SOCIAL MEDIA


Is there a Kayak in my future?

Sunday, September 30, 2012

I honestly don't know what the future holds....maybe one of these for Christmas. Or a new camera.....hum........

Last week, the high lakes had many, many, people enjoying the late summer on the water, in their kayaks. From my perspective the kayaking looks like a fun activity, something that I might enjoy. However, I am thinking that giving it a good "test drive" before the purchase is in order.  

The Guitar and I are together again

Thursday, September 27, 2012

I have planned to relearn the guitar. I haven't used my guitar in many years. Now, that I have the time...and my finger joints are feeling pretty good...I am finding what I remember.


My guitar is just like this one. A 1970 Yamaha classic, that I received as a gift from my mother when I was 18. A much better guitar than I had used before that gift. I have kept it and taken very good care of it all these years. The sound is wonderful and it is fun to play. I was pretty darn good on the guitar..but, alas... no practice makes for ability loss. I have all my books, too.

The lake trip gave me just the time I needed. I opened the case to find a broken string...however, I had a new set with me. New string and tuning made it ready to play. I did struggle a little with my fingering the chords. I made some headway with several beginning pieces. Now I need to restring the other 5 strings and use a piano to tune it with.  I just want to do this for my personal enjoyment.

Here are some additional pictures of Women with Guitars.




This is the ad from the same year that I got my guitar. She is using the same model as I own.

The Cascade Mountain Lakes

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Sparks Lake

Sunset over Sparks Lake Meadow

Wickiup Lake
I am sharing some pictures from my short vacation last week. The scenery is beautiful there, and it is only 2 to 2 1/2 hours from my home.  This is only a few to share. I am an outdoorsy woman, I am at ease and peaceful in places like this. It fills my spirit and centers me. I didn't want to leave this place, but things must be done at home. Catching up time...for now.

Cornbread Sticks

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

I have a collection of vintage corn stick pans. The pans come in many sizes, and different styles of corn. I have some small ones for dutch oven use. Cooking with them is a challenge, there is a certain way to use the pans. The pans must be well greased and preheated before the batter is put into them. Otherwise...the batter sticks so bad, you will have trouble cleaning the pan. Country Living Magazine October 2012, is featuring on page 114 an excellent recipe. www.countryliving.com The recipe uses just 5 ingredients. So all of you that have been fustrated with a cornbread stick pan try this one. Or...if you are interested, look for a used pan at the thrift store near you, the price is usually good there.

Central Oregon Adventure 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

I have been gone for several days for a vacation in Central Oregon. I took the cabin on wheels and parked in a campground. This photo is of the Pole Creek Fire near Sisters, OR. The size is now over 25,000 acres. It burned like crazy last Friday, when I took this photo with my cell phone. We (Jane and I) were many miles southeast of the fire. I took this photo about 30 miles south of Bend, OR near Sunriver. It is very dry here and wildfire is a real threat. I am back to regular blogging.

Remembering September 11, 2001

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Each year on this date, I remember the many Americans that died or lost loved ones. My vivid dreams that night of being in personally injured in that attack, although I was right here in Oregon.

The Swallows Migrated

Monday, September 10, 2012

The swallows of 2012 have migrated. This yearly event is kinda sad for me. I welcome them back every spring, watch them use the nest boxes and raise many young birds. They help us by eating so many flying insects. Then many swallows come to our farm to flock together for migration. This morning there were about 3000 swallows all perched on the overhead power/phone lines. They were all facing east, and the cloud of birds fly together around the sky. It is simply amazing! Sometime later in the day, they leave in one large group...all heading toward Central America. Many of the birds die every year from the pesticides used some of the border. Less and less come back each spring. I know that the problem is unlikely to change. I just hope that enough return to nest every year.

