tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89317165632394251132024-03-13T14:17:13.119-07:00Wildberry RanchWelcome! I am a Christian woman who loves her Lord, her husband, her family, and the family of God. Come, get comfortable, stay a while, and come back when you can.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-57697274463031694572020-05-29T14:38:00.000-07:002020-05-29T14:38:46.822-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
A New Life In A Different State</h2>
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If you had told me a couple of years ago I would be living in Texas, I would have said, No Way. Not because I didn't want to eventually, but, there were so many hurdles to pass, it looked far, far into the future.</div>
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Here is the story of how we came to be Texans.<br />
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As I told you in a previous post <a href="https://wildberryranch.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-new-post-old-user.html">here</a>. We sold our home in California and moved. We had lived in that particular home for 37 years. Our youngest daughter was born when we had been there about one month, so it held a lot of memories of 5 of our own children and another to bless us in our life.<br />
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Many races around the house, apples to pick from our small orchard, volleyball in the backyard, whiffle-ball games in the front yard, redecorating throughout as we lived our life in that little 1487 sq ft home.<br />
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Well, life here in Texas has been different. Not in a bad way, tho. The weather is different. Fireflies grace out yard from time to time. I thought being a Californian that fireflies were of the imagination, little did I know... We live in a neighborhood, but the Lord put us on the end of the street and we have no neighbors on one side and none in the back. Only fields of wildflowers with no plans to take away that lovely sight.<br />
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We dabbled in selling in an Antique store for about a year, but we have decided that has run its course and now we don't know exactly what will be next, but Lord willing, we want to meet it head on and be a blessing.<br />
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One of our grandsons was married to a lovely young lady and two years, almost to the day, they blessed our family with a great grand daughter. Miss "A" is now a little over 4 months old and she is a doll. Of course, we may be a little prejudice. They live a short distance away and it is always a blessing to see her/I mean them!<br />
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All of one family's children have graduated high school. One granddaughter is a pharmacy tech, another has a job at a big box store and the grandson is secure in his job for a nearby city.<br />
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Another family is growing up before our very eyes. The granddaughter is going to be an accomplished pianist in not very long. (not stage worthy in the world's eyes, but she can play and sing lovely) the young man is finishing his school and wants to follow in his father's footsteps.<br />
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As I have four families nearby, the third family has their two graduated and pursuing careers in AC/Electrical and Nursing.<br />
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The fourth family is getting ready to send off their children to college and finishing high school. They also have a great grandchild who is soooo cute.<br />
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-37722862484208961742020-05-29T14:37:00.002-07:002020-05-29T14:37:52.196-07:00A Day in the Life of a JunkerThis post was prepared several years ago. It was kinda fun to re-read it and remember all that happened. Yes, just as it did. We have since quit shows, they are too taxing for us. We do like a good sale now and then tho. Maybe you will happen upon an older couple and ...<br />
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My head drops lower and I wake to find my chin almost to my chest. I stretch back and come fully awake. As I reach for my glasses, I try to figure out where we are on our journey. Glasses in place I start reading exit signs. Hercules, Pinole, Appian. OK, just about to the bay.<br />
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I glance over to Mr who graciously allows me to nap while he drives. "How're you doing?"<br />
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"Fine. Looks like it will be a nice day." It is 3 am. We don't talk a lot early in the morning.<br />
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We exit the highway shortly and make the right turns to take us to a tunnel that goes under the bay to the island of Alameda. A few more turns and we join the other cars parked along the street leading to the gate. Our place in line is farther ahead than other times. Sometimes it stretches for at least a mile. We park and turn out the lights and settle in for a little more nap.<br />
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About 30 minutes later, we hear engines start up and lights come on and the cars start inching their way through the gates. Our entrance tickets are ready and we hand them over to one of the guards. This huge navy airfield has been marked into spaces for one of California's largest Antique - Flea Markets.<br />
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Pavement expands in all directions. We find our marked space and the first thing we do is set up out canopy with it's weights. Weights are now required on all four legs of each and every canopy as there have been accidents from flying canopies with the wind that sometimes comes up. No fun for the vendors, and no fun for the shoppers, some of who were injured.<br />
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Within a hour or so, a small city has been erected on the pavement. Rugs, jewelry, antiques from around the world, oddities. All this and more can be found here. We have been doing this "show" every month for about 8 years. That is a lot of shows...<br />
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Early, before 6 even, there are those who browse your booth. Few sales, for us anyway, take place. After Mr has unloaded and placed his furniture items, I get to spruce up a few pieces with my smalls. He takes a well-deserved nap over in the corner and I unpack a few packing boxes. Bowls, knick-knacks, plates, vintage cooking pieces, whatever we think may interest our customers are placed here and there. This last show we had a three foot tall leather zebra! I know other dealers, one my daughter, who can envision a whole vignette and make it happen. I seem to just stumble along and it is enough.<br />
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The sun rises, customers come and go. On a great day the market gets as many as 12,000 to 13,500 shoppers. That's a whole lot of people. Sometimes there is a steady stream going by. You see all the gambit of humanity. I have seen men wearing skirts, women with colored hair (not dyed - colors!), mothers with their babies strapped to their chests nursing, people on crutches (I know I couldn't make it one row, and there must be 50 rows). Then there are whole families. We had a few tiny birdhouses that we got for a song and were selling for $1 each. It was so fun to see the children pick out one and pay for it. I mean, who cannot afford $1?<br />
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Our neighbor vendor has his children come and help him. Sometimes it is his son who lives in a near city. "Tony" helps dad set out his refinished works of art - tools. They are truly beautiful. "Tony", the son, is a principal on a normal workday. Here, he is the "helper". Other children show up a little later. "Lisa" (a mom with 4 little ones at home, I think she is glad to escape for a while...) and "Lynette" (a professional lady), and "Josh", all there to support dad. One of the grandchildren sometimes comes. It is like greeting family to see them and share a few hours. "Larry", the dad shared with us a few months back that his wife was very sick, and they were waiting on test results. The next month, they told us that she had cancer. A few months later, we heard that she passed away. I don't know if this family knows the Lord, but we have had opportunity to tell them that we care and that we are praying for them. Hopefully, they see HIM in us.<br />
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"Sally" has a part of the booth across the way. She sells what she calls "steam-punk" jewelry and vintage watches. I don't even know if I would know what a "steam-punk" item was if it came up and tapped me on the shoulder. It works for her. Her other booth buddy, "Mike" is always telling her to not "bother us". She is just a lonely person who needs a friend.<br />
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We have other vendors who stop by to say hi and give us a short story of their day, or week, or month... For some reason, we seem to be a listening post. It makes the day very interesting.<br />
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About 1:30, I start gathering some small items that are not getting any attention and putting them in my packing boxes. As this is happening, arranging take place, and I usually end up selling something because I moved it... why didn't I have it there in the first place? At 2:30, Mr takes a stroll to the back parking lot to retrieve the parked truck and cargo trailer. He brings it around at 3 and we pack it up again. It is like moving twice in one day.<br />
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Getting into the truck for the ride home is right up there with being the best part of the day, the best part is when we pull into the driveway and thank the Lord for giving us another day to live for Him and thank Him for safety.<br />
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It's good to be home.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-71661868741998187502020-05-28T14:56:00.001-07:002020-05-28T14:56:55.719-07:00A New Post, an Old UserMany years ago, I started this blog. That's when blogging was popular. I don't think Instagram was that popular yet. Now, you see people checking their stats for followers online hourly, or at the very least, daily.<br />
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We used to live in California. There, we were Antique dealers, making our way through shows, finds, and re-purposing where we could. But then, life happened.<br />
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Our kids that lived in Texas at the time would remind us from time to time that prices were good there and we could retire there, near them. They would "take care of us" in our old age (!) and please move before they had to put us directly into an "old folks home". Well, we put it off by saying in a couple of years. Time passed and we didn't make that first step.<br />
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We decided to have a yard sale to get rid of extra stuff that we had acquired. Just a normal, yard sale. Well, during the first day of the sale we had 4 people want to buy our house! We smiled and said check back in a couple of years. They wanted to leave names and numbers, so we took them, never thinking of what would come of it. One neighbor, down the road, called us that afternoon and said she was thinking of her parents, but they were not ready to move. OK. But, could she pass on our number to her friends? Of course, we aren't moving, just giving out our information. Little did we know that her friend came to the sale and assessed the situation. They gave us a call that late afternoon and said they wanted to come by and talk to us. OK. They came, we sat in the front yard under shade trees and listened to them tell us they wanted our home, no improvement, as is. And, they made us an offer much more than we had expected. We both left with the thoughts that we and they would pray about this and get back in touch on Monday.<br />
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We were reeling! What! No realtor? But we weren't ready to move, or were we?<br />
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Long story later, we accepted their offer, they got a loan, we had a friend who works real estate read through the contract and we sold the house!<br />
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One of our daughters from Texas said she would come out and help us pack. We rented a POD, which is an 8 by 8 by 16 foot storage container. We packed it full and had the mother of all yard sales. We had decided to stay in California til September (this was now June). Mr had committed to an evangelical outreach at the Placer County Fair and he was going to keep that commitment.<br />
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We rented an apartment, first time ever, for four months. We saved only what we absolutely needed and sent a car, a POD and the same daughter out to TEXAS!<br />
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In the meantime, we needed a place to live in Texas. So, we went online and viewed houses for sale. We settled on a town near three of the kids and had them go look at it for us. We bought it actually sight unseen. We have been very happy in this.<br />
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All this long story to tell you how we saw the Lord's hand in day to day working in our lives. We were blessed beyond measure by His grace. He led us step by step, mowing down opposition and doubt. He made a way. We have had His blessing in using the funds He gave us by the sale of the house in California to fund our retirement. He Is Good. Always has been, always will be.<br />
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So now, I am a Cali-Texan. Or maybe a Texi-Cali. Whatever I am, it is by His grace. I want to be a blessing where ever He puts me.<br />
