Back Porch Musings

2010-10-07T21:25:00.002-05:00

Follow me to:
http://backporchmusings.typepad.com/

My archives will remain here, for the time being, but I will have no new posts here, at blogspot.

Thanks to everyone for being so supportive through this change!

Moving to New Blog Address

2010-09-16T08:13:00.001-05:00

While clicking and clicking this morning, I managed to get this page back. Still no custom domain.com. That is gone forever, I am afraid. I’m now posting on blogspot.com, for the purpose of relaying the address for Back Porch Musings’ new home.

I hope you all will visit me at:

http://backporchmusings.typepad.com

Thanks so much!

Pat

Tidbits

Bradford Pear Blossom

Monday morning, we made a quick trip to Wentzville MO, were J was having a blood draw at Quest Diagnostics. Nothing to worry about, we are making progress with the pesky Pro Time.

As I waited in the car, listening to the radio and reading, I glanced out the window and thought I was seeing things.

The parking lot, at Quest, is lined with Bradford Pear trees.

Normally, in our neck of the woods, Bradford Pear blooms in early Spring. This one appears to be confused.

I attracted attention, as I was getting a closer look and capturing a photo or two. The expressions on various faces didn’t deter me from my mission.

I wonder if folks were focused on the quirky little old white haired lady, with the camera, and missed the phenomena of a September blooming Bradford Pear; I hope not.

This fellow, not believing his eyes, moved in for a closer look at the tree and the photographer.

My camera is with me at all times. Not for possible blog opportunities, but rather the passion I have for photography. I had an interest in photography long before I began Back Porch Musings, in 2007. Because of Back Porch Musings, my interest grew. I hope the passion continues, when Back Porch Musings is a distant memory.

A carousel ride…

A few days ago I visited my cousin’s Facebook page and was absolutely delighted with a photo, I saw.

Sad to say, many times senior citizens are dismissed as confused and a tad quirky, if not downright loopy. I’m sure similar thoughts were going through the mind of at least one of the people watching me “dance” around the “confused” pear tree, clicking away with my trusty Canon.

My cousin’s 70th birthday is in December. I smiled when I saw the Facebook photo, taken while she rode a carousel. The photo’s title, 7 or 70.

I’m not sure, with my short chubby legs, I could climb upon a carousel horse. I might give it a try, for my 70th birthday in three years….or maybe sooner. Until then, I’ll enjoy the Camaro…another kind of carousel ride.

Blog Confusion….perhaps….

I continue to enjoy blogging and am amazed at the number on the Follow list. It was two years ago next month, when that list began to grow, not long after I added the Follow widget. I’ve never asked anyone to follow, the list just grew.

I think, at times, we are taken in by numbers and confused by the competitive nature that sometimes happens in the land of blog.

The advice of this little old white haired lady is to blog because you love it.

I completely understand having an interest in numbers if your business is connected with your blog. But if you are blogging as a hobby, forget about the numbers and competition. Someone somewhere is reading your blog and benefitting from your efforts, whether they stop by and tell you or not. You touch the lives of others, without being aware of doing so.

Relax, enjoy the process. I’ve always said, when the Back Porch becomes work, I’ll stop blogging. I’ve slowed down a time or two, when it began to feel like a job rather than a hobby. I’ve begun to do a few more posts, lately. It just happens. I don’t plan it. If a project, day trip or meal looks like it will work for the Back Porch, I’ll take some photos and put together a draft.

I believe a laid back approach to blogging works for me. Otherwise, blogging just might take over my life and I would miss out on confused pear trees and carousel rides.

Thanks to all who read Back Porch Musings. I truly appreciate your visits.

Thank you, also, for indulging this senior with her rambling little story of the confused tree and other things.

Moving to New Blog Address

2010-09-14T04:56:00.002-05:00

I hope you all will visit me at:

http://backporchmusings.typepad.com

Thanks so much!

Pat

Tidbits

Bradford Pear Blossom

Monday morning, we made a quick trip to Wentzville MO, were J was having a blood draw at Quest Diagnostics. Nothing to worry about, we are making progress with the pesky Pro Time.

As I waited in the car, listening to the radio and reading, I glanced out the window and thought I was seeing things.

The parking lot, at Quest, is lined with Bradford Pear trees.

Normally, in our neck of the woods, Bradford Pear blooms in early Spring. This one appears to be confused.

I attracted attention, as I was getting a closer look and capturing a photo or two. The expressions on various faces didn’t deter me from my mission.

I wonder if folks were focused on the quirky little old white haired lady, with the camera, and missed the phenomena of a September blooming Bradford Pear; I hope not.

This fellow, not believing his eyes, moved in for a closer look at the tree and the photographer.

A carousel ride…

A few days ago I visited my cousin’s Facebook page and was absolutely delighted with a photo, I saw.

My cousin’s 70th birthday is in December. I smiled when I saw the Facebook photo, taken while she rode a carousel. The photo’s title, 7 or 70.

Blog Confusion….perhaps….

I think, at times, we are taken in by numbers and confused by the competitive nature that sometimes happens in the land of blog.

The advice of this little old white haired lady is to blog because you love it.

I believe a laid back approach to blogging works for me. Otherwise, blogging just might take over my life and I would miss out on confused pear trees and carousel rides.

Thanks to all who read Back Porch Musings. I truly appreciate your visits.

Thank you, also, for indulging this senior with her rambling little story of the confused tree and other things.

~Harvest Time~

2010-09-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.
For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~Edwin Teale

On many Easter Sundays, when I was a youngster, I was given a small Carnation corsage to wear to church. Afterward, I pressed the corsage between the pages of my Bible.

The Carnations are gone. I still have my childhood Bible. Written inside is the date it was given to me; December 25, 1955.

I have only tried a few times pressing or drying flowers, since those long ago days.

Rhoda, at Southern Hospitality, pressed a few fern fronds between magazine pages, last month, and wrote about it HERE.

I was inspired to try pressing fern fronds from our patio garden.

Several fronds were cut from Boston Ferns, in hanging baskets and a few from perennial ferns growing beside the patio.

Even with Summer at it’s end, the color is still good. If these do well, I may try pressing ferns harvested during early Summer, next year.

I am sure there is a more efficient process for pressing flowers.

As usual, with my projects, I am flying by the seat of the pants.

I placed dry fronds between sheets of waxed paper and weighted them with several magazines.

These are fern fronds after a couple of days pressing. I will leave the fronds between the magazines a few more weeks.

I have no idea what I will do with the ferns, if I’m successful; I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I found this link with flower and leaf pressing information:

http://www.preservedgardens.com/how-to-press.htm

I may cut more fronds and try conditioning them, as the article suggests, before pressing.

The link below has information about gluing the pressed flowers or leaves for framing.

A spray preservative, found at Michael’s and/or other floral craft sources, is mentioned in the article.

http://www.preservedgardens.com/glue.htm

I’ll post again, in a few weeks, with the results.

In the meantime, if you have ferns or other foliage you would like to preserve for framing, I invite you to give leaf pressing a try.

ANSWERS

I was asked about the secretary in the foyer. It is not an antique; it is by Hooker Furniture. The link shows the secretaries available. I didn’t see ours on the website. We purchased ours about three years ago.

The bespectacled reading bunny got a lot of attention in the Fall Foyer post. I found the bunny at The Missouri Botanical Garden (St Louis), during the Orchid Show, last winter.

My friend JoAnn passed along the 417 magazines, I used to press the ferns. This is a publication about happenings in southwest Missouri.

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.

~Eric Sloane

Linking to The Tablescaper’s Seasonal Sundays.

Because the process of floral/leaf pressing is a metamorphosis, of sorts, I am adding this to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday.

I love this!

I love the kids too! This photo of two of our younger grandchildren was taken by our eldest granddaughter, who is trying to grow a photography business. She has photographed her cousins and baby brother since they were newborns.

