Wordless Wednesdays.

From Classic Beauty

To Tragic Beauty

I always wonder why people who seem to have everything, throw it all away.
 Is it the concept of having too much too fast?

I'm Loving Blackberry Pie in a Jar !

I had seen this clever idea several times, made in several different ways, but until I found myself with lots and lots of Blackberry Jam, I had not tried these cute little Pies in a Jar.  Now I'm so glad I did!  I made mine a bit different than the recipes I found by using a cookie crumb base instead of a pie crust base. 

I put a package of Shortbread with Pecans cookies in the food processor until they were coarsely ground.  I then added a touch of cinnamon, and a bit of butter to hold the crumbs together.  Using the larger wide mouth canning jars, I pressed the cookie crumbs into the bottoms and baked them for about 10 minutes.  I also remembered what I thought was a good tip to make handling them easier.  Put a Silpat on a cookie sheet to keep the jars from moving around while taking them in and out of the oven - it makes

 it so much easier.

While they were still warm, I added a layer of Blackberry Jam to the

 cookie crust base.

Next I topped them with another layer of the cookie crumbs, and a layer of peach preserves.  On top of the peach preserves, I added a round piece of pastry dough with a small cut out to

 release steam.  I used the refrigerated 

pie crust dough {I see some of you smirking}, but it worked out just fine, thank you!

Then I popped them back in the oven for about 20 minutes until they were bubbling and the top crust was brown.  The plan was to let them cool, then put the lids on the jars, but I couldn't wait that long to try one - then my husband had to try one - then my daughter had to try one.  Before they even cooled, I only had one lonely Pie in a Jar  left! 

We loved these at my house - and I refuse to think about how many
calories I consumed! 

One Thing Guaranteed To End A Picnic - Everytime.

    

Last weekend, we decided to spend a day with a picnic lunch under a big shade tree on an old farm.  Not a big deal, just a simple, easy day.  I made some sandwiches, packed the picnic basket, and loaded the cooler with a few bottles of water.  I grabbed a book to read thinking my husband would take his Sunday afternoon nap on the old quilt I always take.  I had a really calm and quiet, do-nothing kind of day in mind.  I pictured a lazy afternoon with our dogs, a good book, and a picnic - nothing special, just a simple Sunday.

We usually take our dogs with us on afternoons like this.  They travel well; they're well behaved; and, really we just like having them around. They've been to this farm many times, and seem to know their way around, so I always let them wander a bit - as long as I can still see them.  But this time, Maggie got a little too brave, and wandered too close to a pile of old logs.

I saw her heading that way and I had barely gotten her name out of my mouth when she came running back towards us, making this God awful howling noise. As soon as I saw her running, I started running towards her. Somewhere in the middle we met - and it only took about a second to realize what had happened.  Maggie had been skunked! 

{Photo from Photobucket}

The smell was nothing short of horrendous.  There is no other way to describe it - it is the absolute worst smell I have ever encountered.  It immediately makes your eyes and your nose burn, then your throat closes up - and your first reaction is to get away from it as quickly as you can.  But - just like it is with your kids - no matter how bad they smell, you can't run from them!  I had to do something.

First, I grabbed the hose and started to soak her with it - trying to do it without touching her.  Nearly an impossible job, so next, my husband grabbed a t-shirt out of the car and tried to wipe some of it off her while I was holding the running water on her.  I swear the smell seemed to be getting worse.  She's howling, I'm screaming - and we both smell really, really bad. 

It only took another minute to realize we needed to get home to deal with this mess.  We threw everything in the car, including one very smelly dog, and made the normally 10 minute trip home in a flat 6 minutes. Even with the windows down and the air conditioner blasting I thought we were going to pass out from the smell.

Maggie skunked.

