Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers, and a very happy and healthy New Year.

Andy and I always have a long, drawn out Christmas season- which is OK with us.

I start decorating right after Thanksgiving and it usually takes me two good days to fluff and decorate the tree, hang wreaths and trim the banisters with garland and ribbon. Adding the finishing touches such as candles, nutcrackers, floral arrangements is always so much fun for me.

Maybe because I am a year older, but it took me an entire week to decorate my house this year. Maybe it was because I helped decorate my church at the same time or that I changed the candy cane table scape in the dining room this year. I will go with the older thing.

After the house was ready for company, I baked gingerbread, pumpkin/ cranberry/ nut bread and made four batches of Reindeer Chow to give away. There was a party with old friends in North Carolina, gift shopping and wrapping, a cookie exchange in Rocky Mount, Va, a fabulous trip to New York City to meet my son from Portland, Oregon and his family to celebrate Christmas. There was a visit from my son and his family from North Carolina and candlelight services at church. Angel trees, good will, Christmas carols and a party with Andy's family at the lake. Miracle on 42nd Street, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and The Shop Around The Corner. Such a magical, spiritual, hectic and fun-filled time of the year.

Home Alone On Christmas Day

After pre-Christmas get togethers with both of my sons and their families and before the post-Christmas brunch with Andy's family, we found ourselves alone on Christmas Day. A couple from church were nice enough to invite us to Christmas dinner but they came down with the flu so, again, we were on our own.

We had plenty of food from the visit with my son from North Carolina so that was not a problem. Facing the day with nothing much to do, we decided to take a ride in the country to visit Andy's childhood home place and old stomping grounds. It is now a historic place called "The Twin Chimneys." We took pictures and he told me of his ancestors who had been in the Revolutionary War. It was a mild December day and we thoroughly enjoyed our day trip.

On Christmas Day, as we all know, most business' are closed but we did find one convenience store when "nature called."

Not wanting to just use the restroom without purchasing something, I devised a game.

The Christmas Day $5.00 Convenience Store Gift Challenge

Rules:

1)   You must spend $5.00 and no more on the other person.
2)   You must buy thoughtful but inexpensive (CHEAP) gifts.

Back in the car, Andy showed me his gifts for me:

Five, one dollar lottery scratch off tickets.  Hum.......

I think my gifts to Andy were a little more thoughtful. I gave him one Tootsie Pop (because he is sweet), a package of peanut butter cheese crackers, better known as "Nabs" in the South (because he likes them,) and a package of cornbread mix for 99 cents, (because he is a little "corny.")  But, I still had $3.00 left over so I went the lottery scratch ticket route too. He got three of them.

We scratched our tickets and didn't win a thing but the $5.00 gift challenge was fun and we might make it a tradition.

The Big Cookie Exchange

My friend, Ibby, had a great idea! A cookie exchange for Facebook friends!

There were twelve of us in all so we each baked a dozen per guest. Twelve dozen cookies! Do the math.... that is 144 cookies! Plus we each baked another dozen to share at the party.

It was such great fun; old and new friends, yummy cookies to sample and dozens more to take home and share with family and friends over Christmas. (And I only gained 1 pound!)

My Mom's Snickerdoodle Recipe

My Mom's Snickerdoodles

2 + 3/4   Cups All-Purpose flour  
2             teaspoons of Cream of Tartar
1             teaspon baking soda                                                                     
1/4          teaspoon salt                                                     
8             Tablespoons real butter
1/2          Cup vegetable shortening
1 + 3/4    Cups sugar
2              Eggs
2              Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter, shortening and 1 + 1/2 cups of sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy - about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add eggs and beat to combine. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add dry ingredients and beat to combine. Chill in refrigerator.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon.

Form chilled cookie dough into one inch balls and roll in sugar/ cinnamon mixture. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet Bake about 10 minutes. They will spread out and the tops will begin to crack. The bottoms of cookies will be golden. Cool and enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth little gems. They freeze well too.

