A Chill in the Air...

A few days ago my husband and I left for a morning walk.  I donned my typical tank top and workout pants.  Sure enough I was a bit chilly.  I think it was in the low 50's.  Fall is definately in the air....which makes me think about my home.  I love the warm, cozy feeling of coming in with that nip in the air to the smells and sights of Fall in my home.  You know those early evenings when you come inside and smell supper in the oven or crockpot.  I just love Chili and Stews this time of year.  Then when the light begins to dwindle and you light the first candle of the season with those spicy scents.  I love apple and anything with a spice in it.  I just ordered some candles from QVC.   There's another Slatkin show on tonight if you want to see what it's all about. I got the pumpkin ones.  I have the gingerbread house and last year I missed out on the pumpkins.  It's not necessarily something from the 1800's but I think it lends itself to just about any type of home decor.  I love luminaries and the way the light dances on your ceiling.  Speaking of candles I just picked this Farmer's Market up a few weeks ago.  It's so yummy, smells like an orchard to me too.  According to Yankee's website is smells like sweet berries, juicy apples, succulent peaches and warm spices.  Yum!  I couldn't resist this star shade either.  I splurged a little but I used my coupon so it wasn't quite so bad.  I think it might be my new favorite.  Well, for someone obsessed with candles at least for the time being.  LOL!

In anticipation of Fall, I tweaked this area a bit in my entryway.  I took down all my americana letters and cleared my shelf off completely.  Then I added a few crows, my brown insulators and little creamy nutmeg pitcher.  The star jar came from another cabinet.  I think it looks completely different now.  When I'm ready for Fall decorating I just bring out some white pumpkins or a little bittersweet then I'm all done!

I am busy today making plans for Fall decorating.  I think that this probably take me longer than Christmas because I have so many things for Fall.  I don't usually put all my Halloween or Thanksgiving things out right away.  Does anyone else do this?  I don't really have many Halloween specific things but I try to leave them out for about a month or so usually October then I transition into the Thanksgiving.  For some reason I can't stand the Halloween things out much longer than that.   In preparation for this I like to peruse my Fall collections of Country Sampler, older Country Living,  blogs,  and Fall open houses.  I love going through my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks for old favorite recipes and new ones to try.  I feel this helps me get a handle on the season.  I also try to have a fresh approach each year.  I want people to come into my home and see some subtle differences from year to year.  Get my drift??  I know I've said it before but Fall is truly my favorite season for so many reasons.  My wish for all of you is that you can find time to make your house a home and enjoy the fruit of the harvest with your families. 

I'm be joining Amy, Sunnyside for her Wreath Party next week please stop by! 

Have a blessed week ahead,

Carey

Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake

Hello, it's been a crazy start of the week and last week was an adjustment.  We aren't used to getting up quite so early.  My husband and I took full advantage last week and got all our household chores done early.  I worked on lesson plans and course planning. Then he interviewed at the school where I'm teaching and got a job too!  Yeah!!! Praise, God we both have jobs.  They aren't full time though.  He will be teaching two classes in Algebra.  I will be teaching 4 this semester.  I taught only one this summer so this could be quite a change for me.  It's not exactly what he was looking for but I heard that they were looking for someone to teach several math classes and he had the qualifications.   He is still goiing to actively pursue another job while teaching these night classes.

Meanwhile I'm looking forward to my favorite season and some baking! Here's a recipe that my family enjoyed for breakfast last week.  It was so good, fresh blueberries are a must!

Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake

2 Cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk
2 cups blueberries
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 to 2 tsp. hot water

Mix together all ingredients except blueberries, powdered sugar, vanilla and water.  Beat for 30 seconds; carefully fold in berries.  Spread batter into greased 9 x 9 baking pan; sprinkle with Crumb Topping.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes.  Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl;  drizzle over warm cake.  Makes 9 servings.

Crumb topping

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter softened
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together until crumbly.

