Show us where you live Fridays

Today is show your office. Before I show you mine be sure to check out the many other ones on Kelly's blog.

This is where I can sit for hours and type away. You see there is another computer next to me. There is also another one in the living room. That's BT's office. It consists of his lap top, his recliner and an end table next to him, not much to photograph. Can you tell we have an IT person living in our house?

On the bookshelf beside my computer center is my collection of off white and gold deer. I believe the collection to be Morton Pottery. They were sold in the 5 and 10 stores during the 1950's. Most of them have the original price on the bottom in black crayon. This collection started when BT's grandmother gave me one in 1970. I have found them on E Bay, in thrift shops and some even came from friends like Rita.

The wall behind me is the front of the house. Notice the beautiful oak window trim. A friend cut it for us with his sawmill near St Louis, Missouri. I previously discussed the antique oak planter and the ferns too. They are just beautiful.

The wall to my left features a 1906 diploma awarded to BT's grandfather. It is from the St Louis Watchmaking School. The four smaller pictures feature his other grandfather's home place.

Here's the bookcase. The right side is full of blacksmith books. On the left are my craft and quilting books. It also has 3 new Foxfire books I bought to complete my set from the 1970 and 1980's. If you haven't read them, you should. They will take you back to your grandparents roots.

On the top of my computer center are 3 glass candle holders. The two crucifix's on the right were just given to me from my mother's collection. One of the two, my grandfather, Eugene Field Saucier carried when he made his first communion in the late 1800's. As you can tell we love family items and family history.

Hope you enjoyed my tour.

Lunch with Betsy!

The day finally arrived. It was time to meet another blogger friend in person.

I was about 10 minutes early when I arrived at Betsy's office. I walked in and they asked if they could help me. I said I'm here to take Betsy to lunch. Betsy was in the third desk and gave me a wave, saying she'd be ready in just a minute.

We gave each other a big hug and headed out the door to Arris's Cafe. This is the newest hot spot in Jefferson City. It is not only a fabulous Mediterranean restaurant, but in it is also a world market featuring wines, cheese, olive oils, pasta and spices. It is also a coffee shop and dessert house. What more could you ask for in our little town.

Betsy knew right away what she wanted. It wasn't her first time here either. She ordered the Vegetarian pita. Roasted red pepper hummus wrapped on pita bread with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and authentic feta cheese and drizzled with spicy Tuscan olive oil. I saw Lasagna on the special and went for it. (I don't get that at home, the blacksmith doesn't like it) However, that was the dinner special, so instead I ordered the Spinach salad. French spinach leaves, boiled eggs, tomatoes, warm bacon, Parmesan cheese with Arris’ Blue Cheese Pecan Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.

She ordered a diet coke with lime, just like I like with my Mexican food. We girls are going to get along!

Lunch went way to quickly, we never shut up. We learned we knew a lot of people in common. I have to say this . . . my husband even went to grade school with Betsy's Dad. Okay so I'm old enough to be her Mom, but young enough to be her friend.

Before I took her back to work, I gave her a small gift the blacksmith had made. It's a Friedrich cross made from a railroad spike. By coincidence, the gift card I enclosed matched her hot pink shiny purse.

I dropped her back at her office and we promised to meet up again in blogger land. Thanks Betsy, it was great!

Before heading off for my grocery shopping, I stopped by the Yellow Moon Antique mall. I am on the search for an oak sideboard. I happened to find this awesome dresser for only $275. So far, I am nixing it in hopes of a bigger piece of furniture. But . . . it's still a possibility.

It was then my usual shopping. TJ Maxx, where I found a pair of gold hoop earrings. Then on to Kohl's, and finally the dreaded Wal-mart. While shopping there I got a call from the DIL, she needed to make a quick trip to town, would I watch the kids for her (all three kids). It's not very often that we get to watch the grand daughter too.

When BT came home he grilled some big fat hot dogs and I made beef and noodles. After dinner the boys wanted to roast marshmallows. BT had won a hot dog roasting fork in a blacksmith exchange and it worked great to roast 6 marshmallows at a time. I like to say one for each grandson and two for each grandparent!

It was a great day in the midwest!

8:40 PM 72 degrees.

This week's project

Is it Wednesday all ready?

I am working on making a double bed size quilt out of 6 embroidered blocks. This is for Maryjane. Her mother, who is in her 80's embroidered the blocks for her.

I'm working on the triangle blocks now. I have 5 more to go. I will then decide what to do in the 4 corners.

I did this one last year for Maryjane's sister, Roseann. Same deal, their mother embroidered the blocks.

I just wanted to make them each a little different. My part is just the sewing. The girls then have them machine quilted by a classmate of mine.

Now I wonder, there is another sister in the Linnenbrink clan. . . .will Joanie ask me to do a quilt too? I can't imagine a mother doing blocks for just part of her girls.

How is your week going? Weird weather here in Mid-Mo. Yesterday it got to 91 steamy, hot, muggy degrees. Then storms rolled in. This morning it's 61.9, breezy and cool. Unlike yesterday when all the windows were open, only a few remain today.

Tomorrow is my lunch with Betsy. I'm looking forward to meeting another blogger friend in person.

More tomorrow.

Two bloggers meet

I awakened this morning at 5:00 AM with strong winds blowing. Rain started falling shortly after that. As I lay in bed, I said a prayer for the rain to stop. Today was the Blacksmith Association of Missouri meeting and I was to meet blogger friend Tammy in person. The event was for the most part outdoors.

