Monday, February 28, 2011

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds CATALOG


Look what came in the mail today. I don't remember requesting it, but gosh it is good eye candy.

I know Zoey would find all kinds of flowers she'd like.

Tammy would love some of the heirloom tomatoes.

Karen is into all vegetables for her first big garden.

They have beautiful sunflowers for Deanna.

So click on over to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and see for yourself. And if you're close to Mid-Mo they have a pioneer village with festivals several times a year. I'm going to put it on my to do list!


Friday, February 25, 2011

Recycle Reuse

Today we headed to town with only two things on our list.

To recycle, and to visit the Habitat resell-it shop.

We first dropped off our two bins of plastics, 1 box of smashed cardboard, and one box of magazines.

Our next stop was at the Habitat resell-it shop. The blacksmith was looking for a small motor. However, we spied these beautiful copper light fixtures first. He told me to go get a shopping cart. When I returned he placed two in the cart. I begged for a third. What a steal at $15 a piece. They measured 16 inches across the bottom and stand 10 inches tall.

Across from the shelf holding at least 6 more lights were tables of beautiful western pictures, from little ones to great big ones. The was a shelf of old cowboy boots and cowboy hats. The clerk told us the local Longhorn restaurant was remodeling.




On the down side, I have no place to put these lights, and . . . they were purchased for the blacksmith shop. (Insert sad face here) He found a motor for $1.50, but after taking it home it won't work. He is very handy at repairs, but it's shot. So we lost $1.50.

So we made a 3rd unplanned stop at Missouri Conservation Department. Age does have it's privileges, the blacksmith purchased his life time fishing and hunting license; a one time purchase!


Last we stopped at the glass recycling bin. It's a free standing bin in town that has just recently been added. The local recycling center doesn't take glass. We were so glad when this was added, as this now makes us completely trash service free.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Pop Pop Pop

As a kid we had many pans of pop corn popped in a popper just like this one.


I don't know what ever happened to Mom's popper. I remember it was well seasoned and even on the sticky side. It popped so many pans of corn on Sunday night just before Bonanza was to start.


For 40 years I have popped corn in my little wear ever pan. It was a wedding gift from the blacksmith's Aunt Lucille and Uncle Felix. It always took 2 pots full for us. That is if I over filled it and held the lid on.
Recently Andrea at Rural Revival talked about the Whirley popper she got for Christmas. It got me to thinking about Mom's old one. I searched high a low for a copy. I never found anything close.
One day I was reading the ad for Orschlen's farm and home supply. They advertised the Whirley Popper for only $12.99, regular price there was $24.99. We made a special trip one night just to pick one up.

Tonight here is what I made, Kettle corn! It takes 3 Tablespoons of oil, 1/2 cup of kernels and 1/4 c. sugar. Now I can make a complete bowl full in one popping.
And you know what? I found the antique popper tonight listed on EBay. Wouldn't you know it?!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Another one in the frame!

I have moved on to quilt #2. The first one took me 40 days. This one is smaller, but might have just as much quilting. I need it finished by camping time.

It the first time I have used a backing that wasn't a solid color. I wanted to add a bit more of color splash so it has a pieced backing. Maybe I could even reverse it?!?!




Aren't these the cutest littlest boots you have seen? Just who do you think they belong to?



Why Ms E of course, it's was Tuesday at Grandma's!




Monday, February 21, 2011

Hear ye, hear ye, all you peeps!!!


My blog friend Karen of This old house 2 has started a new blog, Roba Dolce. I don't ask much of you girls but you just gotta go over and visit her at Roba Dolce. It may well be worth your time.
She is giving away free products. Well that is if you qualify and win. You have to become a follower too.
I won from her on her This old house 2 blog and got over 5 lbs in calories products.
All you have to do is spread some good news with her.
What are you waiting for go see Karen at Roba Dolce!!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Amish bargains

Today the blacksmith and I road tripped around Missouri. First we went to a primitive gun show. Years ago we did that sort of thing. We'd dress up in buckskins and shoot muzzeloaders. Today we watched these people and decided we didn't really miss that sort of thing.

It was then on the the Amish community of Excelsior Missouri to Weaver's Country Market.


