So What's Really in a Hotdog!!

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The Hot Dog!

I went to Walmart today, on Memorial Day, to do some grocery shopping. I didn't really expect it to be as busy as it was. Everyone that doesn't have a picnic to go to (like me), was at Walmart. I got everything on my list, with hardly any extras when I saw the Amish potato salad. I haven't had potato salad since last year so I thought I'd get me some and have my own little picnic. Just me and Rocky. So off I went back down the aisles of the Super Walmart to get me some hot dogs and buns. Since I don't really hardly ever eat red meat, I was looking for some turkey or chicken hotdogs. The turkey hot dogs also had pork in them and all I can think of when I think of eating pork is those poor pigs stuffed in those tiny cages. So nope, none of those. OK, I found chicken hot dogs. I turned over the package to read, (always a mistake), and it said Ingredients . . Chicken (mechanically separated)!!!! What?? What does that mean?? All sorts of horrible pictures went through my mind. Well, I figured I'd just bite the bullet (excuse the terminology!) and go with Hebrew National Beef Hot Dogs. I don't know if they are better as far as processing but I'm just going to think they are.

Well Rocky and I had our little picnic. One of those hot dogs were his. The picnic was complete with flying insects, one ant and a breeze that made the food cold!

Welcome summer.

I think that's my last hot dog for awhile.

I wondered all evening about when I get chickens to raise . . . will I then not be able to eat chicken??? I can see that happening!

Shirley

Thrifty Treasures Finally!

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I'm joining Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality for "Today's Thrifty Treasures". You can find all who's joining in here:

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Finally! A Good Garage Sale!!

I've been to a few this spring and haven't found anything but yesterday I stopped at one that happens every Memorial Day Weekend. I always find things there.

This little metal pot or casserole was so cute for $1.00. I knew just what I'd use it for.

See! How perfect is that!!

I sure couldn't pass up this whole stack of old dishes for $2.00!!! One has a chip and a crack but otherwise in pretty good shape. No cups though.

So I bought these English bone china ones. They don't match exactly but good enough. Wish there were four. I paid $10. for the three of them; more than I like but I needed them!!!

This black board was $2.00. I wanted to try one there before I go through the trouble of making one. I'm liking the looks of it.

Now, these steps I found at my favorite Thrift Shop with a sign on that said NFS!

I made the lady call this consigner and beg her to sell them and she did!! $12.00!! I almost ran out of the store with them. It's exactly what I wanted to reach my high cupboards.

Another stainless steel pot from Goodwill for $6.00.

I love this little handmade prim doll from the thrift shop. She was $2.00

And last some more primitive things. The candle box was $4.00 and the things inside were $1.50 each. I had a good week : ))

Happy hunting everyone.

Shirley

Mosaic Blues

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I'm linking up with Smiling Sally for "Blue Monday at:

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Be sure to drop by and visit her great blog and see everyone elses "blues".

I'm also joining the group for Mosaic Monday at the Little Red House. Here's the link for her blog: http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check out Mary's beautiful blog.

Favorite Blues of the Week

Happy Memorial Day

Shirley

Happenings of the Week

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Happenings of the Week in Shirley's World

This picture really doesn't show much but I had my gardens mulched plus they put fabric down underneath to try to fend off those awful thistles I've been fighting!

My poppies popped!! I love that. One evening they are a fuzzy ball and the next morning

Ta-Da!!

Russ, the really nice man I sold my rototiller to, came on Thursday and rototilled my vegetable garden for me. He wouldn't take a dime either!! Can't beat that. I had blueberry muffins in the oven and I would've loved to give him some but he left too early!

I planted some of my regular thing, like carrots, beans, lettuces, swiss chard, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash and acorn squash. What's with me and squash! I only planted one plant of each though, so people don't have to run and hide when I come bearing zucchini for the 20th time!! Now this year I also planted two things I've never tried, Pumpkins and Watermelon.

They take up a lot of room but I thought it would be fun to try them.

Had to clear out the bluebird house. These eggs didn't hatch and the parents haven't been around for a week. It's been a month since they were laid so they weren't going to hatch. I put them in a little nest on my mantle. Cherished little things.

Ferns on the porches always means summer!! Yippee!!!!

Have a great week.

Happy Memorial Day.

Shirley

Blue Bird Eggs

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Remember the bluebird eggs laid in the house with no nest??

Remember, I gave it sort of a nest?

Well It's been a month. Usually bluebird eggs hatch in 2 weeks. The mama came and sat on them for awhile but they haven't been around in the past week. So there will be no baby birdies. Sad, I know. Maybe they got too cold before I put the cloth in there, who knows.

So today I brought them in the house and put them in an old nest I've had on my mantle in the library. I will treasure them.

I cleaned out the blue bird box and can only hope that they will try again.

