The Garage

Please, do NOT take a picture of that mess! 

I will give you this kinder, and gentler photo instead.

Life Archives

There are certain areas of my home that I just cannot seem to keep in order.

I read Nan’s post today “Ladies, It's Time to Stop Beating Ourselves Up” which lead to me writing this post.

She writes, “Stop talking to yourself as if you're the enemy. You're not. You're in this together, both of you: the you who you WANT to be and the you who you ARE now.”

The other day, my new neighbor came over asking to borrow our ladder. I went to the garage, which was open because it was our weekly workday, telling my neighbor to wait at the doorway because I did not want her to trip over the mess of boxes and laundry. My laundry was strewn across the garage floor because I was in the process of my main washing day.

It takes quite a bit of work to maneuver the 20 ft. extendable ladder. I knocked over several things in the process and tripped over several, as well. I was slightly embarrassed about the mess, but I did not apologize to my neighbor for it.

In the past, I would have been humiliated and would have apologized for the mess, explaining why the garage looked the way it did. I have grown beyond that. Praise the Lord!

I try to clean that garage weekly, and no matter how much I try, it always seems to be a disaster. It is my laundry room, the computer room, the playroom, my husband’s workshop, and the only storage area for this family of seven in our 1248 sq. ft. home.

Formerly, the garage door being left open, exposing my mess to the world (neighborhood), would have upset me, provoking me to express to my husband how distraught it made me. I finally stopped comparing my life to everyone else’s. I KNOW how much I try. Everyone else probably does not. It does not matter anymore. I have stopped beating myself up over it, which makes me a happier person and a more pleasant wife and mother.

If we work in the spirit of love (including loving ourselves), everyone is blessed even when things are not so perfect.

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Tea Time Memories

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 ~ October ~

1993

This is my oldest child at her playhouse having tea with her Jane Anne doll.

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52 Weeks of Art

Weekly Favorite

Woman Reading by Henri Lebasque

Source: Susan McLean on Pinterest

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There are so many wonderful painting, pictures, etc. that I decided it would be fun to post my favorites weekly - on no certain day.

Here a woman rests, enjoying perhaps a pleasant afternoon of reading. This is the way I like to spend my Saturday's.

Today, I won't have much time for relaxing. My son has a soccer game at 8:30 this morning, and then another game at 2:00. I cannot figure out why there are two games today. It was a last minute update on Friday evening.

This is a Blog-Hop

I am linking-up today with...

Marine Wife, Mommy & Life

Come along and join in the fun.

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The Joys of Autumn

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Crisp autumn days, apple picking, cozy kitchens

A time to give thanks
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Peach Tea and Roses

Just for no reason at all, my husband gave me these beautiful roses yesterday. 

I love roses, especially because they dry into such lovely bouquets. I don't always get rose with baby's breath, but it adds so much to the dried arrangement.

My husband does not really understand my love of dried rose. I actually think I get more pleasure from the dried flowers, maybe because I don't have to fret over them dying. Seeing roses slowly die and drop their petals is heartbreaking. So, I usually hang them to try before they have time to expire.

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First Pumpkin Pie of the Season

On Saturday, my daughter picked a small pumpkin (one equal to two of these small pumpkins in this photo) from our back yard. I washed and cut it into two. She cleaned out the side. We baked it at 350 degrees for 1 hour. She removed the skin and measured out the pumpkin. We had exactly 2 cups of pumpkin. Just the right amount for a 9" pie.

We used this Joy of Cooking Pumpkin Pie Recipe. I have to say that this pie was so much tastier than making one from a can of pumpkin.

She made the pretty leaf decoration. 

We had such a wonderful time baking together.

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Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadian ladies!

Baking With Grandmother

A Year with Grandmother ~ 365 Days at Grandmother’s House

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Source:Cottage Chic

Today Grandmother makes a quick batch of current scones for tea time. We set the table and put on the tea. Mmmm, fresh hot scone straight form the oven smell so tempting. I break a little nibble off a scone as I carry it to the table. Grandmother sees, and smiles kindly.

