Hello!

 Well, thought I would come over to this blog, and I see there isn't much on here again, I would like to say that I would appreciate everyone to come and subscribe to my other blog:  http://gratefulheartgreetings.blogspot.com   I am on there more than here.   So if you wonder why I haven't posted on here in a while that is the reason.    Oh, we no longer have a booth at the antique store.   Too many problems that we encountered.    Oh well no worries, I am now a cashier at a local home improvement store.   

Hope to see you over at my other blog!

Hugs, Mary 

Good Morning

 

Just had to show you this beauty, Grandpa Ott as it's named, morning glory.    This one re-seeded itself and decided to climb the little fence.    Years ago, I planted the purple ones, but I've noticed that there are various colors that have sprung up, light pinks and white with pink centers.   All just so pretty.  

Also wanted to share with you some other pics.

Here is something I created using an old find from Goodwill, the frame was in rough condition,  sanded and painted the background, added in a really vintage doily, and the Hello Fall is a plaque from Hobby Lobby.

I was wanting to keep this nice framed piece but I decided to put in the booth.  ;)

After watching lots of youtube crafters, I decided to try my hand at making wreaths, and the bows as well. I thought this one looked good with the snowman in the center.

Okay, I am signing off for now.   Yes, its still early morning...  time to get some sleep.  

'Place worry in the hands of God, he's got this'.

Hugs, Mary

Just a small bit

 Hello everyone,   again I find this blog lonely and without anything interesting for others to read.  Since its 3:10 in the early A.M.,  I'm not too sure what I can find to write about but will try.    You know the ritual of cleaning out those closets.... and the same ol' thing of boxing or bagging up everything and heading to your nearest goodwill or donation center?   We used to do this very thing... I called it Spring/Fall clearing out.    Now that I look back,  I wonder was I living under a rock, or what....  the idea to start a booth came out of the blue, actually my sister-in-law suggested that this might be a very good thing to get into.    Well, since we've been around town browsing through isles of curiosity and wonder of items from yesteryear.... or (yesterday??)    I started out with a great desire to see if we could get a booth, and what the costs would be.    Well,  much to my surprise, the price of renting a booth is up there for sure... but we finally settled on one we can afford.    The price of maintaining a booth can be brought down in price by working a few days a month, by helping out with customers and for me (learning) how to run a cash register.    I can say, this has been a learning curve for sure, since it's been 26 years since I worked at a jewelry counter, (yes, back in the day),  now you know more of my former life.     I  wonder if that is why I don't care for enclosed spaces?     Well, I digress....    so, with the knowledge of me getting to work behind another counter...  things were going pretty well, or so I thought.    The atmosphere of this place was for the most part very relaxing,  nice (old) chairs and a loveseat greeted you as you stepped in the door.    And dare I say, once you sat down, you might not be able to rise back up.   That happened to me more than I care to admit on this blog post.    This shop had become a favorite to my husband and I, like a nice warm hug, or that first sip of hot chocolate on a blustery snowy day.  I just knew, if I could fit into this type of work it would be just the place for me.    I guess, you can't always judge a book by its cover... even with all the "trimmings".      Without much detail I will say, that I have run into few "snags".   That its not always easy to be the newbie on the block.    I guess it goes with the territory.    

Thanks for all my followers.   If you have liked this post even if a tiny bit, please leave a comment. 

Hugs, Mary

Casting cares

Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  II Corinthians 10:5

My thoughts:   Sometimes its easier to try to imagine how an event might happen, before it happens...  sometimes I find myself doing this very thing.    Okay, a lot of the time.    Trying to imagine the worse case scenario... but why?     It's a habit.   Worry weighs down the heart.     To avoid all the worry,  I just need to make it a habit to seek out what the Word of God says....  "Cast all your care upon him; for he cares for you."   I Peter 5:7        Every thought should be cast over to the Lord.   I don't know what the future holds,  but God does!    I'm not a fortune cookie.      For we walk by faith, not by sight.  II Corinthians 5:7     

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   Philippians 4:6-7

If you haven't come by here in a while, that's understandable this blog has been left unattended  just to float around in cyber space.    

