~Remembering my Dad this Memorial Day~

Paul  E. Clark

   1932-1994 

Remembering my Dad this Memorial Day

Served in the the United States Air Force during the Korean War

Memorial Day

Memorial Day
In remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom and enjoy time with family and friends this Memorial Day. Remember and support those overseas at all times and all who have served in the past.

New Findings

It was another beautiful day today and we had to drive to Kent State University in New Philadelphia, Ohio. My oldest son is planning on taking post-secondary classes next year during his Junior year in High School.. He had to go there today and take a required test for admission called the Compass test. He is very serious about starting college courses next year so we are behind him all the way and hey it will cut down on college costs so me and his dad are all for that.

The test was to last approximately 2 hours so we had to kill some time.........so I talked my husband into heading to the very big antique mall in New Philadelphia. There are approximately 65,000 square feet of antiques there!!! Well you know I am bound to find some stuff there :)  Here is a link to a description of that mall:

http://www.riverfrontantiquemalls.com/aboutus.html

 Of course I will share my findings..........Love old quilts and found me an awesome one with lots of intricate stitching for only $30.00!!! Also found a butter crock made by Pfaltzgraff and a simple old brown crock. I love old crocks and can always find something to put in them!!!

That is all I have for now and until next time.........

Prim Blessings

Noodle Board/Stove Top Cover

Here are some photos of the noodle board/stove top cover my husband made the other day.....

I think he did a great job-it was the first one he ever made!

I can put all kinds of prim treasures on top and then I won't ever have to cook anymore???

I don't think it will work that way though

But I still love it!!!! 
I think he did an awesome job!!! 

"Stress Therapy"

,Isn't it funny how a little shopping can do the body good??? Do you think this therapy works for everybody??? I am not sure if it works for guys too but I think it does??? My husband claims he does not like to shop but for some reason when he does........it is one major purchase??? Wow he goes for the gusto!!! I think it helps him too but it sets us back a little farther!!!

My Therapy is called "Antique Shopping Therapy"

I find myself drawn to old things and well frankly I don't know why.......but I think deep inside  I am an "Old Soul". Somehow being surrounded by old things gives me a connection to the past.


There are a fair amount of antique shops in this area and occasionally I like to venture out to some places off the beaten path and to some of the shops I haven't  been to for awhile. Well it happened the other day..............lots of stress going on in my life but I guess no worse than usual.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I did have a shopping stress treatment the other day and look at the wonderful finds I did find!!!



I got the beautiful quilt above in the first picture. The quilt was labeled as a baby quilt but quite frankly I call it a table quilt...I love it and the quilting is meticulous!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~ Next I found the perfect little butter mold with dove-tailed corners. When I saw it at the shop, it was not priced??? I asked the shop owner if something was not marked hmmmmmmm was it free??? Haaaaaaa-it doesn't hurt to ask!!! He said "well no but I can give you a good deal" and he sold it to me for $20.00- Yea that's what I'm talking about!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~Next I found this awesome white crockery bowl. I can't remember what this pattern is called but I do have the same bowls in the typical shades of brown.
~Well that's all for now~What's your "Stress Therapy"? 

Blackberry Buckle

Adaption of a Recipe by John Barricelli that aired on an episode of the Today Show on March 6th, 2010. I did make some changes to the given recipe.

Great served warm with whipped topping.

Blackberry Buckle
INGREDIENTS

For the streusel topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

For the blackberry buckle:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups either blackberries, raspberries or blueberries
Confectioners' sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS

To make the streusel:

In a medium bowl, use a fork to stir together the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add the butter and, using your fingertips, quickly work it into the dry ingredients until pea-size crumbs form; set aside in the refrigerator.

To make the blackberry buckle:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; set aside. Set the oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside.
In a large bowl beat the butter, sugar and salt on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, and then the vanilla. On low speed, beat in the dry ingredients just until absorbed. Fold in the berries. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the streusel over the top.
Bake until a cake tester inserted into the thickest part of the buckle comes out clean and the topping is nicely browned and crisp approximately 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar if you like and cut into squares.

