Making Jam and a nifty funnel...........

I am making strawberry jam with my fresh Strawberries. I also made this new funnel out of the top of a orange juice carton. I have bigger plans for the bottom and I'll post that when it is complete. I like making things out of nothing.

The End Result.....................Yummy

Here is my Freexer Strawberry Jam with my Ball Blue Book that I received when I won at a local Fair a few years. It has everything in it on how to freeze and cook. Log on to Ball's website and see what they have to offer.

Not Working

I am editing these in Kodak Gallery and it does not seem to be working................any hints ladies....

I am TTTRYING TO get my pictures bigger without the blurrries.....

Forgive me here while I play.............................

I use Kodak Gallery and download directly to my computer from my camera. All the other blog sites pictures are clear and up close; so I am trying to get this figured out today. Let's see how did we do.

Old Treasures............

On our property is an old Dairy barn where cows we're milked. We have found a few treasures and I thought I would share this one with you. It says paintbrush for .14 cents and list other material. Besides these we have found an old baseball glove, an old wooded fruit crate, with a army jacket inside of it. I love treasure and trying to imagine the life they had.

I would also like to kick the boys that broke all the milk bottles that we're here. I still pick up big glass pieces where they busted the bottles out at the milk barn. Can you imagine busting old milk bottles. UGH............

I am trying to root this lavender. Does anyone know if it will work. I trimmed it heavily this summer and hoping for a good crop this year.

Speedy Mexican Beef Skillet Dinner

I I received three cheers with this recipe. So easy and good;

1 lb. ground beef, 1 can crm mshroom soup, 1 can Old El Paso Enchilda Sauce, 2 cups of tortilla chips crushed, 1 cups of shredded Cheddar Cheese.

Brown your ground beef ( I used a sausage it gave it a kick ). Pour off grease.

Stir in mshroom soup and enchilada sauce and both cups of crushed tortilla chips. Cook until bubbly. After it became bubbly I put cheese on the top and turned it off and let the cheese melt. WONDERFUL, YOU COULD PROBABLY MAKE THIS INTO A DIP.

***This recipe came out of the Pillsbury Hamburger cookbook.

Audrey Hepburn

Even though I am a blonde, I still love the elegance this lady protayed on the screen. She was just classy.

( don't you just hate it when you think you spelled all the words correctly and ooops......)

Little Works of Art

Here I have displayed my tags I ordered form Kelli at http://seasonaldelights.etsy.com/. I love the different colors and paper that she used. I need to make something to go in back of the hanger, so , I'll get to work on that. It needs a little something else. That's why I added my black boa. It is hanging under my beautiful new print of Audrey Hepburn.

Pa Some Tea......................Possum Tea

Ok, I'll set the scene for you. My sister and her grandson went shopping at Publix. She was saying, I need this and this and we need to go over her and get Pa some Tea. My 9 year old nephew ( great nephew ) just looked at her and she wondered why the confused look on his face. And then he said " Possum Tea". Pa wants Possum Tea. Then of course she busts out laughing and still can't quit. She called my neice, his momma; and she thought they we're in a wreck or something because she's laughing so hard she could not understand what she was saying.

So, if you need a good laugh; get you some "Possum Tea".

Treasured Chics

I love it when you get something in the mail. I ordered this adorable organization set http://www.tinkeredtreasures.etsy/ and she sent me an extra couple of goodies. These chics are so cute.

She even put my name on the laundry clips. How did she know I loved laundry clips.

Look what my Valentine bought met....

My Valentine ordered me a fainting couch for Valentine's Day. It has a swans head on the back bending down and folding back up. It is beautiful. He bought it for my blogging room; as he calls it. The blogging room is the picture you see up top. This is not our bedroom. I change this room on a montly basis. So, it has landed in the living room for know. I like it here. I had to add a throw and some pillows to allow it to match our "Rustic Americana" theme in our living room. I think it looks good. I don't know if my sons are going to let it go to my blogging room. Well see.

Does anyone collect recipes like this. I have a big folder that I have collected from all over of recipes. So, for February I started finally cooking from some of the recipes in the folder. I found one I have always wanted to try and it is called

" Cardamon Tea Cookies". The cardamon spice has a unique smell to it; strong yet inviting. So on I went to make cookies. Real simple recipe and the boys and hubby loved them.

So, I thought I will add some red food coloring to the cookies and make them pink. I didn't want to make the whole thing pink; so, I cut the color into the cookie dough.

