Gone Fishin’

a little crawdaddin’

…and camping, and swimming, and reading, and picnic lunches on blankets in the sun, and food cooked over a fire and…and… and…

We are having a grand time in possibly the most beautiful campsite in the U.S.A.

We came into town to get more fishing supplies. This afternoon we are going

panning for gold.

My Soup’s On Saturday post should be up on Saturday morning, it’s all ready to go. Except I can't figure out how to add the linky ahead of time, so I will add that when I get back into town.

I’ll be back to civilization on Monday or Tuesday. After just a few last days soaking up the last little bit of summer…

I hope you are too!

Soup’s On Saturday, The Details and Schedule

I usually love fall and all of the homey warmth it brings. But, I’ll admit, having been gone for 3 weeks to India this past July, together with not really having much actual summer weather this year, fall has been a little sneaky and unwelcome to me.

But, after the camping trip we are on now (or on our way to), and with the appearance of moody fog at our house almost every morning, if I tip my head in just the right way so as to catch the scent of musty leaves, or the aroma of ripe apples, then imagine my family sitting around the table guffawing about something probably totally inappropriate for guests funny, I can imagine I am close to being ready to issue fall a formal invitation.

There’s no better invite to Fall than just saying “Soup’s On!”

Mmm, this year’s S.O.S. Fest is going to be fun! (For more specifics about what S.O.S. is, and for participating in S.O.S. you can click here.) I have added themes to each week rather than every week being a Free-For-All, just to get you stewing (pun intended) ahead of time, about different recipes. I am also planning to give out S.O.S./soup/recipe related prizes I myself would like to win, if we have enough participants.

If we don't? Well, then, I will just entertain myself with thoughts and posts of sumptuous soups and maybe I'll have something cute to keep for myself. LOL.

Check out the fun list below, and I hope I see you next week with your “Basics” recipes and advice! Please share your favorite soup base, how you like to make broth, your favorite 'Cream Of' Soup recipe or trick, a trick you use for freezing or canning soup – or any other basics that would be useful to others that you’d like to share!

October 2: Soup, The Basics and Cream Of… (How to make broth, your favorite creamed soup, freezing, canning, etc.)

October 9: Tasty Veggie Soups (Especially using your seasonal, local veggies)

October 16: Family Favorites (“Just Like Grandma Used To Make” – Or the ones you make which your grandkids will one day say that about)

October 23: Making and Using Dry Soups and Mixes (How to make your own soup mixes to use or give away, and ways you use dry soup)

October 30: Sides for Soups (What do you serve with soup?)

November 6: Soups with Toppings (CHEESE is my favorite!)

November 13: Soups for a Crowd (For all of the company you’ll have in the coming weeks)

November 20: Soups Using Poultry (you know you’ll have leftovers!)

November 27: Exotic and Ethnic Soups (Because I heart Pho)

December 4: What a Crock! I’m Just Stewing (Any soup using a slow cooker and/or any stew)

December 11: Soups With Tradition

December 18: Ham Soups (or any Pork)

December 25: Merry Christmas! Quick N Easy (either from scratch or using premade canned or frozen soups)

January 1: Diet Soups (I know there are a ton out there for losing weight, cleansing and for different diets...)

January 8: Soups For Sickies

January 15: I Am Wild and I Got Game

January 22: Gettin’ A Little Chili

January 29: Beef Soups

February 5: Using Leftovers For Soup

February 12: Soups With A Theme

February 19: Spring and Summer Soups

February 26: Comfort Soups

March 5: Best Of Regular Participants (Contest!)

Even though I know it has officially come, according to the sun and the moon and the calendar, I am not going to wish you a happy fall yet. Instead, I hope you have a wonderful week enjoying one last week of summer weather and gearing up to welcome fall with open arms -- next week…

I’m A Project Junkie

I am driving myself crazy.

I like doing projects. But I get bored if they take too long per sitting. So I almost always have several projects going at the same time. That way I can, say, paint some furniture for a little while then go in the house and teach dictation. Try a new treatment for the wall, then plan dinner. Throw in a sewing project {which I am still designing with my kids and have not even taken the machine out yet}, then work on the pile of clothes for the kid’s sale coming up. List a few items on Etsy, help my daughter bake some bread -- and back to painting we go…

Are you getting the idea?

The benefit to being this type of personality is that alot of projects end up being finished around the same time and give me a huge feeling of satisfaction as I survey the results – and all of those checkmarks on my project lists.

