Guess what found a new home?...

For all of our family that reads the blog.....Psych!!! It's not a new dog. Stop worrying, six is enough. There is nothing new here in the holler---hot summer, garden limping along, and dogs doing their doggie thing. I think the picture above is so funny of Scrappy and her "demon eyes."

But, yesterday I went to donate some clothes and found myself looking at the glassware. I don't know how it happened that I began shopping, I think I was transported to my favorite section! I found these two pitcher vases that I fell in love with. I don't need them, but, they're so pretty and it was a shame to leave them on that shelf. Nobody would appreciate them like I do, right? So, $4 later I'm walking out with them.

They'll look great spring flowers in them and until then they can sit on my kitchen windowsill. I rotate my pretty stuff that stays in the china cabinet to window where I stand in the kitchen so I can enjoy them. Life is too short to leave things put away!

I hope you all have a great weekend and blessings to ya from the holler....

Be our guest...

A couple of weeks ago I decided that I wanted some humming bird pictures. So I stood at my window waiting. I must apologize for the quality of these pictures because my windows aren't the cleanest in the county by far. First I saw this little gal waiting her turn I suppose. She just sat there waiting her turn unlike her male counterparts who insist on fighting for a spot at the feeder.

Then, to my surprise and delight, this little bird flew up, sat down and rested a while. I couldn't believe it! I don't know what it is about our front porch that makes birds so comfortable that they think they can lay down and take a nap but I love it. The year before last a blue bird did the same thing. JP suggested then, that I should make some tiny pillows and velcro them to the railing.


Do birds yawn?


So, it was a great treat to get to see so much of God's creation up close. I believe that He knows exactly what delights His children and sends us these blessings to brighten our day and keep in our heart forever. Blessings to you all from the holler...

Where have I been?...

I've been having fun with our granddaughter!!! We had her with us last week and it was a blast. We packed as much fun in every day as we could. She is a fun kid and she was ready for whatever was on tap for the day.

The first day we made Stuffed Pasta Shells. They were so good. We didn't have pancetta so we substituted bacon and it worked fine.


The next day we made chocolate cupcakes with white filling.

Thursday, was great because she got to have her first riding lesson. She did very well. Oh, before we went to the stables we made a stop at the local Sweet Shoppe for jelly beans and an ice cream cone.
Friday was her last day and we made her a message board for her room. She learned to sew and iron.
We had a great time last week and now it's back to business. I hope that you are having a wonderful summer. Blessings from the holler...

Friday catch-up...

I've just got a few things that I've been meaning to show you. Last weekend JP made the BEST beef short ribs I've ever had. He marinated them in grated ginger, garlic, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce for about and hour, then grilled them. They were sooooooo delicious. We had them with a dish called Mofongo. It's made with fried green plantains, lots of garlic, pork cracklins and a little chicken broth. It's just all smushed together in a mortar and pestle, and I love it. It's a Puerto Rican dish that I fell in love with the first time we went to PR.


I've been working on peaches. I made my standard peach jam(below.) This year I tried a recipe from Ball Preserving for honey spiced peaches (I made the half recipe.) I'll let you know how they turned out this winter when I'm stirring some into my oatmeal but it looks like it will become a staple. How can it miss? Honey, cinnamon sticks, and peaches all swimming around together has to be good.

Well, other than those things it's just summer stuff as usual in the holler. We're going to have our first zucchini this weekend and waiting on the tomatoes to ripen. Everyone in the pack is doing well and we are blessed by God far more than we deserve. Have a great weekend, blessings from the holler...

The whole family came to visit...

I was so excited to see Mr. Turkey come to visit with the ladies and their babies. They wouldn't let me get very close and this is as far out as the zoom on my camera would go. Can you see the babies? They saw me and decided to move a little further away from the paparazzi.

Blessings to you and yours from the holler...