Saturday, September 30, 2006

Victorian Charm and Elegance


On a warm day this summer, I enjoyed walking through the streets of Port Townsend, Washington, looking for interesting houses and gardens. This beautiful house, built in 1889, is called the Anne Starrett Mansion and is now a Victorian Hotel. Sitting on a hill and overlooking the harbor, it is a place of beauty and grace. Can you imagine stepping back in time and being the mistress of this beautiful home? This home was built for love by George Starrett as a wedding gift for his wife Ann. Beautiful rooms and delightful decor are contained within it's walls. The soaring tower stands at 70 feet and contains frescoes painted in Ann's image. It also includes a solar calendar and a three-tiered free-hung staircase. The home represents American heritage to it's core! For a virtual tour of the rooms within, click here: http://www.starrettmansion.com/tourmap.html

Like Grandmother's Stove

Earlier this week I posted about my Grandmother's kitchen stove. I found a picture of a similar one that I took earlier this summer. I'm sure this is very much like Grandmother's, but since I was a small child when I remember my auntie's cooking on her stove, I remember it as shinier and bigger. What wonderful meals were created on that stove and the fires burning in the various fire boxes were so unique and interesting to me. And, oh how hot it was! I'm thankful for the modern convenience of stoves where I can adjust the fire (or electricity) simply and without having to endure the heat of a wood stove on a warm autumn day!

The ABC's of Life


The ABC's of Life, as posted on a sign in a store window, are a wonderful guideline for living a happy and successful life --- at peace with the world and with those around you. If everyone lived by these values, harmony would be the blessed result!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Hello


This evening I made the switch to Blogger Beta. I'm not sure what differences it will make for readers, but I think I am going to enjoy the simplicity of making changes to the format and templates on Gracious Hospitality. For some reason, all my links did not transfer over, so I'll be adding them back in time. You'll also notice that I have added an email address where you can email me if you choose. The comments section of this blog is still functional. Feedback is very welcome! If you have favorite blogs you visit and would like to see them linked here, please let me know who they are. It's my desire to make this place user friendly and convenient for my blog readers. Thank you for your patience with me as I learn the new settings and features now available.

Home!


"Home! That was
what they meant,
those caressing
appeals, those
soft touches
wafted through
the air, those
invisible little
hands pulling
and tugging,
all one way!"


Kenneth Grahame

Grandmother's Legacy


I never knew my Grandmother when she could walk. Struck down with multiple sclerosis during the prime of her life, she lived life in wheelchair or armchair for all the years I knew her. Her home was small, but clean and tidy. Although she had electricity, she never had running water or a bathroom in her house. I have fond memories of my aunties in Grandmother's kitchen, cooking up delicious meals over a blazing, wood-burning kitchen stove. When Grandmother's disease held her prisoner in her own body, Aunt Mabel, who lived next door, would deliver three meals a day and tend to Grandmother's needs. I remember my father installing an intercom system by Grandmother's bed so she could call Auntie Mabel in the night if she needed any help. It was her lifeline to security and assistance if it was needed.

It's amazing to me how Grandmother never complained! She was known for her kind and gentle spirit. She took life as it came and lived to ease the lives of those around her. She was widowed by fifty and for the next twenty-five years lived alone until old age required she move in with her daughter so she could be cared for more easily. Although she had much she could have complained about, not a grumpy word came out of her mouth! She simply was not one to feel sorry for herself.

When my sister and I were little girls, she would look forward to our visits and frequently asked us to sing for her. Her thick German accent sometimes made it hard for us to understand all she said, and we sometimes were shy about kissing her good-bye because of the long, black hairs of her mustach! She kept wonderful white peppermint candies in her drawer and always gave us one or two when we came to visit. Because we hadn't ever seen candies of this type in the United States, my sister and I decided that these were purely Canadian mints! She enjoyed letters from us and would write them to us as well. I recently found one she wrote to me in my late teen years, admonishing me to be a 'good girl' and asking about boys and school. Every time we visited her, she would never let us leave without a prayer and a song. To this day, I cannot hear the hymn "Till We Meet Again" without thinking of Grandmother, as it was the song we always sung before we journeyed home again.

The items in this picture are mostly Grandmother's. The table sat beside her armchair for many years and the clock was hers as well. Both are precious family heirlooms and treasures, as they remind us of her and the positive influence she had on our lives. The little girls in the photo are my sister and me.

