Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Day In Middlebury, Indiana

Horse and buggies awaiting owners return from breakfast....as we pull in the restaurant...



Inside the restaurant....





Hungry, Brownsburg, Bulldogs after a hot dusty game.... Garrett { Tom's grandson looking toward me as I snap the pic....







Big smile ... after a win... Garrett










Traveling down the road.....











The Restaurant.....














Oh the Bakery......













The carriage....


















Many buggies and Amish families...



















The covered bridge....
















Yesterday Tom and I arose at 6:00 a.m. to make ready to travel to Middlebury, Indiana to attend his grandson's Garrett Baseball tournament game... that was being held in Middlebury... We arrived in Middlebury about 9:00 a.m. and ate breakfast at Das Dutchmen Essenhaus. They pride themselves on being the largest restaurant on Indiana with a whopping { 1,100 seats}... There are small shops in the area also... and a very large bakery... After the game I told Tom I would want to come back to the bakery... Gotta take a couple goodies home you know... I purchased a peanut butter creme pie...a loaf of sourdough bread { one of Tom's favorite} a very small bag of home-made Carmel's... I would have loved to take home noodles and some apple butter ect. but the items were on the pricey side.. For example 6 cookies were 5.25...ouch.... I will be baking my own cookies since 2 cookies is just a sample for Tom...

I would have loved to spend much more time there as I have been begging all summer to go to the Amish country and travel the back roads and here we were in prime Amish country and had to rush home... Tom's daughter Tonya had called and said she was coming down with a friends and her daughters to be around the pool in the afternoon so Tom was in his trucker mode { his occupation before retirement} grrrrr....to get home... I would have loved to snapped some pics.. I did snap a couple but do you know what a cheap camera and snapping at 60 miles a hour produces to share with you... Can I say... not much.... Life as a blurrr.....

When leaving the restaurant we did see the wedding carriage traveling down the lane to the covered bridge for a wedding ceremony.. It was lovely but I had sympathy for them because of the extreme heat...

I did place a picture of Amish buggies awaiting their owners to return from having breakfast... I was surprised at the amount of Amish that were eating in the restaurant...

By noon bells, temps had reached the 90's and very hot and humid and I could feel myself getting that ache in the tummy and crabbiness setting in... Hot weather can really have a hold on me that I don't enjoy...

When we arrived home we found the pool to be full of young women and girls enjoying the relief of the water in the pool... and a house full of flies... I am posting while on break from mopping my floors yet one more time this week...

Also when arriving home I had 2 messages from my daughter who was at my X's... She wanted us to come over and spend some time with her... After the girls left... I made some supper followed by a piece of that peanut butter pie... oh yummmm... peeled off my clothes and slipped into the pool and cooled down and freshened up... We went to see my daughter of which we stayed much longer than I thought we would and came home... soaked in a bath of perfumed oiled water ... watched a hour of HGTV and traveled off to bed... This morning has consisted of laundry.. mopping... cleaning porch and decks... washing windows... and picking sweet corn from the garden for supper.... I want to slice up a large watermelon and make some sliced cucumbers yet.... Wait this is Sunday...I need to cool it... so the rest of the things to be done can just wait till tomorrow as the temps is now nearing the 90 degree mark once again... Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying your day... I hope for this one to be just a bit more relaxing with a hour here... sending blessings....


















