Laundry Day Blues???

Ever have the laundry day blues???

Arriving On Crooked Creek, I had envisioned a laundry / mud room similar to the one in my previous "dream home"! A place where laundry was contained until wash day, washed, folded or hung, and then neatly put away.

I was hopeful that laundry room would have ample space where my ironing board and large vintage clothes rack could remain out. . . never having to be put away!  Reality check!

On Crooked Creek's ~
                                                                 laundry closet!!!

Please don't misunderstand. . . with every passing birthday. . .I am grateful that my laundry room is on the upper level living in our 1970's Ranch Style Home!
So many of my friends have to go
                      up ~
                                    and ~
                                                    down
                                                                   stairs to do their laundry chores!

My laundry "closet" is located right off the dining room. . .behind bi~fold doors! 

Arriving On Crooked Creek, I had grandeur thoughts that behind those bi~fold doors was a shelf lined pantry!

Trying hard to hide my disappointment and aided by "Mr. Ed's" encouragement, I began to make the most of this laundry closet! Using the place mats I made from our previous laundry / mud room, I began to adjust to our new home!

Remember 1970's Ranch Style houses had dark cabinetry!!!
Poor lighting!!! No clothes pole!!!

So~o~o. . .

"Mr. Ed" installed and painted two stock cabinets from Lowe's! One above the washer. . .one above the dryer. . .perfect for housing laundry day items!

Then he added a clothes pole for hanging perma~press items right from the dryer!

He measured and cut a shelf to go above the clothes pole for a decorative shelf!


A quick trip to Sherwin ~ Williams, "Mr. Ed" had paint matched to the background of our kitchen wallpaper! And finally, he removed the dated light fixture and replaced it with a brushed nickel track lighting!!!

Honoring his transformation of On Crooked Creek's laundry closet. . .
I chose heirloom vintage enameled and galvanized kitchen and laundry room treasures from the "Family Farm" to accessorize!

Beginning with a galvanized pitcher and percolator. . .

Maid - Rite washboard, iron, mason jar holding vintage wooden clothes pins. . .

Dubl Handi washboard, another iron, Sun Crest soda bottle with sprinkle head. . .

 Enamel pail. . .

and ending with a galvanized tea kettle!

Since On Crooked Creek's laundry closet has no place for a laundry hamper, our method of laundry sorting is three plastic baskets atop the washer and dryer.

 One for "Mr. Ed's" work clothes. . .

one for towels. . .and the other for my delicate clothing.

Except. . .
now that we are both "retired", our laundry needs have changed somewhat! We no longer need a separate laundry basket for "Mr. Ed's" greasy, road tar clothing!

So~o~o. . .
while at my favorite unique antique shop a few weeks ago, I found this small vintage basket and it is just the right size for my delicate clothing!!!

I adore its honey hued texture
so~o~o much more than the white plastic!!!

My concern with its wonderful texture is that it might snag my delicate garments.

Going through my "treasure trove" of vintage linens, I came across a single pillowcase edged with intricate hand crocheted cotton lace!

A perfect fit. . .
                      almost. . .
                                   with modification. . .
                                                                   can you visualize it???

Yes, ma'am. . .I know that means I have to get out the sewing machine. Ugh! But in the end, I'm sure it will be exactly what I need to combat the laundry day blues!


Until next time. . .


FYI:
I am on the "look~out" for two larger vintage bushel baskets to replace the other plastic laundry baskets! If you have a resource, please let me know in your comment! Thanks!!!

ww.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

On Crooked Creek will be joining our dear hostess Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday! Be sure to visit and see some of the most amazing vignettes for inspiration in your own home decor!

BEST Banana Nut Bread!

Even with the triple digit temperatures that continue to plague the Prairie. . .I made the BEST banana nut bread e v e r!!!

While living in Colorado Springs area, I taught at Widefield Recreation Center Pre~School! One of my students mothers shared her Grandmother's homemade Banana Nut Bread recipe with me...and it is truly the BEST banana nut bread e v e r!!!

