My Tacky Side

 This past weekend was a busy one.  A lot of cooking, pumpkin carving and junkin' happened.  On Friday morning I met my junkin' gals, Chris and Shelly.  We went to a barn sale in Ferndale.  They were pretty proud of their junk but I did find a few things.  I bought Hubby a bottle capper (I don't think capper is a word) for beer making and bottling.

I bought a deer antler, and it is in good shape.  It was a package deal with the steer horns pictured below.  Now here's a little something you probably didn't know about me... I have always wanted a big car with steer horns on the hood.  Even though I don't live in Texas, I am not a big guy that smokes cigars or a young punk cowboy, I still would love a big car with horns on the hood.  It's on the lotto list.  On the drive home Chris and Shelly and myself got to chatting about my wish and it snowballed until the horns were on the front of Huaka'i Annie.  I knew Hubby would not like this so I decide to pull a little prank.

 But first I needed to dood them up.  Dood is not a word, it's what I use when I am going to jack something up or bling it out.  You know. dood it up.

 Just like the driver of a big Cadillac convertible with steer horn, I pack heat.  Of the glue gun variety.   I dry brushed some Annie Sloan Chalk paint on the horns.  They were a little rough.  The skull got recovered with silk flowers from the Dollar Tree.  Three bucks worth!

I hung the masterpiece on Annie and then took a picture to send to Hubby.  I added this text, "You know how I always wanted a car with steer horns? Oh honey I'm so happy.  I made a lil craft today.  Next best thing? Don't you just love it?"

Sure enough, he called me on his way home from work.  He wondered how I had time to craft when I had such a busy day planned.  I told him I just whipped them up and asked if he didn't just love them as much as I did?  Haha

Hubby asked how I attached them to his trailer.

Uhmmm, your trailer?  Honey, I thought it was our trailer and yeah I didn't want it flying off so I nailed 'em.  I could feel his blood pressure rise.  I babbled on about my dream and how cute they look on Annie.  It was pretty funny, Hubby was being careful not to let this turn into a battle.  I could tell there was no way he was going to let them stay on Annie.  I finally put him out of his misery and told him it was just a prank and I'd take them off Annie.  We had a good laugh.

But now the more I look at them the more I like them.  What do you think?  

After all, there are cattle ranches in Hawaii.

 Speaking of tacky...  Franny had a sale on Saturday and on her blog I had spotted a Christmas garland that I just had to have.  Hubby and I got up early to get in line at the estate sale.  As we walked up Franny met us and told us that the couple that had lived in the house had no children and that the nieces didn't want the photographs.  I always find that so heart breaking.  Franny found a wedding and honeymoon album in the house.  The couple had gone camping on their honeymoon and Franny thought I might like the album.  Ooh, yes please!  She had brought it home so we'll connect at the next sale.  I could tell that I was going to like Dorothy's house and things already.  Then a neighbor came out and talked to us, she told us to be nice to Dorothy's things because Dorothy had been so nice to her neighbors. 

If the steer horns didn't convince you that I have a tacky side then this Christmas garland will seal the deal.  Little elves that only a mother could love.  Or Dorothy and myself.

While I was looking for the garland Hubby found the aqua mixer and cast iron skillet.  These are for Annie so we can fry bacon and make whipped cream.  Camping staples!  Other goodies included an aqua tackle box which we plan to fill with some tools for Annie, a lemon squeezer, a table cloth for Annie, and a bit of Christmas.  I'm thinking Dorothy did the embroidery on the four corners of the table cloth.  It's just the right size for Annie's dining area.

It was a good junkn' weekend for sure, especially for my tacky side.

What's your opinion on the treasures?

Be. Nice.

Pumpkin Carving 2015

Pumpkin carving is always held in the party barn on Vern and Shelly's farm.  This year Shelly grew the Cinderella pumpkins lining the sidewalk.  They were so pretty with the lights.  We dress warm. Shelly, Karen and myself each make enough food for everyone.  We love to cook and to try new recipes and this is our opportunity.  Kassie made a new to us recipe, pumpkin fluff.  Delicious!

Shelly set a pretty autumn table.

 Three tables for the food,,,

 This year we had no guys. The guys either moved away, had to work or were sick.   Kassie came with her sister and her niece,  Girls and a baby!  This was a switch from years past.  Ooh, we were pretty excited about Ella.  She such a sweet little girl, always pleasant and just so cute.

Kayla had the biggest pumpkin and the most ambitious carving plan.

Ella had to get cleaned up a bit after helping Auntie Kassie empty her pumpkin.

Karen and I came with the same carving plan, a monogram.  I tried to add leaves and vines and if you use your imagination then you can actually see them.