Of course, I think she is a wonderful photographer and the kiddo’s are all great models.

~Fall Foyer~

2010-09-09T15:39:00.001-05:00

Fall vignette in the foyer.

This space is difficult to photograph.

I am never quite happy with the results. It was more of a challenge today, with the overcast skies, as we await rain from the south.

As we were leaving the lake, Tuesday morning, we noticed Dogwood leaves beginning to change. Maple trees are showing a bit of color, also.

The feature post, this week, comes from Southern Lagniappe.

Janie has decorated her beautiful home for Autumn.

Click on the Back Porch Feature Post button, on the sidebar, to visit her gorgeous southern home.

Linking to Artie’s Vignette Fridays

~Delicious Autumn~

2010-09-08T14:05:00.001-05:00

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot

We are home from the lake for a week or two.

I’m working on getting the back porch ready for Fall.

Most of the things I used, for this table, you’ve seen before.

I am getting lots of good use from the woven Wal-mart placemats.

The green cloche/birdcage is from Schaefer House, Jefferson City MO, last Spring. I found the little “milking stool” and birds at Michael’s, last month. Other accessories and dishes, used in this setting, were found around the house.

Home Goods has lots of wonderful Fall accessories.

I found the pumpkin plates at Marshall’s, Osage Beach MO. If you have a base set of white dinnerware, it is easy to have a variety of table settings by adding colorful salad plates or other small dishes.

We continue having delicious Autumn weather.

Linking to Susan’s Tablescape Thursday.

ANSWERS

Someone asked about the font, I use most of the time, in my posts. It is Bradley Hand ITC. I use Windows Live Writer for composing my posts. This is one of many fonts available in the program.

~September Greetings~

2010-09-06T11:25:00.001-05:00

~Lakeside~

Lantern from Schaefer House, Jefferson City Missouri, a couple years ago.

A freeform arrangement in a shell shaped container, assorted faux pumpkins, ceramic shore bird and a tea light lantern; tabletop vignette for the harvest table.

I arrange vignettes at the end of this table, at the condo, because I like the backdrop.

This arrangement also leaves room for four place settings, without obstructing the view.

The shell plates and glasses are plastic, from Home Goods. White dishes, placemats and napkins from Home Goods, also.

The framed sunflower photo, on the shutter/window, is one of my photos. Sara Tetley’s Two Boats was here, before.

Above Sara Tetley’s Two Boats is a photo showing sail boats at Mackinac Bridge (Michigan), by photographer Nancy May. The photo is a souvenir from a trip to Mackinac Island. The sunflower photo was on this wall before moving it to the shutter/window.

Linking to Marty’s Table Top Tuesday.

Hint

Another Evergreen Mfg purchase. I saw this birdcage Wednesday, thought about it, went back Thursday, bought it. I am hoping I can use this on the chest behind the living room sofa at home.

Family has been here at the lake with us, most of the time, this trip.

This morning, it’s so quiet here, after everyone left for home.

Miss them already!

We will return home tomorrow (Tuesday), after a full week of fishing, golfing, fun, food, visiting and glorious weather.

These photos show one of the wood docks, at a marina, Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

~Seasonal Sunday~

2010-09-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower. "
~Albert Camus

Linking to Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.

Early morning scenes at Lake of the Ozarks, Saturday September 4, 2010.

~Saturday Photo Fun II~

2010-09-03T12:15:00.001-05:00

Straight from Camera

I wanted an ethereal look when I shot the pot of mums, sitting on the hearth in our hearth room.

It was late afternoon. I used the Canon Rebel T2i and the 50mm lens. The ISO was set on 200. I focused on the bud, in the center of the photo.

Brightened with Middle Grey Tone

Reduced size to 853x1280, clicked Filter then Water Painting. I used the 9 brush stroke, on the slide.

Saturate, (+)125 Backlight, Darken Middle

Straight From Camera (no editing)

Canon Rebel T2i, 50mm Lens, 200 ISO.

The camera was set on AV mode. The focus was on auto.

Canon Powershot G11

The above photo was taken in early morning light, using the G11. This is a point and shoot camera. The camera was set on Auto. The image is straight from camera.

In this segment of the series, I am using photos from both cameras; showing the possibilities when using a “point and shoot”, as well as the Rebel T2i.

I changed the size from 640x480 to 800x600 and clicked Decolor 4, in the Bright/Color option of Photoscape.

I left the size at 480x640, for this example. Notice in the background, of this shot, the fireplace is at an angle. Below, shows the same shot after straightening in Picasa. I haven’t found a way to straighten shots, in Photoscape.

Photoscape was used for all editing, in this post, except straightening.

Straight from G11 Camera 480x640

Bloom-1 Click, Remove Color Cast-0, Level 100%

Straight from G11 Camera

Sharpen-2, Bloom-Middle (default), in Filter option, Region Out of Focus-Level 5.0, Size 75%, Feather 100%

Straight from G11 Camera

Backlight (+)200%, Water Painting Brush Size 6, Watercolor Pencil 75, Darken=Middle

Mosaics

This bit of whimsy sits on our deck, at Lake of the Ozarks. As you can see from the water droplets, we were having precipitation, Wednesday morning, the first day of September 2010.

The Rebel T2i was set on P (Program). The ISO was 200. Focus was set on auto. I took a few quick shots. The photos are straight out of camera, using the 50mm Lens.

Photos in this mosaic, were taken by our daughter while on a helicopter tour of Lake of the Ozarks, August 2010. The camera is a Canon Powershot A470.

Next week I’ll talk about making mosaics and frames with Photoscape.

Meanwhile…

I spotted these salt and peppers at Target.

They’ve found a place to roost in the barn board cabinet.

Happy Labor Day!

~Vignettes for Autumn~

2010-09-02T05:07:00.001-05:00

I wanted a fun wreath on the front door of the condo, before family arrives for the holiday weekend.

This is a faux greenery wreath with two leaf stems, a grass stem, with sunflower and a scarecrow attached. Rather than use glue, I wove the pieces through the wreath. Within 5 minutes, the wreath was ready and on the door.

I purchased the materials for the wreath at Evergreen, Osage Beach Missouri, Wednesday.

Jason has outdone himself with his selection of Autumn silks and accessories, this year. If you plan to be in Osage Beach this holiday weekend or another time during the Fall season, you might want to stop by Evergreen Mfg.

Artie stopped by the Back Porch and asked me to share these vignettes, from my August 29th Metamorphosis Monday post, for Vignette Friday.

The fireplace screen is made of three separate iron panels, fitted together and secured with black zip ties. I found the panels at Welcome Home several years ago.

A breakfast room vignette.

This photo, of a hearth room mantel vignette, was featured in a 2007 post, at Back Porch Musings.

The hand carved swan was purchased at a shop on South Main Street, Historic Saint Charles Missouri.

The, print above the swan, is a John Pils illustration of South Main Street. To see more about the artist click HERE.

Foyer Secretary-January 2010.

Artie, of Color Outside the Lines, is the host of Vignette Fridays.

~Something New~

2010-08-31T05:44:00.001-05:00

We are preparing for a trip to the lake, today.

Labor Day weekend is the last big weekend of Summer 2010.

I have a post started in draft for Saturday Photo Fun II. The image, above, is included in that post.

Something New

I added something to my sidebar, very early this morning, I hope will become a regular feature.

While looking at the list of blogs I follow, I saw a delightful post from Vignette Design. It inspired me to begin the new sidebar feature.

In this first edition of Posts to Take Note, I used one of my own images. In the future I hope to add the blog authors’ photos. The feature was a spur of the moment idea, in the wee small hours of the morning.

As you can see, from the image, we are fans of Coppola Wines, as well as fans of Coppola.

