Sunny Decor and Family Heirlooms

Hello, I wanted to quickly share some more photos of my kitchen and other parts of my home.  I'm so anxious to get ready for Fall but not quite ready to decorate.  This kinda gets me in the mode, then in September I just add some pumpkins and leaves.

This was a gift from my sister, my grandmother's rolling pin.

It was a housewarming gift from my sister.  She gave me the rolling pin, masher and the other wooden tool seen here.  I was just giddy when I got it!  She told me she had hung onto these with the intention of giving them to me at the right time and the time was now.  Oh...I can't tell you how it feels to know that I can put my hands on this rolling pin that my grandmother used to make food for her family.  Her name was Jesse and she and her husband ,who was also a school teacher (must be in my blood) lived on a farm.  They had a big family and I know it would have been a difficult life for her on the farm.  I can just see her rolling out dough for biscuits or bread for the family.  My Dad taught me hard work never hurt and I'm sure this is what his parents taught him.  He loved gardening...I wish he were here to guide me now. She also gave me an old fashioned egg beater.  My mom used it a lot I remember it growing up.   It has the red handles too.   I've tried to display them properly.  I plan on using my grandma's rolling pin at least once very soon! I just feel like I should know what I mean?

Can you see my lil' pumpkin I snuck this one in...shh

Have a wonderful evening,

Carey

It's Still summertime!

Hello! Today I got up and thought I'm in the mood for a change!  You ever feel like that?  I had to do my weekly cleaning anyway.  This week was time for the Family room anyway.  Read more about the flylady method if you're interested in cleaning tips.  Generally, I give everything a more thorough cleaning during this time.  So I figured while I was at it I might change things around.  While I do love my Americana I put it away and got out my sunflowers and crows.  I love that I have little totes in my basement that I can get and add to my rooms when I need a little change.  Generally, I leave up my 4th of July things up around a month to six weeks.  Then around the end of July or first part of August I put up my sunflowers and crows.  I keep crows and stars up year round. 

Here's how my mantle looks:

My round white tablecloth came out from the closet again.  I added my white pitcher some sunflower garland and flowers.  Then I added my big crow I got at a craft show years ago and my little white lantern.  The sign I got from Lisa last year Prims From Above.  She has her own selling blog too.

Here's how I changed my coffee table

I added my crow runner, little cart with crow and basket of flowers.  The sunflowers are actually a candle ring that I shoved in there to fill it up!

I'll be back to show you more things tomorrow!

Carey

P.S.  How do you like my new template and background? I've been playing around with things a bit.

Are you dreamin' of Fall yet?

Fall has been on my mind lately.  I went outside to do some cleaning and it was so hot!!! I'm trying to enjoy all summer's fruits so to speak.  I love watching the hummingbirds, listening to the birds, getting fresh veggies from the garden.  However, Fall is my favorite season.  I can't wait for cooler evenings and pretty leaves.  Then there's my favorite, baking!  Yikes..that means I need to workout harder.  Ah... it's a vicious cycle. 

This came in my mailbox the other day: 

courtesy Country Sampler magazine

I also came across this blog the other day, ah someone I can really relate to.  I just love the name to Apple Cider N Pumpkins!

Here's a link to my fall decor from last year.  I'm already thinking about what I'll do this year.

Country Home

Have a blessed day!

Carey

Apple Walnut Sticky Buns

my mother-in-laws beautiful flowers

Today I thought I would share a recipe I found on Food Network.  It's probably one of my favorite channels to watch.  I love to watch Giada, Paula, Ina and Sandra the most.  Their sense of humor in the kitchen is so appealing.  I have been looking for easy summer recipes I can get on the table in a hurry.  With my DH not working and the kids out of school I find that fast is the key! LOL!


These didn't turn out exactly like I thought they should.   I didn't have that yummy carmelization that Sandra did with hers.  Maybe if you cooked the apples and butter a bit first the result would have been better.  Also, my crew couldn't wait the 5 minutes cooling time. The recipe uses a can of store bought cinnamon rolls.  What could be easier? The recipe can be found here. Here's a peek at mine: 

Apple Walnut Sticky Buns

I hope to have a new trash can (exciting I know) to show you that my DH has been working on for me soon.  He's finally getting my honey do list done, YEAH!

Have a blessed day!

