A Leola's get-together -- Pam's birthday

Last week we celebrated Pam's birthday with a little party at my house. Brenda made her chicken salad and egg salad that she used to make for her tearoom "The Lodge". She had the tearoom several years ago in a big flea market in Ozark and it was wonderful -- especially her food. She made the edible bowls out of refrigerator biscuits that she stretched over small pyrex bowls and baked in the oven. It was a great idea and totally edible. I fixed bruschetta with tomatoes I bought at farmer's mkt. and my very own basil and garlic. I purchase asiago cheese bread from Panera (they make their own bread) and grill it in the oven with olive oil, garlic and parmesan cheese. Then top it with my tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil mixture -- nothing better. We added some delicious watermelon and what a feast! The cupcakes are Judy's and she served them on a cupcake holder she purchased in Door Co.

Brenda fixed a wine drink. She cut up fresh peaches, added some sugar and let it set for about an hour. You drink the wine then serve the peaches for dessert. Yummy!!!!So happy birthday to Pam. Our next birthday will be Brenda's in July. Hope everyone has a great week and finds some reason to celebrate. I'm celebrating the fact that it's cooler and dryer in Missouri and Linda's bringing her tiller over to help in my garden. I took the day off from Leola's and plan to get caught up on a few things.

Door County, Wisconsin & my 200th post....

The pictures below were taken in Door County, Wisconsin. It's such a beautiful place. You feel like you're at the ocean but you're actually on Lake Michigan. There's one little village after another lined up along the shoreline. We stayed in Fish Creek. There are no McDonald's or Applebee's. Everything is home-owned. Do you know how wonderful it is to not see a Walmart for 3 days! What is incredible is that the same shops and restaurants are there now that were there when we first went there years ago -- or almost all. No one has come in to run them out of business. The beaches are incredible and what you rarely ever see is litter. I didn't see one dirty diaper while walking on the beach: no plastic Walmart bags and no McDonald's cups. It's truly an amazing place.
These pictures were taken on a trip to one of the several lighthouses in the area. We even picked up shells to bring home.

Linda and Jean are setting in front of a whole row of lilac bushes. The aroma was amazing.

Here we are in front of the lighthouse.

We had such a good time. Next time we're just going to stay in Door County for a week. Maybe in the fall.


Today is my 200th blog. Who would ever believe I would have that much to say!!! This has turned out to be far more fun then I ever dreamed and I've made so many new friends. I'm amazed at all the changes in my life since I started and how much I've grown because of it. Thanks to all who continue to read my blog and to all those who take the time to leave a comment and continue to give me encouragement. It means more then I can ever say. Have a great weekend.

Augusta Restaurant in Iowa....

This was one of our favorite restaurants on our trip. They had a homemade sign on their window that they had the best pork tenderloin sandwiches in Iowa and we agree (not that we've eaten any other pork tenderloin sandwiches in Iowa but these were something else). They were served with sweet potato chips. We had them cut ours in half and we shared but we could have quartered them and had enough. Is this not a beautiful plate of food?

The couple who own the restaurant were originally from Iowa but had moved to New Orleans. After Katrina they decided to move to Augusta and open a restaurant.
For dessert I had the yummiest strawberry shortcake and the other girls had beniets (sp.) with chocolate filling and chocolate drizzled on the top. It was almost a religious experience.

We loved this poster! Is it not the truth! Mike wouldn't dance unless he had a couple of beers & most men I know are the same way.

It is very hot in Mo. this week. I'm sure we hit 100 today and I'm having the women from Leola's for dinner in celebration of Pam's b'day. There will be no dining on the porch tonight.

Happy Father's Day....

I couldn't let Father's Day go by without paying tribute to Allison's Dad. Mike loved his Allison more then he ever dreamed he would love a child. I'm not sure that he saw himself as a father until she was here and he was instantly the devoted Dad. He never thought he was babysitting when he was alone with her -- he realized he was her father and was equally responsible. He was almost always the parent who got up with her at night because I was never good at missing sleep. When she woke in the night, she yelled "Daddy" because he was the one who usually showed up. He was a wonderful, loving Dad who continued to give Allison love and support until the day he died. He loved her dearly which is a huge part of why she's grown to be the person she is. This has been a rough Father's Day for her but thankfully, when you have 3 little kids who need you it doesn't give you much time for pondering. She's lucky to have a supportive husband who is also a devoted and loving father for her children to help her through the rough times.

