What's In It For You?

Every year ~ as the actual date for our departure to Bennett Spring State Park for our Annual Trout Fishing Trip draws near ~ people often ask, "What's in it for you?"

The softness that comes across my face, followed with my gentle response, doesn't appear to satisfy their understanding of how I could possibly enjoy going on a fishing trip ~ knowing I don't fish.

Vacation is my time away from routine. Relaxing ~ and enjoying ~ my life with "Mr.Ed".  Time for nature walks, reading, Antique Shopping ~ and trying out new recipes. TIME.

We've been returning to the same vacation spot for nearly 21 years. The last six years @ Larry's Cedar Resort. We began by visiting their individual cabins, but the last two years, we've stayed in the same condo. . .and yes, we've reserved our space for 2012!

The condo comes with a fully equipped efficiency kitchen. . . and while we cook some of our meals ahead and freeze. . .I DO cook while we're there!

Cooking away from home takes considerable preparation and is the one time I actually do an entire week's menu planning. I plan for the number of breakfast, lunches, and dinners, along with some snack items; however, the actual day of a specific menu is determined around each days events.

S0~0~o. . .
                      here's What's On The Menu? 10

Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park. . .

Tuesday ~ Travel Day:
Breakfast                            Lunch                               Dinner
Granola Bar                          Meatloaf                             Bacon, Lettuce
Coffee                                      Mashed Potatoes           Tomato Sandwich
                                                  Green Beans                    Pineapple Chunks
                                                  Dinner Roll                      Raspberry Tea
                                                  Iced Tea

Just under a six hour drive from On Crooked Creek to Bennett Spring State Park, we break up the long drive by stopping in Fort Scott to visit my dad and step~mom. For lunch, we met at a local diner and enjoyed a home cooked meal with conversation before heading back onto Highway 54.

Wednesday ~ Settling In:
Breakfast                           Lunch                                Dinner
*Apricot Coffee Cake      Hot Ham & Cheese         Polish Sausage
Yogurt                                 on a Croissant                   Boiled Potatoes
Coffee                                   Iced Tea                              Green Beans
                                                                                              Hot Tea
This year, I simply u n w o u n d! I read my September/ October issues from my magazine collection, sketched some inspirations for the upcoming entertaining On Crooked Creek, had an encounter with a praying mantis and an overly aggressive hummingbird, and
n a p p e d while my classical music provided gentle background music.

Thursday ~ Excursion Day:
Breakfast                         Lunch                                Dinner
Hot Ham & Egg             Great Wall                         *Apricot Coffee Cake
on a Croissant               Chinese Buffet                   Apricot Hot Tea
Yogurt
Coffee




*Apricot Coffee Cake from Martha @ Lines from Linderhof!
http://linesfromlinderhof.blogspot.com/2011/09/porch-brunch.html

 
Unfortunately, our Antique and Outlet Shopping held some very real disappointments this year. I made a $2.00 purchase @ the Antique Mall. My purchases at the Outlet stores ~ again minimal. Hoping to be truly inspired by a beautiful home decor store with three amazing stories nearly brought me to tears. Traditions had sold in the past year and was replaced with a consignment store!

Friday~ Solidarity Day:
Breakfast                         Lunch                               Dinner
The Dining Lodge                                                          *Chicken Vesuvio~
Bennett Spring Breakfast                                            Chicago Style

Solitude. The day when "Mr. Ed" and I go our separate ways. I drive "Mr. Ed" down to the Spring to fish ~ then I head into Lebanon and visit two other Antique Shops. An upcoming post on "Catch~of~the~Day" in the days ahead.




* Chicken Vesuvio ~ Chicago style from Wives with Knives...
www.wiveswithknives.net

 

Saturday ~ The Final Stretch:
Breakfast                        Lunch                               Dinner
Polish Sausage                 Hillbilly Burgers         *Leftovers of
Eggs                                                                                 Chicken Vesuvio
Biscuits                                                                            Hot Tea
Mandarin Oranges
Coffee

S l o w start morning. Clad in our jammies and sweats, "Mr. Ed" and I shared the chores of breakfast. We lingered with coffee and conversation until the mid~morning hours. As he went off to his final full day of Trout Fishing, I journaled and reflected the year gone by and pondered the year ahead.
"Strength for the day and bright hope for tomorrow
                                                ~ Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside."

Sunday ~ Returning Journey:
Breakfast                      Lunch                                Dinner
Scrambled Eggs                                                            El Charro
Bacon                                                                               Mexican Dining
Yogurt
Biscuits
Coffee

After a quick breakfast, "Mr.Ed" savors his last few hours of fishing while I put the final items in our suitcases and make the final sweep through the condo. Car loaded and check out @ 11:00 am, we begin the returning journey. After a leisurely visit with my dad and step~mom. . .we'll be looking ahead to our arrival On Crooked Creek.

Until next time. . .




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

 On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess Yvonne @ StoneGable for On The Menu Monday!
Be sure to visit and be inspired to start making and baking something delicious for your own family.

A Vacation Tablescape!

A runner, two place mats, two napkins ~
    and two napkin rings. . . A Vacation Tablescape!

Every Autumn "Mr. Ed" and I journey to Lebanon, Missouri for our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park.

While "Mr. Ed" is busily packing all his Trout Fishing gear ~ I'm just as busily packing all the food items and necessities for our week long stay.

Over the years, I've learned to pack a few "comforts of home". This year was no exception!

We rented the same Condo @ Larry's Cedar Resort. . .
photos from last years trip made my decision quite easy.
To accent the rectangular table, I chose ~ a runner!

The centerpiece ~ a basket filled with ivy ~ relocated from the master bedroom dresser fit nicely.

Muted shades of burgundy, gold, rose and sage green with a background of khaki makes a lovely softer side of  Autumn tablescape.

"Mr. Ed" and I chose to set across from one another at the width of the table. This way he could share his "fish tales" from the Spring; therefore, I brought  ~ two place mats!

I felt the stripe wasn't as complimentary with the stripes that encompass the Condo dinnerware. Instead, I opted for the floral side.

Flatware is ample ~ but not always matching. I found two complete sets. I chose the swirl pattern for "Mr. Ed's" place setting . . .for me. . .  the floral version. So shabby chic!

Two napkins and two napkin rings.

Our Condo is well supplied with:

Dinner plates . . .

salad / dessert plates. . .

cereal / soup bowls

all are Corelle and easily washed, dried and put away until the next meal!



The mugs are from Main Stay.

Darling swirled and ruffled clear glass bowls. . .

salt and pepper shakers. . .

and a vintage creamer complete this vacation tablescape!

A runner, two place mats, two napkins ~

   and two napkin rings. . . A Vacation Tablescape!

All the "comforts of home"  ~

                                                     away from home!

Until next time. . .

www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

On Crooked Creek is joining our dear hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday. The sneak peek I just previewed is all about Fall! Inspiration abounds. You won't want to miss!

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. . .

"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, Yvonne @ StoneGable 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!

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. . .