Will Return In A Week or So...

Well, I always get a little disappointed when fellow bloggers leave those "I need a blogging break, bla, bla, bla" messages... but here I am! I'll be back in a week or so.... Have a good week!

Blackberry Pie

So these lucky folks got to eat some pie made from those berries we picked at Orchardside! This is my friend H and her parents Jo and G. And my J in back, filling in for their daughter A!


If you're interested in making this pie, make sure you serve it with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Yummy!



Pie Crust (makes 2)
3/4 cup all- purpose flour
1 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small bits

1/4 cup plus 1 TBsp cold water

1. Cut butter into flour and salt.
2. Mix water into flour mixture.

Berry Pie Filling
4 cups fruit
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
2 TBsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

1. Heat fruit and sugar in saucepan, bring to a gentle boil.
2. Combine cornstarch and water, mix well, then add to fruit mixture- stirring constantly until thick.

Bake pie crust (bottom only) until crust is done. I'd use a 350 degree oven, about 15 minutes until the edges are browned. Pour the filling in the pie and let cool for at least 3 hours.

Community Festival

Yesterday was a really nice day for me. Mid-morning, I headed to the festival. J needed to drop off a poster we'd made for a certain booth. This foundation gave him a grant, to build a habitat for frogs and last year we watched them grow. They're all gone now, so he'll probably repeat the process again, so this new group of kids can see the frogs grow from tadpoles.


I met up with Jo, H, and A. (I'm considering whether I should just write their names?) We walked around and picked up all kinds of goodies. I also tried some things I never thought I would- like bacon and sour cream flavored pork rinds!




It got to be so hot so we headed to the pottery place to hang out there for a while. I have vowed not to do another piece until September, and I'm being good on that. I did spend the $25 I gave myself (I also shared with J) to spend this weekend. Besides a hot dog for lunch, and a few small goodies :), here are some of my prizes:




H and A are sisters, and J is their mom. I 've known them all since Preschool, I think! It was so good to spend time with some friends and see lots of people I normally don't get to see! I saw lots of kids from school. I love to see them in public, mostly because they react like: You mean you don't live at the school! You have a life?

I left my friends to meet up with J, so that we could head out to Orchardside. This lovely place is in Raphine, Va... sort of a ways out, and reminds you of a simpler time. Nearby is my cousin's favorite place, the Herb Farm and Wade's Mill. (By the way, for any local cooks, I'd skip buying kitchen supplies in town, go here... they have everything you could think of- supplies, good pottery and linens, mixes and such... for cheap!)


They have a big farmhouse, a creek running thru, a yarn shop, berry picking, geese, ducks, peacocks, poodles... you name it!


Although it was still pretty hot and we only stayed about 45 mins, we left with 5 pints of blackberries. It was hard not to eat them all!


We stopped by my parent's house, but quickly departed as my mom has pink eye! We gave her some berries, and then headed home for a nice dinner. Relaxed and passed out on the sofa. J always falls asleep on the sofa, and it takes a lot of banging and/or flashing of the overhead lights to convince him to move. He usually has Lulu curled up on him, or has fallen asleep in such a position that it would be easier not to move than to have to figure out a way to get out of a pretzel-position!

Anyway, have a great Sunday!

Under Construction?

(this bulletin board is actually from last year, but since it's the first week of school...)

Hello weekend! I've never welcomed a Saturday more than today. I have worked all week... I'm sorry for those of you who worked all summer, but it's just been a bummer to get back to work. I'm trying to be very positive about my job this year but it has been hard to do that... I won't bore anyone (if anyone does read this!) with details. I was asked to waitress this week, twice, and I gladly accepted as we still have no paychecks coming our way for 6 more days (last payday- in JUNE!).

Any-who, I'm working on organizing all the links I have saved as favorites, and so for a few days, I'm going to work on that. The other thing I'd like to construct is a banner-- I just have no idea how to make one! If anyone can lead me in the right direction or site, I would be so thankful.

Today should be a terrific day. H, one of my best friends in the whole world, is visiting from Va Beach. We're headed to the Community Festival and probably to the pottery place. Later, my dear hubby has ok'd plans for an afternoon of berry picking and a picnic! Yay! Just what I needed. Will share photos.

Pottery

This is a recent pottery project- another trivet! I can't seem to have enough of these!


