Summer Fun

It’s my favorite time of the year….oops….did I say that at Christmas too….well, probably….but this time….I MEAN IT!

There just isn’t a better time, that I enjoy more then Summer, I can take 90 degrees any old day, over 20 degrees! 

So with that being said……….

I am off to enjoy a little Summer Fun! 

I won’t be gone long, only about 10 days.  I will check in from time to time and see what’s going on with you!  Oh yeah, I’ve been having a blast playing with that chalk ink…..I’m sure y’all have heard of it!  

 

Now, I know it’s been a while since I gave you an update on these two, so here they are…………

Hoss….remember him here.  Well, he has been in the Miracle Grow, he now weighs approx 55 pounds, and 7 1/2 months old.

He is the sweetest thing in the world!  But, he will tare you up if he don’t know you!  I like that!  He is very protective and constantly guarding.  He can sense when someone doesn’t like him or is scared….Does he look mean?  He loves to be talked to, Baby Talk, of course….LOL ;)

Best buddies!

No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.  Louis Sabin

 

Lucy~ She is Sweet as Tea! See her here.  Quite a bit small then Hoss; Lucy weighs approx 50 pounds,  (i’m not telling you what i weigh! ;)   Never meets a stranger!  Loves to be petted and loved!

To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born.  Louis Sabin

I am joy in a wooly coat, come to dance into your life, to make you laugh!  Julie Church

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.  Martin Buber

We have more fun with these two then you can even imagine!  And, they love to see me coming….they know they are going to get lots of treats! :)  OH, and I have a big surprise coming soon about these two sweeties!  You all are going to love it….It might be the middle of June before I can tell it, but it’s a good one!  and, no Lucy is NOT having puppies…we had that situation already fixed! 

Are you getting ready to Flaunt this Friday?????   I will not be here for this Fridays Flaunt, however I will have a post ready to go!  You will not link up here at Southern Lady, because………..

 

Stacey at Poofing the Pillows is hosting this Months Flaunt Your RED!  I am so excited about it!  Stacey was the one that put the bug in my ear to start Flaunt, so I am so thrilled she is going to host Flaunt on her blog.   Poofing the Pillows is where you will need to link up.  Stacey is one of the sweetest ladies I have met through blogging, she and I have become email buddies through this blogging thing.  We are so much alike it is weird, so I know I am leaving Flaunt Your RED in good hands!   Thank you Stacey! 

So get those RED Flaunt post ready for this Friday, May 29th!    You can Flaunt anything RED!  Shoes, purse, decor, cars, flowers, and even your Red headed child, as Stacey says!  :)  Just make sure you link your post back to Poofing the Pillows.  Y’all have fun, and I will check in if I can, if not I will talk to you all in a few days!

 

I’m off to the North Myrtle Beach area.  See you in a few days!   Blessings! 

From Karm Girl To Farm Girl…Huh?

First off, what’s up with me doing 3 posts in a roll on cooking???  Something must be wrong with me…LOL ;)  Anyway…bear with me here, I’m sure it won’t last to much longer ;)

 

KARM~Knox Area Rescue Mission or Ministries one….I can’t remember… ;)   Karm is a local Thrift Store here in Knoxville, which I frequent quite often.  You never know what you will find, sometimes nothing, sometimes I hit the jack pot!   And, the last time I went, I hit it!

Found this, so sweet and summery looking compote.  It has the cutest butterflies,  lady bugs, bees, and dragon flies painted on it.  Guess how much I paid for this pretty????  $1.99 A buck, ninety nine!  No cracks, chips or distress of any kind!  A real Gem!

Well, You know I couldn’t wait to try it out…..

Banana Pudding was the first to call this compote home!  I’m already thinking about what will be next….something strawberry….HMMMM?

Next, See the little RED barn tart burner?  Adorable isn’t it?!   Found this several months back at Big Lots. It’s Home Interiors…don’t know how Big Lots ended up with H.I. but I am glad they did!  It was a whopping $4.00.   I don’t know why, but it says, SUMMER to me so I set it out a couple days ago!  This time of year just puts me in a Farm Girl mood, but that little RED barn up there is as close as Farming as I will ever be, I guess!

