Creepy Mushroom

Now I know I brag about how easily and big things grow here in Ohio, but this definitely took us by surprise. At first we thought it was a child's beach ball.... but when we got a closer look we realized it was a mushroom!

Seriously, this is just out of some crazy "the evil scientists have been experimenting with grown hormones and created a man eating mushroom" movie.

Auction In Ohio

Saturday mornings in Ohio are often spent at auctions buying treasures while visiting with new found friends. Today found us at just such an auction! Ron and I both spotted items we wanted and just had to wait til they came up for bid. It wasn't a very large auction but there was plenty to look at.

This group of old chairs and the sweet bed were calling my name but I resisted. Where would I have put them?

There was some farm equipment and tools too.

We won the bid on a twenty gallon crock! It will be great at the cabin to hold our firewood.

I bid four dollars on a box of stuff and this is what I pulled out (after throwing the junky things in the garbage). Old pie tins, candle holder and stuffer, glass luncheon plates, a little pitcher and bowl, small colored bowls, plastic trays and cups, an old thermos and cute red canisters.

But the coolest thing was this egg scale. Love it!!! And it works too. My chicken eggs measured at large! Most of these fun items will end up at the cabin's kitchen....as soon as we get it finished! Which reminds me we also got a kitchen sink for just $3.00! And Ron found a lot of machinist tools at great prices! Can't wait for the next auction!

Apple Sauce Time

Ron loooves apple sauce. He starts to get nervous when apples are in season and he doesn't see any getting put up. I like apple sauce too but I am OK if I have to buy it at the store. Ron likes homemade and really hates to see any apple go to waste, (as in not being made into sauce). Our little ancient orchard only produced a few bushels this year and most of them were not fit for anything. Ron was so disappointed that we didn't have any new jars of his favorite cinnamon laden sauce, so when I ran across apples at $4.25 a bushel I had to get them and make my husband some.I put up 7 quarts and 3 pints, which should get us through the winter.

Mark's Boys

Earlier this month we went on a business trip that took us to California. Of course we found our way to Fresno to see Mark's family. The weather was hot and sunny. We went to the park and spent much of the time in the shade. Here is Archer taking a nap.

Odin taking a break to lie in the grass.

Mark and Crystal trying to stay cool.

Odin and Ronan checking out the equipment.

Ronan moves constantly....seriously....all the time.

He lay down for a second. Then off he would go again.

A rare moment when all three boys were holding still at the same time. We had so much fun with all of them. Can't wait til we see them again.

Honey Harvest

This year's honey harvest came in last week! We got just over 80 pounds which is better than last year but only so-so for the amount of hives we had.

The honey is filtered through multiple mesh sieves and then poured into individual jars. Love this stuff!

Wood Stove At Deer Gulch Cabin

Ron and his brother Ray worked on the pipes for the wood stove at the cabin this last week and got it all hooked up on Friday! Now we are set for the colder weather the will be here this winter. Even though it was over 90 degrees, we fired it up!

It didn't take much wood to keep it going and it looked so cozy!

Can't wait til nippier weather is here!

Letterboxing

Have any of you ever heard of letterboxing? Well I just found out about it a few months ago and finally had an opportunity to take Abby and Eli on one of the local treasure hunts. We looked up one on the Internet and drove according to the directions to a park about 7 miles from our house. The next thing we were instructed to do was sit on the bench and take a minute to take in the view.

Pretty.

Then we were told to look to the left at the roots of the largest tree. Buried under some leaves and bark was the treasure box. We stamped the booklet with our stamp and signed it TEAM AWESOME!

Then we went on a short hike to our county's only waterfall! I didn't even know we had a waterfall!

Abby and Eli climbed right up the rocks to get as close to the fall as possible.

The pond at the foot of the falls was cool and clear.

Time out for cookies!

Mint Milanos!

Eli thought this way would be easier.....it wasn't.

Great way to spend a hot summer day!

Bonfires and Butterflies

This last week we had a huge bonfire and cookout. While waiting for our fire to go down a bit, the grand kids rode tractors and chased butterflies.

Hot dogs and corn right out of the garden....umm good!

Amish Auction

Yesterday we went to a auction to benefit the local Amish community with large doctor and medical bills. Ron's brother Ray is visiting and we wanted to show him how we spend our Saturdays here in Ohio. It was a very hot and muggy day but it did not stop us from having a great time!

Here is a picture of some of the buggies at the neighbor's barnyard.

All of the items were donated as were the services of the auctioneers! If the bidding seemed slow, details were included about the creator of that particular piece (if they were elderly, very young or physically or mentally impaired). Suddenly the item seemed to shine and the bidding went wild! When the hammer went down we would all clap to show our appreciation of the good taste of the winning bidder! There was so many things to fall in love with. The quilts were beautifully crafted and hand quilted and the furniture was handmade from solid hardwoods! I bid on and won a split log pegboard and a lovely table also made out of hand hewed logs. I also got a lovely little woven rug that will look great in the "someday" kitchen in the cabin.

A few farm animals were also up for auction and the bidding was lively! Saddle and buggy broke ponies, calves, chickens, rabbits and even a few dogs were quickly snapped up by both Amish and English alike. The hardest thing for Ron and I to walk away from were the pole barn and log cabin that were there. I mean, did we really need one or was it just auction fever? Cooler heads prevailed and we watched those lovely buildings go to other homes. Of course a little doubt still lingers as to whether we did the smart thing. But home make chicken noodles, hamburgers, potato salad and fry pies helped to bring our spirits back up! As the morning turned to afternoon, we finally called it a day and took our treasures home feeling satisfied with our finds and time well spent.

Louisiana In the Summertime!

Let's be honest, I went with Ron to Louisiana mainly for the food so that is what this post is all about.

Cajun country.

This gumbo was made from such a dark roux and had such rich spicy goodness!

All gone.

Catfish and crawfish all deep fried with a bit of jambalaya.

Crawfish etouffee!!!!

A southern porch in Lafayette. I did do more than just eat!

OK, back to the food. Dirty rice, spicy corn and crab au gratin.

Soft shell crab and Dirty rice at Prejeans. Soooo good. And the zydeco music was fun. Goodness I think I am still full from all that we ate last week.