Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Another Day Lily

From my garden...
©jp2008_____Click photo to enlarge and enjoy the beauty of this lily.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Side by Side

I thought this would make an interesting photo. I shot this scene as I was riding down the highway, through the front windshield of my auto. Its good that the windshield was fairly clean. I think it turned out to be a nice photo considering how it was taken. What do you think and what would you name it?
©jp2008 _________Click photo to enlarge.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Gardening

I snapped this picture of a yellow Day Lily that is planted by my house. I think these blooms are beautiful and I wanted to show the photo. I used my little pocket size 8 megapixel FE-340 Olympus camera to snap these photos. For such a small this little camera, it takes some mighty pictures!

©jp2008 _________Click photo to enlarge and enjoy this beautiful lily.


I grew up in the country so you could call me a "country girl". I love the country and miss all the fresh vegetables straight from the garden, that I enjoyed when I was younger. My garden now consist of a 4 ft by 4 ft planing box. I snapped this picture of my very small garden which consists of 6 tomato plants. I spaced 3 plants in each of the big tomato cages and they are doing really great.

©jp2008 _________Click on the photos to enlarge them



Monday, May 19, 2008

Magnificent Magnolia

This magnificent magnolia tree sits right outside my door. You can see the corner of my one story house so you get a idea of how big this tree really is. Most people would probably say they would love to have a magnolia tree in their yard, but this is one tree I love to hate. The work it dishes out to me out weighs the beauty of it by far. Right now the tree looks a little thin because it has already lost a lot of leaves with the recent winds and rains. But new ones will replace those. The blossoms are beautiful but each one only last a few days. After the petals on the blooms dry up and fall, the the pods begin to grow and fill out with seeds. These pods will stay on the tree through most of the summer and then begin to fall producing several bushels of pods that have to be picked up and kept out of the grass because they are brutal to lawnmower blades. The pods will fall all during the winter and must be cleaned up before grass cutting time in the Spring. By the time all the pods are gone the leaves start falling and continue to fall through the Summer. These too have to be raked up constantly. So this tree actually produces a year round job. Even with all this work, this tree will continue to grace this yard until nature decides to take it out.

©jp2008 _________Click on the photos to enlarge them




Sunday, May 18, 2008

OOey Gooey Butter Cake

I made this recipe for the first time about a week ago and I'll have to say it will not be the last time. This cake turned out so yummy that it was all gone in no time. After it bakes it is more like bar cookies and is very rich but if you like cheese cake you will love this!
I made the recipe card so it is a 4 x 6 inch size after it is folded across the center so it will fit in a 4 x 6 recipe card box.
If you would like to download a copy for your own personal use, click on the recipe to enlarge it, then right click and choose "save as" to save a jpg copy to your computer.
©jp2008

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Enamelware and Tins

Today I am just adding a few more of my favorite kitchen things.
The Morton Salt sign is baked on enamel.





Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Roosters and Hens

I also like roosters and hens for my kitchen. The rooster and hen on the left are hand made ceramics that I bought at an estate sale. I've never done this type of craft but I believe the ceramic is poured into a mold. They are hand painted and fired in an oven to cure. These two pieces are hand signed on the bottom and dated 1963. The others, the plate, the scrubber holder, and the measuring spoon set are some that I bought at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.





Friday, May 9, 2008

Old Glassware

I like old glassware for my kitchen. I especially like it if it looks "country". I don't collect it, I just like a few pretty pieces and to me, they are pretty and special if I can use them. Here are some of my favorite pieces.



Thursday, May 8, 2008

Jello Mold

I believe this is ceramic. I have had it many years and use it as a wall hanging. It has never been used as a mold so it is in excellent condition. I have no idea how old it is. I love this pretty fruit design and the colors.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Chalkware

Recently I've been doing some "spring cleaning". As I'm taking all these things off my walls and shelves and tables, I'm thinking why do I keep these dust collectors? To be honest, over the years I've collected a lot of pretty things and then decided they are just not worth the time it takes to clean them or the space it takes to store them. I've either donated them or put them in a yard sale. I probably will be taking a few more things out to discard. But most of them will be dusted, washed or polished and put back on their display. Some have become my favorites for one reason or another and I just can't part with them. They may have no monetary value but they are just some things that fit into my personal tastes.
Here are a couple of wall plaques that I just adore. I've had these for a number of years, about 14, and have no idea how old they are. They were left on the wall in a home that we bought. The previous owner was an older man in his 80's and I guess he didn't want them.
I've tried to research these on Google but have not found any like these. I'm guessing they are chalk ware that has been glazed or sprayed with a protector. They do have a pretty shiny finish. They are 8 1/2 inches tall.
There are a couple of little nicks on the backs around the edge but other than that they are in very good condition. I love the color of these.
On the back they do have the artist stamp, are numbered, and have the little original wire hanger near the top.

Any comments or information anyone might have about these would be welcome.

Click on the photo for a larger view.