But at least the water had rinsed her eyes out some so she wasn't howling anymore (and I had quit screaming).  We went straight to the barn where my husband (smart man that he is) keeps the stuff for the only skunk remedy we know.  He mixes hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and Dawn dish washing soap together and it usually works.  He grabbed a pair of gloves and soaped her up with the mix. He did have to go back over her several times, but finally, he was able to get most of it off her - and me.  I had gotten a spot on my arm that had gone right through my shirt.  My shirt had turned black where the spray had touched it when I was trying to hose Maggie off.  Skunk spray is nasty stuff. 

She's about back to normal today, but even after almost a week, I'm still trying to get that awful smell out of my car.  I've used Febreze, Lysol, and a car air freshener.  We've left the windows down, and the car running with the air conditioner on for hours and I still think I can smell it. 

She still looks a little traumatized to me!

I will never leave home without the "skunk pack" again!  I've gotten small bottles of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn and put them in a plastic bag.  I'm now skunk paranoid and I'm not going anywhere without the antidote!

My husband thinks he's funny - he called our daughter last night and told her she could come over now - her Mama didn't "smell skunky anymore".   Don't you know those are the words every kid has waited all their life to hear?  What a week.

Simple Pleasures Thursday - Vintage Linens. What Simple Pleasures Have You Enjoyed This Week?

When I look at Vintage Linens, whether it's a Quilt, a Pillow Case, or a Table Cloth, I can't help but think about the woman who so selflessly spent many hours working on the embroidery, the tatting or the cross stitch many, many years ago.  I wonder what she was thinking about as she created a beautiful, and useful, piece for her family to enjoy.  I wonder what her life was like.  I wonder if her family appreciated all the thought and time she spent on each piece.

Maybe I appreciate them so much because I do not have the talent or patience to create one of these timeless pieces.  Or, maybe it's because I think there is a story in each and every one of them. 

Who were these women?  And what were their hopes and dreams?   Did they realize we would be enjoying their work 50 and 60 years later?  To me the 1940's and 1950's seem like a more quiet, gentle time.  Maybe that's part of the pleasure in these linens.

And isn't it wonderful we can enjoy them so many years later.  When I go to garage sales, or estate sales, I always go directly to the old box or basket off to the side and start digging.  You know which battered old box I mean - the box no one thinks has anything valuable in it.  I love to bring my finds home and carefully wash them by hand to bring the color and brightness back. 

I enjoy the few minutes it takes to iron them and tie them with a ribbon.  And I enjoy seeing them everyday and running my hand across them to feel the textures.  They feel like a small piece of all of our histories - with a story to tell.  I would love to know more about who made them and where they came from!  But I guess I'll just have to settle for the Simple Pleasure they give me when I see them everyday.

How about you - what Simple Pleasures have you enjoyed this week?

Buckets of Blackberries and Blackberry Jam. Summer is Here!

I've been waiting for months to see this beautiful site - the Blackberries are finally ready to pick!  Every morning, I have been walking out and checking the blackberry bushes.  I was excited when the first blooms, butterflies, and bees appeared.  Then slowly, over the following couple of weeks, the berries began to pop out.  At first, they were green and small - and not very promising looking!  I worried about the birds making off with them before they were ripe, and I closely watched for any little bugs who might be attacking in the night.

But gradually, I have seen them turn a timid kind of pinkish shade, then a bolder, bright red, and finally - a deep, dark and delicious purple-ish black!  It was time to start picking them!

Within an hour, I had picked 2 buckets of berries with little effort - and I ate more than I should have!  But there's something so special about picking the first berries of the summer and popping them right into your mouth while they are warm from the sun.  Reminds me of a long ago childhood. 

After washing them, and pushing them all through a sieve I ended up with thick, juicy, seedless, blackberries - perfect for making the seedless jam my family prefers.  I use a couple of different recipes, but they are all basically the same - blackberries, sugar, a little lemon juice and a touch of butter to keep down the foam while you're cooking it all.  From my first 2 buckets of berries I got 7 jars of seedless Blackberry Jam. Not bad.