Friday, July 29, 2011

Today's Life Filled With Spam

It is a grey, humid day, with a small amount of rain fall, here, in my little country corner of Ohio today...It is just past noon and Tom and I just returned from a trip to town... We needed a few things at the grocery and some pool chemicals.... We were told at the pool store they would be coming in about 2 weeks to tear out the old existing pool we are using and built us a new one.... It's getting close...
I was reading stories on Yahoo news on the Internet as I do most days... My head is shaking as I am whispering ol'e my golly... what in the world is taking place.....as I am just blown away by some of the SPAM that is considered news.... This causes me to wonder and care what has happened to the Portrait Of America... Other countries read this on the Internet ... What happened to the times when there may have been a little gossip at the local cafe or general store... Now we are hearing about Jesse James X fiance having a early age tattoo of him under her arm pit... Where did he come from anyway... wasn't Jesse James a outlaw???? Oh my gosh, my golly.... I think we have Sandy to thank for this one, but she didn't know what was coming either... I would much rather hear more serious reports like we are searching for solutions to get the ma and pa back to being able to sell their bread and eggs and allowing people to have the pride in their towns and heritage and history... I believe in backing locals to help insure they will be there and share in a need for one another... For myself. I am for family and community and food... not some show off meal that cost a fortune... but wonderful, nourishing, flavorful food... The wonderful and deserving old ways of meaning and life will be much better is we are all serving up old fashion pieces of history instead of all the SPAM we receive today... SPAM was something in a can we ate when money may be a bit tight for groceries but still provided nourishment... { Mom use to place cloves with a couple teaspoons brown sugar and bake it like a ham for about a half hour... I crave that good old taste of the past every once in awhile} Now days SPAM doesn't nourish the body but plays with the mind.... Seems as though we must get ourselves to return to the building on the past and increase our art of reinvention...To know something is beautiful inside as out....

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Enduring Times

Everyday Life... Do we really ever see the bumpy roads that many have to endure? I think many times we only see the outside believing one may have the life of Cinderella...
I know many who are truly having to be very courageous through these summer months... Dealing with illness, finances, failed marriages.. ect.. Enduring these times we are at our best by being honest and down right inspiring... Tempers are flaring as our government are supposedly trying to fix our nation, and all the people really want is what is right, fair and equal treatment... It is for sure that no one seems to have the right recipe...
This morning has not been especially good one... as I am pressing hard to squash out negative thoughts and not waste time on them... So much seems to surround us and most of the time we do not have the ability to change people... Many times in the thought process I believe my life has been spinning since my teens and seems many of the times I am requesting for it to "Stop and let me get off.." Waking up this morning was one of realizing" I am not sleeping on no feather bed...." I am thinking I am just going to have to head to the kitchen before our fore casted in the 90's day totally slips in and make something that has wonderful aroma and causes pure delight as you partake of many little bites of contentment... Hum.. that is sounding like something chocolate and maybe brownies can fill that order.... and then there is that ice cream in the freezer that may taste good on a warm afternoon... OK... as I continue to realize throughout this post you can never be sure of anything lasting too long, success or happiness .... it is a must that we seize those moments.... when they are here and enjoy each and every moment...
I wish there were a iron clad way of fulfilling lives with love and passions and making it last... and throwing away negative thinking and walking under ladders with total confidence... but life seems to be a bit like a wrapped gift... you never know quite what is awaiting you inside......
PS. I just wanted to add a very good thought sent to me by a comment... She very positively stated that the bad times do not last forever either.... Now that is the power of positive thinking ... and inspiration we all need.... Blessings...

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Just Chillin'

I am taking a couple hours out this afternoon and just chillin'... I played ladies golf league this morning and no chillin' there so when I arrived home I spent a couple hours in the pool... It is a warm day in the 80's but there is a wonder full breeze and it is just very comfortable... Unlike the last couple weeks... I just jumped out of my suit and into everyday clothes and decided to spend some time with you all.
Some inspiration would be well received today... When I golf I usually do not get many chores done that day... Tuesday is a day I spend more time just for myself... Now that I have floated in the pool for a couple hours... I know not much is on the list... Now I can just dream....
A creative mind is always thinking... Always paying attention to detail... I honestly believe one can turn any space into a dream space... sticking to a clean and soft palette and the addition of charm... Most of us are not blessed with the space we would really love to have... I do however think there is much to be said about working with older spaces... Usually the construction itself has more character... I find many new spaces to a a very sterile appeal to them. This is sometimes difficult to break.. When something is not in your taste or within our budget that is when we can bring forth our very best... I love the word relaxed... and it is very important... Something that has never stopped being a good anchor for a space is a mirror... The appearance of more space is added and the reflection is a wonderful addition... We all know beautiful things "delight".. Making sure not to over collect { guilty} and just touches of the girly { I use more} can bring elegance.. Relaxation and Elegance... Two great combinations... Now I am off to other blogs and see if I can find inspiration and put these two to work... Blessings sent your way...

