Garden Stroll

It's been a scorcher here lately and the pattern is promised to continue for a bit longer. 😎 Despite the heat, many native perennials are performing well. I snapped a few pictures when the dogs and I were strolling the yard.

We have multiple varieties of DAYLILIES, but I love 

the color of these.

SALVIA

ORANGE SOMBRERO CONEFLOWER

MAGNUS CONEFLOWER

MILKSHAKE CONEFLOWER

PURPLE BEE BALM

RED BEE BALM (albeit bedraggled looking!)

YARROW

BLACK EYED SUSANS are about to pop!

BLACKBERRIES are plumping and ripening!

Stay cool this weekend and take time to enjoy the little things, like the summer's flowers. 

Plate Stand Makeover

A few weeks ago my mother found this plate rack at a yard sale. It's in perfect condition and while it looked handy, the color wasn't exactly what she had in mind. 

I happily volunteered to transform it with spray paint since I love these types of projects! 😉

She requested an oil rubbed bronze finish and since my dad had a can on hand (I had depleted my own reserve), we were in business!

I just placed two plates on it for photo purposes. I suspect she will use a few of her patriotic dishes when using it in their kitchen.

It's always fun to upcycle pieces. Don't forget the power of a little imagination... and a little paint. Since my mother paid just 50 cents for this stand, it was well worth it!

Have a good evening!

Fresh Sweet Corn

I was so excited when I drove past our favorite produce stand yesterday and noticed the sign advertising that the season's first sweet corn had been picked. Yum! This week's recipe is really just a reminder of the simple way to prepare corn-on-the-cob. I'm sure most of you already do this, but it's worth mentioning since it's quick and effective. 

You need a cutting board, sharp knife and your thickest oven mitt. I love my silicone one! Use your ear of corn as is without removing any of the husk. There is no need to soak it or anything.

Place it in your microwave and depending upon your appliance, select 4-5 minutes to cook. By the way, it's fine to do two or three ears at a time as long as they aren't too long from preventing your turntable to spin during cooking. 

Remove the ear with your glove and carefully cut off the end.

Hold the ear vertically and gently squeeze. The cob will slide out of the husk.

It emerges clean, without silk and ready to butter and enjoy!

I can't wait to serve some corn with our dinner this evening. Summer's fresh produce cannot be replicated. We have already had local tomatoes and berries and I plan to get the season's earliest green beans soon.

How about you? What fresh produce have you already enjoyed? 

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's table showcases my lovely new tea-for-one set. 

I won this gorgeous little piece when I accurately identified a plant in a recent contest. In this clever design, the teacup rests beneath the miniature teapot. 

I added a cylinder of faux lemons and limes and some teabags to complete the centerpiece. 

I just pulled out my green and yellow dishware and the lemon glasses that I picked up at the dollar store several summers ago.

If the actual table looks different to you, it's because I removed the leaf transforming it from an oval to round table just for a temporary switch. 

Have a blessed evening!

Cherry Mash

Quite a long time ago, I happened to see a little article about Cherry Mash candy in my favorite magazine, Missouri Life. The confection was highlighted since it's made in St. Joseph (north of Kansas City) and because it's celebrating its centennial. I thought it was an interesting write-up, but I was so surprised because I had never heard of Cherry Mash!

Of course, I made it my mission to track down a sample. I'm a big fan of chocolate covered cherries and figured these would have a similar taste, so I was excited to try one. Guess what? Even after researching it online, I could not lay my hands on this sweet treat. This past spring when we visited a fabulous old-fashioned candy store, I was positive I would find Cherry Mash there. Although they typically carry this product, they didn't have any. You may recall I did buy NECCO wafers that day, though (click here  to revisit that recent post). Last week we were able to go on a trip to Branson, MO and one can't be in that town without a spin through the famous Dick's 5 and 10. It is an authentic dime store which is amazing and has been operational for 57 years now!

They have everything you can imagine and several aisles of candy. This display caught my eye...and guess what it included?

There is even a special banner across the bottom of the wrapper in honor of the 100th anniversary of this new-to-me candy. By the way, the actual red and white packaging has remained the same for decades.

The Chase Candy Company produces Cherry Mash and it has always been made in St. Joseph, MO. The same family operated the company from 1918 until the 1940s. The family who took over then still remains in charge. In this day and age, I find that remarkable. I read somewhere that this candy is primarily sold in the Midwest and that due to recent requests from customers across the country, Hobby Lobby stores now carry it so that it's available nationwide (I haven't checked it out so can't confirm or deny that).  The 2.05 ounce candies are individually wrapped and I paid 99 cents each. 

