Snickerdoodles and Childhood Memories...

Today was a good day to bake the cookies I'd made a couple of days ago. They remind me of the Teacakes my grandmother would make for me and my sister, Mollie, every Saturday morning. Except for the cinnamon, these Snickerdoodles are the exact same cookie. While this Fiesta cookie jar isn't the same as Granny had, in my opinion, it's the thought that counts.
The ceilings of our cabin are beadboard like the ones in her house. She had corner cupboards where she kept that cookie jar full of fresh baked Teacakes. We could have only one. And we had to ask for it. If we didn't use good manners we didn't get that cookie. I don't remember ever not getting one. Although, we'd loved to have had the whole jar, we knew better than to ask for more or to make that little old woman mad!!!
Last night was the annual get together for my family. It was so good to see all of them! It is such a sweet reminder of Christmases years ago when all our sons and daughters were the little ones running around. Now, they have little ones of their own to do the running and laughing. While there were quite a few who couldn't be there with us, we missed them and love them all.
Aren't families the best thing ever??

Storm's about gone....

We got 3.5", give or take a few tenths. The wind is blowing. White caps on the lake. And, we can see more of it than we did a month ago. Eventually, the leaves will be gone and we'll see lots more lake. It will also be a lot colder! When the wind blows across the lake, it is VERY cold when we step out into an open area.

French Door Curtains, Done...

They're perfect for our little cabin on the lake.

French Door Curtains, Part 2...

Oh! My Goodness!!! I love it!!! I even like the darker hardware.
Now, for the other side.

French door curtains...

I spent a couple hours at Lowes this evening, going through their curtain rod collections. Found ones for both doors and the windows over the bookcases. But they didn't have anything long enough for the two sets of windows in the sunroom. I'll look online tomorrow. I want to get as much done tonight as possible.

It's supposed to start raining tomorrow afternoon and start cooling off. Something like 38 degrees Monday morning. I have to move all my plants inside the house or someplace where they won't get too cold. Enough for now. I need to get the rods and hanging rings up.

One Window in the Bathroom...

The glass in the window in textured, so we can't see out, but more importantly, no one can see in. The white semi-sheers are all I want in here. Unless... I decide to add a valance that matches the bedroom drapes.
The curtain rods/hardware came from Lowes. These didn't take nearly as long to put up. David's drill is making it much easier and faster.

One more window...

Last night I put up one more curtain before quitting. They look even better in the daylight! I still have a bit of tweaking to do, but I'm very pleased! And calling these "almost done". 😜
I am thoroughly in love with the semi-sheers!!! They're linen and polyester blend. And they're washable!

One window done.

I love the way these curtains look! But I do need more clips. And I didn't measure as well as I thought I did. Should have been about an inch higher. I may wait til tomorrow to rehang them.

Curtains are here!!!

Our mail carrier, Marilyn, delivered the two boxes today from Country Curtains.com. Here's the pile after I emptied the boxes in the floor.

Ok. The photo is curtain rods and a few curtains on the bed. My phone won't let me use photos stored on it. I have to take a photo when posting here on my blog iron Facebook. Will have to do some research on that.

I'll post more later.

Red Maple Trees

While in Texarkana this morning, I noticed the Red Maples in front of Bed, Bath & Beyond were a gorgeous red! I'd seen them last year, but had no camera to get a photo. Wish I'd had my Canon today, but since I didn't... I got out and used my iPhone. Don't know how good this will be, but in person, they were simply beautiful!!!

Cool Morning

It was cool this morning so I put one of those Duraflame logs in the fireplace. It puts out enough heat to warm up the living room space.

A nice fall evening... 17OCT2012

It was so nice outside yesterday evening that we went out to work in the yard. As David picked up leaves, I was mixing the new stuff with the old stuff.

I've included a picture of the big Ash tree down by the lake. It isn't so close to the bank that it's in danger of it falling in.

When we moved here in 1981, there were a number of large trees along the bank of the river. This is the location of the old landing. There is a historical marker out on Hwy 32 that describes this landing. The next time we go to town I'll get a picture of it to post here.

Back to the trees... After a good rain, usually in the middle of the night, we'd hear one of those trees falling into the river/lake.

End tables

They started as unfinished bedside tables. They're not quite tall enough for our bed, so now they're holding our collection of DVDs. They, also, give me enough space for the DVD/VHS player. Now, I can watch "The Big Chill" or "Quigley Down Under" or "The Quick and The Dead", the one with Sam Elliott.

Kitchen curtains. Finally!

After looking online and in the few catalogues I have here at the house, I remembered that JC Penney's has drapes and rods. Yesterday, after a dentist appt. I stopped at the Mall to look around. I think they have everything I want. But... Most of the nicer drapes and sheers have those big grommets in them. I want to use the rings with clips. So I can pull them across the rod in whichever direction I want.
For some reason I am fixated on linen or what looks like linen. They had a few pieces of a collection called Rosemary from Lorraine Home Fashions. They are perfect!!! There was enough to put the swag and valance in the kitchen window and a set across the bottom of the Utility Room door window.  I'll have to find a magnetic rod for that door. It's steel clad.

Fried Apple Pies for David

I already made the filling before thinking of posting this online.  So, here is what I did get photos of...

 

 

The filling is canned Lucky Leaf Apples and Chunky Applesauce with other stuff. If anyone wants the recipe, leave me a note in the comment section. Or send me a note if you have my email address or phone number.

 

 

Homemade pie crust... Nothing special about it, except this time I added fresh lemon zest and mostly butter instead of all Crisco.

