When Fall Truly Arrives....in the Heart

October 1, 2019. 

Time marches steadily on and the year progresses.  Oh, how I've been longing for this page on the calendar when the days grow shorter and the sun falls to the south and creates distinctly autumnal shadows.  It's truly my favorite time of the year.....

This Summer has been so hot!  Or maybe it's just that I don't handle the heat as well, so sweltering days seem heavy and cumbersome.  There is just something very rejuvenating about crisp mornings and cool evenings.  It seems I can't resist picking up another pumpkin or two each time I stop at the market.  There are piles of them on our cottage porch and scattered throughout the flowerbed along the front of the house.  Bins full of Autumn treasures are dragged into the house and more pumpkins, glass and velvet, are nestled among seasonal prints and delicious scented candles.  From now through Thanksgiving, when the Christmas decor takes over, our home is transformed into warm-hued coziness.  

And it feels so good to slow the pace and nest for a season.  Cook hearty meals, drape soft blankets across furniture and plump pillows.  There's nothing better than curling up with a good book or sitting with a cup of coffee and simply daydreaming.  October is the best month - before the hustle and bustle of the holidays really gears up!  I just want to soak it in and live it fully.  And keep my focus on what matters most, with a heart of gratitude and a gentle spirit.  

These are the days...to grab hold and treasure life.

Until next time, take care and live well, my friends.

Jane 💗

A Return to the Porch...

Welcome back to the porch, friends.

No, my porch doesn't look like this yet.....but, it's early in the season!!!  This was probably my favorite Fall porch photo EVER!!!

It's been a while....a long while.  I have just about let blogging go in favor of the instant gratification of sharing things on Facebook and Instagram.  I rarely take make the time to sit down and compose a post worthy of loading up the blog.  Having said that, it doesn't mean that I don't still enjoy coming here now or then for a visit.  It just takes a little more effort and energy than I usually have on a normal day.  Can you relate???

Not only is it a time issue, it's a matter of content.  I've said before that I'm not one to recreate/redecorate our home over and over just to have fresh content to share.  And Lord knows, if you peek in my closet you'll see a pretty simple and basic wardrobe, so fashion posts are not an option.  Nor do I feel the need to document every single event in our lives in great enough detail to merit a blog post. I'm one of those "quality over quantity" folks. 

Finally, there is the matter of how much blogging has changed in the last decade since I first started Janie's Porch.  So many of the blogs these days are very commercialized.  I have just about given up on reading other blogs simply because I get so frustrated with all the ads and popups that invade and clutter the feed.  But, every once in a great while, I stumble across what I consider an "old fashioned" blog, where it feels like I'm just sitting and visiting with a friend....getting a glimpse into a peer's everyday life.  So, I know the organic blog style still exists out there on the ol' worldwide web and I don't feel quite so alone.  In fact, I feel inspired to keep on with the style of blog that feels comfortable to me and, if all else fails, I know at least Eddie Dale, my Daddy and my daughter will actually read it.  😘

Life's been busy around here.  We've been working hard, traveling a bit in our fifth wheel, and lovin' on our family.  I still love our little yellow cottage (although lately I've been dreaming of making it a little gray cottage...).  It's small and cozy and only four blocks from the house I grew up in and three blocks from the house where my kiddos spent several years of their childhood.  I still dress the porch for the different seasons and we love having family over for dinners on the back patio and pumpkin carving parties every Halloween.  I still adore worn hardwood floors, crisp white trim and lots of color.  (If you're looking for lots of black, white and gray, you're smooth out of luck here, dearie!)

As we're entering my favorite time of the year - that stretch from Indian Summer right through the Christmas holidays - I hope to be back to share some sights and thoughts that require a few more photos and words here at Janie's Porch.
(Hint, hint - more posts to come!)

If you haven't stopped by before, let me just extend a heartfelt and warm welcome.  I'm glad you're here.  And I hope you will leave a note in the comments or message me directly so I know you were here!  Also, please follow me on Facebook or Instagram. (Links are also in the sidebar to the >>>.)  You can even fall down that rabbit hole known as Pinterest with me!  Come on.....it'll be FUN!!!  (Isn't that what they always say???)

Until next time...

Jane

xo xo

Capturing a Magical Light

After several gray days of frigid temperatures, along with a bit of ice and a flurry or two of snow, the sun shone brilliantly on New Year's Day.  It was a welcome sight!  Even though it did not raise the temperature substantially, it did warm the soul......