Makes 7 dozen cookies

Bye Bye Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 came to an end with a brunch hosted by Andy's daughter and her husband with also his son and wife, four grandchildren and one great-grandson. There was good food, sharing gifts, laughter and happiness watching the three youngest grands (ages two to four) run through the house with Thomas the Train, Spiderman and Star Wars characters. One little boy even sported a pink cupcake icing moustache.

Shown is the beautiful handmade log cabin quilt that Andy's daughter made for us. It was such a surprise. So special!

Recipe For Curried Artichoke Rice Salad

Since I haven't given out a recipe for a long time, I am including the Curried Artichoke Rice Salad that I served at Andy's birthday party. Scroll down to the picnic lunch post for a picture of it.

Curried Artichoke Rice Salad

1     Package of Chicken flavored Rice-A-Roni
3     Green onions, chopped
1/2  green pepper, chopped
Sliced green olives (as many as you like)
2     6 oz. jars of marinated artichokes (reserve the juice)
1     teaspoon curry powder
1/3  Cup mayonnaise

Cook Rice-A-Roni according to package directions and set aside.

Combine reserved artichoke juice with mayonnaise and add curry powder and pour over rice. Add green onions, peppers and olives. Fold gently. Chill for salad.

Note: You can make this a main dish by adding cooked chicken chunks and serving hot.

The Day After The Big Birthday Party

As I said in a previous post, there was a lot of food at Andy's birthday party. Guest's took food home but there was so much left over. On Sunday afternoon we packed a cooler and picnic basket with some of those leftovers and headed to the Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a lovely drive and only a little over an hour from our house.

We stopped at Lover's Leap and ate our lunch at a roadside picnic area.

The weather was cool and the leaves were just starting to turn orange and yellow.

How I love this time of the year.

This is the view from Lover's Leap (elevation 3,000 feet) on the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This is one of six lovely "Rock Churches" along the Blue Ridge Parkway, built by Rev. Bob Childress (biography: "The Man Who Moved A Mountain.")

The Bluemont Presbyterian Church was built in 1919 and is designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and  placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Stopping at the many produce stands along the parkway is fun. We bought boiled peanuts, mountain cabbage and country ham.

Andy Turns The Big 7-0 !!!!

My husband, Andy, recently reached a milestone - his 70th birthday! The big 7-0!!! He has a twin sister and, naturally, she turned 70 also. His older brother's was a few days later. So, I gave them all a party.

Twenty adults and three children including: siblings, children, grandkids, one great-grandchild and a few friends, shared dinner, drinks, games, ice cream and, of course, birthday cake.

There was SO much food!!! Fried chicken, broccoli salad, jello salads, potato salad, fruit platter, coleslaw, vegie casserole, curried rice salad, chips and dips AND..... Andy's famous 70 inch submarine sandwich. As you can see from the picture, it was huge. He told the group that when he is 95 years old, there will be a 95 inch sub sandwich !!!! Yikes!!!

I say we will have to have a new kitchen with a 95 inch counter top.

The 70 Inch Sub Sandwich !

The cake was beautiful! It was a moist yellow cake, iced with chocolate buttercream icing. Beautifully decorated with fall colored flowers tumbling out of a chocolate cornucopia. The bakery I used was "The Rinsing Sun Bakery" in Martinsville, Va. They did an amazing job.

The Corn Hole Game

For entertainment at his birthday party, Andy built The Corn Hole game boards you can see beyond the scarecrow in the picture. I made the bean bags, but filled with dried corn (hence the name "Corn Hole.")

We found the instructions online for building the game boards and bean bags as well as directions on how to play the game and how to score. The materials cost around $60.00 and will provide hours of fun for kids as well as adults. We will take the Corn Hole game with us on camping trips too.

There was even a little picking and grinning when Andy and Bill played their guitars.

