Age, Beauty

Getting older?

We all are!! After all, the alternative is death.

Not fun.

However, there are things that get better with age!

Me, of course, but let's not go there.

AND there are things that would be thrown away because they are just to old.

I should be thrown out sometimes, but remember,

we are NOT talking about me! 

ok, no one has threatened me with that in a long time. 

Back to what I was saying, when others see things as old, rusty, chipped, wrinkled, faded, torn, past it's prime, etc., 

Others see beauty.

What do you see today?

Baby Shoes and Other Ramblings

I took a bit of time from blogging due to the busyness of life.

We are moving along on the addition and working most of our spare moments on the construction.

In the mean time, I spent time (not enough) taking photos of a baby's first birthday, creating a trunk décor for the Autumn Adventure at our church....the theme for my jeep was "Mardi Gras" and all of the décor came from genuine time spent at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Also taking my Mom to the Dr. for a routine echo of her heart and all is well.

I did a photo shoot for a sweet family of nearly five girls...number five is coming Nov. 26th!

And here is a picture of baby shoes....

I mean really, how cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love photography....I get to take these pictures and make myself and others feel joy in a very normal day. Joy. Nothing better!

I have plans of walking thru our house and taking photos tonight, and I will post as I can this week....when I am not laying hard wood floors or putting up trim...exciting life I live!

Just Some Thoughts

Yesterday was my youngest Daughter's birthday!
She is a beautiful young lady, a joy to our lives and we are so very proud of her!

Our time continues to be filled with construction, interrupted briefly with work, shopping trips and Dr. visits. 

We are getting ever closer to the dreaded drywall experience on the addition. We should be there by months end and then starts the painting, cabinet installation and flooring...lots and lots of flooring....ugh. 

But after flooring comes decorating and Mom's big move!! She is very excited to have closets (her first time ever for a bedroom closet!!), new everything and an apartment that she can physically take care of herself.

Speaking of Mom, I take her to the Dr. today for an Echo-Cardiogram....just routine, so we hope to find out all is still well!

I have, what I am convinced is, the worlds worst hang nail. I am certain that there has never been another human being with one that even comes close to this one....I mean, I am sure my finger will fall off very soon if this thing does not clear up...it is that bad!

OK, rant over.

I have been asked to place one of my photo's (my choice, I am leaning towards a couple that I took while on Canal Street in New Orleans) into an event at our Hospital. I am flattered and excited.

My fibromyalgia has escalated as of late. Dr. has taken blood tests (all are normal...yes, there is something normal about me!) and now he will begin trying something new, of which I am not sure just yet.

My paint sprayer decided to die on me yesterday....it worked for about 3 minutes and then stopped. I ran all the troubleshooting tests I could and then it proceeded to shoot paint from an orifice that it should not have across the room! Not happy was I! Good thing we bought the extended warranty with it...but I really do not want to try again, I would prefer just getting my money back. I am sure you really wanted to know that!

I have about 7 projects started apart from our construction and cannot seem to find the time or get-up-and-go to complete them.

Must be the weather

Really

Either to beautiful to be inside or to wet to be outside.....makes me crazy with want to either stroll through the country side oooooing at the beauty or stay cuddled up in front of the fire under a blanket.

I believe that I have covered all that is bugging my brain at this moment, so you are officially off the hook in trying to understand how my thought patterns work.

Have a blessed, wonderful Tuesday!

The Easiest Jar Cake Ever

This is an easy dessert to put together and yet your guest will think you are treating them to something extra special...which you are because they are!

Ingredients:
Cake of your choice from scratch or box mix baked in a large sheet pan
Whipped cream, cool whip, what ever you choose
Frosting of your choice...made from scratch or from a can!

How is that for ingredients!!! Go wild! Get crazy or keep it simple!

Simple is what I did, as I used what I had on hand in the pantry and freezer.

 Once your cake is baked and cooled, get out those jars! Mine are little as I am the "portion control queen" and my hubby can take the little jars in his lunch with ease.

