Surprise Amy

Last Saturday I took a mini album class at Heart of the Home from Miss Amy. She had made the cutest travel album and I completely copied her to create this "Buddy Book".

It took a few file folders, paint, scraps of paper, some stickers, ribbon, a brown writer and some embellishments and POOF! - I had an album all ready for pictures. I liked this album so much that I couldn't wait to get pictures in it. Thanks Amy for a great idea (she tells me that she copied an album from a book, but when I looked at the one in the book I didn't see it, probably because I liked Amy's album MORE!).

There aren't too many projects that I finish from start to pictures, but here's proof that I do actually have pictures that I can put in albums.

THANKS AMY FOR A GREAT AFTERNOON and for sharing your leftover stickers, brads and embellishments from your album project!

Dear Diary......

Day 1: Karen and Don have left for Sturgis and I'm taking care of the tomato plant. It's healthy. Lots of tomatoes, not ripe, but with some good hot days they should start to ripen.



Day 2: I think I'll trim the plant so the nutrients go to the fruit instead of the plant. Yikes, I hope this goes well, I don't want anything to happen to this plant.



Day 3: Plant looks good, I don't think I did any damage to it. Nothing looks brown or dying. Hooray!



Day 4: Well, now that I have it all trimmed up maybe I should give it some plant food. Tomatoes are starting to ripen, but I think they need a little extra boost.

Day 5: Still just the one tomato, others will be ripe soon. No harm done with the Miracle Grow!



Day 8: Well, I skipped a few entries, but as you can see I've finally got to pick some of the tomatoes. Can't wait to enjoy these little babies.



Day 8 (Second entry): Yummmmmmmm, there's just nothing better than a BLT sandwich with a home-grown tomato. Well, I used turkey-bacon, not quite the same, but much healthier for me and fewer points on the Weight Watchers diet!



Well, there's the proof that I can take care of the tomato plant. I have a few more days and the temperature outside just keeps going up. I don't want anything to happen to their little plant. Keep your fingers crossed it survives another few days, then my responsibility will be over.

Who'll give me 5 for that?

My sister Deanna arrived last Friday in preparation for my yard sale. Well, I hope she came to visit as well, but I'm not going to ignore the fact that I wasn't going to do the YARD SALE without her. She's been working everyday sorting my piles of stuff, pricing and organizing for SATURDAY'S SALE.

It'll be at my house, 811 SW 6th Street beginning at 7 am and ending at 2 pm. Cross your fingers for good weather!

I've rounded up some scrapbooking stuff, plus size clothing, cake pans, holiday decorations and all my old living room decor' (rustic, outdoor, cabin etc....)

If your in town and you like YARD SALES then come see us, I just might have that very thing you've been looking for.

Asparagus Galore!

'Tis the Season for ASPARAGUS!

I bought 50 pounds of asparagus this past week so I could make pickled asparagus. I love canning. The asparagus was really fresh so it should make for some great pickles - now I have to wait. The more patient I am the better the pickles.



It takes a lot of water and a lot of different kettles, but since moving to Oregon pickled asparagus has become a favorite for me to can.



This is the bottom of the jar before I start packing it with asparagus. This year I added a slice of onion to each jar. I'm always trying something new, you just never know when you might find that prize winning combination!



I leave the asparagus in cold water after I have cleaned it. It helps to plump the spears and make them nice and firm for packing.



I like to get my jars packed tight because as I water bath the jars, the asparagus shrinks down a little. Isn't that a pretty jar?



Water bathed and now cooling. I love hearing the sound of the snap as the lid sucks down and you know you have a good seal!



There they are. All sealed and ready to be put on the shelf so they can pickle to perfection or at least I hope so. I got 18 quarts out of my 2 boxes. Had to leave a little for eating fresh - it's just so yummy!