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Stay tuned to find out what He has done in our lives since we have lived in Texas.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0Burleson, TX, USA32.5420821 -97.320849232.4349646 -97.4822107 32.6491996 -97.1594877tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-78580297116806436102014-05-07T13:35:00.000-07:002014-05-07T18:54:40.717-07:00A MonthiversaryI don't even know if there is such a thing. But it sounds fun, huh?<br />
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We are coming up on one. In fact, it will be our 504th. Over 500 months of marriage. It seems like yesterday in some ways. We have had our differences over the months, who hasn't? After all, we are human. We all have our ways that seem to be the best in our eyes. But, marriage is all about working together to show His glory through marriage.<br />
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(A warning, this is a long reminisce)<br />
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I was 20. Not that old, unless you consider I had no "steady" interest on my part or anyone else in me. I was having my own little Bible study when it occurred to me that what I really wanted in my life was God's will. So, I started studying with that in mind. What did God want for me? After my prayer, it came to me that He wanted me to have a family. I knew I could do that... (well, we are all so innocent) But, I knew my own selfish me... So, then I started praying that if He wanted me to have a husband and family, He was going to have to send me my husband. I prayed for this non-existent person. I was sure that if I already knew him, I didn't view him as husband material. I was strong-minded and selfish and I knew that I needed a man that would guide me without letting me have my selfish ways. It then occurred to me (very logically) that this man may not even be saved. So, I then prayed for his salvation and wisdom for him to guide me.<br />
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Well, little did I know then what I know now. Mr was a young man that had recently lost his father. He was searching but didn't know it. He felt emptiness where his friends had left voids, his cars, job, his life were all non satisfying. In other words he needed the Lord. One day, he told the Lord, "I give up". He had no Bible training, he didn't know the catch phrases of "salvation", "born-again". All he knew was the religion that he had been brought up in taught him that there was a heaven and there was a hell. So, when he bowed his heart to the one God, he gave his life up to Him.<br />
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Not long after, he attended some church groups to see if he could find people that wanted to serve God like he did. There were some friends he knew, two sisters, that invited him to their church. So, he went. He saw the same two sisters who put on a different face at the church than they did at the parties they went to. He saw they led two different lives. That was not what he wanted. He wanted to serve God. He attended some other places. The same story. Their lives did not reflect God.<br />
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At his work, he knew a man that was not afraid to tell others about God. He would go around during his break and share Bible verses with whoever would listen, and even if they did not want to listen. Well, they didn't work the same shift, but word got to the older man that he should look up my Mr. There had been a drastic change in his dress, hair (afro cut off), his wanting to talk about the Lord. So, a time was set to meet up. Bible studies started. Mr learned then that this "saved", "born - again" and other words, were the same thing that happened to him - he would say "I saw the light". Isn't it wonderful how the Lord finds us where we are? But, He is too good to leave us there.<br />
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Well, back to the monthiversary...<br />
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We met at a Bible study. Mr was not looking for a wife. I had decided (with God's help) that I was not looking for a husband. I was waiting for Him to reveal that man to me when it was His time. We became friends, but not interested in "that" way. After some time, I was asking Mr what brought him to the Lord and he told me of the time the Lord had been "tracking him down". Hmm, I then asked when it was, like, when in the calendar year. When he told me, it was a shock to me to remember that was when I had really started praying for my future husband. Well, I didn't say anything then. I was still waiting, but I looked with different eye at him.<br />
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More time went by, not a lot, but time to grow in friendship. There came a time when Mr revealed that he had decided that he was <u>not</u> going to pursue what this friendship was leading to. I was a little shocked until he told me that no matter how much he had decided that course, the Lord was telling him that He wanted different! Huh? ! You mean? Yes, he wanted to court me, with marriage our end! He then asked me what I thought. That is when I told him how I had prayed for my future husband and my first inkling that he may be the one was our conversation about his coming aware of the Lord dealing with him.<br />
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Well, the rest can wait for another long story time. How we got married, yes we did! How a tragic event happened just a few days before that wonderful day. And, you know the rest...<br />
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That's us on the right, my sister and her husband on the left, a double wedding.</div>
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On our honeymoon in Bodega Bay. We each took each other's photo. I guess it didn't occur to find someone to help us out...</div>
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Some years later... about the time this next one was taken.</div>
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Blessings from the Lord. Yes, we were quite busy.</div>
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I have to say I haven't always been the help-meet that Lord wanted. I have been stubborn and will full at times. But my goal has been to be in God's will. I want that more than anything.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-392788463982653932014-04-28T12:49:00.000-07:002014-04-28T15:26:24.262-07:00Roseville and Mes Amis<div style="text-align: center;">
For several years we have attended/sold at the show in Roseville called "Tattered House" and now Mes Amis. Don't worry, I can't pronounce it either. It is french for my friends or something like that.</div>
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We have had the same spot and have gotten rather used to setting up in our own little corner of the world.<br />
We have questions all the time as to what we are called. It is not a business, just a reminder that we are your...<br />
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We like to take garden art and my husband's trade-mark restored treasures from old wood made new and usable again. I love how he takes something that is rather ugly and re-uses other parts to make something new and exciting. Sometimes it involves changing the top, or putting on a metal top, painting, gluing, sanding, or giving a piece legs or casters. I have seen him take one piece and it turns into two pieces that are charming. We have people tell us all the time that they love our pieces. Hmm, it is my husband's work, can I share in it too?</div>
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A cabinet that can be hung or just placed on another surface with some of my "stuff" inside to show usage.</div>
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The tall table on casters can be used as an island or work station.</div>
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We have had couples buy such pieces to use as a changing table!</div>
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I'm sure they will find many uses later on.</div>
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Another cabinet placed on what we call a small island/work station. Very useful.</div>
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Oh, look, there is a vintage ice chest. Perfect for the "man cave".</div>
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This was a 'bin table' but the half-round drawers were damaged and Mr took them off and restored the top. He cut a tall cabinet in half for the hutch piece. Ironstone, bowls and glasses show it off well. The bench was a perfect fit for the whole.</div>
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The top on this one lifts up and there is storage inside. You could use it for gardening, or in a kitchen for storing goods or cooking things.</div>
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I like this one. It seems to have been a "receiving desk" from long ago. The slanted top would be perfect for a desk, or use it as an island. It is a lovely "mix" of industrial and practical. There is also storage inside for whatever you wish.</div>
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These were just a sneak peek at some of the items that we take to shows like Mes Amis and others.</div>
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What one is your favorite?</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-50704237832031705572014-04-27T21:41:00.001-07:002014-04-27T21:43:43.542-07:00Spring Petaluma<div style="text-align: center;">
We visited a show in Petaluma, California today. It was teaming with people selling, buying and just having a good time.</div>
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We parked and came up to the closed off street that housed hundreds of booths.</div>
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I "shot" this into the sun. Petaluma Antique Faire.</div>
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Some places you could hardly walk it was so crowded. I hugged my purse and Mr put his wallet into a front pocket. We were safe... well, safety minded. We had no problems.</div>
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All kinds of goods were offered, from vintage clothing to the dishes that grandma used in her kitchen to kettle korn and in between.</div>
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Old friends reconnecting.</div>
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Garden art was very prominent.</div>
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We may "do" this show in the fall. It covers two city blocks and a parking lot.</div>
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Well, just to give you an idea of a show in the area. After this, we went home to rest our weary feet. And what we purchased? A coffee, some hugs from some friends and a day spent together. What could be better?</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-19070881266160123122014-04-25T15:57:00.000-07:002014-04-25T15:57:42.679-07:00Fussy Old PeopleFussy old people. You know the ones. "Where is my cup? Not <u>that</u> one, I like the one with the thick edge. I like <u>that</u> one." "Did anyone see where I put my glasses? Oh, I have them on? Hmm?" "Do you have a fan? It seems like I'm hot in here." And on and on.<br />
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We just returned from visiting our children in Texas. I must tell you that they were very long-suffering with us. We were treated like royalty. "Let 'Honey' have the front seat so she can get in and out better". "Dad, would you like something to eat to hold you over before dinner?" "Papa likes this kind", and on and on. We were made to feel so welcome.<br />
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The two girls and our son planned a day of fun for the guys and the same time a day of shopping for the girls. Not to forget the son-in-laws and daughter-in-law, they accommodated our every whim. My poor granddaughter had to listen to stories from long ago til her eyes glazed over. She told her mother later, "'Honey just told me her life story". Hmm, I will have to make it shorter next time! (and she didn't hear all of it!)<br />
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Schedules were changed, beds were given up. Menus planned just for us. We were together nearly every day with frequent phone calls and texts in between.<br />
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A family whiffle ball game had us all cheering. It didn't matter who was hitting (or not hitting), we just all wanted to "let the kid out".<br />
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New sunglasses</div>
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Taking a rest</div>
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Styling</div>
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Family whiffle ball</div>
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Our normal heavy hitter couldn't get a hit. She blamed it on a need for glasses.</div>
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Some enjoyed watching.</div>
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One granddaughter just redid her room</div>
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And, made this picture for it, don't you just love the spelling?</div>
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Many poses were taken with this poor rabbit who died making a little boy happy.</div>
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Boy cousins.</div>
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I finished another rug for a 40th birthday coming up.</div>
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We had a wonderful time and look forward to returning. </div>
