HONORING OLD GLORY!

I love holidays. . .Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving. . .all of them.  However, my most favorite is the Fourth of July!

It wasn't always my favorite.  In fact, until recently, I took "it" and all "it" stands for, for granted. 

I grew up never worrying about the freedoms guaranteed to me and every other citizen of this great land.  Freedoms carefully constructed by our forefathers so many years ago.

Lately, however, I have begun to see the foundations of those freedoms beginning to crumble.  I have begun to wonder just how long, we as a nation, will continue to be truly free? Free to worship as we choose; free to choose how and by whom we are governed; free to own firearms; free to speak out against wrong; free to pledge allegiance to our nation's flag; free to fly it over our homes and businesses; free to speak the truth from God's Holy Word.

Because I see the potential for losing these freedoms, they are becoming more precious to me, more worthy of celebration.

This Fourth of July, I will proudly fly "Old Glory".  I will decorate with red, white, and blue.  I will listen joyfully to patriotic music.  I will rejoice in my freedom and I will. . .remember. . .I will remember those who gave their lives to ensure it. . .and I will pray.   I will pray that our nation will turn from it's wickedness, so that God can continue to bless us as He has in the past.  I will pray that my grandchildren and their grandchildren will grow up in a nation where they are safe and secure, where they are free to worship as they please. . . where they can continue to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in it's entirety. . ."one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Thanks for stopping by.

                                  ~Norma Jean~


 

OH MY! SOUTHERN SAWDUST PIE!

Recently I had the privilege of visiting a charming little village in Kentucky called Grand Rivers.  It's right in the middle of a water-recreational-playground called Land Between the Lakes.  In the center of the village is a wonderful and well-known restaurant called Patti's 1800's Settlement.  Patti's is famous for their delicious 2" thick pork chop (and I can personally attest to the fact that it is mouth-watering G-O-O-D)!

However, pork chops are not all Patti's is famous for.  Their desserts are incredible!  They have graciously published one of their recipes, an old southern favorite called "Sawdust Pie", in their brochure.

This recipe, featuring ingredients like pecans, toasted coconut, and graham cracker crumbs;  served warm with sliced bananas and whipped cream, is a treat for your taste buds!  And did I mention how easy it is to make?  You simply mix all the ingredients together, pour into a pie crust and bake.  I usually bake mine during dinner, so that by the time we are ready for dessert, it's still warm and ready to enjoy!

Below is the recipe as printed in Patti's brochure:

7 egg whites, unbeaten
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 1/2 cups coconut
Mix all ingredients together and stir by hand.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake in preheated 325 degree oven until glossy and set (about 25-30 minutes).
DO NOT OVER BAKE!  Serve warm with sliced bananas and whipped cream.  Serves 8

Although I was born in the south and now live in the south. . .I was raised in Southern California, so many of the recipes that have been around this area for generations, are brand new to me.  My southern friends often roll their eyes as I extol the virtues of my "new" culinary discoveries (as if to say, "Here she goes again!")

I hope you will try making Patti's Sawdust Pie.  You too, will be singing it's praises!  Better yet, if you're in the area, make a point of planning a visit to Patti's 1800's Settlement to enjoy a slice there.  Just tell them ~Norma Jean~ sent you!

Thanks for stopping by!                              

HOLIDAY WREATHS AND PANCAKES!

 

People often wonder where creative people get  their ideas.  Some of them come from stealing seeing something someone else has done, but creative inspiration can come from anything, even pancakes! 

A few weeks ago, we were enjoying breakfast at a local restaurant with our seven-year-old granddaughter.  She ordered her favorite breakfast of pancakes and bacon.  When the pancakes were served, the waitress placed three miniature syrup bottles beside her plate. 
 

After she emptied the first one, I noticed that the bottle had a pretty pattern pressed into the glass.  Immediately, an idea began to form. . .with the caps and labels removed, wouldn't those little bottles make cute miniature vases? Wait!  Not just vases. . .but. . .vases secured to a wreath. .  . holding small single stems of flowers!

Thus, a creative idea was born.  The idea called for a few more visits to the restaurant and several more orders of pancakes, in order to acquire the number of bottles needed to complete the project!  

With the exception of a grapevine wreath, all the remaining supplies required, were in my well-stocked craft cabinets!

To make a wreath YOU will need:
           1.  7-10 small bottles
           2.  A grapevine wreath 
           3.  Wire
           4.  Wire cutters
           5.  Artificial greenery (2 or more varieties) 
           6.  Ribbon or other decorative items 
           7.  Fresh flowers
           8.  A glue gun (optional, but helpful) 

Step 1: Position greenery around the wreath, leaving some areas of the wreath exposed.  Once you are pleased with the results, secure the greenery with wire or hot glue.  (Note: using more than one variety of greenery gives a more interesting appearance).  

