Whatcha doin'?

Whatcha doin'?

Nothin'

What you doin'?

Nothin'

Hhhmmm

I'm not really sure what happened here at the Stone House this weekend except nothing.

Hubby and I were off work on Friday and had big plans to work on the '57 Aloha.  We needed a day with no wind and since it was windy and rainy on Friday we just never got started.  On anything.

We usually fill up our days off from work bustling around here, starting and finishing projects, getting things cleaned up, gettin'er done.

Not this time.

Besides laundry, sorting through some crafting supplies and a few drawers we did very little.  I ordered new flannel sheets from Pottery Barn.  That's something, right?  Friday we read, lounged and just a whole lot of nothing.  I suggested a trip to IKEA but we just didn't get going, not even motivated enough to go find some meatballs.

I got on the lazy train on Thursday evening, while Hubby was at work.  I watched the movie, Chef and then I watched Bad Judge and Parenthood on TV.  I watched more television on Thursday evening that I usually do in a month.  Ate pirate's booty for dinner. Don't judge me.

And then on Saturday, since Friday had been so great we pretty much went for a repeat.  We did leave the house though.  We ran errands in Bellingham, went car shopping (giving me a nervous stomach ache), and went to see Sam and Angela's new place.  It's a cute house in a really cute neighborhood for our cute newlyweds.  We went to D'Anna's for dinner with Sam and Angela and then home.  It was a fun day.

And since Sunday is a day of rest you can imagine the rest... church, football, dinner, more football and bed.

{yawn}

*a picture less post as I was too lazy to take any pictures.

We will return to the regularly scheduled programming today.  Stuff to do and all...

Bryce and Michelle's Wedding

Bryce and Michelle were married on Saturday evening.  It was a beautiful, traditional ceremony at First Reformed Church.  The reception was at Brad and Sheryl's place in a tent.  The day started out very rainy but by the time we went to the ceremony there was a lot of blue sky.

I have no pictures of the groom and I do feel very badly about that omission.  Sorry Bryce!

 The ceremony was at five o'clock in the evening so when we got to the reception it was still light.  And really, there is nothing more beautiful than Fall light.

 Hubby and I went with Shelly and her Farmer, we found a table and some friends to share it with and then enjoyed the cocktail hour.

 Everywhere I looked it was pretty, a lot of pretty.  Creams and blush flowers everywhere and layers of tulle covering the tables.  Hints of gold and sparkle everywhere I looked.  Stacks of pashminas for the ladies as the evening cooled.  They thought of everything.

 We enjoyed a delicious dinner.  Kris and her crew did a fabulous job with their prep and presentation.

Cake and macaroons, yes please.

Michelle was a beautiful bride and so happy.

 Her sisters, Lisa and Kristen were gorgeous and so supportive of their little sis.

 Yep, we still got it.  It's the SherylShellyDoreenTami Show.  Our table mates asked us how we knew each other.  We met in the church nursery when we were babies.  Lifetime friends, really.

 Shelly is Auntie Shell to all of our children.  She posed with Doreen's girls, Malorie and Kelsie.  

Aren't they  pretty?

My friend Glenda and I, isn't she just the cutest little Mama ever?  Three babies keep her busy!

 Michelle is Sheryl's baby and it made us all a bit emotional.

It was such a wonderful evening and it went way too quickly.

 We ended our night by the fire, savoring the moments.

 Bryce and Michelle are moving to Montana.  So, everything felt pretty final with our baby Michy.  Her Mama is going to miss her something fierce.  But Sheryl and I have a road trip planned to visit our babies in June.  First stop, to see Max in George, then Michelle in Shelby Montana and then... the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane.  Oh yeah, it's a road trip!

 On Sunday morning the family had brunch before wishing Bryce and Michelle the best and farewell.  But first one more shot of the new wife.  They borrowed the chairs we inherited from Hubby's Grandma, for pictures.  Gorgeous bride!  Handsome groom! Beautiful wedding!  Sigh, it was all so magical.

Fall Baking

I love pumpkin and I love baking in the Fall, a favorite combination.  I found this recipe on Seven Spoons blog and decided this would be a good recipe to make and then be able to freeze.  With the guys gone the baking doesn't get eaten as fast or at all.  If you stop by for coffee I have treats ready this Fall!

