"Scrub"-a-Dub-Dub

If you're like me, you need to do a little tidying-up and cleaning today. I use my Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy quite often, so decided to tell about  these products because they definitely help lighten the cleaning load. Are you familiar with them?

Both have multiple uses depending upon the water temperature you use.  Rinse it with warm water and it becomes a soft sponge, while cool water results in a firm sponge. I like that it's scratch free and can be used with or without cleaners. It rinses well and can be washed/sanitized in the dishwasher.

The Scrub Mommy is dual sided and has a soft yellow side for sudsy wiping and a coarse pink side for scrubbing. The little face makes it easy for you to grasp with your fingers.

It's advertised as working well on cookware and even china, but I don't happen to use sponges for these tasks. Mine are used for sinks and showers around here.  I've had both of the sponges for quite some time and they still look new and work just as well now as they did when I got them. I'm not a fan of sponges, generally speaking, but I like these and thought you may find them useful, too!

Have a happy weekend...and don't clean too much!

Field Trip

Yesterday was a special treat because we enjoyed a little “field trip” in honor of my husband’s recent birthday. We left home early in the morning and traveled about an hour west to first visit a dear church friend who is in a nursing home in that area. Then afterward, we drove down the road from there to Hermann, MO. Established in the 1830s, the quaint town is nestled in the hilly wine country on the Missouri River. It’s an interesting spot to visit, but our reason for going was to tour the new Hermann Farm. Having opened eight weeks ago, it’s a 200 acre living history farm and museum designed to illustrate the lives of the German immigrants in those early years. Authentic buildings dot the farm and docents in period costumes educate the visitors.

Even the furnishings inside the dwellings are from the time period.

Seeing this wash house is enough to make one appreciate our modern laundry conveniences, but seeing it in yesterday's heat and realizing how horrible it would be to accomplish the task on a summer day in the 1800s makes one particularly grateful!

This stately Ginkgo tree was planted in the mid 1800s and is beautiful!

We considered a highlight of the tour seeing the same breed of horses which were raised and used on this land in the 1800s. We were able to meet and pet Serenity and her filly, Katie. These English Shires are bred for their strength and speed. Larger than Clydesdales, they are gentle giants.

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Thankfully, a tractor tram transports visitors to the stops throughout the 200 acres. It is a paid admission, but the tour lasts 90 minutes and is well worth it.  The farm is a project of the Dierbergs---a family name well-known by our locals. As founders and underwriters, Jim and Mary (of First Bank) have attended to details in such a way that the farm is of high quality. It is in its infancy, but already offers so much. Additional buildings are currently in the works and grand plans will unfold for years, and decades, to come. What a gem it is to the area! If you're from here, you should check out the hours of operation and make a day trip. If you're from out-of-state, you should plan a visit when you're in the area. You can enjoy lunch in downtown Hermann (we had bratwurst sandwiches) and stroll through many nearby antique shops. Field trips are always good and this one definitely was!

Lemonade

This recipe, from a local tea room, is the signature beverage of the establishment. Remember the pitcher on the table in yesterday's post? It was Miss Aimee B's lemonade (minus the ice). Here is a glass of it ready to go.  Don't be thrown by its milky consistency and light color.

I agree that its ingredients sound like unusual combinations, but it is a unique, refreshing drink which is unlike any typical lemonade!

Miss Amiee B's Lemonade

2 large lemons
2 cups milk
1  1/2 cups sugar

Wash lemons, cut off ends and quarter. Squeeze juice into a bowl and coarsely chop the lemons in the blender or food processor (being careful not to puree!). Add sugar and let the bowl sit on the counter for 30 minutes. At this point, add milk, cover and refrigerate overnight. Strain (I use cheesecloth). To prepare a glass of lemonade, combine 1/2 cup of the syrup, 1/2 cup club soda and 1/2 cup ice.

Enjoy! It's delicious!


When  life gives you  lemons, make
Miss Aimee B's lemonade!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Lemons are today's table theme. I have had these glasses for a few years and they are perfect for summer fun. I bought them at the dollar store and recently saw them there, so they're still available.

The vintage table linens are from a yard sale several summers ago and I also already had the glass cylinder of faux lemons and limes.

Wait! What's in that pitcher? You'll find out tomorrow. Don't be sour; it's a sweet treat!

Christmas in July

One of my friends recently cleaned her basement and came to me with a box of "goodies". She offered me three empty floral containers left from Christmastime. Two of them were metallic planters and one was a plastic base with a glass hurricane. She thought I could do something fun with all of the pieces and that's exactly what I expect to do! I began with this one...

The base still had the foam oasis in it so all I had to do was insert floral picks. Easy peasy! I kept the festive looking red berries and added my own faux greenery (which I use for decorating each year). The pinecones and miniature silver ball picks were also from my stash. I washed and polished the hurricane and stuck in a white taper candle I had.

It was ironic to be assembling this winter creation as we were experiencing record-breaking summer temperatures. Our heat index was over 100 degrees last night at bedtime!

Now I'll feel so prepared as I pull out my "new" holiday centerpiece when it's time to decorate for the season. You know, Christmas is just five months from today!

Gifts and Bows

A few years ago, someone taught me how to make these clever self-matching bows. I recently wrapped a gift and decided to share the technique.