And,I guess I could also share the project below the trivet- the table top. This was a table my parents had on their back porch since I was little... they gave it me when I got an apartment, and it was our "dining room" table. When I got a "real" table, I wanted to try a project with this table- a broken plate mosaic. I broke tons of old plates... the sound is just horrible. I then cut a piece of chicken-wire sort of stuff and laid it to the flat top of the table. I secured it, and put __?__(can't remember the word), then grouted and laid the plate pieces... just like you'd do if you were tiling a floor. The table is a little rough, so we keep a thick clear vinyl tablecloth on it to use on our back porch. Not my most sucessful project, but it was fun to make!

Randomness and Anti-Starbucksness

So this has been an interesting weekend, and I have all kinds of random stuff to share.

Look at my friend Autumn's belly! Wished we lived closer! She's due either the first week of October or the 3rd week.... I can't believe how big she is since I last saw her! She knows she's having a boy, but isn't spilling the beans on the name! I can't wait to meet this kid! :)


Here's my newest addition! I was so excited when I spotted this painting yesterday at a sidewalk sale in town. It's by Elizabeth Sauder. I was actually lucky enough to talk to her and find out some details. Turns out she was taking classes at Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton, and this was her first still life in Robert Stuart's class. She wasn't sure how long ago it was, but what's cool is that when I was in college, I did an internship at BSSS! Small world!


She described the room to have a dull gray floor, with crisp white walls. Just at certain times of day, the sun shone thru and would cause the floor to reflect a rainbow of colors on the walls. I love the studios at BSSS. This place is a must-do if you want to take adult art classes around here. It is an old school, with the most glorious stairwell leading upstairs to the biggest studios ever! Staunton could really be a great artist's community, because the buidlings and houses are so huge, and people rent out their top floor rooms, but they've gone up in price since they realized so many artists were having studios there, on the cheap. So now, I know a lot of artists are coming to Lex Vegas because it is a little cheaper.

Another thing to share about the Staunton area- Mrs. Rowe's restaurant. I really hate eating at chain restaurants! I hate what big stores and chains do to small downtown businesses, so we try to eat at local places whenever we can. So, if you're in Staunton, try this place. I think the food's pretty good, but she has all these homemade desserts, breads, cookies and frozen take-home-homestyle meals that are just sooo yummy. Check out these pies!


Now for the big Anti-Starbucksness: I heard from a few sources that Lexington is getting a Starbucks! I am so disappointed. I hope the hometown coffee shops don't have to suffer, but I really just wonder WHY do we need another coffee shop? Do we really need one coffee shop per block here? And why does it have to be one that is in every major city all over the world? I seriously hope that this was just a rumor, and nothing more.

And finally, looking through photos on my computer I discovered a very random set of family photos and beautiful landscape photos. I have no idea who they are, where they came from.... anyone know these kids?

Die Reise in der kleinen Stadt

This week has been pretty good. Yesterday we had a visit from a friend from Savannah (sorry no pics). She ended up not being able to stay too long, so we hope we can see her soon!

Our other visitors arrived late yesterday. My German grandmother and cousin, and 2 distant cousins were in downtown Lex Vegas this afternoon. We met for lunch and did a walking tour. It was nice to catch up with my cousin Christof, as I don't think I'd seen him in 6 years or so. The distant cousins were sweet teenagers who didn't speak much English. We toured for the entire afternoon, and I'm surprised how beat I am.

Here are some photos of our little day trip....

The Stonewall Jackson House

Anika and Daniel

Christof

And finally, a random photo of Lulu, hanging out with her visor on. You would think that since she's a little dog, she'd just love getting dressed up... but does she look happy?

Update

My car is...(I'm scared to say it for fear that I might jinx it).... out of the shop! I feel like the kid who's been stuck inside a classroom all day and I'm finally free to run on the playground! :)

Work has started, and I was sooooo bummed to go back. It wasn't until lunchtime yesterday, when we ran into some students, that I remembered why I do enjoy my job. I love the kids and I'm so excited to work with them another year. For now, though, I have a week of back to school stuff: classroom organizing, schedule changes, meetings, "Pep" talks from administrators, adult games (like the kind most people play at retreats, or team building stuff)....

Anyway, I am working on set of pottery plates, a gift I'll be unable to show, but I'm also trying to finish that cross stitch I started so long ago, and a simple quilt.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Gas and WIP

The heat has finally given us a break around here- it's been so nice. I was actually chilly yesterday, since it was less than 95 degrees! This has been a very nice week for us. I am still without a car (and so the bill just keeps getting bigger) but fortunately the owner of the restaurant needed my help this week! It has been fun waitressing and such again, but I'm glad I don't have to do it forever.

