Oh my, what a week it has been!  The Big Event was huge and we owe our friends a ton of thanks – you know who you are – those of you who helped on Wednesday night especially.  There is no way we could have pulled off the house tour and food and rummage sale and transportation without each of you.  It is great to have friends!

The local fair started yesterday and Connie and I got a call about coming over to look at a quilt.  We were puzzled but agreed to be there at 5 pm.  We were stunned to see a booth in the commercial building dedicated to Country Threads’ 30 years in business.  There is a bullseye quilt to be auctioned off and a drawing for a gift certificate in the quilt shop.  These “friends of Country Threads” have gotten every detail down pat – they even have stuffed dogs and cats on the quilts – ha! We were both overcome with gratitude for such good friends.

 

Bentley Greiman’s parents, Stan and Michelle, are spending long days at the fair running the 4-H food stand leaving Bentley alone for many hours.  Mary’s doggie day care to the rescue!  They drop him off here on their way to the fair at 7:15 am and pick him up between 9-10 pm on their way home.   Telly LOVES Bentley and they play and run for hours at a time.  I boarded a dog the first part of this week, too, but she has returned home.  Her name is Bella Tapper – she’s a black lab/Chesapeake bay retriever mix and she LOVES to play ball – she reminds me of Connie’s Lucy who just never wanted to quit.

 

Remember Sr. Carol from Colorado?  Her mom was Emma, my neighbor across the road.  She comes back to the farm 3 times a year and we always spend one evening together chatting and catching up.  This time we were able to sit out on the screened in porch and enjoy the view in a bug-free atmosphere.  The couch that was supposed to be here a week ago is scheduled for delivery tomorrow – I think it will be a “nap” couch.

 

My houseplants are thriving behind the quilt shop – Carol thought I should take pictures of them to show you.  I go back to visit them every day.  They are like old friends who move back in with me in the fall.

           

I am starting physical therapy today for a lower back problem – I’m hoping it helps relieve some of the pain.  Hauling all of those rocks was hard on my old body!

 

Connie brought this dip to the Big Event and it was the most popular dish on the table.  I thought you might enjoy having the recipe.

Cowboy Caviar

½ c. vegetable oil

½ c. sugar

½ c. cider vinegar

Bring above mixture to a boil and let cool while chopping the vegetables.

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

2 jalapeno peppers or one 4 oz. jar diced jalapeno peppers

1 bunch green onions

2 cans shoe peg corn

1 can black eyed peas

1 can pinto beans

Rinse and drain beans and corn.  Dice the vegetables into small pieces.  Mix all together with the dressing.  Serve with Tostitos “scoops or as a cold salad.

 

In the next month or so we will be working on some new ideas that we are already excited about.  Watch the blog for news, recipes, photos, book reviews and jokes!  I can’t forget to send a joke now and then – if you have a good one (you know what I like by now), send it on to me for the blog.

Happy Summer to all our good friends!

Mary