Peach Cobbler- My Go To Dessert for Summer

Any time I have to whip up a dessert in a hurry, I go to easy peach cobbler. Or, in the fall, I use apples instead of peaches. It is always a hit with my family and our guests. Best of all, it is quick and easy. At our house we refer to this as the “A cup, a cup, a cup cobbler.”          Start by melting 1 stick of butter (or margarine) in a 8 x 8 baking dish.     Add 3 to 4 cups of fresh sliced fruit. You can use canned peaches but you...

Weekend Project—Helping the Boy Move to College

Our project this past weekend was to help our boy move back to college.  It wasn’t his first move away yet it still brings a mixed bag of emotions.  I can’t help but reflect on his first day of kindergarten. As a stay at home mom, his sister and I missed him sorely. But we knew he needed to go. I now know that that event was training for this event. Kindergarten just lasted a few hours then I could pick him up and bring him home again. Now its different. He will decide when he wants to...

Tablecloth from a Window Curtain

Earlier this week I was looking through my linen closet for something and ran across a pair of tab top window curtains that a friend had given me. They were too short for my windows and I had put them away until I found a use for them. As I unfolded the curtains, I realized that they felt like a white damask tablecloth. Then it occurred to me that they were about the size of my dining table on the screened porch.              Who would have...

What A Find!!!

Recently, we were driving home from church one Sunday and were almost home when we passed a single pickup truck hosting a parking lot sale. As we whizzed by, I thought that I might have spotted a possible treasure. Like any sane woman would do, I yelled “Put on brakes. Turn around and go back! I need to stop back there for a second!” After some huffing and puffing, the hubby relented and did as instructed.  As we got closer, I could see that it was indeed a treasure. I quickly came up with...

Bunk Room Project

Perhaps my biggest project for the summer has been the bunk room at our summer cottage at the lake. It was quite an undertaking but I am very pleased with the results. I started by selecting bedding which I found at TJ Maxx. I wanted something bright and cheerful since this room is the only one in the basement that doesn’t have a window. (FYI, by building code standards, this space cannot legally be called a bedroom because it does not have more than one exit or a window.) My goal was to make...

It’s Official…..I Am a Great Aunt!

It’s official. I am a great aunt and I have the pictures to prove it. Our family has been blessed this week with the arrival of a baby girl!                           My great niece, Addison Elizabeth was born on Wednesday. These pictures were made when she was one day old.                         ...

Meal Prepartion Made Easy

Today I'm linking to a post that I ran across at Clean Mama's blog. I've seen a book and several other articles related to planning, cooking, and freezing a month's supply of meals all in one day but, personally, I've never been able to pull this off. Clean Mama has a modified version of this. She quickly shows how to start the prepartion for a month's worth of protein entrees. She makes it look super easy. I think I'll give it a try. I've said many times, the hardest thing about cooking supper...

A Must Have Item for the Kitchen

I recently discovered a must have item for the kitchen while perusing the isles of Marshall’s.  For several years, I have used Debbie Meyer Greenbags to help prolong the life of fresh fruit. The containers that I found claim to keep food fresh longer and are easier than the bags to store in the frig.  Some of the containers use a type of silver technology to prevent the growth of bacteria.       There were 2 different styles of containers available and I chose the one...

A Quick Cover for an Unsightly Electrical Panel Box

Why on earth I ever agreed to allow the builder to put the electrical panel box on a very open wall in the basement family room I will never know.  I guess that falls under the “pick your battles” category.  Meanwhile, I am stuck with a very UGLY grey box at the bottom of the stairs. I’m talking a BIG  ugly grey box. It is 40 inches tall!! Solution: get to the nearest flea market as soon as possible. Purchase an old shutter that is big enough to cover this monster. Use any leftover...

A Quick Fix for Leaky Rain Boots

  As the start of a new school year draws closer, it’s time to ready all of our supplies. Every school kid needs a good pair of rain boots, even big school kids!  Unfortunately, a pair of fairly new boots reportedly sprang a leak. I figured that if a leaky bath tub could be fixed, so could a pair of rain boots! So, I proceeded to run a thin bead of bath tub caulk around the seams. The caulk goes on white but dries clear.   It is imperative to let the caulk dry thoroughly....

How To Make Sweet Tea in 5 Minutes

Surprisingly enough, my most requested recipe is for Iced Tea!! That could be because we always have tea when we have company, regardless of the menu. I don't know how many times I've heard "Oh, that tea is so good. Tell me how to make it." So, here goes. Keep in mind, this is not rocket science. It can be adjusted according to your personal taste. Start by getting a 2 quart microwave safe measuring cup. Add 6 tea bags. If you use family size tea bags, use 3.  Add 2...