Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Going on Vacation

Thank you so much for your comments about our Moon flowers! They are an annual, although by the sounds of it, they reseed themselves very well. If I get Moon flowers in the veggie garden next year, I may not think they are so romantic. ;0)

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So, the kids and I are going on vacation. First, we are going to spend a week at my parent's house on the east coast, then drive 8 hours up to Canada for a visit, then back to my parents house for a few more days. We'll be gone until October 27! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again, it's been three years since our last trip. I'm also excited about the cooler weather and beautiful fall colors that I'm sure we'll see. I bought a new sweater for the occasion and I had better be able to wear it!
House

We have borrowed suitcases from various family members.
Suitcases

Of course, I had to do laundry before packing!
Laundry

Piles of warm pants and sweaters.
Clothes

Gifts and outgrown winter clothes for the nephews and nieces. My sister just had a new baby a few weeks ago and I've never met my other niece Keira, so I can't wait to see them!
Gifts

Our kitty, Fern has decided to boycott our trip. She thinks if we can't get to the sink to brush our teeth, wash our face, etc. we'll call everything off. ;0)
Fern

I'm not taking my laptop on the trip. Are those *gasps* I hear?! I do have a few Autumn decorating posts saved up and "Show and Tell Friday" will continue while I'm gone! I will be posting Mr. Linky an hour earlier tomorrow night though. We have to get up at very early tomorrow morning to catch our flight, so I won't be able to stay up until Midnight Eastern time. It will be posted at 11:00pm Eastern time.

I'm off to bed, so I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed at 3:45am. Have a mentioned I'm not a morning person?

Bye for now!

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Apple Fritters

Hello everyone! I made a fun Autumn snack yesterday: Apple Fritters. I found the recipe from Amy, who has one of my favorite blogs, Simple Folk. She got the recipe from Tina at Garden Goose, who was sweet enough to give me permission to share the recipe with you! Thank you, Tina!

Batter

I used "Honeycrunch" apples.
Apple

Apple Fritters


2 cups self rising flour
3 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs well beaten

1 cup milk

2 cups tart apples, chopped


Sift together dry ingredients. Gradually add beaten eggs and milk combined. Refrigerate batter for about 2 hours. Stir in the apples. Drop by tablespoon into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Roll in powdered sugar or a sugar/cinnamon combination.


I haven't fried anything in at least 8 years so I was a little nervous. I'm happy to report that I didn't burn my house down. ;0) The fritters fried up very quickly and easily and they weren't greasy at all.

I cooked the fritters on medium heat.
Cooking

Then rolled them in cinnamon sugar.
Fritters

Help yourself!
Fritters

If you have any leftovers and want them to stay crispy on the outside, don't cover them.
Platter

Let me know if you try them!

Moon Flowers

Today I would like to show you some recent visitors to our garden. Grace planted some Moon Flowers along our fence and they finally showed their pretty faces!

This delightful vine, also known as the Evening Glory, grows rapidly and covers itself with huge six inch creamy-white flowers.
Flower

When most flowers are going to sleep for the night, the Moon Flower is just waking up.
Flower

They begin to swirl open in late afternoon and last only until morning's light.
Flower

As if the Moon Flower is not enchanting enough, these white trumpets glow in the moonlight all night long.
Moon

Filling the warm night with a sweet fragrance.
Flowers

Perfect for those romantic midnight strolls. :0)
Flower

Thursday, October 04, 2007

"Show and Tell Friday!"



Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item.

Today I would like to show you my hankie collection. I started it a few years ago when my mom found several of them at a yardsale and gave them to me. I keep them on my nightstand, on top of a few stackable boxes.
Nightstand

The lady that my mom bought them from would pick up a new one whenever she went traveling. The bottom left one says "Bermuda."
Hankies

"Frae Scotland"
Hankies

My friend Gwen gave me this yellow rose hankie (Hi Gwen!), and my friend Susan gave me the white and yellow one. They both know yellow is my favorite color. :0)
Hankies

I love the delicate blue lace along the edges of this one.
Hankie

My Nana gave me these two. Pink and yellow roses.
Hanke

Lastly, my only round hankie. I found it a few months ago at a yardsale.
Hankie

More lace...
Lace

Thank you for looking at my show and tell!!


Show and Tell Guidelines

What is Show and Tell Friday?
Show and Tell involves showing something to an audience, and then telling them about it. Your show and tell must be something that you own, and is in your home or garden.

What items work well for Show and Tell Friday?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Childhood keepsakes
-Family heirlooms
-A collection you may have
-A piece of jewelry
-A special gift
-A favorite treasure
-Gardening pictures


What doesn't work well for Show and Tell Friday?
-Posts with no photos have no "Show." Please don't use them.
-Photos of events (trips, vacations, celebrations, etc.)
-Photos of things you are selling or planning to sell.
-Photos found on the internet, graphics or screenshots. Please use photos you take yourself.

There is no place like home is the original home of Show and Tell Friday. Please do not host your own.

Please do not feel that you have to participate every Friday.

How can I participate?
Once you've got your photo(s) and your story, it's easy as 1-2-3!

1 - Publish your "Show and Tell" on your blog, including a link back to There is No place like Home. If you don’t know the link code, email me and I will send it to you.

2 - Copy the link (or "permalink") from your post.

3 - Add it to Mr. Linky, along with your first name. I usually put Mr. Linky up on Friday at 12:00am Eastern time.

That's it! After that, you can start visiting all the other Show and Tell participants!


Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread

This afternoon I was in the mood to bake, so I made some quick Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread. The recipe makes two large loaves. I ended up with a medium loaf and four mini loaves. Two of the mini loaves went into the freezer for a snack later on.
Bread

There are quick oats in the bread which technically makes it healthy. :0)
Bread

Bread

If you have never tried pumpkin and butterscotch together you should give it a try!
Bread

Our neighbor had a baby this past Sunday, so I saved the medium loaf for her and her family.
Bread

I cut out a square of fabric with pinking shears, placed the loaf (which I wrapped in saran wrap) in the center of the fabric and gathered up the corners and edges.
Bread

I secured the bundle with a ribbon bow and I also added a "Congratulations" gift tag.
Bread

Here is the recipe if you would like to make some too!

Pumpkin Butterscotch Bread

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3 eggs
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two 9x5 loaf pans. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices together. In separate mixing bowl, beat together eggs, pumpkin, sugars, oil, and milk. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend well. Stir in butterscotch chips. Fill prepared loaf pans and bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on size of pan. Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

I hope you all are having a great week!