Sometimes I dress up the jars a bit so I can have them as little gifts for friends and neighbors who drop in.  For some reason, it's always easier to give away jam and jelly than it is to give away all that squash I had from the garden - go figure!

Simple Pleasures Thursday - What Have You Enjoyed This Week?

 

I'm quickly falling into the lazy days of summer.  The temperature has been in the mid to high 90's every day and it's hard to get motivated, or summon the energy, to do much more than I absolutely have to.

 

So yesterday I started looking around the house for projects, or long forgotten plans, to pull out and get started on.  But what I kept coming back to was the books on the book shelves.  Probably like a lot of you, I have more books than I have room.  Every bookshelf is full.  There are boxes of books in the garage, and I've given away more than I can count. 

 

There's something very comforting about books to me.  I like being able to disappear into a story for a short while.  I like being able to read about other lives and experiences.  And I like to be able to spend a few quiet hours of total self indulgence with a good book.  Books bring other worlds into my world.   I make plans to visit the places I've read about.  I dream of doing some of the things I've read about. 

 

 

I don't think I'll ever be a Kindle, or iPad kind of woman for reading.  I understand the convenience of being able to download an entire book in a minute, but there's something about being able to hold a hardcover book in my hand, and feel the paper as I turn the pages.

 

I appreciate the substance of a book - both in the story and in the book itself.  I want to be able to pack a paper back and take it on a picnic.  I don't want to have to worry about getting my book steamy if I want to indulge in a bubble bath with a good story.  I want to be able to enjoy my book even if my dogs have jumped up on me in the hammock.  I feel like it would take away from these Simple Pleasures if I was worried about damaging my e-reader.  It just wouldn't be the same.

 

 

So I guess I'll just keep reading the old-fashioned way.  With a simple book.  You know what they say about teaching an old dog new tricks!

 

How about you - What Simple Pleasures have you enjoyed this week?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesdays - It's Easy, You Decide

What's it Going to Be for You Today?

OR

You're the Only One Who Can Decide.

 

Welcome to Wordless Wednesdays!  I hope you will join in on the fun of posting photos of things that interest you. Here is how Wordless Wednesdays works:

1. Post your picture or pictures on your blog. (You can choose whatever photos you want, there is no theme.)

2. Add a link on your post back to Miller Racing Family (You're directing traffic).

3. Add your permalink and your name to Wordless Wednesday via Linky Tools - click on the Wordless Wednesdays button to go to Miller Racing Family blog.

4. Post a comment here...

5. Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants. (Leave a comment for them so they'll be sure to come and visit you!)

6. If you would like, you can grab the Wordless Wednesday button provided by Jen from my sidebar!

Be Careful What You Wish For - This Squash Thing is Getting Out Of Hand!

You know the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for."?  I get it.  A few months ago, we took our happy little faces to the garden center and bought plants to get our garden started.  We bought tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, onions and some herbs.  We were determined to have a decent garden this year because ours had been such a failure last year.  We carefully planted, fertilized, weeded - and hoped.

When the first tomatoes and squash came in we were delighted!  The week after, there were more tomatoes and squash, and we were still excited.  The tomatoes were delish and what we couldn't use, our neighbors and friends were happy to receive.  The squash was another story about the third week. 

These things were multiplying faster than we could pick them!  Every plant would have 2 -3 new squash ready to pick every morning!  I made squash casseroles, grilled squash, fried squash, and even a couple of recipes I'll never try again!  

At first, we were able to give quite a few away.  But as the weeks have gone on, I think my neighbors are starting to avoid me.  The strangest thing is happening - when they see me coming with my little basket of squash and tomatoes they suddenly remember an errand they need to run, or they run back in the house as they yell back over their shoulder they have something in the oven.  I'm getting a little suspicious.

So here's the new plan - I'm going to take some of this abundant squash crop, and make a few casseroles to give away.  Maybe if my friends and neighbors see the casserole as a ready to eat side dish for dinner, they'll be less likely to run when they see me coming!  It's going to be a sneaky squash give away.