The store was very busy, being it was a Saturday and they were featuring a 20% off coupon

We bought unbleached flour, popcorn, 24 dozen canning lids, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamon, sausage seasonings, chicken soup base, mustard seeds, noodles, sea salt, course black pepper, and oregano. We got $116 worth of goodies for $94. What a bargain.

It's always fun driving through the Amish country, the numerous buggies, the large clean farms, and friendly waves from everyone.

Deanne today blogged about the Amish too, check her post out here.


Back at home, the grand kids came over for dinner. It was their Mommy and Daddy's date night. So as usual I leave you with another child labor picture!

Friday, February 18, 2011

There really are still trustworthy people in this world

Wednesday I was looking at antiques on Craigslist when I found some cute little vintage aluminum pans. The price was just right, okay really just terrific at $4.00 for the lot.

So I emailed the seller to see if they would mail them. They were located about 2 hours from my house. I got a quick response telling me she would. And so the emails went back and forth. Long story short, they came in the mail today, only 2 days later. AND she said just send me $$, no pre pay, no guarantee she would get her money. She said send me $4 and what ever the postage is on the box.

They will be adorable with my little antique child's stove. And yes I will be mailing her a thank you card tomorrow with the money thanking her for her trust.

Tonight I finished the 2 ring bearers pillows. Ones like these cost $21.99 at Hobby Lobby. I have less than $6 in them both. Hey a mother has to save every penny she can when it comes to a daughter's wedding!


40 days! That's what it took for me to quilt this queen size quilt all by myself. I have the binding sewed on the front. All I have left to do is tack it on the back. However I have another quilt to put in the frame and I really want to start on it first. (Insert . . Deanna and Rita want to come and help me quilt?).


Look what the blacksmith found in the attic. I had long forgotten about them. A big box of old quilting templates. I can't even remember when or where I got them. But you can bet, they will get some use on the next quilt!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Roba Dolce review #1, #2, #3, #4

If you will remember a few days ago, I won 5 lbs. of desserts from Roba Dolce company, thanks to Karen at This old house 2.



So here are my reviews so far!!


#1 Mango Sorbetto . . . good!

#2 Raspberry almond Fudge Gelato . . .it's getting better

#3 Lemon Sorbetto . . .(Husband ate this one) He said it took him back to his teenage years when he use to get a lemon shake at the soda counter at the local drug store. He loved it!

#4 Dark Chocolate Chunk Gelatto . . . Oh can it really get any better than this???? I even wanted to lick the bowl. Okay so I did when no one was looking.

I still have several favors to review. Of course I'm trying to watch my weight before the
upcoming wedding. But I will get around to it.


I've talked abut my BFF before. Here she is with her daughter at a shower last weekend. Her daughter is getting married just 7 days before my daughter. In fact the two brides are even sharing some of the same decorations!


Speaking of wedding, here are the two book covers I made for the little flower girls. The bride will be placing a sketch book, crayons, pencils and scissors in the pockets.



I think Elizabeth and Hallie will love these.
Now on to finish two ring bearer pillows.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Be my Valentine

If you visited here in 2008, 2009, or 2010 you know our history.



He gets these, burnt peanuts and maple nut goodies.

I get this, a heart shaped box of chocolates!

But this year we spiced it up just a bit. He bought these for us after church from the grandson. His youth group was selling them to raise money for the Samaritan Center.


I had really spiced his gift up. I purchased these gum boots (out of necessarity due to the recents snows). I had them hid in the back seat of my car. He took my car Saturday for a short trip and saw them. He comes into the house and said "did you buy some boots for me?" Little did he know his candy was hid in the toe of them.
Hope you all have a happy Valentine Day!
P. S. Check out what the Blacksmith has been up to: Osage Bluff Blacksmith




Saturday, February 12, 2011

From farm life to city life

The year was 1958. We moved from the country life to city life (Insert Eva Gabor singing Green Acres here) One year of living in the woods had been enough for Mom. Especially after the spring rains made a retaining wall near the house fall down and in the muck were wads of snakes. I still can hear her screams, "We are out of here". Never mind that she would also have to kill a snake nearly every time she would hang clothes outside on the line.




1958

My first Easter in the new to me house. My dad, Shorty, and I posed on the front porch.