Remembering 9/11

Eleven years ago, I turned on the TV with a fresh cup of coffee in hand, patted the dog and flopped in my chair. I was off work that day and was making a list of groceries I needed to purchase and errands to run. It was a nice, nearly fall day. A day much like the one before it until the horrible news changed the world forever.

It was surreal. The image of a airplane flying into the tower over and over and over again. Sickening sights. Not to be believed. But it was true.

I called my husband at work to tell him but he, of course, already knew. The entire country knew and watched in real time as our country came to a standstill. He told me how he and his co-workers were glued to the TV. We spoke briefly, so much in shock, and with a catch in his voice and me in tears, we said "I love you" and hung up. What more was there to say?

Eleven years later we remember that fateful day with moments of silence, speeches and memorials. Our young president and his wife bowing their heads. Solemn. Prayerful. Sad.

We came together as a country after 9/11. It was required as a nation, uniting as one, resolved to make this tragedy somehow right again. Someday. Somehow. We showed the best of the USA. Resolute and united, strong under the worst of circumstances. We struggled and cried our way through, remembered the victims, holding loved ones in our hearts and then we rebuilt.... together as a nation.

Today, we are a divided country with our elections, conventions, TV ads and rhetoric. Sometimes it feels we will never pull together, work together and love one another again. We are still healing after the terror of that day eleven years ago in New York City but now politics has divided us. We need to respect one another and help one another regardless of our political leanings.

Can't we do that in memory of the victims of 9/11?

What In The World Is This Thing?

My New Toy

Not being able to sleep the other night, I was channel hopping, trying to find something interesting to watch on TV. I have a routine when I channel hop: HGTV, Sci Fi, Lifetime movie channels, QVC and then HSN (Home Shopping Network.)

Wolfgang Puck was having some sort of anniversary on HSN, selling a little appliance that made miniature pies. Out of his pie maker popped apple pies, quiche, cup cakes, muffins and even corn bread. They were darling! You can make just two little desserts. Perfect! I was hooked.

I sneaked out of the bedroom so not to wake my sleeping husband, ordered my pie maker and waited.

It arrived two days ago and I have been "playing" with my new toy ever since. I made bacon, mushroom and swiss cheese quiche for lunch yesterday. Tonight I will serve the cutest little peach pies for dessert. Tomorrow, who knows? Maybe pumpkin muffins!

Now, if I just had some vanilla ice cream!

The 2012, 77th Annual Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia

The Stands begin to fill......

The Bands Play!

Roger Strung and "Shoregrass Bluegrass"

The Last Trip To Galax

The 77th annual Old Time Fiddler's Convention was held August 6th through August 11th. Andy pulled our camper over the mountain to Galax, VA. Campers fill the streets of the little town on Friday afternoon to park and get in line for a spot in the park the following Sunday morning. They set up the campers, pulling out the canopy, laying down the area rugs, sitting the lounge chairs and tables around the campsite. There are chairs to drag to the grandstand area, outdoor kitchens to set up and finally a cold drink with fellow campers.

Monday is the children's competition so I arrive Monday afternoon. There are competitions each night: guitar, mandolin, auto harp, banjo and Dobro. The bands are Friday and Saturday night. It is a week of music all day and all night. I don't sleep much that week. I read, work on my jewelry, sew and write. I stuff earplugs in my ears around 2am to drown out the booming sound of the big base fiddle. I wrote about my lack of sleep last year in: August of 2011.

We see old friends and musicians and enjoy the meals cooked on the camp stove. We watch the kids play games enjoy the bluegrass music and tell old jokes but this year is different. This is our last year camping at Galax.

Andy jamming with "The G-String" band members.

The posts below will reflect the feelings, tastes and sounds of The 2012 Fiddler's Convention. 

Big Jim And The Bad Breath Boys

Our friend Jim Lavinder died earlier this year. My husband, Andy, had known Jim over forty years as his CPA and friend. For the last three years Andy and I camped next to Jim, his son and two grandchildren at the Galax Fiddler's Convention. We shared our food, talked and laughed and, for a week, listened to bluegrass music.

