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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

TOMATO TIME!

Hello dear friends!   Sorry if I've been pokey about leaving comments on your blog lately.  Just been very busy, which I know is a very poor excuse.  There is always time for friends!

One of the things we've been up to is canning spaghetti sauce.  Here's my recipe: hopeandthrift.blogspot.com/2011/08/bounty-of-earth.html
This is a great recipe because you don't have to remove the skins, and since the tomatoes are on the small side this year it really is the only way I'd be able to cope with them .   Made a couple dozen pints already.  We never can get enough of this stuff!

All the large tomatoes  go toward making tomato sandwiches.   A really thrifty meal this time of the year and nothing taste better!  Here's how:

How to Make a Tomato Sandwich

Spread  good sturdy bread (we use sourdough)  with mayonnaise. As much or as little as you want, but more is always better.  BTW, there is vegan mayo out there.  Next, thinly slice an onion and place atop the bread.  Red onions are the best, but an onion is an onion.  Next place thick slices of farm fresh tomatoes over the onions and sprinkle liberally with fresh black pepper and less so with the salt.  Grill.  Note:  we've found that heating a skillet with olive oil and then placing the bread on the skillet, turning once to coat the bread, makes the nicest toasted sandwiches.  No burnt bread from uneven butter distribution.  OH!   And mozzarella cheese is always a nice addition, if you are so inclined. There you have it, nothing finer in the world!

One thing that is keeping my mind preoccupied is this.  We are finally getting our house resided.  I feel somewhat like Mr. Blandings as we make decisions about where, what and how.   Exciting though!

I found this quote the other day.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.
~John Muir~


Here's a little corner of beauty I found this week.  Our hydrangeas have bloomed!  It was touch and go there for a while.   All the blossoms appeared and the were bitten by the frost in that strange weather we had this spring.   I'm so happy that decided to show themselves after all!

It occurred to me that I've been neglecting the thrift part of my blog lately.  So here's my tip for this week.   The cattle growers are running out of feed and have begun to sell off their herds, so for a while there will be a glut of meat on the market, forcing the prices to go down.  Now is the time to buy and freeze or even can some.   After the initial flood of the market, prices will go back up and because you can't just get livestock overnight, you have to grow it and that takes a lot of time,  prices will be much higher in the for quite a while.  Corn will also be expensive, the farm report says it's selling for an all time high of $9 a bushel.  Corn is used in a lot of foodstuff, so groceries will be much higher.  BTW, listening to the farm report is a good way to keep abreast of the economy.  Now is the time to stock up your pantry.  A  post I wrote about stocking a basic pantry can found at the right under the label category entitled The Basic Pantry Items.  In the past I wrote more about being thrifty, but have given it up lately as I feel I'm preaching to the choir.  But if you're interested there's a lot of earlier posts that have thrifty ideas.   You can always use the search engine at the top of the page if there's something specific you are interested in.

Well, here we have arrived at the middle of the week already.  If we don't chat sooner, have a lovely weekend!

85 comments:

  1. Oh! I do remember your roasted spaghetti sauce recipe! It must be so good. I am all for not peeling! I should invest in a food mill someday.
    I love your dutch colonial house...your windows are so pretty. My husband sided our house about 20 years ago when our kids were young and he had no helpers. It took him 4 months and he said he would've never started it if he knew it would be so hard (esp. with no one to help). He had to take down our asbestos siding first and wrap it up according to regulations, only to have the dump toss it in, not caring if it fell apart. ha.

    Your post is well-rounded today! Neat your son's middle name is the same as my son's first name. love,andrea

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    1. Hi Andrea! My food mill was handed down from Ran's grampa. Makes it kind of nice to use.

      Those windows are quite the area of discussion with the contractor. They're replacement windows that Ran and I put in when we first bought the place and he disapproves. Now they are wrapping the sills in aluminum. We're replacing the front picture window with two like this side and he thinks they are outrageously expensive. Can't see why I wouldn't be happier with something cheaper with a snap in grille. Men just don't understand. Just shrugs his shoulders and says "Whatever you want". I want to espalier an apple tree on the blank area of the wall. Whoever designed this house, wasn't very interested in symmetry!

      Guess great minds think alike when it comes to naming children! Ha!