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<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-45672846432990513762014-03-23T17:33:00.001-07:002014-03-25T14:35:36.691-07:00Knotted Rag Rug Tutorial Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many moons ago I did a post tutorial on how to make rag rugs without any sewing. In fact I did two posts. You can see them <i><b><u><a href="http://wildberryranch.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-sew-rug-making-tutorial-i-promise.html">here</a> </u></b></i>and <i><b><u><a href="http://wildberryranch.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-sew-rug-making-tutorial-part-2.html">here</a>.</u></b></i></div>
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Well, it has been a while since I have made a rug. But, when I was cleaning out my fabric stash, I found several pieces that just had to be made into rugs. You don't necessarily have to use rags, it is just a term we fabricolics use for unused as of yet fabric [...;-)...]</div>
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I came up with fabrics for two rugs. One for my self and one for a gift.</div>
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Sheets can be used for strips, tablecloths that you no longer use, or just plain fabric that has been sitting in your closet for far too long (my case). If you were to purchase fabric, it would take a lot. That is probably why our grandmothers used fabrics from old shirts, trousers, edges of sheets that were worn out in the center. You get the idea. Fabric is expensive. Scour yard sales and get some for bargain prices. The most memorable rugs will be from fabrics that you love, and you won't break the bank.</div>
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Here is one that was recently finished for a birthday gift.</div>
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Not every one's choice, but there is a vintage blue and yellow kitchen that it will go in.</div>
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As I was making this one, I thought back to the tutorials that I did.</div>
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I thought perhaps a remake would be in order because maybe, just maybe a new take would make more sense.</div>
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So, hopefully, if you read the other posts AND this one, it may answer questions you have.</div>
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I "try" to lay out the fabrics that I want to use. I am rather "color challenged" and often ask my daughters for help in selecting colors. What I think at first would be great, sometimes clashes later...</div>
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Here are some fabrics I was considering and I actually tore some into strips. I was looking for a bright, colorful finished rug... Just to ease your mind, most of this was not used. Looking at it later showed me, Whoa there! not good choices. So I tried the rainbow approach, somewhat better. Mr likes this rug better than the blue and yellow rug, so I guess everyone to their own taste (as the old woman kissed the cow!)</div>
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Depending on how tight you knot, you will have either gaps or "knot".</div>
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My favorite part is the red part... I just knew you wanted to know...</div>
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Currently residing in front of the range. Cushy </div>
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I take the fabric, cut off the selvage edge and then use my first finger to measure out approximately three inches. I found out long ago that this finger measures three inches, who would have known...</div>
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At the three inch mark, I make a snip with my scissors in the fabric and go on to the next snip place. After about six or eight strips, I start tearing the fabric from edge to edge. (If you don't cut off the selvage, your threads go back and forth and unravel forever, cutting it off stops that from happening). Fold it and pull at the edges to get those strings that will happen. Getting them ahead of using the strip will ease your use later.</div>
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Cut a little hole in each end of the strip for joining. This is done by folding over about 1/2" down, fold it in half again side to side, then cut a little of the corner. When you open it back up, you will find a little hole. You will use this hole to join your strips. You will not be sewing them together unless that is something you want to do. Personally...</div>
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Can you see the holes? (as a side note, I loved this fabric at first, it had all the colors that I wanted for the rug I was making. Looking back, I do not like it in the center of the finished run, but given some time and dirt, it will fade to a lovely tan...</div>
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Take the end and fold it into itself by thirds, and then in thirds again. This makes a really small end that you will thread onto a safety pin. The pin makes going into your holes so much easier than if you didn't have it. Trust me.</div>
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Now, lay the two pieces with exposed holes over each other, Right Sides up... It doesn't matter if one is a little wider than the other, that part of the edge will be folded in and you won't notice it at all.</div>
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Now, you can do this you know, grab the end of the top strip and bring it up from underneath through the hole. Use the safety pin to poke it through.</div>
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Pull, pull it through. You may think you have a mess, but keep it coming. it will fold into itself and look like this</div>
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See the torn end up there? These little torn ends will be throughout your rug, but they will be relatively unnoticeable (relatively...)</div>
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From the back, smooth out the edges by pulling on each side. It will almost curl around on the edges.</div>
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Now you have joined two strips together. You will be working with two strips the whole time, just joining another strip to the end when it get short. Notice that I have laid out these two strips, but staggered in length. That is because wherever there is a knot, there is a little bump. You will learn to work around these, but for the first few knots, it is best to not have the knot at the end of the round. This is the hardest part of the whole rug, so hang in there, you will make it.</div>
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Now wrap the right strip over the left and bring it under and through the hole.</div>
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You see here that I have pinned the end to the arm of the chair, ouch! That is to keep it stationary while I make those first few knots and for you to see it better. I just wasn't born with multiple arms.</div>
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See, that wasn't so bad. This knot you will use for the first row. Right strand over the left and back through the hole.</div>
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Do a series of knots, one on top of the other until you think you have enough for a center of an oval rug. Here there is about four and I think I did seven.</div>
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Now you will turn the corner by doing three knots in the same hole you just made, by taking the top strip, laying it down and wrapping the left strip over the top and going up through the hole. This is the knot that you use for the whole rug. The first row is different.</div>
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It's going to be a little bulky, but you can do it. Make a knot in each hole from your previous knots along the side. Count if it helps you. When you get to the end, make three knots in the end hole. You have completed one side! You are increasing each time you add extra knots. That will keep your rug flat and not curling up on the edges.</div>
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Can you see the strips/strands on the edges? That is where you poke your safety pin. Remember, top strip comes down, left strip wraps around and goes up through the bottom into the hole. Now that one is the top strip and you take the one from the left and wrap it over the top of the strip and up through the next hole. It is really much simpler than it sounds. Two color strips will give you a different look than if you use the same color. Those knots where you have joined strips together will be covered up when you come along with the next row.</div>
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See the one from the top and the one from the bottom? The bottom one comes from the left, wraps <u>over</u> the top of the right one.</div>
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Back side, just for you that are interested.</div>
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Adding another color by joining the new color strip</div>
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Hopefully this close-up shows you. I like to turn my strips so that the right side is always out. Sometimes it seems like you are turning it all the way around, but I like the way it turns out. It is not necessary to do this. The rug will still be very strong without this added step.</div>
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Keep going around, adding extra knots as you go to make the rug flat. You may want to work on a flat surface as it gets larger. It is your choice. And, add as many colors as you can to make it interesting. Go around and around and around many, many times. Make it as big or small as you want.</div>
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Now, I know I promised that there was no sewing, but a tip given to me by my daughter who has made many rugs herself, Sew the ends of the strips together on the last go around. It will make a smoother look and won't have those awkward knots to hide and the frayed edges to look at. Just if you want to.</div>
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I would love to see if any of you try this technique. Also, send me pictures, comments, questions. I am here to help if I can.</div>
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Linking up to:</div>
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<a href="http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2014/03/made-by-me-120-linky-party-and-features.html">Made By ME #120 Linky Party and Features</a></h3>
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<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-45279385208354581512014-03-23T08:44:00.005-07:002014-03-23T19:29:30.872-07:00Elk Grove and the Trailer ShowI know I told you all that we were going to attend/sell at a Vintage Trailer Show and Antique Flea Market in Elk Grove. It was hosted by<b><i> </i></b><a href="http://thereddoorelkgrove.com/"><b><i>T</i></b><i><b>he Red Door.</b></i></a><br />
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Well, yesterday was the big day. We were able to partially set up on Friday. It was only a hour away and they had a locked and guarded field to sell on. It turned out to be a lovely day between days of rain and wind. A warm and calm 80' greeted everyone.<br />
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I am ashamed to say that I did not get one, not one, picture of the amazing restored little travel trailers that were there. The lovely pristine yellow and white striped one was calling me over and the turquoise and white with diamond plate accessories stood out like jewels. Some proud owners belong to a club and they went all out to make this show a memorable one. You can see photos of some of the darling trailers <i><b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Red-Door-Elk-Grove/355103942963?id=355103942963&sk=photos_stream">here</a></u></b></i><br />
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I do have a few pictures of our space.<br />
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We saw some old friends from other shows and had some good, short visits between taking care of our customers. R and H from the Visalia area, with their two boys, stopped by on their way through down highway 99.<br />
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We are so thankful for our white canopies. They provide much needed shade from the sun.<br />
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<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-60385105954528181512014-03-13T17:28:00.000-07:002014-03-13T17:32:11.732-07:00The Vintage Trailer Show Presented by The Red Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Coming up soon...</div>
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A show we are attending and selling at in Elk Grove.</div>
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This is the first show they have done here.</div>
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<a href="http://thereddoorelkgrove.com/">Dave and Kathy </a>are very supportive of our endeavors and we wanted to return in kind.</div>
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So, Mr had a few boards that he wanted to have cute sayings on.</div>
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They looked like this. About 12" high.</div>
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They were the ends of some discarded project that we picked up.</div>
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A little persuasion later, he let me have one for my project.</div>
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I hope it goes along with the theme of the show,</div>
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and,</div>
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of course,</div>
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someone buys it...wink.</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-13691824577807284812014-03-12T08:00:00.000-07:002014-03-12T08:00:03.478-07:00The Adventure of the start of my fabric stash.A long time ago.<br />