Late afternoon sunlight streaming through our West facing windows, the stark outline of bare trees visible against a most blue sky......magical.  

It's the simple things, the ordinary, that often bring joy to the day.  A renewed and perpetual goal of mine is to take the time to see......

Post Christmas Post - No Blues Here....

Christmas has come and gone.....again.  It was a lovely and scaled back season for us in 2017.  Perhaps the diminished trappings of the holiday helped us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy more our time spent with Family. 

There was less décor.  We decided on a smaller, tabletop tree this year, filled with our special collection of Shiny Brites and twinkly white and multicolored lights.  Without the concern of our seven month old Australian Shepherd overturning the tree and no loss of floor space or rearranging of furniture, it turned out to be a decision that most likely will be repeated in the future!  Only our favorite pieces ended up on display this time around and I supplemented with simple white prayer candles grouped here and there.  It was quite simply perfect and fitting for us in this season of our lives.  

The end of the year brought a frigid arctic cold front and several gray days of below freezing temps.  It has actually been a most welcome change to slow the pace and stay inside, snuggled up in warm fleecy blankets and sipping on hot coffee throughout the day.  With the Christmas decorations down and packed away, the house feels clean and wide open, ready for a fresh start in a new year.  It has also been the perfect opportunity to rebinge on Season 1 of The Crown, having already blown through Season 2.  Although, I have to be cautious about binging on British drama.....as I tend to start talking to myself with a thick royal accent and craving scones!  

Since tomorrow will mean a return to work and normal routine, I took the time to prepare and simmer a pot of vegetable beef soup this morning.  The leftovers should be a warm and simple solution for quick lunches throughout the coming week.  And, I am still basking in the glow of accomplishment of having done some meal prep and planning for this week, instead of falling back on a bowl of microwaved mac & cheese in a rush.  

Now, as the late Winter afternoon sun sinks low in the western sky, I will turn my attention to the evening household chores.....feeding the dogs, dinner and cleanup, and preparing for tomorrow.  There might be time for another episode (or two) of The Crown before I crawl under the covers and enjoy a bit more of the lovely novel I am currently reading before my eyelids grow heavy and I succumb to sleep and rest in preparation for a short week.  

I bid you sweet dreams, dear Friends.

The Evening Meal

Evening falls and the lights are on in the kitchen as I prepare the final meal of the day.  With my beloved feeling a bit under the weather, a steaming pot of homemade chicken noodle soup seems in order.

 I slice the carrots and celery, season and simmer the chicken broth and stir in the egg noodles as it comes to a boil on the stovetop.  The finishing touch is the tender chunks of chicken breast.  And the aroma is heavenly!  Soon our stomachs are filled with delicious sustenance.  

After this simple meal, I return to the kitchen to clean and put things away.  The blue bowls sparkle again; the heavy saucepan drains by the sink.  My eyes scan the counter tops and find stark beauty in the curved faucet and the stacked dishes on the open shelf.  My wedding ring sits on the window sill above the sink beside my favorite essential oil.  

Even the chippy striped cup that holds the scrub brush and dishwashing wand looks graceful in its functionality.  

Some might say that washing the dishes by hand is old fashioned.  But, it is a part of the process for me.  These tasks - preparing a meal and cleaning up after - are as rewarding to me as the food that is prepared.  These tasks are the way I tend to our home, the way I show love.  They feed my soul. 

Have you looked around and found beauty in the everyday, the ordinary?  It surrounds us - art hidden in plain sight.  It makes the way easier and life more abundant. 

Stop and see.....

Vintage Trucks & Angel Art

As September unfurls before us, I've been making some little changes around the cottage.  Our "look" or "style" is still evolving and my goal has been to eliminate clutter and fluff and only have pieces in our home that I truly love. This quote from William Morris pretty much sums it up for me - 

With this in mind, I have added a couple of pieces that I truly LOVE!  

The first is this print from Round Top Collection, painted by Texas artist, Roxanne Spradlin.  Now, I love every element of this piece of art - the blue vintage truck, the pumpkins, the barn.  And it is cutely edged with galvanized tin, making it so unique.  When I came across this, I ordered it right away and I really believe it will stay out past the current season.  Something about it just speaks right to my heart and pulls me into another world of days gone by. 

You can browse other pieces by Roxanne Spradlin and other artists at the Round Top Collection Gallery.  

The second piece of art I am crushing on is this beautiful angel painting by Lisa McReynolds, part of the "American Artists Curated for Kirkland's" line. I have been admiring angel and angel wing art for some time, so when I came across this, I put everything else in my arms back on the shelf and walked out with this one single item on my last Kirkland's visit.  I find myself just sitting and gazing at this on the living room wall, feeling peace and calm envelope me. 

