Blossoms and Butterflies

As I have been out and about lately, I've been able to snap some pictures of late summer blossoms and butterflies. As we approach Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of the season, it seems a good time to share. I didn't set-out to capture any of these photos, but was fortunate enough to stumble upon them as I was on-the-run.

Although not a blossom or a butterfly, I have to include this sweet fawn who met me as I was dashing to accomplish a task!

 These geese made us smile when they literally stopped us in our tracks as my mother and I were in my car!

No matter how busy our lives, it's always healthy to thankfully enjoy the little things...like blossoms and butterflies!

We found this wonderful reminder hanging in the elevator during my dad's recent hospitalization. 

Tuesday's Tablescape

My new favorite shrub is Little Lime. This beautiful hydrangea has been gaining popularity in our area over the past few summers and I'm  smitten! I am actually scheduled to have three installed in our landscape this week, so don't have my own source quite yet. Fortunately, I was able to snip these three from elsewhere and I plan to dry them.

Don't they make a lovely centerpiece?

Green and cobalt seemed the perfect combination to complete the table.

I removed the center leaf from the dining room table just to achieve a different look for a change.

I hope this finds you having a wonderful day! 

A Basket Display

I haven't had much creative time lately, so I really enjoyed taking a few minutes to put together this little basket display. Intended to represent late summer, I tucked it into a corner of the kitchen.

Vintage napkins, canned pie filling, canned pickle chips, honey, faux biscuits and fruit fill this old family picnic basket. A few years ago, I mentioned this treasure in a post. If you would like to read it, click here.

It's too wet for a picnic today, so this vintage basket will continue to sit on display for now.

Have a good weekend and may you experience a basketful of blessings! 

It's Almost Fall

I don't know about you, but I am still savoring summer. Even though autumn is my favorite season, I am not quite ready for it. I happened to stumble upon these adorable fall wall-hangings at Dollar Tree and was impressed with their colors, design and overall quality. Although not constructed of heavy wood, the chipboard is perfectly satisfactory for decorating and definitely worth a buck! Since this type of merchandise disappears quickly, I decided to share with you right away...even if it's too early in my opinion!

This is the one I bought and it will appear in my décor, but not yet! 😉

If you think you may be interested in one of these, you might take a look before too long. I expect them to be popular.

Ready, or not. It's almost fall, y'all!

Freezer Ice Cream

Yesterday was National Soft Ice Cream Day and I have an easy (and I do mean easy peasy) summer recipe in its honor.  Aside from its simple preparation and delicious taste,  another bonus is its versatility. You can add just about anything to this base to produce your own custom ice cream. I used fresh peaches, but miniature chocolate chips, crushed sandwich cookies, chopped pecans or anything else could be incorporated.

Easy Freezer Ice Cream

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

sea salt (a sprinkle)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 pint whipping cream

Place a large bread pan in the freezer to chill.

In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, salt and vanilla extract; set aside. In its own bowl, beat the whipping cream to form stiff peaks. Fold the sweetened condensed milk mixture into the whipping cream and blend well. Pour into the well-chilled pan and slide back in the freezer. About 90 minutes later, you may swirl in "goodies" of your choice if you wish. At that point, the ice cream will be partially set. Return the pan to freezer and allow to completely freeze.

For a printable version, click here.

Tuesday's Tablescape

You're likely aware that I am a Mary Engelbreit fan, so you'll understand why my mother snapped-up this for me at a recent yard sale. Isn't it an adorable pincushion? 

I assume it had been a gift to the recipient as it was still unopened in the original packaging. 

The lid actually flips open.

This new little treasure inspired my tablescape, but it was intended to go outside. I waited for our spotty showers to move out of the area and when they finally did, the patio furniture was too wet for my idea. Oh well! It looks just as merry inside!

A candle and teacup from the Mary Engelbreit line rounded-out the centerpiece and I also used my M.E. fabric napkins.

I hope you have a merry evening! 🍒

Show and Tell

Did you used to have "show and tell" Fridays when you were in school? Let's say that's what we are doing because I decided this was a good day to share a few things with you! I was able to go to an art camp recently with a friend. Although it ran for a week, I attended as a visitor for a day and it was thoroughly enjoyable experience! Featuring heritage arts, the camp teaches crafts which have been handed down through the generations. I was able to see silversmithing, blacksmithing, basket weaving, natural fabric dyeing, wood carving, rug weaving, broom making, flower pressing, soap making and the list goes on and on. Nestled in a small church camp in (very) rural southern MO, it was wonderfully interesting to watch, interact and participate. I was able to attend two classes and also purchased a few items artists had for sale. This treenware came from a dear couple. The husband who produces the pieces is, obviously, exceptionally talented. Although he uses a variety of woods, I selected this 10 inch walnut plate to buy.  

It's no surprise that treen actually means "of the tree". Not to be confused with furniture, treenware includes household items, such as plates, bowls, chopping boards, spoons, etc. Wood was, obviously, the available material before the days of silver, pewter or ceramic and so that's how they made what was needed. Treenware is quite collectible today. The moment my eyes spotted this particular piece, I could envision it as a lovely display platter. 

I, of course, wasn't there long enough to weave any baskets, make any wooden pitchforks or carve one sliver of wood. I  adored both of my classes I did take, though. This is my mini Christmas tree made entirely from nature. The base is a pinecone which I covered in moss and dried native flowers. I look forward to using it this holiday season and being reminded of the my camp experience.

I also had the best time playing with pressed flowers! The instructor had hundreds of perfectly-preserved natives for us and I loved seeing the creations of the classmates. I did three cards.

One of the best aspects of the day was talking to and learning from the artists. Kind, knowledgeable and down-to-earth, most of them had been taught by the previous generation. Now they are instructing others, including the "younger" students. In this age of instant, high-tech, assembly-line everything, it was a refreshing experience.

May you experience the simple joys of life this weekend and I hope it's a blessed one!