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(<i>Have you noticed that I seem to like things that happened a long time ago. Maybe that is because I remember them more, or better... or seem to remember only the good parts. Anyway... Where was I? Oh, yes... A long time ago)</i><br />
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This was during a time when Mr was laid off after working for a company for 28 years. We were having yard sales, going to shows, listing on craig'slist. All to keep off unemployment.<br />
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The LORD provided for us then and HE continues to provide for us today, praise Him.<br />
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Mr and I were attending a storage auction. It was at a moving company and the storage containers were large wooden boxes, like a small shed. They were probably 6 feet wide, 8 feet long and 8 feet tall. A forklift brought several of them out to be auctioned off.<br />
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Another couple that we had met during our times here and there were there also to bid. The lock was cut on the first one and the doors opened. Bidding started. One had furniture, not what we wanted. Another had sundry items. Bidding was brisk and we were not anywhere near the top on any of them. Then the lock was cut on the last one. Inside were stacks and stacks of plastic containers. See through, sorta. And, it was fabric. Lots and lots of fabric.<br />
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Most of the other bidders had already spent their wad, or were just not interested. I said to Mr, in my most quiet, out of the side of my mouth voice, "I can sell that fabric".<br />
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He says back. "Let's set a limit, not over $100". Done.<br />
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Bidding starts. We put in a bid or two and then it was at $100, not our bid. Oh well. The other couple that we knew had it. SOLD for $100.<br />
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I overheard the woman say, "Well, all I wanted was the containers. My daughter is moving and we need those". Must have been twenty or twenty-five of them. So, I said, I wanted the fabric. So a deal was struck,<br />
we would pay them half - $50 and they would get their containers and we got the fabric.<br />
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Mr backed up our small pick-up that had a canopy over the bed. The couple started unloading the boxes and throwing the contents in through the door of the canopy. More and more boxes were unloaded. Boxes we didn't see from the front. All fabric. I heard the lady mutter, "Well, a deal's a deal". Then a box appeared that did not have fabric. They quickly put it aside to go through later.<br />
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There was fabric, cutting mats, specialty rulers, fleece, quilt batting, markers, did I say flannel? Just about everything you could think of in a fabric store. The truck kept getting more and more full. Finally the storage shed was empty. We closed the door of the canopy, thanked the couple and headed home. There was a LOT of fabric there. This was from a serious fabricholic.<br />
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At home, I started sorting. Fat quarters of groups of fabric collections. Velvet, plastic table covers, leopard prints, all you could think of right there. I had some containers and they were quickly filled. Bags came out next. They filled up.<br />
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I took the fabric to sales and sold it for $1 each piece. Just the other day, I "found" a container that had fleece. It went to a sale. I have made quilt after quilt for family and friends from this find. I have decided that I will never get to the bottom.<br />
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Needless to say, we made our money back... and then some.<br />
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Only a few of the quilts that were made from the famous fabric find.<br />
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Cowboys</div>
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Fishing, hunting</div>
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Pinks</div>
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Fun pinwheels</div>
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Blues and pinks</div>
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Black and White and Red</div>
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Tiny squares</div>
<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-7839280010491738392014-03-11T13:53:00.000-07:002014-03-11T15:32:53.619-07:00New from Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My big goal today was to re-pot and trim some of my succulents back.</div>
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We have two "parent" plants that have been growing in the same pots for a while.</div>
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They have generously given many new plants from their trimmings.</div>
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The one in the top middle has already been trimming as much as I was "allowed".</div>
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My thought was to take it out of its existing pot, take away a lot</div>
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of the leggy growth and separate it into a few more pots.</div>
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I was busily starting this task, when Mr came around the corner</div>
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and said, "You are scaring me".</div>
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So, we compromised.</div>
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There has been a lot cut off and we will see where it goes from here.</div>
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The succulent on the bottom is another "parent" plant.</div>
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I have no idea the proper names for either of these, but they are very hardy,</div>
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and they need that to survive with me.</div>
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Old blossoms clung to the stems like a favorite sweater clings to an old lady.</div>
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They had to be plucked off to make room for new growth.</div>
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It reminded me of myself.</div>
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Yes, I know you are thinking about the old lady part, but...</div>
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what came to mind for me was old favorite foods,</div>
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ways of doing things, old familiar spaces.</div>
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I need to pluck off <u>some</u> of my old ways to make room for new</div>
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ideas, foods, and new adventures.</div>
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Then I will be ready for whatever the Lord has in store for me.</div>
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We all need to be pruned now and then.</div>
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A few of my new plants along with the old.</div>
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"Make new friends, but keep the old,</div>
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One is silver and the other gold."</div>
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Wow, that was a song from my girl scout days.</div>
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<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-46790916557397126772014-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:002014-03-02T09:00:05.951-08:00The DitchAs I was saying the other day in another post <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8931716563239425113#editor/target=post;postID=3386271684149689104;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname">Passing Down Heritage</a>, we have memories from our childhood that make us.<br />
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As I told you, we lived on a cul-de-sac. Behind some of the homes, ran a piece of land that you could dump and burn your trimmings. It wasn't big enough for a home and had no access except through the side of the homes that bordered on it. It also had a "ditch" that was probably a natural run off and had perhaps six inches of water at the very most.<br />
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Here, at the ditch area, we had a favorite place to play. But, we were banned from going down to the ditch because it had water, and that water was probably enough to drown in (!) You have to know that my mother was deathly afraid of drowning and the water situation to really appreciate this. Reprimands didn't work for long, back we would go when we could.<br />
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We dug holes for "forts", mapped out how our future homes would look. We made stew with ashes, water and crushed piracatha berries. We gathered polly-wogs to take home and watch anxiously to turn into frogs. We gathered tulle bush tops and as they dried out, they would make such a lovely shower of giant dandelion like dust. We loved it.<br />
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Little by little my mom became more comfortable with out sneaking down to the "ditch". We moved away when I was about 12, I don't remember having many restrictions about going at that point, but then I had probably outgrown my need to build forts, or make weird stew.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-62557796671284141892014-02-28T18:00:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:43:10.275-08:00Tuxedo Strawberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBQwppQSyCs/UxE7Qtx30hI/AAAAAAAAebo/519h9xRbbUk/s1600/P1010569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBQwppQSyCs/UxE7Qtx30hI/AAAAAAAAebo/519h9xRbbUk/s1600/P1010569.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tuxedo Strawberries</div>
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An easy snack for any occasion.</div>
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I used those melty little disks and "nuked" them for a few seconds in a shallow dish, </div>
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stirred and gave them a few more seconds.</div>
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The strawberries I rinsed and let dry on a towel.</div>
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I used red hot candies for the buttons.</div>
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First I dipped the "shirt fronts" with white or vanilla melty.</div>
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Immediately add the red hot to let it stick in the melted white candy.</div>
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By the time I did about a dozen, the first ones were hard enough to add</div>
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the brown part. I melted the candy in the microwave for a few seconds</div>
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not melting the wafers totally. Stirring them made them smooth.</div>
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On my first one, I ended up with chocolate all over my fingers,</div>
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rotating the berry for each side.</div>
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"Quality control" had to test the last one because my dish was full.</div>
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Taking them to our "sing" tonight.</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-33862716841496891042014-02-27T09:30:00.000-08:002014-02-27T09:30:01.781-08:00Passing Down Heritage My sis and I were reminiscing the other day about the places we lived in our childhoods.<br />
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One was on a "dead end" street. We were the last house and our house had a freeway exit ramp in our front yard. Just a cyclone fence with a few vines separated us from cars that whizzed by morning, noon and night. I drove by the house the other day, it now has a high, sound proof barrier between it and the highway.<br />
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OK, then, our neighborhood was a safe place. We knew all the neighbors down the street. Next door were the S*****. They were on the same side of our cul-de-sac with an older couple next. Now started the houses on both sides. As you walked along, the left house had a family that had 10 children. You pick an age, they had it. Across the street from them was were "The Sherriff" lived. Nobody, not nobody, messed with his yard, trees, etc. You might go to jail (in our child's minds). Next to their home was my introduction to an outdoor pool. It was probably 10 feet across, but it was huge in my mind. A loving couple opened it up to all the neighborhood kids, too. I could go on about the neighbors, but...<br />
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Now, on the heritage part. My mother, bless her soul, was deathly afraid of water. That is swimming water. I don't know why, but she ingrained in me that I needed to be afraid also. Perhaps she was thrown into a body of water as a child with the old saying "sink or swim". Anyway, she did not like it. Read more about this on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8931716563239425113#editor/target=post;postID=4679091655739712677">The Ditch</a> post.<br />
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As a matter of fact, she heard that you could get a cramp if you went into water too soon after eating, so we were not allowed to "run through the sprinkler" (our form of cooling off in the summer) until we had waited a while.<br />