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    2. Hi Jane. Windows are a big topic and expense. We've discussed that here and decided against. My husband doesn't see anything wrong with vinyl windows and I can't see putting up cheaper windows. Our windows are wooden, and I know we couldn't afford to replace them with new wooden windows. Then, Our big front window is not a standard size, and we got an estimate to have one made, which was $6,000 for the one window...so we said forget it. (And that price is with my husband putting it in himself, that is just the window to order...I could imagine him dropping it..ha). But I do have one new vinyl window as my husband cut the wall in our kitchen to put it in for me, and it is alot easier to clean and I do really like it. A tree espalier would be very nice. I've been drooling over arbors (none as nice as yours in your header photo!) and I saw some of those. love,andrea

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    3. Wow! $6000 for one window? Ran recaulked all the wooden windows in the Victorian we used to own. Made a big difference in the heating bills. Your husband sounds very handy, Andrea! Ran was going to reside the house himself, but I didn't want him to be climbing up there on a ladder. I don't think my heart is strong enough to take that kind of thing anymore!

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    4. Yes, our house is not tall. I don't let my husband do our roof...figure it is not worth it if he gets hurt and can't work! The funny thing about that one window...is that we walk into the Pella store with a plan we just devised....and that is...if the window costs over 3000 it is not worth it...we were debating the cut-off figure...and boy were we surprised with the larger quote! We laughed, because that made our choice clear-cut about the window. Last year my husband put new insulation in our 2 attics, and that cut our heating and cooling bills by about $100/month. I think our windows are caulked, but they are still drafty if we get a strong wind. If things ever get really, really bad with fuel costs, we can always go back to the plastic on the windows. My parents did that years ago. love,andrea

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    5. ha...great minds think alike! I started buying thermal curtains two years ago. You are right...they really do help!! Penny's catalog says they cut down on 30% of the air coming in or something like that.
      love,andrea

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    6. Hi again! I never, never thought I would make soap! (like canning and sewing....but even more so soap). I love the natural look too. I'm into bland colors I guess.

      Next I should sit down and figure out how much each bar cost. Because it is expensive to buy. That is one reason why I wanted to make it. First I was hooked on how neat it looked, then I wanted to feel it...and now I'm curious to see the price. love,andrea

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    7. You were ahead of the times, 30 years ago! love,andrea

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  2. A great deal happening in your home Jane! Exciting, frustrating but oh so rewarding (delicious tomatoes my friend!)

    m.

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    1. You said a mouthful there, Maria! The frustrating part, that is! So good to read that you are sewing again. Can't wait to see your creations!

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I have been thinking about that since your last post lol :) I used to dry out plastic bags... I really should do it again. I save every type of container and reuse them for our lunches :)

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    1. Better watch out Jane! You'd be joining the old fuddy duddy society. And you need at least 20 more years before that! Lol! My husband gets his friends to save the containers for Chinese take-out for him. Have to admit that some of my plastic bags really should be replaced, but just hate the thought of buying some new ones. I find a lot of small covered Corning ware casseroles at estate sales for around a dollar.

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  4. Your tomatoes look beautiful! Your roasted tomato sauce recipe sounds very good, I will have to try it this year so I don't have to deal with removing the skins. We still have a bit to go before our tomatoes will ripen, but our August heat should do the trick. Hydrangea are one of my favorite flowers, we had beautiful mature bushes at our first and second homes, and here we have such a hot sunny yard I haven't found a spot for one. I am hoping to squeeze one in in our front yard next year, now that the tree in our front yard is finally big enough to provide a bit of shade. I love the container you have them in, wonderful color!

    How exciting about the siding on your house, I love the shape of your house. It is always nice to complete projects like that. :) Sounds like a productive fun week!

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    1. Hi April! At one time I had a lot of hydrangea bushes but they are a rather frail plant for this area and eventually they die. That little firkin has been painted every color under the sun.

      We searched out a Dutch gambrel so that we could have the house we dreamed of. When the reno is finished I'll show you a before and after picture. You'll see why everyone thought we were crazy!