I've tried many squash casserole recipes, and I'm sure you have your favorites also.  But they all start basically the same.  Cube the squash with a medium size onion, maybe a pepper or two, and any combination of spices you like. Use a little olive oil and cook the squash, onion and peppers down until tender, and starting to brown a bit. 

This time, I'm going to mix the cooked squash, onion and peppers with about a cup of sour cream, a can of cream of chicken soup, a good sprinkle of Nature's Seasons, and about a cup or so of Stuffing Mix.  Then I'll top it with a shredded cheese and bake.

Maybe I can get somebody to take some of this squash if it's hidden as a casserole! 

I'm about squashed out for the summer - and it's still June.

Thank you. I seriously didn't realize I was Versatile!

I have been the lucky recipient of a couple of Awards lately! I want to thank everyone for thinking about me - and I want to apologize for not acknowledging this honor sooner. All I can say is, time just flys by some days. But please know, I do appreciate you!

 I received the Versatile Blogger Award from 2 lovely bloggers - which I still amazes me. 

First,Ott, A  from A Latte with Ott A was so kind to send this my way.  Thank you - I love your blog!

And Yenta Mary from Food Floozie (don't you love that name?) also sent me the Versatile Blogger Award!

I'm feeling the love, Ladies - thank you ever so much! 

I hope you'll stop by both of these wonderful blogs - I really

enjoy both of them, and appreciate them for thinking of me!

WINNER! Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook GiveAway

Thank you all who participated in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook Give Away! 

Random.org has picked a Winner!

True Random Number Generator

Min:    1
Max: 19
Result: 6
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Eva Gallant said...                                              6
I am a follower and would love this cookbook!
11:45 AM, JUNE 01
 
Eva has been emailed.  Thank you, Eva - I hope you enjoy it!

Jump in - It's Follow Friday 40 and Over Blog Hopping! I'd hate for you to miss all the fun!

This week I am excited to be part of Follow Friday 40 and Over!  Java, from Never Growing Old, has graciously asked me to Co-Host with her on the third week of this fun blog hop!

So if you are an Over 40 Blogger and want to meet some new friends with some of your same interests, link up and  JOIN US!  Actually, you don't have to be Over 40 to join us - All you have to do is want to have a little fun, meet some new friends, and discover some great blogs!

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

This list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

I've found all my favorite blogs from blog hops!  Looking forward to getting to know you!

Let's Celebrate Simple Pleasures Thursday!

This past week I took a slow drive through our little town and looked at things with a fresh eye.  You know what I mean - we drive by things every day, but sometimes we don't really see them. 
This week - I took my time, and I really looked.

This mural is painted on the side of an old brick bank building in town.  I've seen it hundreds of times - but I never really looked at the detail, or the story.

It tells the story of how the first settlers came to this town in Stagecoaches; the kids walked to a small one-room-school house; and farmers plowed the fields with horse pulled plows.  History that is painted bigger than life for all of us to appreciate.

I drove down by the city park expecting to see the swings, and every other piece of playground equipment filled with laughing kids out of school for the summer.  But when it's already 90+ degrees in Texas, the moms and kids are smart enough not to want to play on hot metal playgrounds!   You can tell how long it's been since my kids were young enough to take to the playground! 

You tend to forget these things when your kids grow up!

I had also forgotten about this little place in a neighborhood right off the town square.  I can picture how calm and relaxing it would be to sit here around the fountain in the evening with a good book.

I'm going to try to slow down enough to appreciate all the little things my little town has to offer!

How about you - what Simple Pleasures have you enjoyed this week?

Wordless Wednesday - Priorities Change As We Get Older.

Audrey Hepburn photos found on Photobucket.

From Grapes Comes Wine. The Vineyard.