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So, as I recognized this fear in myself, I resolved that I would NOT pass this along to my children. As far as I know, they are all very comfortable in any water and swim wonderfully.<br />
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Are there things in our lives that we pass along without thinking about the impact they will have on others around us? Does your lack of submissiveness in your marriage shows your daughter "you don't have to be under his thumb". (contrary to scripture) Does my shyness translate to "uncaring". Does<u> my </u>distrust of an individual make it harder for my children to trust?<br />
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Positive side, do your children see you pray about a situation and then see the peace it brings? Do they see the love you have for the Lord? Do you let them into the places of your heart that you have given over to the Lord?<br />
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A few years after we moved from the "freeway house" about 1960's.</div>
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These are things I wish I had thought out more as I was raising my family. Just something to think about.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-39071475861262044982014-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:002014-02-26T09:29:40.571-08:00Pineapple Upside Down Cakes on a Miniature Scale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pineapple Upside Down Cake</div>
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Only in muffins...</div>
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I was casting around in my head for a dessert for the weekend and pineapple cake sounded so good.</div>
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So, good ole' Betty Crocker called me from the cupboard and I doubled the recipe that makes a 10" pan.</div>
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Spooned in the butter and brown sugar into the little cups and over sized muffin tin and added</div>
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a half maraschino cherry and some pineapple.</div>
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Ooo, that photo above makes me a little dizzy when I look at it. I hope you are OK.</div>
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Then the batter, they were pretty shallow in the cake department, but they rose to the occasion.</div>
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All that bubbly brown sugar goodness just has to have somewhere to go.</div>
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Loosen the edges with a knife and turn upside down on a plate.</div>
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A tip from a recipe user, cut down paper muffin liners for just the bottom of your tin.</div>
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Spray the pan first, put in the paper, spray again.</div>
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This one stuck until I gently peeled it off.</div>
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Look out mouth!</div>
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One of these days, I want to try it with rice flour - to make them gluten free.</div>
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Shared on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20%20href=%22http://www.jaqsstudio.com%22%20target=%22_blank%22%20title=%22JAQS%20Studio%20%20Made%20By%20Me%20Linky%20Party%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20%20src=%22http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6213673384_a2355379a1_m.jpg%22/%3E%3C/a%3E">Made by Me Wednesday</a></div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-64527189694192491102014-02-23T14:56:00.001-08:002014-02-26T10:18:49.386-08:00Focaccia Bread<div style="text-align: center;">
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Our small fellowship gets together on the weekends for Bible study and eating.</div>
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Yes, eating.</div>
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We have pot-lucks that make a cruise ship's layout look sad.</div>
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And, as in everything in life, you need to make good choices, even when going through a pot-luck line.</div>
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It gives us opportunity to break out the old favorite recipes and also to try some new ones.</div>
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This particular weekend, we are having soup and bread.</div>
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That is loosely interpreted, as there will be soups and chili. Uh, I'm making the chili.</div>
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One of our ladies makes fantastic homemade bread and we regularly buy</div>
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a loaf or two to enjoy. So, when it was decided to have chili, I mean soup,</div>
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I hesitated to make my focaccia bread, but then I thought, well, someone will like it.</div>
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After all, I like it...</div>
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What is there not to like about focaccia bread?</div>
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****</div>
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So, the story behind this recipe is this:</div>
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We have a restaurant called Macaroni Grill. Perhaps you have it in your area.</div>
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Years ago, I saw the recipe in the local newspaper. I don't usually read that section,</div>
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but, for some reason, I did that day, and there it was.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This recipe was given by the chef there and since then, they have changed it somewhat.</div>
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I still like this one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The recipe uses the "cool rise" method and if you have never tried it, then please do.</div>
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If you have a busy day planned and time is of the essence, </div>
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a little planning ahead makes this method a winner.</div>
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You basically make the bread, put it in the refrigerator and let it sit...</div>
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for at least 3 hours and up to 48!</div>
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Can you imagine? All the fuss is done, all you do is bake it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Go to that soccer game and come home and bake up the bread or rolls.</div>
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I have used it to make other breads, and they turn out fantastic.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, on to the recipe, did you think it wasn't going to happen?</div>
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I have taken a picture of the recipe as it is in my favorite recipe book,</div>
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but I will walk you through it too.</div>
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First off, notice that is says you are going to use 2 Cups of water, divided.</div>
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That means that the total amount is 2 Cups.</div>
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I take a 2 cup measure, run the water in the sink until it is hot and then measure out 2 cups.</div>
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Then I pour about a 1/4 cup into a little bowl for the yeast.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqBHWcGN4LI/UwosC41a-0I/AAAAAAAAeWY/k86_ROx-Ibs/s1600/P1010536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqBHWcGN4LI/UwosC41a-0I/AAAAAAAAeWY/k86_ROx-Ibs/s1600/P1010536.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sprinkle the yeast in and stir it around.</div>
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Now, a little secret about yeast, as it "works" it will get bubbly,</div>
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like this if it is "good". If it doesn't, then two things, it could be old,</div>
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or your water was too hot and killed it. But I think you will do just fine.</div>
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Yeast keeps a long time in the refrigerator.</div>
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A little packet that you buy at the store will keep in there too.</div>
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I have bought in bulk and the yeast I have, in an airtight container, is probably several years old.</div>
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Yep, just can't seem to use it up. And, it is still "working".</div>
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OK, now measure your flour into your mixing bowl.</div>
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It calls for 4 1/2 cups, you will need more, just saying,</div>
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but go for the original amount now.</div>
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Add in the olive oil, if you don't have olive oil, then use regular oil.</div>
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Mix it up and it will look like cornmeal.</div>
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Now add the water which you have added sugar, it will be soupy,</div>
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Add the yeast water, and then the vinegar and don't forget the rosemary and salt.</div>
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Now, you have all the ingredients in. But...</div>
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Doesn't look like bread dough, huh?</div>
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Well, keep mixing and add in about a 1/4 Cup of flour at a time.</div>
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About a cup later, it will start to leave the edges of the bowl.</div>
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At first it will be kinda stringy, but keep on going.</div>
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Sometimes more flour is needed. I don't know where they came up with 4 1/2 Cups!</div>
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Here it left the sides of the bowl, just like it said it would, I did not scrape it down.</div>
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Now transfer it to a floured board, or as I hate the clean-up, a floured wax paper.</div>
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Put a little more flour on it, and cover it with plastic wrap and a towel.</div>
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Let it rest for 20 minutes.</div>
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Now, you can go have a cup of coffee, make a phone call, take a short nap,</div>
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or clean up the mess you have made in the kitchen.</div>
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You have the choice!</div>
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<br /></div>
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OK, now take that clump and kinda roll the sides into the center and either</div>
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make one large ball, or divide it up.</div>
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Here I have four. They look sorta little, but they will rise to the occasion.</div>
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I have used cake tins, I think three, and when it cooks, it has a delicious outer rim</div>
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and makes a great large sandwich when sliced across.</div>
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I put my hand here to give you an idea of the size.</div>
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Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate.</div>
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At least 3 hours, as long as 48.</div>
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That means you can make them ahead and cook some tonight,</div>
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one tomorrow and one the next day if you like.</div>
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After they have risen in the refrigerator,</div>
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take them out and while the oven is heating to 350',</div>
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punch them down with your fingers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SmsUtg9hK0/Uwo1gQAo4HI/AAAAAAAAeYE/xTbjeN1jLtM/s1600/P1010557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SmsUtg9hK0/Uwo1gQAo4HI/AAAAAAAAeYE/xTbjeN1jLtM/s1600/P1010557.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let it bake for 20 minutes.</div>
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Meanwhile, get ready the olive oil, rosemary and I used kosher salt here.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlK69_NQE6A/Uwo25gKoMTI/AAAAAAAAeYU/oj7f3eEwg5U/s1600/P1010558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlK69_NQE6A/Uwo25gKoMTI/AAAAAAAAeYU/oj7f3eEwg5U/s1600/P1010558.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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After they bake for 20 minutes take them out and brush on olive oil and sprinkle on the salt and rosemary.</div>
