City House

It has been over a month since the dogs and I have packed up the car and headed down the Interstate to the City House. The weatherman has given a good report so the driving should be uneventful.....If you don't count that shootout on the Interstate yesterday by Seattle, between two cars, yes, while driving in traffic!!! I won't go into anymore details as I am trying to put it out of my mind.

As promised, I have a report on Beth's version of the Scone recipe from the Blog Share last Wednesday.  Oh, My!....

Never, oh never, have I had scones like this!  I am used to having the hard-ish ones that look like they 'should' be good but really do fall short of what my eyes told my brain.

These, I will make again.  They are super tender but don't crumble and fall apart and make me think that someone should demand that the 'other' scones get a new name to go by, as the two are in no way related!

Please do not be deceived by the messy look of my example here.  I goofed up by taking the blackberries out of the freezer too soon.  I'm sure they would have held their shape better if still frozen.

My lack of experience in the baking realm didn't matter, with a great recipe and Beth's detailed instructions, even I turned out a product to be proud of.   Thanks Beth!    Here's the recipe.


I must be off my friends, I still have things to pack and makeup to put on, which for some reason takes longer and longer as the years go by...hmmm?

Have a happy Monday and I will try to come by your places after I get settled in this evening.  xo

Happy Friday

The end of another week and shortly we will welcome a new month. This summer is flying by and soon we will be talking about the changing leaves and that chill in the air.  With so many of you suffering from the heat, I'm sure it can not come too soon.

For now, we are still in summer and I am celebrating two flowers in my yard.  You will probably think nothing of these plants, but if you knew of the failures here at the Little House you would understand my 'happy dance'.

This Nasturtium, which was supposed to be 'blackish', is doing so well even though it isn't black at all...hmm..

The first summer here at the Little House, I would go to the beach down the road and pick up reclaimed wood and interesting shaped driftwood.  Right off, I found this wooden planter box that looks like it may have come off of a houseboat.  It is sturdy and has that perfect bleached out weathered look that fits in with all of the other treasures gifted from the sea.

So it was planted right up with Petunias and looked oh so very pretty.......for awhile.  Soon, it started shriveling up, behaving as if I was not watering it.  No amount of water or Miracle Grow seemed to help and I was left scratching my head.

The same thing happened the next year and the next.  Recently, after finding that thinking cap that always gets lost somewhere, I realized that it must have been the salt water.  Perhaps it had permeated the wood  and led to the death of the plants.

Not wanting that box to get the best of me, I decided that the salt would surely be gone from the wood by now, after all of the soakings I had given it trying to 'save' the plants.  So, I changed out all of the soil and in went new, fresh, organic goodness.  The seeds went in at the beginning of summer, and, as you can see...healthy, happy flowers!! 

This might appear to be a sad looking Hydrangea, but no.  I am jumping up and down and clapping because this is the first time since it has been put in, maybe 5 years ago, that it has had more than 3 deformed blooms.

I was going to move it to the North side of the house as I just found out they don't like direct, southern sun and probably not salty, misty wind either....Anyway, I am happy and had to share it.

This post was a bit longer than I had planned, so I will wish you all a very happy weekend.  I am still working on cleaning things out and packing out boxes to Goodwill so that is where you will find me.

Anything special on your list this weekend?

See you Monday with the report on the Blueberry Scones.   xo

Blog Share - Local Milk

Another Wednesday and that means, time for Blog Share. This is beginning to be the highlight of my week as I look forward to introducing you to a new friend.

 My goal for these posts are to bring to you something new and perhaps different than the regular blogs you follow.

 Today we meet Beth, who comes to us from Chattanooga Tennessee with her blog, Local Milk, where she shares her new found love of raw milk and the growing food community in Chattanooga.

At first I was drawn to this blog by the title 'Local Milk', as I have been toying with the idea of switching to raw milk.  In our state of Washington, it is available for purchase and legal, unlike some other states where there are stories of 'criminal' mothers buying raw milk for their families, a sad story for another day.

Once I landed on Beth's doorstep I forgot all about the milk and was caught up in her beautiful photography and a story of her beloved grandmother's cornbread.

It's not just a recipe she shares but a visit to her childhood and the love of that special person in her young life.  Please take the time to read this post here.

Lastly, I will leave you with this mouthwatering shot of 'Buttermilk & Berry Scones' which you will find here and I might add, I will be making a batch this weekend (I'll post about).

I do hope you enjoyed our visit to Beth's place and will take a moment to stop by and say, "Hi".

*

Regarding my Monday blue period, I am much better now, and thank you all for your kind words of support.  The sun is out and once again I am ready for a new and wonderful day!