Cherry Mash candies have a soft fondant center which is mixed with chopped maraschino cherries. The chocolate coating has small peanut pieces in it. In case you're wondering, I did enjoy the texture and flavor and am glad I was finally able to do a taste-test! How about you? Have you ever heard of and eaten Cherry Mash? If so, what do you think about it?

May your Monday be as sweet as candy! 🍬

Red, White and Blue Salsify

Are you familiar with the salsify plant? It's an ornamental flower with herbal properties. I have read that the root is edible, but I have never consumed any. The attractive purple flower is less familiar to me than the trademark "puff". I admit that I don't really notice this interesting plant until it has gone to seed, like the one below. In essence, it's a dandelion on steroids.

Salsify originated in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, but has made its way around the world and now grows in all 50 states. We first  became acquainted with it when we moved to Missouri and we have been "salsify-spotting" ever since! As children, we would be on the lookout for these seed pod puffs along country roads because our mother uses them for decoration. Giving them a shot of hairspray before harvest will prevent the fragile seeds from floating away. The following idea is my mother's and, in fact, she and my dad just got these stems when they spotted a nearby stand right before the county moved through with mowers and downed all the roadside vegetation! They brought home their new stash of salsify and painted them red, white and blue to create a patriotic punch of color! It also looks good in its natural color, of course.

These salsify complete my parents' patriotic mantel. Red candlesticks balance the antique vase and the Betsy Ross print hangs for the season.

I love using bits of nature in my décor and now you see that I come by it rightfully! I enjoy using twigs, both fresh and dried flowers and leaves, seedpods and pinecones indoors since they add texture and interest. I even showed you how I used a butterfly a few weeks ago! What do you think? How do you like this salsify transformed into  nature's fireworks?

Have a great day and spread joy!

Quirky Stops

When we travel, we thoroughly enjoy tucking in some sites that are off-the-beaten path. Our last getaway included a couple of quirky stops. Both are located near George Washington Carver National Historic Site in southwestern MO (near Carthage). Did you know that a small appliance museum sits in the sleepy town of Diamond? It does and it's the largest in the world! Appropriately named, The World's Largest Small Appliance Museum is an unbelievable collection of toasters, percolators, shavers/razors, hair dryers, popcorn poppers, irons, mixers, waffle irons, lamps, hotplates, fans and much more!

 Everything is the personal collection of Richard Larrison who has spent decades acquiring it. He has traveled near and far to purchase the items and for a long time kept them in his basement. When he outgrew the space, he moved the treasures to a local facility. In fact, the museum is located in the back of the western wear store. Free of charge, people are invited to poke through the space and enjoy Mr. Larrison's collection. There is a donation jar and we were happy to make a deposit in an effort to keep this fascinating place going!

In this age of fast and convenient everything, it was so interesting to make this stop and see all 7,000 of Mr. Larrison's antique appliances! The museum is vey well organized with each piece tastefully on display. Cases line the walls and there is not a speck of dust or smudge on anything. The appliances themselves are clean, polished and highly presentable. If you happen to be in the area, check it out. Call ahead to make certain they are open and don't be surprised when the proprietor, himself, answers the phone. He happened to be out farming his fields the day I called and we had a delightful conversation. I only wish he had been at The World's Largest Small Appliance Museum when we toured because we would have loved to meet him in person.

From there, we traveled to nearby Red Oak II. It was delightful strolling through the past in this open air museum. Lowell Davis, who is the mastermind, grew up down the road in the town of Red Oak and left the area when he grew up. After many years, he returned to his hometown only to find it abandoned. He purchased a nearby farm and with its vast acreage,  his idea began growing. Bringing in authentic buildings and vehicles, Red Oak II began to unfold. 

Off Route 66, this 1930s village offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while walking past multiple buildings. Some residents actually live in some of the homes and there is only one building (Mr. Lowell's art studio) open to the public. A lovely new banquet center is now across the road from Red Oak II and I believe that it promises to bring more visitors to the general region. The dairy truck above is actually from their property.

How about you? When you go on a trip do you like to incorporate some off-the-beaten-path "quirky" stops? If so, we will see you on the roads less traveled!

Happy weekend! I wish you all blessings on Father's Day!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Today's table is in honor of Flag Day, which will be celebrated in a few days. 

My very special daisy dishes are favorites of mine! 

Daisies comingled with red bee balm, geraniums and an American flag make a good centerpiece.

Wave your red, white and blue!