My brother, Wesley, and I pose for our Easter picture.



In 1961 my baby sister Lona joined us. This was about the time Mom and Dad added a "great" room all the way across the back of the house. We used it as a family room. I remember it was shut off a lot in the cold winter months. "Too much to heat", Dad would say. The summer months would have all 6 windows open wide. It was the pre-AC days.




Neighbor kids would come to our yard to play, just to hang out in the Mimosa tree in the front yard. In early summer the tree would be full of bright pink and green hairy blooms. Late spring we'd all gather the seed pods to play with, pre Nintendo and Wii days.

We lived there until my brother graduated from high school and joined the Navy. I made some life long friends there. Today we reminisce on Facebook about the good old days.


I tell you about this cute little house because, last week, I saw in the local real estate guide. It's for sale. For $89,900 you can own this house. It's been spruced up and updated. However the yellow brick and green cedar siding stayed the same. I see it has had central AC added.




2011




The front room now has carpet. I know that a hardwood floor is hidden under it.



The great room has been turned into a master bedroom.




I bet it's no longer closed off during the cold winter months.




The kitchen is now red. Mom had it yellow for a few years and then it was painted with a pink enamel. "Easier to keep clean" she would say.
So, if you are in the area tomorrow, there is an open house. Don't think I will be stopping by. It just wouldn't be the same. But if you do go by, would you look in the attic? Mom thinks she left a box of my toys there.



Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Tuesday and Wednesday at our house

Just how do I quilt in style? I wear my neck scarf of course! I won it from Stephanie. It is so warm. I didn't really need it inside the house, but it did feel pretty darn good! Thank you Stephanie, I love it. If you'd like to have one too, Stephanie does sell them on her blog.


As for the quilt, after this picture I rolled it for the last time. I have a 6 inch border to complete and then I am finished. I never thought I could hand quilt a queen size quilt all by myself! Amazing what you can do during a real blizzard! (Did you know that I am left-handed?)


Yesterday was Tuesday. So here is what went on at our house.

Today was town day. It was snowing as we drove the 10 miles into town and the roads were not cleared. The blacksmith was driving and he maneuvered the roads well. We went to Dillard's to buy a shower gift and I just happened to take the long way around the store (Is your Dillard's laid out in a circle?) Anyway we went through the shoe department. I was needing shoes for the up coming wedding. As I was looking for dress shoes, hubby found these boots. They are so cool, and the price was right $26. They came home with me.
Later we went to TJ Maxx and I found both the dress shoes. I'm not sure which pair I will keep.


This is my dress, what is your opinion? Do I wear the beige or the black patent leather with the purple dress?




When we arrived at home, the answering machine was beeping. It was the UPS man wondering if he could make it up our long lane. He had a perishable over night package for us. I knew it had to be from Karen at This old house 2.
Several weeks ago if you posted her button from Roba Dolce you would receive a free package of their products.


This is what I received! 5 pounds of pure bliss!
After reading Karen's blog did you notice that her and I both live in timber frame homes? We both have a son and a daughter. We each have a rather large dog. I just wish I could take beautiful photos like her.
Did you know that Val of Life's Little Garden made butter after I told her how?
So Tuesday I won, Wednesday I won, I can hardly wait for tomorrow. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Super Bowl B-Day

Today is a great day!!

I made butter with my kitchenaid. I found the recipe at Life's Journey.




It took me more like 15 minutes.


I can't wait to smear it, nice and thick, on my sour dough english muffin in the morning!

I then found my sewing machine back and worked on the two book bags for the flower girls.


If I only had lots of binding now, I could finish. They will have handles and probably velco tabs to close.
The blacksmith then took me out to eat. It was my choice and I chose Steve's Family Restaurant in Lohman, Mo. They were having a super bowl special. It was buffet; fried chicken, mashed potatoes, milk gravy, green beans, slaw, and homemade bread. All you could eat for $5.00. Yes you read that right $5.00 for fresh, never frozen, fried chicken!! Yummo!




Now I will go celebrate the first day of the last year of my 5th decade. Happy Birthday me! Nice of them to have that big party for me in Dallas! :)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

More on the same subject

And the fun continues . . .








I still love snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!