Carey

Summer Happenings + Vegetable Garden

Good morning, sorry it's been so long since my last post.  I've been a bit lazy and had some major computer issues.  Ever have trouble with your laptop cord? Well, I'm on my 2nd laptop and someone always seems to mess up the cord.  My last one got yanked out of the wall one to many times by my kiddos.  This one seems to have been damaged on the inside where the power cord goes in and it would not hold a charge.  It took a few days to get it back up and running.  My DH can fix anything, I just love that about him.  A new computer just isn't in the works right now. 

First, I want to tell you how touched I was by all your comments last time.  I felt a big cyber hub from all of you that I really needed.  Meantime, your prayers must be working because he has had one interview and one call this past week. We shall see! I'm crossing my fingers that he has a job soon.

We've been busy keeping the occupied this summer with our list.  It's gotten a little challenging since we're trying to be budget friendly.  Last Saturday we rode our bikes on a local bike trail, had a picnic and played in the park.  Price-?? FREE-- Love that!  Yesterday, we took them swimming a local pool and it cost around seven dollars for the kids and me.  We also went bowling for about an hour for around twenty dollars.  I would love to know of any ideas that you might have that cost little or next to nothing that you do with your family.  I've been reading Watermelons and Fireflies too.  That book is chalk-full of great ideas!

the family

We even had a guest on our picnic, who liked croutons and pistachios.

Here's what else has been happening at our house, we have veggies.  Our garden was flooded out twice.  Hence, the reason our 6 rows of beans and corns is so sporadic.  I thought you might want a peak.  We've been getting zucchini.  Our tomatoes and cucumbers are doing nicely and I hope to be pickling and canning them soon!

Here's our little patch

our corn

Zucchini, cukes and tomatoes

Looky, looky!

This little baby was peaking out of the soil so I picked it.  It's pretty small.  This was one of the smaller plants anyway.  Does anyone know when beets are ready or when to pick them??  I'm one of those few people who just love beets so I can't wait to get them made too.

Have a great day!

Thanks again for your heartfelt comments.

Carey

Hot Summer Days!

It has become the dog days of summer here.  We're literally melting.  The other night we had a ballgame where there was absolutely no shade and it started about 5:30.  On the way we saw a sign that read 96 degrees.  Our dugout faced west and in order to see the game we were looking right at the sun.  Not fun!  It was a double elimination tournament so even though we lost it was back at it again last night.  Then we were rained out.  Awe sports...so much fun.  We are supposed to make up the game tonight again.   We're expecting more rain so we'll see. 

playing first base

News on the job hunt is not good for my DH. I am trying not to be discouraged.  He has had 1 call back and interview, with little feedback as to why he didn't get the position.  It's been four months.  He didn't expect things to happen overnight but we expected him to have a job by now.  He has a lot of experience in management in the Air Force and came from an office environment.   He finished school and has a double major.  He even researched his chosen career field and according to statistics it would be in demand.  I keep trying to think positively and tell myself that God has a plan.  It will all work out.  He will provide.  But then I see our monthly bills and I can't help but get worried.  We've worked so hard to get our house and have good credit.  We don't want to lose it all.

my porch

My new job is going well. I am really enjoying my Monday night classes.  It takes a little longer for me to prepare than I would like but I feel if I teach it again it will be much easier to teach.  I am waiting to hear about Fall classes.  The amount of money I'm making is not enough to make up the difference in my husband's retirement.  I hope that I can teach more than a one credit course. 

my little garden flag

says Forever be True

Red, White and Blue

front door

Uncle Sam is greeting you on the side door.

Sorry this post is not full of the fun homemaking things. I just wasn't feeling it today.  I guess I needed to share some personal things that are going on right now.  The pictures are some I snapped after the party on the 4th.  Hopefully, I will be doing a recipe post soon.  I think I'll be making some cookies for my little crew today.  I would appreciate any prayers for strength to get through this and a job for my husband.  It would mean a lot to our family.

Have a blessed day,
Carey

Highlights from our Big 4th Celebration!

We had a great 4th of July, lots of food, our party was wonderful, and the fireworks really neat!  Here's some highlights:

Look what we got up just in time?

my DD's beautiful artwork

Let's go swimming!

Getting ready for the guests

Our beautful dessert table, we had to keep things covered up

My flag dessert

Pie...oh my!