The Autumn Garden


"A modest garden contains,
for those who know how to look and to wait,
more instruction than a library."

Henri Frederic Amiel

Tomatoes, beets, raspberries, and rhubarb
await harvest. What wonderful
meals they will create!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Perfumed Mysteries


"Pure smells are pure pleasure, thus the obsession with scent is an ancient one. Led by their noses, lured by the bouquet of herbs, spices, and tea, early explorers set sail across unknown seas to mysterious continents, they yearned to possess the perfumed mysteries contained in the leaves and flowers of exotic plants such as tea."

From: Delectables for all Seasons - Tea
Teacup from Alma's Collection


Sweet Pillows, Sweetest Bed


"Take thou of me,
sweet pillows,
sweetest bed;. . .
A rosy garland
and a weary head."


Sir Philip Sidney

Succulents


Succulent plants are so easy and fun to grow! And what a lovely, green addition they make to a garden bed or container. Succulents are a species that have water storing capabilities and have adapted to the arid climates of deserts and semi-deserts. They are frequently associated with high daytime temperatures and their special mechanisms which allow them to collect and conserve the limited moisture that is available from rain, dews, mists, and fogs. Because they do not require daily watering, they make wonderful container gardens in areas that are hot and dry.

Last summer I decided to add variety to my supply of succulent plants, but was disheartened to find that the nursery down the road charged dearly for their succulent stock. I purchased one or two plants, but decided to use the cutting method as a fast and inexpensive way to propegate them and enlarge my own collection. Friends and neighbors have been happy to share with me. A cutting produces a new plant which is genetically identical to the original specimen. Therefore, it's important that you only start cuttings from plants that are thriving and healthy. Most species of succulent plants can be started from pieces that are cut from the stem of the plant with a sharp knife. The best place to cut is just below a stem joint, or where a leaf or bud joins the stem. Be careful to remove the cuttings so that they do not spoil the original plant's shape. The new cutting can be placed directly into a container of potting soil, sand, or vermiculite. With occasional water and indirect sunlight, they will root and grow, eventually reproducing and forming new small plants. Although Spring is usually the best time to take cuttings and start them in a growing medium, Autumn or Winter will also work if they are of a variety that continues growing during those seasons.

Eventually, most species of succulent plants will produce tiny plants at the base of the parent plant. These new plants can be easily plucked or cut off of the main stem and replanted in new pots for continued propegation. Doing this benefits the main plant because energy is not diverted from the main plant to the smaller ones. In order to grow a large solitary specimen, this is recommended.



Photos: Alma's 'Hen and Chicken' container garden. It thrived this summer with sunshine, water, and occasional feeding. Isn't it beautiful?


Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Here's What Happens When. . .


Here's what happens when you have a dad who watches Home & Garden Television! Recently he added several rooms to his house, and one was this: his new office. Windows face the waters of the Puget Sound and the morning sunshine streams in. Since dad is an amateur radio operator, a wealth of outlets is required for all his ham radio and computer gear. The ceiling is a dark blue with spotlights placed strategically. Crown molding will encircle the area between the blue and white of the ceiling and he has plans to put rope lighting under it's crest. The walls are white with a blue base. Note that the lower section is striped, an effect created by taping off the wall and painting with two different types of paint. It's all been done by dad --- from framing to electrical and the decor --- and it's a beautiful and serene room. I can hardly wait until it's all done and he's moved in his office furniture and art. I know he'll enjoy his time there!

Tidbits About Tea


In the early eighteenth century, American colonists were avid tea drinkers. The Puritans drank theirs bitter, black, and salted, while other New Englanders preferred green China tea tinted with saffron and scented with iris root or gardenia petals.

Photo: Teacup from Alma's collection/Royal Doulton ~ Prince Albert

A Ready Chair


"Blest be that spot,
where cheerful guests retire to
pause from toil,
and trim their
ev'ning pair,
and every
stranger finds
a ready chair."


Oliver Goldsmith

The Rock


Gwen has posted a new devotional thought on her blog today. It's called "The Rock" and tells of Jesus, the Rock of our Salvation. It can be found at http://www.devotionalswithgwen@blogspot.com or by clicking her link, Gwen's Moments, at the right side of this page.

Photo: Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge

Monday, September 25, 2006

Soft, Serene, and Simple Quilt


This is another of Karleen's quilts in process. I love the softeness and colors in this quilt. I suspect they are what influenced me when I purchased these fat quarters for her as a Christmas gift! Her color is 'blue' and it looks so lovely in her house.