I never knew anyone who loved bluegrass music as much as Jim Lavinder did. He had been to 43 years of Fiddler's Conventions. 43! His son: 36 years, his grandson: 16 (he is 16 years old) and granddaughter: 14 (she is 14.) That is how loyal the family is to The Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention. It is an annual tradition. They wouldn't miss it.

They had a band, of sorts, called "Big Jim and The Bad Breath Boys." The band was not the kind to get up on stage and play, however. Too shy, I guess. Well.... all except Robbie, Jim's grandson, when one year he wanted to play the guitar in the competition. The problem was that Robbie didn't know how to play the guitar. So, Andy taught him one song: "The Wabash Cannonball."

 Robbie had practiced his song over and over again. He got up in front of literally thousands of people in the audience. He picked his song very slowly and carefully but he played "The Wabash Cannonball" all the way through and did a fine job of it. You have never heard such applause as our little group produced. We were all proud of Robbie. Especially Jim. One member of "Big Jim and The Bad Breath Boys" had finally taken the stage.

Two years later, nine of us stood beneath a big wooden cross on a little hill overlooking the grandstand. We were a sober little group coming together for the most important reason for being at the convention this year. Jim's memorial. With a catch in his voice, Jim's son said a heartfelt prayer amid sniffles and sobs. We spread Jim's ashes in the place he loved so much. As we watched the dust rise and take flight on the wind, Andy drew his harmonica from his pocket and played Taps. Andy had practiced for a month and could never get through the song but that night he played it perfectly, never missing a note.

There was not a dry eye as we said goodbye to Big Jim. Rest in Peace, Jim. We know you are listening to some great bluegrass music where you are now.

This will be the last Fiddler's Convention for us. It just isn't the same without Big Jim.

Vendors Row at The Fiddler's Convention

Cotton candy or a funnel cake? That is the question! Maybe I will take both!

Everyone loves the strawberry shortcake this vendor sells! They brew a good cup of coffee too.

Willard Gayheart, pencil artist, greets everyone with his big, happy smile!

The Strange and Unusual at The Fiddlers Convention

I really love this 1960...something Cadillac Eldorado with an attached camper! Who could dream this up?

This is the menu for Richard's Roadkill Eatery.

(This is a joke, of course.)

I have written about Kill-Basa Bill before (see: The Kill-Basa Bill Roadshow on Aug. 30, 2011.)  The Roadshow band thrilled an audience of 8 to 10,000 again this year with two of their crowd pleasing tunes: "I met my baby in the port-a-John line" and "I just don't look good naked anymore." He says he can prove the naked thing but I have never heard anyone challenge his claim.

Kill-Basa Bill (AKA: Bill Guthrie from Danbury, N.C.) is a certified massage therapist in "real life" and as you see in the picture, people take advantage of Bill's talents. It must be stressful at the Convention because there are always people waiting for a massage. In the background is Bill's blue polka dot camper. A sign reads "Stress Free Zone."

Kill-Basa Bill is the Santa Clause looking guy with the big smile. The "patient" is unidentified.

I call this campsite: Redneck meets Jimmy Buffett. You would have to be standing in front of the extremely large pair of panties to get perspective. Who knows the size but the lettering says: "Just a swinging." I only include this picture to point out the redneck aspect of The Fiddlers Convention (note the confederate flag!)

This camper reminds me of "The Partridge Family" bus! Hootenanny anyone?

Now THIS is a Camper!

Button Button Who's Got The Button (Bracelet, that is!)

I just love buttons! To me, old intricate buttons are miniature works of art. I have made all sorts of things out of buttons; covered boxes, sewn them on greeting cards and even sewed tiny round mother of pearl buttons all over a blazer collar.

The following posts include pictures of my new vintage button charm cuff bracelets and I love them! I sell some at The Artisan Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia and some I sell online. If anyone would like to purchase one, please write me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com for more information.

