These past few days have been a time for gathering..........

The grounds are full of wild sunflowers, perfect for gathering large bouquets.

Sophie likes this time as much as I do.

Perfect for placing in this old pitcher for my kitchen table!

Do you love sunflowers as well?

The stores are filled with pots of chrysanthemums, a time for all of us to gather arms full to take home to plant.........

Have you brought some home yet?........

or do you have some already in your garden?

 

It has been a time for me to gather my favorite flower printed dishes...............

and to find a way to display them in my kitchen.

Out in the garden, it is time to gather the Brussels sprouts.........

I have such a good harvest of them this year........my first time to raise them!

I will post a delicious recipe for you to enjoy later in the week!

 

We have also been fortunate to have storm clouds gather and to bring us much rain!

How is the weather in your area?

Best of all, it has been a time for a handful of my friends to gather

. A couple of times in the year, my friends and I gather to celebrate birthdays.........where we meet at one of our homes to share........

a delicious meal.............

and to catch up on each other's lives...............

 

a time of good food, good laughs and good memories................

how about you?

Do you have fun gatherings that you love the best?

I would love to hear!

 



Here in Texas, the cowboy way...........

is..........just that.............

the cowboy way..............

 

Big hats, tall boots, cows, horses, and cooking outside on a mesquite fire.........

 

I love it, but I also love the history of pioneer and long ago cowboy days........when folks ran their daily lives out on the trails out of an old wagon, with only a few ingredients to make a decent meal. It has been something that has always intrigued me!

Once a year, my husband treats me to a trip to a cowboy/chuck wagon cook off.

We just got through going to one yesterday in Lubbock Texas.

As most of you know, these groups of chuck wagon chefs camp out all night and keep their fires going for this event.  Some start cooking at 3 A.M to make sure that food is ready for all of us hungry visitors.  Here a cowboy is fixing mashed potatoes......

 

Here is another, getting the biscuits into the hot iron dutch oven.

As you can see, the fire pits are in the ground. Don't you love the woman in the background dressed in her long dress?

Lucky for her.............instead of 100 + degrees this year, a cool front moved in......making the weather pleasant for the cooks and for us!

 

This is the gang that was preparing our meal. Mesquite smoke was in the air, everywhere.

I was so impressed with our chuck wagon group. Before we were served, the head man introduced his team, which was all family and ranch hands. Then he had us all say prayer before eating.

These two lovely ladies are here every year............look, they are making my favorite apple cobbler!!!

There were cowboy performers during our meal...........but I was trying to balance my food on my lap and trying to eat it at the same time............so I did not take their photos.

The food was so delicious! Chicken fried steak, pinto beans, mashed potatoes, the most wonderful buttermilk biscuits ..............and heavenly apple cobbler!!

Watching them all cook and knowing how long it took to prepare this meal really made me appreciate it even more.

How about you?

Have you gone to one of these............or even a barbecue cook off before?

I would love to hear!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

The past few days I have had my hands busy......

 with before and after projects that I have been working on.

Before

A customer from Virginia sent me this adorable vintage child's pillow case to restore with embroidery work.

 

After

Here it is.......restored!

 

 

Before

I have had this old chair, found at the dump, since last year............

 

After

Here it is, sanded, stained, and enhanced with my embroidered panel

 

 

Before

a blank canvas

 

After

wild rose embroidery

 

 

 

Before

If you remember, early in the spring, I decided to use my cherished light globes

as planters.

Before

Beautiful blue

After

perfect with light yellow rose moss planted in it.

Before

Hand painted and cute

After

Overflowing with dark pink rose moss

Before

delicate soft butter yellow with a scalloped edge

After

perfect with vibrant red rose moss planted inside

All three have done well

and help dress up the patio with the other rose moss and plants.

I love vintage looking containers for the garden.

How about you?

What before and after projects have you come across?

What kinds of containers do you like for your garden?

I would love to hear!



A tired and tattered scarecrow

faithfully guards over

my garden

which seems to be just as weary as she is.

I have only a handful of sad looking pumpkins this year........

however, the Brussels sprouts are showing promise.

I have never grown Brussels sprouts before............but it looks like I might have a good harvest of them soon!

The cantaloupes are doing well............

and sweet bell peppers are starting to form.

I am most excited about my zinnias.........which are almost in bloom.

I planted them late this year.........hoping for a fall showing.

the rose moss is blooming everywhere!

I am thinking about planting a late fall/winter garden...........

Gertrude might run away...............

How about you?

Has your garden produced well?

Do you plant a fall or winter garden?

I would love to hear!



It's rainy skies over

the Texas prairie. It stormed and rumbled all through the night...........................

and this is the first thing I saw when I stepped out into the morning.

Hope you are having a rainbow filled day with pleasant weather!

Old wooden cola cases have always been a favorite of mine to collect.

I have only a few.............

Royal Crown ( RC) is one brand that I have, in which I placed my various old soda pop bottles in.

The favorite Coca Cola case is another brand I have as well. I noticed how wonderful the little square opening are and realized that they could be used for my small collections...............

One I use for my small nature and

farm figures.

I love collecting miniature perfume bottles as well............

although, until recently, I have had them all stored in a box............

until I used this cola case as a wonderful way to display them all..........

and now I can enjoy looking at my perfume bottle collection.

I have another that I am going to store my thimbles and sewing collections in .............

How about you?

Do you have a favorite thing you like to collect?

Do you store them on shelves or in some other unique way?

I would love to hear!