The design for this quilt is nine-patch with the darker blocks creating the outside and lighter squares fading into the center. Soft, serene and simple, she's making it as an accent for her living room.

Pluck the Leafy Tea


..."So I must rise at early dawn, as busy as can be, to get my daily labor done, and pluck the leafy tea."

Ballad of the Tea Pickers
Le Yih, Early Ch'ing Dynasty, 1644

Alma's 'tea cart' looks pretty in her dining room, set with her Royal Doulton Old Country Roses tea set.

Linger in Each Moment


"Let yourself linger
in each moment. . .

. . .in the fragrance,
color, and beauty
around you."

Thursday, September 21, 2006

A Quilting Friend and a Tranquil Day


This week I went to visit my friend, Karleen. I always enjoy visiting with her, and especially like going to her house. She is always an inspiration to me! She always has a sewing or knitting project in progress, loves to decorate and bake, and is efficient and organized. To me, she is the quintessential homemaker!

On this visit, we talked about quilting and she showed me her quilts in process. My experience as a participant in the embroidered tea towel swap group inspired her to look for a similar group that exchanged quilt blocks. She's been busy stitching them ever since! The quilt photos I'm sharing today are of her Americana Quilt in process. Each swap partner chose their own design, using red, white, and blue for the colors. They created 12 blocks and sent them to the organizer of the group who then repackaged them into unique sets and then forwarded them on. Karleen added navy borders and edging which provided unity and tied everything together very well. She is now preparing to back and quilt this top.

It's beautiful, Karleen! And Chalupa looks comfy and cozy as the prop! Thanks for sharing your day with me. It was fun!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The Heart Can Rest


"But every house where Love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home, sweet home;
For there the heart can rest."

~ Henry Van Dyke ~

Photo: Rothschild House
Port Townsend, Washington

The Nicest Word in the World


"Don't you know the phrase --- at home?"

"To me it says so much about being cozy in my own nest, about being where I belong, about tending to the most important parts of my life. Being at home means savoring that sense of safety and retreat, even when I'm hard at work. The world my be whizzing by outside, but here I am safe, tranquil, peaceful, productive."

"At home."

~ Emilie Barnes ~

Photo: Old house at Port Townsend, Washington

Remembering Mavis


I am saddened today to learn that a childhood friend passed away this week. A beautiful and energetic woman, Mavis was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago. Cut down in the prime of her life, her time as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend has passed until the resurrection and the Earth Made New.

Mavis is the first friend I remember playing with as a child. From about four years old, we played dolls, playhouse, store, and tag together. When my parents moved from Canada to the United States so that my dad could finish his college education, her family moved as well. We lived a few doors down from one another in 'married student housing', so were able to see each other every day. She was mischievious and so much fun to be around. After our father's graduated from college, our families moved on, but when it was our turn to be the college students, Mavis returned to the same town and we renewed our friendship and enjoyed being classmates together again. Mavis and I both took education and home economics classes together. Teacher education subjects and student teaching were the focus of coursework we took together. I also remember the beautiful garments she created in tailoring class; suits with much style and flair.

I worked in a college industry and my boss was a recent college graduate who arrived on campus as a single guy. It wasn't long before he realized that Mavis and I knew one another, so he asked for an introduction. I'm sure he would have met her even without my input, but this is the way I like to remember the story. Before long they were dating and married. Two beautiful daughters graced their home and are now lovely young women.

Everything Mavis touched was a thing of beauty! From interior design projects, beautiful stitched garments, and products she hand-crafted that were distributed through Nordstroms, she was a gifted and talented women. She contributed much to the education of young people through her expertise as a teacher and curriculum developer.

Mavis, although your time on earth was short, your influence and memory will live forever.

My sympathy and love goes to those you have left behind. May God be with them.


Hospitality Comes in Many Forms


Hospitality comes in many forms. Although we usually think of hospitality being expressed through home entertainment and graciousness, larger institutions can also share hospitality on a grander scale.

This week Brandon is attending orientation as he prepares to make the transition as a transfer student to a university of his choice. The week started with the "President's Luncheon"; an opportunity to welcome students and parents, and to explain some of the rules and regulations of this specific institution. Gracious hospitality was extended by meal, student hosts, and faculty who visited each table in an effort to welcome and provide comfort for the guests. I was impressed by PhD professors (ladies and gentlemen) who served the student and parent guests by refilling water glasses and providing fresh pitchers of water to the tables. Now, that is gracious hospitality!

