drapery, squirrel, monkeys and potatoes

Installing new paprika linen window treatments for a client. Framing her great view.

 

 

Pictures can't show how pretty this fabric and hardware is.

 

fabulous rug

 

dining and living areas. just have to laugh at the man chair . new furniture will follow

 

 

this disturbing pillow. just for scale...that is a CHAIR it is sitting on! larger than life

 

Ed's gargoyle. Check out how he has torn up the chair arm with his back claws.

 

Mom sent Karis a birthday gift.

 

 She loved it. A handmade blanket from a friend at St. Catherine's. Good choice , Mom.

 

 

And a little Crash potatoes. Haven't had them in a while. So easy and good. Bake a potato. Smash it with a potato masher or fork. spray with vegetable spray or drizzle with olive oil. Season to taste. Bake at 450 until crispy around edges. Yum. I used garlic powder and a multi seasoning (Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute).

 

 

Get ready for wedding shower news!!

Poor little man

Dupree has had a few seizures. I went with Mary Grace to take him to the vet. Seems the poor little guy has epilepsy. The good new is it is fairly common and very treatable. We took him to Petco afterwards to pick a new toy and treat. Then we stopped by Pizza Shack to pick up some lunch. He got to sit on the patio with us to wait. After that he was exhausted. He obviously got a little extra attention.

 

 

 Calling all antiquers. I'm looking to expand my collection of Harmony House china. I inherited it from my Aunt Dee. This pattern and many others were sold at Sears in the 50's and 60's. The one I have and want more of is Symphony in aqua. It  is perfect for today.

 

The weather would not make you think it is fall, but this will.

 

Boiled peanuts. Ed was boiling a big pot and Candy came over. She said she thought the smell was our catbox. She also says wet peanuts are disgusting...Midwesterners. This is what Ed selected for dinner.

 

Ed took me to the most astounding place. A tool mecca called Harbor Freight. I just had to take a picture and send it to Ryan. He knew exactly where we were.

 

The hammer selection.

 

The axe ? selection.

 

We got a new pump for the fountain.

 

Ok, satisified Lucy???

Pork rinds 0 Pig lunch 3

It's over. The barrel o rinds is gone. I'm not sure who is sadder, Ed or the dogs.

 

 

Mary Grace and Ryan once again hosted after church lunch bunch.

 

Ed helping himself to ribs, potato salad and baked beans. And this is not run of the mill fare. 3 bean bake with bacon. Potato salad with sour cream and bacon. All so good. And all had pig in them.Hey , maybe they could have a career in the restaurant business.

 

She hated this picture but I think it is precious.

 

Mom and I sporting our "tribal " prints.

 

Speaking of tribal, check out the fabulous ikat window treatments I just installed at client's house.

 

Susan is so great with the details. Look at those little pleats.

 

They turned out great.

 

Went to pick Mom up for an appointment and found this happening. She was having a blast making this year's Christmas happies for her St. C's friends.  Hey , you are making a big mess. She used to always tell me (before I made a big mess) , please put down newspaper. She did.

 

This is her hall display. Little racoons.

 

And this evening this happened. Rain! You know it has been a long drought when this is blogworthy.

August

Wow! Book Club was so beautiful Friday. Pam always sets a fabulous table, but this one was really special. Those blues were great.

 

 

And there are always little vignettes here and there.

 

Look at that plate. Ina Garten's shrimp salad, tomato bacon bruschetta and that little green bit in the middle? Some call it Watergate salad, some say pistachio salad. Whatever you call it , it was delicious. It appealed to all of our 1970's palates , like a comforting taste of the  past. It has pistachio pudding , cool whip, pineapple and little marshmallows.

 

view from my place.

 

Was trying to show the pretty colors of the Fiestaware plates but apparently caught Priscilla doing a happy hands performance for us.

 

Great discussion of both Harper Lee's books. Reread To Kill a Mockingbird and then read the newly released Go set a Watchman. Great discussion. We all shared experiences with racial relations from varied and  some very similar places in our past.

 

Dupree is very loved.

 

And he adores Ryan.

Before and after

Look what I paid for gas. Maybe I should not get excited since this is directly related to the stock market loss we experienced the same week.

 

 

My latest kitchen project is wrapping up. She is so happy. Here are before and after.

 

Before

 

And after.

 

We kept the same footprint and granite counters.

 

Got rid of bulky corbels. New wall color, cabinet door fronts, hardware back splash and lighting.

 

Not to mention this ridiculously fabulous floor. It looks like slate but is porcelain tile.

 

A shot of Ed's desk while he is at work. His reply was "that explains the hair all over my keyboard every night".

Spike

Sophie told me earlier today that it has been 3 years ago today that we lost our beloved pug, Spike. I got teary eyed just thinking of him. He had the best personality and we all loved him dearly. I remember that on that day , Paul , who was fairly new to the family posted on his facebook. He said this is a sad day for my family. I knew at that point he was a great addition to our family. He didn't even really like dogs, but he knew how special this one was. Here is a photo tribute to our little man.

He showed up at our door as a stray that Mark had found. We put out lost notices hoping no one would come looking.

He adapted to new pets.

Always looking for a hand out.

He loved his girls

Loved his naps.

Loved a good fire.

Loved a good snuggle.

Adored Ivy. Look how young she is!

We still miss you sweet boy.

Meat story

As I was composing this post I realized it is a story of meat. Starting off with the fillets MG and Ryan gave Ed for his birthday. They buy them whole from their beef purveyer and cut it themselves. I guess butchering is a good skill for a daughter to have. They were so tender and perfect. All I added was a little seasoning. No marinating needed.

 

 

She seems to like it, or at least the finished product.

 

They had the after church crowd over for lunch Sunday. We had gyros, pita mozz, hummus and fries. They made those big flat kind that Keifer's makes in sweet and white. We all loved it.

 

Now to the endless chicken. I promise that this might be the last Sam's story y'all have to hear. One giant rotisserie chicken (have you seen them?) became - dinner one night - chicken salad - Poppy seed chicken - froze the carcass with meat still on it for soup.

 

I made Poppy seed light version for 2. It turned out great.

 

Mix together:

One giant chicken breast

1/2 can healthy request cream of chicken soup

1/3 C reduced fat sour cream

1/2 t poppy seeds

 

Crush:

6 whole wheat ritz

 

Spread on top and spray with canola oil spray

 

Bake at 350 until browned on top.

 

Ok... now for the especially good news.

 

One of our favorite books with one of my favorite actors and director! May need to reread in preparation.