Have a good day.

Mary

Autumn Greetings

This poor little blog has been very much neglected.  With all the things that have gone on during the start of this year, until just this passed September when we had to say a tearful goodbye to our sweet doggy, Dollie.   She had a tumor that took over everything, we treated it with pills but that only led to her living for another month.   Saying goodbye is hard.   We miss her horribly.  She was my companion, as I am home pretty much all the time.   She was the joy in our lives.   Our furbaby.   That is one reason this blog was sadly neglected.  But not the only reason.     Here we are, with Thanksgiving and Christmas Time just around the corner.   Our home will not be the same.   I suppose we could fill our lives with another dog, but its just too soon for us to make that decision right now.   We will get another dog at some point.   I do like cats.  I grew up with kitties, but as I told my hubby, there are way too many live plants setting around our house  I would be afraid of a kitty getting ahold of a plant and getting sick.  I couldn't handle that.    So,  at the time of this entry we now have a bird.  We've had birds in the past, mainly Parakeets.   She is sweet.  Still getting used to knowing who we are and getting used to seeing us up close.   We named her Abigale or Abby for short.   

Anyway, I felt that you needed to have some sort of an explaination as to why this hasn't been updated in a long time.     I am hoping and planning to keep this updated from time to time, so I hope you won't give up on me.     I'm still here.   Just taking a while to get back into the swing of things.

I leave you with this bit of encouragement:  Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  


May your day be filled with blessings.

Mary

I'm on a journey

Hello everyone!   Just as the title says, I'm on a junk journal journey... with making of videos to show the things that I will be making for those journals..  I hope you'll come along and check out my videos.   I've just done one so far... just had to jump into it.  :)

Here is a link to check out what I've made so far.  Junk Journal bag/pockets

Hi all...

Hello, its been a long while since I made a post on here... in fact, with everything that has gone on in the last several weeks, I sorta forgot that I had this blog.  Its a good thing I checked.   I will try to do better.   For those that may not have known, and for those that already know this will be a rerun.   In February, we lost our mother due to a stroke.  Its been a painful journey to see her pass on,...but in the midst of my grief... I also hold on to joy, from the Lord above.   Without this joy... I wouldn't be able to function very well.   In March, we lost my last surviving Aunt.  She had been ill for a long time and has spent her final days, since December in a nursing home.   She and my mother were not only sisters but good friends.  It was evident in the way they would carry on conversations, almost on a weekly basis.   When my aunt heard of her sister's passing she was quite upset, and wanted to be with her.   Well... as I said before... Joy from the Father above has been my Strength.     In the days ahead, as I get more things gathered together, I will be working on a lovely scrapbook to honor my mother and father.   I have inherited all the original photos, from the 1920's - to current time.   I am very honored to know that my parents loved and cared for us so much.  My two brothers and I.   We will not soon forget.  ♥♥  We love you both and Miss you very much. ♥♥  

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Somehow I have managed to write this out without grabbing a tissue.   Now, I will give another update, along with the photos, I have also inherited lots of furniture from my mother's home.  I have always loved her taste in furnishings down to the pictures she hung on the walls.. which by the way, my brother said to me the other day, "It's evident that mom didn't want those pictures to come off the wall".. I said, "oh"  "yeah, she used some sort of sticky green stuff that is really hard to remove, and I have had to use a putty  knife to get it off". Well, I know what he was referring to...its the green stuff used to hold down flowers, like the silk and plastic kind.  Floral clay.  Its sticky.  And since he is the one to handle all of mom's final wishes... he has that wonderful chore.  *smile* 

