Prim Shopping in IN

Good morning! I got this little picture at a store in Cambridge City just down the road from my house.  It's called the Pour House.  They serve delicious homemade soups, breads and desserts there too.  I loved their store.  The prices were reasonable.  I bought a wreath, sampler and runner too.   I love the wreath because it matches my other little pumpkin garlands.  I loved what the sampler said it spoke to me.  I didn't get to go to Cows in the Creek that I've heard so much about from Mercantile Gatherings but it was closed, next time.  I may head out there this week again to see if I can catch it open!  My sister and I went to a pretty nice antique mall there too.  It was such a fun day.  I look forward to many more outings.  I have 3 sisters who live close by and 2 of them are really into decorating their homes like me.  My sister Debbie has a beautiful home, maybe I can talk her into some pictures sometime.  She likes more victorian things.  I think a good way to describe her is country victorian.  My sister Deanna likes primitives like me.  We have very similiar tastes.  We have such fun when we're get together. 

my new wreath

the crow runner

This runner is from G & G country crafts in Richmond.  I went there on Friday.  She has a cute little shop and I was glad to find it as it's not far from my house at all.  Her shop put me in the mood to decorate for Christmas.  There has been so many articles and blogs about that lately.  I have to ask when do you decorate for Christmas?  I tend to get started the day or so after Thanksgiving and then have it done by the end of the week.  It takes me awhile because I have so many totes full of decorations.  It's overwhelming to do all at once.   I really like to enjoy it so my live tree usually stay up until shortly after the 1st and my snowmen stay out till February.  All the rest of the Christmas things get put away by New Years.  I'm starting to make plans for the outside.  I can just see a rope of garland on my white fence on the front porch with a few icicle lights hanging down, candles in the window and wreaths with big plaid bows.  Very exciting indeed!

Leave me a comment about when you are decorating this year.

Carey

Amy, I would love to mail out your give away so email me.

Surprise the Winner is!!!!

At home with Amy

Thanks to all my loyal followers who have stuck with me through my move and computer absence.  I really appreciate it!  I promise to bring you more pictures of my house and new recipes that I've tried.

Amy is going to get this really nice Christmas plaid towel to make her kitchen festive and the new Christmas Gooseberry Patch book.  Bake something yummy Amy and remember me!

I'll be back Monday with some more pictures of my recent purchases for the house to show you.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Amy, email me with your addy and I'll get this out to you.

Carey

A Sneak Peek and Two Recipes to Try!

My version of Pumpkin cupcakes

Notice the candy corn kiss in the center?

Click here for Martha's version

I couldn't resist baking for this face when he missed his party/parade at school and had pains in his leg. I think it worked because it's much better now and all his bloodwork came back good.  Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.

I couldn't resist trying these yummy Brownie Pillow Cookies! I got this from freebie in the mail from Southern Living.  I looked for these online but have trouble finding them.  If anyone wants the exact recipe I'll email it to you.  However, it's really easy, take your favorite brownie mix.  I used Hershey's with the Syrup.  Then bake according to the directions.  Let cool completely.  While the brownies are in the oven get started on the cookies.  Take your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough recipe and make it or cheat and use the store bought dough too! LOL! Then chill it for an hour.  When the brownies are done cooling cut them to be about 2 X 2 in size, pretty small.  Put about 1/4 cup of chilled dough on your sheet and put your brownie inside, add more dough to cover the top and try to cover your brownie up.  I added a little bit less and had good results.  I wanted these giant cookies to be done even though your brownie is already cooked.  I baked them for about 18-20 min. at 350 degrees.  Let them cool for a few minutes before attempting to take them off.  Use a cooling rack.  They are ooey gooey and moist on the inside.  They only make about 12 cookies and you should only put 6 on a sheet. 

Happy baking!

Carey

Sneak peak for tomorrow, one lucky winner will get this... and something else.

A Thanksgiving Makeover

Good morning, it's a little chilly start here in the gold ole' midwest.  Just about like it should be in the Fall.  I wrangled my kiddos onto the bus and fed them some oatmeal, peanut butter toast for my son and some strawberries.  I'm enjoying my coffee and blogs and then I'm off to take my Aunt to the bank and enjoy some more coffee.  LOL!