The drawback is that I become goal oriented and almost can’t sleep because I am so eager to finish up and settle into a routine. I will finish them up, then possibly not do another project for months.

An even bigger drawback is that I create alot of messes, all at the same time.

Right now I am working on at least six projects, easily, and a couple of them are pretty huge. And I have several in the queue I am excited to get started on. But I am making myself finish up what I started first!

I have friends who start a project, then work on it for hours and days, day after day, until it is done, then start on the next one. I have friends who stay away from projects altogether.

What kind of project person are you?

Ohhh, and that said, I want to remind you that Soup's On Saturday, Third Edition starts NEXT WEEK! Can you even believe it? I guess I will have to embrace fall by then.

I am hoping to have the finalized schedule ready today or tomorrow.

Please join me and give me more soup recipes! And I'd love it if you place my S.O.S. button on your blog too, and help me spread the word! You can find the jibberish (otherwise known as html code) for placing it on your blog over in my sidebar.

Whimsy On Wednesday: Bathtub

So, on my Design-A-Weekend, I got a great deal on this fab new couch!!! How’s THIS for whimsy??!!

Now THAT is some “upcycling”!

By Ruffhouseart

Just kiddin -- it’s for sale on Etsy. It’s not at my house.

But isn’t it fantastical?

It looks like they even painted the cut edge yellow and quilted the fabric on the pad. And what perfect fabric they used! I think it would make a cute garden bench.

It’s a wee bit too spendy for me, and in the wet weather my area is known for, water would pool up in there until I really would be taking a bath of sorts. But next time I find an old tub for a good price, I’m going to get my blow torch handy and whip one up.

Ya, I’d definitely say this is whimsical. I sure got a giggle out of it:)

Have a great day!

Design-A-Weekend

I believe I mentioned I would be gone backpacking over the weekend.

But I wasn’t. We canceled our trip due to…

Waaaaiiiiit for it----

Ya. Typical. I’m used to it. And I love rain. You just gotta be flexible.

So the plan changed, no biggie.

As for me, I sorta designed my own weekend.

We thought using a pane of glass over tomatoes was a great idea. But even this did not have any tomatoes. Only blooms. It has been a really odd weather summer.

It involved coffee and quiet times, school prep, visiting the GW (several of them) and several antique malls, rummaging through a barn sale and some estate sales, hanging out with lady friends at a ranch in the evenings, then driving home each night and sleeping in my own bed.

This mall is located in an actual barn and is pretty quaint

Except for missing hiking, this was the perfect blend for me. I love digging, so all of the rummaging through things was fun. I love being with gal pals and big old lodges. I have weird sleeping patterns and the idea of waking up and having to lay awake and stare at the ceiling quietly for hours, in the dark of the night, made me feel claustrophobic. So having the ranch within an hour’s drive was perfect so I could hang out, but then sleep in my own bed.

I saw several string holders in one mall. I have seen them before, but not many. So it was funny to see about five in one trip.This one was especially cute, in a 60’s sort of way.

This canister set is so cute. And in really good shape. I was tempted.

But I am holding out for turquoise.

Sorry about the reflection. But it is a mirror after all.

At one sale the guy pointed into his shop where lots of things are stored and said “everything’s for sale --- even up there”, and pointed to the rickety ladder on the right! Turns out he is an artist and has his sculptures in galleries all over the country. It was interesting to talk to him and see his studio and work area.

Here is one of my estate sale finds. It was already a great deal at $300.00.

I placed a bid for $100.00 and, when it didn’t sell, I was the only bid, so my bid won.

(I didn’t buy the doll head!)

Grain storage barn, moody against the rainy night sky

Cozy place for playing games and fireside chats

What would you do if you planned a perfect weekend “off”?

This was a great weekend for me and I feel refreshed. I am looking forward to tying up some loose ends around home and finally taking that camping trip later this week!

Whimsy on Wednesday: A Little Bit Bold!

Have you ever redecorated a room you did not even have on your redecorating radar --just because of one item? Like, you saw something you love and decided to redecorate around that itty bit of inspiration?

Or you got such a great deal, you just couldn’t pass it up and, gee, the only room it works in is that room you hadn’t planned to do much to…?

That happened to me. Both of those scenarios actually.

First I saw a vintage spread for our bed that I am crazy about, and my husband likes it too. It’s a more relaxed feel than the one we have now. I had to shop around for a bargain, but it is on it’s way to our house. I am so excited and watching the driveway for the mail delivery each day! That’s what I planned the new look around.

But I did not anticipate these...

Okay, so I exaggerated this pic a little, but in some light, they do look like that!