You can check out more of this amazing artist's work at Kirkland's.

Neither one of these pieces cost more than $30, which just goes to prove to that you can find décor you love on a budget.  Their true value is in the warmth and welcome they provide and the way they make you feel in your own space.

Thank you for letting me share this little snippet of our home with you on our visit today.  If you were here, we would sit and sip a cup of coffee and talk about all our plans for pumpkin shopping and Fall decorating!  But, since you're not, please leave a comment and let me know you stopped by.  Or visit me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I'll look for you there!

Feathering the Nest

Three day weekends are a good thing.....a very good thing.  

And the changing of the seasons, Summer into Autumn, is also a very good thing.  There is already a different slant to the afternoon sun.  Mornings are refreshingly cooler and the evenings arrive a little earlier with each passing day.  Over the next few weeks we will be tumbling head first into Fall....and I wait with eager anticipation.  Even the summerlike afternoon heat this weekend couldn't dampen my autumnal spirit.  I dug around in the plastic bins in the storage building out back and brought in my first layer of seasonal décor....

I am craving a simpler, more natural look in our home this year.  Much less "stuff" made the cut and the results are exactly as I had hoped.  I am still tweaking as we live with it, but I will be sharing little snippets as the season progresses.  

As with most creatures, my urge to feather our nest grows very strong at this time of year.  Simple tasks like cleaning, laundry, even preparing a meal, take on an almost spiritual reverence in my role as homemaker.  Creating an atmosphere of comfort, warmth and welcome becomes the top priority.  Soon the season of snuggling will be upon us!  So, nest on, dear friends, nest on!!!

Introducing the Newest Member of the Family

I could not be more proud to announce the newest addition to our family! 

Youngest son, Sam, and his sweet wife, Savanna, welcomed Kenneth Grant Butler to the world on the morning of July 27th.  Weighing in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and
measuring 20-1/2 inches long, he is a perfect little bundle of pure joy.

He came about three weeks early because his momma was having some health issues.  But, the delivery was smooth and everyone is well and healthy now! 

It's difficult to put into words the crazy assortment of emotions I felt upon seeing my youngest hold a child of his own for the first time.  Let's just say my cup runneth over! 

Procrastinating on a Project

Sitting here, listening to the thunder and the pounding rain against the windows and wishing I had made good on my plans to clean out my closet today.

You see, I've been contemplating emptying my closet for months.  And I mean empty it completely!  Then reload with way fewer items.  Some call it a capsule wardrobe - that is a pretty popular term these days.  Others might say it a 'minimalist approach' to dressing.  Either way, it is something that has been wiggling around in my mind for some time. 

And yet, I continue to put the project off.  Why the blazes is that?  It's definitely something I want to do - downsize and simplify my wardrobe! 

The main reason is the sheer size of the project.  It is daunting, to say the least.  Perhaps even overwhelming.  I know it is probably going to take several hours and create a huge mess if I do it properly.  So, I start thinking about the process and begin to lose sight of the end result - which is a simpler wardrobe and less time focused on deciding what to wear each day. 

Even though I busted my rear getting most of the regular weekend chores done yesterday so I could work on the closet today, I still managed to piddle around and avoid getting started. 

Shame on me!  Seriously, now that it is nearly supper time, I find myself still sitting on the sofa, watching Netflix with the hubs and listening to the rain. 

I guess I am just not quite ready, or motivated, to get off my butt and get the job done.  Or, maybe I just needed the downtime today.  Whichever, I still feel a bit of disappointment with myself for not just jumping in feet first. 

Do you ever plan a project and find yourself procrastinating like this?  Please, oh please, tell me I am not the only one.

Super Bowl Sunday - What's for Supper!?!?!?

One of our favorite things to do when there's a big game on TV is make up a variety of "finger foods" to snack on during the evening.  Tonight's Super Bowl was no different and we went for some of our favorites - buffalo wings, sausage balls, pigs-in-a-blanket, and, of course, one of our old standbys,  this yummy spinach dip.

It's a tradition to have this creamy dip at least once during the holidays, but we rarely have it during the year.  So, it's a real treat!  It's delicious and rich; and the basic recipe makes a ton - we snack on it for days!  My favorite way to enjoy it - scoop it up with "hint of salt" wheat thins crackers. 

Yum yum!!!