Banana Nut Bread:

2 1/2 cups all~purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1 egg
3 tablespoons salad oil
3/4 cup milk
1 cup mashed ripe bananas

1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour 9" X 5" X 3" loaf pan or
two 8 1/2" X 4 1/2" X 2 1/2"  loaf pans.

Measure all the dry ingredients into a large bowl, set aside.

In a medium size bowl, peel and slice the bananas. 
Using a fork, mash the bananas.
Add the remainder of the wet ingredients.

With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed about 1 minute.
Fold in the finely chopped nuts.

One 8 1/2" X 4 1/2" X 2 1/2" pan @ 55 minutes!

Six muffins @ 25 minutes!

Pour into pan(s).
Bake 55 to 65 minutes or
until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.
Remove from pan;
cool thoroughly before slicing!

I chose to make one loaf of banana nut bread . . .
and six banana nut bread muffins!

The most difficult part of the recipe is waiting for the bread to cool before slicing!!!

A true vision of loveliness. . .
and this is a light, heavenly taste of sweetness
that surpasses any I've ever tried!!!

The triple digit temperatures on the Prairie 
may have gone to my head,
but, dear ones,
this banana nut bread has truly gone to my taste buds!!!


Until next time. . .

www.stonegable.blogspot.com

On Crooked Creek will be joining our sweet hostess, Yvonne @ StoneGable for On the Menu Monday! Be sure to visit for incredible menu ideas for your family's finest dining experience!!!

Easin' Into Autumn. . .

The Entry Hall On Crooked Creek
not only welcomes our family, friends and guests,
but it also sets the stage for Seasonal changes.

Although we didn't receive measurable rain. . . 
the air changed, the skies darkened and the thunder roared. . .
which was all the prompting I need for Easin' Into Autumn!!!

The backdrop for the entry hall is already staged with a vintage heirloom print and flanked by two hurricane sconces. The reverence of this print reflects my beloved in~laws. I adore its soft hues and tiger oak frame!

I began by draping the top of the console table with a fringed throw rich in browns, golds, rusts with soft subtle touches of sage green and blue. Gently folded so that the border had prominence along the perimeter and softening each corner, yet leaving the drawers accessible.

The vintage counter check holder remains on the entry hall console for holding out going mail throughout the year! This time I decided to center it, as I only have two pieces of vintage crockery.

Adding the vintage brown jug proved to be more of a challenge than I realized. The height of this jug  wouldn't allow for easy flow within the vignette I was trying to create!

Bringing "Mr. Ed's" rabbit water bowl from his childhood into the vignette allowed for additional lighter hues, but still the flow was awkward.

Placing the brown jug to the left of the florals and the water bowl to the right, gave the movement I was seeking.

Pushing the counter check holder closer to the empty crock gave enough variation of hues for interest.

On Crooked Creek ~
a bit more streamlined appearance to the entry hall.

However, I felt the look was almost stark!
So~o~o. . .

Placing berry rings of the same browns, golds, rusts and sage greens to the base of the hurricane sconces added visiual interest!

Easin' Into Autumn. . .
         On Crooked Creek. . .
                                          in the middle of the Summer!!!

Until next time. . .

Cup of Comfort. . .

One of the (many) reasons I choose to be unemployed,
by choice. . .is simply because I didn't have enough time with Him.

While I truly adore "Mr. Ed". . .

he is not the only him I needed to spend more time with each day!

A dear friend gifted me with the book, A Cup of Comfort Big Book of Prayer edited by Susan Townsend last December for my birthday!

Much like the winged angel in my snow globe. . .
I had leafed through the pages. . .
even read a few devotionals and scriptures!

There never seemed to be ample time to read the scripture, read the devotional, meditate on the written Word, and my prayer list.

Due to time constraints, I began to shy away from the meditation.
While I found the collection of stories comforting, I put the book away.

My first morning at home, I put the book on my side table.
Early morning "me time" has now become His time!

Powerful collection of inspiring stories, meditations, psalms and prayers all with scripture references on such topics as: Faith, Comfort, Gratitude, Family, Healing,  and Blessings.
All in the comfort of my own home!


Until next time. . .

FYI:
The book is now to the other side of the couch. . .
closer to the air conditioning vent with our ongoing heat wave on the Prairie!!!