A Pizza Night!

Friday night dinners at our house usually involve pizza of some sort.  Almost always it is frozen pizza and occasionally we treat ourselves to delivery on special occasions but this time I was in the mood to try homemade.  To my delight, the crust was super easy to put together using my food processor.  And in less than 2 hours it was ready to roll out.    I was after a tomato basil pizza using fresh basil from my garden (which is in abundance right now!)  But, I learned the hard way basil turns brown and nasty in just a few minutes in the oven when it's the last ingredient on the pizza.  We ended picking it off  and replacing it with freshly torn leaves.  It was a nice change from the usual and I really want to try a fresh mozarellla, roma tomato pizza with basil next time.  My friend served us a similar one from COSTCO and it was delicious!!  Beings I'm too far from a store I'll have to keep experimenting in my own kitchen.

With the little bit of dough left over I made a cherry dessert pizza.  Yum yum yum!!!  Not a crumb was left over of our little pizza dinner. 

Hoping you are having a wonderful weekend!!

A Fun Day

Last week we enjoyed a delightful day in Delphi, Indiana.  It is a small town brimming with charm and adventure.  Our first stop was this lovely tea room, Beyond My Garden Gate. 

The owner, Julia, recently opened but she has done such a magnificent job renovating an old clothing store one would never know.  It is an open tea room with a southern flare.  Each table hosts flowers and doilies for place mats (such a treat!) 

The service was friendly and the food quite delicious.  It is easy to spot their use of fresh ingredients and hand preparation.  Since it was an exceptionally hot day I chose their lavender lemonade but they also have quite a variety of teas to chose from that can be served hot or cold.  After our beverages we were served   mouthwatering scones with lemon curd on the side (worth every bite!!)

The scones were followed by a tomato basil soup and this delightful trio of sandwiches.  The turkey on raisin bread was our favorite!

It was such a fun way to slow down and enjoy some nice conversation while nurturing our feminine sides.  We made a day out of it by browsing in the nearby gift and antique shops.

I hope you find the time to enjoy a local tea room, too!  They are such fun!!!

A Shower of Blessings

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After a week of oppressive heat, relief came today by way of much needed rain and cooler temperatures.  Now birds hop about my front lawn pecking for juicy worms risen to the top.  While my yard and a number of my plants have suffered from the excessive heat and dryness my vegetable garden has grown immensely.   Namely my tomato plants and watermelon.  They have thrived!

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Also, the corn in the farm fields near our home have just flourished.  It seemed overnight it went from knee high to above my head with a full tassle and ears brimming forth from the tall stalks.

While the heat index soared outdoors we had a blessed time with mom, our very special visitor (read more here.)

Thank you Lord, for the showers of blessing in the form of family and refreshing rain.

"I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing

and I will cause showers to come down in their season; 

there shall be showers of blessing."

Ezekial 34:26

Sunday Scripture

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"Cause me to hear Your

lovingkindness in the morning,

For in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

For I lift up my soul to You."

Psalm 143:8

Preparing for a Special Visitor

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We are anticipating the arrival of a very special Grammie due to arrive today.  I have been cleaning and doing some baking to welcome her into our home.  She will be traveling by train. 

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I just think that sounds so romantic and chock full of adventure! Have you ever been on a train?  I haven't; but I can imagine the sights, sounds and smells aboard such an interesting piece of transportation.

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She will arrive just in time to watch my 10-year old play in his last baseball tournament of the year.  He has been practicing hard and is really looking forward to the competitive games. 

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We also will be visiting a tea room (just her and I - no boys allowed!)  I began this tradition with her several years ago when I lived in Missouri.  She had never been to a tea room before and thoroughly enjoyed it as did I.  While we may not be as dressed up as these ladies (which by the way it's good etiquette to wear a hat to tea) we will pretend we are and have such a lot of fun.

Our days will be full of new experiences and we can't wait to see her!

With love,
Kathy

Boredom Buster

On a recent road trip I took along some yarn to help pass the time.  I followed Anneliese's pattern at Aesthetic Nest for the dish/wash cloths. 