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  5. Hi Jane! Thanks for the tip on the beef prices, I was unaware of that. Your tomatoes are heavenly! I love, love, love tomato sandwiches. I like to lightly toast my bread, then put on the mayonaise, tomato slices and a little salt and pepper. Just simple, but it is one of my most favorite lunches. I hope that your siding work will be completed soon. How pretty it is going to look when it is all finished. What color did you choose? I bet your home canned spaghetti sauce is out of this world. I had a busy day, with lots of errands, it sure is nice to be home now and out of the heat. We a tremendous storm yesterday afternoon and it flooded the pond, and turned our dirt road into a mud puddle. It was like the heavens opened up and poured buckets for about an hour. Have a lovely evening ahead my friend, and again thank you so much for your sweet comments, I appreciate them so much! Delisa :)

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    1. Hi Delisa! We're installing gray weathered shakes for a Nantucket look. It's become the talk of the town. Really should sell tickets. If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be this sauce and some crusty garlic bread. No matter how much I can, it always disappears. Of course, a lot has to do with the nice heirloom tomatoes that we grow. I was just thinking that I eat something with tomatoes in it almost every day. No wonder I never get sick with all that vitamin C! Do you know that I can't even recall what a rainstorm looks like, it's been that long? Sometimes we get a a little rain, but all it does is make it steamy. Makes me glad that somewhere in the world food is growing. If we were pioneers and had to grow our own food, we would surely starve!

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  6. I have a bunch of whole, frozen tomatoes that my mother gave me when one of her freezers went on the fritz--your roasted tomato spaghetti sauce sounds like just the thing to do with them. No food mill, but I bet I could use my food processer or an immersion blender to do almost the same thing. Hmmm..

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    1. I'm sure it would work, Charlene. Never tried freezing tomatoes, sounds interesting. I'm afraid I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to freezing food. Always forget to use it. You know what they say, "out of sight, out of mind"!

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  7. I like your idea of the tomato sandwich. I've never tried that before. However, I hesitate to use mayo, as it usually contains much fat. The mayo with reduced fat is usually too nasty for me. Still, I might give it a try.

    I wish you the best with your house "reconstruction." Sounds a bit stressful to me. :)

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    1. You're so disciplined Mara! See? That's why I never lose weight. Just thinking about the sandwich and not the fat. I suppose you could skip it, but it wouldn't be nearly as good!

      Now that the guys have begun, the stress is gone. They're really some great fellows. The materials arrived today, so it's too late to turn back now, so it's onward and upward!

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  8. Dear Jane,

    Yay, you're getting tomatoes! I will be glad through you, and not jealous. :) How nice that your hydrangea is finally blooming; the neighbors' hydrangea is wilted in the drought; I hope they water it soon!

    Love,


    Marqueta

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    1. Does it make you feel better to know that they are pretty puny this year, Marqueta? Ha! Hydrangeas are the canaries in the mine when it comes to plants. They are always the first to droop in the drought. But it's amazing how quickly they revive with a spritz of water.

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  9. Hi Jane
    Our tomatoes are right behind yours...still green but getting many and of various sizes.
    Thanks for the tips...I have been telling everyone about the beef prices and to stock up for a couple of weeks now. chicken is so high that we have been buying more leg quarters, instead of breast, which is fine since we use meat sparingly in our meals anyway.
    ~The Lord will provide~

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    1. Hopefully you'll be eating tomatoes soon, Lisa. The Lord does indeed provide! Just have to learn to take what he gives and appreciate it. For some reason this year He thought we needed lots of peppers. And really purslane isn't too bad! Isn't it funny how some things are growing like gang busters (whatever they are) and other things are complete failures.

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  10. Oooo Weeee.... nice tomatoes. Blessings.

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  11. The weather is so funny. I've recently read an article that says due to all the rain NC may have a bumper crop of corn.

    I love tomato sandwiches, too. I've never heated them though. Will have to try that.

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    1. Too bad the same can't be said for the corn belt, Shara! Oh yeah, grilling them makes them extra tasty. Had one for lunch today. Couldn't get anything better at Buckingham Palace!