Step 2:   Hot glue each bottle to the wreath in an upright position (so that it will hold water). This is where a glue gun may be helpful to insure that the bottle remains in an upright position.

Space bottles evenly around the wreath. The number you use will depend on how large your wreath is and how close together you want your bottles. I like working with odd numbers, 3, 5, 7 etc.



Step 3.  At this point you may want to add a bow or other decorative items to the wreath.  If you hide a sticky-backed circle of Velcro in the greenery, you will be able to change the ribbon for different holidays, by  attaching an opposing circle of Velcro onto different bows. . .just a thought!

Step 4:  Hang the wreath where it will be displayed.
 

Step 5:  Using a small funnel, fill each bottle with water.  Since the bottles are small, you may have to add more water to them on a daily basis.

Step 6: You are now ready to add fresh flowers to your creation!
 

Wouldn't a fresh flower wreath make a cute and welcoming baby or wedding shower decoration?   Or Valentine's with a few heart pics here and there. . .or. . .Christmas. . .or. . . Birthday. . .you get the idea.  The ribbon is easily replaced because of the Velcro attachments, and the decorations on the bottles remove easily because they are hot-glued onto glass.  I filled my bottles with white petunias from my garden because they were handy, but any single bloom would look beautiful.

And now you know. . .how a simple pancake breakfast became the inspiration for a decorative door wreath!  If you decide to make one, let me know how it turned out, okay?

Thanks for stopping by!

                                    ~Norma Jean~

LIFE BEFORE PINTEREST. . .

It's that time of year again. . .you know. . .when weeds threaten to overtake the world.

We have a large courtyard covered in stone.  Unfortunately, the stones were laid without mortar or cement.  I was hoping that over time, moss would grow between them, giving the stones an "old world, been there forever" appearance.  However, the only thing I have been able to grow (and grow in abundance!) is more weeds!  BIG weeds, little weeds, pretty weeds, ugly weeds. . . so many weeds. 



Initially, I would pull the weeds from between each and
every stone.  It involved several days of back-breaking work, aching muscles and cramped fingers.  Sadly, before I could claim victory, I would discover that the menacing little devils were growing back!

Then one day, I discovered Pinterest!  Pinterest has hundreds of ways to rid your yard of weeds.  I tried a few, but they didn't work very well.  Until. . .I discovered the answer to all my weed woes.  It was a simple formula that could be made in the average kitchen, by anyone. . .and the most amazing thing. . .it actually worked.  It killed those little weeds dead!
 

In the photos you see half of the courtyard a week after it had been sprayed with the magic formula, and the other half of the courtyard in it's natural un-sprayed state!

This magical Pinterest formula won't harm you. . .or your children
 . . .or your pets. . .but. . .the death bell will toll for all those nasty little weeds.

You will need:  1 gallon of cider vinegar
                            1/2 cup of table salt
                            1 T. of Dawn dish washing detergent

Mix well, pour into a spray bottle and SPRAY, SPRAY, SPRAY!  If you choose a warm, sunny day to try this, you will see the weeds withering and dying within a couple of hours.  I would avoid watering the area for a day or two so that none of the magic potion washes away.  I would also use caution around plants that you don't want to wither and die!

"L.B.P." (Life Before Pinterest) was so-o-o-o-o hard, wasn't it?

Thanks for stopping by!

                                                        ~Norma Jean~

JUST FOR FUN. . .

For the next ten days I will be entertaining house guests.  Since I  want to spend as much time with them as possible, but also squeeze in a visit or two with you, I decided to keep this post short and sweet.

Last week I purchased a couple of wooden Birdcage cutouts from Michael's craft store ($3.99 each) and had my 7 year old granddaughter paint them for me. 

We used black chalkboard paint because it was handy, and because as silhouettes, we thought they would add a touch of whimsy to our front porch. 

Didn't she do a great job and don't they look sweet?      Thank you, Katie!

I've had this antique, child's ice cream set for years.  Last year I used it in the garden "as is."   However, this year I decided to give it a little pizazz and protect it from the elements, by painting it.  I used a couple of cans of Krylon spray paint.  It only took a few minutes to sand and paint and about an hour to dry!  I love the color, but now I have to search out the perfect spot for it in the garden.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

                                      ~Norma Jean~


 

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED. . . 

Do you ever wish you could just wiggle your nose like Samantha did in the old TV show Bewitched , and whatever you wanted would happen instantly?  I have found myself wishing that a lot this week.  Especially, as I have attempted to finish all my garden projects, in preparation for enjoying the outdoors this summer.

Unfortunately,  I was not born with a nose-twitching gene.  I have to do everything the old-fashioned way, one project at a time and sadly,
on occasion. . .one failure at a time.