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It is not finished baking, though, put it back in and let it bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is brown.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QrSJu8Az8gI/Uwo2xPQToBI/AAAAAAAAeYM/sg2OdIqF-OU/s1600/P1010559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QrSJu8Az8gI/Uwo2xPQToBI/AAAAAAAAeYM/sg2OdIqF-OU/s1600/P1010559.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I took the liberty of separating the loaves, as they were getting pretty chummy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw4jNCHKcWM/Uwo3BhpZulI/AAAAAAAAeYc/l_YVwTyKseI/s1600/P1010560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw4jNCHKcWM/Uwo3BhpZulI/AAAAAAAAeYc/l_YVwTyKseI/s1600/P1010560.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few more minutes, and yes, you will have to sweep after all. The rosemary and salt just want to coat everything, including the floor.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gDVgbAgHEY/Uwo38s-leFI/AAAAAAAAeYs/hx2P7VwbU98/s1600/P1010562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gDVgbAgHEY/Uwo38s-leFI/AAAAAAAAeYs/hx2P7VwbU98/s1600/P1010562.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ready to share at our lunch.</div>
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*****</div>
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After I reread this post, I realized that I didn't tell you about how wonderful</div>
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this tastes dipped in olive oil, with maybe a tad (or more for my taste) of balsamic</div>
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vinegar. Pour the oil in a shallow dish and add the vinegar on the side. It makes my</div>
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mouth explode with wonderful sensations.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Also, after you have enjoyed this straight from the oven,</div>
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you will want to slice and toast it later. Smear on the butter.</div>
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The rosemary will "revive" and you will remind yourself that you have to make this again.</div>
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</div>
If you have any questions, successes and such, be sure to comment and let me know how it turned out.<br />
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<img alt="Adorned From Above" height="150" src="http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w437/debrabolocofsky/logo1-14150x150_zps8d1db581.jpg" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #222222; font-family: Cantarell; font-size: 20px; line-height: 28px; text-align: start;" width="150" /></div>
Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-41213975584362521152014-02-21T07:00:00.000-08:002014-02-21T07:00:06.151-08:00Fresh Fruit Cobbler<div style="text-align: center;">
There's nothing like the taste of fresh fruit.</div>
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In season it can be rather overwhelming, though.</div>
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We have many apple trees and when it is apple time,</div>
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we are hard pressed to use up all the fruit.</div>
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The same holds true with berries,</div>
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peaches,</div>
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strawberries,</div>
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pears,</div>
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and other fruits.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is a recipe that can be used with fresh or frozen</div>
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or even canned fruit.</div>
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It is very simple.</div>
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1 Cup flour</div>
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1 Cup sugar</div>
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1 Cup milk</div>
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1 stick butter</div>
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4 Tbsp baking powder</div>
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My local grocery store carries freshly frozen fruit in 1 lb bags.</div>
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It is simply fruit, with nothing added.</div>
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Here is a bag of frozen peaches.</div>
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It makes roughly about 4 cups.</div>
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I added about 1/4 cup sugar and let it sit for a few minutes while I prepared the other ingredients.</div>
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Melt 1 stick of butter (margarine can be used if you like)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBu2WtmUkew/UwRF73W7mLI/AAAAAAAAeSw/PZDQF5azDag/s1600/P1010524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PBu2WtmUkew/UwRF73W7mLI/AAAAAAAAeSw/PZDQF5azDag/s1600/P1010524.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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In a bowl, mix 1 Cup all purpose flour,</div>
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1 cup granulated sugar,</div>
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and 4 Tbsp baking powder</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tROdvfqjGhk/UwRHjLocToI/AAAAAAAAeTE/GsQDy4vmTXc/s1600/P1010525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tROdvfqjGhk/UwRHjLocToI/AAAAAAAAeTE/GsQDy4vmTXc/s1600/P1010525.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kinda mix it up a little and then</div>
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Add 1 cup milk.</div>
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A tiny splash of vanilla extract makes this taste and smell even more wonderful.</div>
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Mix it up, it will be kinda thin, about like pancake batter.</div>
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Pour it over the melted butter. Don't mix.</div>
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That's right, batter on the bottom, don't worry it will turn out right.</div>
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Take your sweetened fruit and place it over the top of the batter/butter</div>
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Arrange it so that the fruit is evenly distributed, so that everyone gets a bite or two.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ReU5gUi2O0/UwRK3lwE52I/AAAAAAAAeT4/w500a-Ju29I/s1600/P1010531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ReU5gUi2O0/UwRK3lwE52I/AAAAAAAAeT4/w500a-Ju29I/s1600/P1010531.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sprinkle on a little cinnamon and bake.</div>
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This is a before it baked picture, sorry I just seem to forget</div>
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to take the after, I am so eager to jump in and sample.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The batter will surround the fruit like a down comforter surrounds you.</div>
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It will come up over the fruit and the fruit will disappear in fluffy goodness.</div>
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Bake it at 350' for around 45 min to a hour, depending on if the batter is still gooey in the center.</div>
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if so, let it cook a little longer.</div>
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Easy, so much so, you can allow you 10 year old to experiment with</div>
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cooking, if you are really adventuresome.</div>
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******</div>
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I have used peaches, apples and berries for this recipe.</div>
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They have all been awesome.</div>
Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-69601767385956787182014-02-18T10:11:00.000-08:002014-02-18T12:17:26.508-08:00Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess everyone has what is called a favorite recipe.</div>
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This is one that my mother made.</div>
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It is one that has been passed down, by word of mouth for a long time.</div>
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Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes</div>
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Just to let you know, this does take a little work</div>
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but the rewards are great.</div>
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These are a sure winner with </div>
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Ham</div>
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Meatloaf</div>
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Pork Roast</div>
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Chicken<br />
Turkey</div>
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(what's left?)<br />
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<br /></div>
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I don't personally make this for Mr and I as a side dish,</div>
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probably because if I am going to go to the effort,</div>
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I make enough to feed a small army.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8UXrqmDL00/UwOa9c6l3HI/AAAAAAAAeR8/lNrCyh9k1c8/s1600/P1010520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8UXrqmDL00/UwOa9c6l3HI/AAAAAAAAeR8/lNrCyh9k1c8/s1600/P1010520.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let me give you the cast of characters</div>
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We have potatoes in the background - for this size dish I used probably about 5 lbs</div>
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(notice the precise measurement? Sorry, it's like that throughout)</div>
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You need shredded cheese, here is mild cheddar and some leftover pepper jack</div>
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Salt and Pepper</div>
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Sliced onion</div>
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Butter</div>
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Milk</div>
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And, flour - I used rice flour today to make this gluten - free.</div>
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But, "normally" I would use regular flour.</div>
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Your choice.</div>
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I get mine in the bulk section of my favorite grocery store.</div>
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Gotta love the bulk sections, right?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7MVqwnc9nGU/UwO-QwjFZ1I/AAAAAAAAeSY/Rx_TrAJT-SE/s1600/P1010532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7MVqwnc9nGU/UwO-QwjFZ1I/AAAAAAAAeSY/Rx_TrAJT-SE/s1600/P1010532.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is a scientific explanation as to why you use flour, butter and milk.</div>
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All I know is that they work together to make a sauce.</div>
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It bathes the potatoes and onions, to make your mouth sing,</div>
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add cheddar cheese and you will be joining the choir.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TW7gBbeEfQ/UwOW_DfTySI/AAAAAAAAeQ8/_UOGpzhxM10/s1600/P1010513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TW7gBbeEfQ/UwOW_DfTySI/AAAAAAAAeQ8/_UOGpzhxM10/s1600/P1010513.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My little work horse of a peeler.</div>
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It not only peels apples, but also potatoes.</div>
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If you run across one in a yard sale, thrift shop, I consider this worth</div>
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more than a handful of silver coins. </div>
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Mine is well over 20 years old and it keeps on giving.</div>
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A little like the Energizer Bunny</div>
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Poor box, it has seen lots of years.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOU8YWpEWb0/UwOXG0HA2pI/AAAAAAAAeRM/2jLxFoZDupQ/s1600/P1010514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOU8YWpEWb0/UwOXG0HA2pI/AAAAAAAAeRM/2jLxFoZDupQ/s1600/P1010514.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another beauty shot</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGeIg97mlQM/UwOY-B5wL4I/AAAAAAAAeRY/ZtlgOB0N19M/s1600/P1010515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGeIg97mlQM/UwOY-B5wL4I/AAAAAAAAeRY/ZtlgOB0N19M/s1600/P1010515.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You do need to unscrew the corer part and drop it down,</div>
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but even if you didn't, the potatoes would turn out OK.</div>
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The main idea is to get them into slices.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ZgiZjfdyY/UwOZBu5cBgI/AAAAAAAAeRk/zOFJAVM8jlk/s1600/P1010517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7ZgiZjfdyY/UwOZBu5cBgI/AAAAAAAAeRk/zOFJAVM8jlk/s1600/P1010517.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, sure, they have some funny ridges and the ends need to be </div>
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trimmed, but overall, it is worth it to me.</div>
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Not everyone is perfect.<br />
You could leave them unpeeled, if that is your thing.</div>