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  12. Hi Jane! I was just out and about tonight and thought I would pop over and say hello. I hope you are having a good weekend so far. We have been just resting and hanging around the house, enjoying Star Trek reruns. I love a nice quiet saturday once in awhile! I made a big pot of homemade salsa today and thought about you as I was cooking down the tomatoes. My neighbor gave me a large bowl of over-ripe tomatoes. She has a big harvest this year. They were perfect for the salsa. They were so naturally sweet and fragrant. So different from the kind I usually find in the grocery store. Have a lovely evening tonight and rest well! Delisa :)

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  13. Hi Jane,
    I love a good tomato sandwich! Homemade bread smeared with mayo, or an open face with wilted spinach and cheese. I'm hungry!
    Don't you just love hydrangeas?
    Hugs))

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    1. Hi Laurie! Yum! Spinach sounds good with it. I forgot to add that I like fresh basil on them too. Had one today with tomatoes warm from the garden. Oh boy! You just can't get any better than that! I think the hydrangeas benefited from the bad weather. They are especially pretty this year.

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    1. Ha! This is a coincidence. I just finished writing a comment on your blog and returned here to find you had left one on mine. But there are no such things as coincidences in God's plans are there? Praying my words give you encouragement. And thank you for the blessings. One can never have enough!

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  15. Hi Jane! It's like being on vacation having the kids grown, isn't it! I just have one more child at home, but the year is counting down!

    You are lucky to have a grandchild though...I miss having a little one to bring joy. love,andrea

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  16. Thanks Jane. I appreciate your kind words. love,andrea

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  17. Hi ...yes I was just reading that about the soaps....isn't that something! It is amazing how important it is what we put on our skin, and of course the foods we eat, also! love,andrea

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  18. Hi Jane! I've been thinking about you and your wonderful cottage lately. You introduced me to Gladys Taber with the book The Stillmeadow Road. So when I saw Stillmeadow Sampler at the thrift store I knew to grab it quick!! These books are such fun to read!

    After reading Taber and reading about your Sweet Briar Cottage I decided to name my home. My little "estate" is now called Wildflower Pond; pond because we are situated on a pond and Wildflower because Jim worked so hard to develop a plot of wildflowers along side the pond.

    Enjoy your day, Jane!
    Sandy

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    1. Hi Sandy! Long time-no see! Glad you enjoyed Gladys. Your pretty lucky to have found one at the thrift store. In all my years of searching, I've only found one there. Wildflower Pond sounds lovely and perfect for a home of someone that searches out nature. Wasn't planning on blogging anymore, but I'll have to post some pictures of the house when it's finished. It seems like it's taking an eternity. The guys work all day and long hours, but when I go outside to see what they've done, it still looks the same. Certainly a lot of hammering going on! Well you have a nice weekend, Sandy and enjoy those wildflowers. Isn't that a nice legacy Jim left to the earth?

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  19. :(
    Hi jane...ha...I will be sad not to read your posts! But I know you've been at this for a while, and I suppose it is healthier to not do something FOREVER! You life is changing gears a bit with more grandchildren too.
    Should I put anonymous in my settings so that you can comment? (You can answer me either here or at my blog...I check both). I think I have all but that. tsk. You are so commonsense, it is so refreshing to know you!

    Ditto ditto ditto! That is exactly what I was thinking....all those different flours, to name one ingredient! I just had to say stop to myself, and not look at recipes. But I will always be thankful for your old-fashioned ginger creams! EVERYONE I give those to, loves them!

    I think food is an obsession these days. Really. I think it is a dangerous path because one of the 7 capital sins is gluttony, and perhaps it is sneaking up on us in a form of taking over our daily lives. I also notice my elderly neighbors, that they are constantly going out to eat. My one neighbor even salivates (literally) when she tells me what she ate. Luckily I'm not the best cook, and I've always told my children that they will never be tempted to gluttony here. ha. love,andrea

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  20. fyi..I just added anonymous also. bye!

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  21. I seem to have lost the knack for baking..my kids say I don't put love into it anymore:)
    If you really think about it, fruits are amazing....their texture and appearance. Pretty marvelous! love,andrea

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  22. ♡¸.°.¸♫♫♪

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil
    ♡彡♫♪°.¸.•°`

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  23. fyi (again)...ok...I took off anonymous as long as you can use your blogger account or gmail or whatever. But if you ever decide to delete your blog and want to use anonymous, let me know and I will give permission for that. I don't want to lose you in computer-land! :)
    love,andrea

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  24. I would imagine you are still up to your elbows in tomatoes. They are a surprisingly difficult crop to raise in KY--very susceptable to blight.
    We are almost at the point of planting a few for the table and buying several boxes for canning at the Mennonite produce auction.