Y’all didn’t think I wasn’t going to offer you some Nana Puddin did ya?  Would you like milk or coffee with your puddin?  Honey, I would pick the milk….WHY? …………….

Cause, I found this milk at a local corner market and it is Delicious!!!!!  I am NOT a milk drinker, but this one I have been drinking!!!  You have to shake it Well cause all the good stuff settles to the top.  It is made of a local, Knoxville Farm and they have a blog here…..go by and say Hi to Colleen.  And all you K-towners….you can find this milk at several local markets, they (Cruze Family) have a list on their blog, where you can find it! Several area restaurants use this milk as well….you can read all about it on their blog.   They even have ice cream coming soon….OH HONEY!!!  Here’s what Colleen Cruze says about their Milk…..Our cows are on pasture 365 days a year and are never given hormones. Our milk is not homogenized. You will find our milk in many fruit markets, mom and pop grocery stores, and food cooperatives throughout East Tennessee. Our dairy is a state approved and inspected milk processing plant.

I really think it made my Nana Puddin taste BETTER!!!!! 

 

 I don’t know about you, but I love and prefer to buy local grown, harvested food!  We love to go to the Area Farmers Markets and do a lot our shopping!  You really get the freshest and the best of the best….meat, eggs, veggies, and now MILK! 

 

Thanks everybody for coming by today!  I’ll be around later to visit with all of you!  Blessings!!!!!!!!

Oh My! Not The Pie!

Talk about Train Wrecks in the kitchen…..well, have I got one for you today!  I had planned on doing this Chocolate Pie for Foodie Friday over at Designs by Gollum, but I had no intentions of having a wreak in the kitchen!!!!!!  Put on your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…OKAY!  Here we go!

 

The Best Chocolate Pie Ever!!!!!!!   REALLY!!!!

Here’s all you need,

1 can of evaporated milk

1 can of chocolate icing

4 eggs

1 stick of butter {softened}

2 regular pie shells

Mix together eggs and evaporated milk……….then add chocolate icing and butter……

keep mixing…yep, it will look like a mess and you will think….NO WAY!  But………….

Keep mixing until smooth….you will still have little pieces of the butter, that won’t blend, but that is okay!  Going great so far! No problems!

 

OH NO What just happened?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s a BAD BAD day!!!!  Broken glass all in my chocolate pie!!!!!!!!! 

Glass everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is not flakes in my granite…..that is BROKEN GLASS people!!  How did this happen?!   How could I let this happen?!

 

Well, raise your hand if your Momma taught you that when you bake…..ALWAYS add………………….

Vanilla Flavor?…..it makes everything taste better!

 

So here I am all finished up and I realize I have left out the vanilla flavor, well, no big deal it right there in the cabinet above me,  I open the cabinet to get out the VF and in the blink of an eye….A Train Wreck!!!!   A small glass bowl, must have been sitting on the edge of the self and out it came!!!

 

Oh, my poor chocolate pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  {Last time I listen to Momma}

 

Every thing had to be cleaned up, and thrown away!  I was not Happy!  I’m sure my septic system was thrilled!!! It’s never had anything that good….LOL :) 

 

I was so mad I almost cried!!!!!   I couldn’t even think straight!  I had ruined the Chocolate Pie!  I felt like I had sinned!  Oh, it couldn’t have happened. How could I do something like this to Chocolate!  I love chocolate more then anybody, and would never do anything to disgrace it!!!  I stood back and took another look…….

What am I going to do?

First, out cam the Big Blue Machine to clean up all the glass…..next, throw everything away!  Wash up everything!  and CRY!!!!!

 

Y’all know the saying,  “If Momma aint  happy, aint nobody happy”   So hubby went back to the store, and bought more icing and evaporated milk….LOL :)   I Really think hubby just wanted a chocolate pie!

Re-make pie….LOL….Bake at 350 for approx 30-45 min….it’s one of those things you have to watch….a tooth pick should come out clean….then you know it’s done.  Let it cool down for a while a room temp….then refrigerate for SEVERAL hrs……….

  After cool…….slice and enjoy!!!

My Oh My! I can laugh about it now, because this is the BEST EVER Chocolate Pie!!!!! The texture and taste is to die for!!!!   Very easy!!!  Who knew you could make something out of a can of icing???? 