Delores’ (Design Vignette) photos are beautiful. Her post about the Coppola Winery is well written.

I was taken with Francis Ford Coppola’s quote.

Enjoy!

~Autumnal Metamorphosis~

2010-08-29T14:37:00.001-05:00

~Summer mantel morphs into Autumn~

Faux fireplace mantel as it looked during Summer 2010.

Metamorphosis

For more about how we assembled the faux fireplace mantel, click HERE.

Breakfast room harvest table for Autumn.

I said I was going to wait until September 1st. However, we had a wonderful week of pre-Fall weather that sent me spinning into Autumn decorating mode.

Besides…the older I get, the slower I get. If I wait until Fall is officially here, I would finish the Fall vignettes sometime around December 24th!

HAPPY AUTUMN MEMORY

PHOTO FROM FALL ‘99 or 2000

My friend Terri of Lakewood Manor, purchased a new red convertible, over the weekend. When I saw a photo of her new Sebring, it brought back happy memories of eldest daughter’s Sebring convertible.

One particular memory; a trip to Eckert’s Orchard (Illinois), in September, about 10 years ago, during apple picking time.

Oldest granddaughter Xanti and her cousin Sasha built a scarecrow at the orchard. After a discussion, about how to get the fellow home, it was decided he should ride in style.

The photo was taken at Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton Illinois. We can’t make a trip to the orchards or Grafton, without a drive up to Pere Marquette State Park and the lodge.

Xanti is the taller of the two girls.

Standing behind the girls is yours truly, 10 years and several pounds ago.

Linking to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday.

CLICK ON GREEN HIGHLIGHTED WORDS TO VISIT LINKS

ANSWERS

The black iron dish rack, seen in A Kitchen Vignette, was found at Home Goods.

The paint color in the kitchen is Valspar Laura Ashley Gold 3

The paint color used in the master bedrooms at home and the lake is Sherwin Williams Antique White.

The pumpkins and other Fall items, used in the vignettes are faux, with the exception of the lotus pods. The pods are from J’s Aunt Ruth’s lake. The lake is no longer in existence.

THANK YOU

I appreciate your wonderful response to Saturday Photo Fun.

I hope to have Part II ready for publishing next weekend.

I’ll try to answer more questions in that post.

I am enjoying the project.

~Saturday Morning Photo Fun~

2010-08-28T09:23:00.001-05:00

Straight From Canon Rebel T2i

Contrast Enhancement (high)

White Balance Clicked Once

Grayscale-Sharpen-Darken

Sepia

Reverse Black and White (color)

Reverse Black and White (b&w)

Edge (level 10)-Saturation-Darken

Reflection

Pictorialization (color engraving)

Photoscape is a free editing program with lots of options.

I am not confident enough, in my skills, to pay for an editing program, at this time; perhaps later.

For now, I will use the free downloads.

Click Photoscape, in the first sentence (highlighted in green), for a view of the program download.

Saturday morning I shot several photos, from the back porch, just before the sun rose above the trees that line the creek, behind our home.

The top image is a photo, straight out of the camera, of the evergreen that grows beside the back porch steps.

I edited the photo, using various options in Photoscape, for 10 different looks with the same photo.

I am not compensated for mentioning Photoscape.

My aim, with this post, is to show different editing options with the program. There are many more.

I find the program very easy to use.

I am thinking about doing a small series of posts, on photo editing, for hobby/blog photographers, like me. I hope this isn’t too presumptuous, being the amateur hobby/blog photographer, I am.

We’ll see what happens. And we’ll see if I can do more than one post, on the subject.

~A Kitchen Vignette~

2010-08-26T00:06:00.001-05:00

We are promised 50 degree nights and 70’s during the day, this week.

I know, and completely understand, not everyone welcomes Fall with open arms, the way I do. It truly is my favorite time of year.

This year I will welcome the season even more than usual. Summer has been a tad hot, here in the St Louis area. The temperatures, coupled with the humidity we have in Missouri, makes it seem much warmer than the thermometer reads.

I tend not to think about what lies beyond Fall, preferring to savor the season, rather than project toward Winter.

When the time comes, I’ll welcome Winter, when we light the fireplace and enjoy the season, from our hearth room chairs.

Since J retired, as a Lineman, for the local rural electric cooperative, I don’t have to worry about him going out in all kinds of weather conditions, including Winter.

He served the cooperative well for nearly 40 years.

“Moose” celebrated his 65th birthday, Monday August 23.

It’s been an interesting 65 years, to say the least.

It’s nice having him home when the weather is extreme and the roads not so nice .

It’s also nice the phone doesn’t ring, with “trouble calls”, in the wee small hours of the morning.

The vignette

I gathered a few cookbooks and added them to the cabinet top, at the end of the island. Black and white dishes in a dish rack, a welcome home sign, canister and rooster add to the vignette. I couldn’t resist the addition of a pumpkin.

Tuesday Night Supper

One day a week, we have pasta.

I love pasta!

I was very happy when I had great cholesterol numbers, at the check up, earlier this month. J’s cholesterol report was good, too.

That means we can continue our once a week pasta night, until further notice.

I’m always on the lookout for different ways to prepare pasta.

This week, I chose a recipe from the magazine, La Cucina Italiana (October 2010).

Penne con Salsiccia Zafferano

Fine sea salt

1/8 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup thinly sliced onion

(from one medium)

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage

1 cup heavy cream

1 pound penne

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Meanwhile combine 1 tablespoon water and saffron in a small bowl; set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet; heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and thyme, cook stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 minutes, then add sausage and cook, breaking up sausage with a wooden spoon, until sausage is mostly cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add cream, saffron mix and a generous pinch of salt, bring to simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

Add pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl; immediately add cream mixture and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning and serve immediately.

Salad

I served Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio Salad, with the pasta.

The recipe is from Mary of Home is Where the Boat Is.

The link will take you to photos of her beautiful salad and the recipe.

Linking to Artie’s Vignette Fridays.

Designs by Gollum

Happy weekend!

~RL Inspired~

2010-08-24T18:55:00.001-05:00

Ralph Lauren Home advertising is beautiful.

I wasn’t surprised when I found inspiration for this week’s tablescape at the RL Home site.

Inspiration for the table from Ralph Lauren Home.

I saw these photos several months ago and thought of putting together a table, using these colors and textures. I bought bandanas and woven round placemats at Walmart, in preparation; that was the extent of collecting the elements, for quite awhile.

Fast forward to Monday morning, this week.

J had another blood draw, early that morning, a few miles south of our home. As usual, we found other things to do while we were in the area.

A trip to Jo~Ann Fabric was on the list. The fabric store is in a new location, in Saint Peters MO, formerly the Circuit City building. If you live in our neck of the woods, stop by; more space than the former location and lots to see.

What did J do at Jo~Ann Fabric? Well, J was fascinated by the sewing machines. I was beginning to think he was going to make a purchase and sign up for a class somewhere. Definitely not our grandmothers’ treadle machines.

Another stop was Home Goods. J found a comfy seat in the front of the store, while I looked around. HG is where I found the navy floral plates ($3.99 each), for my RL inspired table.

We stopped at Barnes and Noble for book browsing and tea, before our return trip home.

Late Monday afternoon, we received the call from J’s Cardiologist. His Pro Time numbers were too low. He’s on another dosage until Monday, when he has another test. We are hoping the correct dosage has been found, this time.

The Table

Linking to Tablescape Thursday

~An Autumn Appetizer~

2010-08-23T00:06:00.001-05:00

Playing with dishes in anticipation.

Fresh Alstroemeria from Kroger.

Votive cups, Michael’s a couple years ago.

Nothing new on the table other than two vases. The tall vase and larger of the small vases are new from Michael’s seasonal clearance. The smallest vase is from a long ago garage sale.

The tray is from All About Home, in our town.

