Man, is it ever hot.....

It is crazy hot here in southwest Missouri and the humidity makes it even worse.  We keep getting these pop-up showers so it has stayed green but all the rain has made it incredibly humid.  I know, I'm whining and I promised myself this winter that I wouldn't whine about hot weather again.  Well, I was wrong!  It's just been a crazy summer and now in just 2 1/2 weeks my grands start back to school.

My garden is doing ok but I didn't do as much in the garden as I normally do thinking the house would sell before I reaped the benefits.  The sweet annie that re-seeds itself every year is growing like crazy.  It's what I dry every fall and sell at Leola's.

 

 

I've also managed to make some jelly.  On the agenda today is to go to my favorite farm stand and buy locally grown peaches and make my peach jelly.

 

 

Had an open house this weekend and haven't had any feedback.  It's just a waiting game.  It's only been 2 weeks back on the market so patience is the keyword here......

 

 

Hope you have a good day and a good week and stay cool!

 

 







Rain, rain go away.....

I know I shouldn't complain but I'm so tired of this.  Let's get on with summer.....

 

It's certainly making for some beautiful flowers.

 

And in case anyone is interested....here's the latest chapter of my saga.  I got an estimate for all the work that has to be done to get the house hooked up to city sewer.  YIKES!!!!  Not an inexpensive project!  Had to go yesterday and get the paperwork done at the city water department and pay the almost $1000 for that.  Next on the agenda is to get started on the actual work and with all the rain, they'll wait to start it next week.  Then they start digging up the back yard.

 

I'm trying to concentrate on getting things cleaned out and packed.  With all the rain, I'm constantly pulling weeds and trying to keep the yard looking good.  The garden is going crazy.

 

Hope everyone is making it through this crazy weather we're having.  Looks like if we can make it through the tropical storm this week then we'll be rewarded with lots of sun and warm temps for awhile.  It's about time!!!!

 



Rain, rain go away.....

We have had incredible amounts of rain in the last week and lots of flooding.  Luckily, we've not had flooding in my neighborhood but we are way too soggy.  Usually August brings hot and dry weather in Missouri but this year has certainly been the exception.  Last year it was so dry that we weren't allowed to water our lawns or our gardens.  This year because of so much rain our gardens are not producing.  Thought it was just mine but now I find most gardeners are having difficulties.  I have lots of tomatoes but they're green.  Did notice a little color in these.....

 

 My swiss chard has done well as has my green beans.

 This was the rain water that accumulated in one night and early morning rain.

Rain is still in our forecast until the end of next week.....if we don't float away first.

These are some of the little log cabins that I bought at an auction a few weeks ago.  They were so dirty, unglued, warped, and parts missing.  Lucky for me, I have a neighbor who is helping me with them.  He's handcarved pieces and completely reglued them.  We also had to re-do all their little lights.  There are a total of 5 buildings.  There's a house, school, church and 2 mills.  Also came with an outhouse and well-house.  My plan is to take them to Leola's for our holiday open house.  It's going to be hard to let them go.

Hope you can see the bear-skin.

I did these in sepia when I was editing them but they're all the redwood color.

Two of the buildings are still being worked on so I'll show those later. 

They were all handmade by a man in Stotts City, Missouri, and he's signed them and they're dated.  Just think they're such a treasure.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Say a prayer that the rain ends soon for all those so devastated by the flooding.

Living the simple life......

   I've tried so hard in the last few years to live a more simple life.  It's almost become a game with me to find areas where I can cut back or make do with something that I thought was a throw-away.  It's amazing what I've been able to do in my own backyard.  First of all, I hang as much laundry out as I can (no underwear....ever) but my sheets and bedding always.  I even hang most of my clothes now including jeans, t-shirts, p.j.'s, linen outfits and all my vintage linens that I take to the shop.  Lots of the time, I don't even need to iron them.  The electric dryer is seldom used.  I've noticed a big difference in my electricity bill this summer.

 

My garden which isn't that large gives me so much.  Not only do I get my veggies but I also have lots of garlic, basil, chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, arugula (just found out it's an herb), mint & oregano.  This summer I've been drying my herbs and putting them in bottles to use this winter.  I'm loving them and I know where they come from and that they're totally organic.

I cut more lavender today and will dry it.  My plan is to make little lavender pillows to put on your bed.  It's supposed to help you have a more peaceful sleep.  My sweet annie is growing like crazy and soon I'll be able to harvest it and sell at Leola's.  The hydrangeas have already been dried and hung in bunches at the shop.  All these things basically pay for my garden.....what a deal!

 

I've almost completely stopped eating fast food (sometimes I can't help myself) and have noticed a change in the way I feel.  The biggest change is making my own bread.  All I have to do is have a sandwich made with store-bought bread to realize that it has a terrible effect on my stomach.  It saves because I make smaller loaves and have very little waste.  Besides that, it's yummy!