Entire families were invited to the luncheon. The little boy in the left of this photo evidentally hadn't seen such interesting salad tongs before. He had a great time moving salad around until his mother realized what he was doing! Then she made sure his manners were learned. He was adorable!

Six serving tables were set up, providing ease in serving the large group of people in attendance. The menu was simple, but delicious: green salad with dressing, spaghetti and sauce, french bread, ice water, and frosted brownies. Many went back for seconds, so there was plenty to go around.

Many parents left the luncheon reassured that their young adult children would be well cared for and duly educated. The enrollment is under 2,000 students, about 1/4 the size of the community college that Brandon is transferring from. Life will be different, but exciting for him as he makes new friends and delves into his new major: Graphic Design and New Media Imaging.

Enjoy the adventure, Brandon!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Flying as an Eagle


This morning I'm walking down memory lane. Classes at the university start tomorrow and our family is in transition. Change. Change is something that's sometimes necessary. It's a natural part of an emotionally healthy life, but that doesn't mean it's easy on a mother's heart. I've always believed that my task as a mother is to help my children grow roots and wings. I've told them that helping them grow roots has been the easy part. Nurturing and homemaking comes easily. But the growing wings part is 'oh so hard' for a mother's heart. But the wings are growing strong and it is now time for flying. And flying it will be, with mom's and dad's blessing.

This picture is of the children when they were very young. I believe Rylan is about eight months old in this picture and Brandon is four years old. The week before the photo appointment I was busy at my sewing machine, making the boys matching sailor outfits with crisp white collars and cuffs trimmed with braid. What a cute pair they made!

"For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings. . ."

Jeremiah 48:40

God's blessings, dear one. . .


Cousins and a Friend


College orientation starts tomorrow; cousins and a friend arrived for this week-end and Grandpa's house is full to overflowing with family and friends. I thought I'd share this picture of Aaron, Ethan, Jared, Brandon, and Rylan. They are majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, New Media Imaging, and Computer Science. Study time ahead!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Decorating on a Dime!


I've been enjoying searching for inexpensive ideas for decorating a space that our boys will be using while at college. And it is all being done on a dime! Old family furniture (vintage 1950's) has been painted a shiny oxidized brown (aka Martha Stewart Living) and is now coordinated and ready to be spiffed up with some WalMart clearance items. An original print that was a graduation gift to Brandon will be the focal point of the living space. It's colors are turqoise, red, and yellow. Placemats and runners in turqoise with sea shell trim stitched on the ends were found in the clearance row for $1.00. Other colorful and accessory items were found as well, and now it's time to put everything together in a new space.

The floral arrangement I made last evening for this space is not my typical style. But I love it and wonder if maybe it's time to leave the more Victorian look and go for abit more funkiness elsewhere as well! The vase was on clearance for $5.00. I've stuffed it with white garbage bags so that the birch twigs won't go too far to the bottom, and have added twigs and some cheerful autumn flowers to the vase.

A busy day ahead! I hope yours is happy and blessed!

Applesauce and Indian Summer


Indian summer has arrived. The days are crisp and warm with a touch of coolness in the air. Last night a decided coolness had arrived and the air was chilly. The down comforter was sought and placed upon the bed again.

Grandpa's apple crop is ripening nicely and harvest will soon begin. Last week he gave me a bag of some of the 'drops' that were small, but sweet and ready to be made into applesauce. We had fresh, warm applesauce for breakfast! Unsweetened by sugars or syrups, the flavor of the apples with a touch of their own sweetness and tartness was apparent and was natural and good.

Years ago, right after my husband and I were first married, my mother-in-law searched and found an old-fashioned colander for us. It is cone shaped with a wooden plunger that is used to extract the sauce from the peelings. Although I have two very modern applesauce makers, the simple option of the sauce colander is my favorite.

What a yummy way to start the day!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Thimbles Galore


Alma collects thimbles, and whenever I visit her and Dad, I enjoy viewing her collection again and again. Each time I look, I notice a thimble that I hadn't connected with before. She has collected these thimbles by theme and by journey's taken. What nice tokens of an event or trip, and they make an elegant collection on her dining room wall.