Here’s what they look like in the natural light this morning…

It is very hard to get the color accurate, and it changes alot in different lighting.

I got these very lime green chairs for the measly price

of tuh-wen-tee five bucks ($25.00) apiece!

Over 35 years old {probably older} and in immaculate condition. Not even dusty underneath. Purchased from the original owner via an estate sale (oh, and the lady is still living, which made it even better for me:).

I think you have seen our front door before. And we have a touch of lime green in the living room too, as well as in a few places throughout the house.

It sort of draws your eye to the green on green on green outside the windows, which we have chosen to leave uncovered, to take advantage of the beautiful view (since pretty much only the coyotes could be peering in).

So the color of the chairs goes well in our house. I just did not anticipate going quite this, well, BOLD! They have a definite look -- I sure hope they look good with the new bed cover.

Definitely whimsical.

Sorry about the fuzzy pic, but I wanted you to see the whimsy God sent for me to see through the bedroom window this morning too.

My Favorite: Herb

Hands down, my favorite herb is fresh BASIL.

I eat it in salads. I eat it in eggs. I used it for my Caprese Salad yesterday.

I make fresh cheese sometimes, just to honor it.

The green color in some of these cheese designs, from my class, is basil.

I love the way it looks and the way it smells. I am sad when summer passes and it is hard to find it fresh.

Yesterday I found a way to extend the season just a little…

This is hydroponic basil. That means it is grown in water. It is sold with it’s root system intact, so all you have to do is stick it in water on your window sill. It was $3.99 a package. It says there are 2 plants, but both of the packages I bought had three each.

Look how sweet it looks on my sill. Hopefully I can find these year round.

Beautiful roots.

It sure smells good! I hope you can find it at a store near you!

I’m going to make some eggs for breakfast!

Fall Schmall

Ya, you all just go ahead and eat your pumpkin pie and drink your fresh made apple cider. Here’s my lunch today…

Nothing says summer like a plate of Caprese with fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.

I sure wish I was not out of sea salt.

I found the book for $1.50 on my very profitable garage and estate sale perusing this weekend. More on that later. The book is called Time Out Ladies! By Dale Evans Rogers “A dynamic recipe for good living by one of America’s most beloved women”, copyright 1966. I thought it would be fun to see what is the same for women today -- and what is not.

My new 1960’s glass (from the GW) is filled with my favorite iced tea,

sweetened with a tad of real maple syrup.

I’ll be eating pie soon enough.

P.S. By the way, if any of you know anything about that Georges Briard glass, I’d love to hear it. The whole thing is glass, but the bottom has an outer coating of a rubbery, light-yellow coating filled with glitter.

Very different.

Menu Plan Monday: Some of My Favorite Fresh Produce Meals

Yummy. This week I get to use some items I got at Farmer’s Market. This week contains some of my favorite recipes because I am crazy about tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans!

I love Farmer’s Market. It is one of my favorite Saturday activities. I am sure I have posted about it before. I just love the energy of all of those happy people walking around, listening to music, and looking at beautiful produce and flowers made by Someone pretty creative.

Many of the vendors, who are the actual farmers most of the time, do such a beautiful job making and/or displaying their wares.

We’ll be having Caprese at least once this week (I don’t use a recipe but am including it here in case anyone doesn’t know what it is) to take advantage of tomatoes while they are fresh. Many people never got ripe tomatoes around these parts this year, due to a very short summer. I feel bad for the farmers who count on that crop.

This week I will be eating freeze dried food for three days as I go backpacking with a group of friends somewhere in the state of Oregon. I’ll tell you about it next week. Since I got some big, woody zucchini for cheap at FM, I am going to make some of my Oatmeal-Zucchini Breakfast Cookies for my family to eat for breakfast on Saturday. They will be eating dinner meals I have ready-made in the freezer. Love that they are already made because it will be hectic enough getting ready to leave!

Campfire pic from last year’s trip. We all liked the Chili Mac the best.

Monday: BLTAs with bacon bought from a local farm and fresh tomatoes on homemade bread made by my daughter. Yummy. I can’t wait!

Tuesday: Zucchini Basil Casserole Ohhh YUM! My mouth is watering!

Wednesday: Pork Chops with Apples and fresh green beans made with bacon

Thursday: Something with steak and zucchini

Friday: BBQ Ribs from freezer, rice or baked potatoes, grilled zucchini

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Family out to eat

I hope you have a fresh and colorful week!

For more great meal ideas, view this week’s links at Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie