Library Love

What do you do when it's a little too warm outside and you have the afternoon to yourself? You tweak a room, in this case, it's my library. I love my library, always wanted one and now it's new and improved and much brighter for the summer months. I love to tweak and rearrange a room, change is good.

Hubby went fishing, a well deserved outing since he's been busy building planting boxes for me, and I do enjoy the time to myself, to putter and play outside. I'm mulching this evening, almost got it done. I love to mulch, the beds look so neat and formal, not to mention happy and less work for me this summer. May is coming to a end, and I have big plans for June, so stay tuned! Enjoy your weekend, I'm off to mulch my heart out!

Walton Ways

I love the Walton's, have probably watched every show and was hooked from the start with the movie that inspired the series. My favorite was John Boy, as I too was hoping to become a famous writer someday, still hoping! Funny how they made the Great Depression seem do-able, and here we are in a depression that has been compared to the one of Walton's fame. We could learn alot from the Walton's, and I did.

This depression of ours hasn't really effected us, we are empty nesters but raising 5 kids together taught me to be thrifty, cleaver and budget minded to say the least. The only difference between then and now is we have a little extra money to treat ourselves to a meal out more often but we still live week to week. Depressing maybe, but I'm thankful each week to be able to pay the bills and keep up the home we love. I still cook using staples that stretch, grow gardens to can and shop wisely. It's just a way of life for us and probably won't change unless we win the lottery and that's ok. We are united and that is money in the bank!

There are many ways to combat this recession, depression cooking links provide tons of hearty recipes that can feed a family cheaply. Salvage stores are stocked with bargains galore. Dollar stores are more popular than ever, where many staples are only a buck! Thrift store shopping is the new rage. I guess the depression can take credit for something great, people are re-thinking how and where they spend their money.

Today, they tell us it's almost over and should be by 2010, will we learn a valuable lesson from it? The end probably won't affect us either, it's just a way of life now and I'm proud to live of Walton ways!

Passion for Purples

Gardening season is in full swing now, no looking back! We managed to get the raised beds filled and planted, finally! Were a little late for some things, but we plan to plant them in fall beds to have for winter. And I'm happy to report that I got my herb bed in, now I feel complete. I miss my old one so much, it was big, full of hard to find herbs, most sent from friends on Garden Web so those will have to wait to be replaced. But I planted the ones we use most often like for salsa and such. I was thrilled to find some pineapple sage at Walmart, I love that stuff! The red flowers attract bees, butterfly's and hummers and the smell is just heavenly! I plan to use it mostly for some pineapple jam this fall.

One of my local greenhouses was a having a 3 day sale, everything was half off so you know I had to buy something, I was there 2 days out of the three. I'm attracted to purple flowers the most, I just love purple passion flowers too, this one is from my old place, seeds my Dad sent me from California. I miss this vine the most. But thankfully there are alot of purple flowers to choose from, some you look at in awe and wonder how can anyone not believe in God? What's your passion flower?

Today is the last day for any chance of rain and we've had rain most everyday for a week. With this 20% comes humid weather, too humid for May so were back on the roller coaster ride called Mother Nature, will it ever be normal again? I wish you all a good gardening season, full of purples, blues, reds and yellow happy flowers! Rejoice in the passion!

Memorial Day

Some gave all, all gave some...........Billy Ray Cyrus sums it up so fine in his song that he wrote for all the troops who gave their life for our freedom, bless them all! I thank you for your service!

I Have a Winner!

You know, your all winners to me but only one name could be pulled from the hat and that name is........Mandy from "A Mayberry State of Mind", a delightful blog to say the least, it quickly became a favorite and this photo from her blog is just one reason why! I'd love to roam that hillside and pick flowers, sheer delight! Congrats Mandy!! Just send me your mailing info so I can pop your goodies in the mail! Thank you all for following and entering, a big old hug to each of you, cyber style!

It's warming up here just in time for Memorial Day weekend, got any plans? We're working in the garden, getting the raised beds filled and planted. I'm creating a herb bed, sure do miss my old one, it was huge with hard to find plants, but this one will do till I can enlarge it. Flower beds will hopefully get mulched too and then were off for some fun geocaching, providing the rain in the forecast will hold off? It's still enjoyable weather, near 80 each day with a nice breeze. One of my favorite greenhouses is having a half off sale today and tomorrow, so I had to go, came home with more flowers and herbs. I can't resist a plant! Enjoy your long weekend, I will be!

Men!!

Bloggers, this is the reason I'm going grey! I used to blame the kids, but since they all have grown and gone, hubby is top dog! I was so nervous here, not sure why I ran and got the camera, evidence maybe? He wanted to hang the swing in time for a family birthday gathering and wouldn't wait for the boys to help. Why must men try to do it all alone? I still can't believe he put the latter in the back of his truck and climbed up, he did get the swing hung and the kids enjoyed it, but still? Men!

We've been having the most perfect weather here since Saturday and it's suppose to continue all week, perfect meaning the windows can stay open, no heat or a/c and there is a nip in the air in the mornings, making coffee time even better! I've got the blue jays spoiled on peanuts, I place a few on the deck railing in the morning and in just minutes they are all gone. The blue jays swoop down, squawk for more and now it's become a morning ritual. I enjoy it as much as they do and I hope to catch one on camera. My dad who lived in California used to feed them too, out of his hand. I don't know if I'll get that brave but the love of birds has been passed down.

Just a reminder, you have till Friday to get signed for my followers giveaway, scroll down to that post and leave a comment, the odds are good with only 19 signing in so far. It's been a busy time here, work has picked up, my back is feeling alot better (thanks to all for the well wishes) and I'm trying to catch up outside in the yard and gardens. Life is good, treasure each day!

Ramblings & Roses

After much rain the wild roses are in full bloom, rambling over fences here at Hilltop Haven. We've almost been here a year next month, always finding new treasures. White iris, rambling roses and wild flowers, native and neat. I thought I'd use this post to catch up, ramble a bit. I finally got DSL yesterday, it's amazing and I'm spoiled already. It was feared at first that the trees were too thick to get the signal, and I wasn't about to forsake the trees for speed but they came back out yesterday after installing another antenna and got me hooked up! I can now visit you all in style!

Back to all the rain and yes severe storms too, one after another marking another record wet spring. Our raised beds are still sitting empty, the truck load of topsoil has not had a chance to dry out so we can shovel it into the beds. I did mange to get some flowers planted after weeding old beds in front of the house. And I've planted a small rose garden in honor of my Dad who loved roses and passed that love onto me! Then I did a stupid thing and tried to lift some wet bags of soil, and I wrenched my back pretty good. No more gung-ho gardening for me!

Don't forget to get signed up for my followers giveaway, if you are a faithful fan and are on my list to the right, just leave a comment to say hi and your in! The deadline is a week away, May 22. Well, I'm off, we woke up to no hot water so I need to call the gas company so they can check it out, at least I'm not in hot water, just out of it! lol Enjoy this May weekend and all the ramblings you can handle!

Cupcake Challenge

May's cupcake challenge is simple and sweet and oh so cute, perfect for a May birthday! A white cake mix and vanilla cream frosting makes a yummy canvas for these flower cuppies made from marshmallows. Bake your cupcakes as directed, frost. Cut marshmallows in slices to form petals of a flower, sprinkle with sprinkles of your choice and there you have a bouquet of sweet flowers to treat your guests into thinking you are a master with a mix! Gotta have fun in the kitchen and cupcakes take the cake, in my book! Enjoy!

Pink a Boo !

I just love some of the cleaver names that blog owners come up with, don't you! I found a cute blog called " Pigtails and Snails" that is giving away this quilt that she named Pink a Boo, it's so pretty that I had to share this with you all, I got entered and would love to win this! Check out her blog too and don't forget to get entered, you have till the 18th. Good luck!

Product Review

When I started blogging many years ago, I never imagined I'd have over 100 faithful followers or have a national company ask me to test their product and blog about it, but I've accomplished both, totally unaware of the perks of blogging, but loving it! I was honored to accecpt their offer to try their product and after a few weeks of using Skin MD, I can honestly say it's one of the best lotions I've tried in years. I wouldn't lie to you, I dont' get paid for this but do get to keep the bottle and my hands and feet are in much better condition for trying Skin MD.
My hubby is a welder and often comes home with a sunburn from welding all day, I had him use it and it's helped alot from keeping his skin soft and from peeling. I clean for a living and using some of those harsh cleaners can really damage my hands plus with warmer weather upon us, my feet often pay the price for open aired shoes, my heels get cracked and sore by the end of the day, so Skin MD really did rescue my feet too.
What I like best about this product is it's all natural, I wouldn't test anything else because I believe in the natural approach to combat aliments, illness and staying as healthly as possible. This lotion is light, it doesn't take much either and has a fresh scent, not heavy at all. You can find it in most drug stores or online at www.skinmdnatural.com It's worth a try.