The dinner plate is Autumn Monarch, from Johnson Brothers.

The blue plate is from Home Goods.

Animal print salad plate from Wal-Mart, several years ago.

The small white plate is one of 6, in a stand, from Home Goods, last year.

The pumpkins are from Wal-Mart, several years ago.

I don’t remember where I bought the stemware.

White luncheon napkin is vintage.

Flatware from Bass Pro Shop.

Placemats are from Wal-Mart.

Appetizer: A small, light, and usually savory first course in a meal.

In this instance, a table setting and images to whet the appetite for Autumn.

Thank you all so much for your response to Exterior Design and the Zebra. You can imagine our surprise! Definitely unexpected in rural Missouri.

~Exterior Design~

2010-08-21T14:07:00.001-05:00

Rural Missouri Summer Drive

There are always surprises along the back roads of rural Missouri.

Stop by Summer Sundays at The Tablescaper’s

Mosaic Monday at Mary’s Dear Little Red House

Photos were taken in and nearby Cuivre River State Park, Missouri.

Saturday August 21, 2010.

~Autumn Prelude~

2010-08-19T23:22:00.001-05:00

Linking this not quite Fall vignette to Artie’s Vignette Friday at Color Outside the Lines.

~Lakeside Lunch~

2010-08-19T07:13:00.001-05:00

Our daughter spent some time in Taiwan, for work, recently. T has done lots of traveling to places around the world, but this trip was the longest flight. She did okay on the trip there, but when she returned home, she had quite a problem with “jet lag”. When we drove to the lake, early Sunday, T decided to follow us down for a couple of relaxing days at the condo.

While she was at the lake, I prepared the lunch, featured in this post.

This is my contribution for Foodie Friday.

Tomatoes, from our daughter’s garden, fresh Basil from potted plants on our back porch, and Mozzarella Cheese from Trader Joe’s.

Lunch ingredients from Trader Joe’s.

I usually make my own sauces for pasta. This time, wanting to spend less time in the kitchen, I tried Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Marinara. This sauce is delicious. I will buy it again.

I added sauteed mushrooms and grated cheese.

As I type, it is Monday afternoon. The temperature is a delightful 81; great for deck sitting and dining.

Happy Weekend!

~Creating a Space for Creating~

2010-08-17T15:02:00.001-05:00

What I did on my break…

I rarely leave home without my black framed glasses and day planner.

Two special paperweights.

My space to create was in a corner of J’s lodge, on the lower level, until last Spring when I purchased a new computer. I thought about making my new space in the bonus room/studio on the upper level.

In the end, I decided I wanted my desk in the bay window of the master bedroom.

For a look at the 2009 master bedroom makeover, click HERE.

Easter weekend, I corralled a kid or two to bring a small harvest table up from the lodge. Eldest daughter set up my new computer. That was as far as I got in organizing the bay window into a space to create, until this week.

Whether it is approaching Fall or something else, I’ve had an urge to do a bit of nesting the last week or two.

I moved the desk over a couple of feet, from where it was centered on the bay, added a lamp, leftover from the condo master bedroom redo, brought a small trunk in and an oak split basket for magazines. The basket was made by a Missouri artisan, several years ago. The trunk and basket are good pieces for storage and they help hide cords and cables.

After adding a few accessories and necessities, the space is complete

I bought the small footstool at an old Welcome Home store, to use in our truck, for my feet, when I had a foot injury, about 5 years ago.

When my foot healed I re-covered the stool in burlap for use at my desk.

Linking to Centsational Girl’s Where Do You Blog? Party.

~Break Time~

2010-08-15T19:34:00.002-05:00

For the first time, in what seems like a very long time, my lens didn’t fog over, when I walked onto the deck to snap these photos, Sunday evening.

The temperature is in the mid 80’s, here at the lake. After our extended period of extremely high temperature and humidity, 80’s seem very cool.

Saturday, we enjoyed the Missouri Humane Society Trivia Night. to benefit fostering, with family and friends. Sorry, I didn’t get photos. There were some very cute fur babies there.

I realized I haven’t posted anything since last Thursday so decided to write a quick note this evening to let you know, I’m taking a short break from the computer and blog, to relax and enjoy the nicer weather and the view from the deck.

I’ll return later this week.

~Subtle Changes~

2010-08-12T20:50:00.001-05:00

The urge to rush the season is very strong for me this year.

Missouri has had one of those Summers when we “old timers” talk about the hot Summers of long ago.

The Summer of 1954 was very hot, with temperatures at least 109, in July. I remember this, because that was the month of my 11th birthday. I don’t remember all my childhood birthdays, but my 11th was memorable, not just because of the heat, but other life changing events.

As children of the 1950’s, we had a large window fan, no central or window air conditioning. J and I wonder how in the world we ever managed. The answer is, we were used to it. Now we are acclimated to a controlled indoor environment.

I am ready for Fall, this Summer of 2010. I don’t think I am alone, in wishing for Autumn. We were spoiled with our pleasant 2009 Summer.

This one has definitely been a scorcher.

Our friend is mowing our yard this year, giving J a break from this chore. R has kept our lawn looking green through summer with calculated mowing. He was here Wednesday.

After mowing, it is green, rather than the sometimes crunchy brown of late Summer in Missouri. No watering, of our yard, other than occasional showers. The key is to cut it a bit longer and wait awhile between cuttings.

A little less manicured, but great for keeping the grass green during these hot Summer days.

The title of this post, Subtle Changes, has everything to do with Fall approaching, here in the Midwest.

I am beginning to see the subtle changes that mark the end of Summer.

We returned from the lake, late Tuesday. I didn’t set foot on the back porch until Wednesday evening. As I stepped onto the porch from the master bedroom, the first thing I noticed was the oppressive heat and mugginess.

The second thing I noticed was the welcome scent of approaching Fall. I can’t describe this scent, just that it arrives toward the end of Summer. I know when I catch the subtle scent, it won’t be long until the temperatures cool, the leaves change and the color of the sky and sunrise and sunset will take on an autumnal glow.

Have you guessed my favorite season is Fall?

Some believe it is a time of dying. I always see Autumn as a time for trees and plants to sleep awhile; resting through winter, before awakening in Spring.

I snapped these photos, at sunset, Thursday evening. It seems like yesterday when we brought these geraniums home.

This picture is from a post, dated September 1, 2009. I believe we were having cool temperatures by that time last year. Putting me in the mood to decorate the back porch early.

Although it’s tempting to bring out the pumpkins, I’ll wait until September again, this year. After all, Summer doesn’t officially end, until next month.

A storm passed through Thursday. We are hoping it brought cooler temperatures that will stay around awhile.

I’m linking to Laurie’s Favorite Things Saturday

and

The Tablescaper’s Summer Sundays

Family Health Update

Our appointments, Thursday morning, went very well.

My tests showed a drop in my cholesterol numbers, with a rise in the good cholesterol. Other tests showed great results, as well. Overall, I am very healthy. When my mother was my age, she had already been diagnosed with Ventricular Fibrillation and other serious health issues. My sister, who is 3 years younger than I, has Rheumatoid Arthritis and other health problems. When she was in her 50’s she suffered four strokes. Knowing my family health history, I am extremely grateful for my good health.

While J’s tests came back great, the Pro Time taken at the office showed his blood is much thinner than before. He is now off Coumadin over the weekend and will start a smaller dose Monday and have another Pro Time in a week. We all are puzzled, including the doctor, about this sudden problem, after so many years on the same dosage. We are hoping for better test results in about 10 days.

I talked to our daughter this afternoon. While still not feeling quite up to par, she is feeling better. She said she will see how she feels Friday and go from there, as far as further tests.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

~Studying in Black & White~

2010-08-10T10:14:00.001-05:00

Tuesday morning, bright and early; the truck is loaded with tables, chairs, baskets, bits and pieces, for the trip home.