I used two different sized biscuit cutters as the bottom of the jar is a bit smaller than the top.

Cut the circles of cake, lay the smallest in the bottom of the jar, dollop a spoonful of whipped cream on the top.

 

 

Lay the larger circle of cake on top of the whipped cream and press down gently.

 

Top that with a small amount of frosting and you are done!

 

Put the lid on top and store in the fridge until you are ready to eat!

They look adorable and are fun for your family or guests!

 

Smashed, Fried Baby Potatoes

This is a simple side dish that I do not make often but I probably should, as my family loves it!

I bought these beautiful new baby potatoes in Wisconsin and they were just shouting to be made in a special way!

This is the recipe that I use, but you can change it up as you like, the sky is the limit!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chicken stock (you can use vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian)
1 clove garlic
1 small sprig of fresh rosemary
10-12 small fresh baby potatoes
drizzle of olive oil
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)

 

Add all ingredients except the olive oil and cheese if using, to a frying pan that has a tight fitting lid.

Simmer the potatoes until tender (about 20 minutes)

Take off the lid, remove the garlic and rosemary stem, and turn heat to high to allow all the liquid to evaporate.
Once the pan is dry, reduce heat, sprinkle the potatoes with the olive oil and smash the potatoes with a glass, potato masher or anything that has a flat surface....but keep the potato in tact!!

Allow them to fry to a deep golden brown on both sides, flipping only once as they will become fragile the longer they cook.

  Serve piping hot with a fresh sprinkle of salt or freshly grated Parmesan cheese!

A Trip To Wisconsin

Lead me to a small store on the "main drag" through the small quaint town of Monroe. 

This store is really a year around farmer's market that also sells cheese and wine (shocking, I know, in the great state of Wisconsin) ; ) .  

I quickly grabbed up a local farmers acorn squash, some luscious apples, a bit of locally made cheese and 4 stems of sunflowers. 

Oh wait...a bit of sugar free Amish made candy found it's way into my cart also, just keeping it honest here!

I snapped a few photos of the flowers and apples....mmmmmmmmmm. I just finished eating one as a matter of fact, oh man, the BEST! Fall apples, crisp and juicy, nothing better!

And this is what I do with the acorn squash. 

 

 
Simply prepared with a pat of butter in each half, salt and pepper to top it and in the bottom of the parchment lined pan I put 1/2 cup of water, a small clove of garlic and a tsp of dried thyme.

Seal the foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350*

That's all.

I served it along with smashed fried baby potatoes (which I also got at the open air market, recipe tomorrow) and london broil. 

They guys were very happy!

I Just Had To Share This!!

I love, love, love this magnetic barn-wood board to hang pictures or notes from!!!

Get all the instructions from Classy Clutter.

Here is the link to get you started!

www.classyclutter.net/2014/10/diy-barn-wood-magnetic-board.html

Thank you to Lovely Etc. for guest posting on Classy Clutter!

A Girl's Night

Remember this post?  http://inpayne-paula.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-special-menu.html

My Menu for a special night....or this  http://inpayne-paula.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-quick-glimpse-of-girls-night-projects.html post?

Well, they both culminated with a great night of friends, food and wreaths!
ok, I know the word wreath does not start with an F, but no one is perfect!

Well, we worked , ate, talked, talked, laughed, talked...you get the picture, six women, lots of words were spilled!

But we did craft!

These beautiful wreaths were made....a bit of hot glue, a tiny bit of stitch gathering and time. Time mixed with laughter, weaving, TONS OF BURLAP FUZZ (fair warning for all who try this at home!) and an outcome that was wonderful.

 Hmmmmmm, There is always a strange visitor where we are!

 Did I tell you there was hot glue involved? I did, ok.

 I really do not know what I said....but the response was epic!

 

If you are interested in making a wreath of your own, go here for the simple, basic instructions for your own burlap wreath!

http://mycrazygoodlife.com/burlap-wreath-tutorial

Thank you to Becca at My Crazy Good Life for the basic instructions.