was getting used to early morning drinking.

ahhhhh coffee!!! hummm Vodka!

Great photo Lovely in YVW!

May is going to go so fast....get AI dates from Brad. Schedule the teachers breakfast.

Just get the Canon.

Elton John....SECURITY PLEASE!

flashlight, white shirt, black pants, belt, notebook, pen!

I sure would like to try the Nikon, I could use my old lens.

Would my lens from my film camera fit on the digital camera?

What to do about Dad this summer?

Sure glad Jackie LIKES to iron.

Sure hope the Laurel Locos support an Ag teacher.

So cool that one in three jobs are ag related.

Dang I need to clean this desk.

Keep the coffee coming!

I so need some sunshine!  BAD!!!

Sick of wearing black!

SWEATERS!!!

Love those dang pjs....

probably better get ambitious!

Bring it ON!!!! I SAY!!

I need a maid!

Yeah in my next life.

I do have Anna.

Tell me that is not a worm again in the bottom of my fish bowl.   YUCK!!

Dad quit feeding the fish so much!!

I haven't a clue??!!

The camera will be ordered TODAY!!!TODAY I SAY!

Just quit thinkin' so much.....

Wish I could!

So not in me.

Really TODAY!

This Sunday!  Man!~

 

Take one for the team KRAFT!

Back at it! Well not really.  How can you have a get away and feel twice as tired as before the getaway!  Well if your getaway includes 40 friends on a bus to Deadwood, you might understand my slow demeanor this morning.  We left early Friday on a bus trip with the NILE for a quick weekend of gambling (with minimal drinking involved of course).  And to say we had a great time was an understatement.  Great friends, good luck gambling, perfect weather on Saturday and ok yes a few toddies all made for a wonderful weekend. (a long overdue one)

And while you may never know why I had to take one for the team I can guarantee the masked lady above will be smiling when she reads it!  Hope you all had a good weekend as well!  See you tomorrow I am late for work!

More Newness

 Happy Friday!!!