he's back

You might remember this little guy, Gizzy from a post a few weeks ago.  We got him for my Mom.  Unfortunately it just didn't work out.  He is still too much puppy for my parents quiet home and older dog.  We brought him home and now the real job of training the humans begins.  It's been close to 30 years since we've had a puppy.  At least he's potty trained and a year old so we don't have to go through all the messy stuff.  Time to pick up and put away things he can hurt himself with or destroy, keep doors closed and learn training methods.  He's head strong and hyper but so sweet.  It will take some time and plenty of patience while we all learn.  Diva is teaching him who's boss and the kitties haven't adjusted yet, but  will get there.
Once you've taken on the responsibility for an animal you are their life line so don't do it quickly.  Make sure you are ready for the responsibility for the next 15-20 years.  If it can't work out make every effort to find the pet a new home, they are depending on you.

pumpkin bread time

The calendar says it's fall even if the temperatures are still in the 80's.  It's time to think about cool weather foods. We love warm quick breads as a snack or desert when it gets cool.  I could make breads from scratch, sometimes I do.  Many times I use a mix and jazz it up.  To this pumpkin bread I added walnuts, dried cherries and chocolate chips, then baked it according to the package directions.  It was ready in less than an hour, just in time for a mid movie snack. YUM!

how to put together a gift basket

We do a lot of gift baskets for VCB.  The container and contents will vary but the main construction stays the same.

You will need a container to hold your gifts, shredded paper to fill the basket.  I usually crumple tissue to fill the bottom and top with the shreds.  You will also need a plastic bag to put the basket in as well as a bow and a tag.  All of these products came from the dollar store.

Basket stuffed and ready for gifts.

Tissue on top for a pop of color.  The basket and tissue were almost the same color, I don't know why they look so different

Filled with goodies.  You want the package to look full and lush not skimpy.  Prop the items up instead of laying them flat.  The buyer for this basket was coming right over so I threw it in the bag, added a bow and tag.  In the process I forgot to take the last picture.

instant table update

I found this aquarium stand at a rummage sale.  It was covered in spider web, rust s and dirt, but it was only $1.  A quick clean up, a new coat of rust preventing paint and a 12X24 tile glued on with epoxy was all it needed. It's a cute table for outside or for giving your room a touch of industrial chic.  Total cost about $5.  It's already at the resale shop.

country time dinner

Summertime food with all the goodies fresh from the garden are a big hit around here.  Add in some fried food and AH is in heaven.  A meal of fried chicken, fresh corn and tomatoes along with fresh baked cookies gets me lots of brownie points.  He always says he doesn't think anyone else he knows is eating this good.

junking finds

I've hit a lot of sales this last week.  These are just a few of my favorite finds.  I really need to find some place to store my goodies before I work on them.  Do you think I could talk AH in to buying another building???

console table, perfect $15

bench in perfect condition $10

shelves free

Windsor rocker $5

Carved mirror $5

carving detail

one of a pair of little shelves $3

All the crazy ladies

Mid September is usually beautiful in central Illinois.  There are many fairs and celebrations going on as well as city wide yard sales.  What's a girl to do when they all come together on the same weekend of a huge family party as well as unexpected torrential rains.  We'd already bought the tickets to the Hob Nob market, the party was under control and a little rain is not going to stop us from  finding great junk!  My running  started at 6:45 when I left to pick up my friend Kathy and take off for St Joe an hour north for the rummage sales.  We did find several brave folks who opened their sales despite the rain and chill.  We got back home about 12 and took off for the market an hour south of home.  We made a quick stop to pick up friends Kathy and Brenda.  By the time we got to Effingham it was raining so hard I could barely see the road to drive.  We did pull off and park for a while but we were determined not to let rain slow us down so we took off for the show at the local winery.  It did finally stop raining but it was a muddy, chilly mess.  The show had great vendors and the booths were full of all kinds of beautiful things.  None of us bought too much but we did fill the back of my van.  A yummy dinner at a steak house them home.  By that time my kids had arrived for the birthday party the next day.  Six dozen cup cakes needed to be frosted and two dozen sausage rolls made for breakfast and I finally could quit for the day.  Four and a half hours later I was up again ready to get the party started, but only after I made a quick trip with two of my grand daughter to another sale a few miles from home.  I found several bargains I'll share later.  It was a long and tiring weekend and I wouldn't have missed a minute of it.