 

Recently, I purchased an old shutter and a set of bi-fold doors from a thrift shop.  I had planned to fasten them together into a privacy screen for the end of the patio.  Great idea, right?  Wrong!  I soon realized that the bi-fold doors were too tall to fit the space where I wanted to use them, and that since we get gusty winds with every summer storm that passes our way, they would never stay upright.  Instead, I decided to install a pair of 4x4 posts in the ground (at the edge of the patio) and screw only the just-right-size shutters onto them, making the shutters impervious to the whims of the wind.  That took care of the privacy issue.


But. . .what was I to do with the too tall bi-fold doors?  After surveying the patio, I had a light-bulb moment!

 I would stand them up against the brick wall of the garage as a focal point.  With the addition of my herb-garden urn, some unused picture frames and a couple of chairs, they would create a cozy and unexpected vignette on what had been a plain, and rather dull brick wall!




Don't you just love it when a failed
idea. . . 








turns into something even better than you imagined?  

Who needs a nose-twitching gene anyway?










Thanks for stopping by!


                                   ~Norma Jean~

 

A TIP TO MAKE YOUR STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES SHINE LIKE NEW!

 

 

Do you remember the day you fell in love. . .with that beautiful, shiny, French Door fridge in the showroom?  The way it gleamed at you.  The way it made your heart do little flip-flops?  The way you lusted after it (yes, admit it, there was lust involved).  You could just see it in your kitchen.  You had to have it! 

Now that it's yours, do you find keeping it showroom shiny to be a chore?  Well, fret no more...I have a tip that will make you fall in love all over again.  Shh. . . don't tell, but I got this information from a Maytag repairman. . .Shh. . .

Step 1:  Wipe the surfaces of the appliance down with household 
              ammonia, wiping in the direction of the 
              grain of the metal.  (On most refrigerators that's
              horizontally).  This will remove those ugly
              smudges, smears, and fingerprints. 

Step 2.  Wipe surfaces again, with a soft rag, saturated with baby
              oil (that's right baby oil!).

Step 3:   Wipe the baby oil off with a clean, soft rag and VIOLA!
               Your refrigerator will now gleam, glimmer and shine
               in all it's former glory!

Really, you need to try this.  It only takes about five minutes.  Gather your supplies and give it a try.  I promise, you will be very happy you did. 

Behold, my nine-year-old refrigerator shining proudly in my kitchen!

 

 

 

I am definitely in love again!  Hope you will be too!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

~NORMA JEAN~

SPRING GARDEN REVEAL!

The Playhouse

The garden is finally coming to life after a long, cold, gray Tennessee winter.  It's so amazing to watch!  Having spent almost my entire life in Southern California, where flowers are always in bloom, I never truly appreciated springtime.  I just took all that unending beauty for granted.  Now, I really see the newness of spring, the re-awakening of the trees and flowers.  I notice the call of the birds as they flit about nest-building and something in me awakens too.  I have a desire to get outside and dig in the fertile soil, feel the warmth of the sun on my face, plant, watch, listen, and breathe-in the fragrance of the sweet, clean air.
 

This winter I have been working on a few new additions for my back garden.  The first is an old armchair I picked up in an antique store for $10.00.  The manager of the store told me that she didn't think anyone would pay good money for that old, broken-down chair.  In fact she suggested that it be thrown in the rubbish bin.  However, the owner of the chair assured her that someone, would see it's "po-ten-tial" and be willing to part with their hard-earned dollars.  And sure enough, there I was, money in hand!   I have to admit that the chair was trashed.  The cane in the back of the chair was badly torn, the top of the chair was broken and hanging by a thread, the rush seat was destroyed and something had obviously been gnawing on one of the legs.  But. . .in that ugly little chair I saw potential!!  I saw beyond it's broken top, torn cane, useless seat, and gnawed leg.  I saw a lovely, purple throne, filled with flowers, bringing beauty and grace to my garden.  I saw it sitting proudly in a spot currently occupied by a very large, very ugly, very dead shrub!

In another part of the yard I'm growing a bottle tree!   Truly. . .I am!!  Not the horticultural kind, but rather one with jewel-toned, cobalt-blue bottles as branches.  I planted a fast-growing vine which will hopefully, twine itself around the "branches" and make a lovely color contrast.  I can see it already: shiny green leaves, cobalt blue glass, gorgeous yellow blossoms, all lifting their faces to the sun.  By summer's end, you'll see it too.

Over in the rose garden I have "planted" a floral toolbox on a pink, painted post, to keep my garden gloves and pruners clean and handy.

And. . .a new cobalt blue gazing ball adds a bit of pizazz to the concrete birdbath.

It was a long wait, but so worth it!  I love my little garden.  Stay tuned for the patio makeover currently in progress.

In the meantime...get outside...get those hands dirty...enjoy spring...'cause you won't see it again 'til next year!