Most of you probably have this recipe down by memory.  But, in case you haven't tried it, I'm sharing it below.

Spinach Dip

16 ounce container of sour cream

1 cup mayo

3-4 finely diced green onions

1 small can water chestnuts, diced

1 small package frozen chopped spinach

1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix (or spring vegetable soup mix - they both work great!)

Thaw spinach, squeeze and pat with paper towels to remove excess moisture.  In a medium size bowl, mix sour cream and mayo together.  Stir in vegetable soup mix, chopped water chestnuts and onion, mixing well.  Finally, add spinach, stirring well with fork to break it up and evenly distribute it throughout the dip. 

Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving with snack crackers of your choice. 

Now, to enjoy the last two minutes of the Super Bowl.  Looks like it's going to come down to the wire - great game!!!

Good Night, Moon!!!

Friday, the 13th.  Are you superstitious?  I'm not - but, it always makes me do a little double take to see a Friday, the 13th roll around on the calendar.

All in all, though, it was a pretty normal day....and a Friday, to boot.  There is no other feeling quite like finishing up a week at work and settling in at home on Friday evening - wallowing in the pleasure of knowing I don't have to get up for work in the morning.  It makes me want to snuggle on the sofa and stay up late.  Only problem is - I am generally too worn out from work to stay up late!  

There was the most fabulous full moon this week!  Did you see it?  Thank goodness it was a clear evening when it began its ascent in the eastern sky - a huge ball of molten silver.  The light it shed during the night was fiercely gentle, filtering through the woven blinds when we retired to bed and turned out the lamps.  When I awoke the next morning and took Pepper outside, it was still hanging out in the west.  Although it was beginning to settle down into the branches of the bare mesquite tree out front, and a haze had settled around it, it was magical.  Such beauty. 

It nearly took my breath away.

Just that few moments gazing at the setting moon helped to kickstart my day in a joyful way.  Such beauty is so often right under our noses - or maybe just above our heads.  We need only to stop and look, take it in, soak it up, revel in it. 

Breathe deeply....and keep it simple. 

Jane

WELCOME BACK - I've Got Something To Say...

Welcome, 2017!!!

And welcome back to all my Family & Friends at Janie's Porch!!!

I hope all of you had a peaceful and blessed Christmas.  Ours was lovely, even though I don't have a lot of photos to show for it.  You see, my main goal this year was to focus on just living it, get so caught up in the moments that I didn't even think of grabbing a camera and trying to document much of it.  And I was pretty successful at that, too....as is evidenced by my lack of Christmas posts and photos here on the blog.  I did, however, manage to get a few shots of décor and such shared on Instagram and Facebook.  (It is so much easier to share little everyday snippets on those "faster" platforms.  Hint, hint....)  For example, here is a shot of our Christmas tree this year - one of my all time favorites! 

With the start of a new year, I have been stealing away bits of time, here and there, to reflect on what is important.  As always, the question comes to mind, "Do I want to continue to blog?" 

Since I started this blog back in 2009, "blogging" has truly evolved and become something so different.  With the development of other social platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, it has become a lot easier to share thoughts in a brief, immediate fashion.  Let's face it - it is sometimes challenging to find the time to sit down and write a full length blog post.  From what I see, it is much the same for many others. 

Some bloggers have gone to monetized or commercialized platforms.  What was once a labor of love for amateurs is now a burgeoning business and successful blogs are often filled with pop-up ads and links that make it difficult to actually read or navigate through posts.  Honestly, everything has gotten so slick, glossy and perfect.  It is getting more and more rare to come across a good old grassroots, homegrown kind of blog.  And that frustrates me.

There is nothing wrong with an attractive, well laid out and visually pleasing blog.  But, when the same ideas and styles are shared over and over, it gets hard to distinguish one blog from the next.  (And I know you know exactly what I am talking about.....so, don't sit there and shake your head.)

Mostly, I am making the point that I have not the time or the inclination to duplicate so much of what I see out in "blogland".  I am just a working gal who likes to write and take a few photos.  I am not particularly gifted at either, but I feel like I do have my moments. 

I also like to share my thoughts on this or that from time to time.  I love our little cottage and like showing you our home, sharing a tried and true recipe, or even reminiscing about childhood memories or a meaningful family tradition. 

In recent months, I have come to embrace the idea of SIMPLICITY more and more.  Whether it is in our home and furnishings, wardrobe, or day to day lifestyle, "simplicity" is becoming the key word by which much is measured. 