This first batch I didn't roll thin enough, it was a bit doughy after cooking.  However, David said it was excellent!!!  And that is what counts.  :-)

I used a saucer to cut the rounds.  Put water around the edges of each crust... Spoon a couple of big spoonfuls of filling into the center.  Very carefully fold the crust over.  Press it closed with your fingertips, then dip a fork into flour and press the edges closed.

Here are four pies that are ready to fry.  I did make two more so David could take them to work tonight.  Years ago, I would make 20 + fried pies, wrap them in foil, put them in a big paper bag and take them to David at work.  He'd meet me at the guard gate...  He said the guys that had them before would know what was in the bag and follow him to the break room to be first in line to get one.  LOL!!!  I used to be famous!!!  LOL!!!

Here are the first two pies after turning them.  It's been a long time since I made these, so I was trying to not burn any fingers.  The first time I made these, I wasn't very careful and dunked two fingers in the hot oil.  I was a lot more careful after that!!!

 

Here are four done and two to go.  Mmmm!  Wish you could smell that!  Didn't take long once I had the pies made up.

 

Oops! That isn't a very good photo!  But the pies were still hot and I didn't want the Blue Bell to melt all over the saucer.  :-)  Sorry!  But it did taste good!!!  Am making another batch for son and daughter-in-law who live next door.  Maybe I'll make another one for me, too???  :-)

 

 

 

 

Painted shelves

One side of the shelves are painted Filoli Honey. I thought it was a lot cooler out there, but the thermometer says 78.

Utility Room improvements...

Before, and after, we put the brackets and shelves up. This next week I'll sand and paint the shelves & brackets the same color (Filoli Honey) as the walls. That will make them disappear, sort of. I'm thinking baskets will keep things looking neat and organized. Target has several with straight sides.

6August2012 First sunset...

After we got enough down here to be comfortable, we sat down to take a break.  David played hearts on the computer and I went out on the back porch.  It was an awesome sunset!!!  At least, until the mosquitoes got hungry. 

This picture doesn't show you very much, but sitting out there the wildlife sound as if they are just below the cabin.  I'm looking forward to many more evenings out there listening to tree frogs, locusts, hoot owls, and the red foxes that are back.  They didn't like the noise from all the power tools we've been using.  We still have a few things to finish, but we've done enough that we can live with it. 

We're home...  and we love it!!!

It's been a while...

   We spent our first night here in the cabin Monday, August 6th.  I knew we'd like this place, but, to be perfectly honest...  We LOVE it!!!!  It feels... like home. 

   I still have boxes of things here in the Sunroom that I can't find a home for.  That comes from living in one house for more than 31 years.  The Domestic Violence Thrift Shop in town like to see me drive up.  While I have taken several boxes of clothes, it is the other things that makes them very happy.  This past week I took a storage tub with the drapes that were here when we bought the cabin... a big box of Christmas decorations...  Toys...  Dishes... Pots & Pans...  I have 2 or 3 boxes of unwanted books that I may take to them next week. 

Oh!!!  We finally got the Washer and Dryer hooked up!!!  It is SO nice to be able to do laundry without carting it across the yard to the other house.  Oh... I have some tile work to do. 

There's more to tell you all, but that will have to wait til later.  It's 55 degrees outside.  I'm going to find the box of DuraFlame logs and watch one burn in the fireplace.  Did I tell you how much I love this little Cabin???  :-) 

Oklahoma.

We got past the rain. It's getting warmer. 5:32pm and 93 degrees.

Interstate 40

Headed west. Was raining back in Arkansas about an hour ago.
70 degrees at 4:02pm. Feels great. It's been in the upper 90's at home for the past week. Before that it was 100's. We're ready for some cooler temps.

Lavatory, door knobs & trim.

Things are moving right along since Shane got here!!! He is a great carpenter. A "finish" carpenter. :-)
He has fixed the trim around the front door. Both bathroom doors will stay open without something in front of them. The closet is ready to hang the wire shelving system. All the door knobs & all except 5 drawer pulls are attached. (I'm going to Lowe's to get those.) The trim at the bottom of the french doors & front door covers the ends of the oak flooring. And the guest bath looks great with the medicine cabinet up and the lavatory & fixtures installed.
There are several more things to finish up, but we are SO close!!!! I can't tell you how excited and anxious we are!!!!

A good reason...

Oh! Yes!!! There is a very good reason to put something over the floor before painting!!!!! LOL!!!!!
If... And when I finish the trim in this closet, I can put the wire closet system up. :-)
More photos later.

Taking a break...

Shane, our new carpenter, has got just about all the trim & moulding put up. Leaving me the very boring job of filling nail holes, caulking the spaces between trim & drywall.
3:15pm. It's raining!!!!!! :-) can uncross fingers & toes. LOL!!!!
I don't have an umbrella down here.
The photo is looking NW across the lake from our back porch. :-) We are getting closer to the end of our very long tunnel!!! Oh! Wait!!! There is a light down there!!!! LOL!!!!!

A few dark clouds...

Could we have some rain, please????

Another step closer!!!

I thought it would be next week before Brian could get here to finish the cabinets, but here he is!!! The doors are making it look so much more like a house!!! I don't have the textured glass in the doors, yet. Maybe next week. And I still have lots of construction stuff in the cabinets & on countertops. As soon as I get all the touch up painting done, I'll start cleaning everything out. Will take photos before we start moving in. :-) I can hardly wait!!!