We left the house before 8:00 and drove in a light rain most of the way. The meeting was in Ham's Prairie, Missouri. Shortly after our arrival the rain stopped and the skies cleared. The sun came out and a strong breeze blew all afternoon.

Hostess Ester was showing several of us ladies how to do copper relief, when I saw Tammy and Mr. W arrive. We quickly exchanged bear hugs and began talking a mile a minute. We soon realized that we had actually met many, many years ago,

possibly 20. I'm sure neither one of us had changed much.

As we walked and talked we came upon Ed's tailgating display. How he can cram, I mean place, so much stuff in that little trunk

is quite a mystery. I'd like to see him grocery shop with that trunk!

Here is Doctor Johnson blacksmithing. He was one of the demonstrators for the day. In his other job, he is a general surgeon. I'm sure his real

job pays more than a general blacksmith.

Ester and Ned served a wonderful lunch of BBQ brisket, baked

beans, 2 different cole slaws, chips and several delicious desserts.

After lunch, the business meeting was held. At the conclusion of the meeting the trade items were exchanged. As you can see in this picture there were some interesting things. BT had made a pinwheel. In exchange he received Ester's enameled anvil plate.

Sorry, the picture doesn't begin to do it justice. We are thinking we are going to hang it on a post at the end of our driveway, just under our house number.

After the business meeting many members headed home.

Tammy and I said out goodbyes, but not before Mr W and BT took our cameras and snapped a few pictures.

Those that stayed were treated to a demonstration of Ned showing

how he makes (in this case), aluminum castings. Here he is packing

petrobond into a wooden form.

This isn't a hobby that would be fun in July in Missouri. He is suited up completely in leather, including steel toed boots and face protection. The aluminum is heated to a liquid of 1550 degrees. He uses a heat sensor gun to see what the temperature is inside the foundry.

Pouring the molten aluminum into the mold.

Here it cools for 10 to 15 minutes before he breaks it out of the form.

The casting cooling on the ground. It will need to be trimmed and buffed.





Here is one of the signs Ned cast. BT won it in the "iron in the hat" drawing. He proudly mounted it as soon as he arrived at home.

BAM meetings are always a good time with good food and good fellowship. Today was extra special with meeting Tammy. Enjoyed the visit girlfriend!

And more this week, it looks like blogger friend Betsy and I are meeting for lunch!

Memorial Day weekend

The 3 day weekend started with an almost double header. Well Brady's team had to make up an inning for a game that had been cancelled earlier in the week due to lightening.

It's always fun to watch 7 year olds play ball. The last game he played, they lost by 1 run. 35-34 I think.

Isn't he a cutie in his catchers outfit?

Saturday our 39th anniversary! We left the house about 8:00 AM, early for us. We went to Artichoke Annie's Antique Mall. They were having an outdoor flea market.

I loved the patriotic cistern pumps.

Then I saw this rusty old witch's hat electrical fixture. Makes me wonder, if mine that I showed you in my Friday's blog will look like this in years to come.

Cute little children wooden folding chairs. But I passed on them too.

Two red Coca cola folding chairs. But I didn't need them.

All we left with, no let me rephrase that, all BT left with was a $5 hammer and a $1 butcher knife. I left empty handed. We spent an hour or more browsing. It was then on to Bass Pro and Harbor Freight.

For lunch we stopped in Chili's. My sister had given me a gift card for my birthday in February. Little did she know it would buy us our anniversary dinner! Thanks Lona.

I got 3 to-go desserts in what looked like over sized shot glasses. We took the back country roads to see my Mom in her new residence. I hadn't told you all, but we moved her to assisted living last Monday. She is loving it. Just like today when I called her on her cell phone (after she didn't answer her room phone), she said in a whisper "I'm playing B I N G O, I'll call you later". We are so glad she adjusted quickly there.

Here is her antique cedar chest. One of many things she did not take. I need to remember to write down the name of the company that made it. I'd like to research it. I know she had it years and years.

Here is a 50 lb blue catfish that the son (on the right) caught on a line in the Missouri River today. It was all he and Mike could do to haul it into the boat. It will be some good eating.

As for us this Memorial weekend, we usually get to take this beauty on the river.

However, this is what it looked like all day today and even some of yesterday. Rain. Currently we have an inch and half in the gauge. More is on the way.

If you are wondering what to get dear old Dad for Father's day maybe you can check the Blacksmith out.

Hope you all had a great 3 day weekend.

On this day

39 years ago today, we were married.

Our loves grows daily. When you think you can't love each other anymore than the day before, God blesses us with another day. We pray for many, many more.

Happy Anniversary BT a.k.a. my blog proofer!

Show us where you live Friday - Dining rooms

Once again it's time to see what Kelly and the others have at their house. I Hope you like my little tour.

The reproduction punched tin chandelier.


Wade collectibles in my china cabinet .

Looking out the dining room door. Bentley is keeping guard.

Eldreth Pottery Santa's. They are just hanging out here until next Christmas when it will be time for them to grace our mantle.

The dining room table. The oak table was built by our cabinet maker.

The high chair. Over it hangs an antique picture of Jesus at the door.

BT's nephew built this oak curio cabinet. It holds most of my cobalt blue collection.

This is my china cabinet. Why I call it that I don't know. All the china is actually behind the solid wood doors on the bottom. Behind the beveled glass doors is my collection of granite ware. I have plates to serve about 30. There are also tea pots, coffee pots, salad plates, saucers, cups, both big and small, sugar bowl, creamer, ladles, platters and more.

Pegs are always good for holding baskets.

That's my tour.