Busy-Day Current Scones

In a hurry? Just drop dough from a large spoon into 8-equal mounds on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten to about 1/2-inch thickness with floured fingers, and bake as directed.

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup firm butter or margarine
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup currants
• 4 to 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in egg, vanilla, and just enough of the whipping cream until dough leaves side of bowl. Stir in currents.

Brush with additional whipping cream; sprinkle with sugar crystals.

Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; carefully separate wedges. Serve warm.

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Dear Friends, please fill free to share comments of your memories with your grandmothers, or your thoughts on being a grandmother.

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(An Imaginary Journey Back to Grandmother's House)

Penny-wise Chicken Pie

~ Canadian Inspired ~

(Notice the maple leaf?)

Oh, the gals on the block are tempting me with such delicious goodness! First Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose posted her Tasty Beef Pot Pie . Then Jessica at Chronically Vintage wrote a wonderful post about her Penny-wise Chicken Pie. I just had to make myself a chicken potpie for dinner last night. (I already had chicken in my refrigerator that need to be used.)

I used Stephanie’s pastry recipe, and a slightly changed version of Jessica’s chicken pie recipe.

The results? Everyone liked it and even wanted seconds.

"Wow! This is really good!" exclaimed my husband. "Is this a new pie crust recipe? It's the best pie crust that you have ever made!"

 ~ Well, I guess I have Stephanie and Jessica to thank for my success. Thanks, girls!

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Garage Sale Treasure

After our morning exercise last Saturday, we passed a garage sale while driving home. My husband looked over at me and asked if I wanted to stop. No, I did not. I have a small house, and I cannot fit much more into it than it presently holds.

"Let's just have a look," he suggests. "I will buy you anything you want, Honey”, he says with a drawl, and laughs. Such a big spender… I told him that I just might take him up on that offer.

Well, I did see something that I have been looking for – a teacup and saucer. However, I am a tightwad, and I will not spend $10 on it; I want it for $5. So, I passed that one up and am still looking for my hidden treasure.

My husband found a shelf for $5. It was a good price, but I don’t know where I am going to put it just yet.

Just as we were leaving to go, he saw this lovely bowl with the green grapes and leaves pattern. It was $3.00, and I was not sure that I wanted to spend that much on a bowl at a garage sale. We both like grape patterns, so I gave in and bought it. Then I was so glad that I did; as soon as I held it in my hands, I fell in love with it. I am such a fickle girl!

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Truly Scrumptious Carrot Cake

Truly Scrumptious Carrot Cake

2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3 t. cinnamon
1 ¼ c. vegetable oil (I use only ½ cup)
4 eggs
3 c. grated carrots
1 c. chopped nuts (opt.)
1 t. vanilla

Sift together sugar, flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in oil. Add eggs, one at a time; mix well after each addition. Add carrots, nuts, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. Pour into a greased 13 X 9 X 2 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 (may take up to 45 minutes, depending upon oven) minutes. Cool in pan. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe from Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook

This frosting is perfect because the amount of powdered sugar does not over-power the taste of the cream cheese.

Prep: 10 minutes
Makes 16 servings, about 2 ½ cups

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla in a medium bowl at a low speed until smooth.
2. Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
Frosts one 13 X 9-inch cake generously, or fills and frosts one 8- or 9-inch cake. Refrigerate any remaining frosting.

Variation: Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled, with the butter.

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My Cup of "Tea"

Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose, shared a sweet memory of her childhood tea set, how her mother taught her to hold her teacup, pour and serve tea, and the joy of sharing this same tea set with her own young son.

Stephanie has linked up with Sandi from Rose Chintz Garden who is having a “What’s In Your Cabinet" party. I thought it would fun to join the party. Perhaps you would like to, too!

Although I do not have a spectacular story to tell you, this little set was a special gift my sister gave to me for my birthday one year. It is so pretty; I wanted to share it. As you can see, I am more of a coffee, than tea, drinker.

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Link up with Rose Chintz Garden

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