The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Going Fishing!!!

"Mr. Ed" and I interrupt this Blog for a short break. . .


We'll be back soon. . . with the "Catch of the Day"!

Until next time. . .

Saturday, September 24, 2011

"Mr.Ed" Makes Breakfast!

Dear Ones,

Sometimes in life . . . when you least expect it . . . you receive a pleasant surprise.

Surprise!


"Mr. Ed" makes breakfast!!!


What's On The Menu? 9



Breakfast Menu:

Fresh Strawberries
Scrambled Eggs
Sour Cream Biscuits
Orange Juice
Colombian Coffee



Sliced fresh strawberries!
You'd think at the end~of~the~Season they'd have lost their sweetness. These were every bit as sweet as those first strawberries back in April On Crooked Creek.


Scrambled eggs...light and fluffy. . .topped with grated cheese.
Just the way I like them!


Sour Cream Biscuits.
By adding a shy 1/4 cup of sour cream to the batter, these biscuits are lighter in texture and the flavor is greatly enhanced. Just add butter and jam!



Orange juice and Colombian Coffee. On Crooked Creek, a breakfast fit for company. . .except. . ."Mr. Ed" made it just for me!

Until next time. . .



http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/
 On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess, YvonneStoneGable for On The Menu Monday ! Be sure to visit and be inspired to surprise your family with something new from the best menus , recipes and tips!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Autumnal Header ~

As each Season changes On Crooked Creek ~
I find it takes me longer than I anticipate to accomplish switching out the decor. Finally~ the Traditional China Cabinet is completed with an Autumnal Header. . . just in time to welcome the first day of Fall 2011.



I adore this French Country themed willow basket. It appears to have been done in the Annie Sloan fashion that I'm seeing on Blog Land posts. It's soft creamy whites are right in keeping with my softer side of Autumn decor. You'll also find some soft tans with an overcasting of subtle hued grays.



Mimicking Nature's turning leaves are these soft~to~the~touch, soft hued, leaf and acorn picks. Amber oranges, caramelized rusts, honey golds, and sage greens are all combined and bring softness to the edges of the cabinet. Purchased last year @ Roadhouse Antiques.



A pair of quail continue the softer side of Autumn with their creamy whites, honey golds and tans. One is placed atop a book to give a sense of flow across the header.



I adore the amber orange gourd with it's tan glazing . . . giving a vintage effect! Another find @ Roadhouse Antiques from last year.



Finishing off my Autumnal Header are my green handled, glazed pottery jars and more of the leaf and acorn picks. Secretly, I filled the large jar with caramelized rust mums. The small jar held creamy white mums. I felt the artistry of the pottery was smothered...so~o~o, I removed them. I prefer the arts 'd objects look!



On Crooked Creek, I could get use to this softer side of Autumn decor. It's easy on the budget, easy on the eyes. . . and so easy to design!


From top~to~bottom. . . the softer side of Autumn is complete with the addition of the Autumnal Header.

Softly Welcoming Fall 2011!


Until next time. . .

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Keep It Simple. . .

On Crooked Creek felt this would be the perfect chance to expose you to the continuation of the softer side of Autumn on the front porch! So~o~o. . . I've joined the party hosted by Barb @ Grits and Glamour. . .

Keep It Simple Party


The soft muted Autumn hues have totally captured my spirit for this Season's decorating indoors and out!





Using a vintage iron work plant holder, I added white cracked planters. "Mr. Ed" cut and fitted white Styrofoam to fill each planter. Then, I inserted a wooden cooking skewer that I broke to the desired height.



Next, I added grayish Spanish Moss around the perimeter of the planter.




Gently, I pushed this Styrofoam pumpkin atop of the skewer!




Continuing the process until all three planters were filled with a softer side of Autumn!




I adore the look! Don't you just adore those curly stems on the pumpkins?




"Mr. Ed" volunteered his "road find" galvanized bucket to fill in the void space at the base of the plant stand.


This photo shot is taken through the glass as I'm looking from the inside out! I'm quite smitten with how the plant stand of pumpkins enhances the wreath on my painless window!




A quick trip to Lowe's for a newly purchased pot of soft white mums to fill "Mr. Ed's" galvanized bucket. . .



Additional bunches of grayish Spanish moss complete the look for this corner of the front porch. On Crooked Creek's. . .Keep It Simple!

Until next time. . .

Thank you to Barb @ Grits and Glamour for hosting this simply divine meme!