Here is the end result. They turned out beautifully; even if it was by accident. Don't you just love accidents that turn out for the good. These cookies remind me of hybrid camilla flowers. So for your next tea; try a set of these. If you want the recipe, let me know and I'll email it to you.

and This wonderful pound cake..... this lady make all kinds of cakes; fishes, deer heads, and beautiful wedding cakes.

So while I was there I did buy a few things. I bought these little purses that we're $3.00 each.

When I asked this lady if I could take her picture; she immediately instructed the younger lady how to properly take a picture. She said, hold hand and put your pocketbook up front.

I asked this nice lady if I could snap her picture. She said sure; Doesn't she look fun. They we're having a ladies tea t 1:00 this day and you had to be in period dress. I think she was going. I would have loved to set down and talked with her over tea.

My favorite dress of all. Isn't she beautiful. I would love to have this dress and display it in my grrrly room.

The men marching off to the battlefield.

I would like to add these to my had collections.

To the best part the dresses. If you have never been to a reenactment, you should go. They have booths set up and you can buy period dress. Here is one boutique that had lovely dresses, corsets, bloomers and shoes.

I snapped this one quickly. They we're getting ready to march.

This is at the battle field in Olustee. The Olustee Battle Field is the first State Park in Florida. This battle was the biggest in Florida during the Civil War.

The Olustee Festival was rainy this year.

Sick.......not feeling tooo hot...............

I am so very sorry I have not posted for my Stormie post. I am under the weather and having another one of my episodes. Hope to be better this weekend. I want to make it to the Olustee Festival and see all the reenactments and the ladies in there beautiful dresses.

Hope all of you have a great Valentine's Day.

My sweetie has a special suprise for me. He's already told me that he has ordered me a fainting couch. He can't keep secrets. Just like when he was trying to keep our honeymoon a secret.

O'w Sweet love........................

Family Foto

Baseball Season begins for my sons tonight...............so I thought I would display a picture from last year.

Aren't we so blessed to live in America.....................

Baseball.............hot dog.................apple pie...................chevy or ford.

Start with Strawberries

I can't help it, but every February I get ready for Strawberry Season. When I was growing up momma would make a simple Shortcake to go along with our Strawberries.

This recipe is so simple;

First. You use a Dutch oven, spray with oil.

Second: Mix 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 stick of melted butter.

Mix together, and pour in dutch oven.

Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.

***This cake is dense; not overly sweet like some cakes.

I'M IN LOVE WITH STRAWBERRIES

The End result.

Battle of Olustee in Florida : February 13 and 14, 2009.

Being sick is the pits.................. I have so many things I want to do.

I am deadly on cameras. I am on camera number 5 in 4 years. These are Kodak good cameras and I break or tear up something on them all the time. I was going to take a picture of the Strawberry Shortcake I made last night but no, my camera on button is broke.

So, I am blogging today about some upcoming Festivals around our area. The Olustee Festival in town has great crafts and at the battle field the women dress up and authentic replica Civil War wear. Maybe I can sneak out and take some pictures..........O'w once my camera gets fixed.

They also sell the authentic wear. I can't wait to see what they have this year.

The Power of a Praying Wife...............Part I

Stormie has some great stuff to say in here and I just love her name.

The prayers of a wife who longs to do right,more than be right and to give life more than get even. This is the way to invite God's power into your husband's life for the greatest blessings.

She states, " I had to be the one to change first". I had to examine myself and my own heart for unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment and destructive motives.

The ultimate love language is PRAYER. "When you pray for your husband the love of God will grow in your heart for him. Not only that, you'll find love growing in his heart for you".

POWERFUL STUFF............... Who doesn't want a more powerful and upbeat marriage.........................BRING IT ON SISTA.........

If you liked this post, get the book and we will share more next week. It also, teaches us how to start praying for our children.

No It's Not My Hair

I am going to post this little tid bit and then later today do the post for "The Power of A Praying Wife". This book was written by Stormie Omartian. I challenge you to get the book and pray for a successful 2009 and marriage.

Have you ever wondered what makes the world go around. I had this thought one day while trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I am older now and my hair does not act the same as it did when I was younger. It is thinner and has a mind of it's own. So, I asked myself, why is my hair so important to me. I said, well because I want to look good. ( do you ever talk to yourself like this?) Well, who do you want to look good for? My husband of course and others because I want my husband to be proud of who I am. Then I was thinking of all the industries that produce products for just us women. Wow...................from medical to cosmetics.....baby they make it all for us. Why?????? simply because of a verse in Genesis 3:16 that says

and thy desire shall be unto thy husband and he shall rule over thee.

