Pumpkin Pastry

Pumpkin season has arrived, along with the rain and cooler weather, which put me in the mood for a pumpkin treat. So I thought to myself, why wait? Lets have something with pumpkin for breakfast!

This Pumpkin Pastry seemed like the perfect morning treat to have with coffee or tea. 

On top of that the recipe was also quick and easy to make which is always a bonus and they  turned out so pretty. We could hardly wait for the ten extra minutes of cooling time before indulging ourselves, but we did.

However, what looked like the perfect pumpkin treat wasn't so perfect after all. The pastries came out raw in the middle! It was very disappointing so I checked the recipe again, which was very simple, and confirmed I had followed the directions to a "T". What I had not done was read the multiple comments that reported the same issue. I was very disappointed but not discouraged, only more determined to find a way to make these work because we could tell by the crisp, sweet outside that there is potential for an amazing fall pastry. Once I figure out a solution I will post it along with instructions. 

Happy Saturday!

fall chalkboard

It's beginning to feel a lot like FALL! 

Happy Fall y'all!

The Bird Feeder

The Bird Feeder is finally finished!

It all began last spring when Dad asked me if I would paint the bird feeder he built. I was more than happy to do it and instantly had a head full of ideas. Too many in fact, however, I started doodling right away. The first drawings, which were erased before any pictures were taken, were cute but not quite right for this project. So I started again. This time I was set on a more artsy look with lots of color and image outlines burned with my burning tool. 

Once I finally had the drawings finished I needed to transfer the images. However, I did not want to take time to run out and pick up transfer paper so I improvised.

Chalk on the back worked great.

Trying to burn the outlines proved to be a bit difficult due to the initial base coat of paint. It would have worked better without paint but I continued.

The original base coat of yellow paint was challenging to work with although I chugged forward...slowly but surely.

After weeks of frustration with how the paint was reacting to the base I finally decided to change direction. I asked the hubs to sand the entire bird feeder so I could start again. 

Over the months I began to worry that the small detailed images could not be enjoyed from a distance and that it would be better to have something large and simple. And then it came to me. Clematis would be perfect. By request, I had painted a clematis mural years ago on their shed doors so I knew they would like it and it would go perfect in their garden. I painted up a quick sample and decided it was a go.  

This was my outside summer studio. 

The 3rd time was a charm!

It is now attached to the top of a post in my parents garden and can be seen from the house as well as most anywhere outside in the back. Now the birds just need to discover it.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

JOY is....

stopping at the Sno Cap in Sisters for...

a chocolate ~ vanilla swirl...

ice cream cone!

A family tradition for as long as I can remember. 

Have a joy filled day!

diy BARN QUILT!

Making a Barn Quilt has been on my to~do list for a long time.

Mr Wonderful made me the wood base quite a while back out of some leftover fence boards. In fact, he made it as soon as I asked and not just one but two, which is not surprising. My wood square was ready to go about a year ago however choosing the pattern and colors turned out to be the big hold up, which is not a surprise either. So there sat my unfinished square boards. 

Finally, yesterday morning, after all that time, I decided to Just Do It.

Since fall is in the air and college football has started I was in the mood for something with black, orange and white colors. I felt any of those would work but ultimately decided on plain black and white for my first barn quilt. Simple and versatile seemed like a good place to start. Next I chose an easy pattern which I believe is morning star, however, I will have to verify that with my mother. She is an amazing quilter and will know for sure. 

After the paint dried I sanded it lightly to give it a worn, vintage look. It just needs a coat of sealer now and then it will be ready to hang on our porch. Just for fun I grabbed a couple pumpkins from our garden to add that bit of orange I wanted. I love how it turned out and can't wait to start the next one.

Happy Tuesday!

A Day at the ZOO

P & B took Miss E and me to the Oregon Zoo on Saturday.

We were lucky enough to enjoy live music while we were there. An orchestra just happened to be practicing behind the curtain for the concert that evening. Timing is everything!

I tried to restrain myself from taking a bunch of photos of all the beautiful flowers in and around the exhibits but I couldn't resist this one while we were waiting in line.

These elephants are just too cute! 

This one is striking a pose.

Feeding time is fun to watch.

This is the first time I have seen the new and enlarged elephant exhibit which is really nice and really big.

P & B looked up the feeding times of the animals the day before so we were sure to see them all. The lions were first on the schedule but unfortunately the viewing area was already full and blocked off even though we had arrived early. 

We did get to see them after they ate.

This bear looks pretty laid back.

If you look to the right of the bear you can see what I think is an owl although I am not sure it is the same as the owl below.

Thanks again P & B for a fun day at the Oregon ZOO! 

Love is...

a "P, B/B & J" day!

Happy Labor Day!