I did the drawing this morning for the magazine gifts and drew out........Alison's name!!  Congratulations to Alison, please send me your mailing info and I will get it right out to you.  You can stop by and visit her at  Bonnie Lassie where she shares her love of plants and a journey of creating the garden of her dreams.

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!  xo

Attitude Adjustment

Hello my friends. I will get right to the point...I am working through a bit of the blues. To help with this, I have a small package that I will be sending off to one of you. While at the market, I picked up two copies of the latest issue of MaryJanesFarm. One for myself and one to send off.

Also, I will send along this 'already looked at' copy of, Where Women Cook summer issue... at the price of $14.99 a copy, I like to pass it along to someone else to enjoy instead of going in the recycle bin.

If you are interested in these magazines, then just tell me in your comment and I will draw a name Wednesday morning and announce it in the 'New to Me' blog share post.

Please do not be concerned about my mood.  I have always been an emotional person but ever since Kami's cancer treatment 'ended' I have been much more fragile...Very strange, as I was quite strong during her entire journey...go figure.

Anyway, I am trying to find a place to put the events of Aurora, it seems that it is just a jumble of puzzle pieces that I am standing over and just staring at...not knowing what piece to start with.  I should probably put the entire lot in the box and stick it on the shelf...yes, maybe that is what I'll do.

See you all on Wednesday.  xo

Prayers For Aurora

My heart is heavy for those affected by this tragic event in Aurora Colorado.

Only a very sick person could conjure up an act like this.

My prayers will be with the families of the wounded and dead, but also with those who are victims by witnessing what must have been a horrid sight. 


 Enjoy your loved ones this weekend. 


 Thank you all for being a special part of my life. xo

Blog Visit

It's Wednesday and time for another 'New To Me' blog share. I have been looking forward to this and have several new blogs lined up for future visits. Let's get right to it with this weeks feature...

Isn't that the cutest banner around?  Heather has brought this special place to life with a variety of the most interesting and unique treats that you could even imagine.

It is her desire, she explains in her 'About' section on her site, to make dessert beautiful, and there is no argument from me that she has accomplished that and more.

Here, we have a nice example in 'Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes' where she takes the reader, step by step, through the process to help make it attainable for us all (with practice I keep telling myself).

Hang on, I am sooo excited about these!  My husband is going to do flips....Ah.. just had a mental image of that, and, on second thought, he will just be very happy.

Cow Tales! Do you remember those, they still make them and my Mr. is crazy for them.  See, I told you she offered all kinds of things.

Enough of my yakking, you can go and visit Heather here at Sprinkle Bakes and see it all for yourself!

Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends!  xo

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend. Ours was nice, with much accomplished outdoors. Mostly the Mr. who spent many hours with a heavy duty weed eater in the field and the yard.

 
The area around The Shed had finally dried out enough for him to do a proper job of clearing out so I can actually get to it.

He even surprised me by clearing a pathway up the hillside...that will make for a much more pleasant walk.

The real treat is, that he has salvaged this frame and found some other old boards and is going to make this into a porch for my little Shed, it will be nice to have a landing in front of the door.

I am getting excited...little by little The Shed will come to life.

Off I go to fill boxes for a Goodwill run...now if I can just drop off and not go in...Ha!

Have a lovely day my friends.  xo

God's Pastels

This is the sunset that we had the other evening. It was spectacular and changed by the second.

It was like watching the artist painting on the canvas right before our eyes. Actually we were watching The Master...Thank you Lord for another masterpiece. 

Today is a bit different, as I prepared to head out to the garden, I noticed the southern sky getting dark and then heard the thunder in the distance, sure enough, a thunderstorm is on it's way, as predicted. Having a deep respect for this part of nature, I will be working on organizing the pantry instead.

I hope you all have a nice weekend...Any special plans?      xo

Raspberri Cupcakes - A Blog Share

Hello my friends, I hope you are all having a good week and are ready to visit a new blog. I have been meaning to start a regular feature, where I introduce you to a blog that is new to me, so on Wednesdays we will be doing just that.

On our very first 'New To Me Wednesday', I would like to introduce you to Steph, and her delightful blog, 'Raspberri Cupcakes', who come to us from Sydney.

I discovered Steph's blog just yesterday and got lost wandering around all of the beautiful photos and unique, yummy recipes.  One example, above, is, 'Green Tea Raspberry Trifles', just gorgeous!

How about this 'Chocolate Cupcake Fudge', can you imagine the hit this would be at the next birthday bash?

