~The View~

~The View from my porch today~

Today is one of those rare days when the sun is shining and the temperature is perfect. As I type this, the curtains are billowing in the breeze and I can hear birds singing outside my window. I am alone in the house except for two lazy dogs, sprawled at my feet.

The coming week is one that is full of possibilities. The entire week stretches out before me in which there is only ONE task that I must complete…something which is even rarer than the perfect sunny day.

I truly love and enjoy people, and can be a very social person. But I am a “homebody” at heart, and there are times that I begin to feel burdened by social obligations. Summertime is especially taxing, with its round of picnics and weddings and graduations…and I am sometimes overwhelmed by the constant rush to be somewhere or the effort it sometimes requires to be with other people.

The older I get, the more I crave quiet solitude, and the less I feel the need to be apologetic about it.  Sometimes I am happiest when I am alone. I am blessed with the endless ability to entertain myself and never run out of things to do. I’m never bored with my own company…qualities that have always pleased my mother.

I have a great deal of company in the house, especially in the morning when nobody calls.
~Henry David Thoreau~

 And so, I am eagerly anticipating this large block of unfettered time. I relish the thought of completing simple household chores without hurrying, preparing healthy meals, and spending time reading and stitching. This week, I plan to take time to just “sit”...as there is nothing better than mornings on the porch, with coffee, pups and time to daydream.

The coming week is one that is full of possibilities…what will you do with yours?

Until next time…

Rhonda

(Please forgive the crazy spacing...blogger is a mess today.) 

I'm Late! I'm Late! For a Very Important Date!

Are you tired of me yet? My tardiness, my lack of posts, my excuses... All I can really say is, this year summer is kickin' my behind. Of course I'm trying to give as good as I get...but every year it gets harder and harder to get my leg up high enough for a good swift kick. And so, I'm late...again.

Like some of you, I participated in Misi's "Days of Summer Swap". Misi always comes up with the best ideas. :) Last week I received my swap package...a very thoughtful gift from Patti at Raspberry Lane Primitives. And I haven't even mailed a thank you card yet. *sigh* But still, such a lovely gift should be shared. I think you'll agree.

Patti sent me so many wonderful things...on the left is one of her rustic tea light holders, just perfect for tucking in a cupboard or on a shelf. She also included a packet of sweet annie seeds (I was tickled to death to have them as my sweet annie has not returned this year). Next were some cute little hand painted star fish...Patti (obviously) knows that beach house decor is IN right now! Then there was a bag of spiced apples and wax fixins, they smell fab-u-lous, and have found a home in one of my old spatter ware bowls. And lastly these, so stinkin' adorable, ears of corn! And just look at those cute tags!

And even though Patti hates sewing on that pesky chenille fabric, she did it for me...because that's just how she rolls. :)

~Patriotic Goodies From Patti~

Thank you Patti for such a generous gift...and also to Misi for being the hostess with the most-ess.

I suggest you scamper over to both these ladies blogs for great recipes, amazing decor ideas and wonderful fellowship with kindred spirits.

Until next time...

Rhonda

~Coming Home Again~

"There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again"  

(Margaret Elizabeth Sangster)

I've missed you. It's true. I'm so grateful that you've stuck around.

I really have been a blogger of the worst kind, and for that I must apologize. Spring here has been wild and wonderful...but mostly just wild. I suppose some of you are curious about what I've been up to. And for those of you who don't care, just ignore me...go ahead and scroll through the pretty pictures. 

Here's one to get you started.

This lovely ironstone pitcher was a gift from my sweet friend Emily. She arrived at my house just before Mother's day and presented me with a huge package. I have often coveted admired her beautiful collection of ironstone, and was shocked when she gifted a number of her pieces to me because, "You are such a good Mom". Her loving words and kind gesture sincerely overwhelmed me. 

These are few of the other pieces Em shared with me. 

I'm not worthy!

 

My new collection inspired me to de-clutter the buttery shelves and go with something simpler for summertime. But I'm such a clutter-bug...I have so much trouble keeping things to a minimum. I'm still not sure I got it right.