With that in mind, I have begun the shift in both this blog and my other social media outlets towards finding simplicity.  I love sitting here at the keyboard and organizing my thoughts, seeking and finding the right words to get those thoughts down in a way that will mean something not only to me, but to the one who might stumble across and read them. 

I don't expect to get a lot of readers - mostly my husband, my dad, maybe the kids and a few friends who like to keep up.  That is fine.  It's mostly for me anyway - a creative outlet and something I can look back on and feel a sense of accomplishment. 

As I have said many times before, I would love to keep up with everyone on Facebook and Instagram.  I find it so much easier to snap a photo or pop a quick post over there on a regular basis.  It is also a lot easier to interact on those platforms, so I can get to know everyone better.  Here are the links to follow along -

FACEBOOK - Janie's Porch

INSTAGRAM - Janie's Porch

In the meantime, I hope you will still visit the original blog here.  I will still be posting because, like most things in life, Janie's Porch is still evolving.  I can promise you this, though - you will never get a pop up ad over here!

See you soon!

Our Fall Porch at the Cottage

Hello, friends!  

I hope your Monday went well.  Mine was busy, busy, busy at the office.  However, I felt blessed with an extra measure of energy today.  It's almost as if this time of year carries its own special magic for me, spurring me to get things done and kicking off a fresh round of nesting! 

And now, I am eager to share our Fall front porch with you!  

My greatest desire is to keep things SIMPLE this year.  

It has been my recent goal to simplify in many areas of my life.  This has spilled over into seasonal decorating, as well.  With our new paint color, everything looks so different - more vibrant and intense.  The details stand out starkly now, so a little goes a long way.  The purple mums, though still tightly budded at the store, looked full and healthy; so, they made the trip home with me.  The pumpkins are arriving in different colors and sizes, one or two each time we visit the supermarket.  My asparagus ferns are stunning this year, having done so well in the super-sized pots I found at Big Lots this Spring.  We will enjoy them through the first freeze and they provide beautiful greenery and texture as a backdrop for the more autumnal colors!  

~ My Camera ~ 

When I was home for the lunch hour, I popped the battery for my Canon camera onto the charger so I could play with it a bit this evening.  It's not a terribly fancy camera and I am still learning to use it.  (My husband surprised me with it a couple of years ago - and I mean it was a wonderful surprise, totally unexpected!  He took all the pocket change he had saved for the last few years over to the bank and had it counted - coming up with enough to purchase this camera out at Sam's - so generous!)  The model is a PowerShot SX510 HS, and I can transfer images directly from the camera to my tablet via our wifi network!  Imagine that, no pulling the SD card or searching for the USB cable!!!  I am still learning the settings, but I took all these images using the auto setting. 

Something NEW - If you hover over any of the post photos in the blog now, you will notice that I have added the ability to "pin" directly from this page to Pinterest.  
So, by all means, please PIN AWAY!!!

Now, that I have gotten my camera back out, I can't wait for some great lighting so I can get photos of some of our interior Fall decor!  

Now, there are a couple of things you can do for me.  First, I would love to know that you've stopped by - so, leave a comment for me and say "Hello"!  Then follow along with me on social media, by clicking on the following links ~ 

Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

It's much simpler for me to find moments throughout the day to post on those platforms and you will see me there much more often.  So, I hope you will pop over and take a peek. 

Back soon for another visit on the porch! 

Jane 

Winding Down the Weekend....

Sunday evening....again.  I find myself reflecting on the weekend, trying to figure out where those precious two days went.....

Yesterday was our "lazy day".  Well, not so lazy, actually.  We traveled the 20 miles over to Merkel to watch our granddaughter cheer for a junior pee wee football team.  It was deliciously cool earlier in the morning, but by the time we got settled on the metal bleachers under the midday sun, it had warmed considerably!  There were moments when it felt like we were roasting alive as we sat and watched the game and visited with Bonnie.  We sipped our Big Gulps and munched on Fritos from the snack bar - and survived the heat.  By the time we stopped at a small diner and split a hamburger and an order of fried pickles after the game, we were wiped out.  Naps in front of the television, listening to the Ryder Cup were definitely in order and well deserved!

This morning, we grabbed our list and headed out to do our weekly grocery shopping.  This is always a "date" for us - and we try to make it fun.  We browsed the pallets of assorted pumpkins out front of HEB before heading inside.  We picked up another couple to add to the collection growing on the front porch.  

