Small Town Living at Its Best

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life.











Tuesday, August 31, 2010

White Wednesday - daisies!

I couldn't resist a quick post for White Wednesday! Love thos daisies! Come on over to Faded Charm for more WHITES!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Mosaic Monday - Blue Monday

I'm joining Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday meme's this week! Enjoy all the pretties, at the below addresses:

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com'

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Show and Tell Friday and Pink Saturday

I have one pink depression glass cake plate. My DH found it in the dump many, many years ago. That was back in the day when you could take your stuff to the dump yourself, and of course rummage through things (and bring home) what you wanted.
The flowers almost look like sunflowers - hmmmm............
Love the scalloped edges!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, beginning with Show and Tell Friday
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Vintage Thursday







This is a photo of an old sausage stuffer. Way back when (and at our house, now) it was used to make sausages when people processed their own meats. The hole in the front has a piece that comes out and fits into the casings. The crank on the side is turned until the casing is full, then turned backward very quickly to let off the pressure while you twist the end and place a metal clip on it to hold it. We made 27, 8" long tubes on Monday night, 15 regular and 12 of the peppercorn. He uses deer meat for this - and I turn the crank. Really. That's all I do - literally - turn the crank. Oh yeah, and clip the end shut. Whoppee.....




It's a very heavy piece of equipment, and has lasted well through the years. Now I have to tell you, I don't like deer meat. My DH gets meat from everyone in the area, and processes it himself. But this sausage, it's half deer/half pork. So, the spices and other meat really keep the "deer" taste from being strong. The stuffer is used to put the meat mixture into the casing, and DH has made a smoker out of an old refrigerator. It is on a thermostat, so the temperature keeps at an even temp, and the hot plates in the bottom also provide the smoke. He used apple wood this time, and it was wonderful to just smell it working.




You think it looks ucky? Well, it kinda does......but it tastes great! Click on the below link to go to more "vintage thingies"!


This is what it looks like when we get it all done and ready to put in the freezer.




But we prefer it like this!


http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Pink Saturday


I have my Grandma Alley's salt and pepper collection and I use it in many of my tablescape blogs, since I have so many. When I was looking for some to match my rose setting I will be doing in the next couple of weeks, I found THESE!! The doily that they are setting on, my Grandma Alley made also. Oh how I miss her so!



Thanks for stopping in and leaving your comments on my Pink Saturday blog. You can click on the link below to see MANY more pinks!


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Bird house dishes for Tablescape thursday


I was at Mom's this week, helping her out with a little "border hanging" project, and decided to use her dishes for this week's table.
Bird s&p's
This is a good time to bring out all the birds and nests we could find!

Daisy silverware from the local grocery store with "coupons" many years ago.

The dishes from an antique store - although they are not antiques.

White napkins were a gift from my sister, Susan.

Scattered a few more birds around the table.

There are 4 different salad/desertplates to chose from, there'sthe barn,

the church,
the House,
and the School House.
The dinner plate is plain with just the birdie border.
Each mug has one of each pattern on it.
Each glass has one of each pattern on it.

Thanks first of all to my Mom for letting me take photos and play dishes with her pretties! Thanks also to Susan for always graciously hosting Tablescape Thursday. Click on the below address to follow me over to see more.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Show and Tell Friday


This is part of our front porch/deck. It is on the south side of the house, so doesn't get used this time of year - too hot! We are saving our money to put a room on - kinda like Susan's at BNOP.

We had to put a gate on last year, the dog wouldn't stay off the furniture.
But I had to add a little sign to it - it was just too plain! I'm joining Show and Tell Friday today, it's been just too long since I posted anything for this one! http://romantichome.blogspot.com

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Its a Vintage, Thrifty, Tablescape Thursday!