Thanks for stopping by!
                                          ~Norma Jean~

REMEMBERING HELOISE. . . .

Do you remember Heloise?  Oh, you don't?  Well. . .when I was  young and newly-married, her book was the resident authority on homemaking.  I didn't have the Internet with instant access to vital information.  If I wanted to know the best way to clean my oven, I consulted Heloise's book.  If I wanted to know how to keep ants out of my kitchen...I consulted Heloise.  Heloise was the new housewife's best friend (that's what we were called waaaay back then).

I still have my copy of that little book.  The pages are falling out, and the cover is tattered and stained, but I rarely consult Heloise anymore.  Not because I already know it all, but because today I have the Internet...and blogs...and Pinterest, and video tutorials! 

I can find instructions for everything on the Internet!  Yeah! Everything! Instructions on how to furnish my house with furniture made from discarded wooden pallets and raising kids and cooking gourmet meals and cleaning ovens and even keeping ants out of my kitchen!  All of that with pictures!

Not just ordinary pictures. Gorgeous, full color, professional-looking pictures.  Pictures that make me drool over strawberry pies and puffy souffles, pictures that
. . .almost. . .make me believe that I could actually demolish and remodel my own bathroom all-by-myself!

I love searching Pinterest,
reading the blogs of those accomplished superwomen,
drooling over the gorgeous photos...
but...sometimes. . .
just sometimes. . .
I long for the "good old days". . .
when all I had to compete with was Heloise and her little book of housekeeping hints.

Thanks for stopping by!

                                                    ~Norma Jean~

BLOGGING 101. . .

This blogging thing. . .you know. . .it's not easy.  I had no idea how much was involved and what a commitment I was making for myself.  Right now I have a post about Springtime all ready to go, with some great projects. . . BUT. . .the projects I want to show you are not ready yet, because of inclement weather!  No.  Really!  It has rained every Saturday for the last two weeks.  My projects involve digging holes and pouring concrete.  Unfortunately, my primary hole digger/concrete pour- er  (who happens to only be available on weekends) refuses to dig and pour in the rain! Humph!  Can you just imagine that?  Dependable help is so-o-o-o hard to find these days.

Since I can't show you the completed projects, I thought I would give you a little sneak peek.  Are you ready?  Here goes:



Cobalt blue bottles. . . 



A little blossom bling. . .



An old rusted child's ice cream set. . .



Something purple this way comes. . .



Can you guess what?

Here's hoping you will check back in a few days to see the finished projects in all their pristine glory (well. . . at least in their appointed places)!

Thanks for stopping by. . .

                                                                              ~ Norma Jean~

 

SOUTHERN PORCHES

 

Don't you just love old-fashioned southern porches?

 You know, the kind that are filled with Victorian wicker, flowers, ceiling fans and a big, round table large enough to feed eight farmhands?  I often daydream of relaxing on one like that. . . sipping lemonade. . . enveloped in the fragrance of lilacs. . .the soft summer breeze drifting over me. . .

Well, there are day dreams and there is R-E-A-L-I-T-Y!  I have a southern porch alright.  It runs the entire length of the house, but. . .it's very narrow.  You couldn't seat eight farm hands around a table on my porch, even if you used a shoehorn!

 

So. . . my challenge was to make it inviting and usable, without lining up chairs along the front like a row of tin soldiers on parade.  Hmmm, what if I used a couple of rockers and a clever little table on one side and made a romantic dining spot for two (notice two, not eight!) on the opposite side?

Not wanting this to be an expensive proposition, I decided to see what I already owned that I could use.  I went "shopping" in my storage shed and back yard.  In the storage shed I found a child-sized, wooden ironing board that I re purposed for a side table.  I placed my twenty-plus-year-old Cracker Barrel rockers on one end of the porch, with the newly painted ironing board between them.  A cute lamp, a couple of ceramic coasters (stolen from the sitting room) and a large print purchased from Goodwill ($9.99).

 









Now, for that romantic table for two. . .

I brought my metal bistro table and two chairs (World Market) from the courtyard and placed them on the opposite end of the porch.  I also had a white, plastic, free-standing shelf that had not found a home yet ($5 from the ReStore).  I added that to the end of the porch to use as a buffet server/plant stand.  A couple of Kroger bargain-barrel prints on the wall ($6.00 each), a few plants, a candle or two. . and VIOLA!  A romantic dining spot for two (notice two, not eight!).

Pretty tassels borrowed from a bedroom
armoire. . .

A few flowers. . .

Well, What do you think?  Did I accomplish my goal?  Is it inviting, usable?

Whew!  After all that activity I'm bushed.  I think I'll go make some lemonade and spend the rest of the afternoon daydreaming on my southern porch!


Oh, if it's not too much trouble, could someone
plant a few lilacs for me?

Thanks for stoppping by!

                                                               ~Norma Jean~