Shirley

Misc. Pinks

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I found some more pink things so here I am again! Joining Beverly with her "Pink Saturday" crowd. See them all here: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Happy 2nd Birthday to Pink Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to have a spot of tea on my little kitchen porch this afternoon. It's just me but I thought, why not dress it up for myself. It was kind of nice : ))

I got these two pretty desert size plates at Goodwill this past week. They'll go with my good china. Sort of a similar pattern.

And here's Miss Ava's little shoes. I took this Wednesday when they were out playing.

Pretty pink columbine.

Most of my roses have gone wild but here is one that popped up from under the brush in the back! I planted it at one time but I don't remember it's name.

Now this one everyone knows by this time. It's the knock out rose that I think everyone has now! My bush is already blooming like crazy.

Here is an odd columbine but I don't know it's name. Really different!

Yes, it's very light pink.

See you next week if I can track down some more pinks!

Shirley

I'm Showing, Please Tell Me!

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I'm Late, I'm Late! For Show and Tell Friday but I need your opinion!!

Be sure to check in with all the other participants after you see my dilemma.

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

OK, Garden Experts . . .

Is this or is this NOT poison ivy!!!!!! I never thought it was because I pull it by the boat-loads and wade through it all the time and it's never bothered me. However when my landscaper was mulching my front garden he said it was and he's highly allergic to it. I know there's people that aren't also. I always heard the old saying "Leaves of three, let it be"! Well this has 5 leaves!

My grand kids also wade through this stuff, what ever it is. My water turn-on is back there on the house.

Now this is something else. It is also a vine that will climb up trees but it DOES have three leaves. So does anyone out there know!??????????????????? HELP!!

Shirley

To Die For Blueberry Muffins!

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I am joining the "Foodie Friday" group at Michael Lee's Designs by Gollum. You can see this lovely party here:

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

The Best Blueberry Muffins!!!!

(Recipe is at the end of the post.)

Here are the ingredients that I collected before I started. There should be cinnamon there to but I got it later!

Cut up your streusel topping till it looks like this and set aside. Top the muffins before baking.

Here are the muffins going into the oven. This recipe makes 12 of these medium muffins or 8 large ones.

When done, cool for 10-15 minutes then remove to wire rack. Use paper muffin cups or grease your muffin tin well.

Then enjoy with some butter. These are the best blueberry muffins I've ever had!!!!!!!!!!

To Die for Blueberry Muffins

from http://allrecipes.com/

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

3/4 Cup white sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

Mix these dry ingredients in a mixing bowl

Using a measuring cup, combine

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg and enough milk to make 1 cup.

Mix this with dry ingredients.

Fold in 1 cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries.

Fill muffin ups right to the top and sprinkle with streusel topping.

Streusel Topping:

1/2 Cup sugar

1/3 Cup flour, 1/4 Cup butter

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix with a pastry cutter or fork.

Add to muffins before baking. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 in.

Enjoy!

Shirley

Too Pooped To Post

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Today Was Babysitting Day

It was hot and humid outside but we went out for awhile this afternoon! They played in the little bit of water in the birdbath! (I really did put clean water in there to start off!) Then I took some pictures. Strange how kids never seem to get hot!

Then we went inside after much chasing and I made a big milkshake! I gave them some but I got the most!!!!

Then Mommy came at 5:15 PM, they all left and I made supper. By that time it was American Idol Results time. So I had to watch the whole two hour extravaganza. Lee won which sort of surprised me but I liked them both. Crystal will do well winner or not.

So this post is short because I'm tired.

I need to blog in the morning instead of at night but there is always too many other things I have to do and I feel guilty for some reason sitting on the computer! Do you all feel like that??

Goodnight all,

Shirley

My 1st White Wednesday

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This will be the first week I've joined in with Kathleen at Faded Charm for "White Wednesday".

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Misc. Whites

This is the handkerchief that I carried as "something old" at my wedding to Jack.

It was old then, so who knows how old it is now!!

This is even much older! This was my mother's baby bonnet! It is very fragile all hand made with silk and tatting on it. I plan on making a shadowbox for it to preserve it.

The old white chair with red geraniums on my back deck.

The next three pictures are of 2 beautiful beings. One is a horse and one is his owner. This white arabian is 34 years old and still going strong. His name is Rauls.

This is William on Rauls. William's birthday is today. He is 88 years old. He owns 3 horses and rides 3-4 times a week. He has a doctorate and was a college professor in finance. He was a WW II war hero; a flyer of course! He likes to go fast!

My daughter and I met William when we first got horses. He is sharp as a tack and is a wonderful rider; not afraid of anything!

We feel privileged to be a friend of him and his wife.

Photo credits for the last 3 photos go to my daughter at:

http://www.mzezulakphotography.com/

or

http://www.mzphotography.net

Hope you enjoyed. See you next week!

Shirley