After giving the house a cursory cleaning, I drug out some more seasonal decor to layer in.  The last couple of years, I have picked up some cute reproduction vintage Halloween items and it was fun to shift things around in search of the perfect arrangement while the husband continued watching the Ryder Cup.  

I had planned to take a slew of photos on my iPhone, only to get sidetracked by the issue that my phone's storage is just about full.  Deciding how to handle that seem to eat up an inordinate amount of my time this evening.  In short, I found that I couldn't power up my laptop and download my phone photos because the power supply seems to be fried.  (Considering that I haven't turned it on or used it in several months, I guess this was something that was just waiting to be discovered, at some point....) Thankfully, I have my trustworthy little Surface Pro tablet to keep me connected.  I just don't want to try to load it up with the tons of photos that need to come off the phone.  It is a dilemma, to be sure.  But, something I should be able to get resolved so I can get back to taking more photos.  Either that, or I will have to break out my Canon digital camera, that sits largely ignored these days!

So, the weekend has wound down and it's nearly time to turn in and try to get a good sleep before the new week begins.  Sunday evenings always seem to feel a little melancholy, like the end of a vacation when you know you have to go back to work.  Don't get me wrong - I like my job.  I truly do!  But, I love being off on the weekends and wish they lasted just a bit longer.  Can you relate?  

Hope to have the photo issue resolved soon because I would love to share some new photos with you! Our little cottage has seen some good changes this spring and summer.  And beyond that, there is so much to see and share.  Hey, maybe I will just get my "real" camera out and keep it handy!!!

Peace to you and yours....

Jane 

Simply Listening to the Storm....

Tonight I am thankful for the steady drumming of the rain on the roof and against the windows.  The brilliant flashes of lightening and the occasional rumble of thunder.  The drops of moisture that will give our lawn and flowers a much needed drink. 

I am thankful for the quietness of the house, as my beloved and our pup sleep after a long and full day. The time to sit and reflect, without interruption, on the week that has passed.....

and the one about to begin. 

In our lives, filled with busyness, moments like this can be rare.  Moments of stillness and focus.  They must be sought out, with purpose, and nurtured.

Be still and listen. 

 

Independence Day & Vintage Campers

Happy Birthday, America!!!  

Hope you're all having a wonderful July 4th and enjoying a three day weekend, as we are.  We were able to join Bonnie, Matt and the kids last night for their annual Independence Day cookout and fireworks.  Since they live outside the city limits, their neighborhood is host to many of these parties along the block.  The heat was almost unbearable, even at 6:30 - 99 degrees, with a heat index of 108!  But, we were mostly in the shade and there was a decent breeze now and then to help cool the sweat on our bodies.  Matt and his buddies did an awesome job with the fireworks and we enjoyed the friendly competition between them and some neighbors down the street doing the same thing.  

Today has been more or less lazy for us.  Eddie Dale did mow the lawn this morning, early!  I did a couple more loads of laundry, early!  (Honestly, where do all those dirty clothes come from with only the two of us?!?!?)  And we got out and ran around to a couple of stores.  But, even though he knew how I wanted to browse at TJ Maxx and Ross, it was pretty apparent that the hubs was bored and growing impatient.  Our final stop at Lowes was to the outdoor center and we were just about melting in the midday heat - read "heat index of 109"!!!  So, we headed home to cool off and rest.  Now, we are about to get some steak fajitas on the grill and enjoy an early supper and some leftover cherry cheesecake from last night's festivities.  Tomorrow morning will be back to work as usual - with Monday on Tuesday....

I wanted to share the new Scentsy warmer Bonnie gave me as a "late" birthday present last night.  It seems it was ordered way back in May, but was so popular that it got back-ordered and only came in this weekend.  So, I feel lucky to have one!!!  

Isnt' it cute?!?!?  Bonnie thought it was perfect for us since we love to have adventures in our fifth wheel.  In fact, she intended it to be for us to use in the trailer.  But, it is just too adorable to enjoy only on our travels.  So, I had to find place for it to be displayed in the living room - where we will see it most often.  It meant shifting things a bit, but I was feeling the need to move some things around....even some subtle changes can make things feel new, right?  

I was pretty happy with the new vignette on our little sofa table (which, by the way, does not sit behind the sofa).  I just put away a couple of items and switched out some of the stuff with what was on the piano.....just a refreshing of decor as we languish in the summer and dream of putting out Fall decor!  

Now, something I hope you will do for me.....

First, leave a comment below - I love to know you've been by.  

Secondly, follow the links over in the right column to find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest - then, follow me there, also.  I am on those social media platforms almost daily between blog postings and would love to keep in touch with you that way!   

