Crazy Dog!

We have a variety of pets, but our dogs are the most comical!

Especially our Great Dane, Cyndar. She is such a goof!

Whenever we have Tuna I give the empty cans to the cats to "clean up".

They, of course, love that.

The other day after they were done, Cyndar sneaked (now it's hard for a dog of her size to sneak...but somehow she did) into the kitchen and snagged the cans!

When I found her she had a collection going....

I don't think she wants to give them up...

Katie says "Why are you taking her picture? She's only licking a can?
AND she has her bottom up in the air!"

She just thinks she's the Queen of the Tuna Cans, doesn't she!

Pomagranite Jelly

Pomagranites are another of my favorite Fall fruits.
I get my Poms from the same elderly couple I get my Apples from each year. They have the largest Poms I have ever seen!
They are so yummy and fresh.  They make flavorful jelly too!!



An easy way to juice Pomegranates is to roll them on a hard surface, like your counter, applying pressure as you roll.  While you roll the Pomegranate you will hear the seeds pop inside. Once they are all popped it will feel "soft".

 While holding the Pom over a bowl, poke a couple of holes into it. I use an old ice pick and wriggle it around a bit.

The juice will start comming out. Squeeze the Pom with your hands until the juice stops.

You can also remove the seeds from the Pom and put them through a juicer.
OR
You could just purchase Pomegranate juice from your grocer.  



Pomegranate Jelly

4 cups Pomegranate Juice

7 cups Sugar

2 lemons, juiced

1 (6 fluid ounce) container Liquid Pectin

Combine Pomegranate and Lemon Juice with Sugar in a large stainless steel pot. Bring to boil over high heat and at once stir in Liquid Pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 1/2 minute. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Ladle into hot, sterilized jars to within 1/4 inch from the top. Wipe rim, seal with lid and ring and close tightly. Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Makes 4 1/2 pints.

Fall Means Apples!

Fall Fruit means Apples! They are so versatile.
There is an elderly couple that live on one of our backroads,
that I buy Apples and Pomegranites from each year.
Applesauce is usually the first thing I make,
it fills the house with such a great smell.
I always put hide a quart away for my Easter dinner.
Here's a couple great recipes I use every Fall.


Applesauce

8 pounds Apples, peeled, cored, and quartered (24 cups)

1 to 1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cinnamon (optional)`

In a large pot combine Apples and 2 cups Water.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat.

Cover and simmer for about 8-10 minutes,  stiring often.
Remove from heat.
Mash Apples with a potato masher till smooth.
If you like it on the chunky side, just slightly mash Apples to your preference.
Add Sugar and, if desired, Cinnamon to Apples.

Mix thoroughly. Return to boil.
Spoon boiling Applesauce into hot, clean jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.

Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
Makes 6 pints.

Baked Apples

Halve and core Apples (one per person)
Place on foil covered cookie sheet,
Top each Apple half with a spoon of Brown Sugar
and a dollop of Margarine.
Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 mins.
Enjoy!

Sunday Free Treasure!

My daughter got home from her volunteer work and she surprised us by bringing Pizza for dinner! YAY!!

sweet, sweet girl!!

On the way she passed a sale that had a sign saying everything was FREE!!
I knew the local  Cheerleaders had had a rummage sale yesterday and today, which I wasn't able to go to..darn it!

 Anyway, I guess whatever was left needed to move out!

She asked if I wanted to go check it out....before she could finish her sentence, I was dressed (had already gotten my comfies on) and out the door! 

 I grabbed a birdcage (no idea what I'll do with this), basket, knit hat, toile valance AND a paint by number painting... you know how collectable these are right now?!  

Got a few pieces of clothing, cute purse,

and tons of VHS tapes...hey they were FREE!!!

WHEW..what a rush!! LOL
Till next time......

I'm linking up with Along the Way with K & J for "Trash to Treasures"

AB4B Oct. Launch ~ Things We are Thankful For

Well, it's the beginning of a new month,

you know what that means!

Age Before Beauty Launch on eBay

This month the theme is "Things We are Thankful For".

Be sure to pop over and check out everyone's creations.

Met Monday & Today's Thrifty Treasures ~ Shutter to Mail Caddy

I'm joining Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures 

Be sure not to miss this last one,

do pop over and see what everyone has found!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch

 for Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to take a peek at everyone's transformations.

I've been thinking about those Shutters I found at that great Treasure Hunt  I posted about a few weeks ago.

They are a great small size, perfect for something.....

Then the light bulb went on!

I am in the middle of painting my kitchen and plan on a great idea to revamp my cabinets, and recovering my kitchen benches. Several other tweekings are in the works.

Currently I use a little white metal basket that hangs on the wall to hold bills and other important papers. Not unattractive but not attractive either. The reason it needs to be in view is because out of sight is definitely out of my mind :~|

So here's what I did~~~~

I took the section with the knob off by unscrewing the hinges,

which left the two to close like a book.

 I also removed the knob and the latch.

Keeping the section of two together,

I added the knob to the front of the "new" shutter.

I placed the latch on the front shutters side so when it was closed it

would latch onto the back shutter.

I added a small nail for it to hook onto.

I hung it where I wanted using a couple of good ol' nails.

Added those lovely bills into the back louvers...

Closed and latched

 I thought of repainting it nice and white,

but decided to keep the distressed look.

Besides, I've been doing so much painting lately,

one less thing was a Godsend!

So there you have it a mail/bill holder in disguise ;~)

Trash to Treasure Hunt

I'm linking up with Katie who is our host for Trash to Treasure.

Don't forget to pop over to see everyone's TTT!

I'm also joining Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality for the last Thrifty Treasures for the year...can't wait til next year!  Be sure not to miss this last one, do pop over and see what everyone has found! 

I live in a rural community that consists of several small towns

about 6-10 miles apart.

The next little town over had it's yearly Flea Market.

It's always fun to attend, you never know what you'll find there!

It's held in their downtown park. Sections are mapped out for each sellers space.

It's always been a success in the past and this year was no different.

This years found treasures ~~

This bird terrarium thing was the first to catch my eye, snapped it up on the spot, $5, plan to replace the plastic with glass. The spice holder will find it's way to eBay, $3. Cute little jar .50 (already sold), 3 little Gourds made into pears, $2.

Don't you just love the little bird on top?

Reindeer which may get painted,$1. 3 little cute plates, $1. White cabinet which will go into my kitchen makeover, $3

Lots of assorted colors of Iris, $2. Lilys, $2. Bergenia, $2. Succulent $1.

 

Freshly dug Sweet Potatoes, $2

Yup, I came away a happy camper!

Blue Monday ~ Lodi Grape Festival

It's Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's, pop on over to check it out!

We had the pleasure of attending The Lodi Grape Festival yesterday where there was alot of Blues. Since it being the first time we've been wasn't sure what to expect.

We had a great time. We met my oldest son and his girlfriend there. She is from the area and attends each year.
Lots of commercial vendors, yummy food, rides, booths...my favorite were the exhibits.


The most amazing were the mosiac like images made from Grapes!
 All done by children.
There were other edibles used but the majority were grapes.....painted grapes, glittered grapes, peeled grapes and more!
The Theme this year was "Your Favorite Holiday".
These were stunning to say the least.
So amazing and creative!

I did take pictures, now they were rather high up on their displays and with me being short....well....  :~)

I also mentioned rides...well, looky what was there!

Crazy huh?