Softer Side of Dining ~

On Crooked Creek has gone soft, totally!

Dear Ones,

I cherish each of you who are loyal followers and those of you who visit today. In honor of your presence I've set a softer side of Autumn tablescape. Won't you join me? Please, have a seat.


I'm using my creamy white rose embossed tablecloth with a soft beige topper. I've placed it on an angle and scrunched it for a softer effect.



I've dressed the chandelier in amber orange beaded garland and topped the candlesticks with creamy ivory silk shades. This makes for soft ambient lighting overhead.



A simple glass hurricane filled with a battery pillar candle.  At the base is a seasonal acorn wreath with amber oranges, caramelized rusts, honey golds, and a hint of sage green.  To add some needed height to the pillar, I disguised another of my candle jar lids in the base of the hurricane. A sprinkling of glass beads accentuates the shimmering glow from the candle.


To extend the softer side of Autumn, I've placed small caramelized rust glass pumpkins with sage green leaves on either side of the place setting. The finishing touch is a satin sage green ribbon tied with my signature short, fat bow. The softness of these little pumpkins warms my heart.



In keeping with the Traditional colors of Autumn, I chose my amber orange scalloped, quilted place mats. The back side of the place mat has the most delicate floral motif of caramelized rusts, honey golds, and sage greens.


All the same hues in a festive paisley and floral pattern for the napkin. Today, in honor of your visit, I used some vintage stainless steel flatware with scallops and roses!



One of my passions On Crooked Creek is my love of dishes! So~o~o, in your honor, I've mixed several patterns of my favorites.


So~o~o hard to choose a favorite.  Which do you prefer?



I didn't promise to make this easy. Let's peel away the layers for a better look to make your selection.


JIMENAU  European dessert plate ~ Made in German Democratic Republic. . .



My everyday white porcelain Coventry Collection salad plate . . .


My vintage Epicure Turquoise Blue Homer Laughlin dinner plate. . .


Finally, my Artland Chili Pepper over sized dinner plates!

Were you able to choose a favorite? I have a favorite. . . can you guess?




I've added my German Democratic Republic Coffee pot and filled it with steaming creme brulee flavored coffee for our enjoyment.



Pardon me, dear, would you like cream or sugar?


Allow me, please, to pour you another cup of coffee, as we partake in one another's friendship long into the evening hours.


Alas, the time has passed far too quickly and we must bid farewell. On Crooked Creek has truly been blessed with your presence. I do hope you'll visit again, soon, dear friend.


Until next time. . .




http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess, Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday! Please visit and be inspired to set a memorable tablescape for your own dining experience.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

What's On The Menu? 8

Since the weather has turned to cooler temperatures here on the Prairie. . .I've been craving something cooked with apples!

What's On The Menu??? 8


On Crooked Creek it's . . .              
                                                    Pork Chops and Apples!!!



A few years ago, I purchased this collection of Savory Slow~Cooker Recipes, I have used several with delicious results. Today's choice was Pork Chops and Apples! Perfect for a busy work day On Crooked Creek.

My Rival Crock Pot is nearing 25 years old. I don't trust to leave it on unless I'm home.
So~o~o. . .the crock pot gets used mostly during the weekends when "Mr. Ed" and I have a full day of chores to accomplish!





Pork Chops and Apples

Ingredients:

4 pork loin chops, well trimmed
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt
pepper

Directions:

In skillet, brown pork chops quickly: drain well.
Arrange a layer of sliced apples in slow cooker,
then a layer of pork chops; repeat.
Dot with butter, sprinkle with nutmeg.
Add salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on low setting for 7 ~ 9 hours.

Makes 4 servings.




As you can see by the photo. . .I like to adapt a recipe. . .
I put one apple sliced on the bottom of the slow cooker, salt, pepper, nutmeg and butter!



Followed by two layers of the browned pork chops.


Then topped off with the second apple slices, more salt, pepper, nutmeg and butter!


I start my crock pot recipes on high setting for the first hour, then turned it down to low for the remainder of the suggested cooking time.



As you can see . . .they look delicious!!!


I served our Pork Chops and Apples with seasoned bow tie pasta. After a busy work day On Crooked Creek this was a meal fit for royalty!

Until next time. . .





http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/

On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess Yvonne @ StoneGable for On The Menu Monday! I have used many of the recipes, tips and food staging inspirations from this weekly meme. Stop by and be inspired to have some wonderful meals to share with your family, as well!