The bracelets and brooches are one of a kind, made with a variety of materials. I use every unusual button I can find, vintage, old or new, plastic, Bakelite, glass, stone or metal. I love them all!

I hope you enjoy perusing my jewelry chest. I will be adding more items soon.

Lynn

My "Glitzy" Vintage Button Cuff Bracelet

I think this is my favorite cuff bracelet. Made from all sorts of fun buttons including vintage plastics, glass, metal, rhinestone and mother of pearl. It is big, fun, glitzy and elegant. The colors are black, silver, gold, cream and white.

I hand sew each button and accent element on a stretch elastic band which is covered with a soft satin. One size fits most wrists.

For more information, including price, availability and postage, contact: writingonarainbow@gmail.com 

Large Denim Texture Brooch

You want something really different? This pin might be it! Made from denim fabric, cording, beads, lace, charms, vintage buttons and rhinestones, this is a one of a kind show stopper. It measures around 2 to 2 + 1/2 inches in diameter. Shades of blues with touches of white and purple.

For more information: writingonarainbow@gmail.com 

Button Brooch

This button brooch is a favorite. The cream and black french label embossed button is set upon a large gold filigree piece and topped with a gold button and accented with a pearl bead.

For more information contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com 

Shades of Pink, Vintage Button Cuff Bracelet

This is a pretty in pink bracelet made of many types of buttons including vintage plastic, glass and  mother of pearl. The button you see with the french lettering is an embossing method I do that I really love. There are also small accent buttons and beads. The elements are hand sewn on a stretch elastic band covered with white satin and one size fits most. The colors in this bracelet include pale pink, mauve and white.

For more information contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com

All White Vintage Button Cuff Bracelet

This all white bracelet is made of matte white vintage buttons hand sewn on an stretch elastic, satin covered band. The buttons are all old plastic and are medium to large. The picture shows a yellow cast to the buttons, but they are pure white and the problem is due to the photographer! That would be me! The width is over an inch wide. One size fits most. Of course, this bracelet can be worn with any outfit.

Please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com for more information: pricing, availability and postage.

Orange, Yellow and White Cuff Bracelet

This cuff bracelet is made from vintage bakelite and old plastic buttons with a newer one (like the orange and white striped) to add some fun. Over an inch wide, it is hand sewn on a stretch elastic band covered with white satin for comfort. One size fits most.

For further information including availability, price and postage please contact me at: writingonarainbow@gmail.com

Russian "Nesting Dolls"

My friend, Ibby Greer, is an author and artist whose canvas is sometimes unusual. She grows and paints  gourds, calling the end result "Gourdfriends." I am happy to own three of her little works of art and they are simply delightful.

The picture above is a wonderful little grouping that resemble Russian nesting dolls. They are bright and cheery and I just love them.

I have had a lot of Russian visitors to my little blog recently and I do hope you like the picture, come back and comment, if you would like to leave a message.

Ibby, thank you for your talent! You are a "Gourd-diva!"

Happy May Day!

When I was in elementary school, way back in the 1950s, May 1st, was May Day. We would have festivals and weave little baskets from construction paper to fill with flowers to give to our parents. May Day was to celebrate spring and the best part of the day was dancing around the Maypole.

The graphic above (compliments of Graphicsfairy.com) shows Victorian children dancing around a traditional Maypole. Ours was a little different with long crepe paper streamers that hung down from the top. Each child would hold a streamer and around and around the pole we would go, decorating the pole with bright colored streamers as we danced.

It was great fun but I doubt that anyone under age 60 would remember the Maypole.

Later in the day when we came home from school, my brother, sister and I, along with all the children in the neighborhood, would make construction paper cones and glue little handles on them. Then we would fill the cone baskets with grass, dandelion and clover blossoms and, if we could get away with it, a few flowers from our mother's garden. We would then hang a basket on each neighbors door, ring the bell and run away. We would hide and watch the door open. The neighbor would smile with delight at the little prize.