My DH and I changed our family room around as I mentioned before and I thought I would change up my mantle a little bit for Thanksgiving.  I love Fall the most! I do love Christmas but I won't be decorating until after Thanksgiving.  We really do have a lot to be thankful for this year.  A new home, being close to family and old friends. 

 I added some cornucopias to my mantle and some turkeys.

this little sign too

This little scarecrow I picked up for 20% off at a new shop I discovered that I'll tell you more about later.

This little gathering is in my hallway on top of my sewing machine. 

I did have the bakers cabinet in here and you could just barely squeeze by so my DH put up my mitten chest shelf that I've had for ages and it still looked a little bare so I pulled this sewing machinge out of my guest room to frame it.  What do you all think?? The door on the right houses coats and my vacuum cleaner.  The door frame to the left is the main floor bathroom.

This is the new arrangement.  We moved the cabinet next to the fireplace.  It was in the little hallway where the sewing machine is now (see above picture) I'm not sure about this arrangement at all but you know how it is the furniture can only be placed curtain ways.  I think it detracts from the fireplace as a focal point. This house seemed so big when we bought it.  LOL!  We have discussed buying a big screen TV for the downstairs media room and if we do all our furniture may go down there and I may get some fancy sitting room furniture for this room.  Sound neat?? Ah...at least a girl can dream.   I would love to get some Johnston Benchworks furniture.

Have a great day and don't forget two more days for my give away surprise!  Scroll down or leave me a comment only one entry per person, please.

Carey

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

Where do I begin my friends...I guess I should say I'm starting to feel settled into my new home.  Sure I have things here and there that need to be rearranged or set in place.  I have moved things around from all the photos that I did a few weeks ago.  I still have stacks of books in my library.  My DH and I have been working hard.  He was home this weekend and we spent our time rearranging the whole family room.  It took a lot of time and I couldn't decide what was exactly the right thing.  Truth be told I liked the furniture arrangement before.  Alas, I still have my beloved reading nook and the TV armoire isn't the first thing you see when you come in the door so that's a good thing.

the view out my backyard

This little house is the one I grew up in, except imagine it will life inside and out, bushes in the front, hanging baskets and cute little shutters, that little bedroom window on the right was mine.

On a personal note I have been happy having family close by.  I have been able to spend some time shopping with one of my sisters and going to see my dear Aunt Princess.  She has been so great.  She is 89 but calls to ask if I need anything almost everyday.  I love her so much.  Being around the area where I grew up and then coming home so to speak is comforting and strange all at the same time.  I love it here, I forgot how pretty our little town looks with all the row houses and trees in the fall.  At Christmas they all have the candles in the window.  However, I am lonely though without my mom, feels like something is missing.  I can feel her presence here so much more than living other places.  I guess that's due to the familiar places and things we did together.  I went to a local dept. store the other day walking down the isle to look for a dress for my daughter and thought the last time I walked in here I was with her.  That would have probably been 3 years ago.  You know when you move away for 19 years you aren't usually back there for any length of time.  I still don't really know my way around.  My driving experience here is limited to ages 16-18 so not much of anything.  I was the kinda girl who drove to school rarely and went to the mall and movies once in awhile.  LOL! Those were the days.  Things have changed so much since I left it makes it downright difficult to get around.  The kids are settling into a school routine and like their teachers.  I had to laugh when my DD complained about a strict art teacher and come to find out I had him too! Wow, I'm not so young, it's surprising he is still teaching.  I would love to go visit my old 6th grade teacher, she inspired me to become a teacher,  I remember we were her very first class.  I don't know how she did it, she had a very difficult student who was a bit of a class clown.  She is still at my daughters school too. 

Well, if you haven't had a chance scroll back down and leave me a comment about my blog to be entered in my give away.  You have until Friday and then I will pick a winner! Surprise, surprise!!  I have many more pictures and recipes, shopping finds and things to share with you too.

Have a great day! 
Carey

My 100th Post and a Give Away!