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OK, now, slice those potatoes and layer them in your dish.<br />
(Some graters have a side that slices, I don't use mine because<br />
I am deathly afraid that I will slice off a digit or two)</div>
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It is a good idea to spray the dish before so that you don't have to</div>
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dump out what you put in it and spray it and then reassemble.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are potatoes, salt and pepper, onions, rice flour sprinkled on,</div>
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"dots" of butter and ready for a layer of cheese.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-id0MWhcRbN8/UwOZAvzsAkI/AAAAAAAAeRo/htjW_QnB2lo/s1600/P1010516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-id0MWhcRbN8/UwOZAvzsAkI/AAAAAAAAeRo/htjW_QnB2lo/s1600/P1010516.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now after everything is layered in,</div>
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carefully pour in milk on the corner.</div>
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You don't want to mess up your creation.</div>
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Pour, pour, pour until you just see the milk peeking around the sliced potatoes.</div>
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Not over the top, because that is too much, but just enough...</div>
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I have made these in shallow dishes and deep bowls.</div>
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It is always the same as to the milk, just when you see it, stop.<br />
I prefer the shallow bake pans, because then there is more of the<br />
cheese baked to a dark brown to eat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bake, bake, bake. It will seem like forever, so allow that much time.<br />
At 350'.<br />
<br />
A word to the wise, put a baking sheet under<br />
the pan. There have been more times than I want to<br />
remember of having these bubble over and splash onto the floor of my<br />
oven and make smoke... not a good sign for your guests...</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you have ham going, put them in with it.</div>
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Meatloafs take around an hour and half to bake, so bake these too, if it is a smaller dish.<br />
Turkeys, chickens, the idea is to use the same oven temperature and save<br />
a little energy in the making of these.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mine, in this dish were finally finished about 2 hours later.</div>
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And, that is a long time to smell those onions baking, nothing better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A word, as they are "nearing" the end, they will show a watery</div>
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bubbling around the edges, let them cook more.</div>
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Even if your fork or knife tester shows that the potatoes are</div>
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done, Let them cook more til the water is absorbed.</div>
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You will thank me for that.</div>
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No one wants watery scalloped potatoes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm sorry that I don't have a picture of the finished product.</div>
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That alone would sell you on these.</div>
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The same my mother made, perhaps she got the recipe from her mother...</div>
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Just old fashioned cooking.</div>
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P.S. they are great left-over</div>
Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-70705662714341028592014-02-18T08:30:00.001-08:002014-02-18T11:31:15.634-08:00Easy Hamburger Patty Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love hamburgers, although I don't make them a lot.</div>
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Even better, I love the condiments that go on to make a great hamburger.</div>
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Every once in a while, Mr and I get the notion that we must have a good hamburger.</div>
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Our local store has specials on Mondays and this was one of the deals of the day.</div>
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It is a 2 lb "chub" of hamburger. Good stuff.</div>
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The butcher on staff saw us looking at it and he was very helpful in pointing out the</div>
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pros and cons of different brands.</div>
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He told me of a way to make patties that is really easy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXbVb5RPNTw/UwMCFs6zy9I/AAAAAAAAeP8/7NsvxDj_e3E/s1600/P1010506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXbVb5RPNTw/UwMCFs6zy9I/AAAAAAAAeP8/7NsvxDj_e3E/s1600/P1010506.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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You will need a flat bottomed plate to use to push down the patty,</div>
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and a surface to push onto...</div>
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that sounds like I could have said it easier...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUzkAztJBI/UwMCJWYWmaI/AAAAAAAAeQE/y1vK6TrwYVo/s1600/P1010507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahUzkAztJBI/UwMCJWYWmaI/AAAAAAAAeQE/y1vK6TrwYVo/s1600/P1010507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a flat bottomed pie dish and I chose a plate to contain the burger patty.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIHBESpKPH0/UwMCNjy3DlI/AAAAAAAAeQM/Vdf8hnEXvKQ/s1600/P1010508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIHBESpKPH0/UwMCNjy3DlI/AAAAAAAAeQM/Vdf8hnEXvKQ/s1600/P1010508.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cut the "chub" into large slices, probably about 1 1/2" to 2" thick, it all depends on the diameter</div>
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of the original chub.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFtTC46YI3c/UwMDsAfKlHI/AAAAAAAAeQY/aB6meMYNzRw/s1600/P1010509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFtTC46YI3c/UwMDsAfKlHI/AAAAAAAAeQY/aB6meMYNzRw/s1600/P1010509.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Peel off the surrounding plastic and place it on your surface.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeBQVFCYBCk/UwMDu9DElQI/AAAAAAAAeQo/wxkLn6HdcWo/s1600/P1010510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeBQVFCYBCk/UwMDu9DElQI/AAAAAAAAeQo/wxkLn6HdcWo/s1600/P1010510.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Put the flat bottomed plate over it and press down.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFCAcr15kMU/UwMDt8RVPpI/AAAAAAAAeQg/riVAPokTDPY/s1600/P1010511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFCAcr15kMU/UwMDt8RVPpI/AAAAAAAAeQg/riVAPokTDPY/s1600/P1010511.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A perfectly formed patty without getting your hands all messed up.</div>
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I like to make up the chub and then wrap the patties, two at a time,</div>
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in plastic wrap and then into a zipper-type freezer bag.</div>
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I then freeze them until time we want to use them.</div>
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It is simple to pull out what is needed.</div>
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Time to "fire-up" the grill.</div>
<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-67488001416751465592013-08-08T11:00:00.002-07:002013-08-08T11:16:38.960-07:00Gophers and SuchThis morning I was out watering my "garden", which consists of two pots. One has a tomato plant that has given us one under ripe tomato (which rotted before it ripened), and a another container that holds a lemon cucumber. The cucumber has produced well beyond my expectations. My local deer has made sure that the tomato will not produce any tomatoes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R5BzWwA8Xo/UgPcVnNUUwI/AAAAAAAAchQ/wJdt8d3hLms/s1600/0516131707b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_R5BzWwA8Xo/UgPcVnNUUwI/AAAAAAAAchQ/wJdt8d3hLms/s320/0516131707b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvrwNNSIA_w/UgPcXHmX8xI/AAAAAAAAchY/GbTujcxE4cs/s1600/0516131707c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvrwNNSIA_w/UgPcXHmX8xI/AAAAAAAAchY/GbTujcxE4cs/s320/0516131707c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(early in the year, just planted)</div>
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Back to the watering. As I was pulling the hose down to the plants, I noticed the gopher holes in the lawn. It took me back to nearly 50 years ago and memories of the garden my dad had planted.<br />
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After being retired at a young age (young to me, I have already lived passed the age when he died), he had a lot of time on his hands. He dabbled in restoring a few furniture pieces, was a super auto mechanic, and planted nearly an acre of garden. The garden held onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, cantaloupe, okra, and other plants I don't remember.<br />
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One of the banes of gardening was the many gopher holes that would appear here and there and the wilted plants where they had eaten the roots. My dad had a personal war going on with these little creatures. He would painstakingly follow their holes, trying to get to the end. He somehow obtained dynamite, (yes! dynamite!) and would blow up places he thought they lived. (We would probably be on a terrorists watch list now). Flares that make a lot of smoke were pushed down holes and we kids (12, 10, and 9) were told to watch for the smoke and run over and cover the holes where it was coming out to smoke the creatures to death! Traps were set in known "runs". I don't remember ever seeing one dead.<br />
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Water was used also. The running hose was pushed into a hole and we were to run and cover up the wet holes wherever they appeared.<br />
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Now, keep in mind that my dad had a "heart condition". He had already had a heart attack and we kids were just waiting for the other shoe to drop. We would watch him get all sweaty and out of breath and then take out that little nitroglycerin bottle from his pocket that he carried everywhere. Anxiously, I would watch him pop one under his tongue and wait for it to "kick in". It always worked. (He later died in his sleep without an audience).<br />
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I think that many times we, as parents and grandparents don't think that the kids know what is going on around them. Think again. Whatever stress you are dealing with in your life is going to affect them also. My parents never talked in front of us kids about how he could die at any time, but it was the elephant in the room. You walked around it, never looking straight at it, and pretended it wasn't there. A wise teacher and principal noticed a little lost girl and "created" a job of watering the principal's African violets. They also talked to my parents.<br />
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If you or your family is facing stress, loss of work, strained relationships, ill health, or change, go to the Lord of all, ask for help to get through it and include your children in your solutions. You may "take care of it", but if the children don't know, they carry the burden that you have laid down at the Savior's feet. Be sure, they know more than you think and they interpret what is going on in their own way.<br />
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Just a thought....<br />
<br />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-58718180925802299392013-07-19T19:04:00.002-07:002013-07-19T19:04:38.315-07:00Annual Apple Night at the Homestead<div style="text-align: center;">
Annual Apple Night</div>
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It was that time again.</div>
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Apples from our small orchard were dropping,</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hi1lShR_AZ8/UensTq4Q0nI/AAAAAAAAcY0/Sx1WWXbvWGc/s1600/0712130952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hi1lShR_AZ8/UensTq4Q0nI/AAAAAAAAcY0/Sx1WWXbvWGc/s320/0712130952.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and dropping,</div>
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well, you get the picture.</div>
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So, we invited all the friends we have in the world over</div>
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(not really, it just sounds fun to say that)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEVmh-wNd7o/UensTq7zZdI/AAAAAAAAcY4/9Shzk8-QiCk/s1600/0717132025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TEVmh-wNd7o/UensTq7zZdI/AAAAAAAAcY4/9Shzk8-QiCk/s320/0717132025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, they peeled, juiced and otherwise had a fun time</div>
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making apple filling for pies.</div>
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Our elderly couple supervised</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3mlYUij89o/UensTgIHqtI/AAAAAAAAcY4/Ez11YLHXCfA/s1600/0717132024b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3mlYUij89o/UensTgIHqtI/AAAAAAAAcY4/Ez11YLHXCfA/s320/0717132024b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One young fella ate apple peelings like he would spaghetti</div>