The table and chairs are on their way to our daughter.

Other things will go to “Mom’s Basement Boutique”, at home, for further consideration.

J, fishing in Minnesota 2002. The two of us at Cape Hatteras, during our road trip down the Outer Banks, in 2005.

It’s time to update the larger of two guest rooms, at the condo.

Snapshot memories will be used.

Perhaps I’ll use the bedding from the master bedroom redo; a blue and white quilt and shams.

While we are home, I’ll continue to study, in black and white and color, the possibilities for the redo.

A rustic lakeside retreat, is what I have in mind.

Some things will stay…

…some things will go.

The TV armoire is definitely staying.

New paint for this shelf.

Bye Bye Birdie…

…faux oars too.

I painted the Gull and oars, several years ago…time for change.

So there you have it; another makeover in the making.

Doctor appointments, this week. Hoping for good news about J’s pro time numbers, among other things.

If all goes well, we’ll make a stop at Trader Joe’s while in the outskirts of the big city. I enjoy our trips to Trader Joe’s after our medical appointments. Like sugar, it always “makes the medicine go down in a most delightful way”.

Family gathering for a good cause, this coming weekend. More about that in an upcoming post.

Edit

Tuesday Evening

Had a call, a little while ago, from youngest daughter. She’s felt under the weather a couple days.

She’s been advised to go to ER; possible Appendicitis. Will let you all know how things are, when I know more.

Thoughts and prayers much appreciated.

Thanks!

Update

Tuesday Night

Thank you for your continued good thoughts and prayers.

M is home. The test for Appendicitis was okay. She has been given something for pain. They say it may be a virus. If she isn’t feeling better by Thursday or Friday, she will have a CT Scan.

She has had some troublesome health issues, over the years.

I am optimistic this will turn out okay.

As mother’s we never stop worrying about our children, even when they are grown up, with children of their own.

~A Bedroom Metamorphosis~

2010-08-08T04:29:00.001-05:00

It took a little while…well, more than a little while, for me to figure out, decorating in a popular style isn’t necessarily always the correct way to achieve ones own personal style.

The original condo master bedroom decor was a perfect example of my trying to follow a style idea that wasn’t quite right for us.

As I look back, I see nothing wrong with the style, it just didn’t fit Pat & J.

Before

British Colonial and/or tropical island were very popular styles, at the lake and elsewhere, during summer, 2003, when we bought our condo.

Silk trees and greenery were readily available and used here, there, and everywhere.

Over the years, I’ve sold or donated the silk trees and greenery, along with BC and tropical accessories.

The rattan/wicker bombe chest, seen in the collage above, has a new home on the back porch, after a small makeover.

In an attempt to lighten and brighten the condo master bedroom, I used the items, shown below, for a mini-makeover during October 2007.

Fall 2007

The colors were good and the accessories fine; still, the style was not what I was looking for.

The room languished over the past three years, while I pondered what to do.

Then I saw this photo.

The Look

I decided to put my own spin on the inspiration room and went to work looking for furniture, bedding, and accessories.

The ingredients for my redo recipe are:

Paint

Sherwin Williams Antique White (walls)
Lowe’s Valspar Aerial View, from the Seaside Retreat Collection (shutters)

Furnishings

Sara Tetley coastal cottage prints
A pair of bi-fold doors
An old table in white and distressed, from All About Home (Troy, MO)
Shells and bric-a-brac, found at home and around the condo
A dresser and four poster bed, similar to the bed in the inspiration photo, from Bescheinen Furniture (Versailles, MO)
A wicker beach chair, with fun upholstered cushions, from Bescheinen Furniture
Raymond Waites (on clearance) comforter and shams, from Bed, Bath, & Beyond
One other item, not in the room at this time, a TV

Yes, our romantic country, lakeside retreat, with a nod to coastal living in middle America, will have a TV.

The coastal look fits Lake of the Ozarks living.

Our lake has more shoreline than the coast of California. We have gulls and sailboats and shells…Mussel shells, in the Ozarks.

Saturday 8/7, waiting for furniture delivery.

I would love to have wood floors in this room, but it isn’t in the budget at this time.

We found the oar at The Front Porch Antiques, near Jefferson City MO.

I imagine it could tell a few stories.

At some point in time, the oar blade split and was repaired with what appear to be fence staples. Have you had experience with fence staples? J and I have had a tad bit of experience, building and mending fence with this type of staple. A piece of tin was also used to repair an edge of the blade. The paint is all but worn off; what is left is a perfect match for the blue I used in the makeover.

The metal sailboats, above the door, were purchased several years ago at Evergreen Mfg. Osage Beach Missouri.

Door knob hook is from Pier One Imports.

We purchased a pair of wood bi-fold doors, to use as shutters, at Lowe’s and painted them Valspar Arial View from the Seaside Retreat Collection.

Because we are on the 5th floor of the condo, privacy hasn’t been an issue. I decided not to replace the bamboo roller shade, when we finished the makeover.

One of my lake sunrise photos is in the frame.

Fishing gear storage is solved with a stand behind the door.

The breakfast bar is seen through the door.

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered two industrial look stools from Overstock.com.

Easterly view of the lake through the sliding doors.

Old Glory always flies when we are at the condo.

The TV will sit on the dresser.

Sara Tetley prints are grouped behind the chair. A lighthouse birdhouse, made of reclaimed wood, sits on the floor. Side pockets, in the chair, hold magazines and books.

The original color of the shell shelf was a dark wood tone. The sailboat has been used at the condo since 2003.

The door beside the chair leads to the master bathroom. I don’t have photos because to tell you the truth…in reality…it looks a bit like a disaster today. The wall color, in the bathroom, is Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua. Our daughter and son in law painted the room, last year, using paint left from our dining room redo at home.

I picked up two more of the door knob hooks, at Pier One Imports, to use in the bathroom. I have an idea for different prints for the walls.

After the mini facelift, I’ll add a couple of photos in an upcoming post.

The small wicker chair and sailboat pillow were brought in from another room.

New Bar Stools

A close-up of the new bar stools, seen through the door in a couple of the bedroom photos. They look great with the new barn board farmhouse table.

On the wall, in the background, is Fifi Flowers’ painting of a lunch table on our deck.

I am linking this post to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday.

~Summer Sunrise at the Lake~

2010-08-07T00:14:00.001-05:00

Do you see something unusual or out of the ordinary in this photo?

Sort of reminds me of Stephen King, for some reason.

The photos were not edited, other than sizing down.

I used the Tameron 18-200mm lens, with the Canon Rebel T2i.

All photos were taken Thursday morning, August 5, 2010.

“The grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.”

John Muir

This Hummingbird feeder is on the deck of the condo. I took the photos, through the sliding door, on the same morning I took the sunrise photos.

At one point, I counted 15 Hummingbirds at and around this feeder.

It was an amazing sight.

The tiny birds will pack their bags, in just about another month, and move south for the winter.

Linking to The Tablescaper’s Summer Sundays.

From Wikipedia:

The Lake of the Ozarks is a large reservoir created by impounding the Osage River in the northern part of the Ozarks in central Missouri. Extents of three smaller tributaries to the Osage, the Niangua River, Grand Glaize Creek, and Gravois Creek, are included in the impoundment. The lake has a surface area of 55,000 acres (223 km²), over 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline, and the main channel of the Osage Arm stretches 92 miles (148 km) from end to end. The total drainage area is over 14,000 square miles (36,000 km²).

~Project Break~

2010-08-02T08:15:00.001-05:00

Inspiration

The inspiration photo that started it all.

We are loading the truck and driving to the lake, to complete the condo master bedroom makeover, begun a couple of months ago.

The furniture, we ordered, is in. The room is painted.

The bits and pieces, picked up here and there, have been painted and packed.