~Enjoy~

"The Skies Have It"

Seems like we are always running here or there these days. Kids can keep you so busy but at least in the evening when we are traveling home we have been able to catch a few pretty sites and all we have to do is look to the sky.

"In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true."

~Buddha Quote~

 

"I will grow. I will become something new and grand, but no grander than I now am. Just as the sky will be different in a few hours, its present perfection and completeness is not deficient."

~Wayne Dyer~

Remembering Grandma

Mother's Day has just passed but brought back memories of my wonderful Grandma Flora (Bible) Howe

My Grandma Flora and her twin sister Flossie

My Grandma is the one on the right.

Picture taken in 1912 when they were 17 years old

~So pretty~

I love the way they dressed back then!!!

The picture above is where Grandma and Grandpa Howe raised their family; my Mom (Marjorie), her 3 sisters (Laura Ann, Arline,Thelma) and their brother (George).

My Mom and her sisters moved on with their lives and families and Grandpa passed on before I was born. My uncle George did not marry and stayed there with Grandma.

I will always remember the visits to Grandma's house. We lived about an hour and half away from Grandma's so we did not get there as often as I would have liked but when we did go I couldn't wait. She lived up a big hill in a very quaint country house that my great-grandfather built. I can still remember the wonderful smells of that country house....Grandma's cooking and baking, the smell of fresh coffee percolating, the fragrant smell of the flowers blooming in her beautiful flower garden.....right down to the smell of the sweet soap Grandma used.

It is funny how you remember these things.

Grandma always made us feel welcome. Grandma was a very quiet lady but always kept busy and never grumbled. She was the best cook around and she had an awesome green thumb. She had a knack of making the best pie crust and she also loved to sew. I feel like a lot of these qualities have been passed on to me even though I could never compare and pie crust........well forget it!!! I am still very blessed to have such a wonderful heritage and wonderful Grandma!!!

She passed away when I was only in my early 20's but her memory will live on forever.

~My Beautiful Grandma Flora (Bible) Howe~

19 years old

Picture taken Jan 12, 1915

Happy Mother's Day

To all the Moms out there......enjoy your special day and never forget what a privilege it is to be called "Mom"  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

"Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."~~Elizabeth Stone
~Happy Mother's Day~

Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie

Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie

This recipe is from one of my old issues of Country Decorating Ideas. I loved that magazine but I don't think they publish it anymore. It was posted by Chef Janice McGrath.

Love the topping-it is both sweet and crunchy!

~Thought I would share it~

Ingredients

~1 10" pie shell, unbaked

~5-6 peeled and sliced baking apples (Granny Smith)

~1/2 cup sugar

~1 1/4 cup sour cream

~1/2 tsp vanilla

~1/4 cup flour

~1 egg

~1/8 tsp salt

Topping

~3/4 cup sugar

~1 cup flour

~1 Tbsp cinnamon

~1 cup chopped walnuts

~1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine and toss apples with sugar, sour cream, vanilla, flour, egg and salt. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix topping ingredients in the above order. Remove pie from oven and sprinkle topping over apple mixture. Return to oven for about 20 minutes or until apples are soft.

~Yummie~

Spring Flowers

I have been so ready for Spring and getting them Spring flowers planted  We have had some record snowfalls for the month of February this year in Ohio and this winter seemed to last an eternity. So getting in the garden and digging in the dirt is something that I am really looking forward to doing. I've already gotten into the front yard and bought some Creeping Phlox to plant between the Rhododendrons and Hostas. I have never grown any creeping Phlox but do have some Summer Phlox growing in my perennial garden.

I have gotten some new plants for the perennial garden out back; some weigela and campanula and can't wait to get them into the ground. My perennial garden is always a work in progress and I am happiest when my hands are covered in dirt!


Weigela

Campanula Carpatica