I have always loved Princess Diana, so this thimble is my favorite of all!

A collection of colorful 'bird' thimbles. . .very pretty!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Yellow Flowers


Yellow flowers in my garden please me so. I love the dash of color they add to the landscape and how they compliment the reds and blues. If a few dandilions creep into the lawn in early spring, I don't even mind them (although my husband does, and they are soon gone). They add a cheerful hope of spring to the a newly greened lawn. Yellow blooming annuals and perennials are welcome in my garden beds. It's interesting to me how different people do and don't like different things. My mother did not like the color yellow, and this dislike included her flower garden. There were very few yellow flowers planted in her garden. She was an avid gardener in the English style, so this fact surprised me so. For sure, marigolds were never welcome in her garden, but always in mine. I've found that yellow blossoms also look beautiful dried. They retain their color and mix well with other items found in nature to create potpourri or herbal teas. (Of course, one must only use food-safe flowers if using them for tea). Today a bowl of calendula blossoms sits in a bowl on my counter, drying for winter use. Bowls, pots, and dishes filled with dried blossoms make a colorful display year around.

Here's a recipe for a late summer potpourri that makes good use of beautiful yellow blooms!

Yellow Mix

4 cups mixed pine cones and yellow flower petals
3 - 4 sticks cinnamon
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops pine oil

Mix gently and display in pretty container of your choice.

Photo flowers: from my garden

Monday, September 11, 2006

Happy Birthday, Hazel


Happy Birthday to my sweet friend, Hazel. I recall when we first met and became friends. Remember? It was a 7:30 am religion class in college. And it was the year that the president decided that our country's citizens would conserve energy and not switch to daylight savings time. It was like going to class in the middle of the night! In later years we ended up living in the same community and again connected as friends. I've enjoyed the years of home schooling our children together, sharing times as being Suzuki Piano Method moms, and a multitude of phone calls. You were my mentor and my friend! Now that our children are now of college age themselves, the friendship continues, and I am thankful. Happy Birthday!

Tea Towel Talk


Today I'm thinking about tea towels. I have just completed the listing of exchange partners for the next tea towel swap for the tea list I belong to. This quarter we are exchanging both embroidered and commercial tea towels, and have added in several options in the tea apron catagory to make it even more fun. There will be a busy group of ladies now, stitching tea towels and aprons for their exchange partners!

The tea towel in this picture is a "flour sack" towel that has been stamped with a beautiful lavender themed pattern. It includes a recipe for scones and lavender vinegar as well as some suggestions for using lavender in cooking. It was purchased from Purple Haze Lavender. I am partial to flour sack tea towels because they do such a nice task of drying crystal without lint and streaking.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love lavender! I'm always on the look-out for new varieties of lavender to plant in my garden, for fragrant lavender beauty products, for lavender teacups and teapots, and for lavender accessories.

I was delighted to find this cross-stitched lavender themed tea towel at Purple Haze Lavender. The stitching is simple, but nicely done.

This vintage tea towel was purchased at a fruit stand where I went to purchase some peaches! In the back of the shop there are several booths where people can bring antiques and second-hand items to sell on consignment.


This tea towel is interesting to me for many reasons. I really like the stamped cross-stitch design and the colors used for the embroidery. I always think it's so interesting, though, how these vintage tea towels frequently have designs that don't quite blend in color with the woven pattern in the towel. This tea towel features rose and peach colors in the design with a light orange stripe in the towel! And a yellow green and dark green leaf pattern with a turquoise woven stripe. It creates a unique and one of a kind product, that's for sure!

This vintage tea towel also came from the fruit stand consignment shop! It features a textured, woven linen tea towel with a hand crocheted, scalloped trip. The embroidery features varigated threads and uses a stitch that is used infrequently in this modern age. I enjoy it because it is cheerful and well-stitched.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Eventide


"My depths are held by peace. The surface may be disturbed; it's the depths that count."

E. Stanley Jones


Lunch with Great Uncle


Great-uncle is visiting for a week or two from Arizona. Today the extended family got together for a potluck lunch. It was so nice to be able to see Uncle again and to visit together. Many times Uncle has played gracious host to us at his ranch. It was nice to be able to reciprocate.

Today I contributed corn on the cob, pumpkin pie, and tofu sweet and sour casserole to the potluck meal. The casserole recipe was one that a friend emailed to me yesterday and it looked good. She said that this recipe recently won a blue ribbon at their local county fair in their Tennessee community. It was entered in the 'soybean' catagory.