Monday, July 25, 2011

Double Dipping














Another blazing hot weekend ... more days of double dipping.... I was in the pool 3 times yesterday and took 3 baths in oils... I think I have found a good excuse for my wrinkles... I have not been able to do all the chores I would like but have just told myself they would all be waiting when the weather cools down of which will not be again this week....Rain was all around us yesterday but we received not a drop.... My son and my granddaughter spent the afternoon with us and the pool was loved by Olivia.... Later after dark it was also enjoyed by Tom's daughter Trish and her son Lance... I think they are getting into the after dark swims... We are still awaiting the arrival of the work crew to tear out our old pool and dig and replace it with a new one... The new one will be wonderful to swim in as it will have lights under the water.... Makes the swim extra special... I have shared some lovely bath areas with you today... I have a nice bath area but can dream of lovely spaces such as this to double dip in.... I just got out from a morning dip... It is off to town for groceries in a bit when Tom arrives home from golfing.... I have a feeling I will be dipping on and off all day........






Wednesday, July 20, 2011

A Few Vintage Objects And Creations







































































The morning hours started out in the 80's ... I am doing a few chores before it becomes to hot to complete any... Tomorrow it is suppose to be the 100's and that is almost unheard of here in Ohio... Guess we are breaking all kind of records that I am not too enthused about breaking... It is so hazy and hot already...

What is a new trend that you are liking to use in decorating in your home... I am not usually very trendy... but I still have desires for some French and just romantic treasures....

As the heat and day progresses I plan on spending some time on maybe searching out a couple flea market finds from blogsphere... I have a urge to change out a few displays again by just playing the old musical spots game once again... with my existing objects... and maybe a tuck of a new object to please the eye... As we would all like our homes as pretty and charming as homes featured in magazine we sometimes find this hard to so as we may not have all the sources available as many do... I just try very hard to pride myself on creating what objects and sources are available to me... Such as the salvage grain sacks I have created with... I did find a few objects that I would love to have and change out but "GASPED" when I saw the prices being asked for these beautiful and desirable but out of reach items... I am having enough problems taking in oxygen with the heat and just admitted it would be lovely but not for me... I am not will to fall short to wants and pay prices that are not in my budget and have regrets later... I made those type of mistakes in younger years and will not repeat that again...

In my quest to use what is available I want to share with you today .. a remnant grain sack runner with the addition of a Battenburg vintage lace dresser scarf... I made more pillows but will share a couple with you today... The one pillow was created with a patched grain sack... a old photo... very old lace and a rhinestone brooch... The other pillow was salvage grain sack with the simple word antiques written in French... I plan to embellish this one more when I go to my stash and search for something that will work .... I did stop in a antique store the other day and spend 7.00 on old lace... not shown and a lovely little bunch of vintage pretty buttons for display or altered art... and a lovely old photo I plan on using for a altered art journal cover page... I hope all of you that are dealing with the heat find shelter from it and only do things that will be good to yourself... as we continue our journey through this week... Blessings....

















Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Struggling Through Our Hot Days

Oh My.... I have been MIA the past couple days... I am trying to struggle through the heat... Right here in my area we did not get the rain that some of the surrounding areas received and we need it so very badly... Our area is really hurting... The next few days are to be dangerously hot....
Yesterday to beat the heat Tom and drove up into Michigan to go to a casino all day ... they keep the air so high you have to wear a sweater to be comfortable.
This morning I had ladies golf league and by the time we were on the last couple holes I was totally done in .... The sun was so hot... After returning home I didn't even want to be outside in the pool... I just went to the bath and soaked in bath oil...
I did complete some grain sack pillows and a grain sack runner I will share with you in the next couple days when I take a few pics of them...
I think if I had my choice of something to do I would love to be a lovely antique shop that has it's air on high and just hunt for a lovely vintage French piece...Since I have no plans on leaving the house the next couple days .... hum... that option could be available to me ... I can shop from coast to coast on the Internet... remembering when you create a home no matter what your style as long as it reflects the people that live there it can be enjoyed by all who enter... However for today I am going to bottle and cap things up for a couple days and only do the necessary chores till Mother Nature changes her ways... and gives us some cooler weather and some much needed rain...
I am off to fold some laundry.... before doing so wanted to wish you all a pleasant evening and hope your day was blessed with something special today...


