From the monthly archives:
This summer, Miss Lucy and Miss Belle, my girlie pets, participated in a project to raise money for the abandoned pets of foreclosure. All entrants had to decorate a scarf and wear it (pets only). Over 130 internet friends and bloggers from 43 states participated, raising over $2,000!
Here are Miss Lucy and Miss Belle in their decorated scarves.
Now go and see all of the other cute pets with their scarves! See how easy it is to makea difference. :)
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This time tomorrow, these dining chairs will be a different color – creamy white. I know, I too love the shade of blue in this photo. Looks a lot like my blue bench. However, this color is just a result of a little editing.
The chairs actually are a more dusty country blue. Like this:
Gah, it’s really more country looking than that last photo.
So, I want to paint them white. I think the white will contrast nicely with the pale maple stain of the table. Eventually, my kitchen will no longer be yellow. I’m hoping it will be a calm blue green gray someday. With white bead board all the way around.
While I was taking pictures, I shot these as well.
In case it’s not obvious, I will be making an apple pear cake later this week. Yum!
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I’m so very flattered that Ms. Monica from the Happy Nester has awarded me an Honest Scrap Award. Thanks Monica, you rock!!
The rules state, upon receiving this award I must:
1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share “10 Honest Things” about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people they’ve been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.
10 Honest Things About Me, Ashley
1. I’m a Leftie. Just about the only thing I can do with my right hand is use a pair of scissors.
2. I can’t whistle…or snort on command.
3. I grew up mostly in Miami, Florida.
4. I graduated with a degree in telecommunications from the University of Florida. (tv and film production)
5. I have two tattoos.
6. I want another tattoo.
7. I’ve read every single Anne Rice book.
8. I totally heart witches, zombies, and vampires.
9. My favorite food is bread. omg. I love bread.
10. I love tv. Currently watching: CSI, House, SYTYCD, Bones, Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy…and I always watch American Idol, oh, and 30Rock, it’s brilliant.
Now I’d like to pass alond this award to some of my blog friends :)
Marie at Emma Calls Me Mama
Tricia at Boutelle Family Zoo
Beth at The Stories of A to Z
Amy at Whisperwood Cottage
Kelee at The Katillac Shack
Now go and check out these lovely ladies.
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You read right. Fresh Raspberry Sour Cream Crumb Muffins. Does anything sound more heavenly? You want a peek?
Here’s a birds eye view:
Now, let’s go on a trip down Memory Lane. It was Friday. I went to the grocery store, Harris Teeter, and happened upon a display of beautiful raspberries, five containers for $5. I couldn’t resist, so I scooped up five containers and went straight home (After I grabbed the milk and eggs, of course).
If you know anything about Dameian, my boyfriend, you know that he looked at me with that “What the heck are you going to do with five packages of raspberries?” look. Make some yummy raspberry thingy. Duh.
So, without further ado, I present “Fresh Raspberry Sour Cream Crumb Muffins.” Live and in color.
Dang, her little dress is torn!
Uh oh.
The recipe, courtesy of Williams Sonoma, is for a cake, I made muffins.
Fresh Raspberry Sour Cream Crumb Cake
Ingredients:
For the crumb topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
Grated zest of 1 lemon
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, meltedFor the cake:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups fresh raspberries
2 Tbs. confectioners’ sugarDirections:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch round springform pan.
To make the crumb topping, in a small bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar and lemon zest. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
To make the cake, in a bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream and vanilla until well blended. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the sour cream mixture. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Cover evenly with the raspberries. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the berries.
Bake until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 38 to 42 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes. Remove the sides of the springform pan. Dust the cake with the confectioners’ sugar and serve warm or at room temperature, cut into wedges. Makes one 10-inch cake.
Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered
DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
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This beautiful watch belonged to Dameian’s grandfather. After spending much time hidden away in a drawer, I came across it and had to put it on display. Here it is alongside some pumpkins/squash from my Dad’s garden.
I love how the pocket watch is nestled in a velvet-lined leather case. It’s a bit tattered and musty. Perfect really.
After doing a bit of research, including having Dameian open the watch so we could see the movement, here’s what I found. It’s an Illinois Autocrat with 17 jewels railroad pocket watch. Railroad pocket watches were open-faced so that the railroad people would be able to quickly look at them and keep perfect time. I think the case is gold. It was probably made some time in the 1920s. How cool is that?!
*******Update! I asked the question of what year D’s watch was made at allexperts.com. They sent me a link and I’ve found that the pocket watch was made in 1918!
Illinois Watch Company Serial Numbers
*Click on photos to enlarge :)
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Because I like to jump from one project to the next (sometimes before completing the first one, ie. embroidery). Ok, Ashley, stop. Embroidery. Like that’s a project? Not an embroidered cat in a hoop, or a pillowcase, or a napkin. No, my project was “Embroidery.” Which basically means, learn all there is to learn about embroidery and then embroider something. I guess I did sew an applique onto a pillow. Well folks, it’s fine. I can move on to a new project.
Clay Project
You got it. Learn all there is to learn about polymer clay and then make something. I’m pretty sure I’ve got tons left to learn, but in the meantime, here are some clay pendants that I made.
(For sale in my Etsy, Sweet Averie.)
(Also for sale in my Etsy, Sweet Averie)
These next pendants were either special orders or gifts for friends and family. If you’d like for me to make you a pendant, I will! It’s just $12 + shipping. Just visit my Etsy and convo me. :)
Look who came for a chat while I was outside taking the pendant photos.
Next time I’ll try to move in and get a closer shot of my little hummer friend.
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