There were some traditional pumpkins that need orthodontia work.

Until next year...

Trailer Trash Bars and Some Brownies

Warning: If you are on a diet stop reading and go for a walk. Now.

 I am sharing two insanely rich recipes today.

I found some bar recipes on Pinterest for this past weekend.   I baked them and renamed the first one, they had a similar name that wasn't real nice.  I didn't want their name to scare anyone off from baking these babies cuz they are good.  Real good. 

They are easy and I will probably bake them while camping so they are now named  trailer trash bars.

 Trailer Trash Bars

Ingredients:

2 sleeves Ritz crackers, 60 crackers total

1½ cups toffee bits/ one package

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1½ cups frosting

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Spray a 8x8 pan with cooking spray

Crush the Ritz crackers in a large zip-top bag.  Isn't it great to crush crackers in a bag?  Before bags that zip it was usually a crummy mess.

I put the crushed Ritz into a bowl with the Heath bits and then mixed it with the sweetened condensed milk.  But if you prefer you can follow the original recipe's next three steps.

Pour toffee bits into zip-top bag and combine with cracker crumbs.

Pour cracker/toffee mix into prepared pan.

Pour entire can of sweetened condensed bars into cracker mixture.

Stir until evenly incorporated, press gently into pan.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges start to become golden.

Remove and allow to completely cool.

When cooled, frost with homemade butter cream or canned frosting.  I had the canned frosting ready to use but I did end up making homemade frosting.

Cut into bars.  I cut them pretty small as they are rich.  

I baked another Pinterest bar recipe this weekend.  They also have a not very nice name.  Slutty Brownies, because they are easy.  Maybe call them Deluxe Brownies in front of the kiddos. 

Slutty Brownies

 Anywhoo, pat chocolate chip cookie dough in a 9 x 13 pan.  I had the cookie dough in my freezer.  You could use a mix or some ready made dough from the grocery store. Top with a single layer of Oreos.  Whip up a brownie mix and pour over the Oreos.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30+ minutes.  I frosted them, though the recipe didn't call for it.  Sometimes I just don't know when to stop.

ENJOY!

 The baking was for our Pumpkin Carving Party, post to follow...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Last week was the museum's annual open house.  I had great help, in fact, close to 50 helpers. This includes actors, spinners, weavers, historians, bakers, wood turners and carvers, musicians, and kitchen help.  It takes a village.  The community came by the hundreds.  Open House 2015 was a success and is now in the books for another year .   Thank you to all of my participants!  Every year I think that after the open house I'll catch my breath and every year the Christmas season begins the week after open house.  On Tuesday, after putting things back in the closet from open house, a large shipment of playmobil arrived.  On Wednesday, I almost had the playmobil on the shelves when another large shipment of toys arrived.  Christmas comes early in retail.  Ready or not!

Yesterday Christmas came early for me.  Michelle stopped by the museum with a sweet gift for me.  Michelle and her Mom, Carla, spotted this gem and decided I needed it.  Oooh, I love presents for no good reason, I love the tray and I love those ladies for thinking of moi.

In other trailer news, yesterday I got my Sisters on the Fly official number.  Huaka'i Annie and I are now registered and all official like, pretty much a big deal.  Close friends know that I'm not a clubjoiningkindofgirl.  Most clubs have rules and I am not a fan of rules.  Well,  unless I'm the one making the rules.  ;)  However... I had such a nice invitation from Rene and Jean that I couldn't resist joining SOTF.  There are a few rules such as no husbands, no kids, no pets and be nice.  And to have more fun than anyone!  Rene and Jean are a lot of fun so I'm thinking that last rule is very doable for me.  The no Hubby rule is the hard rule for me.  I'm going to need driving lessons.  I haven't had experience towing a trailer.  Good thing Hubby has patience.  My biggest fear is that I'll forget it's back there.  I'm already signed up for an outing in June at the Fly J Ranch.  

Giddy Up!

This weekend looks to be fun and busy, in a good way. It's our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party.  It gets caps cuz it is an official event and a long standing tradition.  I have two new recipes and some of the old favorites to whip up.  If the new recipes are good I'll share them next week on the blog.

  

On Friday morning I am reuniting with my junkin' gals to attend a barn sale.  We are taking the truck so there are no limits on junk.  Woot!  I am pretty sure there are pieces for our next project in that barn.

On Saturday morning Hubby and I are going to an estate sale.  I've seen the preview and there is one really tacky vintage Christmas piece that I need.  Badly.  Cuz enough is never enough.  And that my friends, is the best junkin' rule ever.