Once in a while my husband and I just get in the car and take off for the day. We pack a cooler with ice and drinks (it's Texas in the summer), turn off the cell phones, and load up the dogs. We usually do not have a plan, or a destination in mind, we just drive.  We spend the day talking, and laughing, without feeling like we have to be somewhere else, and most of all - with no guilt about doing absolutely nothing all day!

This past Sunday we were about 2 hours from home when we saw a sign for a Vineyard and Tasting Room.  Without even a second of hesitation - we pulled in and parked.  We put the leashes on the dogs and we all piled out of the car.  We were as excited as kids who just found an amusement park!

Sometimes I wonder about how things happen, and why they happen when they do.  Now that the kids have both graduated from college and are out on their own, my husband and I have been trying to figure out what we want our next adventure to be.  We have been talking about planting a small vineyard on a few acres.  But, other than knowing the basics about viticulture, we know very little about making wine, and even less about running a winery.  There are a few simple wines we enjoy, but I know there's a lot more we need to learn about wine.  So realistically, a vineyard would be a completely foolish undertaking for us - but that doesn't mean we can't dream! 

The Vineyard we "discovered" was picture perfect and laid out like I envision a French Vineyard to look.  The rows of vines were so well tended there wasn't a weed in sight, and every leaf looked healthy and vibrant.  Each row had a hand painted sign to tell you which grape variety was planted in that section. 

I had never seen lights on the end posts of the vineyard rows before and I wondered why they had gone to the trouble to add them.  But, when the sun started to go down I understood.  The lights came on gradually, and they gave the whole vineyard a soft, warm glow.

Most people don't think of Texas first when they think of wine, but Texas is actually making some fine wines and has some vineyards as impressive as any in California.

After a couple of delightful hours, I had enjoyed, and learned about, several new Texas wines.  I had talked with a wonderfully encouraging wine maker and had been invited to come back in the fall for the harvest. 

OK - I know I wasn't invited back just because I'm so absolutely charming.  I think this vineyard owner is a pretty smart guy.  After a couple of glasses of wine, he told me the best way to learn about starting a vineyard is to work at one. 

That was lesson number 1 for any prospective new vineyard owner - how to get free labor.  I volunteered to come back and help with the harvest - as a learning experience.  My husband is still laughing.

And I can't get the picture of Lucy and Ethel crushing grapes out of my head!

WOW - so many ways to Follow and Find New Sites on Friday!

I love Fridays - for many reasons, but also because I've enjoyed finding new sites and making new blogging world friends from the Friday Follow tag-alongs. When we lost the original Friday Follow, I was hesitant to jump in again - but - I missed it. I missed learning about new sites and following along on some of your journeys. So, here are the 3 places I'm headed today:

The first stop is Friday-Follow - and here's what our hostesses have to say:

Welcome to the 2nd Friday Follow hosted by hostesses, Stephanie at Babes Rockin Mami, Michelle at Mommy Loves Stilettos, and Laura at Vodka Logic!

We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to find many interesting blogs that you like. This is all about sharing and having fun.

■Visit the new site Friday Follow so you can see what is currently going on and follow along. If you haven’t checked out the website yet, please do. If you have any problems with the button, it’s a great
place to get it.

My second stop is  Friendly Friday Follow. 

Here's what out hostess, Toddler Awesome has to say:  Hello and welcome to Friendly Friday Follow... a link-up meme which is hosted every Friday. The plan is to meet many new followers and make new friends each week.

Don't forget that this week we have been having Ollie's Birthday Bash! 15 giveaways in total! Jump over to her site and follow the info to enter.

And, finally - I'm jumping over to Simply Stacie and joining in on Fun Follow Friday! Here's what Stacie has to say:

Welcome to Fun Follow Friday hosted by Simply Stacie and My Wee View. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Fun Follow Friday unless you want to.

Whew - seems like a lot, but not really.  Just pick one - or all - of them and get started! 

And - scroll down to enter the Fix-It and Forget It Cookbook

Give Away while you're here!