Delicious Easy Little Treat

I was rummaging through my freezer when I came across a recently expired box of puff pastry. So I decided to use it. This turned out so delicious! I let the puff pastry thaw out and then I rolled them out a little. I then took strawberry preserves and filled the middle with it. To add a little of that pie like flavor I combined equal parts of flour, sugar and butter. I made it into a crumble then I put that on top of the jam. I folded it over and baked at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. They turned out really good. This was so easy to make. My son said "tell everyone they taste better than they look." He's right they do. LOL.

Blessings,

Amy Jo



Summertime Storms

We have been having a tropical storm here for days. Lots and Lots of rainfall. We needed it.  We had a dry spell for a while and so they said we were in a deficit. I doubt we are now. It has rained a lot over the last two weeks. Today I woke to gray skies but a wonderful wind was blowing. I love the early morning.

We have not been able to mow in 2 weeks.... The grass is getting tall.

The roses we planted are loving all of this rain.

So pretty!

I'm hoping eventually they cover the water softening system.

Levi found this in his great grandmother's shed. They were tearing the shed down. He painted it and gave it to me for the porch... Such a sweet boy. Today we have a 70 percent chance of rain....so I think it may rain. LOL

xoxo,

Amy Jo



Blessings From a Friend

Saturday morning I got up at 5:00 am and got ready for the day.  My husband, son, and I headed to Wildwood. My husband and Dad were putting a drain field in for a brother in Christ.  I went to breakfast with my friend Heather. We met for breakfast at 7:30 in the morning. I have mentioned Heather in other posts, we met about 6 years ago when we moved to Wildwood. We have both moved from there now. But we talk almost every day. Since we would both be there on Saturday we decided having breakfast would be fun.

I think it is so wonderful to get an hour or two to spend  with a friend and visit with out distractions. And, that is just what we did. Heather brought me a birthday gift as well.

A Basket filled with goodies... this is a necklace she bought me at a place called "junk in the trunk"... How cute is that?

Heather and I are kindred spirits and never mind if we give each other second hand gifts. We actually prefer them! This is a handmade pin cushion.

She gave me a book, little notebooks, and pens to carry in my purse. I can always use these.

Isn't this the cutest little quilted purse.

This is my favorite thing... she made this for me. It is a blessing book.

She had told me that every night, before she goes to bed, she writes down the things that she is thankful for.

Now I have a blessing book and I can do the same!

She put my initials in the back of the book. It is soooo pretty and done in my favorite colors and flowers.

This is a trivet from 1951. It is called family tree. Because we planned this so early it didn't effect our family in any way. We had a great time and were back before they could miss us. Thank you Heather for all of the beautiful gifts and for buying my breakfast. You have truly been a blessing to me.  I hope all of you have a blessed day!

xoxo,

Amy Jo



Are You A Cheerful Homemaker?

A cheerful homemaker creates a cheerful home for her family. A complaining housewife produces such a dismal atmosphere that her family may spend as little time as possible at home.-----Ida Bailey Allen



Welcome Summer!

" All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer-- one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going-- one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends, and delightful doing, come near as perfection as anything can come in the world!
----L.M. Montgomery  Anne's House of Dreams

I am reading the whole Anne of Greene Gables Series and it is so beautifully written.  I hope your summer is a never-to-be-forgotten summer!

xoxo,

Amy Jo

Treasures on My Birthday...

Father's Day was also my birthday. My mother-in-law and Aunt -in-law were going to be out of town so they had us over the Sunday before my birthday. After church we went over and had a big lunch. Complete with ice cream cake... Here are the cards they got me. And they gave me money. What girl doesn't like that?

Over the weekend when we went to the antique stores I found a few treasures with the money. One of the treasures was this little book. Home Sweet Home by J.H. Payne.

This is the inscription inside the book.

It reads: Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble there's no place like home. A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, which seek thro' the world is ne'er met with elsewhere. Home! Home! Sweet, sweet home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home! An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain: Oh! give me my lowly thatched cottage again. The birds singing gayly, that come to my call, Give me them, with the peace of mind dearer than all. How sweet 'tis to sit 'neath a fond father's smile. And the cares of a mother to soothe and beguile!

Let others delight mid new pleasures to roam. But give, oh! give me the pleasures of home! To thee I'll return overburdened with care: The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there. No more from that cottage again will I roam: Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. Home! Home! Sweet sweet home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home!

I also got this pastel rooster. I never come across these in the pastel colors.