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He certainly kept us entertained.</div>
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I wonder how his stomach felt after a while.</div>
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The kids had a rousing game of capture the flag,</div>
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a birthday celebration for a 12 year old,</div>
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and a fun night for all.</div>
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Many hands make light work.</div>
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Thanks to you all.</div>
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There are still apples out there, if you are interested....</div>
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P.S. I couldn't have done it alone without the help of my daughter,</div>
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she is, by far, the BEST organizer.</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-28011002227283237822013-06-08T16:41:00.002-07:002013-06-10T15:09:14.359-07:00Before Costco - There Was Daddy<div style="text-align: center;">
Long before there were the big box stores</div>
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Daddy bought in bulk.</div>
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He was the careful shopper and loved every minute of it.</div>
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(one of my boys is like this)</div>
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Mom did not drive, so, weekly we went down to the corner grocery store.</div>
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They did not ask you "paper or plastic".</div>
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Instead, purchases were loaded into cardboard boxes,</div>
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the flaps turned up to make more room and then when it was all packed in,</div>
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the "boy" would tied string around the top to hold the flaps and the groceries in.</div>
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Sometimes prices were marked on the items in a purple ink and</div>
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the checker would call out the price as he punched it into the register.</div>
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It was amazing to me that he knew every price without even looking for it.</div>
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It was not unlikely that if string beans were on sale that Daddy would</div>
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buy a case. Or tomato sauce, or crackers, or toilet paper and so on.</div>
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After he retired from <a href="http://wildberryranch.blogspot.com/2013/06/take-bus-and-leave-driving-to-us.html">bus driving</a> at the age of 51, he scoured</div>
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grocery ads to get the very best deal on canned goods.</div>
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He was on a "fixed income" (I wish I had a nickle for every time I heard that)</div>
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and he made every cent count.</div>
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He also put in a very large garden and learned to operate a pressure</div>
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canner to "put up" the produce this huge garden produced.</div>
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Trips to the day-old bread store had us bring home bread and sometimes</div>
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a treat such as cupcakes (which we had to split in half to share)</div>
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Canning jars lines the shelves in the garage, and our home was always open to unexpected guests.</div>
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We were prepared in the food category anyway.</div>
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Our lunch sandwiches for school were usually Bologna.</div>
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Large slabs were bought and meticulously sliced. They</div>
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turned out about 1/4" thick. Nothing like those sandwiches.</div>
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There was always peanut butter if you preferred, but whatever you fixed,</div>
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it was the rule that you ate it - finished it down.</div>
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Beef was bought by the side or whole cow and we learned how to cook unlikely cuts by trial and error.</div>
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The newspaper was read from cover to cover and sometimes the "want ads" had him calling</div>
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to trade an item he had for something another was offering.</div>
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How about a 12 gauge shotgun for a 4 place set of sterling silverware?</div>
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(wish I had that silverware now)</div>
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Or a vehicle that needed just a little fixing up and sold for a profit?</div>
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I learned much from Daddy and a full "pantry" makes me smile.</div>
Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-5508738368687785402013-06-07T14:49:00.003-07:002013-06-07T15:24:53.354-07:00John, The Lumber Jack and Helen, The Homemaker<div style="text-align: center;">
Part of a series of Family History and stories</div>
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John in the center, with his twin Fannie.</div>
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John was married to a woman I don't know her name,</div>
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but they had three children, Walter, Mabel, and John.</div>
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Mrs took ill and died with baby John being very young, perhaps under a year.</div>
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So, John met and married Ida Helen. (a family name)</div>
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Back row center</div>
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about 19</div>
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1914</div>
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They, in turn had four children,</div>
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Helen Bernice, Harry, Ruth, and baby Fannie (who died in infancy)</div>
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Times in the early 1900's were tough.</div>
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John was a lumberjack, doing a job to feed his growing family.</div>
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I think this is baby Fannie with John and Helen</div>
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Cutting logs with cross-cut saws (huge things that had a man on each end), loading these</div>
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same logs onto horse drawn wagons and getting them out to rivers, was a hard job.</div>
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He worked in the California redwoods.</div>
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Somewhere I have a picture of the crew standing in front of a newly cut stump and tree.</div>
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The tree looks to be 40 feet higher than the men... redwoods.</div>
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Helen was ever helpful to keep the family fed.</div>
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in the desert</div>
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She cooked for the logging crew, canned meats and vegetables,</div>
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ran a sorta rooming house and moved to wherever there was work.</div>
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Sometimes it was camping for months on end.</div>
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She is highly regarded in my mind.</div>
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John and Helen did not always work with logging crews.</div>
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They were migratory fruit pickers.</div>
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That means that they traveled to where the fruit needed picking and worked long hours.</div>
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John, the son from the first marriage was sickly with some kind of lung complaint (as they used to say).</div>
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Winters the family would go to the desert for relief for John.</div>
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There, John the father started a lifelong hobby/business of rock collecting.</div>
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In later years he owned a "Rock Shop" in Oregon where he sold hand made items</div>
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such as jewelry, rings, pendants, and unique coffee tables with "slices" of</div>
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unusual rocks and minerals embedded in a clear resin.</div>
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My mother was Ruth, and she named me - Helen.</div>
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P.S. I have a grand daughter to carry on the name, too.</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8931716563239425113.post-36016335680997616372013-06-07T13:42:00.003-07:002013-06-07T15:15:22.059-07:00The Tail Gunner Meets the Country Lass<div style="text-align: center;">
Warning! This is a Family History Post and may be boring to you...<br />
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Way back in World War 2</div>
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My dad was a tail gunner in the U.S. Air Force</div>
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He was "older" than the others, in that he was 30</div>
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and they were maybe only 19-20.</div>
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They called him "Pop".<br />
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I recently learned, by looking up the squadron number,<br />
that his plane flew weather recon out of England.<br />
Why I didn't find that out until now... well, I guess I wasn't interested.<br />
His was an important job. He was on the look out for enemy planes<br />
that could take them down and compromise their mission of getting<br />
information back to England for the next set of planes to go out.<br />
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There were no satellites to give weather reports.<br />
The only way to relay back the information that would make or break a mission<br />
was through experiencing it first hand.<br />
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Sorry for the poor quality, but who can argue with the only photo?</div>
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Look closely and you can see the mounted machine gun pointed out the open window in the rear of the plane.</div>
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Left to Right</div>
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Lt. Tom Teal - Pilot; Lt Nicholson - Co Pilot (he later became an illustrator for National Geographic); Lt Szopa - Navigator; Sgt. Williamson - Tail gunner; Sgt. Smith - radio operator; Sgt. Trepton - Engineer; Sgt. Boyington (?) - armor guard; T/Sgt. Peters - Meteorology (weather) observer.</div>
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************<br />
Ruth was a young lady who lived with her parents until<br />
she moved out on her own around her early twenties.<br />
She wrote several service men friendly letters to keep up their spirits.<br />
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About 1930 or so</div>
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Down the road from where Ruth lived was a couple that sold<br />
eggs and such to the outlying neighbors.<br />
Ruth would walk down and buy eggs and got acquainted with the couple named "Wilson".<br />
Mrs Wilson told Ruth about her son who sure needed encouraging letters, too.<br />
So, my mom wrote "Warren", along with the other correspondence she did with other service men.<br />
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Ruth at about 19 - She would have been 92 this year...</div>
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Correspondence went on for some time,<br />
and, like some of the other letters, marriage proposals were written also.<br />
Warren never made it home on his visits. He would get "stuck" (read used up his leave)<br />
before he could catch a bus home.<br />
So, Ruth and Warren never met, until...<br />
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The war was over. Troops were sent home from overseas.<br />
Warren made the trip home on the Queen Mary which was put into service to transport troops.<br />
Warren asked Ruth to meet him - and she did.<br />
They met on December 24, 1945, when he stepped off the bus.<br />
They married a few weeks later on January 12, 1946.<br />
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They had three children.</div>
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They were married 25 years before Warren passed away in his sleep in May of 1972</div>
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two days before my wedding.</div>
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But that is another story in itself.</div>
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Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413508926577689054noreply@blogger.com3