I don't know that anyone would be happy with that scenario any more. I don't think they would even know what that little paper basket full of grass and clover blossoms would mean. These days, May day is all about politics and protests but I remember a time long ago when it was magical. May Day was the beginning of a wonderful warm, sunny spring season full of rebirth, a celebration of spring and the promise of summer vacation right around the bend.

Happy May Day Everyone!

My DIY Project: A Kansas Sunflower Pillow

I am from Kansas and LOVE sunflowers. The sunflower is the Kansas state flower and is big, bold, sunny and bright. Recently, I saw a picture in a magazine of a yellow sunflower covering a big square yellow pillow. I fell in love with it. My bedroom is blue, white and yellow and I wanted my sunflower pillow to coordinate with my colors. This is what I came up with:

You will need: 1 yard pillow fabic, yellow fabric for petals (about 1/2 yard), thread to match and contrasting thread, binding if desired, a small square of interfacing, polyfill fiber filling and one large brown button.

I wanted a round pillow but you can make yours in any shape.

I cut two 16 inch (in diameter) circles from a piece of leftover blue/white/yellow upholstery fabric.

Digging through my box of trims, I found a cute navy blue and white striped binding and thought it would add some whimsy. (See picture B)

Pin binding to the right side of one of the round fabric pieces as shown in picture. Baste with a contrasting color of thread (to make it easier to see) and remove pins. Sew over the basting thread with sewing machine, taking care to neatly meet the pieces of binding together (as in Picture C.) Remove basting thread.

Add second circle on top of first circle, right sides together. Pin and baste with contrasting color of thread. Remove pins. Sew with sewing machine, leaving a 3 inch opening for turning. Since my pillow is round, I cut slashes all around the raw edge, every 1/2 inch, being careful not to cut through the stitches. Turn right side out. Iron if necessary and set aside.

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

How To Make The Sunflower

Make a freehand paper pattern for a large petal. Mine is 2+3/4 inches wide and 4+3/4 inches long, including a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.

Make another paper pattern for the smaller petal. Mine measures 2+1/2 inches wide by 3+1/4 inches long and includes a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (See picture A.) Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.

You will need at least eight petals of each size.

With right sides together, machine stitch down the long side of petal to the point, turn and stitch down the other side, leaving the straight end open. When all the petals are sewn, trim off tip of point and cut little slashes around curved seam. Turn right side out and iron flat. #Hint: I use a bone paper folder with a point to poke into the tip of petal to make the tip as pointed as possible. Hand stitch the opening closed.

When all 16 petals are finished, place a 3-4 inch piece of interfacing on a hard surface. Place the 8 large petals on the interfacing in a circle, overlapping edges. Pin in place when the petals are evenly spaces.

Then, place the 8 smaller petals on top of the larger petals in a circle and pin. The center opening will be about 1+1/2 inches in diameter.

Stitch down the petals in the center of the interfacing with small hidden stitches, using yellow thread to match the yellow petals.

Trim the edges of the interfacing leaving about a half inch or so around stitches.

How To Finish The Pillow

Place the sunflower in the center of the pillow top and tack with small stitches, keeping one hand between the two pieces of fabric to separate the two layers.

Sew a large brown button in the center of sunflower. (I used a 2 + 1/2 inch old Bakelite button.)

Stuff pillow with fiberfill, stuffing around the edges first, then the center. Stitch opening closed with a running stitch.

There you have it- a bright, cute, sunny sunflower pillow!

Can You Say "Treasure?"

Andy and I had nothing better to do this afternoon so we decided to take a drive on the four-wheeler. We checked our cows, made sure the automatic water-feeders were working, took some pictures and had fun racing down the roads and through the pastures. What a beautiful day! No wind, for a change. Not a cloud in the sky. Cool but not cold. The perfect day for a treasure hunt.

There is the foundation of an old tobacco barn on the property. The wooden walls either decayed or burned down long ago but you can still see the rock foundation and where the fire box once stood. We have talked about looking for old coins or bottles long buried but never have taken the time. What fun!