Another good reason I don't have a vehicle right now- the gas prices! We're saving a bundle on gas this month already! :) I discovered while looking through some of my old postcards my grandfather's gas ration card. He lived in Ventura, California, and during WWII he had these. The card is at the top of the photo, and the actual rations are at the bottom. I also found one, tucked in, that is in Spanish. I wonder if he went down to Mexico to get gas ? Maybe lots of folks in Southern Cal. did, if they didn't have rations. I know my grandmother traded her gas rations for lots of things . Aren't you glad its not like that now?


I also talked to parents, and they said that when they were first married, in the mid-70's, that you were only allowed to get gas on certain days, and your "day" depended on the numbers on your license plate. Odd number day and even number days!

I can't imagine the government trying to do that now. People would just freak out.

Anyway, I found a very old WIP- Work in Progress. This is 10 years old. A cross stitch I started when I was last out west of Mt. Ranier. I think I meant to finish it so I could give it my parents for Christmas! OOps!


What it's supposed to look like:


I hope everyone has a great weekend. I've got one more night of waitressing, and then hope to have a peaceful Sunday! Monday it's back to reality, teachers head back to work. Hope you don't mind if I share boring teacher things with ya coming up!

Postcards

I wish I had a super-exciting bit of news to share, but things have been pretty low-key here. I have been working a lot on getting rid of lots of stuff, and trying to get organized.

Would you believe my car is still in the shop? 2 weeks ago I put my car in the shop. I have picked it up twice, only to have to return it the very next business day due to *new* problems each time. I had my car for a few hours on Monday and then had to return it to a mechanic this AM. I was told that there were "no" problems with my car and that I should pick it up again. We came to pick it up and spotted a big, green puddle of anti-freeze under the car. That resulted in my car needing yet another new part, which OF COURSE has to be specially ordered, and might be in later this week, but they're pretty sure by next Tuesday. I'd ride my bike but we can't get the tires filled up with air.

Anyway, since I haven't worked on many projects lately besides organizing, I thought I'd share some of my postcards. I collect lots of stuff, and postcards are just some of them. I found a box of postcards in my parents house, and here are a few. Also, some that have come in the mail lately....

From the Frick in New York. This is the Winter Scene from a 4 Seasons room. I love this scene, and this painting reminds me of Russia... but I have never looked that happy in the cold weather. I hate cold weather!


Elvis! A gold Elvis is even better. I am guessing this must be from my trip to Graceland. This is a place that everyone must visit at least once in their life. I never much liked his music, but I love Graceland!


One other thing I did last week while staying at my parents house was read my old diaries. The ones from middle school and high school were just embarrassing. I was so shy, so "woe is me", so "my life is so awful"... I dont' know anyone who can say they loved being a teenager. I look at this postcard and feel relieved to be 27!


This one just makes me giggle. Apparently his name is Bingo Bob!


This postcard is a painting by Remedios Varo. My friend Karlos introduced me to her work, which is fabulously detailed and so surreal... you should check out her work. My friend Karlos introduced me to so many artists I'd never heard of, and I miss him! He had to move back home (he was an exchange student and hasn't been able to come back to the US yet) ...


This is a handmade postcard by a friend who is going to visit us next week. She lives in Savannah, the most awesome Southern city there is! She knows so much history about the city and has had the opportunity to go into to a lot of the old mansions... many of them are being redone. She's even been so lucky as to get lots of old, original wallpaper. This postcard she made is a photograph of the interior of one of the mansions, and she's glued some of the originial wallpaper onto it. Check out the ceiling!


Finally, one I just got today! Thanks to J's parents. Right now they are serving a mission in Tokyo, Japan. We love to find out about their experiences in that huge city and think of them often. Tonite we missed a phone call from them, but checked the mail to find postcards from them. This one, for me, is actually a Chinese painting by an artist named Wu Shuhong. Lovely! Sorta reminds me of Matisse!


Hope everyone's having a great week!

Bums

We're being complete BUMs in this heat. I am still without a car, and somehow that makes me feel the need to do absolutely nothing! I have also been working at the restaurant ( the one I left in June)- not only because I need the money but also because the owner of the restaurant really needed my help.

Here's how lazy I am:

At first, I was thinking, nah, in order for me to go to work right now, I'd have to get up, take a shower, PUT ON MAKEUP (something I hardly ever do in the summer), and FIND an outfit that would be somewhat dressy. Plus, I'll have to work a lot. Get sweaty and tired. Nah, It's not worth all that energy.