P.S. Don’t forget the Vanilla!  Momma was right, it does make it better!!!  ;)

 

Hey, don’t forget to go over and visit with Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday!  You will love it!  Lots of great food!

 

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to stop by today!  Grab you a piece of pie before you leave!  ;)

Hope y'all have a great weekend!   Blessings to you all! 

Potatoes:101~My Favorite Veggie!

Potatoes are America’s most used and favorite vegetable. They can be boiled, baked, fried, and micro waved, steamed, roasted, mashed, and placed in salads, with or without the peel. Potatoes are a perennial plant, and the fourth largest crop grown. Potatoes have a high water content as well as starch. The potato originated in South America, spanning back to the early 1400’s. There are 200 types of wild potatoes species, and potatoes are often used as feed for animals on farms. The first potato planted by Luther Burbank was in Idaho in 1836. Potatoes are grown commercially in at least 35 states in the USA, the majority of them being grown in Idaho and other places such as Washington, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Colorado, and Oregon. The common types of potatoes available in North America are russet Burbank, yellow fin, red gold, German butterball, Yukon gold.

How to store: Store potatoes in a cool, dark place with ventilation and they will keep for weeks. Do NOT store them in the refrigerator or they will turn brown and have develop a strange flavor. Aim for 45-50 degrees F, warmer and the potatoes will sprout and shrivel. Light causes potatoes to turn green, which imparts a bitter taste. You can store an apple with a potato to help prevent it from sprouting.

How to prepare: Scrub exterior gently if they are to be cooked unpeeled. bake, boil, deep-fry, fry, puree, roast, steam, stew

Matches well with: bacon, basil, butter, caviar, cayenne, celery root, chard, cheese, chervil, chives, cream, creme fraiche, dill, fennel fenugreek, garlic, ham, horseradish, kale, leeks, lovage, mint, mushrooms, mustard, nutmeg, olive oil, olives, onions, paprika, parsley, pepper, pork, salt, savory, smoked salmon, sour cream, squash, sweet potatoes, thyme, turnips

All information above came from recipezaar.com

Who doesn’t like a potato?  Please don’t tell me if you don’t like them, it might offend me…LOL ;)  I love them all, Russet, Idaho, Yukon Gold,  Red Potatoes, Butter Potatoes , I could go on and on…I love them all, and I love them fixed any way and every way!  I can eat them every day with all 3 meals a day!  Love fried potatoes for breakfast, lunch and supper!  Love mashed potatoes all day long …..well, you get the idea!  I heart potatoes!!!

I love to take RED potatoes and boil them until they are almost done….then cut them up and put them in a baking pan with bacon, dill, salt, pepper, chives, and butter and olive oil, and more bacon! 

Bake them in the oven until done, or crisp…….

 

Top them with cheese and melt……OH MY GOODNESS!!  Love to top them with a little a lot of sour cream and ENJOY!

That is just one of the many ways I love a potato!!!  What about you….do you have a favorite way to eat Mr. Potato?

A Little TLC Was All It Needed

Y’all remember back in March when I showed you this Guest Room Mess here.  Well, I have cleared, cleaned, organized…..

but it seemed I still had messes sitting everywhere….

This is the dresser……but

I’m not sure if this is the bed or not… ;)  I didn’t know if I would ever see the light of day in all this destruction.

But, I finally started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I prayed it wasn’t a train…LOL ;)

**************************************

I found out that all this Guest Room Mess needed was a little TLC. 

Come on in…….

Well, Well, Well….Are you speechless?  Yes, I am…I just stand and look at it.

This room has its own little entrance.  I keep debating about what to hang over this little seat.  Plates? or  A big personalize sign? HMMM?Well, let’s move on and I’ll show you some close up

Every thing has been cleaned, and organized, but still looks decorative at the same time.

This gold tone, dainty serving tray, looks so great sitting out and not sitting inside the pantry. ;)

Two glass candle holders that I wasn’t using, comes in handy to hold small pieces of extra trim, that can sometimes get lost.  Looks organized and decorative.