Well, a half hour into the "dig" I fell down and bloodied one knee, bruised the other, pulled a muscle in my back and was not in a very good mood any more. Andy was intent on finding something and we did! We filled up his empty beer can with a handful of old rusty nails. The big metal detector would buzz and beep telling us where to dig and how deep. My smaller detector would whine and yell and then I would find the prize- a nail! I broke a fingernail and thought I saw a snake. Turned out to be a root from a tree- but still!

Well, no buried treasure or even an old snuff can. Nothing. Zilch. What a waste of time.

On the way back to the barn, however, we found our treasure. A new baby calf, no more then 3 days old. I got so close I could have touched her. Mama didn't seem upset and baby was happy to pose.

Some days bring us little miracles. In this season of blooms and buds, warm spring breezes and the promise of new birth, I guess bruised knees and a broken fingernail is not such a big deal.

Robert Redford's Sundance Catalog Chairs

New Treasures At The Cellar Chest

I try to drop in The Cellar Chest consignment/antique shop every couple of weeks. The other day, I took a few items, including several bolts of lovely designer ribbon, to put on consignment. The shop has a little of everything and there is a spot in the sunroom where you can find upholstery fabric and beautiful trim. I found some wonderful old Bakelite buttons on a recent trip.

Looking around, I noticed that the old cart from a factory in North Carolina had been sold. I really didn't have a spot for it in my house but I loved that rustic old cart. Darn it! Missed bargain. Oh well, there are many more treasures to be found. Lots of great furniture, antiques, glassware, dishes, art, collectibles and much, much more.

I spied the most wonderful outdoor chairs. Tania, the manager, told me that the six of them were from the Robert Redford Sundance Catalog. The picture above does not do them justice. They are all a rusty brown color iron. The steer skull in the center is a silver, almost pewter color. We couldn't figure out what the metal is. I am really thinking about these chairs. They are great. I can picture them with fat leather or cool western fabric cushions. I could even put two of them in my living room which is modern with a Western accessories.

If you haven't been to The Cellar Chest yet, it is a fun shopping experience. The address is: 6620 A.L. Philpott Hwy. (which is Hwy 59 just outside of Martinsville, Va) Phone: 276-632-2225.

Spring Must Be Here!

Spring arrived a couple of months early this year but we welcome it anyway. The Bradford Pear trees blossomed weeks ago, The daffodils bloomed and so have the tulips in my yard. Our cherry tree's white flowers hold the promise of a big crop of tart cherries and the peach tree is showing the new buds which will become juicy peaches this summer. WE HOPE.

This is the first day of April and we are not yet safe from a hard freeze. It could happen and our crops would fail. Simple as that. I do have lots of hope that Mother Nature will cooperate and my canning equipment will get a good workout putting up lots of fruit preserves. Cross my fingers and toes!

Virginia is glorious in the spring. The pink and white Dogwood trees dot the landscape and Azaleas in bright corals, pink and white are in almost every yard in every neighborhood. Forsythia's graceful yellow stems sway in the warm breeze. Pansies turn pretty little faces to the sun.

Our cows will calf soon and babies will be running, exploring and doing what all babies do: drink milk, sleep and get into mischief. Mama will moo and, hopefully, baby will mind her.

I hope spring is here to stay. Virginia is at her best in springtime.

Azaleas, Daffodils and Cherry Blossoms

Bleu

My "Girl's" Weekend

Sometimes I just need a couple of days away from hubby and home. Not that I don't love them, but I just NEED some space to think and BE. If I can pair that up with girlfriends, shopping and visiting my kids- all the better.

