Collecting? Who me?

 

If someone would ask me if I collect teapots or teacups,
I would say "who me".
In the past I have said they just come to me, but collect, "no I don't collect".
Well slowly I am having to admit, like an addiction, I am drawn to teapots
and teacups when I visit antique shops.
Antique shops is where I go for alone time and to sort out things in my mind;
so yes I do see a teapot or teacup occasionally that I just can't say no to.
I am admitting here for the first time, I am a collector.
Now where will I put them in this house that is already full?

On the road trip I found this blue teapot, the color just caught my eye.
It is a Liptons Tea teapot found in a mall in Iowa.
I love blue and yellow together and of course all tea lovers need
one teapot from Liptons, don't we?

Peace Blooms

 
“Until there is peace between religions, there can be no peace in the world.” 

"In the garden of my heart the flowers

of peace bloom beautifully."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Peonies from a Michigan garden

Mrs. Haney's Home

The front entrance:

The back of the house:

The storm cellar entrance:

 

Oh I wish I could have stepped inside and remembered visits I had here
so many years ago.
The house has stood empty for a long time, but as part of the
Mitchell County Museum in Kansas now it soon will have a new purpose.
It stands near the county hospital and will be turned into a Ronald McDonald home.
I think Mrs. Haney would have liked that.

We lived in this town about 40 years ago and Mrs. Haney taught me
about the love of old homes, old time crafts, antiques, and herb gardens.
In fact, she told me about women at that time that were making a difference
in the world of herbs in America, such as Bertha Reppert and Adelma at Capriland Farms.
She also introduced me to the children's book illustrator, Tasha Tudor.

In an earlier life of this house, Mrs. Haney told me there were great parties
where carriages dropped dignitaries off at the front door.  There was a circle drive there then.
Generals in their uniforms and ladies in their full ballgowns would step up the steps
and into this lovely home.  This beautiful home had a past that shined and
soon very soon there will be new life shining there.

One Word

 

WOW!

Tips from the Kitchen Door

This door once opened to Mrs. Haney's kitchen.
I loved visiting here once upon a time and learning all kinds of tips.
Today I wanted to share tips from kitchens we visited throughout our road trip.
Maybe you know some of these tips, but I had fun keeping track and learning.

1.  Beth made a lovely salad dressing with olive oil, vinegar, a little mustard, and bacon bits,
then she popped it in the microwave to warm.  Nice touch!

2.  Karen tenderizes her steaks by squeezing half a fresh lime over them and letting them sit for awhile.  Yummm!

3.  Donna makes the BEST, tender Bisquick biscuits by not doing what the recipe says.
There is no kneading here and the mixing is done very gently.

4.  Marilyn marinades veggies overnight in Italian dressing, drains, then puts in a grill pan
on the barbecue.  Delicious!

5.  Eve, the nurse, recommended eating lots of watermelon for our health.  I can do that!

6.  Suellen was the "microwave grandma" and even cooks her Thanksgiving turkey breast in the microwave.

7.  Holly was most creative by incorporating tea into almost everything we ate.  What a treat!

8.  Mary Jane recommends eating dessert first.  Now that's an idea I can go with.

Tuesday I will share more pictures and travel stories from Mrs. Haney's home.

Grape Jelly

Are you wondering what grape jelly has to do with birds?

Grackles (the black bird), Robins, Doves, and Orioles, they all went for the grape jelly set out for them.
I have never seen birds come flying in for grape jelly before.  They loved it.
What a treat each morning over breakfast to watch this display of nature.
We saw Cardinals in this yard too, but they didn't seem to be into grape jelly.
Did you know some birds like grape jelly?  I didn't.
Oh the things I learn when traveling.

A Kansas Garden

 

While visiting Kansas I had many moments in this garden.
What pure delight to see the passion of this gardener friend
and know what pleasure it brings to her and those that visit there.
There was so much to see, I am sure we will have to visit again
even if only through the pictures I took.  There were the largest
bumble bees, moths that looked like miniature hummingbirds, and
many varieties of bird.  Tomorrow I will share a few of the birds seen there.
This gardener friend loves iris's and they made quite a show here.
I highly recommend seeking out gardens when traveling.
The visit is sure to rest your soul and your weary traveling body.