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    1. Hi Sharon! Everyday we get a bushel full lately. One thing we can always count on is tomatoes. Good thing we love them!

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  25. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice morning so far. I was out and about and thought I would stop by and say hello! It is gray and cloudy here this morning and I think we are going to have a storm. I am getting to where I can "feel" it in my bones. :) Hubby is home from work today recuperating from some minor surgery. I always enjoy having him home. I have most of my house work all caught up so I am going to enjoy my day and do some baking and work on my knitting. I just finished a cute pair of red slippers. They look like old fashioned Mary Jane shoes and have a strap across the top. It was a fun little pattern. I am hoping to go back to the knitting circle tonight. I had such a good time last week. It is kind of a long drive though about 35 miles one way. I hope you have a wonderful day ahead! Until next time... Love, Delisa :)

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  26. Hi Jane. Yes, I thought about you when I put up that quilt picture! That quilt is at my son's house. I do think it is better quality then pottery barn's quilts.

    I took that little duck picture at the same fair last year. This year they weren't posing for me! i looked down over the fence and it was below...so cute.

    The mornings are a bit cooler...it reminds me of how warmth is nice...but it heats up to mid to high 80's this week...I normally love fall the best, but as I am getting older, I will miss the warmth in the mornings. love,andrea

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  27. Jane I always appreciate your hugs...... thank you!

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  28. Hi Jane! I hope you had a nice weekend. I am just sitting around and having a relaxing sunday evening. It was a beautiful day. The weather has really cooled down, especially in the mornings. It has been so refreshing. I am starting to be able to imagine autumn once again. I am going to have a busy week getting the house ready for some company that are coming all the way from Switzerland. I am getting really excited. They are dear friends and they are going to stay with us for two whole weeks. We have a few fun things planned but it is nice because they move at just my speed. :) I hope you have a good night's rest ahead and a beautiful morning tomorrow. Until next time...Love, Delisa :)

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  29. Hi Jane! I don't think it's too early for fall colors. My outside has black-eyed susans..I think that makes nice fall colors. I was going to put pics of those on my header...but I decided to go with the early summer (for my area) hydrangeas. I'm anxious for fall decorating!! I love it! love,andrea

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  30. I need to move by you...I would love to be able to wear a sweater this early! The only place I can, is our church, as they keep the air conditioner too cold! ha. love,andrea

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  31. Hello Jane :) Just thinking about you and stop by to say hi :)
    m.

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  32. Wednesday hugs to you my dear. ((((Jane))))

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  33. Thanks Jane, I am grateful for your prayers. I know he is in God's hands. And I know he is worried over his new car (mustang) back parked at his apartment! :)
    love,andrea

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  34. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice friday. I just wanted to pop by and say hello and let you know I was thinking about you this morning, I have to go to the hospital later today for my yearly bunch of x rays and bone scans. I think there is a mamogram thrown in for good measure! :) Afterwards I am going to treat myself to a chocolate covered strawberry milkshake at Steak and Shake. Do you have those where you live? They just built one a couple of months ago the milkshakes are the best I have ever tasted! Got to run for now, have a wonderful day and I hope that all of the construction work will be finished for you soon. With Love Delisa :)

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  35. ♡✿彡╮

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.
    •°♫¸.♪♫°

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    1. Thank you for your lieve/ lovely comment on my blog. How's life now? Different than before? I think on you - and I hope you feel that :-)

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  37. Oh Jane that is wonderful! (minus assimilating the apt. stuff). No wonder you are so busy.

    love,andrea

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  38. Hi! Those Olde Century paints look neat. My husband has always done the painting around here, but when it came to trying out painting the table, he refused to do it. Probably because if it failed, he'd rather the blame be on me. So far he is pleased with it. Maybe it is a good thing he refused to let me buy a new table and chairs last year, this painting is doing the trick for me! love,andrea

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  39. Yes, I have 8 chairs. I thought I'd do 4 at a time. love,andrea

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  40. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice tuesday afternoon. I was so happy to hear that you got your window fixed before your guests came. Living with construction going on is so tiring after awhile. We have several projects we need to get started on, but we keep putting them off. When we were younger it didn't phase us, but I think we are beginning to turn into our parents. "This paint ought to last for another year..lets just get the rug shampooed again..." :) Our guests are in route. They should be landing in Atlanta at 5:30 but it looks like they are going to have a long lay over and won't arrive here till almost 9:00 p.m. The house is all clean and ready and we are just kind of sitting around twiddling our thumbs, trying not to "mess" anything up! :) Have a lovely evening ahead. With Love, Delisa :)

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  41. Hello Jane!

