Snowy Sunday

Go visit Chris and Laurie to see more Snowy Sunday pictures and to sign up.

It isn't our position but our disposition that makes us happy.

I'm a Winner!

I won this beautiful wall art from Lilli at Make Mine Blissful! Isn't it wonderful? The colors fit into my home perfectly and it even has a bird on it. I haven't decided where I'll put it yet and since it's time to decorate for the holidays, I'll put it away and have something new to play with when Christmas is over.

Thanks, again, Lilli! I love it!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Do you think we had enough food for 3 people? Chris and Laurie were at his family's dinner yesterday so it was just us and Jerzie. Jerzie was too tired to eat well so she had a bowl of Froot Loops after her nap! Thanksgiving dinner has to consist of the same foods every year no matter how many are eating. I also made my no bake pumpkin pie and brown bag apple pie. Looks like everyone is full and content!

I trust you all had a super day with fami;y and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Click here for my greeting to you.

How much do you know about turkey? Take the Turkey Trivia Test.

I'd like to report...

...a horrendous crime! Here is a picture of the crime scene.It is still not clear if this was a drive by snowballing, a snowman tipping (We have heard of cow tipping but never snowman tipping!) or just a violent assault by the weather. It doesn't appear to be a robbery as everything this poor snowman owned is laying on the ground beside him.As you can see by the picture this was a very violent crime. These are the only pictures available because the scene is completely cover by several inches of fresh snow. This will be a hard case to crack so in the meantime we will tell Jerzie that her and Daddy's snowman is taking a nap!

If you have any information about this crime please call the snow police!

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome!

Today I'm going green! We have had about 38 inches of snow according to the radio, although I didn't have quite that much, so I would love to see green!

I like plants that not only add beautiful blooms but also look good when not in bloom. Here are some of my favorites.

Brunnera, Jack Frost.

Hens and chicks

Lady's mantle

Variegated Solomon's Seal

Ornamental Grass

Coral Bells

Myrtle

Chameleon Plant
I also have lots of plants with burgundy foliage. We welcome anyone that has gardening pictures or house plants of any kind to join the fun. If you would like to sign up just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky and add a link to this post on your blog. (I'm hoping Mr Linky is working this week!) Thanks for stopping by!

Daddy and Jerzie

Daddy had the day off today and when he and Uncle Chris finished hunting he came over to play.

Food for Thought

If we learn how to give ourselves, to forgive others, and to live with thanksgiving, we need not seek happiness--it will seek us.

Secrets!

Darla over at Family and Flowers tagged me to write 6 things you don't know about me. I have done this a couple times before so I hope I don't repeat myself. There isn't much that I haven't told, I don't think.1. I love to garden but I only have one houseplant. It is in my beauty shop on the windowsill. It has almost died several times. My daughter looked at this plant in my living room one day and asked "Is that a fake plant?!! I can't believe you have a fake plant!!" Since I love the plant holder and had already killed 2, I decided I better go fake!

2. When my Father's family came over from Sweden they changed their name from Cederquist to Carlson. Then his Mother died and left his Dad with 4 small children. As was common back then, the children were given away to relatives. My Dad was the youngest and he and his older sister were given to a cousin. Their names were then changed to Olson. His 2 other sisters were given to two other families several miles away. Miraculously, they remained in touch. None of this was done thru the system or made legal. That's just the way it was back then. So who am I really?

3. When I was young, my Mom made me take ballet lessons because I was so clumsy. I'm not sure that it helped much!

4. I also took piano lessons for several years. My Mom was a very good pianist so we always had an old piano in our home. I was never accomplished and didn't continue past junior high school.

5. I went thru all the ranks for Girl Scouts. As a Senior Scout I earned the highest award possible. During school I helped my Mom with a troop and when my daughter was in school I had her Brownie troop. I believe it is a great organization and wish more teen girls would give it a try.

6. This is a biggie! You know I'm desperate when I tell a real secret to the world! My Uncles had a special nickname for me. As I got older I hated it but by then they were so used to it they didn't even think about it. My one Uncle worked construction and I walked by where he was working. At the time, a boy from my class was also working there. Imagine my embarrassment when from the roof he yelled " Hi! Jerky!!" Yup, that's what they called me! The last time I saw my one uncle before he passed away he still slipped and called me Jerky! I'm told they called me that as a baby and I smiled so they decided I liked it!

I'm supposed to tag some people but I know everyone is busy so if you want to make me feel better by telling one or more of your deep, dark, secrets just leave me a comment and let me know.

Show and Tell

This Gospel Primer was in some family stuff but there is no name in it. It was copyrighted in 1894 and is the eighth edition. My Grandma was born in 1900 so it must have come from her or Grandpa's family.

The first page talks about learning to read by the "Word Method". Each letter has a "slate exercise" of words. I love all the graphics.

It's not hard to come up with words for the "hard letters" in the Bible!

The next part of the book has larger drawings and is all Bible stories.

To see more Show and Tell posts go on over to Kelli's House.