My Mother got me this vintage bed jacket. Isn't it so pretty?

While I am sharing I thought I would show you this beautiful apron I got on ebay.

My husband bought me this anklet for my birthday. This is very unusual, he never buys me jewelry so I was shocked at this gift. This is only the second piece of jewelry he has bought me aside from my wedding ring. And we have been together for 20 years.

If you are still here, Romantic Country came in the mail box a few days ago.... If you aren't a subscriber you may want to check it out. This is my absolute favorite magazine. This issue did not disappoint.  Blessings to you all...

xoxo,

Amy Jo

Time Marches On.....

Happy Belated Father's Day! This picture is of me and my sister and Dad. Taken many years ago. I am the little one. We all went camping this weekend and had a great time. My camera batteries died and I didn't get many pictures at all.

This is everyone gathered around for lunch. Our camp site was messy. I look at some campers and they have lovely campsites with not one thing out of place.... Then there is us... a happy mess every where.

My Sister and Brother- in -law.

Wonderful breezy days and nights. It was so nice just walking around. We walked and walked. Down the beach, down the pier, around the park.  The girls "snuck" away to a few antique stores.. I know I am a die hard antiquer..(is that a word?)

My nephew Tristan. It was his birthday last week. He is now 14. These children are making me old!

These are the "babies" and they are half grown.  Time Marches on.....gather the memories while you can..... Blessings to you all.

xoxo,

Amy Jo



Home Should Be A Happy Place



" I have stated before that " home should be a happy place because all work to keep it that way." It is said that happiness is homemade, and we should endeavor to make our homes happy and pleasant places for us and our children. A happy home is one centered around the teachings of the gospel, and this takes constant, careful effort by all concerned."
--LeGrand R. Curtis





Unexpected Guests and Some Sweet Finds

My husbands Dad called unexpectedly Tuesday and said he would be down in the evening. He lives a great distance away and we rarely see him. He was also bringing his brother, Franks Uncle.  So they came and we had a wonderful time. We called all of the near by family to come as well.

This is my husbands Dad and his wife and Frank and our family on the right and his Brother Chuck and two of his children.

This was so funny because his Aunt wanted me to take a picture because Franks uncle gave her a hundred dollar bill to spend! She said this never happens and she wanted a picture so she could prove it happened!

I took the girls to the shopping mall. I found a set of four of these plates at Ross for $6.99.

This is a pin money bank I found when I went with my Aunt last week. Isn't it so cute?

Lastly I found this bed skirt at goodwill. I am going to wash it  and use it in the future.

I only paid 2.99 for it. It was a real bargain. So this is why I have not been posting. I am a little worn out. We had so much fun though, we had 20 people over for several days but now things are getting back to normal. I am going to catch up on every ones posts.

xoxo,

Amy Jo



Country Church circa 1880's

When we went to Mt. Dora we passed this little old church building . It was a beautiful little church. Now starting to deteriorate, maybe for good. My Aunt said the town always kept it up, but not since the economy fell.

The sign reads come join us every 3rd Sunday. Sunday School 9:30 AM and
Worship 11:00 Am.

Of course no one has came for worship at this little building in years. It is such a sad little story.... I can almost hear the echos of those old time sermons and maybe a dinner on the ground. Of course it is just a building. "The true church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock." T.S. Eliot.

"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of healthy blood to a sick man." Dwight L. Moody

Blessings,

Amy Jo



The Garden Gate Tea Room Mt. Dora, Florida

Well, Thursday was a beautiful day and a lovely time at the tea room. Here is what it looks like from the outside. Picture perfect.

Window...

Isn't this the most romantic bike?

I love this bird bath! It is in the courtyard.

This is what we both got for lunch. It is so delicious. It tastes like Thanksgiving dinner.

We tried to save room for dessert... A beautiful swan swimming in chocolate... Let's just say we waddled out of the tea room..haha.

I love the creamy color of these walls. I had a color just like it in my last house and it was so pretty.

I love all of the draped lace on the windows. It mutes the light in such a romantic way.

Fabulous!!

Would you like to wear a hat? They will let you, if you didn't bring your own.

Cozy little nook.

I love that lamp.

And this one.

This sufficiently cheered our spirits.  We had such a beautiful time. I can never get enough of the beauty of this tea room. So feminine and the atmosphere is at once like home.  The food is sooo good too. If ever you are in Florida try to stop in here. You will not be disappointed.

Blessings,

Amy Jo