Accessories are collected.

It’s time for putting it all together.

I’m taking a short blog break, during this week, so I can concentrate my energies on “The Project”.

Elements of Change

I’ll be back soon with the “reveal” of the condo master bedroom redo.

Until then, a Rooster Party post will be published, Thursday.

Have a wonderful week!

~A Walk in the Park~

2010-08-01T00:41:00.001-05:00

Pond

Playground

Sweet Gum

Just Ducky

Summer Sundays at The Tablescaper

Visit Mosaic Monday at Mary’s Dear Little Red House

~When Bloggers Meet~

2010-07-31T04:49:00.001-05:00

Terri, Sue, Grace, Pat

Friday evening, J and I met folks, we had never met in real life, but visit from day to day, via the land of blog.

It was as though we know each other well, as we shared hugs, conversation, gifts and dinner at Lewis and Clark’s Restaurant in Historic Saint Charles Missouri.

We didn’t let a little rain keep us from enjoying a wonderful evening with, Bob and Terri (Lakewood Manor) and Bill and Sue (Rabbit Run Cottage) and their sweet daughter Grace.

I’m adding this post, to Laurie’s Saturday Favorites, because the subject fits the category of favorite things, so well; in this instance, favorite things to do (meeting blog friends).

~Doin’ Some Cookin’~

2010-07-29T15:38:00.001-05:00

The plan, for this week, was to return to the lake and complete work on the master bedroom.

However, plans changed when we got the results of J’s Protime test, Monday evening. He was told to stop Coumadin (blood thinner), for two days and have another test Wednesday. We knew as soon as that blood draw was made, his blood was still very thin. A call came from his Cardiologist’s assistant, yesterday evening, to stop Coumadin until he heard from the doctor. Another call came today, telling him to decrease the Coumadin dosage and have another Protime, at the time of our check ups, in two weeks

Over the past couple of decades, J has had numerous surgeries; no problem with Coumadin. We are puzzled as to why he is having trouble with it, at this time.

Since we are staying close to home, this week, I’ve taken the opportunity to do a little cookin’, The Tamales took no effort at all.

I am adding a link to Michael’s Foodie Friday, this week.

It’s been quite awhile since I participated.

I bought 6 of these snack sets, from a neighbor, during our neighborhood garage sale, in June. They were a gift from friends, returning from a vacation in Mexico.

Every so often, I crave Tamales.

J doesn’t care for Tamales, unless they are homemade by our son in law’s mother. Those are the best Tamales we have ever tasted.

J will not eat Salsa with any sort of “whang”, as he calls it. I love Tamales and don’t mind a little spice to Salsa. I purchase Tamales from the Schwann’s truck. They are excellent. I keep them in the freezer and heat one in the microwave, for lunch, once in awhile.

I used the drink cup of the snack set to serve the fresh Salsa, I purchased Wednesday. To my taste, it has just the right amount of “whang”.

The Salsa complements the colorful plate and cup.

Fruit cup of Mango Nectarine, White Peach, Blueberries, Strawberries and whipped topping.

I found Mango Nectarines, at Dierberg’s (local family owned grocery). Have you tasted Mango Nectarines? They are wonderful. I believe they would make a tasty salsa, for salmon or other grilled seafood.

Not My Granny’s Chicken & Dumplings, but pretty good anyway.

Comfort food for J.

I had a tiny taste too.

Chicken and Dumplin’s

One package freezer Dumplings or homemade.

2 or 3 Chicken Breasts on bone

5 or 6 Chicken Wings

1 bay leaf

Ground Savory

Saute in 1 tablespoon Butter

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves crushed garlic

or Garlic Powder can be substituted

Sea Salt

Coarse Pepper

Or use your spice and herb combination for chicken.

Simmer chicken in about 5 quarts water, until done. Remove chicken to cool, cut from bone and chop. Return broth to rolling boil, drop in dumplings, stirring often to prevent sticking. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook about 35 to 40 minutes.

I used a little corn starch mixed in water, to thicken the broth at the end of cooking.

While I was cooking the chicken for the dumplings, I cooked extra for salad. I chopped and mixed it with grapes, walnuts, celery and Miracle Whip.

Giada’s Poached Pears

Recipe from Food Network

Ingredients

1 (750-ml) bottle Moscato wine or other sweet dessert wine
2 cups simple syrup recipe follows
1 cinnamon stick, broken in 1/2
2 tablespoons honey
1 (3/4-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled, and finely chopped
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
6 small, firm, ripe Anjou pears, peeled
Serving suggestion: vanilla ice cream or gelato

Directions

In a saucepan large enough to hold all the pears, combine the wine, simple syrup,

cinnamon stick halves, honey, and ginger. Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean and add the bean and seeds to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the honey has melted. Add the pears and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from the liquid and allow to cool.

Continue to simmer the liquid until it thickens and is reduced by half, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon stick halves and the vanilla bean and discard.

Place each pear on a small serving plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with the honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup. Serve immediately.

Simple Syrup
2 cups sugar
2 cups water

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

Yield: 2 3/4 cups

I couldn’t find Vanilla Bean, so substituted Vanilla Extract. Bartlett Pears were also substituted.

Delicious and the house smells wonderful!

I used Saint James Velvet White Wine. Saint James is a Missouri Winery.

Sprite Melon Information

I found some information about the Sprite Melon, seen in the previous post. It is grown in North Carolina.

Click above photo for the website.

We are meeting special folks, tomorrow evening (Friday), for supper. I hope to get a couple of photos.

Happy Weekend!

~Lunch Table Talk~

2010-07-26T14:28:00.001-05:00

Monday morning, bright and early, J and I drove south for blood work. This time, we both had routine tests. Each of us had a fasting test. J had another test for his blood thinner levels. We’ll know more about the fasting tests, after our check ups in about three weeks. We are hoping to hear the results of the blood thinner test, in the next day or two.

I don’t know about you, but after these fasting tests, I am famished! I decided a Mocha Frappe from McD’s was just the ticket, for breakfast.

To assuage my guilt over my lavish breakfast, I had a light lunch.

I placed a thick slice of Sprite Melon, in a small fruit bowl, filled it with Blueberries, topped with light whipped topping and garnished with a Strawberry.

It looked so pretty it deserved a photo shoot.

It was delicious, too.

An update…..already!

Before

After I published the post about the new cabinet, I made a minor change.

After

About 10 years ago, I shot a few black and white photos of barns around our county, with a 35mm film camera. I remembered those photos, the other day, and thought one or two of them would be a great addition to the wall beside the cabinet, made from an old Missouri barn.

The barn, in the top photo, was on the farm next to J’s family farm. It is still in existence. The barn, in the second and third photos, was just outside a small village, west of our town. That barn is no longer standing.

As you can see, in this photo of the back of the cabinet, red paint is still visible on the old barn boards.

Because this has a few tabletop elements, I am linking to Marty’s Tabletop Tuesday.

~The Rest of the Story~

2010-07-24T19:52:00.001-05:00

We commissioned Jake to make a cabinet for the breakfast room at home, when he made the table for the condo, seen HERE.

As with the farmhouse table, Jake used boards from the 100 year old Missouri barn. He also used antique beadboard.

We arrived back home, Saturday afternoon. I filled the cabinet with the Mikasa French Countryside and other white dishes, I’ve collected since 1983.

I’ll change the arrangement on the base top, from time to time. The white dishes will remain on the shelves with a bit of a change, now and then.

~A Table Story~

2010-07-21T18:04:00.002-05:00

The table, we ordered, was delivered Tuesday afternoon.

Furniture maker, Jake, told us about a 100 year old barn, destroyed by one of Missouri’s infamous tornadoes, a couple of years ago. He was given the old barn, for the clean up, after the storm. Since then he has taken those old barn boards and beams and turned them into beautiful and useful pieces of furniture.