 

 Sometimes I wonder why I do the crazy things I do. What I mean is...why do I choose the busiest time of the year to embark on a huge home improvement project? Since the two oldest "boys" moved into their own place, Mr. Kattywhompus and I have been rethinking the way we use the space in our home. He encouraged me to move from my small studio sewing room, into two large rooms on the second floor. That might sound simple, but in reality it's quite an undertaking. Although he encouraged me, Mr. Kattywhompus, has been unavailable to help me accomplish such a daunting task. Between raindrops, he has been sowing and reaping (and mowing). And with my built in help cozily settled into their own bachelor pad, I am pretty much on my own. I have been painting, shampooing carpets, moving furniture, and sorting through the seemingly endless array of crafty "needfuls". 

When my back hurts and I am tired and whiny, I envision how it will look...all beautiful and pink and spacious, with room to invite friends over to play. 

It will be so worth it...but sometimes I still whine.

When I simply cannot force myself to sort through another box (or whenever I can sneak away) I have been hitting some wonderful summer garage sales. I bragged to Misi about one of my best, most amazing finds this year, and promised her a picture. 

So, this one's for you Misi.

You should have seen how fast I moved when I saw this on the table...and then I saw the price...$200. No, it says $20. NO- it says $2. !!! I thought I was imagining things. 

For less than I pay for a cup of coffee...it was mine.

Speaking of Misi...you may have noticed some of her delicious, scented wax fruit in the foreground. She very sweetly send me a delightful package including these. They are rustic and beautiful...and they smell wonderful.

I also purchased some of Misi's pansy bowl fillers for myself and for my Mother. They make an entire room smell heavenly and Mom loved them.

To experience Misi's wares for yourself go here.

Between Emily and Misi I have been very spoiled these last few weeks. I have one other wonderful thing to share...but it will have to wait, as I used it to create something special for my swap partner. Don't fret, you won't have to wait long, my package goes out tomorrow.

And for sticking with me...here's one more pretty picture for you.

~An ironstone pitcher filled with lilacs from the side yard~

Until next time...

Rhonda

~Mother's Day Wishes~

This photo of my Grandparents Ralph and Beulah Dalton, with seven of their eight children, was taken around 1942. My mother, Martha, is in the middle row on the far left. 

~No Love like a Mother's Love~

"There is no love, like a mother's love, no stronger bond on earth... like the precious bond that comes from God, to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong, never changing for all time... and when her children need her most, a mother's love will shine.
God bless these special mothers, God bless them every one... for all the tears and heartache, and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over, a mother's love lives on... through many generations, with God's blessings on each one.
Be thankful for our mothers, for they love with a higher love... from the power God has given, and the strength from up above."

~Jill Lemming~

 

~Happy Mother's Day!~

Until next time...

Rhonda

~Tokens of Love~

 I ask you, is there anything more romantic than a man bearing vegetables from his own garden?

~A gift from Mr. Kattywhompus~

I think I'll cook something delicious to reward him for his efforts. This recipe from his great Aunt is on the dinner menu tonight.

Aunt Bob's Asparagus Casserole

3 cups fresh asparagus, chopped and steamed (water too)

OR

(2, 10 oz. cans of canned asparagus, with water)

1 cup cubed cheese

1 1/2 cups cracker crumbs

1 cup milk

1/4 cup roast red pepper

1 tsp salt (I use 1/2 tsp.)

1/4 cup melted butter

Set butter aside. Gently toss remaining ingredients together in a large bowl. Place mixture in a 9"X 9" baking dish and drizzle butter over the top. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Aunt Bob is the wife of Uncle Louie, of  Uncle Louie's Apple Cake fame.

Until next time...

Rhonda

Art Imitates Life

Do you have a friend who is upbeat, cheerful, generous and fun to be with? I do. 

Meet Emily. Spending a few days with Em always involves deep conversation, laughter, and usually an art project. She is great at choosing projects that take me out of my comfort zone and stretches my imagination a bit. With her, I get to try new things and work in unfamiliar mediums. She encourages me to be brave...to grow. I need that.

We had one of our little art retreats this week. We had the house to ourselves and plenty of room to make a mess...and we did. 

We stayed up until 4am, laughing, talking, snipping, and gluing. It was wonderful.

And although I don't think either of us is under the illusion that these are great works of art, we did get the opportunity to learn new techniques and expand our horizons. 

Plus, we had fun...and really, isn't that what girlfriend time is all about?

My "masterpiece"...still needing the finishing touches. Nothing amazing...but still, a sweet remembrance of our time together.

I plan to hang it in my new studio space (more about that later).