The other thing I need is a win from the Seahawks tonight.  Don't we all?  Hubby asked what I was wearing today. Uhmmm, that's a weird question.  It was his way of reminding me that it's Blue Thursday.  I consistently forget to wear Seahawks gear on Thursday game days.  I'm so happy Hubby reminded me cuz I am just sure we'll get a win if I wear blue today.  

Every night this week I have made dinner. like a real planned meal.  We are only three nights into the week but still that's pretty good.  Not just a quick omelet or grilled cheese but homemade soup, pork roast with all of the fixin's (thank you V & S for the delicious applesauce), dips with homemade au jus.  Pretty impressive.  Since the guys grew up and left town I have slacked off on the cooking.  I still make dinner it's just usually a last minute deal.  This is some serious meal planning like the good old days.   Hubby has been pleasantly surprised.  He is also very suspicious as to why I've been cooking.  No reason, honey. I'm just uppin' my game. No ulterior motive here.  Really. ;)

That is probably enough random.  Have a good weekend my friends.
Go Hawks!
Edited to Add:  TBT
TBT to the 2007 Pumpkin Carving Party. We asked Mark to take a Christmas card photo of our family and when he told us to smile we had ugly teeth in our mouths.

Fall Camping

We spent the weekend at Silver Lake camping.  It's a short trip and a world away.  No cell service, not many other campers, and some beautiful Fall color, pretty much perfect.

 I had everything packed when Hubby got home from work on Friday night.  We drove up the hill and then set up camp.  We chose a spot with electrical hook ups close to the lake.

 On Saturday morning we took a long walk.

 After lunch we rented a canoe and paddled around the lake.  I thought we were leisurely making our way but for Hubby it was a race.  We have kayaked before but I hadn't been in a canoe before this trip.  Tippy little things!  But we made it and even got back on the dock without incident.

 We have camped in October before, when it's cooler.  We were in a tent in the Winthrop area and it was cold.  Cold as in see your breath when you wake up in the morning!  It was so great to come back to our lil Huaka'i Annie where it was warm and dry.  We took the chill off with a tiny space heater as needed.  I had fun cooking and Hubby did some grilling.  Our friend Chris sent some delicious homemade cinnamon rolls with us.  We played a lot of cribbage and gin rummy.

Before we left on Sunday we made a list of what needs to get finished in Annie before next summer.  It was just starting to rain as we left the park.  Within an hour we were home, had unloaded everything and we were ready to watch the Seahawks.  It was a fun, quick little camping trip and a good get away for us.  Now we are winterizing Annie and making plans and reservations for next camping season.

Dutch Speculaasje Cookie Recipe and some Random

I baked a new cookie recipe this week.  It's my turn for cookies at our church.  I found the recipe in the museum cookbook.  The spices sounded good for Fall.

Dutch Speculaasje

1 1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. allspice = 1/2 t. cinnamon, 1/4 t. nutmeg, 1/4 t. cloves*

nuts (if desired)

Mix shortening eggs and sugars together; add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly all of the ingredients.  Refrigerate overnight.  I made two logs of dough wrapped in parchment paper and pressed into a rectangle shape.  I then sliced and baked on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 14 minutes.  The original recipe was for 15-20 minutes, that makes then really crispy.

* I didn't have allspice.  I didn't know what allspice was so I googled it.  Online there was a formula using spices that I had so I made my own and you can too.  Why have allspice if you have all of the other spices?  One of life's great mysteries.

In other news... We entertained friends for dinner this past weekend.  I used my Mom's china and linens for a soft pink table.  The pop of color was the last of the geraniums from our window boxes and a fruit salad in small compote stemware.

 I tried two new recipes, a roasted cauliflower and a mushroom casserole.  I followed the new mushroom casserole recipe this time but next time I will tweak it a bit.  The mushrooms and onions with white wine and thyme were divided in half and then half was pureed.  It was then mixed with the trifecta of goop... cream cheese, mayo and sour cream.  Next time, less goop, more zooms.  There is cheese involved too.  Pretty yummy with grilled flank steak.  The cauliflower was good too and I'd make it again.

Have a good weekend!  A fun way to kick off your weekend tonight is at the Lynden Pioneer Museum Open House.  It is my favorite night at the museum with many actors, demonstrations, live music, Starbucks coffee and homemade cookies.  It is 6-9 p.m. this evening and it's free.  Refreshments are by donation.  This weekend is the Lynden Craft and Antique Show and the Music Festival, so downtown Lynden will be hoppin'.  It's Stoney Ridge's last pumpkin patch season too so get out there.  The pumpkin donuts...

It's Fall Y'all!