Jake, 31 years old, learned his craft from his father.

The legs on our table, were turned from lengths of the massive barn beams. The top and sides are made of the barn siding boards. The only new wood used is in the drawer.

The old barn wood is filled with holes, mars and scars from 100 years of good work on a Missouri farm. This makes our table even more special.

When Jake, with J’s help, brought the table and benches into the condo, I was all smiles. I absolutely love it. It is the perfect table for our lake place. I know I can seat 6 around the table and may be able to squeeze a couple more places in, for 8.

Jake delivered another piece of furniture and loaded it into our truck. We took it home last night and set it in the breakfast room. I’ll tell you more about that piece, when we return home.

In the meantime, we are back at our lake place, where I set a humble table, to celebrate Susan’s 100th Tablescape Thursday. It’s been awhile since I participated.

Setting our new table is a wonderful way to celebrate 100 Tablescape Thursdays.

Thank you Jake!

~A Different Sort of Summer Day~

2010-07-20T11:27:00.002-05:00

It started out to be a different kind of day at the lake.

Soon the clouds parted and sunny shadows returned.

There are cooler temperatures this morning. A little bonus we are thankful for.

As we were watching the stormy looking skies, over the lake, we began planning our Spring 2011 vacation. More about our plan in the coming months.

Cypress at Eldon Missouri~

(comments disabled for this post)

~Breakfast Room Light~

2010-07-17T09:28:00.001-05:00

The farmhouse table and benches are finished and will be ready for pick up, Monday. We are excited to see how they look at the condo.

While we were awaiting the table and another piece of furniture, we made a small change in the breakfast room, here at home.

I have looked, awhile, for a bar type light fixture, for above the big table, in the breakfast room. I found several, but they were too heavy and ornate for the look I wanted.

Last Wednesday, I was browsing JC Penney Wednesday Deals, when I found exactly what I had in mind.

Before

AFTER

The regular cost was around $150.00. The price was marked down to $60.00. There was a code for reduced shipping costs. I ordered the light Wednesday. It arrived Friday afternoon.

I recommend looking at JCP Clearance and Wednesday Deals. I’ve found several bargains.

I’m linking to Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasures.

If all goes according to plan, I will post photos of the new table and benches, Tuesday or Wednesday.

~Crocks & Cloches~

2010-07-15T15:02:00.001-05:00

This post continues the rural theme of previous posts, this week.

I am linking to Laurie’s Saturday Favorites

and

Marty’s Summer Cloche Party

Crocks have been a favorite for many years.

Another favorite can be seen on the wall in the background.

Sara Tetley’s Bench at Orange Cottage~

I recently purchased 4 other prints, by Sara Tetley, for the lake condo master bedroom makeover.

Sara’s Two Boats hangs on the window of the shutter/window wall arrangement in the dining area of the condo living room.

I am a huge fan of her beautiful work.

Roosters, chickens and cloches are also favorites.

The large cloche and stand are from All About Home, a local shop.

The rooster and hen, from Home Goods.

A blue green crock, handmade by a North Carolina artisan, sits under a chicken wire cloche. The crock was a gift from Jeanne, of Backyard Neighbor, when she and her husband visited Missouri in 2009.

Crocks are a special favorite of mine.

A bird on branch in iron, under a cloche, etched with branches.

Cloche and stand are from Nell Hill’s Briarcliff.

J’s blood test results were reported, yesterday. Coumadin is increased; another test in two weeks. It will work itself out, eventually.

Thanks so much for your support!

Enjoy your weekend!

(I am not compensated for mention of products)

~New Town~

2010-07-13T04:34:00.001-05:00

We took a little impromptu day trip, Monday.

For the past 15 or 20 years, J has taken the blood thinner Coumadin. Most of the time things go smoothly. The past month the numbers have been erratic and dosage adjustments have been made, followed by blood tests, in a week. Monday was the day for the latest blood work.

As long as we were headed in a southerly direction, for the test, we decided to take a detour to New Town Saint Charles.

The homes at New Town are reminiscent of homes from another era.

As we walked along looking at these pretty homes, most with a front porch, we saw lots of Limelight Hydrangea, like the one above.

All the photos up to and including the one above, were taken at New Town Saint Charles.

J looking over tomatoes…

We found a farm stand, on the road home, selling produce on the honor system. See the coffee can in the upper left photo? That’s the “cash register”.

We found more tomatoes and new potatoes at another stand. No green beans though.

This beautiful bed of Zinnia’s was near the second farm stand.

Cows and calves in a pasture along a gravel road.

J and I lived in the back pasture, at the farm.

Some of you guessed the farm implements from the previous post.

The two, in the first photo, are corn planters. The large contraption, in the second photo, is a manure spreader.

More information about New Town Saint Charles can be found HERE. All the homes and shops, at New Town, are new construction, beginning in 2003.

~Country Living~

2010-07-11T16:32:00.001-05:00

The County Fair opens this week, just down the road from where we live. In honor of this event, I thought it appropriate to share a few rural scenes from around our county.

Bright blue Chicory, growing beside an old barn.

A Quiz

I have read Country Living Magazine since the early 1980’s, almost from the first edition. One of my favorite regular features is What is It? What is it Worth?

I am including photos of two farm implements. Do you know what they are?

I don’t need to know what they are worth.

The two leaning against the brick wall are priceless.

The other one is something J remembers fondly, from a wedding, in which he was an usher. Imagine, if you will, a much younger J, in a white sport coat. Perhaps he wore a pink carnation. Remember that song?

The wedding party, including bride and groom, in all their beautiful wedding attire, sat upon a conveyance, like this one, as they were driven to the reception. This was in a tiny village, not far from our town, many years before J and I met.

While you think about your answers, here are a few more photos.

Hoop Memories

Red Tail Hawk

Rose of Sharon

We were country, when country wasn’t cool. We still love it.

I’m linking to Mosaic Monday, at Mary’s Little Red House.

~Corners~

2010-07-09T14:26:00.001-05:00

A few corners, around our house, for Laurie’s Saturday Favorite Things.

Dining Room Corner

Porch Corner

A Corner Retreat

Found, this week, in a corner of the patio.

Happy Weekend!

~Something to Talk About~

2010-07-07T13:50:00.001-05:00

…on the back porch

In this case, something to talk about at The Front Porch.

After we did the shutter/window wall, at the condo, I thought a harvest table would look wonderful, in place of the round table and four chairs. I’ve looked for a table of about 6 feet, with benches. The plan is to put one end of the table against the “window wall”, with benches on either side.

Youngest daughter has first dibs on the round table and chairs.

I looked at vintage and new tables, never finding just the right one…until Tuesday morning, on our way home from the lake.

We stopped at The Front Porch Antiques, along Hwy 54, on Penny Hollow Lane. Don’t you love the name of the road!

J and I spent some time wandering around, like we usually do in antiques shops. Then we happened upon the table, in the photo above. It was just what I had in mind, but at 4 feet, it was about 2 feet smaller than we need. We were talking about how we wished it was just a tad bit larger. That’s when the shop owner’s daughter told us the table was handmade, from reclaimed wood, by an Ozark craftsman, who does custom orders. That’s when we decided to have a table and benches made for the condo. Ours will be 6 feet by about 3 feet. The top has three 12 inch boards. We ordered a blue and cream finish. We should be able to pick it up in a couple of weeks.

As long as we were shopping, we ordered one other piece. It’s in one of these photos and is for the breakfast room/hearth room, here at home.

Can you guess which piece and the colors we ordered?

The new piece will replace this cabinet.

As pretty as the cabinet is, the top shelves are not sturdy. I kept expecting to hear a loud crash and broken crockery. Just such a catastrophe happened in our neighbor’s dining room, a few years ago.