Along with all the furniture, we have my mother's car.  Its a 2004 Buick, and it still runs like a champ.   The Lord has blessed us with more than I could ever ask for.. I had been praying for a car over the years.  I wanted a car with low miles, this one had about 37,000 miles with just a little more... I wasn't sure of the exact amount.  And this one has a newer battery, new tires, came with a full gas tank.  And get this... my husband loves it!  I truly gave that car a good run the other day taking it down a long country road... felt like I was going a million miles an hour, probably cause it sits lower than our SUV, and I kept telling hubby, it felt like my butt was skidding down the road.   Which he replied with a hearty laugh!   I tried to get used to looking over a long hood, and all around the outside...still found it hard to judge distance between the car and everything around it.   So, hubby said today, that he loves it so much that he wants to drive it over the SUV.  Okay, finally I have a car for myself.  Whew.   Sitting up higher is just for me... so that will work out fine.    I'm glad he is happy.  lol  I thought I was praying for a car for me, turns out its for him.  An interesting answer to prayer.  ♥

I kinda hate to end this bitter, yet joyful post.  But I really need to... didn't need any tissues... which is amazing to me.   Oh, I have my times of weeping...  but just not now.

Okay... I hope this serves as a good update... and I will truly give some love to this blog.  Speaking of love, would you all mind giving me some comments to read, just to let me know you've sat down to read this post?   Maybe one day I'll share a photo of my mom and dad.  

Have a lovely day today... and I will post again.  

With a grateful heart, Mary ♥

It's about that time.....

Turkey time, or Thanksgiving.   Some of the best memories I have are those times of gathering around the table with my Mom and Dad, various Aunts and Uncles.   I can almost smell the food as it was being brought out of the oven, sitting there eyeing the hot buttered rolls.  I was just a kid.  I loved listening to the adults talk about their memories growing up or how it was back in the 1930's or the 50's.   Before we sat down to eat, the men gathered around the television set, to catch their favorite teams playing football..my uncle, was opening his bag of pipe tobacco.. I was fascinated to watch him light the pipe, and take in a few puffs.  I often wondered what it must have tasted like, because it didn't smell very good.  Then my gaze turned to my Dad, as he captured the attention of all that were sitting nearby..about the big fish he caught one afternoon in July.   The women were busy setting the table, making sure the forks were on the left and knives on the right.    Soon I was helping to place the napkins, salt and pepper.   My job wasn't too big, as there were enough helpers in the kitchen.    Before the men could get into another conversation it was time to eat.     Those were good memories.  

As the years went by, I was soon married and off to make a home with my husband.   We spent many a Thanksgiving either eating by ourselves or at times we got  invited by our friends to have a nice dinner.    Being in the military opened new adventures and perspectives on life.   ... One of those adventures took us to Japan.

*I'm going to close here...as its very late and I hear the sandman calling my name...  

I enjoyed having you pull up a chair and visiting with me today... come back again as I share a bit of my story.

♥ Mary  

Oh and by the way... Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharing A Memory

Hi everyone!  I was rummaging around in my recipe box and found this, my mother's recipe for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.    This recipe, along with many others were in an old spiral "book".    The recipes were put together by the Mother's Club, circa 1968.  That would have around the time I was in kindergarten or (first grade).   This was the first recipe I cut my teeth on, when first learning how to cook in my mother's kitchen.   And many times, when I invited a friend over, we would get this recipe out and make cookies.    It has lots of tears, and markings.    I knew I had this book tucked away.    I wanted to make sure it didn't get any more tears, so I gently tugged it from its binder.   I'm going to find a way to preserve this piece of memory.

A memory to keep!

I have a special memory from long ago.   This recipe reminded me of when my husband and I were first married.   He was in the Air Force, we had been married less than 4 months.   It was getting close to Christmas... we didn't have much money.   So we knew presents would be few.   For some reason, I must have thought, since we were on our own, that we wouldn't really hear from anyone back home.    Well, I was wrong.   We received colorful envelopes containing beautiful Christmas cards and hand written letters.   Tears started to well up in my eyes, and soon I was weeping.  My heart was full of gratitude.   I knew somehow, that everything was going to be okay... we hadn't been forgotten, after all.  ♥     Then, a few days later we found a big brown box on the front door step.  I brought it in and placed it on the floor.   I could hardly wait to tear into it!    Again, my eyes welled up, and tears overflowed... as there was a huge red Christmas stocking filled with all kinds of goodies.   The stocking was mine, from when I was a little girl.   After removing the goodies, we found a big  bowl full of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.   Another bowl of chocolate fudge, and all kinds of Christmas candies.      Those memories are so special.    It was just the two of us, living in that single wide 1970 mobile home.  But we were cozy. ♥    

I would like to thank you for pulling up a chair and visiting with me today.  Let me know your thoughts, by leaving a comment below.  ♥  

♥ Mary ♥

Snap, Crackle..