Great tip!

I wanted to share this great tip before you started making your Thinksgiving pies!Grandma's Pies

Grannie made such beautiful pies! One day, I asked her"How do you get such beautiful pies with the crimps around the edge so even?"

"It's a family secret" she said "So you must promise not to tell"

I roll out the dough, then cut a bottom layer and carefully put it in the pie plate. Then I slowly pour the filling, making sure it's not too full. Next cut the top layer and put it over the filling. Finally, I take out my teeth and just run them around the edge of the pie crust and they make the nicest even impression you ever did see.

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Edit: Because of problems with Mr Linky yesterday this will be my post for today . It was 18 degrees when I got up at 6:30! Welcome!

I just added this picture to show you the view out my kitchen window yesterday and today. It's 27 degrees!

Since we are having real wintry weather here in Western New York I decided to fool myself into thinking it was warm and sunny out by looking at some of this summers Secret Garden Tour pictures. These are some of my favorites.

There now, doesn't it feel like summer?
If you would like to see more bloomin' pictures just click on the names below. If you would like to join in the garden tour, just add your name and permalink to Mr. Linky and put a link to this post on your blog.
Now sit back, think summer and enjoy the tour!

Snow Day!

Jerzie isn't feeling great today and is enjoying laying around in her jammies and doing something she never does at Gramma's, watching TV. These pictures are from the little bit of snow we had last week. Today we have about 8 inches and it's still coming down.It took quite a bit for me to get her to touch the snow with her mittens on but she finally got into it.
She'd pick up a handful, look at it,

open her hands and let it drop.

We also got ready for Christmas by making a shirt from an iron on I've had for years.

I hope you are warm and dry where ever you are today!

Bookworm

My blogging friend Wanita has tagged me with the Bookworm meme! I really do love to read and always have a book stash. Once I start reading I can't quit until I finish the book.
The rules are:
Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.

Write out the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that...

The book closest to me is one of the books I use to find my Food for Thought posts.It's called Wings of Silver. I also have the companion book Apples of Gold. The books are full of quotes under the headings love, joy, peace, etc. Page 56 is under goodness and the 5th sentence is:

"Be great in act, as you have been in thought. Suit the action to the word and the word to the action."

"No man can be good to others without being good to himself."
I will tag:
Chris and Laurie
Anne
Wendy
Darla
Suzanne

Show and Tell

Some of you may remember this old dirty chair I got on the last day of a household sale. The tag says 5 dollars but I got it for 30% off.I loved the design of the chair and the nice curvy wooden legs.
I got rid of all that dirty fabric and tacks and put new padding on. The bottom springs were in very good shape so the seat was pretty firm.
I decided to try some toile as I have never had any in my home before. I always seemed to be drawn to it. I was really drawn to it more when I found out it was on sale.
I did recover a chair before but it had wooden arms so I only did the seat and back. I figured I didn't have much invested to I might as well give it a try.

It's far from perfect but I'm happy with the finished project. I'm very pleased with the fabric choice.

There you have it, a new chair for under 50 dollars! I need to make some pillows with the excess material and make a small pillow for this chair with some fabric from another chair in the room.
For more Show and Tell posts go to Kelli's House.

Cleaning!

I asked the Lord to tell me

Why my house is such a mess.

He asked if I'd been 'computering',

And I had to answer 'yes.

'He told me to get off my fanny

And tidy up the house.

And so I started cleaning up...

The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.

That really did the trick...

I was just admiring my work..
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found

A real absorbing site.

That I got SO way into it.

I was into it all night.

Nothing's changed except my mouse

It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...

While I sit here on my hiney.

Author unknown

2 Shopping Days

Laurie and I went to Buffalo to a craft show and shopping on Sunday and I went to Erie yesterday. We didn't have as much luck as usual but we did both get this tree. It was at about the last booth and since we hadn't gotten anything for ourselves, we talked each other into it! It's about 3 feet high and placed in an old rusty coffee can.
I also found a couple new additions to my pumpkin collection. They were both on clearance.

The taller one seems to be made out of some kind of seed pod and the short on is wood.

I did get a little Christmas shopping done but still have lots to do. I already have gifts for a few that are the hardest to buy for so that helps. I really love to do it but get stressed out if I wait too long. How are you coming with your shopping?

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome!

A couple of my prim roses decided to bloom again now that the weather is cooler. We had 2 inches of snow when I got up this AM and it has snowed off and on all day.
I can't believe I never noticed this before! These round balls are left after my Japanese anemones bloom. Do you see how funny the one on the top right looks?
Now take a look at this one a few days later.
I have never noticed that this is how they reseed! I will be glad to share seeds but I'm not sure how to go about saving them. Can I harvest them now or do they need to dry and separate some? I guess there is always something new to learn in the garden!
I haven't gotten your seeds together yet but will be sending them soon.
If you would like to show us what is, or was, bloomin' where you are planted, just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky and add the address to this post on your blog.

Enjoy the tour!

Snickerdoodle!