He may be gone from us but he will never be forgotten. Happy Father's Day, Mike!

We're home....

It was so good to be home after 7 nights in other peoples' beds. Especially where we stayed on Thursday night in order to get to Walnut bright & early for the sale. It was so bad that we all put our t-shirts over the pillows and cleaned everything with antibacterial wipes. But for the most part, we had a wonderful trip and came home with lots of treasures and wonderful memories.

I have so many things I want to write about but so many of you wanted to see more of Sharon of Sweet Repose blog & her new shop WHITE so thought I'd show some pictures of that today.

This is Sharon and myself in her shop. As you can see, she did a wonderful painting technique on her walls. The shop is pretty small but a great place for showing off Sharon's many talents. Is there anything that woman can't do? She has the cutest lampshades (sorry, I didn't get a picture) and Jean is going to start selling some of her soaps and votives at Leola's. I've ordered her soaps before and their fragrance is incredible.


There's a small courtyard out a side door and she has it fixed so cute.

Can you believe she has straw on the floor inside. I'm not sure how you'd vacuum but I'm guessing not often. Anyway, it's a fun idea and looks great.

She did several pieces of furniture including an old table with linen-looking old fabric and just nailed it with little black tacks. Some things were fringed but none were hemmed. The rocking chair was great.

You can see she's used straw outside too.

Anyone who thinks there's nothing in Iowa would be in for a shock. We just hit one little town after another (most historical) that had great shopping and the best little restaurants. Tomorrow I'll tell about one that we found in a little, tiny town that was the best food and the most interesting couple who owned it.

I'm off to the store to get a chicken for dinner. The kids are coming after they swim for awhile. My garden had grown like crazy while I was gone and I've been pulling weeds and tieing up tomatoes all morning. I picked tons of salad greens and a big bunch of basil so we're having pesto, roasted chicken and a big ole salad for dinner. It's so good to be home.

Alive & well in Door County

We made it to Fish Creek but on our way we stopped at Sharon of Sweet Repose's little shop WHITE in Palo, Iowa. We found lots of treasures and wished that we had brought a truck. Sharon is somewhat of a character and seemed to fit right in with all us crazy Routh sisters. We visited, shopped and laughed and got back on the road.

We're having such a great time in this beautiful part of the country. We've hit every junk store & antique store between here and Missouri and have eaten wonderful food and have talked until we're hoarse. The weather is warm and sunny through the day and cool at night. The lilacs are just blooming here and tulips have just finished.

Below is a picture taken at Egg Harbor.

I may not blog again until we get home but wanted everyone to kind of see why we love this part of the country. Later!

Road trip -- YEA!!!!!

I'm taking about 10 days vacation from blogging while my sisters & I go on a road trip. We are so ready to climb into that big ole Suburban of Jean's & get the heck out of Dodge. We're leaving Friday and heading to Iowa. We're going to Sisters' Antiques in Kalona and then to Palo to meet my blogging friend Sharon (Sweet Repose) at her new shop , White. Then on to Door County for a few days at a Fish Creek cottage. Eventually, we will end up back in Iowa at the Walnut, Iowa, antique show. A lot of miles, but we have lots of time. So I'll be back on Father's Day and will most likely have lots of stories to tell and pictures to share.

Rhubarb cake......

My garden is looking sooooo excellent. My zucchini and eggplant that I planted in my front flower bed is really doing well. Apparently the squash beetles have not figured it out yet that I pulled a fast one on them . The big yellow flowers look great with all the green in those beds.

My rhubarb finally got big enough to pick so I made my rhubarb cake that my family loves so much. It is a really easy recipe and the top just has cinnamon & sugar so no icing. It's actually very good as a coffee cake for breakfast.

This recipe came from Nona McGee, one of my mother's cousins, but we always thought of her as an aunt. She was such a sweet lady and always loved talking to me about gardens, cooking and sharing recipes. Most people don't think they like rhubarb but if you try this recipe, you'll change your mind.

