Salty and Sweet Perfection

When those bags of candy corn hit the shelves, I can't help myself.
I grab a bag, some cocktail peanuts and mix up my favorite snack of the season.

Yay! It's Fall

This past weekend we headed east of the mountains, to my brother and sister-in-law's cabin. Now, is one of the prettiest times of the year.
The leaves have begun to the change. The mornings are chilly, and the days still warm.

Our main objective, was to do some of this...

...and this...
(The girls never miss a chance to ride on that quad!)

...for this.
Aahh, winter warmth!

Dexter loved hanging out in the woods with us too.

While the boys (and my SIL) cut and loaded firewood, I walked around the property enjoying all of the fall beauty - like this vine maple. Gorgeous!

I don't want you to think I do nothing but play and take pictures, while everyone else sweats. Ha!
My job for the weekend - designated cook. I love feeding the hungry workers!

We're so thankful they share their place (and firewood) with us.
The entire weekend creates good times and great memories - we love it!

Barbola Roses

Yay! I finally found something affordable with barbola roses.
What better, then a sweet Victorian funeral basket to add to my collection!
I have been searching years, for something, anything, adorned with barbola that wouldn't break the bank.
Today, I'm loving the basket filled with my end of the season hydrangeas.

Hope you all are having a great week!

The Best Kinds Of Cookbooks

Reading through cookbooks has gotta be one of my favorite pastimes.
I especially love church cookbooks. I have found so many great recipes within these books - particularly cookies!
Pictured above, are the ones I use often. Most, were taken, passed down from my mom's collection, so a few are from the 70's and 80's.

A while ago, a friend of mine from church brought me boxes and boxes full of cookbooks. She was sorting through her personal collection, and I was lucky enough to get to go through her castaways. I still have a big box of church cookbooks to read - one of these days...

Do You Make Homemade Pickles?

I made 12 quarts of homemade pickles the other day.

I don't have any experience canning. However, I do know, that the best canned peaches, and cherries I ever had, were canned by my hubby's Grandpa Percy.
Oh, and he could make the best homemade grape jelly in the world!

My mom never canned anything when I was growing up... "why can when you can buy it", she always says. I just shake my head.

Making homemade pickles was easy. I didn't even have to do that hot water bath thing - which was very cool!
I wish I could tell you how fabulous they taste, but I have to wait until Thanksgiving to try 'em.
Hmmmm patience...

A One Woman Sweatshop...

... and hey that's me! HA!
I've been MIA 'cause I've been busy sewing every spare second I find.

I need lots of merchandise to fill my booth at the Come Junk With Us "Ruffles and Rust" show in October.
I'm so excited to be in the show, but a tad overwhelmed at the same time - it'll be my first show ever! Whoa!