Spiced Pumpkin Scones

Ingredients:
2 cups cake flour
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
1 cup (1/2 pound, 2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, diced * I used salted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin purée (unsweetened)
2/3 cup 18% (table, coffee) cream, chilled  * I used half and half
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons of milk or cream, for egg wash
Granulated or sanding sugar, for garnish

Preheat oven to 400°F. Use parchment paper to line a standard baking sheet and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. On the machine's lowest setting, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles course meal. The butter should be in small pieces approximately the size of peas.

Lightly whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée and cream. With the machine running still on low (or stir), pour the liquids slowly into the flour and butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Small bits of butter should still be visible, but almost all the flour should be incorporated.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Working quickly, gently knead the dough, folding and pressing gently until fairly smooth. The dough is sticky so use plenty of flour.

Divide the dough into four, and shape each ball of dough into a 4" round about 3/4"-1" thick. 

Cut each round into six wedges, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Once finished, brush each scone with the egg wash and sprinkle with granulated or sanding sugar.

Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the the tops are lightly golden and the cut sides look flaky and dry. When fully cooked, they should feel light for their size and sound almost hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes. 

Makes 24 medium scones.  Best served warm.

I put them in the freezer and I think as I use them I'll add a little glaze.  Next time I think I'll add some white chocolate chips and/or some pecans to some of them.

Enjoy!

Miss Autumn Has A Birthday

 My friend Holly had a milestone birthday on the first day of Fall.  She was in the New England states with her husband taking a dream trip on her day but when she got back her BFF Betty had a little birthday field trip planned for her.  Holly loves Fall, pumpkins, buntings, pie, field trips, chalkboards and friends.  I think Betty planned the perfect party.

 I wanted Holly to feel special. I made a crown and scepter so that I could crown her Miss Autumn.

And then because I am determined to bring back corsages with velvet leaves I made one for Holly.

HELPMEBRINGBACKCORSAGESWITHVELVETLEAVES

Though if I have to, I will singlehandedly do my best to bring back corsages with velvet leaves.

 She was pretty surprised to run into all of her friends at Stoney Ridge Pumpkin Farm.  It took her a bit to realize that we were there to celebrate her birthday.

 There is so much clever, cute and creative at Stoney Ridge.

 Apple pie with the works for lunch?  Yes please!

 Betty organized a little Holly-Lu-Jah time to make Holly feel loved and special.

 I want to take Hubby to Stoney Ridge this week.  After the guys grew up I stopped going, uhmmm Stoney Ridge is for the big kids too.

Happy Birthday Miss Autumn!  You really are the Queen of Fall.

And a BiG thank you to Betty for organizing such a fun field trip!  

Oh October, I Love Thee

Happy October!  I love the nonmonths.  The months with no major holidays, months where the season change is so obvious, months with nothing but everyday stretching out in front of me.

 The farmer's corn is still standing.  Last night a corn chopper drove past our place and I thought for sure they would turn in and start chopping.  No, not yet.  The night they chop corn is the night we don't get much sleep.  The corn field driveway is right next to where we lay our heads for a good night's sleep.  The trucks grinding their gears and hurrying the crop out of the field all night is a bit noisy.  I am not complaining though because overall a field of corn is a quiet neighbor.

 October is Hawley's birthday.  On October 30th he will be 13 years old or in dog years he turns 91 years old.  His first birthday involved a dog party with Shadow and Eddy, and a lot of little boys.

Hawley always looks away when I want to take his picture, he gets all shy and bashful.

 "If I don't look, she'll put down the camera."

 Eventually Hawley can't resist, sighs and gives me a cheesy dog smile.

Isn't he a distinguished, handsome old guy with his grey?

 I am trying to get myself a new pair of shoes.  Just one pair.  I have bad feet.  So in order to get one new pair of shoes many will be ordered, tried and returned.  The pile is growing...  I have returned some already. There won't be a perfect fit, so the lesser of the evil will be chosen.

First world problems.

I'm looking forward to Therapy Thursday, a quiet weekend and just enjoying a nonmonth.

Enjoy October, my friends!

Chris, au revoir!  All the French you need to know... où est le marché aux puces?

(translation, where is the flea market?)