    Is the construction still going on? I know how hard it is to live among all the chaos, but once it is done... it is done!

    Sending you hellos from here in the mountains.

    m.b.

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  42. Hi Jane, hope your end of summer is filled with stocking up for the winter and you are all doing well.

    I've nominated you for a Beautiful Blogger Award. :-)

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  43. Hi! My black/white floor is getting old. Still fine though. We were almost tempted to put hardwood in though. (But now I see my appliances are getting old and they will need replacing soon...plus if we move when retirement comes, I don't want to put more money into this house.)

    I learned so much from you Jane! I really appreciate you sharing with us.
    I woke up this a.m. thinking of quitting blogging. ...just to have my mind live more simple. I know this is my 3rd try at blogging. I am very scatter-brained. I feel it is fun and easy to do, but sometimes I wonder how it would feel to stop looking at the computer. It is one thing to physically live simple, which I don't do yet (although when my husband retires I will have to, and I've seen my neighbors who are old do this), but I am thinking back to B.C...(before computers !) So I am thinking. This would include me not looking at blogs, etc too. love,andrea

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  44. Thanks Jane, you are so sweet. You are like my childhood girlfriend who thinks like me:)
    Interesting how you have so many boys also, and we are going along the same path. Both our husbands must appreciate a home life too! love,andrea

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  45. p.s...It does make me feel better in my decision to quit, knowing you are also. I would be sad if I left and you were still here.

    So I guess we are retiring! I only wish I earned an income from it and paid social security taxes so I could've earned benefits..lol love,andrea

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  46. Ha..actually my one grandma always wore a babushka...so I am familiar! :)
    I told my husband he really needs to get a hobby for when he retires...like woodworking or something. My dentist did...and his kids are always giving him suggestions for what to make for them. My husband doesn't know...but I tell my kids that whenever they have a home-project, dad would be glad to come help them. So far that is keeping him busy on weekends. :) love,andrea

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  47. Hi Jane...I just had to share one more nostalgic thing with you...I was so mezmorized by this when I was little! Love,andrea (it's susie snowflake from 1951...I was born after that but it was new to me!)
    http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=susie+snowflake&view=detail&mid=69642742D417207FC37869642742D417207FC378&first=0&qpvt=susie+snowflake

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    1. Isn't that the sweetest, Andrea!? Isn't it funny, that you never hear those tones in music anymore? My sister's name is Suzy so we sang that a lot growing up. Gosh I wish times could be as sweet and innocent as they were when we were growing up. Remember the Santa from the Norelco electric razor advertisement? I also got excited when I saw that on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour because it meant Christmas was on it's way! Thank you so much for sharing this, Andrea!

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    2. Hi..my daughter asked me why it was spelled "suzy" and then I realized I had spelled it wrong. Oh yes....thanks for the reminder...the Norelco Santa....gliding through the snow :)
      I think back then, we had so little, (in the way of t.v. and animation) that what we saw was so delightful to us.

      And also in material goods. We spoil our kids these days, and by doing that, rob them of joy! love,andrea

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    3. Hi Andrea! Sorry about the delay in answering! When your husband retires, be prepared to run off your little legs! Ha!

      I think you can spell it either Susie or Suzy, guess it depends if it is a nickname for Susan or Suzanne. My son wrote an essay about his aunt and the teacher marked him down because she said he spelled her name wrong! Guess he'd know better than her, how she spells it! Ah! The state of the schools now days. I think I would have to home school, if I was just starting out. Our little Tatianna started 1st grade this week and is already bored with it. She says they are just doing "baby" stuff. She really needs to skip a grade (or two) but I guess they don't do that anymore.

      I so agree with you on the fact we have spoiled our children with giving them too much. Every time I go to a garage sale you see the entire garage is loaded with kid's clothes and toys. The parent probably go into hock to buy it all for them. I remember growing up that we got one pair of shoes for the entire school year unless we outgrew them. We always had to be so careful with our selection. Probably why I'm a shoe-aholic now. Ha!

