I am somewhat addicted to HGTV.... and auctions :)
I have been inspired to create a new look. The ranch was Texas rustic which I loved but this house has a totally different feel. It was built in a good year-1958 (my birth year) and still holds some of that character. So this time, I am feeling "country chic".
Auction and garage sale finds along with odds and ends here and there and the living room was the first thing done. I love the feel.
One of my favorite things about the house plans is the large kitchen/dining room. I spend a lot of time in there and when family or friends are here, it seems to be a gathering area. After gathering ideas and items, the makeover project began. I chose red, white and black for these rooms.
Michele (my daughter) found an 8 foot farm table at a "going out of business sale" and I fell in love with it. No chairs though. I have always wanted to do an eclectic look of various chairs. I kept 2 chairs from my old set and then found others here and there. Added a 6 foot bench and there you have it.
I bought an old china hutch at the auction. Painted with white chalk paint by Annie Sloan. Distressed with sand paper here and there and then sealed with chalk paint wax.
An old farm double pane window. Painted the bottom pane with chalk board paint. Padded and covered a thick piece of cardboard for the top pane. Added a couple of hooks on the bottom and hung it in the dining area as a message center.
4 fabrics were used for curtains, chair pads and wall hangings.
So much fun, I am starting on the guest bath next.
It seems everything will be new this year. As I began my first garden at my new home, I went to the place where I have bought my vegetable and herb plants for years. It is in a very small Texas town. A small house on main street where nobody lived, but plants from a local farm were sold by the honor system. You picked out what you wanted and put your money in a box on the porch. I was told by locals that, sadly, it had been stolen a few times over the years. However, every year a the beginning of planting season, new plants were put out to sell. Except this year! I was not only saddened that the owners gave up, but saddened that my favorite plants were no longer available. I have been canning dill pickles for the past 7 years and can't imagine having to buy pickles in the store. My family and I LOVE dill pickles.
So the search began for "pickling cucumber" plants. I visited many chain stores but only regular cucumber plants. I extended my search to surrounding small towns that have produce stands or nurseries. Finally, I found them. A different type than I always used, but pickling cucumbers, so the new garden was under way. I also plant dill so I have fresh on hand for the dill pickles. In mid June when the dill was ready to harvest, I cut it and put it in freezer bags to have later for canning.
For the past week, I have been accumulating a small harvest and today I was ready for the first canning.
This is a recipe handed down from my grandmother. This card was given to me by my mother (in her handwriting) and I am happy to share. A very simple recipe that doesn't require a pressure cooker.
Begin by mixing together the ingredients and let them began to heat to a boil.
While that is going on, Wash all cucumbers, making sure to get the little prickly things off.
Then cut them as desired. This canning, I went for thick slices and one jar of small whole. Another favorite is wedges. Place a desired amount of dill in the bottom of each jar, then fill with the cucumber slices. After the vinegar mix has come to full boil and is very hot, pour to fill each jar. It is best to have a funnel. Be careful...HOT.
Place the seal and ring and tighten....tight as you can. Tighter the better. Then turn upside down for 5 minutes. This helps with the sealing.
Turn upright and let them cool. As they cool and the seal is complete you may hear little pings. To test the seal, if you press in the center of the seal, it should not go up and down. Store in a cool dry place. A cabinet is fine. They are ready to eat in 3 weeks and are good for up to 2 years. They never last that long at my house though!
And there you have it. I put up 11 jars in no time. Hoping for more if my garden allows.
All things red, white and blue! In keeping with that theme, I made a low carb/low sugar dessert.
Layers
- Sugar free strawberry jello
- Fresh strawberries.- Mix jello as directed and when almost set, mix in the strawberries.
- Regular Cool Whip.- The difference in calories, fat and sugar is so low that it is hard to decide. Since I watch carbs, I went with the regular since it had lower carbs than fat free.
- Fresh blueberries-If you can find sugar free blueberry jello, do the same a with the strawberries. If not, just layer some blueberries for color and yummy :)
That's it! It's a light, sweet goodie. Enjoy....like I did!
Along with the parades, cookouts, family and fireworks-I hope everyone remembers that freedom is not free. I am so thankful for the history of our country and the freedom I have.
God Bless America!
The yards....front and back. Big change from 80 acres! And a lot easier to take care of :)
Almost every day I discover something new about the yards. Something new growing or another issue to deal with.
I love trees, but goodness, this is over the top. For such a small place there is ALOT going on.
2 pecan trees-small one in the front and large one in the back.
2 pear trees
1 HUGE elm, pine, fruitless mulberry and countless creapemertle trees. Also neighbors trees that hang over into my yard.
Good Grief!!!
After getting a ridiculous bid to cut some of the trees down, I decided to go the cheaper route. Cutting them back. Ill probably need to do this at least once a year. Not only did I want the sunshine but the birds in the trees over my patio were leaving way too much...umm, I'll just say it- Poop!!
So after 3 flatbed loads, the sky was opened up a bit. I love it. Yogi does too. She likes to sunbathe.
For those of you who followed from my 1st blog, www.murphyranch.blogspot.com , you will remember a gift from my late husband, Yogi. A great pyraneese. When I moved to town, I had offers from my country neighbors to take Yogi, but I really felt I needed to give her a try in town. See if she could adapt. She has!! And doing very well. My biggest worry was her ability to hop over the fence. However, she has show has shown no interest. She enjoys chasing squirrels (which is a full time job) and getting to know the neighbors, who all love her. It seems in the neighborhood, I am known as the lady with the big white dog.
I also still have my faithful companion, Sadie (the beagle) and now my daughter's maltipoo, Bear. Maybe I am just the crazy dog lady :)
In the spring I began a project of my front flower beds. Some thinks I completely changed and some I just added my touch.
There was a beautiful flower box under the front window that was empty and completely hidden by holly bushes. Sorry but I am not a fan of holly bushes. Bush change, added knockout roses and wondering Jew. As time goes by, all will grow and fill in. I love watching things grow.
When I started my new (and much smaller) vegetable garden, I noticed a lot of difference. Very sandy soil and not enough sunlight. So cutting back the trees overhead made a welcome change.
However, my biggest worry is the squirrels and birds. Something is just snipping off the squash flower before it can even get going.
The tomatoes are bountiful but staying green. I am hopping the recent increase in sunshine will help that.
A squirrel, I think, tore up a tomato plant. I say a squirrel because I actually saw one stealing the green tomato and eating it. If I had a pellet gun....oops...did I say that.
I am trying different remedies for the varmints, but I have bigger plans. Stay tuned because this
fall I will enclose the garden. I am thinking a frame with chicken wire will do. I never had this much trouble with my huge garden in the country. But I will not give up. Southern women love a vegetable garden and big floppy hats!