Friday, July 15, 2011

Savoring The Summer Season And Blessings Available To Me...

I am trying to savor the summer season as we sneak into a weekend once again with no rain and 90 degree forecasts. The past 2 days have been cooler and evenings down right chilly but I have enjoyed it... I know fall is lurking right around the corner and soon our swimsuits and sandals will disappear...Soon thoughts of warmer colors and heavier fabrics will appear... The trees in our yard are starting to shed leaves that are starving for water as they dry up... due to our lack of rain..
Today I seem to be in a mellow sort of mood... a mood where I wish I could place every ones dreams and wishes and hopes in a bottle... set them afloat ... and when they are found and opened the bottled up thoughts and hopes would all come true... With all the sadness in our world it just seems to be a refreshing thought but knowing life itself is not perfect... that's where the wisdom to enjoy all the tiniest of pleasures come in to help us with the more difficult times... We really MUST find things that creates pleasure for us even if it comes through the reading or inspiration of a magazine or books... I worked through some of my chores this morning and have my bathing suit on awaiting the arrival of the sun for a half hour or so around 11:00 a.m. It has been a hazy morning so far... The weekend temps will be too hot for me to indulge in this small pleasure but a occasional dip will do.. It think my pleasures of blogging is that we read of lovely things being done for others... In our news and media coverage we learn of so much sadness and miss doing .. I read a post this morning by June http://laughingwithangels.blogspot.com/ that the title was " So Far Behind .. That I think I Am First" that brought a large smile to my face a loud chuckle... I know I have had the exact feeling all summer long... Then in a different shade of life a beautiful post by Jodi http://jodielejeune.blogspot.com/ sharing her thoughts and inner most feelings of a loss to her husband and herself...
I usually post in the mornings as I try to share my thoughts as I sip my coffee in the peace of a country side home... Many of the post I read this morning were on where blogger create and I enjoyed also viewing some of their lovely space.. I have a desire also to have a lovely space as no one would want to see where I create.. ugh.. but for now I will just be content with what I have available to me as I am certainly not hurting in any way for anything as I continue to be blessed and I will continue to just be very Thankful... Sending you all best wishes for a lovely weekend and many blessings ......

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bringing Back Childhood Memories

In the summer months memories of my childhood and upbringing become very predominant as grandchildren frequent on a daily basis to swim and bring many friends with them... running from place to place doing everything possible in the time a day will allow... Life is soooo different now compared to back when I was in my young years... There is a peace connected with them to what takes place now... I was allowed to swim in a community pool also but only after chores had been done to earn enough money to take me swimming for the afternoon..This took place from a younger child through my teens....A exact time was set for you to be home at noon and at 6:00 for meals and you best be there... and when meals completed as a family ready to clean up and do dishes... Kids do not know what a chore is and certainly don't seem to know what it is to sit as a family at a meal... It seems that any snack from a bag will do and don't know what a balanced meal is cause they won't try it... Tom and I both become very disturbed at that... he came from a family of 10 children and meals were prepared at the same time everyday as it was in my family.... I know things are different now and many women work out and most homes aren't filled with a home-made cookie for a afternoon snack but.... mainly I see it is not a desire to prepare a meal for one's family... It is all about so called fun and I certainly know wonderful parts and joys of being and doing things as a family and for a family are being lost and find this to be very sad....Most younger families would call it being old fashion but I call it lost of tradition and a solid way of life... Feeding and providing nourishment should be one of life's greatest gifts and simple pleasures as there can be nothing more satisfying than good food... With all the modern day gadgets and aids.. making things quite easy... It does take some planning however and seems one's car doesn't set long enough in one place to be successful with that... Look at the old ways and maybe find a updates way as everything seem to be a convince now to care for your family... Bring your family together at a table for a meal... The old ways are still the best ways without a doubt in my mind... It is always wonderful when someone says " what is cooking in the kitchen" as their senses make them very aware something wonderful is going on in there... As you proudly feather your nest and make life rewarding for yourself and your family.... If you must be on the run, picnics can be packed with some very nourishing lunches and QUALITY time spend as you take minutes to share... maybe instead of running through that drive thru...
Plan your menu a day ahead of time if it is a problem for you... Yesterday I picked.. snapped and cleaned green beans they will be placed in a kettle and prepared today... for this evening supper... It is just as easy and simple as that... Take time to bring back and enjoy the old fashion so called ways and I can tell you they will be rewarding for your family and yourself...
Pic from...
http://jackandjillinteriors.blogspot.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Appreciating The Outdoors Enhances One's Life