Good morning blogging friends! I have so much to tell you that's been going on in my life here I don't know where to begin.  Let's start with the fun stuff! A GIVE AWAY!  In honor of my 100th post I will be having a give away.  It's going to be a secret though, a surprise.  I promise a little bit of that wonderful holiday coming up will be included because I know we are all getting the itch to decorate for Christmas.  I have some new shops I have discovered over the last few weeks that I hope to be sharing with you soon.  I also have some new recipes that I have tried. 

Now onto some concerns, my DS has been experiencing some leg problems a lot of pain in his right quadricep.  We've passed round one of bloodwork and hopefully he will also get an MRI.  He had this last year and it is very concerning.  He isn't in any sports right now so the doctor doesn't believe it's overuse exactly.  Then my father in law had major surgery on his pancreas this past Thursday so please be praying for our family.

Now on to Halloween...

my girl taking out the pumpkin guts!

the cutest Halloween dog ever! our dog BOO!

my son's pumpkin design

my daughter with her pumpkin

the finished result

my girl with her genie/belly dancing costume

my boy the Ninja

all ready to get the lute!

Our sweet Aunt Princess had some Halloween goodies for us.

We made one more stop and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jay's house.

It was so nice to have Daddy home to celebrate and go to families houses this year.  I know they enjoyed it too.  I hope this is our new tradition.  Meanwhile back to the give away!  I'm leaving this open to only my loyal followers this time.  Please leave me a comment about what you enjoy about my blog and what you'd like to see more of.  I'll give you a few labels and ideas: all about me, antiques, baking or recipes, decorating, make over projects and thrift store finds, primitive shopping, scrapbooking (if I ever get my room done or unpacked) LOL!  Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

See you soon, I have my 'puter back, Yeah!

Carey

Champion Banana Bread

Good Friday bloggers! I'm going to attempt a post without my laptop which should be quite a feat so bear with me.  I can't do pictures either.  Hang in there with me I should be back up and running by  Halloween weekend. My son has been sick and my DH isn't coming home to spend the weekend with us but I'm trying to hang in there as this will just be the beginning of our separation from one another.  My family has been calling to check on me and I've already been shopping with one of my sisters so I'm not exactly doing it on my own this time around.  It feels very different to have support all around you.  I could get used to this! LOL!

The house is coming along although I'm still undecided about the curtains in the dining room.  I'll let you know when I decide what to do about that issue.  In the mean time I've been menu planning and been back in the kitchen.  I baked some Banana nut bread this week.  I'm sure I will come up with something else by the end of the day too. LOL! I think Fall puts me in the mood to bake.  Don't get me wrong I bake all year long but there's nothing like cool, crisp air or damp chilly air like we've had a fair share of lately to put me in the mood to bake.  I have a mile long list of things I want to make.  I can't get enough cookbooks lately, just purchased this one Farmhouse Kitchen from Gooseberry Patch. I've wanted it since it came out in June.  I found  a recipe I wanted to try for Banana bread in it.  I also pre-ordered one from Pioneer Woman. I really enjoy her blog.  Then another one from Paula Dean the family cookbook.  If you're a fan I'd love to hear which books are your favorite.  This website seems fun too I've thought about joining it.

Check out Colleen's blog for Back to school recipes.  I am joining in when I can!

Champion Banana Bread

adapted from Gooseberry Patch Farmhouse Kitchen

2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 bananas mashed
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup Walnuts optional


Blend eggs, butter, sugar; add bananas, milk, and vanilla.  Stir in dry ingredients; mix well.  Pour batter into a 9 X 5 loaf pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray.  Bake at around 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.  Note: It took longer for mine to be done, I cooked it for about 45 and it came out sticky so I had to bake it for about 10 more minutes.  I also added the walnuts because I love them but you wouldn't have too. Makes one loaf. This was delicious and my kids really enjoyed it.

I'm getting close to my 100 post and give away!  I promise some more neat pictures to come and sneak peaks. For now I would like to hear some feedback from all my followers.  I love to hear from you I really enjoy it so much.  What are you baking now if anything? Do you have any Paula Deen cookbooks or recommendations that you enjoy?

Have a great weekend!

Carey