All I need to do is hear that word or have it pop into my head and nothing will do until I have some! There is no other cookie that will kill my craving. Not even the store bought Snickerdoodles will do it. One of my customers knows I love them so she makes them for my birthday and Christmas. Snickerdoodles have a taste all their own, The only different ingredient is Cream of Tartar so that must be what makes them taste so different.

Jerzie seemed to enjoy them too. First she got some dough with a small spatula and then with the measuring spoon.
She helped when I was rolling them into balls by getting some on the spatula for me to add to the balls. It's a snowy day today in Western New York and a perfect day to make Snickerdoodles!

Snickerdoodles

1 cup soft shortening, half butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together. Roll into walnut size balls. Roll balls in mixture 2 Tblsp. sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon. Put 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 min. at 400 degrees. Makes about 6 dozen.

I think this recipe is also in every Betty Crocker Cook Book!

Food for Thought

If the cake is bad,

what good is the frosting?

Show and Tell

Today I'm showing you a couple wooden boxes that I painted. I had a book of labels that had several old time products as they were packaged several years ago.These were really fun to do. They were base coated with 2 colors before painting the design. They are sanded several times to show the basecoat colors.

I really like the Crayola design.

I don't do much painting anymore and really do miss it at times.

For more Show and Tell posts go over to Kelli's House.

Soup weather.

We're having another beautiful fall day! I have to work all day so I won't get to enjoy it too much. The yard is full of leaves again today and it is lovely to watch them slowly falling to the ground. We have snow in the forecast for the weekend so it will soon be soup weather again. One of my favorite things about autumn is soup. I love having a big pot of soup on the stove all day. This chicken noodle was cooked on a campfire when we were at Allegheny over Columbus day.
I only make a couple kinds and I don't have an actual recipe for any. This cauliflower cheese is a favorite. I just make a thickened cheese sauce, like I make for macaroni and cheese or broccoli cheese soup, and add cooked cauliflower.
I love to open the freezer and grab a bowl of soup and stick it in the microwave. Dinner is done! I do need some new soup ideas. What is your favorite? Do you use a recipe or just throw everything together?

A Perfect Day!

It's a perfect autumn day today. A great day for walking in the rustling leaves. This is what my backyard looked like this morning. When I wasn't busy with customers I put the answering machine on and went outside. This is what the backyard looks like now! I blew leaves and mowed the lawn for the last time. As you can tell by the trees I certainly didn't blow leaves for the last time.

This is where I put all the leaves. The city will pick them up sometime. I just hope it isn't for awhile since the trees out front are as covered with leaves still as the back ones.

I found this huge mushroom in the front yard. It was about the size of a softball. I don't know anything about mushrooms so I didn't pick it.

I'm not too happy about finding these! The tulips I planted in the spring are starting to come up! I thought it was okay to plant them then because they had flowered. Have you ever had this problem?

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome!

Today my post for Bloomin' Tuesday is a little different. We are having a seed swap for those that would like to participate. We still want the normal BT posts if you don't have any seeds to offer. I am offering free seeds of the blooms that I am showing, others might be interested in swapping. All you need to do is send me an e-mail (address listed in my profile) telling me which seeds you would like and your address. These will be offered on a first come first serve basis but I'm hopeful that I will have enough for everyone.

First, I have seeds for this blue balloon flower. Please keep in mind that they grow about 5 feet tall and bloom late summer.

I have a small amount of money plant seeds but they grow well so you shouldn't need many.

This is the plant in flower. They bloom in early spring and spread rapidly.

I keep this moon flower in a pot and store it in the basement for the winter. It is a perennial in warm climates. These bloom in the evening and will keep going as long as you remove the spent blooms. The seed pods are circular and very prickly! I have 2 pods and they are usually full of seeds.

There are perennial sweet peas. There are annuals also. Mine are all this pink color and once they get established they grow and climb wonderfully.

Last, but certainly not least, I have lots of double hollyhock seeds. As you can see by the picture, I have pink, red, and a soft peach (behind the pink). I also had some white. I have no idea which color the seeds are but will mix them up well so hopefully you will get some for each.

If this goes well I will be better about saving seeds from now on. Remember, you don't need to give me anything in return so don't be afraid to ask!
If you would like to swap seeds or show what is or has been bloomin' where you are planted, just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky. Don't forget to add a link to this post to your post.

Aaaarg!

Just in case you don't know aaarg....is the sound that pirates make, even princess pirates!I don't know about you but this pirate doesn't scare me at all, in fact, she just makes me smile!Jerzie loves the Backyardigans and her favorite episode right now is the pirate show. If you have never seen these they are great shows. A small group of characters play in the backyard together and have wonderful imaginary excursions. Each character is very different and one is even named Uniqua.

For a kid that didn't want to dress up she sure seemed to have a great time! She had to come to the store to see me and everyone enjoyed her visit.

She was anxious to get home and play with her new toy. I'm sure Mommy and Daddy had fun trying to calm her down for bed. This is what Halloween is all about!