Simply put, we want him always to look and look and look.

So, remember that on this coming Valentine's Day

Family Foto Friday

Sorry, this is blurrrryy. This little fellow was about 9 when this picture was taken. He didn't have such a good day on Tuesday, as he thought he might be having another heart attack. At 72 years old, Dad is coming to grips with the ageing process, which most the times are difficult. It is not easy for them to age or for us children see them go through the struggle. He is fine today and back home riding his tractor and feeding the wildlife. Praise God for that.

Grrrrly Room

Ok ladies, it is 3 more days til the month of LOVE. I invite all of you to stop by next month and visit with me about what I am learning in " The Power of A Praying Wife". Next month I will have some of the best of the book listed. I will share with you the best dibbits. Get a copy at your local book store and share along with me.

This room is dedicated to the Love of a husband and wife. Don't let the love the Lord gave you be forgotten this month. Something sweet, something nice, something see through and with spice. I bought a lovely see through antique apron from an esty shop. It works well.

The dress in the picture here is a lovely antique flapper dress I bought at an antique store. It is made of heavy material and rhinestones at the shoulder straps. I can just imagine how much fun the original owner had in it.

The Finished Product

Making Strawberry Cookies

These Strawberry Coookies are my Sweeties favorite.

They are real easy.
Strawberry Cake mix and cool whip.
Mix and put in a small clump. Dip clump of dough in powdered sugar and bake at 350 for 18 minutes.

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day

Getting ready for Valentine's Day. My buffet is deocrated and my grrrly room is prepared. I change it each month. I am baking cookies and preparing my menu for our Valentine's dinner at our home. I love to make a special dinner for my husband and sons. This will include a pastry sandwich, fruit and other appetizers.

Family Foto Friday

I am new at blogging and trying to get some of the kink's worked out. I wanted to participate in Friday Family Foto Day and so, I picked my hereos. These little boys we're born at 3 lbs. a piece. They we're born at 30 weeks and we spent over 50 days in the hospital. During the first week of their lives, they survived a heart attack, a needle in the chest and circulation problems where their fingers would have to be taken off. They are fighters............................

Today because of God's Grace in our lives, they are happy, healthy and lively. GOD IS GOOD...

We are proud supporters of March of Dimes, so if you haven't given, at least try to give the birth weight of your children or grandchildren.

Gorilla Brea

This Bread is a Paula Deen recipe called Gorilla Bread. Brown Sugar, Cream Cheese, pecans................yummmmmmmmmmmOOOO.

You can find the recipe on Food Network.

Favorite Jewelry

This was one of my most recent finds at my local antique store. It is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. I can just see the owner. In a beautiful white ruffled dress with a bustle, matching gloves, and pocketbook.

For they we're once little girls...............

For all who have Grannys still living, cherish them. Our family was excited to see my husband's family. His Grandmother, Aunt and cousins. How great it is to see Granny. I wish there was more time to spend with her. My twins think the world of their Granny and I don't know what I will do with them, if something happens to Granny. My son on the left says when he attends college in GA. he is going to live with Granny.

Sooooooooo cherish those Granny's because they we're once little girls.

From Yard Sale this past weekend

This is my finds from this past weekend. I found all these for $2.00 a piece. I was so excited. The waffel iron is made for a gas stove. I have never seen one like that and I think the fan is some kind of heater. I also found a Kitchen Aid mixer, that is really old. It is on top of my cabinets already. This goes well with the theme of my kitchen and that is Farm Fresh Country Canning.

Carnival Punch Bowl

Teresa I found this piece of a Carnival punch bowl at my local antique stores fro $75.00.

I also purchased a beautiful garnet ring for $40.00. It is very unique. I will try to get a picture of it posted.

Christmas Vacation 2008

We hiked 4.5 miles to get to this 95' waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest. Each year we get more and more adventurous. Of course I like eating chocolate chip pancakes at the Smoky Bear Pancake House and shopping at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. It is a nice time to get away from all the worries and hectic pace of life.

I call this my Alfred Hitchcock " The Birds" Picture

The other day the boys and I we're going to town and we bypassed this sub-station. If you look real close you can see all the black birds on the ground and wires. So, I just had to take a picture and post it. It reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie " The Birds".

So, it goes along with my quirky sense of humor.

Front Yard Project

Yep, that is a bath tub in my front yard. This will be my spring and summer project. The hopes are to turn it into a walkway with lush flowers and bulbs.