When I Grow Up

I'd like you to meet my cute neighbor. Her name is Hazel and she lives just across the street and east of Mimi's Cottage. She turned 90 this year. Every morning she raises the American flag on her flagpole. Her husband was a veteran of WWII and she sat home with a baby and a baby on the way and waited for him to come home. Which he did. She is now a widow and says she misses her husband every single day.

She's been living in her little cottage since 1941. She raised 6 kids in this house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It looks like it might have 1200 square feet. Maybe. Every Monday she does her laundry and hangs it all out on the line to dry. Every Thursday she and her 60 something year old son and daughter in law mow her almost acre lot. They each push a gas powered mower. Every day she waters that almost acre by hand since she doesn't have a sprinkler system. Drags around the hoses and sprinklers. She doesn't need glasses. She can hear me talking to her from across the street. She never complains and is always cheerful and friendly. A wonderful example. She is truly an elect lady. It is such a privilege to know her. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Apricots

Yesterday I took a box of these... And made a bunch of this...

And then made a lot of this...

Apricot jam and apricot fruit leather. My house smells delicious!

Window Boxes 2010

The mister picked out the flowers for the window boxes this year. I think he did a great good job.

They're spectacular!

Sunday Sayings

"Don't ask the Lord to guide your footsteps unless you're willing to move your feet." Anonymous

Pioneer Day

Here in Utah we take our pioneer heritage seriously. In fact our beautiful state sets aside one day of the year to honor the pioneers who crossed the country looking for a new life. So today, July 24th, we salute the brave men and women who came to this territory and worked so hard and sacrificed so much. There will be parades, picnics, and fireworks. Plenty of family, food and fun. Hopefully we'll all take a moment and remember those who came before, laying the foundation for our great country, no matter where we live.

Happy Pioneer Day!

Fence

One more backyard project crossed off the list.

Changeable Changing Table

A while back I found this wicker changing table at an antique store. It wasn't really antique and it was only $30.00 so I bought it. It's been a very versatile piece of furniture. I've used it as storage in a home office/craft room. It worked really well as a bedside table in our bedroom. We have such a high bed it was the perfect height. It stored stitchery projects I was working on, a lamp, clock, books, magazines, and I could hide a 2 pound box of See's Candy in there with no problem. ;o) It's current residence is in the master bathroom. Hence the toilet paper. Please ignore the unfinished baseboard. That project's #96 on our to do list.

Sunday Sayings

"No man is happy who does not think himself so."

Marcus Antoninus

Summer Picnic Salad

Just in time for this weekend's picnics or barbque. This coleslaw tastes just like the one they serve at KFC. Super easy if you buy a bag of already shredded cabbage.




Coleslaw

1 bag or 6 cups shredded cabbage
1/4 cup grated carrot
2 tbsp grated yellow onion (optional)

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp vinegar (I use rice vinegar)
1 tsp salt


Mix well all dressing ingredients (I shake it up in a mason jar)

Add about 1/4 cup to cabbage/carrot mixture. Don't use too much dressing, after sitting for awhile it gets too wet. Dressing recipe makes enough for about 5 salads.

It tastes even better served in a vintage Iron King bowl;)

Progress on the Summer 2010 Project

Most mornings, before it gets too hot, we work on the big summer 2010 project. The backyard is finally leveled. Next week we'll start on the sprinkler system.


Did I mention I have 2 inches of dust on every surface in the house?

Sunday Sayings

"Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you."
Arnold Palmer

Delphiniums

This was a great year for our delphiniums.

Chocolate Chips

Hope you all had as much fun on the 4th as we did here at Mimi's Cottage. In between the bar-b-ques, fireworks, potato salad, and mosquitoes I made these cookies. The recipe is from Sweet Cottage Dreams and they really are yummy. So if it's not too hot to turn on your oven you should give them a try.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 softened sticks butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar firmly packed
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt

1-12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine flour, soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter til light and fluffy. Add the sugars. Beat until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs. Beat til fluffy.

Slowly add the flour mixture. Beat until thoroughly mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

Place spoon sized dollops of cookie dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes-til golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Thank you Becky! They were a big hit!

Sunday Sayings

"You have to love a nation that celebrates it's independence day every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the white house in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." Erma Bombeck

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

American Flags

One of my cute neighbors planted this flag in her front yard in May. Because of our cold spring it hasn't filled out quite yet, but it will.

I think it's adorable.

I like to have a few flag bouquets around for the holiday.

And some other flags made out of wood...

Or stitched on muslin...
Hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend with your family and friends. Make some memories and enjoy every minute.