As fragile as the top section is, the base is pretty good. This cabinet has been in the breakfast room for a few months. The double bonnet secretary sits, in the hearth room, where the cabinet was, last Christmas, when the photo was taken.

We were set to donate the cabinet, when I had one of those lightbulb moments. Why not use the base in the living room, behind the sofa.

Furniture moving commenced bright and early this morning.

I put a few things together, for a vignette, before taking photos. If you are a regular reader, you know the arrangements, on this piece of furniture, will be changed often.

There you have it…..something to talk about, at The Front Porch.

~Summertime~

2010-07-03T17:13:00.001-05:00

"The steady buzzzzzzz of the Katydid chorus,
the bass solo of the croaking Frog,
the steady woof-woof-woof of a barking Dog -
a summer night's serenade."
- Michael P. Garofalo, Cuttings

Red White & Blue Breakfast

“When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat.”

~Mark Twain

During the 1950’s, our family celebrated July 4th at my grandparents’ home. A galvanized wash tub was filled with ice and bottles of soda(cokes in our neck ‘o the woods, no matter the flavor). Nestled in with the “cokes” was a great big watermelon. We always had our first watermelon, of Summer, on the 4th of July.

Flags & Boats

Lake Diamonds

Linking to Summer Sundays at The Tablescaper and Mosaic Monday at Mary’s Little Red House.

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns,
tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics
where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think
you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."
- Erma Bombeck

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-02T08:02:00.001-05:00

Greetings from the Ozarks…

Before leaving for the lake, Wednesday, I shopped for a new camera.

A little over three years ago I upgraded from a Kodak Easyshare point and shoot camera to a Canon Rebel Xti. For the past several months, I’ve thought about moving to the next evolution of the Rebel. I did some research and decided I might buy the Rebel T1i. Then the T2i arrived on the scene.

I thought about it some more; then Jeanne of Backyard Neighbor left a comment on this post. J and I met Jeanne and her husband, last year. Jeanne’s husband’s camera was one of the first generation digital Canon Rebel’s. He gave me some very helpful hints, giving me the incentive to take the dial off auto and move to AV and manual focus. When Jeanne mentioned, in her comment, her husband had just purchased the Canon Rebel T2i and they both loved it, that’s all I needed to know.

My plan was to buy the camera body only, since I have several lenses. However, I found a pretty good package deal. The package had the 18-55 kit lens and a 75-300 lens. I had the 18-55 lens, but did not have the 75-300.

As luck would have it, granddaughter Xanti broke her 18-55 lens, recently and needs to borrow one until she can find another. I rarely use the 18-55, but she likes that lens and uses it quite a bit. I gave the Rebel Xti to our oldest daughter. She and Xanti can negotiate the exchange of the 18-55 lens.

We picked up the new camera on the way to the lake, Wednesday afternoon. I’ve been practicing.

This photo was taken early Friday morning, between 5 and 5:30AM. I used the Canon 70-200 L series lens. I don’t have the tripod, this trip, so I stacked books, on a deck table, to the height I needed and set the timer. The setting was on AV and manual focus.

Mornings, at the lake, are gorgeous, this week. The daytime temperatures have been in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. Perfect weather for having our morning coffee on the deck. J heard Reveille playing across the water, Thursday morning. There is a group camp in that direction. This morning, when I went out to lower the sunshade at about 6:30, I heard the theme from Ghostbusters. Morning wake up calls come in all forms.

This is sunset, Thursday evening, at a boat launch, in Lake of the Ozarks State Park. I used the 18-55, with image stabilizer. I wish now I had used the 75-300, because we saw lots of deer. Perhaps we will return for more photos this evening. If we do, I’ll have that lens.

The split rail fences and log structures, in the park, make wonderful subjects for black and white photography. The black and white photos were done, Thursday evening, using the 18-55 lens, with the photo style set at monochrome.

Mimosa in the Ozarks…

I continue to practice, while I’m on a little computer break.

I’ll return soon.

Wishing you a safe and Happy 4th of July!

For Love of a Peach…

2010-06-28T12:58:00.001-05:00

…a day trip was planned.

Sunday morning, we made a run to Illinois, in search of peaches.

With the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers over the road, in a few places, the ferries were not running.

We drove north on Hwy 79, with thoughts of crossing the Mississippi at Louisiana.

An overcast sky enhances the color of the engine of a train, at a rural crossing, along Hwy 79.

Click this link to explore Little Dixie Highway.

A little rain didn’t keep us from enjoying our journey.

Not far north of the railroad crossing, we found a detour sign (water over road at Clarksville).

We happily followed the detour as it took us through a beautiful part of the country we are particularly fond of.

The Mississippi River at Louisiana Missouri

6/27/2010

An Illinois farm along the Great River Road.

After crossing the Mississippi River, we traveled Hwy 54 to Hwy 96, the Great River Road Illinois.

If the Brussels Ferry, at Grafton and the Golden Eagle Ferry, farther south, were running, we would have crossed via those boats (our favorite mode of crossing the rivers). But then, we would have missed finding beautiful St. Agnes at Belleview.

When we stopped to take a couple of pictures, a car stopped beside us. The driver asked if we would like to hear the history of St. Agnes and invited us inside.

After introducing ourselves, J and I accompanied the man and his wife through the doors of the little church building.

Construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1900. The cost was $600. The bricks were made in the village of Belleview.

When the archdiocese closed the church, the couple, owning the ground surrounding the building, purchased it and became it’s caretakers.

Some restoration has been done and more is planned.

The stained glass windows are not original to the building. They were installed during the 1940’s.

A balcony or choir loft is above the doorway.

This window is above the entry. The cord, at right, is the bell pull. We were treated to the joyful sound of an old time church bell.

We saw more of Belleview before continuing our Sunday drive.

At one time, this was the general store. The bricks were made in Belleview.

This building is an old doctor’s office, being restored by a resident of the village.

I don’t have information about this building. It looks like it was a store of some sort.

I am always amazed at how flowers survive beyond the lives of old buildings.

It would be interesting to hear the stories these old buildings could tell.

In flood stage, the Illinois River crested, Saturday.

We traveled to Kampsville IL., in hopes of finding a way around the water. As we were figuring it out, we passed by a produce stand offering Illinois peaches.

We purchased two bags of peaches. J also bought two jars of pickled beets.

Illinois peaches will be ripe for picking, at Eckert’s Orchard, beginning mid-July.

Corn, Soy Beans, and Canada Geese, in the flood waters of the Illinois River.

Our home is about 15 or so miles from the Mississippi River. Before the nearest ferry permanently closed a year or two ago, we were only about an hour from Pere Marquette State Park.

Sunday morning, we left home at 9:00 AM. With detours and stops, it was just after 1PM when we arrived at Pere Marquette Lodge, where we planned to have lunch.

We didn’t even have to look at the menu.

We ordered fried chicken, served family style, with mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, slaw and hot rolls.

We were famished after our journey.

I know, it’s not good for us…but once in awhile it’s okay…right?

The massive stone fireplace, at Pere Marquette Lodge.

The inscription reads;

In August of the year 1673 Father Marquette used this site as a Landmark and Camping Point.

Whether staying as guests, at the lodge, or dropping by for supper, we’ve spent many lovely hours sitting in these chairs, visiting with family and friends, having a glass of wine or reading and relaxing.

This photo was taken from the terrace, at the lodge, looking across Hwy 100, where you can see the Illinois River out of her banks, up to the road.

Many times, we drive over to Grafton IL, where we pick up catfish sandwiches, take them to the park and sit beside the river while we have lunch. The place where we usually sit is under water, in this picture.

Pere Marquette bids us adieu.

Would you believe the fellow in the snazzy car picked me up?

Pelicans on the Illinois River

We enjoyed our Sunday drive.

I had a wonderful time writing about it.