Brenda wasn't waiting around in the rain for picture taking but Kathy though a tote bag made a pretty good umbrella

I was singing in the rain but I'm too short to share my umbrella with Kathy.

happy birthday

September is very full of family birthdays.  Starting on the first with my mother-in-law we have eight birthdays in the month.  We were able to get together last weekend for fun and celebration.  This party was even more special because we were celebrating Sara's 90th.  What a special day of family,laughter and food.  The weather was a little chilly at the state park but we had a wonderful time together.  We missed those who couldn't come and  felt sad that they couldn't be with us.  We are all busy and some times it's not very easy, but it is important to make the time to be with your family, crazy as they might be.
I want to wish my son's Nathan and Rich a happy birthday today.  I couldn't ask for better kids, ornery as they may be!

Our guest of honor

My crew

Alan's crowd

Sara and kids

Cathy, Mike and Ty and our youngest family member Zelma

product and more product

This time of year my guest bedroom starts filling up with all the saops, lotions and scrubs I've been making for the upcoming season. The bed, table and floor are starting to get pretty full.  Unfortunately I need to find a new storage space.  My kids are coming next weekend and we'll need the bed.  I'll probably pile all of it in baxes and hide it in our room for the next week.

Happy birthday

September is a big month for birthdays in our family.  Today is my wonderful husbands 68th birthday.  It seems almost impossible that we have know each other since he was 22 and I was 19, Where have the year gone?  He's a little grayer and the sun has taken it's toll but he still looks younger than any of his peers.  Love you Andy Honey.

junking score

Things often come to me in the most unexpected ways, so I always keep my eyes open when I'm out and about.  There is no big secret to scoring great junk beyond being open for it and letting everyone know your a junker.  you also have to go out searching for things on a regular basis, but that's the best part.

Found this new pillow in a thrift store on half price day, cost $1.50.  It had a $36 price tag on it

A fried droped this off at my house out of the blue thinking I might like it.  Full size hand crocheted bed spread with thick fring it is absolutly gorgeous.  I may use it as a spread but it would make a great table cloth too.

Happy labor day

YEP it really is not all about an end of summer three day week end.  Labor unions are being attacked by the politicians in Illinois big time.  Our governor is lading the charge to break as many unions as possible.  Yes sometimes they can get demanding or silly and spiteful, but those who have labored before us have given us a lot.  If you enjoy any of the following thank a worker that made it possible:
40 hour work week
overtime pay
paid holidays
Vacation pay
Safer work conditions
No forced child labor
Minimum wage
Five day work weeks
Health insurance
Workman's comp
These are just a few of the benefits that we all can benefit from today that were unheard of in my grandparents generation.  So go thank all those that have labored hard so you can have it much easier.

tub tea

Tub tea is a new product VCB is offering for the holiday season.  A skin soothing mix of oats, dry milk, lavender, Epsom salts and sea salt, you pop a tea bag full into your warm tub water and soak away.  I found heat sealed tea bags, added 3T of the mix, sealed the bags then added an instruction tag on a string.  A single bag tucked into a card would make a lovely thinking of you gesture.  We will also offer several packed into a bag for instant gift giving.

new family member

When I found out this little guy needed a new home I knew the perfect place for him.  My Mom had mentioned earlier this spring she would like a new dog, their Shit Tzu, Jade  is getting older and she loves having some one to fuss over.  Gizzmo aka Gizzy is a year old, potty trained, neutered and over the worst stages of puppy-hood.  his owner just couldn't give him the time and attention he needed.  If you look around at shelters, humane societies or ads you can often find pets that need new homes and lots of love.  Pets are such a joy and add such blessings to our lives.  They love you unconditionally and will never talk back like your kids.  If you are looking for a pet consider an older dog.  For Gizzy and Mom I think it was love at first sight.