Enjoy the rest of your July 4th and meet me back here soon!!!

Showers and Turtles

Today brought unexpected rain showers.

The rain started as I left the office for lunch and kept up for much of the afternoon.  It was mostly a nice, soaking type rain - much needed after a couple of weeks with no moisture from the heavens.  I was most thankful.  It means no dragging the hose and sprinkler around for a few days!  That's always a blessing in my book. 

Our office sits very near a creek and one of the little critters that lives down there found its way up from the banks and across our side yard this afternoon.  Let's just call him "Little Zippy".

He seemed pretty intent on getting across that gravel pathway.  But, the steel landscape edging was creating a bit of a problem.  

Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to see how he fared or where his journey landed him as we were having a pretty busy afternoon.  I am still playing a serious game of "catch up" after having last week off for vacation.  

I certainly hope Little Zippy found his way back to the creek!  

Hope your Tuesday was great, friends!!!

Jane

Super Simple Dessert - Buttermilk Pie

Warning:  This post will most likely appeal to baby boomers and people who like to eat...so, read on!

Remember when Sunday dinners were special?  Maybe a nice pot roast with carrots and potatoes waiting in the crock pot after church.  Or, perhaps a late lunch, smelling that chicken frying in the kitchen and hearing your tummy growl. And, of course, there was dessert!!!  Even if it was just a Jello mold topped with whipped cream, there had to be dessert to finish off the meal and push us into the stupor resulting in that other tradition known as the Sunday afternoon nap!

Did we, as youth, even realize how hard our mothers or grandmothers worked to pull off a big meal like that?  Did we truly appreciate their efforts?!?!?!  Knowing what is involved in such a cooking endeavor, I am more than a little daunted by the traditional Sunday Dinner.

Now, I have to brag and say that we do cook and eat homemade at our house quite a bit.  We like to watch what we eat and keep the amount of highly processed and unhealthy foods down to a minimum.  We might have one meal out each week - more like a "date" than anything.  So, there is quite a bit of cooking that goes on at our casa, most of it pretty simple in nature.  Eddie Dale is way more creative and adventurous in the kitchen, whereas I am definitely one of those "the fewer the ingredients, the better" cooks.

With that in mind, let me just say that this pie recipe is the epitome of EASY and can make any simple meal special.  And, on top of being EASY, it is DELICIOUS!!!  Does it get any better?!?!?  (I know, I know...if someone else would just cook it for you......)

Buttermilk Pie 

8 Tbsp. butter, melted - do NOT use margarine, NEVER EVER! 

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 eggs, at room temperature 

1/4 cup flour 

1-1/2 cup sugar

1/2-1 tsp. vanilla extract

9-inch unbaked pie shell - doesn't require a deep dish, although I have used one with no problem

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Mix first six ingredients together in large mixing bowl; whisk until well blended.  Pour into the  uncooked pie shell.  Bake 38 - 45 minutes.  Top will brown nicely and the center will be just about "set" somewhere after the 38 minute mark - so keep an eye on it. As long as the middle isn't jiggling when you slide it out, you should be good.  

Helpful Hints - 

I use a store bought crust - either frozen, or refrigerated.  I have to admit that the Pillsbury refrigerated crust looks more like I made it from scratch, though; especially when I bake it in my Pyrex pie plate!

I have this terrific pie crust cover that I can put over the pie plate to to keep the edges of the crust from getting overcooked.  If you don't have one, you can easily rig some foil around the edges to protect the crusts during cooking.

Since we don't guzzle buttermilk around our place, I buy the smallest container of buttermilk I can find.  Typically this is a pint "chub" for less than $1; if I don't use it all, I don't feel guilty about washing it down the drain. 

We prefer salted butter for this recipe; I lean heavy on the vanilla extract, using a full teaspoon; 

and, I haven't experienced any difference in the results if I don't let the eggs come completely to room temperature.  Just sayin'....

My pie didn't turn out particularly pretty - mostly because I was using such a deep dish, so it sort of collapsed into itself.  But, gosh dang, it was delicious!!!

Oh, and by the way, why don't we have Jello molds anymore?  Those were pretty cool.....especially if there was fruit cocktail mixed in!  When was the last time you had that?!?!?  If you were a child of the 60's, even the 70's, you know exactly what I'm talking about.....

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Food, Fiction & Fellowship - Don't Get No Better!

Life just gets so dang busy!  Often, it is difficult to find the time for something I really want to do!!!  (Imagine just a bit of foot stomping as I type that....)

