School House Drop Lights

A good Monday to you, my friends.

Another weekend is past and I can't help but wonder where it went.

Our youngest, Marissa, is here visiting for three weeks and we have been on the go pretty much every day.

That's part of the reason why I have not been around here on my little blog.

I realized today, though, that I have not shown you my newest addition to the kitchen.

School house drop lights.

They match the main light in the kitchen.

Before

After

I'm embarrassed to say that I was given these way back in May for Mother's Day.

Marissa was with us then for three weeks, just before she went to Lake Utik to work for the Summer.

That was when the Lilacs were in bloom and before I had found this darling little picture on Vancouver Island.

Below.

In fact that was before I showed you the embroidery on the tea-towel that my sweet little granddaughter embroidered for me.

Where has the Summer gone?  

I hope you have had a warm and wonderful Summer. 

I'm so grateful to be here in Manitoba where the Summers are hot and Autumn extends into November.

I'm really looking forward to Autumn.

Are you?

Have a fabulous day!

Hugs, Cindy

I'm very grateful for the Summer that was and still is.

I hope you feel that way too.

A Book From 1883

My wonderful daughter-in-law brought me a precious gift from her holiday time this summer.

It's a very old New Testament.

The inscription on the inside of the front cover has these words:

Rigby Swinton

Belfast, Ireland

27th July 1883

This book was given to me by a gentleman on the Steamer at Belfast when on my way to Canada.

I can't help but wonder if Mr Swinton read any of this little New Testament on his trip to Canada. While looking through it I noticed some discolouration on a page, it's The Epistle of Paul to Philemon. Perhaps he read the book of Philemon, or perhaps while looking through it he carelessly let a drop of something fall on it.

I can't help but wonder...is his family still in Canada? Did he marry, was he pleased with what he found in 

Canada? Was he a business man or did he find work wherever he could, perhaps for the Hudson's Bay Company as a trader with the Natives?

So many questions unanswered.

From the same store that she found the book, Maranetta, my daughter-in-law, also found these darling little turquoise salt and pepper shakers. I love them, too!

The weather is still hot here, Fall is definitely not in the air, yet. It was 33 deg. Celsius (or 91.4 deg Fahrenheit) yesterday and it's 23 deg. (or 73.4 deg F) at 9:30 in the morning. That's warm for a morning temperature!

Enjoy your week, my friends, and thanks so much for coming by. Your comments make my day!!

Cindy

Catching Up

While I was in the USA helping my daughter's family, we celebrated the 4th of July. (See what I mean about catching up?)

We spent part of the 4th at the River on a pretty little beach, with a picnic supper it was a perfect day!

Because I was born in the USA of American parents and went to school there through the 3rd grade, I am still a very patriotic American. 

The photos in the last post were pretty bad, I think, so here are a few that are better.

My day is sunny and bright, I hope yours is too.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Hugs, Cindy

Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact

I'm loving the simpler decor lately. I go through this every once in a while. I will put out more pretties, and then one day I will look at it and think it's way too much! Then I will take half of it out and start over again. Do you do that?

So I shopped the house this week for items that I had put away and I'm enjoying the "new" simpler version.

I left only a small vignette on each end of the fireplace and put the large framed picture back up there.

The other side of the fireplace is the same, simple.

The room feels calmer, funny how that happens.

I purchased two new pillows today, the creamy coloured one with the stripes.

I found them on clearance at Winners, only $11.00 each! 

I put the cat book ends on this chest, they are the only folk art I've ever had, and I love them.

I put the glass jars behind the sofa, I like the fact that they're clear and so you can see through them.I like those pillows, and the best thing is that they came with feather inserts. The cover and the feather insert for $11.00 is a steal!

What have you been up to, do tell.

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs, Cindy

Got Rhubarb? This is so yummy!

One fruit that we have all summer long here in Manitoba, is Rhubarb.

I like it best mixed with Strawberries in a crisp, and I've never cared for Rhubarb pie. But this recipe that I found recently showcases Rhubarb beautifully with pecans.

I found it over at Taste of Home.
Here's the recipe and it is very yummy!

Cocunut-Rhubarb Dessert

Ingredients

• 4 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1/8 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) butter pecan cake mix
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, water and food coloring if desired. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until rhubarb is tender; cool slightly. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with cake mix. Top with coconut and pecans. Drizzle with butter.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve with ice cream if desired. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional Facts1 serving (calculated without ice cream) equals 416 calories, 17 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 356 mg sodium, 66 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Originally published as Coconut Rhubarb Dessert in Simple & Delicious March/April 2009, p43

Speaking of yummy food, while enjoying the past long weekend, we made our way out to Steinbach to the

 Mennonite Heritage Village.  They have an original Wind Mill, one that produces old fashioned stone ground flour. We purchased a 20 bag of stone ground wheat and it makes very tasty bread.

There was lots of good old-fashioned fun happening there. They have a wonderful restaurant that serves traditional German foods. Very delicious!!!

(These photos came from their FaceBook page.) It's a wonderful place to visit. They were celebrating Pioneer Days last weekend.

I made some bread with some of the stone ground wheat that we purchased. I find that it's very different from normal whole wheat flour to work with, and I will have to find out what the secret is to produce a softer bread with it. Any ideas? Despite the heat I have enjoyed baking again.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Hugs, Cindy

Mmmm, so good!

A Horse Is A Horse Of Course!

Hello my friends, I'm so glad you have come by.

As Carolyn, my daughter, began to feel better she also began to feel creative. Lately little Miss B (her eight year old) has become interested in horses and had been asking her mom for a bedroom decorated with horses. And as they have just bought a sweet little house, Miss B will have her horse-y bedroom.

And this is what her mom made for it.

It is a Pottery Barn knock-off.

For instructions on how this is done go Here to Evolution of Home. Carolyn found her own image on a clip art program and Staples enlarged it for very little money. 

I think it looks fabulous!

I watched her do it and it really is pretty simple.

Little Miss B hung her cow-girl hat on the knob and it looked even better. It would be fun to make and sell these locally, not sure where I would sell them, though.

Enjoy your day!

Hugs, Cindy

She may love horses, but she is all girl. (The blurred image is on purpose.) She still enjoys tea-parties with her dolls and stuffies.

Gifts from Wales

Hello!

I'm back and I'm trying to readjust to "real life". 

As some of you know I have been gone for almost two months from my blog.

Thank you to those of you who prayed for my oldest daughter.

She has recovered quite nicely and is bending her knee again, despite the fact that it is very painful, she's almost back to brand new. Although, I doubt that she will do any serious hiking for a while still.

Do you like my new banner?

I am LOVING it! Do you see the button details? And the colours are perfect!!!

My dear Pastor and his wife were on a trip to Europe, and Wales was one of the places that they visited. She said she saw this in the window of one of the many craft stores that she saw there, and thought of me immediately.

Isn't she a doll to get this for me?!

Thank you dearest lady, I love and appreciate you so much. 

And for a whole lot more than the gifts, trust me. She is a beautiful Godly woman that we, the ladies in our church, truly look up to and admire.

And, she has a blog, Laughter and Latte. Anyone who can raise her own three children (teenagers), with a busy Pastor husband and raise four young foster children as well, (that they will have until they are grown), well...you have to admire them. And, every time I see her she is still smiling! 

She also gave me this, I have a plan for it...it could cover a bulletin board perhaps?

How about you? How has your summer been? Has it been hot where you are or has it been rainy like some?

We are enjoying a cooler day today with a bit of rain, but it has been in the 90's pretty much every day here this summer.

Enjoy your day!

Hugs, Cindy