Hello!     Thought I would start off by welcoming in our new followers!   Thank you so much for coming and subscribing to this blog.  ♥ ♥      I will try my best to keep this blog updated.  ;)   That is, if we can keep our Internet going long enough... we've changed out the gateway or modem (whatever its called) just recently.    Thinking this would help with the speed of the Internet, but it hasn't changed.   I guess we'll be making a call to our provider.     Enough about that.   👀     
Enough about the trials of the day, grab your favorite beverage and curl up by the fire.   Oh, hope you don't mind a re-run of Home Improvement.  

If you're really chilly, scoot up closer. :)

Now that you're nice and warm, let's get together a recipe.  Well, I don't exactly have a recipe, just follow along and you'll see what I'm talking about. ♥

Chicken - Veggie - Rice Dish

I usually use instant rice, for this recipe, but all I had on hand was the long grain white rice.  Works just the same, just requires a longer cooking time.   

I used:  1 Cup of rice, and 2 Cups of water

add to a 12 inch pan,

let it come to a boil, then simmer.

Next, set out your favorite frozen veggie, we happen to like peas & carrots.   And a can of cream of chicken soup.  You could use mushroom if you wish.

While your rice is simmering, take the bag of veggies and microwave for 7 minutes on high.

Here are some spices I add to my recipe.

Go ahead and add this in to the rice.

I don't use exact measurements, just a pinch, dash, & shake. ;)

It's really to your taste.  Also, add in a pinch of salt, a bit of black pepper, and a tad of onion powder.   (you may use real onion, its just up to you). ♥

Those veggies should be ready, just add it in to the rice.

Let's not forget to add in the soup.  Can't forget that. ;)

As the rice cooks, you'll notice that more water will be needed.  Again, I don't have an exact measurement,  I just eyeball it.   If the mixture looks like its too thick or sticking to the pan,  then add in more water.   Just don't add too much.

Let this simmer for a little while, until the mixture cooks down.

I crisped up some bacon adding it to the rice mixture.

Got to have a little bacon.  Yummy!

I baked up some whompin' biscuits.  Buttermilk.  ♥

Baked on my Pampered Chef stone.   I have had this baking stone since the early 2000's.

It's lovely with its brown edges. 

Well, that's about it for now.   Thank you for coming by to visit, be sure to leave a comment. And I'll see you again. ♥

♥ Mary ♥

All That Sparkles....

Hello again,  I would like to tell you about the craft I worked on, about a month ago.   The idea to make or create this candle holder came from several videos I watched for inspiration, on YouTube.  The craft called for a mason jar.   I didn't have to make a trip to the store for that, as I have a box full of mason & ball jars... never used.   I take that back, as I did use some for when I used to pour candles.   But, the one I used for this craft was clean, never used.    Here are some photos to show what I made.

I used some gold & maroon colored cord for the top, and wrapped it around.  Using hot glue to secure.   The base of the jar was "painted" with mod podge, and added white glitter.

The poinsettia's were some from my stash, added in small gold jingle bells for the flower centers, and added in greenery, with glitter added, to make it look snow kissed.

Brushed a small bit of glue & glitter on the poinsettia flowers.

Here it is with a candle glow. ♥

Myrtle's Zyrtles

Okay, who does not love a good sweet -tooth kind of treat.   If it has chocolate - I'm there!   Well, this little snack will please anyone looking for something quick and easy to make.  

To make Myrtle's Zyrtles  you will need an 8x8 pan, buttered.