*Cut a rectangular strip of paper which is not as wide as your box and about 8-12 inches long (depending upon the size of your gift). I'm usually able to use a scrap from wrapping the present. My paper happened to be printed on both sides, which adds a little more interest to the end product.

*Fold the paper in half.

*Cut strips, stopping before reaching the fold mark at the top. Continue along entire length of paper.

*Open the paper so it's flat. It will have strips cut along both sides with the crease in the center.

*Use your fingers to cinch it in the middle and use one of the strips to wrap around the center. Secure with a small piece of tape. Gently curl the strips using your scissors. Remember that this paper is more fragile than ribbon which you curl in the same manner, so it's best to go slowly and carefully!

*Tape your bow to the gift. Voila! It's a little hard to see the bow on the gift since it matches.

This is a fun alternative to regular ribbon bows and is a good way to use scraps of paper.

Today is a gift, which is why it's called the present! May your day be wrapped in joy...with a bow on top!

A Hot Blend on a Hot Day

If you're a fan of Cajun, you'll like this seasoning blend. It's easy to put together using what you already have in your pantry. Try it on chicken, pork, fish or even steak.

Cajun Seasoning

1 T. paprika

2  1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

3/4 tsp. black pepper

3/4 tsp. white pepper

1/2 tsp. thyme

It's flavorful and it's not as hot as the weather!

Have a good day and stay cool!

Birthday Apron

Last May my cousin sent me this apron for my birthday. The brightly colored botanical pattern is right up my alley! Since it even happens to have a butterfly on it, it's being highlighted for the season.

It's hanging on the solid oak shelf my dad crafted for me decades ago. Then I just pulled white pieces from here-and-there around the house for the shelf.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Many years ago, we gave my mother a set of butterfly dishes as a Christmas gift. Since they go with the summer touches in my home, I asked to borrow four each of the dinner and salad plates for today's table.

I like the way the butterflies are different on the pieces. The bowls (which I didn't bring over) have yet another color of winged wonders on them.

I decided to use my old lace cloth to give the table a lighter, more airy appearance on this scorcher of a day.

A little bouquet of snapdragons seemed in order.

Blessings!

Bird Bath

The high temperatures are tough on people, plants and animals. I recently found three little sparrows happily playing in the irrigation when the lawn was being watered. While it was cute, it served as a good reminder that they, too, welcome relief. For quite some time I have considered getting a bird bath for my fathered friends and so I was thrilled to find this attractive glass-dish style on sale for $15 and so I bought it using a gift card. It seems sturdy enough that it won't tip and I certainly hope it becomes functional.

It's bright colors and hummingbird design are appealing!

Hopefully our birds will soon discover it. A heat advisory goes into effect today and runs through Friday. A very hot and very humid week is promised. Stay cool and enjoy your day!

Raspberry Crumble Bars

We love fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. It seems like we are either stopping at the grocery or produce stand every few days during the summertime. The fresh raspberries are quite flavorful right now, so here is a recipe you may want to try.

Raspberry Crumble

1  1/4 cups crushed pecan shortbread cookies (Keebler "Sandies" or Aldi has their own brand, which is what I used)

1  3/4 cups flour

1 tsp. sea salt

1/2  cup white sugar

1 cup melted butter

2 cups fresh raspberries, rinsed and allowed to dry

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 by 9 inch pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix crushed cookies, flour, salt, sugar and butter. Stir until all ingredients are completely moistened. Press 2/3 of dough into the pan. Scatter raspberries over the top and crumble the remaining dough over berries. Bake until the top is golden brown--35-45 minutes.

Enjoy!

This is the Aldi brand. I crushed one row of these and had slightly more crumbs than needed.

If you pick up some raspberries, you may want to try this quick dessert.

Have a "berry" blessed weekend!

A Summer Scarf

If you ever dash in a dollar store, you have probably noticed that Dollar Tree carries seasonal scarves. I remember seeing a really cute one at St. Patrick's Day time and some pretty floral prints in the early spring. I literally stumbled upon this one several weeks ago and bought it. I had gone in to get colored paper plates and I saw this when I cut through another aisle.

The scarf measures 63 inches long so it's long enough to fashion they way you wish. I was drawn by the coastal print and the bright color! I'm tickled pink over my dollar scarf!

Summer Mantel

I put the butterfly print in place on the mantel and decided to pull out some yellow and blue accents. It's so tough to photograph this mantel due to the mirror.

The cobalt and white fishbowl planter and tobacco twisted candlesticks were gifts from students over the years.

I had the yellow berried garland in with my floral "inventory". I bought it years ago after finding it in a sale bin.

My do-it-yourself butterfly print is 11 by 14 inches and is the focal point I'd wanted.

Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

                                              ~Thoreau

May happiness sit on your shoulder today!

Tuesday's Tablescape

I felt like using my unique glass bowls which I received last year. My cousin sent them as a birthday surprise and I use them often. I love their shape and vibrant colors and seem so perfect for a summer table.

Our "bird nest" fern made a good centerpiece. We received it from dear friends for our anniversary and it's been growing nicely since May. I had never seen one before. Are you familiar with them?

I feel as if I should have more than four places set today since it's like Grand Central Station around here. We have a roofer here (we're getting bids for a new roof due to damaging spring hail storms), a bug man (I surrender to the annoying tiny ants whom I hope will be deterred by professional intervention) and soon the delivery men  will arrive (with my new washer and dryer since the washer quit). I should be serving lunch to them all! Do you want to join us, too?!