Peppermint Patty Day!

On this day, August 22nd, in 1966, Charles Schultz introduced us to Peppermint Patty - as Charlie Brown’s new love interest.

According to Wikipedia:

“Schulz said that he had developed the Peppermint Patty persona in response to the burgeoning Women's Liberation Movement that was sparked in the latter half of the 1960s, and that he desired to create a character that defied gender stereotypes and embraced social norms that had yet to become fashionable. Peppermint Patty was the first female character outfitted with shorts and sandals, rather than dresses; and had a personality much more tomboyish than the girls who played on Charlie Brown's baseball team; and the first character to be the product of a single-parent household.”

I knew there was a good reason that I liked Peppermint Patty! She never wore dresses! I believe I am the only girl in my 1953 West Ward  Kindergarten picture who is NOT wearing a pretty little dress. Nope! I am wearing corduroy pants and a shirt – and I’m sure I know I was much more comfortable on the playground!

 Happy Peppermint Patty Day!

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Morning Coffee at Kaffee Cup Cottage

My friend and I recently decided that we needed to name our homes as in the old English tradition. It just seems to add a level of character to a house if it has a special name. We both enjoy our homes and thought this would be a fun thing to do.

Audrey is a Master Gardener, has a beautifully designed flower garden and also lives in a bungalow style house, thus she picked, Blossom Bungalow. My residence now is a classic 80’s vintage townhome and doesn’t lend itself to any particular theme so we finally decided to go with my love of coffee coupled with my Scandinavian roots. Kaffee Cup Cottage is where I reside.

So stop in anytime at Kaffee Cup Cottage where the coffee is always fresh and the conversation engaging - or at least pleasant! And I know Audrey would be happy to entertain you in her garden at Blossom Bungalow.

And now I believe I will pour another cup of coffee and watch the pond a bit!  You have a great day, too!

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Bean Bags and Morning Glories!

This photo is for those of you who have followed my progress on these simple bean bags for my almost 2 year old Granddaughter, Addie. This was a very simple project, yet it seemed to take me forever. I found that I was constantly tending to my “Farm” and not staying on task.

In my defense, I do have a fairly large spread where I have planted and harvested plots and plots of Daffedils, Tulips, Lentils, Pumpkins and Morning Glories. I have 20 chickens, 20 cows and 20 horses – all needing daily attention, not to mention all the neighbors I have who need help with their chores. This isn’t easy, that's for sure!!

So I may have to give up my farm. If I have to struggle to find time to make 15 small bean bags, between farm chores, it might be time for the farm to go.

But, darn, it is so fun!!

My Current Muse!

"Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back." ~Chinese Proverb

It is only with these wise words in mind, that I have endeavored to learn as much about Farm Ville as I possibly can. I've read where this type of creative playing can be good for elderly minds. Thus I feel no guilt when creating my dream farm.

I'm harvesting fields of flowers today; hope you have something fun planned, too!

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If I won the Lottery!

This is something I'd love to do if I had a million dollars to spend.  I'd buy and renovate an old country style church and make it a Christian Museum, Book and Gift store.   I'd call it Blessings!

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National Raisin and Spice Bar Day

Today, April 5th, is National Raisin and Spice Bar day.  Here again, as posted last year, is my favorite Raisen Spice Bar recipe.  Perfect with a glass of cold milk or fresh coffee.  Enjoy!

Raisin Spice Bars
· 1 cup raisins
· 1 cup water
· 1/2 cup shortening or veg oil
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 egg, slightly beaten
· 1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon soda
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
· 1 teaspoon ground allspice
· dash ground cloves
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

PREPARATION:
Combine raisins and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in oil; cool to lukewarm. Stir in the sugar and beaten egg. Sift together dry ingredients; with a wooden spoon beat into the raisin mixture. Stir in chopped nuts. Pour into a greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake at 375° for 18 to 24 minutes. Cool in pan then cut into bars. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar. Makes about 24 bars.

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My Week in 364 Words

Booksneeze.com - Love the concept!

Lap Quilts – Becoming a great on-going project!

Facebook – The jury’s still out! Want to be friends?

Comfortable knit pants – My new favorite new style!

Healthcare Reform – Hoped for something more American.

Dove Chocolate w/Almonds – my new indulgence!

Eight O’Clock Coffee – my current home brew!

Paul Ryan – For President in 2012!!

How about you?

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Taylors Falls - St. Croix River

A beautiful day for a drive to Taylors Falls with granddaughter, Meghan.  I was so concentrating on the rainbow that I almost missed the falls (on the right) entirely.  The water was definitely "ice blue".

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Gaiety

If you want to experience some spring, visit a garden center.  We spent some time wandering in our favorite - Linders Garden Center in St. Paul.  It was so wonderful to be surrounded by all this springiness.

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Adventure, Love and Danger

After reading a reference to the movie The Princess Bride in the John Ortberg book I am studying, I decided to check the movie out.  I had never watched it before and was surprised it goes back to 1987.  My kids were 10 and 15 at that time so maybe they watched it without me.  Anyway, I was able to find it at our library so popped it in last night and sat down to enjoy.  And enjoy, I did!  What a fun movie!!  Make yourself a bowl of popcorn and escape into a story of adventure,  love, and danger in The Princess Bride!

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This Day in History

This day, in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call.  I wonder if he had any idea where it would all lead.  Look AG, no wires! 

When I take the time to think about our wireless/digital world, it totally amazes me.  I would love to take my Grandmothers around and show them all the things we can do today.  And I can't help but wonder where we will be when I'm 90, and what stories I might have for my Great-Grandkids about the way we used to do things.

But first I need to work at keeping up with all these new things; it is a challenge for me. I think I want a Droid; but first I need to know what it is!

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A Perfect Afternoon

Tying and binding quilts; enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee and listening to Elvis Presley sing Gospel.
It really doesn't get much better!

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