National Scrapbooking Month

May is National Scrap booking Month in case you didn't know. I'm a scrapper and I have devoted a whole wall in my craft room to framed scrap book pages, I just hate to hide them away in a book, I love to see them everyday! I have one done for our dog, Louie, a English Mastiff that we rescued years ago, he's more like a kid than a dog with a mind of his own, and as big as he is, he gets his way most of the time.

My favorite pages are those of the grand kids, they are so fun to scrap and the ideas are endless. This one features Grandpa's hats, seems the little ones always like to wear the big hats. I haven't scrapped much lately, but I plan too, it's time to swap out the wall photos. If your a scrapper too, I'd love to hear from you. My next venture is digital scrapping, I really want to learn, its amazing what can be done on a computer now. Just wanted to share some shots with you to celebrate such a fun hobby!

I hit 100!

I am amazed, truly honored and flat out flattered! My followers hit 100 this morning, and I can't thank you all enough for being fans of Country Pleasures. I started this little blog a few years ago as a way to write more, share my loves and connect with others who share my interests and concerns. I've met so many wonderful bloggers who feel more like good neighbors, and have learn more than I ever imagined. Blogging has become my favorite hobby because it challenges me, inspires me and keeps me creative, and I love that, I need that! So, to honor my 100, I'm hosting another giveaway, this one is just for you guys! To enter, you must be a follower and you must leave me a comment here to say Hi and add me. Now, you can always become a follower to get in on this giveaway, the more the merrier. I do try to visit you all when time allows, I just may not leave a comment, I have dial up so some connections are slow. But I appreciate every one of you, and this giveaway is just small way to thank you. I'll leave this open for a couple of weeks to allow time to comment, I know spring is a busy time for gardeners and getting outside. You have till the 22nd. to get your name in the hat, so pop in to say Hi and allow me to thank you now for being a fan, I never thought it would come to this, but you've made my day! 100 feels pretty good! Thank you, thank you!

Rhubarb Bread

Nothing says spring than fresh rhubarb and all the yummy things you can make with the pretty red stalks. Our favorite is Strawberry/Rhubarb pie but you know me, I like to try out new and different recipes, so since Saturday was rainy and chilly, I baked bread. And this Rhubarb bread is easy, moist and plain ole good! It's best warm from the oven with some butter spread on evenly and a cup of coffee to make any break pleasant!

Rhubarb Bread
1 c. milk
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. canola oil
1 egg
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. chopped rhubarb ( I run it though the food processor)
1/2 c. walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 and lightly grease two bread loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla, let stand while you mix together in a large bowl the brown sugar, egg and oil. Combine flour, salt, b. soda, and cinnamon. Stir in sugar mixture alternately with the milk mixture till just combined. Fold in rhubarb and walnuts. Pour batter into greased loaf pans. Bake for 40 min. or till toothpick comes out clean. Drizzle with cream cheese frosting for a extra treat! Enjoy!

Happy May Day!

Happy May Day bloggers! I've found that time really does fly as you get older, and I'm not liking it very much. I feel like I'm so far behind on stuff, gardening mainly. But I can blame the weather for that, but still! Onto May Day, does anyone celebrate it anymore? I think we all should, and I'm starting a new/old tradition within our family, May Day. I love the idea of this, so today, my two little grand daugthers will find a May Day basket hanging on their bedroom doors, filled with fresh flowers and a note from Grandma. I will continue this every year because it does matter to me and I want the girls to know what May Day is all about.

In case your not sure what May Day is, let me explain it to you like I will to them. For many hundred of years, May Day baskets are meant to demonstrate the joy of gift giving, dating back to pre- Christian Europe as a tribute to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. A basket of any kind over flowing with flowers is secretly placed on the door step of a neighbor or loved one, demonstrating the gift of giving without receiving. Now, I for one love this concept, if more people would show their love for one another without expecting something in return, I think life would be so much nicer.

So, let's do something about it, it's not too late! Surprise someone today with a little basket of flowers, left on their door, maybe a neighbor, family member or special little girl or two! lol I plan on making up something more traditional but anything that can hold water will do, so get creative and I know how creative you are so share your ideas with us! Bloggers are the best so spread the word and the love! Celebrate May Day with me!