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  48. Hi Jane! I just thought I would take a moment and say hello! We are having a great time with our guests. It has been a busy week but a wonderful one. They are the kind of friends where we can be apart for years and then just pick up the conversation again like we had never been apart. What a gift that is. I am starting to realize though that I am overdoing things a bit and I'm going to have to rest a little. They will be here till the 19th. and I don't think I can keep up this same pace, for the whole time! :) I hope you are having a nice weekend so far. Until next time...with love, Delisa :)

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  49. Hi Jane! How are you today? I hope you are having a nice afternoon. Everyone is laying down for a nap so I thought I would take a moment and say hello! We are still having a wonderful time with our guests. They have been enjoying doing simple things, hanging around the house, talking, and watching old movies. Which is just about my speed! :) I have been cooking some big meals. Yesterday I made a big pot of spaghetti with Italian sausage, and a peach cobbler. Friday we are going to a German restaurant for dinner and then we will do a little shopping over the weekend. It really is wonderful to have them for two whole weeks, because nothing feels rushed. Have a lovely afternoon! Love Delisa :)

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  50. ¸.•°`♥✿彡✿♥`°•.¸
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    Bom fim de semana!!!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.

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  51. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice sunday. I love the comments you have been leaving on my blog especially the last one! I agree," love your husband and flirt with him shamelessly, it is the best way to stay young!" Wiser words have never been said. :) We had a great time at the German restaurant on friday and then yesterday I cooked Jambalya. Today it was southern bbq at Shanes's. My goodness, I don't think I will be able to eat for a week! What a combination. My friend also made Swiss fudge and brought us bars of milk chocolate! They leave on Wednesday and I am going to miss them terribly. Have a lovely day ahead! Love, Delisa :)

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  52. Just stopping by to say Hi! I hope you had a great summer and all is well with you. What have you been up to lately? Any plans for the fall? I've started cleaning up my gardens even though there are a few tomatoes left as well as the brussel sprouts and leeks. It's definitely feeling like fall here in southern Ontario and oh how I welcome these cooler temperatures after such a hot, humid summer!

    Blessings,
    Sandra

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  53. Somehow I missed this post of yours Jane.

    Your recipe for a tomato sandwich sounds delicious!

    I love the quote by John Muir.

    Did the siding job get completed yet? I love your little cottage. It is really sweet and has wonderful character. What year was it made?

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  54. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice first day of autumn! It actually doesn't feel like autumn here in Georgia today, but there is the tiniest hint in the air. All the leaves are still on the trees. We don't really get autumn till about the first week of November. It only last for about six weeks and then winter blows in from the north bringing the first hard freeze and frost in the mornings. The nice thing about autumn here though is that it coincides with the cotton blooming. To me that is the most beautiful part of the living in the south.

    I am a little sad today because logging trucks have started taking down several acres of trees along the dirt road to my house. It is a touchy subject. No one is being malicious. I do understand that people need the money from the sale of their trees and all, and that they do this every couple decades or so, but it is heartbreaking really to see those beautiful trees fall. I am just praying they don't do anything to the forest behind our house. Technically we have five acres that go about 20 ft. into the backwoods, so they should leave a border, but I don't know where the animals will go. I just wish I could go somewhere for a day or two and get away from all the noise of the cutting. I guess as a city girl having grown up in Los Angeles, when I came here and saw all the trees, it was like finding a treasure. I didn't think of them in terms of being a "crop". Well my friend thanks for letting me rant a little. I hope you have a good day ahead and that all of your construction projects will soon be at an end! With Love, Delisa :)

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  55. Just chiming in to say "hi" as well! Such a busy time of year this is :)
    -Jaime

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  56. Hi Jane! I hope you are having a nice Wednesday so far. I am having a "pillow and blanket on the couch with old movies" day. :) Yesterday I had to go to the hospital for one of my yearly infusions. It always makes me feel like I have the flu for a day or two afterwards and then I am back to normal. Barkley and I are enjoying our time together. He has been curled up next to me all morning. Have a great day ahead! Love, Delisa :)

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  57. Hallo Jane!
    I have big tomatos here in my yard too. They're taste is much better than the tomatos from the stores...

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