Then, she offered cash and dinner for my J and me!

That sold me. I would'nt have to make dinner. The food was fantastic, my body ached from walking (in front of the guests) and running (in the kitchen), and I have some extra cash that will go directly to my newest best friend, Dave the Auto Mechanic.

Dave and I have been talking so much lately. Basically, about my car and the heat. My car and the heat. Dave has such a Rockbridge County accent, and even though I've lived in these here parts my whole life, I strain to figure out what he's talking about.

I'm supposed to work at the restaurant quite a lot next week, as the owner will be on vacation. But its also the last week of "freedom" before the official school year begins. I have so many things that I want to do before work begins, so I hope to get a burst of energy and stop being such a bum.

Hope everyone's had a great week!

How You Can Break Up the Vicious Cycle of Nervous Tension Headaches

I'm stuck in my house. My car is sick and I'm going flat broke. Teachers around here only get paid at the beginning of the summer. That seems wonderful in June- you feel wealthy- but by August, you're really budgeting! I'm probably going to have to start waitressing or else we'll be eating Ramen noodles this month! I was hoping that I wouldn't have to waitress again, but my pottery, craft, quilting, cooking habits are not cheap! :)

Seems that whenever I get this stressed, besides praying for help and eating lots of junk food, I throw myself into projects. The house looks like a mess- piles of fabric everywhere, ironing board out, my project idea pages out (I write down ideas in numerous journals, tear out magazine photos and pages and put those in another notebook, and have too many postcards that I keep out for ideas).

Here's something I did in college. I have been looking for some photographs I did in high school, but can't find them. I did a lot of collages because I love magazines from the 50s and 60s. This one junk dealer in town would always save me a stack because he knew I'd be in for some. They always have a little story, or they are about someone. This one is about KP, this woman I used to work with at a restaurant. She always told me everything she was supposed to do at home, for her husband and son, and that waitressing was a get-a-way for her!

Cookbook Junkie #3: Marie Claire Flavours

Not having the best week. Last week my dear car started having ISSUES and, even though she was in the shop last week, this morning she gave up on me again. I called a tow truck and waited the "20 minutes" he said it would take. Over an HOUR later, he arrived. Not only had I sweat off about 5 lbs. but also I was ready to leave my car and just go buy a new one. It has been so unbelievably hot and sitting in the heat made me a little crazy. Isn't it weird that people will slow down to look at you, sitting in your brokendown car, but not stop! Argh. I'm home now, safe, showered, and beat!

A good friend of mine gave me this cookbook last year for Christmas. I love to look through it because rather than be divided up into "Appetizers" "Poultry" "Pies" etc., it's instead got 9 chapters devoted to certain spices or herbs (and then a variety of hints, dinners, desserts and such using each of the special ingredients). Some of chapters: vanilla, lemon +lime, basil+ mint, chocolate, ginger... This recipe I tried was from the Garlic + Onion chapter.



Cookbook Junkie #3: Marie Claire's Flavours by Donna Hay

The photo in this book sold me on this recipe. I would have been happy if my dinner turned out to be halfway decent! It was actually one of the easiest dinners I've ever made, and it was soooooo tasty. The garlic, butter, balsamic vinegar and thyme are still dancing on my tongue. A very nice recipe I'd recommend for anyone. Oh, and I used chicken cutlets instead.

Balsamic Chicken with Garlic CousCous
Serves 4

4 chicken breast filets
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 TBsp sugar
1 clove garlic, crushed

for couscous:
1 1/2 cups couscous
2 1/4 boiling chicken stock
1/2 stick butter
4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 TBsp fresh thyme

Place chicken fillets in a shallow dish and pour over the combined balsamic vinegar, sugar, garlic and chicken stock. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes each side.

Begin making the garlic couscous by placing the couscous in a bowl and pour in the boiling stock. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to stand for 5 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Heat the butter in a frying pan over med-low heat. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for 3 minutes or until the garlic is soft but not brown. Add the couscous to the pan and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

To cook the chicken, preheat and oiled frying pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add to the pan, cooking for 3-4 minutes each side. Add the marinade to the pan and cook for a further 1 minute each side or until the chicken is cooked through and the marinade has thickened.

To serve, place the couscous on serving plates and top with the chicken and pan sauce. Serve with steamed beans or other beans.