 

Anyway, I'm continually looking for ways to simplify.  My lifestyle definitely isn't for everyone but it works for me and I love it.

Here are a few projects I've been working on.  These are some quilts that I bought at the great auction last weekend.  Thinking I might use some that are not in great shape and make stockings for Christmas.  Not certain what I'll do with the rest but love the way they all look together.

 

 

These are some of the wooden utensils I bought.  They were all dried out so I put oil on all and what a difference.  

The weather is incredible today and has been a good day to get things done on the back porch.  So nice to have these little breaks during the summer.  Also, the garden loves it.

Better get the laundry off the line.....looks like rain!

For the love of primitives......

It's been awhile since I've posted......in case anyone noticed.  This summer is going by so fast and I spend every day trying to keep the garden watered and the yard from being totally brown.  It's just too hot for the garden to do much but have to keep it watered so that when it does cool down, I'll still have a garden.

We've been busy at Leola's so have had to fit in some time for finding inventory.  I've decided to do primarily primitives and good, early pieces that maybe cost more but are a worthwhile investment.  Have managed to find some wonderful things and took time last night to spruce up my room at Leola's.

It was so hard for me to sell this table......I wanted it in my house!  There are also 6 of the pine chairs.  The table opens out into a big square that could easily seat 9 - 12 people.

Check out the beautiful secretary/china cupboard.  It's a really early piece and would be great filled with white ironstone.

Tonight I'm going with friends to see James Taylor.  It will be a nice break and I love his music.  Can't wait!

Have a great week and pray for rain!!!!

My niece told me I might have too much time on my hands if I'm taking pictures of my meals, but this was just too good to pass up.

Pesto is one of my favorite things about summer.  Since I didn't have spaghetti pasta  (which is what I usually use) I used some large shells.  So good!!!!  It's especially yummy with some roasted chicken added to it.

My other favorite thing about summer is fresh bruschetta.  I had my own homegrown tomatoes, green onions, garlic and basil.  This is Panera's asiago cheese bread toasted with olive oil and a little Parmesan cheese.  You should see my sweet Phoebe eat this....she loves it. 

My garden is so beautiful right now.  Even with the dry weather, it's looking so good.  The green beans are blooming as are the squash and cucumbers.  There are little peppers hanging and the herbs are going crazy.  My neighbor has given me zucchini and I've been making the zucchini chips that are on my Pinterest.  You just slice them really thin, put a little olive oil on them with salt & a little pepper and bake them until they're brown (I use a high temp).  Sometimes I don't let them get very brown but take them off the cookie sheet and put them on a paper towel and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Really watch them closely because they brown in a flash. This is definitely one way to get your kids to eat zucchini.

My sisters and I are going antiquing for a few days.  We're hitting our favorite haunts in Iowa and plan to stay in Bonaparte for a few days.

This is where we stay......Bonaparte B & B.  It was an old glove factory that they have made into a B & B and they take such good care of their guests.

Bonaparte's Retreat is the restaurant across the street.  It's a cute little Amish community where everything is home-owned.  Sits on the DesMoines River.

Anyway, as always, I'll take lots of pictures and hopefully, find lots of treasures.

A hot summer Sunday......

Well, according to my thermometer, it's 100 degrees.  It has just been miserable the last week or so & it just saps me of my energy (or that's the excuse I'm useing this week).  I had 3 g'kids on Fri. night and then just Stella last night.  It was a full weekend and I'm pooped.  To top it all off, a real estate agent called right after I got home from taking Stella home & asked if she could show the house.  Can you just imagine how it looked after my weekend.  So I rushed around cleaning everything, baking some cupcakes (so the house would smell good) and making all the beds.  Then, just as I started to leave, she called back and said they wouldn't be able to come -- they'd have to reschedule.  By that time I was sweating like crazy and starving.  I'm sure there was a good reason but they must not understand what most people go through when there house is shown.

The first contract was brought to me on Friday night and it was rediculous.  I know houses have really decreased in value but I took that into consideration when I priced the house.  For one thing, I don't have to sell it and I won't if  I can't get enough that I can buy another one.  It just seems to have turned into a big game and it's not much fun.

The garden is looking great (thanks to a couple of showers & my continual watering) but I'm having a problem with my green beans.  At first the rabbits were eating their leaves but now that's stopped and a bug is having a hayday eating the leaves.  Anyone know what it is and will Seven powder be ok to use when the plants are blooming.  I would love to be an organic gardener but there are just too many bugs in Missouri.

We're having a little issue with Japanese Beetles but I've checked and that's not the culprit.  It looks to be a small bug that is similar to a ladybug but orange/gold coloring.  Seems there's always something in the garden.

My gladiolas are beautiful.  They're just starting to bloom as is my crepe myrtle.  The crepe myrtles are beautiful all over Springfield but for some reason, mine are slow to bloom.  Maybe I trimmed them to much.  Boy, do the Japanese Beetles love crepe myrtle. 