The happiest people don't have it all.. They make the best out of what they have.... Many times I must remind myself of the truths to these words....
Outdoor spaces allows everyone to spread out on decks, benches, chairs and enjoy the glowing moon in the evening hours with enhanced outdoor lighting to add to the ambiance... It may require alittle work keeping outdoor spaces comfortable but to me it is well worth it... Appreciating the outdoors enhances one' life... I always love the look of a bistro table as it seems to add a touch of intimacy.. Umbrellas are a must on my list also...

I have featured a lovely bistro table and a beautiful idea for a ivy screen created with chain and copper K-style gutters... http://www.marthastewart.com The other picture of the bistro table can be found on http://www.decor-medley.com/outdoor-decorating.html

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Old Silverware



I love old silverware...especially engraved and with embellishment... I wanted to share a very simple but sweet way to add a name card to the setting.. A simple wrapped with ribbon or cord and the fork to hold the name card can be a simple but little extra thought when inviting guests or a little something for a special dinner night...



Monday, July 11, 2011

Inspiration For Small Gatherings








Floral straws for your party ideas ???? This is a very sweet idea for making your drinks irresistible... The idea is soft in color and can be found on http://www.marthastewart.com on outdoor party ideas... Imagine serving and sipping iced beverages with this clever budget friendly idea... I am thinking my style may be accomplished by using unbleached coffee filters cut into petal shapes and a aged book page center...

In the table and chairs picture you will notice the use of a bundt pan as a way of adding a centerpiece or floating candles with the umbrella stand pole placed down through the center of the pan.... If you want a arranged centerpiece it can be accomplished by adding floral foam and arranging....

Letting your mind wonder and creativity set in can be quite rewarding for yourself and your guests..

When entertaining with a style all your own it becomes a way for all of us to beat the heat and bring more enjoyment to what is this year very hot and very dry... in my area of Ohio.

I am believing through women liberation many times we tend not to put the effort in to making small gatherings as special as they could be... for ourselves friends and family... We need to make a comeback in providing special welcome offerings to those who enter our homes...

Arm yourself with some great inspiration and enjoy the time sent providing lovely gatherings....






Friday, July 8, 2011

Learning Not To Sweat The Small Stuff

Oh, maybe today was suppose to be a non post day, as Blogger lost my whole post after I had it completed...grrrrr.... I spent time over to the golf course this morning with a make up league game.. This morning was lovely as the gentle breezes kept us cool and allowed me to swing away freely and I scored quite well... Coming home I watered the front yard of plants that are struggling with the heat and dryness. Just finished 2 loads of laundry and lunch and dishes... I am thinking a sort shut down and a nap may be a good move before taking on our evening of golfing... eating... and some Keno.... that is on the agenda for later this late afternoon...
I do continue to be amazed at the talent of fellow bloggers that I frequent and the inspiring posts... It is lovely to share thoughts and lifestyles with others... Many are much more posh than mine but I still continue the ways that are available to me to try to make my home, welcoming and cozy. There are many other factors that make a house a home such as friends... family... and the treats and nourishment that come from out kitchens... These are some of our life's joys and simplest pleasures and learning to enjoy and realize this is so very important to our well beings...
With living there has to be a peace... I am still trying to learn this to a full degree and not to sweat the small stuff... as I sweat enough with the 90 degree temps we have been having... Wishing you all a lovely evening and sending the very best of wishes to you.....