Silver Love - Champagne Bucket

Sunday, September 9, 2012

I love the shabby chic look of old silver (silver plate). I think that using it in my holiday decor is fun and looks very nice. I am currently in a silver, white, red and greenery phase. I was thrilled today to find a very dirty, brown drab looking, urn stuffed into the garden area of a thrift store. I thought that it was plastic from fairly close...but, I picked it up...and surprise, surprise, a real find. I found a vintage silver champagne bucket, that had been used as a planter. It appeared to have been sitting in the back of an old shed for a long time. I really liked the price...$4. Now I know that the bucket would be much more shined up at an antique store. It is now by the fireplace with a white pumpkin sitting on it!!  I like finding great stuff like this!

Today, I went to the Largest Antique Fair that is held in the area, The Coburg Antique Fair, running for 25 years, one day each year. I have gone to nearly all of them. The first ones were small affairs, then turning into huge events. The last few years have been smaller, I think that the economy is to blame. Not many people have $$ for such things. I put $20 cash in my pocket, to avoid making large purchases. The dealers had things priced pretty high for this area, I wonder how they fared. There was one gal with a jewelry booth, and she had everything priced at $2. She was doing great..women were crowded around her tables...and they were buying. I got 4 items to use in crafting, because I know that the retail options were $$$. I could have stayed much longer...however, I had to get home for the dogs. It was fun, and there was no admission fee. 

I decided to drive a scenic route back, on a road that has very expensive, exclusive homes and properties.  There was a garage sale sign at one, well, hum...interesting. I stopped to see it, thinking that these folks might have really nice things for sale.  I was disappointed. I wonder though...the affluent folks are doing this...instead of just doing donations. Hum...

Early Crafting for Halloween!


I was shopping at Home Goods about 10 days ago. The store has had Halloween decor for a few weeks...of course the merchandise changes pretty quickly there. Anyway, they had black owls for Halloween for $10 to $20. Most were covered with black glitter. You know that I thought about DIY. Just stop by the thrift stores for owls or other items to paint black. So I did, my makeover owls cost nearly $1. Not bad! They will be fun to use.

Home Alone with Sharon

Friday, September 7, 2012

Yep, I am home alone...unless you count 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 6 cattle. Hubby is gone on the annual guys archery hunting trip. No thanks..I am not going! You get too many old guys together and it is not a good time for me. You know, they love cursing, complaining, scratching, complaining, farting, complaining, belching, complaining, and...well, add in a little beer drinking,... enough said. This is my quiet time and sort of a vacation at home. I have lists of projects to do, and am making some progress.

Snickerdoodle Bars


Hot off the Betty Crocker website, a great bar cookie recipe. I like bar cookies. very fast to make. I like less time in a hot kitchen, with a delicious result.
The website has several recipes for bar cookies. Here is the recipe.


  • 2 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla


Cinnamon Filling

  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. spray the bottom of a 13" x 9" pan with cooking spray. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
  2. In a large bowl beat the butter, with a mixer on high speed until creamy. Beat in the sugars. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla until combined. On low speed beat in the dry ingredients until combined.
  3. Spoon half of the mixture into the pan, and spread evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter. 
  4. Dollop teaspoon size batter evenly over the sugar mixture.
  5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Let completely cool in pan, at least 1 hour.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the glaze completely until smooth, and drizzle over the bars. Allow to set up. 
  8. Cut into bars. Yummy!



I wish that I had an actual porch!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Love this porch!
I could see myself in one of these rockers!


I do have a small sheltered area at the front door, there is enough room for a chair or two. Otherwise, the patio with the umbrellas are nice for this time of year. Yes, I like to do all these things. Time seems to fly by just relaxing. I am also dreaming about having a wonderful vacation, it has been 4 years since I had an actual vacation. However, that is going to change in October!!

Happy Birthday Nicole

Monday, September 3, 2012

Happy Birthday, My Beloved Daughter!

Sew and Save, circa 1940

Saturday, September 1, 2012

I found this book at a Thrift Store today, just tucked into the magazines. I love the pink cover and artwork. It is dated 1940, and sold for 10 cents. I spent a little more for it today, and it is in perfect condition. My mom might have used a book like this one, when she learned to sew. She would have been 13 yrs when this was published. I will be a good source of artwork for crafting, of course just copying the original. It makes me smile!