Should be working on my chair but think I'll spend the rest of the afternoon with my current book.  I'm reading Janet Evanovich's Smokin' Seventeen.  If you've never read any of her books, you're really missing out.  But you should really start out with the first of the series.

Have a good week and stay cool!

A gorgeous summer weekend......

It was a beautiful summer weekend in the Ozarks.  It cooled down a little on Saturday so it was a great day to work outside.  Worked in the garden then had a call that someone wanted to see the house so sister Judy came by and we went to Leola's.  It was a very busy day and we got there just in time to help Kristi out.    Love it when it's like that.

Also, my kids came home from a week at the beach.  I had missed them but Allison kept me in touch with them with constant pictures.  They look so darn cute with that beachy bronze glow & their little brown feet in their flip flops.

I also managed to stop at one garage sale on Saturday and found a spinning wheel.  It was all in pieces but easily went back together.  I love the old wood that looks oiled & the old metal parts.  Does anyone know anything about these.  Do I dare glue it together or was it supposed to come apart.    Not sure what to do with it but I love it.

And my friend brought this wonderful bird cage over for me to babysit for awhile.  She runs out of room for her things sometimes so she brings some that she loves over for me to store.  I think this birdcage may stay on my back porch for the summer.  I'm thinkin' I'll put some of my battery candles in it.

Tomorrow is my work day at Leola's so that's where I'll be heading.  Something tells me that the shop will be in a mess after the busy weekend.

Have a wonderful week.

Visiting my favorite greenhouse......

My favorite greenhouse to visit is Steinert's.  It is amazing!  I love the lady who owns it because she reminds me of me.  She has owned this greenhouse for many years and runs it by herself with a small staff of mostly women that I recognize year after year.  It's so comforting to me to have something stay the same -- in a world that changes way too fast. 

I had my second realtor come today and thinking I'll go with him.  He's very positive but doesn't pull any punches.  The market is down but he says houses are selling.  You may not get what you want but when you look for one to buy, maybe you can get a better buy on it.  It is what it is and no amount of fixing-up will make this more then a 3-bedroom house with 2 baths & lots of steps (not to mention the HUD house sitting empty next door).  If there's to be a change in my life, I'm the one to make it so this will be my first step.  Wish me luck & you might mention me in a prayer or 2 although I'm thinkin' God must be pretty busy these days taking care of more important issues.

Hope you have a great weekend.  It's so hot here that I'm having to water everyday.  It's crazy!

House for sale.....

Yep -- I'm going to do it.  I'm selling my house.  I've lived here 28 years and change is what I'm needing.  It will officially go on the market right after Memorial weekend so if you know anyone who's interested, it's still not listed.  It was so pretty in the backyard this morning and I wanted to cut flowers for Leola's so here are some pictures.

This is my huge sage plant.  I put it in the year my Sage was born.  Maybe I can take a start of of it.



Can you believe I found 4 - 4-leaf clovers in my backyard this morning.  Think this is going to be a really good day for me.  Thought I'd take one to sister Judy for her birthday (it's today).

We're getting ready for our "celebrate outdoor spaces" at Leola's this weekend so have to go paint some more.  If you're near Ozark this weekend, you should stop in.  It's going to be amazing.  We've even redone our porch.

Have a great weekend!

Spring fever.....

What do you do when your house is a wreck and you've invited people for Easter dinner?  Guess I'll figure it out.  Seems my house hasn't really been "in order" since Christmas.  I've developed a method of moving stacks, baskets and furniture from one room to another which gives me temporary relief but then I end up dragging it all back out again.  I just really need a workshop.

I've been trying to figure out what to do with this bench.  Way too many hours have been spent on it already so I need to just get it done and quit worrying about it.

Had to drag it back in on the porch when it started raining.  Would just like to have one completed project.  I spend a few hours a day in the garden trying to get it in shape -- kind of a daunting task but it's looking better and there are a few things planted.  My plan is still to put the house on the market but just can't get to that point.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Rhubarb cake recipe.....

My rhubarb is really growing in the garden.  If you're one of the many who have never tried rhubarb, you are in for a real treat if you try my cake. 

Rhubarb Cake
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups cut-up rhubarb

Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Grease and flour 9 X 13" pan.  Cream brown sugar, butter and egg together.  Add vanilla.  Sift flour, soda and salt together.  Add alternately with buttermilk.  Fold in rhubarb.

Pour into baking pan and sprinkle with sugar & cinnamon mixture.  Bake one hour at 350 degrees.

It's a wondeful cake and works great for a coffee cake.

My garden is doing really well even though it's in need of a good rain.  I've planted 2 tomato plants but will plant more next week.  In Mo. it's best to wait until the first part of May for tomatoes. 

I'm trying to go out everyday and do a little work so the weeds don't get a chance to grow.  So far it's worked.  I love being able to go out and have lunch out of the garden.