RHUBARB CAKE (350 degrees for 40 - 50 min.)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup soft butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk (you can add 2 tsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk & let set for 3 min.
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb

Sift dry ingredients and set aside. Mix brown sugar with butter until well mixed, add egg and vanilla. Alternately add buttermilk and flour until thoroughly mixed then fold in rhubarb. Mix together 1/4 cup sugar with 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spread cake batter in 9 x 13 inch cake pan & sprinkle sugar/cinnamon on top. Bake 40 to 50 minutes. Enjoy.

Garage sale Friday and Saturday at Leola's....

Friday was garage sale heaven in Springfield. The first one I went to I bought 3 of these quilts that I'm certain are from the late 1800's. They have real homespun on the backs that are the real narrow strips and are completely handquilted. Unfortunately, they are filthy. I'm not certain how to clean them because the homespun isn't real strong. I'll check with the Quilt Shop in Springfield.
This white table is so neat. It would be the perfect height for a potting table but would also be great behind a couch. I'm taking it to Leola's tomorrow since we sold so many tables on Saturday.

These were part of the treasures we had outside. If I even mention having a tag sale or a garage sale, I hope someone slaps me. It's so much work and almost everything we sold was inside.

Kelli is buying the red lawn furniture (there's a chair too). She's going to use it by her pool this summer then in the fall she's using it in her house. She's painting it pink and putting new cushions on it. What a great idea! Sage and Allison came to help. Sage was on a mission to sell 2 toy sets that he had brought (he's a little money-hungry). So guess who bought them -- his Aunt Judy. She bought them and packed them in my car and sent them home with me. What's ironic is that Mike and I bought them for him originally. He's a born salesman.

Sage is trying out the new tub I bought. The kids have always loved taking a bath on my backporch in the summertime. Unfortunately, my old tub was getting a bit small so this one looked perfect.

Kristi and her mom, Jeanne, also brought things for the sell. They sold a ton of stuff. She had the greatest treasures and not one dealer came. Boy, did someone lose out.

I loved Kristi's lamp.

Poison ivy update: It's doing really well but I now have hives from the medicine. Itch, itch, itch! Kelli is working for me tomorrow and I'm taking my car for new brakes. I'm also trying to get ready for the trip with my sisters starting on Friday. I need a vacation.

Sale at Leola's

I'm off to Leola's this morning to set up for our parking lot sale. I'm taking some great things so hope it's a big success. Allison is going to help me which will be great. My car looks like The Beverly Hillbillies and to top it off, my license plate in front is hanging because I couldn't get it off last night. It was getting too dark to see and my patience was wearing thin so Allison suggested I just drive with it like that and maybe it would fall off. Have you ever noticed that when you are the most exhausted is when nothing quite works out as planned. Why on earth would the friggin' license plate not just come off!!!!! And did I mention that it was hot and my poison ivy was itchin' like crazy.

Anyway, I'm hoping for a great day so I'll have lots of money to take on my trip.

I'll also have to post tomorrow and show my garage sale finds from Friday. Did I hit the mother-load or what!!! I bought the most gorgeous pine doors with the original black iron hardware that came from an old cabin in Mississippi. They've never even had a finish on them. Also, very old quilts backed with homespun. Can't wait to post pictures but no time today. Off to Ozark!!

Jellymaking......

Judy made this black bean certerpiece for her birthday party on my backporch.

What a treat this winter to open this up and spread on french toast or a biscuit.

The last few weeks I've been checking out recipes for jelly. I've always just used the old standard Sure jell which is really good but only makes about 3 pints at a time. My thoughts were always that you couldn't mess with a jelly/jam recipe -- it was one that had to be exact. Apparently, not so.

After studying the way Annaliese http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/ made her jelly and jams, I contacted her and she sent me very helpful advice. She just says put in this much fruit, this much sugar & this much pectin and see how you like it. She also makes large batches and keeps them in the freezer. Apparently, it stays so much fresher. I've always left mine out because it's sealed and it looks good. Her sealing method is to sanitize the bottles in the oven while you're mixing it up & then just pour the hot liquid into the hot jars, put the lid on and listen for that lovely little "pop".

I ended up with 6 jars and they look beautiful and the consistency looks perfect. Thanks Annaliese for your help. Can't wait for the peaches to come in.

Don't forget Leola's tag sale on Saturday morning if you're anywhere near Ozark. There will be lots of treasures. We're opening at 8:oo on the parking lot before it gets hot.