For table decorations I used canning jars and red/white gingham ribbon filled with red, white and blue M & M's, we also found lolli pops and tootsie rolls in the bulk candy section of our grocery store.   In other taller jars I just put a taller flag inside and tied ribbon at the top.   On my tables where guests sat I filled them with red, white and blue tealights.  I used the smaller ones so people could still see each other while they visited.  I didn't get a picture of those. Very simple and easy decorations! Loved it...

The highlight of my day was when we were able to post this beauty in the ground!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and happy holiday with your family!

Carey

Let's Have a Party, Happy 4th of July!

Today we're having a gathering for friends and family to celebrate my husband's retirement and our new home.  Even though we moved in the end of September some of them have not seen our house yet.  His official date was July 1st and it's been a challenge to think of ourselves as retired.  The military has been such a huge part of our lives for the past 22 years.  I've been getting things ready and we have really knocked ourselves out to make everything look nice.  Since we moved into our home we've been trying to figure out where our flag pole would go.  We finally decided a volunteer maple in the landscaping would be the perfect spot.  After my Dh dug it up we had to special order the pole and wouldn't you know it...they couldn't get it until yesterday.  We are anxiously awaiting the curing process so we can put up our flag by party time.  I hope it will be dry, it's been perfect breezy cool weather here.  I've been decorating the house and I will put the tables together today.  I'll share more on that later and pics are coming, I promise. 


On my menu today:  We're doing a potluck, so I'm doing desserts (my fav), drinks and meat

Grilled Chicken

Hamburgers

Berries N Stars

Chocolate Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Frosting

Amish Apple Pie 2 of them!

Cherry Pie

Lemonade

Sweet Tea

Old fashioned soda pop

Here's another great pie recipe and perfect for the 4th of July!

Blueberry Pie with Crumb Topping

Crumb topping

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Filling

1/2 cup granualted sugar

1/4 cup flour

4 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 tsp. fresh finely grated lemon rind

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. butter, unsalted cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare the pie, 9 inch pie crust. Mix crumb topping ingredients together until mixture resembles crumbs about pea size.  Don't overprocess.  If you are using a food processor use the pulse button.  Set aside.

Make the filling.  In a large bowl stir together the sugar, flour, until well mixed.   Gently stir in the blueberries and lemon rind, juice.  Pour the mixture into the pie crust, dot with butter.  Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the pie. 

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.  Place the pie in the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown 40 to 45 minutes.  Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.  This is great will a dollop of vanilla icecream!

recipe from Sweetie Pies

Have a Happy 4th of July, don't forget to thank a veteran and remember our forefathers.

Wishing you a happy, safe holiday with your families!

Carey

Home and Garden Tour part 2

Greetings bloggers I thought I would post a few more pictures of some homes I saw last weekend.  One lady in particular and I talked for quite a while and she paints and does very primitve gardening pieces.  Every month she and another lady do a show on her property.  Her home was built in 1920 and she moved onto this house on the farm and never looked back raised her children.  One day someone stated at a family gathering that a bigger kitchen would be nice.  She said before she knew it her and her husband began drawing up the plans.  The best part was her 12 x 15 kitchen became even bigger because her husband wanted a square home.  So they added a dining room on too. Her kitchen is wonderful!  My camera was about to die when I was taking these shots so some of them were fast and furious.  I felt a connection between us and I hope we can become friends. 

A shot of the home from the back of the property

Is there anything better than an old barn?

I loved this little message by the side door.

the view of the front of the house

Don't you love the red siding?

She has the most beautiful shady big ole' trees.

Now let's go inside...

Her window valance is a pitchfork, neat idea!  The picture color is pretty bad but the cabinets are actually a very dark red.

This is the other end of the kitchen.  They added a faux brick wall to give it a focal point.  She said it needed something.  The table is an old table that she refinished and distressed white.  Her husband made the red cupboard to display her dishes.  She also stenciled it all herself.

This is the dining room, that connects to the kitchen through french doors.  She has a clear view of her front gardens here.  I just loved her light fixture, chairs and fireplace mantel.  Most of the wood pieces she paints and makes herself.  I couldn't take pictures of all of them up closer because of my camera.

Well, friends off to bake some cupcakes and get some things ready for our party tomorrow.  We are finally having a retirement/housewarming party for our friends and family.   I'll share a recipe soon for blueberry pie!  This would make a great addition to a 4th celebration.

Carey