A HOME FOR HER HEART
by Sandi
She looked down at her hands and they were shaking. Miss Greta wasn’t sure if it was nervousness, or excitement, but either way – it was deserved. 48 hours ago, she was sitting in this very room, frightened by the storm that was headed inland. The weather had changed so quickly, the storm gone as fast as it came. The winds were roaring, rain driving so hard it sounded like sand on the windows, and lightening none of which she’d ever seen before. Her beau Ashley was expected to be home from his voyage upon the Bearing Straight, after a 2 week trip overseas. But as the storm continued, unforgiving and relentless, she was frightened that his life was in danger, he might not make it home to her. And now here she was, preparing for their meeting in her favorite place, one she called “The Banks”. Greta had been a small girl when she and her family moved to Blair Mansion. The house was an awesome sight whether you approached by water or land, and Greta remembered well her first impression. The huge yard, sloping to the water, she vowed would be where she would spend her time, and named by her “The Banks”. The water lapped at the grassy slope, and the lighthouse beyond was a beautiful site. Oh there were beautiful gardens, a play area for children, and a pool that most little girls would love – but not Greta, she was drawn to the ocean. Greta spent hours tending to her dolls and having tea parties with friends at The Banks. Her mother encouraged her to participate in more social things, but she chose to spend her time there, watching the ships. The people on those ships fascinated her, and she made up stories about their lives. However, hours turned in to days, and days into years, hence today was upon her, and she was back to the present time, waiting for Ashley.
Would Ashley bring her flowers? She had only seen him 2 weeks ago, so why was she so nervous? Would today be the day her dream would come true and he would ask her hand in marriage? Oh how she had thought about that moment so many times. She hoped Ashley wasn’t so tired of the ocean after his return, that he wouldn’t notice the importance of where they were. Not her Ashley. He was always the one who knew what she was thinking, and why – sometimes before she did. The connection she had with Ashley was one that could only have been heaven sent, and of course he would bring her flowers! Now that she had thought of them – it was as good as done.
Last night, as she thought about this evening, she envisioned them walking along the edge of The Banks, hand in hand. He would lay his hat on his chair as would she,
and if she didn’t need her shawl, it would be laid aside. He would gently pull her to him, and whisper of his love in her ear. She would blush, probably get a little giddy, with the delight she would feel. They would talk about the ships that they could see, with Ashley explaining all about how it felt to be on those ships, and how exciting it is to see the port from the water.
Miss Greta had ordered Chef to set up a small table out on the Banks. She had asked him to use a red tablecloth, with a fringed white linen topper, and red linen napkins.

The family heirloom china with a rendition of the lighthouse would be perfect.
There would be the blue sea glass handled silverware
blue stemmed goblets,
and miniature light houses to decorate the table. The food this evening wasn’t important. She knew that Chef would come up with something that was perfect, and they wouldn’t know when they got done what they had even eaten, their time spend looking into each others eyes and enjoying each other’s company.

Greta knew in her heart that she wanted to spend her life just as it was these days, Ashley and her, hand in hand – heart in heart from now on. But was it to be? Come back again sometime and find out what happens!

P.S. This story is all a figment of my imagination. Hope you enjoy! I’m a frustrated writer, and think maybe this will help me get it out of my system! Ha!


Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your comments. I hope to continue this story, incorporating my other grand's, so come back again!

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/ for Vintage Thingie Thursday (the shawl was made for my Jr. Prom in 1971)(metal chairs found in the dumpster at the lake)
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/ for Thrifty Thursday (dishes were borrowed, and everything else was stuff I've had forever)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

White Wednesday

The shawl was made for me, for my Jr. Prom in 1971 - yep that makes it Vintage too! Ha! The hat was a recent purchase in Mexico - to keep the sun off my face. Happy WW!
Faded Charm Cottage is hosting again this week, so join me as we head over to check 'em out!
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

White Wednesday

My new rocking chairs on my front porch/deck are my post for this week. Check it out as my new Blog Header!!! http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com

Vintage Thingie and Thrifty Thursday





We found this seat in the basement of the bank we bought when we were making the building in to my photography studio 10 years ago. We asked the original banker, who was in his 80's, and had owned the building (or his father had) for the past 100 years. He didn't even know it was there, so we are assuming it's quite old. DH painted it and it sits on my front porch now during the summer.

Since I didn't know what exactly this seat was used for, I started looking around and I found this one in a catalog for $149.99! So I think it's a DEAL!

Join me as I head on over for Vintage Thingie Thursday, and Thrifty Thursday. It's always SO much fun!