Tofu Sweet and Sour


1 large onion, chopped
1 each bell pepper, yellow, green, and red, cubed
1 lb. tofu, extra-firm, cubed
1 - 16 oz. can pineapple, unsweetened, chunks
juice from pineapple container
1 can mushrooms, small, drained

Stir-fry tofu that has been dredged in corn starch and flour of choice in 2 Tbsp olive oil, until crispy brown. Add onion and continue to stir fry until clear. Add peppers, mushrooms and pineapple until thoroughly heated and pour over this mixture the sauce below and cook until clear.

Sauce:

Juice from pineapple and enough water to make 1- 1/2 full cups liquid
¼ c brown sugar
¼ c. tomato catsup
2 Tbsp cornstarch.

Mix together until smooth and pour over vegetables/tofu and cook until clear. Serve over rice.

Sharing a Happy Time

Friday, September 08, 2006

Welcome Make the Rest


"For whom he means to make an often guest,
One dish shall serve;
and welcome make the rest."

Joseph Hall

A Craft for Autumn


When the boys were young, we spent much time creating. One room was reserved for messy projects like painting, cutting, pasting. Sometimes other media were used like wax, cardboard, string, balloons, newspapers, glitter, and more. What fun we had! This was always an integral part of our home school.


Last week when we visited Dad and Alma, one of the boys early projects was sitting on the nightstand in the guest room. So simple, yet sweet, these leaf art pictures have graced the guest room for nearly 10 years now.

If there are young children in your family, this is a great project to do with them! Here's how:

1. Purchase small frames. They do not need to be expensive. Frames from a place like the Dollar Store or WalMart work perfectly. Remove the colored 'advertising' in the frame. In it's place, insert a piece of plain white paper.

2. At the craft store, purchase a sheet of beeswax. With sharp scissors, cut it to the same size as the 'advertising' paper you removed from the frame. Place the beeswax on top of the plain white paper.

3. Sprinkle extra fine "prisma" glitter sparsely on the beeswax.

4. Place one dried leaf per sheet of beeswax. Center it carefully, so that it looks like it's falling from a tree.

5. Put the frame together, with the glass layer going on top of the leaf and beeswax. Secure tightly and enjoy.

*This project also works well with dried flowers.

Recipes Needed for Forest Fire Victim


As you will recall, if you are a regular reader of my blog, there is a large forest fire burning in our part of the state. We are reading updates daily as to it's progress and containment. Today's report tells that it is 45% contained and that 150 square miles have burned. Tonight a weather change is predicted which will bring winds. This is of concern to the firefighters, as it could cause the fire to take off rapidly again. The past two days they have been working on bulldozing a 30 mile fire break in the fire's path in an effort to halt it's progress. The fire has been burning for about a month now and resources and man-power are sparse due to other fires in the state. Recently, new and large fires have started in Montana and Idaho, causing even more limited resources. Our local fire has not only firefighters from all over the USA fighting it, but firefighters from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia as well.

Eleven homes and cabins have been destroyed. Today, on a community website, there was a request to help a local resident who lost their home due to the fire. After reading their request, I thought of my blog readers and wondered if you would like to help. Here is the request:

Kim Grimshaw has a great idea for helping the Eaton family and needs the help of community members. Jana Eaton lost all of her cookbooks and recipes, so Kim is asking community members to share their favorite recipe. Kim will then compile the recipes into a book for Jana.

Please email recipes to
kimgrimshaw@hotmail.com

Thank you for your help! If we each send in one of our favorite recipes, it would go a long ways in helping Jana with a compliation of tried-and-true recipes. And it will let her know that other's care and support her during this great loss.

Photos today: from the fire update website; the area is closed off for local traffic

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Sun Shine

Happiness

Sunflowers


I love sunflowers! Especially the ones that are small, yet compact. They dry nicely and look so pretty year around. There's something about a sunflower that sends a message of cheer and courage.

* * * * *

Here's a recipe that incorporates sunflower seeds and other healthful ingredients. It's yummy!

Sunflower Loaf


1/2 cup ground sunflower seeds
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 cup ground walnuts
3/4 cup grated raw potato
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk, soy or nut
1 Tbsp. nutritional food yeast
3 Tbsp. grated onion

Mix ingredients. Let stand covered for 1/2 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves: 6