This recipe is a winner and I hope you will try it, courtesy of the new Gooseberry Patch book, Farmer's Market.   I'm not sure how much I will be posting with my classes this Fall but hang in there with me.  I love seeing your comments.  Don't forget to check out Sunnyside's Fall Wreath Party next week.  I plan on participating too.

Have a wonderful day, count your blessings!
Carey

Confessions of a Sign Addict...

Recently I began looking around my home at the signs, I just can't help but not to pick up one when I'm shopping.  I'm not sure what draws me in...is it the words, the meaning, or style? I think I've always liked print because I like to read and it must be the teacher in me.  

Some I've had for awhile...thinking about painting this one?

This is my newest one, love what it says.

We shouldn't forget the past.  We can learn so much.

Family is so important.

I have a soft spot for these stitching's too.  This one says, "Grow old with me in our home the best is yet to be."

This was a birthday present from my Mother -in- Law. 

She knows just what I like, I love her so much.

Fall is in the air...

Then last but not least one that shows the pride I feel for our Country. 

Do you have a love of signs or some other collections?  I'd love to hear about it.

Have a great day!

Carey

Back to School for my Kids!

Boy are they getting big!!! I can't believe they went back today.   Summer has flown by and they're getting bigger all the time.  They were sure excited.  We met the teachers last night.  They took in all their stuff.  The school looked great, and the hustle and bustle was "in the air".

Notice the all important coordinating outfit, very important of a 5th grade girl!

my tough guy

Look, new backpacks...

Shh...I'm happy to be getting a little quiet time after the bus in the morning again. 

Have a great day!

Carey

Little Glimpses of my Home

Sometimes it's the little areas or things you love the most about your home.  I love my little reading area where I read my bible in the morning, the way the light travels in my kitchen on my table top.  I just love the little hallway nook that I have a table nestled with my sheep things.  I just love my new little coffee sign, I consider myself Queen of Coffee, LOL...not really! I just love flavored coffee creamers.  I'm enjoying french vanilla right now but I can't wait for the fall ones. 

I found this at Hobby Lobby, 1/2 off of signs.

My newest tabletop, I have some old kitchen tools, my grandmother's rolling pin.  The large ball jar and new cake plate (found at Home Goods)  you can change out the ribbon.  Then I got a little rooster at Cracker Barrel 1/2 off.  I finally gave in to the Roosters and chickens.  This is my first one.  I think I'm enjoying them because of my recent farm experience.  I've recently been inspired by some Rooster Blog parties too.   What do you guys think?  Do you love them or hate them?

I'll be back soon, I've been tweaking and have some more pictures and signs to share with you.  My children go back to school tomorrow and they are excited, and I'm ready! Whew...I am looking forward to a little more quiet time. The only problem is mom is going back too!

Have a Blessed Day!

Carey

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Hello Blogging friends!  I thought I would share some more good pie with ya!  I spotted some rhubarb at the store the other day and had just purchased some strawberries too.  I just found this new Gooseberry Patch book called Farmer's Market at Jo Ann's the other day and decided to wait on some fall purchases and use my 40% coupon on this new book.  This pie is very sweet and not for the faint of heart.  I might recommend cutting back some of the sugar next time.  It's good though my son loved it!

This book is perfect for this time of year. I have an endless supply of zucchini to use up and my tomatoes are starting to come on.  The corn didn't do very well but we have a handful.  My husband and I picked all the beets and pickled them.  Then we picked all the cucumbers and made a batch of dill pickles and a batch of bread n butter pickles.  Tis' great joy to see all that sitting on my shelves in my basement pantry!

To start with you need to slice up your berries and rhubarb and let them stand to the juices can thicken

Meanwhile roll out your pie crust

( and yes you should have spotted my grandmother's rolling pin in the background)

Place your crust in pie plate and chill for about 10 min. and make your topping

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

5 cups strawberries sliced

2 stalks rhubarb sliced

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 Tbsp. butter divided

Sift dry ingredients together and mix with berries and rhubarb.  Let stand for 10 minutes.  Then roll out crust and let chill in fridge.  Meanwhile make the crumb topping.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

3 Tbsp. flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. butter

Mix well and cut in butter until in makes fine crumbs.