~Emily's collage...not quite finished.~

Canvas, gesso, paper, paint, etc...$20.-$30

Spending time with someone who is cheerful, positive, authentic, and challenges and encourages me to be my best self...priceless.

 Spend some time with YOUR authentic friend(s) today.

Until next time...

Rhonda

If you would like to try the "Little Houses" project yourself, visit Caatje's lovely blog for instructions.

Keep Manhattan, Just Give Me That Countryside!

Each Tuesday Misi at Gable House Musings issues a challenge to her readers...for this week's Tuesday Display Chain she left it up to each of us to pay tribute to any subject we choose.

I chose the theme, Farm Livin'. Now, I haven't always lived in the boonies...as a girl I lived on Main Street, just one block from the bustling metropolis that was Lowell, Indiana...population 2,270. It was as a young bride that I moved to the country...to a hundred year old farmstead, complete with a dilapidated barn and a chicken coop. Those first few years, out of fear that someone would call me a city girl, I learned to glaze windows, butcher chickens, grow a garden, can tomatoes and make jelly. I embraced country living with gusto...and still do.

Many years and quarts of  tomatoes later, we built a new house and moved from our little farmstead. We didn't go far, only a few miles up the road. And even though the new house has ample closet space and electric outlets in every room...I  sometimes miss my old yard with the apple trees and the chicken coop.

Just when Mr. Kattywhompus & I were beginning to think how nice it would be to have animals again, and that we should think about building a barn and putting up fence, something unexpected happened to remind us that animals, although wonderful, are hard work.

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and we had company after church. We had just finished eating lunch and were enjoying tea on the back deck with our "city friends", Barb & Amy. Mr K. & I were sitting with our backs to the driveway when suddenly Amy's eyes grew huge and Barb mouthed the word, "Goats". When I turned to see what all the excitement was about, I saw this...

A veritable goat stampede...about two dozen in all...turning in at the drive, heading up the hill, and coming straight for us-fast! Just as we sprang out of our comfy chairs and got the door closed behind us, the goats began to congregate on the deck. It was soon apparent that our deck could not accommodate such a large number of goats. No problem, one by one they jumped over the railing and found their way to the side yard. At this time, I should point out that we don't have goats... and our closest neighbor is over a mile away.

After we gathered our wits about us, we realized that no one seemed to be looking for these goats...and that it was up to us to herd them back to whence they came. Mr. Kattywhompus found a length of rope in the garage to use as a lead. He explained to us that where one goat goes, the others will follow. How he knew this, I'm not sure...but it turns out he was right.

By this time, city girl Amy, has been bewitched by the lost goats and begs us to allow her to "walk" the  lead goat. What can we do, but allow it? After all, Amy is our guest. She is handed the rope and off she teeters in her high heels and church clothes, behind "her" goat. Four adults, three children and two dozen goats start down the road, hopefully heading for home.

All is going well until two young girls from the neighboring farm ride up on bicycles, shouting, arms waving...each with a tiny chihuahua dog tucked under her arm. The girls are from migrant families and neither of them speak English. We have no idea what the girls are saying, but the WAY they are saying it makes the goats run faster. I gotta hand it to city girl Amy, she never lets go of the rope. The girls with chihuahuas lead the way and we scramble to keep up with Amy. At this point we must look like some deranged version of The Bremen Town Musicians.

When we get the goats back to the neighboring farm, we find no one at home. Between hand gestures and my eighth grade Spanish, we surmise that the girls have accidentally let the goats out of their pen. The girls showed us where the goats belong...but we would no sooner get one goat in the pen, than another would jump over the fence. We finally realized that we were putting the goats in the horse pen. My Spanish was rustier than I thought.

Let's just say that through a series of unfortunate events, the horse got out...and while we were corralling the horse, a few pigs got loose, and then some sheep wandered. Eventually we (Mr. Kattywhompus) got all the animals inside the various pens.

Farmer Bailey had a nice day at the county fair...but was confused when he came home that evening to find his livestock rearranged. 

 

Mr. Kattywhompus is rethinking that barn. 

And city girls Amy & Barb sent us the nicest thank you note...said it was the best time they'd had in a long while. They can't wait to be invited back.

  Farm livin' is the life for me.

Until next time...

Rhonda

Many thanks to Julie King, for graciously allowing me to use photos from her blog. It was she who captured the comical images of the goats that you see here. You can visit Julie and her beautiful art here and here.