Friday when the alarm clock sounded its obnoxious buzz, I hurried with shower and cosmetics, grabbed a piece of toast and a thermos of coffee and jumped in my car. Driving to Winston-Salem was a rare opportunity to listen to Norah Jones, the sound track from The Big Chill and even a little Micheal Buble, although as I have probably reported in an earlier post, listening to Micheal is a little bittersweet. He reminds me of a couple of lost loves. Oh well, I can now sing along (no one can hear my off-key voice) and I hardly ever think of those guys. Losers! :-)

After a visit to my son and daughter-in-law, I headed to Bleu. Bleu is one of my favorite Winston restaurants. Even a simple but good salad is better with the little square bites of bread they serve with cinnamon butter.

On to Macys for a little shopping. Got lucky with a good fitting pair of summer crop pants. On to Home Goods (note cards) then to World Market for Chinese oil and sesame salad dressing and polenta. Killing time now- stopped at Barnes and Noble to look at books and enjoy a cup of coffee.

I drove to Asheboro to meet my friend, Helen after her work day. She is a wonderful cook and prepared a "delish" meal of sauteed tilapia and spinach with onions and garlic. Dessert was so simple but tasty and only 1 or 2 points on the Weight Watchers plan.

Helen's Crustless Apple Pie:

Cut up an apple (for one serving) in small pieces, add 15 red hot candies and microwave a few minutes. Stir and microwave until apples are soft- only a few more minutes. Cool and add whipped cream. We used the kind in the can and believe it or not- there are zero points (on Weight Watchers) in 2 T. of whipped cream! What a deal. Does that mean you can squirt a whole bunch of it in your mouth for zero points? Hum? Somehow I doubt it.

We went on a little errand to pick up wine Helen had ordered at the local wine shop and had a glass while there. It is a friendly sort of neighborhood gathering place. On the way to the car, we heard music and found a troupe of Mexican dancers in costume rehearsing for a performance. We got a free show! What fun.

The next day we drove to Charlotte to meet a friend (actually she was our boss from nearly 20 years ago.) We all worked at a wonderful store in Greensboro called "Pot Pourrii Press The Company Store." I was the floral designer, Helen was office manager and Susan the president of the company. We had not been all together for all those years.

We were to meet her at IKEA in Charlotte but first we had to get there. It was raining, there was construction and hundreds of cars were going to the Charlotte Speedway to a special welcome home for American Vets. As we slowed to a crawl through miles of road construction, we were thrilled to see hundreds of veterans on motorcycles (going the other direction) with American flags waving and escorted by flashing police lights. There were miles of motorcyclists. It was something to see.

The drizzle let up and we past the construction arriving at IKEA only 10 minutes late. Met up with Susan, grabbed a shopping cart and walked, and walked and walked some more. IKEA is huge. It also has everything anyone would ever want to decorate a house, apartment, beach house or dorm room. It is amazing.

The cafe at IKEA is great too. I had panini with mozzarella cheese and roasted  red pepper. Susan had a Caesar salad and Helen tried the smoked salmon and potato/broccoli/cheese cakes. So good. They serve good ol' Swedish meatballs by the way.

Very nice weekend with lots of fun people. I am so blessed to have great friends and family. I also love my little mini-vacations. And it is so nice to come home again to home and hubby.

Are You Afraid Of Tofu?

I used to be afraid to cook with tofu but it is quite easy. I sauteed firm tofu cubes to throw in a chef salad for dinner tonight. It is fairly tasteless and takes on the flavor of the other food or seasoning cooked with it. I fried tofu in sesame oil with garlic then added a little soy sauce. When brown, I added some hoisen sauce which resulted in a salty sweet flavor.

Tofu is also called bean curd and is just coagulated soy milk curd that is pressed to firm it up by taking out much of the water. I like the firm tofu, because you simply drain it and don't have to press it too much (just pat with paper towels to remove extra water.)

I like tofu in stir-fry Asian dishes. It is low in calories and high in protein. Gotta love that!

The salad shown was a mixture of fresh vegies, boiled egg, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola and Parmesan cheeses and tofu. The salad dressing was drizzled on before the tofu was placed on top. Tomorrow, I will mix the leftover tofu in scrambled eggs.