If you know me, then you know reading is a passion for me!  It's definitely one of those things I really WANT to do!  Even as a child, one of my favorite outings was a trip to the library.  I could have spent hours upon hours there, browsing the shelves and making my selections.  I would read any chance I got, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning.  To this day, I love to get lost in the pages of a good read!  So, making the time to just curl up with a book is a priority for me.  

Last night brought a meeting of a very small book club, which I have participated in for the last several years.  There are only five of us - and one doesn't even live in town full-time anymore.  So, we don't make it together once a month.  These days it is more like once a calendar quarter.  We have read a variety of books through the years - fiction, non-fiction, inspirational Christian works, you name it.  

Our current selection was "Hold Me Close - Revolutionary Faith Book One", 

by local author Marguerite Martin Gray. 

You can order this book HERE

Marguerite teaches French at one of the high schools AND I have discovered she writes beautiful books.  (One of our members used to teach with her and knows her quite well.)  This series is historical fiction, set in pre-revolution Charles Town, with Christian themes and light romance.  (You know, it's hard to "categorize" a book at times - I hate just classifying it as one genre when it's really more complex than that!)  I was pleasantly surprised as I read this book and look forward to the next in the series this Fall.  

Now, as for this book club, one of the things we enjoy most about our little get-togethers is the fellowship and food.  We spend as much time selecting the restaurant as the book!  We dined at Miguel's MexTex Cafe last night and I am sorry to tell you, friends, but this is a LOCAL restaurant. Too bad for those of you who don't live in Abilene!  I totally over-indulged on puffy beef tacos - they were amazing!!!  And I got in two full tumblers of water with my meal - which sorta offsets the dessert of bread pudding with bourbon sauce and vanilla bean ice cream I ended up devouring......

I was home well before 8:00 pm - just before the heavens opened and poured some more blessed rain upon our town.  With the sound of rain and thunder just outside the windows, I slipped into some comfy flannel pj's and curled up with a book.  What a way to end the evening!

By the way, our next selection is "The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty. 

For sale at Amazon - HERE

I can't wait to get started on this one!  But, I will probably wait until closer to the time of our next meeting in May  - so, it is still fresh in my mind.  (Can you relate???)  

I have not read anything by this author before - have you?  Would love to hear about it in the comments below, if you have - but, hey!  No spoilers on this one!!!  In fact, our group is always looking for new authors and writings to explore - so, we welcome suggestions. 

What are you reading right now???

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Also, please take a moment to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.  I visit one or the other almost daily - so, you're going to miss out on something if you don't follow along!  

Thanks!!!

Our Special Weekend Visitor

This past weekend was pretty special - and not just because Sunday was Valentine's Day.

It was a busy weekend, to be sure.  My sister was in town, so there was a large family lunch out on Saturday; and yet another dinner that evening.  In the midst of it all, our precious little princess of a granddaughter, Autumn, came to our house for a sleepover!  Her mommy and daddy needed a night out, just the two of them, so Mimi and Papa Ed came to the rescue.  

The weather was beautiful and warm on Saturday.  When Autumn arrived at our house before dinner, it was still warm; so, her mommy forgot to pack a jacket.  Sensing it would be much cooler when we left the restaurant after the sun set, we had to go into my closet and make do.  Here's what we came up with - I'm sure it will be all the fashion rage next season!

Since this was a sleepover, Autumn and I bunked down in the guest bedroom.  I had forgotten how it is to sleep with a 2-year old!  Heavy on elbows and knees....and light on the sleep.  But, it was all worth it to wake before dawn to the sound of little girl giggles.  And have breakfast of pancakes and bacon while watching the Disney channel.  And wash her hair and let her splash in the tub and blow dry those beautiful curls.  It was a wonderful time with this little cutie and I relished every moment!  

The rest of Valentine's Day was devoted to taking care of the regular weekend routine - housecleaning, laundry, preparing for the week.  After a quick exchange of simple and useful gifts and cards with Eddie Dale (a cookbook for him, some warm knitted scarves for me, which he found end-of-season at the store), he was off to work - not a single chocolate or flower in sight.  

Still, it was a fabulous day - because it doesn't take chocolate, flowers or expensive gifts to make a day special.  Family, being with the ones we love, the opportunity to make our little home a more comfortable place - these are the blessings.  For these things, I am grateful!

I hope you had a special day.  But, more than anything, I hope you were able to look around and recognize the blessings in your life.  

Hugs, 

Jane