Add your berry mixture to crust and dot with 1/2 tbsp. of butter.  Poor crumb topping over crust.  Bake for 50-60 minutes until top is golden brown and juices are bubbly.  Enjoy!

Have a great day!

Carey

More Bed and Breakfast Photos

Here is what we woke up to in the morning....

We got fresh fruit everyday.  One morning we had watermelon from her garden.  The day I took the pictures we ate sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs and pancakes (choc. chip, blueberry).  We were stuffed to say the least.

This is her collection of teapots, from her daughters.

Love the sign for pie!

The owner leaves puzzles out on this table and when someone finishes them she puts them on the wall.

The owner has a very electic style and bought everything 2nd hand.  She also was careful to make the bed and breakfast as green as possible using recycled products in building.  Each room had a theme.  Some of the doors were actually old ones bought at auction or flea markets. 

Country Girl at Heart Bed and Breakfast

I'll be back soon with more recipes!

Have a great day!

Carey

Birthday Celebration!

Last Saturday was my birthday too.  This was yet another reason my hubby planned this little get away weekend for us.  I hope I'm not overloading you with too many pictures.  We just had such a good time.

Well, you know this gal loves some homemade pie so that's what I wanted for my birthday, no cake for me!
He took me to a town called Glendale, KY where we went antique and prim shopping.  While we were there we stopped at the Whistlestop Cafe and had lunch.  My husband ordered the Chicken Fried Steak and I had a Salad (saving room for pie) then I picked the coconut cream pie for dessert.  It was delicious!!! My family doesn't like coconut so I never get to make this one.

I loved the little lights at the table.  The sign was a recipe for homemade peach pie.  It was very crowded so I didn't get a lot of pictures but it was decorated with lots of old railroad themed memoriabelia.

a lil' log cabin edition

house on main street

Isn't it charming?

This was my favorite store, GreenTop.  It was filled with antiques and primitive booths.

My hubby bought me a redware crow plate.

The front of the store was all decked out with crows and summer.  This old time window frame with the crow and sign was so cute but at $49 I had to pass.  Inside they had some fall in the corner and upstairs, I could have done some real damage but I'm trying to stick to our budget.

This train was made completely out of wood down to the wheels.  I had to take a picture for my son and his grandpa, who loves to build.

Thanks for sharing my day with me, have a great weekend!

Carey

Down on the Farm

Oh blogging friends after my weekend trip I must say I yearn for a little white farmhouse and a little bit of land.  I know we bought our first home last year and I do feel very blessed but I would trade it all for a little slice of farm heaven.  I got to gather eggs from the chickens and do farm chores with the owner.  My husband even wrangled some chickens that got away from their flock.  We also got to pet the kid goats.  They were too funny.  We took a walk and got a personal tour from the barn cats. 

He ruled the barnyard.

This used to be an Amish farm before it was converted into a bed and breakfast.

The back 40 or 140

This hen wondered what in the heck these suburban folks were doing out here on the farm.

This was one of the momma goats. 

Here I am counting eggs, something the owner does everyday.  She sells them to local places and a chef at a nearby restaurant is interested in getting more than 300 a week, Wow!  She was trying to determine how many chickens she would need for that.  I just want a few maybe 3 or so then I can have fresh eggs.

I love the little black speckled ones and the buff colored ones.  They're soft too. 

My husband the chicken wrangler!

This is one of the little "kid" boy goats.  He just lost his little brother to clover bloat.  Down on the farm every day is life or death so to speak.

The cats and the ducks were the first to greet us.

He was my favorite, aww...isn't he the cutest little duck.  I wanted to bring him home with me but my husband was sure it would make our dog jealous.

Here's a link to the bed and breakfast Country Girl at Heart if you're in that neck of the woods sometime.  We highly recommend it and Darlene, the owner, made us feel so welcome.  We had a fantastic time.

Carey