This little gal is mad as heck cause she can’t tie her shoe….reminds me of……. ME that’s why I had to buy this several years ago…LOL ;)

I tried to sell these Milk Glass bowls a while back and they didn’t sell, well, boy am I glad!  Now I heart them ;) They just did the trick for holding extra trim pieces.  And don’t those trim pieces just look adorable?! 

There was not anything in these drawers so they made the perfect place to hold my large bolts of trim, ribbon spools, tools…all my craft papers, stickers, wrapping paper, etc…All that stuff I really don’t like to look at…lol ;)

I made sure I filled the rest of the room with all the things that make me smile. 

Can you have a craft space in a guest room?  I say yes you can.  I would love to have this whole room just for crafting, sewing, scrapbooking..etc, but I heart this furniture, so for now it will work for me like this.

A little corner of future projects, and things that I love to look at when I am in this room.

A more warm, cozy, and peaceful room to craft in.

This is just a simple card/fold up table, that I simply folded the material to go around 3 sides of  it.  It is just thumb tacked on to the table and there was no sewing that went in to it.  It was left over material from my dining room.  And would you believe I didn’t have to cut this material…it worked out perfect as I was putting it around the table.  Just enough!  Thank You Lord!

I heart pillows!  Just love them and can always find room for more…{hubby doesn’t heart them}…I don’t know why???  I don’t ask either, but sometimes he tells me, but I can’t remember what he said…LOL ;)

Oh, this is a bed and a pretty one too! Love my pinks and greens!

Love my little Lady and Sons bag!

Another pillow! 

 

I would like to find something different to use for my work space, but this really works great, and if I need to put it out of sight, it’s not a problem to fold up and tuck away.  If I could just think of something different for the top of it????  HMMM?

Every thing I used for organizing I already had…didn’t have to buy one thing!!!

More of my favorite things, love golden delicious apples, and 2 of my favorite books!

The lamp belonged to Mom and Dad, I think I have showed it to you all before.  I love to look at it! 

This little $ store tray holds my coming up next projects.  First up is that night light. 

It’s old and really I almost threw it away, the trim was filthy {picture doesn’t show the dirt} but that trim had to go!

Now, that’s more like it!

And now it lights the path, for my teenage boys, when they come home so late… :) I put it in the sun room and the colors are my favorite!  I loooove that green!  I even have a tassel hanging in there that matches it…want to see it to?  okay…….

 

Well girls, I love my little fix up project!  Total cost $0. Can’t beat that!  I had everything I needed!  I have to say, I can’t stay out of that room…I think of reasons I need to go up stairs and I never use to do that…LOL ;)  Everything now has a place and stays in it’s place, and I know where it is.  It has motivated me to work on some little projects that I just keep putting off!  It makes me happy to walk into that room and I’ll tell you one thing, that door will never be shut again!

 

A little news to share~ The next Flaunt will be May 29th…so mark your calendars now! 

 

Bigger news to share~ Stacey at Poofing the Pillows will be hosting the next Flaunt!  YAY Stacey!  Stacey has been such a wonderful and close blogging friend, and it was Stacey that put the little bug in my ear to start this RED event.  I was so thrilled when she said she would be glad to host..{that is what you said, Right Stacey?} ;)

 

More news to share~ I will not be able to host Flaunt because I am going to the beach around that time.  Our first Vacation in almost 2 years….and boy it’s about time! 

So all you RED lovers, let Stacey know that you want to join in the fun!  I’m sure Stacey will have something on her blog about it soon. 

 

One more piece of news to share~ and I promise the last piece!  I have been a little under the weather…nothing serious,  just happy I didn’t have that hog flu… ;) but want you to know that I will be around soon.  I have seen some new names and I really appreciate all your comments and visits!  Blessings!!!!!!!

And The Winner Is…..

I want to first of all thank all of you for Flaunting your REDS! I saw some beautiful REDS and some different REDS this time! I think everyone did a fantastic job Flaunting and I hope you all enjoyed the fun!

Girls, I am running a bit behind on getting the winner of the Apron giveaway announced but…better late then never…huh? Random Number Generator picked number 28….that would be Kim at The Art of Domestic Living….Kim is the one that painted her kitchen island RED...Remember?! Loved it! Congrats Kim!! I will get that out to you this week.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and coming up week. Blessings!!!!!!!!!