It is a great pattern for a beginner as it uses only the single crochet stitch in the back loop. She has a great tutorial with lots of pictures to help you out.  I used Sugar 'n Cream yarn by Lily. 

They turn out soft with a bit of stretch and this neat ribbing pattern.  I actually could have brought more yarn on my trip because just one of these takes a little over an hour.  Which meant I watched this with my boys,

they think these movies are a hoot!  I happen to agree.  That little VW bug sure has some personality!!

Blessings!

Gifts from China

A friend of ours recently returned from a month long vacation in China, her homeland. She brought me back this beautiful ribbon embroidered bag. It couldn't be anymore my style if I tried! It'll be perfect for storing my jewelry the next time I travel.

Silk Drawstring Bag

As if that wasn't enought, she also gave me a silk scarf in a watercolor landscape of such beautiful colors.

I can see it being worn with a lot of different summer tops.

And with it being such a compact shape I plan to keep it in my summer purse so next time I'm at a restaurant or store with the AC blowing, it will keep the goosebumps and shivers at bay!

Silk Scarf

That way I'll be prepared!  Sure beats the bulk and look of a sweater (which shouldn't have to be worn in the summer.  Just saying . . . I wear too many of those the other months of the year!)

It was so thoughtful of my friend to do this and how cool it came from so far away!

Sweet blessings on your day!

More Red, White and Blue . . .

but this time in my kitchen! I am just having so much fun looking for our patriotic colors in my environment.  This is one of my favorite snacks as of late:  yogurt with berries!

 

Mint and strawberries from my garden. 

And I absolutely love a helper in my kitchen.  This is my sweet 12 year old making Rice Krispie Bars. 

Who incidentally doesn't understand why I'm taking his picture!  He he.  But, of all my sons he is the most patriotic, very much like his father.

I hope you have enjoyed my hunt for the good ole red, white and blue together. 

Blessings!

A Walk in my Garden to find Red, White and Blue

In continuing with my red, white and blue theme I thought it would be fun to share photos of those colors outside my home, beginning with my red hummingbird feeder.

It's such a delight to watch a number of hummingbirds come to this feeder while we eat.  The first few weeks (or month!) while I had this up they weren't confident enough to drink the syrup but over time they became comfortable with the environment and so many come throughout the day.  I am so glad to have these feathered friends frequent my garden and some day I hope to catch one with the camera!


Right below my feeder are these beautiful annabelle hydrangea's which are at their peak right now.  The branches get so heavy with the large blooms!  So they are something white in my garden!

Blue is found in my new flip flops which get me around my garden.

I was so happy to find these on a recent outing to an outlet mall.  They look great with so many of my summer outfits.

I couldn't resist showing you my star gazer lily (which isn't red, white or blue) but oh so pretty.

 It has to be my favorite flower with it's large bloom and intoxicating scent (I wish you could smell it!)  Peonies and roses come a close 2nd on my favorites list. 

Thank you for taking a walk through my garden looking at things red, white and blue! 

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Yay for Red, White and Blue!

Am. Girl Doll Skirts

It was time to get my AG doll dressed up for the 4th of July!!  I really like America's patriotic colors of red, white and blue together.  Not only are they synonymous with our freedom,  but also they speak to me of summertime, fireworks and grilling!

I originally wanted to combine the 3 fabrics in one skirt but I changed my mind once I started cutting (a woman is allowed to change her mind, right?  He he.)  I liked the idea of just one color per skirt.  Each skirt goes with a plain white t-shirt.  Doesn't it look like she's ready for some fireworks?

Starry skirt w/ bare feet

 And adding some leggings and shoes just make her clothing more fun!

Leggings and sandals

The shoes were simply cut from craft foam and the ribbon hot glued on the soles.

Sandals

Adding some sparklers to her hair and she is all set!

Festive Hair - Do

Just changing out the skirt gives just a slightly different look.  This white skirt has lighthouses on it but they kind of remind me of fireworks!

We will be doing some grilling and fireworks to celebrate our nations birthday.  How about you?

May God continue to bless our nation and keep our servicemen and women out of harm's way.

Happy 4th of July!!