Here is a nice example of why I feel Steph's offerings are so unique.  In the midst of all of the sugary goodness, she surprises us with, 'Mandarin & Jasmine Tea Cup Jellies with Raspberries'.  So feminine...I can imagine the ladies of the Bridge Club, would most definitely approve.

Lastly, I could not resist these precious 'Christmas Tree Cupcakes', they are minis of chocolate cake with peppermint icing, yum! 

If you want new ideas and inspiration for you next bake, I encourage you to go and visit Steph and her happy blog, Raspberri Cupcakes, a trip you will glad you took.



I do hope you enjoyed our first blog share, I look forward to next Wednesday and another new one. 

Have a sweet day, my friends!  xo

The Family Handyman $4.99 YR

Here is another offer too good to keep to myself. This is the offer today from

Slickdeals.net  and is a new one to me. It looks like it would be helpful so I will be ordering 

it for my Mr.

Here is the link just enter code# 5261 were indicated and at the end of checkout, your total should be $4.99.


The next time we meet, I am going to share a baking blog that I just discovered...it is lovely

and I am looking forward to showing you.



Off to run some errands and then back to the garden...again! 

Have a great day, friends.   xo

Taste of Home $3.99 YR

Hello friends, Happy Monday! I do hope you all had a glorious 4th and maybe even a few extra days off like we had.

 I came across this good deal this morning and wanted to share it before it get's away. Many of you enjoy Taste of Home and you can't beat this deal of $3.99 for a years subscription.

I gave it to Miss 'E' last year for her birthday, it makes a great thrifty gift and is much appreciated.

Here is the info....Go here and where is asks for a code put in #5688 and at the end of checkout it should reflect the savings and total will be $3.99.

Remember, this usually only lasts one day.

Have a great Monday...see you tomorrow.  xo

Pavlova Reveal And A Share

Good day all, and a beautiful one it is here in our little corner of the world.

 I do hope you all had a special 4th in what ever way you chose to celebrate. We started out by going to the Parade in our little city of Anacortes. It was delightful as usual, with all of the kids on their bikes, horses, local businesses and the likes and flags, flags, flags, we loved it.

I made the Pavlova, as you can see below. I have more practice to do and a new recipe to use next time.  The chickens were ready to help with the taste test as soon as I put it on the table.

Here is the photo that my Mr. took...Great shot, honey!



I have been doing a bit of a clean out of my cookbooks and must admit, having a hard time parting with some of them.  There is no choice, as space is running out and I keep getting new ones, so some must go.

To make it easier, I decided to give some away.  Below is Martha's Baking book that I have not used, just looked some things up for reference.  It is in great shape so I am sending in off in the mail to one of you.

I put the names of all who commented on my last post, into a hat and came up with Heather from Vintage Grey.  Congratulations Heather, if you would email me your info, I will get it right off to you.  If you have it or don't care to, that is alright too...We can just choose another name.

The garden is calling my name....Actually, the chickens are pointing out that the wild greens are ready to be harvested for their culinary enjoyment.  Off I go then..

Have a nice day my friends!  xo

Source of image here.

We're In The Honey

Another 'new beginning Monday'. Hello friends, I hope you all are refreshed from a sweet weekend.

 Speaking of a sweet weekend.....You are not going to believe this, we are still pinching ourselves this morning. Yesterday, when the Mr. went to put a pollen patty in the year old hive, he noticed, a flurry of bee activity about 15 feet from the hive that now houses the swarm from last weekend. He went over to the neighbors tarp covered trailer, only to discover...another 'swarm'!

He came home and rushed to get the new hive box that he just purchased on Friday, it hasn't even been painted.

I got my bee gear on too in case I needed to help out.  I felt safe enough to get right in there and get some good shots for you all.

I love how the bees look suspended in mid air!  I am so pleased with the camera on my phone...not bad.

My honey watching them make their way in to their new home..He did have to do some mild encouraging.

This makes 3 swarms coming all within about a 100ft radius.  We are trying to figure out why this is happening...it looks as though they keep coming down from the hillside.  If anyone knows about this, we would love your thoughts on this.



On to the big Happy Birthday USA, party on the 4th.  I'm sure you all have your menu planned and will be having the family favorites as usual and perhaps a few new items as well.

I will be trying my hand at a Mixed Berry Pavlova, and in keeping with the 'red, white and blue' theme, will be adding blueberries too.

Isn't this one a beauty?  I searched for an image but this one came with a recipe too, you can find it here.

My question to you....Have you ever made Pavlova and, if so, how did it go?

I will be brave once again and share the results of my endeavor...fingers crossed that it goes better than the Macaron caper.

Have a lovely day, I will be off to the Bee Supply later, to replenish our hive boxes...just in case!    xo