Ingredients:  1 Cup graham cracker crumbs
1 Cup chocolate chips
1 Cup grated coconut
1 Cup chopped nuts
1 Cup condensed milk & butter

Layer all of the ingredients starting with the crumbs.   Pour milk over all.   Bake at 350 degrees.  For 20 minutes.   Or until golden brown.  

♥ ♥ ♥
This recipe is from February 1995.   Where I found the recipe... is beyond me.   However, when I made this, I remember omitting the coconut.   It does not say, what kind of nuts to use, I would imagine walnuts, or possibly almonds.    This recipe would be good for the holidays.   

Enjoy!   If you like our blog, please leave a comment.   Thank you. ♥

♥ Mary ♥

Welcome! And a recipe ♥

Hello!  Welcome to our little corner of the web.   What you will find on this blog are some recipes.  Let me clarify, I am not a gourmet cook in any way shape or form.   I just like to make meals that my husband and I like.   (That is the best kind)!       I would like to think of Createful Heart Cafe, as a little place to sit a while and enjoy your favorite beverage or cookie.    And speaking of cookies, we love cookies.     Why not end this lovely welcome with a nice Banana Nut Recipe.   After all, when the weather turns cooler, and the days are shorter, my attention turns toward my kitchen... and all the comfort foods to warm up our hearts and bring a little sunshine in on the gloomy days.    Speaking of gloomy days, today brought rain, temps down in the lower 40's, and lots of wind.    Okay without further delay... here is the recipe I promised.  Enjoy!  ♥   

Banana Nut Recipe

Ingredients:  1-1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup Splenda, no calorie sweetener, granulated

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 pinch salt

1-1/4 cups mashed well-ripened bananas

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1/3 cup buttermilk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepared a 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Blend dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

In separate bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, vanilla & bananas.   Mix well.  Pour mixture into dry ingredients and stir until blended.

Add walnuts and stir until blended.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until golden brown and center comes out clean with toothpick.

♥ ♥ ♥

For this recipe, I substituted some ingredients like for instance, I didn't have any walnuts in my pantry (and seldom do), so I used a small handful of dry instant oatmeal.    I don't remember where I read it, but oatmeal can be used in place of nuts.  And this is great especially for those that cannot have nuts of any kind.    I did make this tonight, and oh my its very good and rich tasting.  It would be great with a glass of milk or coffee.   Or in my case hot tea.  ;)     

Last evening, I mashed up the 2 left over bananas we had, and placed it in a covered bowl and put into the fridge.   This morning, I pulled the bowl out and noticed the banana mush had turned a light brown.   This made me think  something had gone wrong overnight.   I did research this online and found that mashed bananas will always turn a little brown, but not to worry, as there is nothing wrong with the mixture and its okay to use.   In fact in the article it stated that if you were using the mashed bananas as baby food, to add in a little bit of juice, like lemon or orange.  But to be careful as too much acid isn't good for baby's digestion.     I thought why not add in a little bit of juice to my mixture.  All I had was, white cranberry peach juice.    So, without any measuring I added just a tiny bit.   Guess what!   It made the bananas taste better in my opinion.   Never would have thought to do something like that.     Also, I added in a small spoonful of brown sugar to this recipe.   As we tend to like our sweet breads just a bit sweeter.   

Also, I would like to add in this... if you don't have buttermilk on hand, then you'll want to try this neat little trick.   Measure your milk, like you would for your recipe, but don't pour the milk level with the rim of the measuring cup, leave just a smidge under, then add in just a bit of white vinegar.   Let this stand for just a bit until you begin to see the milk thicken.  Then add this to your recipe.   Do not worry a bit, as this will not affect the taste of your creation.   At least we never taste it.   But, if you are not too keen on trying this, then by all means use the buttermilk.   

I hope you'll enjoy trying this very easy recipe.   And let me know your thoughts, by leaving a comment.

♥ Mary ♥

Here's what the Banana Bread looked like out of the oven, (my over head stove lighting is a bit bright).