Tolentreasures

Conneaut Lake Park It is volunteer clean up weekend there and it is my dad and daughter weekend. I remember going to this park when I was little and taking my kids when they were little, and two years ago, taking Gracelyn for the first time. http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/08/four-generations-at-conneaut.html So, My Dad and I are going to help out there on Saturday and Sunday for the Fall Clean Up Weekend. And I hear that this ride might be open to ride! How fun! This echoes my feelings! A few years ago they restored The Blue Streak. It's nice to see an old park like this coming back. It has sure had it's years of problems, and was even closed for a season or two. But it is back up and running and I'm excited about going and helping out for a weekend. One of the best parts? is that the Hotel Conneaut offers special rates to those helping out. When I was little, I always wanted to stay there. It looked like a place for the "rich" people. Can't w...

This is it, hopefully! I am switching to Snowmen Gingers, Winter, and maybe a Santa or two. I think that I will put the orange paint to rest for awhile. Other than snowman noses! Still preparing for the open house. I need to get some polyfil. And some leaves on that sunflower. A few more ornaments. Another slate and some treat bowls. And these cute little buggers that I bought at Pumpkin Fest last weekend. This pic is dark because they are above my stove and the light sort of glares on them. I may have to move them. And now for the Butternut Squash portion of this post... Because we have lots. Sunday, I made these pies. http://farmersdaughterct.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/butternut-squash-pie/ Wow, were they good!  I was even surprised! After enduring all the family comments. "Where did you get that pie dough?" "Are you sure that you know what you are doing?" And such. Anyway, the only thing that I did different than this recipe is that I used Amaretto for the w...

Really, we have lots!  Wednesday found Jenn and Kendall and I at the auction. Smicksburg Produce Auction. Jenn wanted some tomatoes for salsa peppers for a couple of things and apples for an apple butter recipe that you make in the slow cooker. She doesn't like to bid. I LOVE to bid. Auction fever, I guess. JWS kept saying he wanted to make some soup. One of us mentioned my friend Carol's Butternut Squash soup. Let's back up. This auction draws grocery stores and produce markets from all over. So the lots are BIG. But, if you are canning... I swear you can't grow it in your garden any cheaper. So, that would explain this rather large bag of butternut squash? One would think so. Or the fact that I love to bid... or the fact that this was the ONLY lot of butternut squash. So here's the concept of wholesale/retail as I see it. Because most of these people are buying to resell their items, they want the bottom end price. Because I am buying from the retail end, I can pa...

Not these, these are just some more pumpkin items for the weekend. But, besides sore muscles, a few bruises, three pounds, a couple of yard sale items, (just had to fit one of those in) a new flashlight, (I forgot mine) I brought home... some sort of rash. Poison Ivy or something like that. Not really sure. The plant that I was ripping out on Saturday was what I thought was poison oak, until I googled Poison Oak. Not only was it not the same plant, there are some pretty gross pics there along with it!  At least mine does not look that bad. And I resorted to the old stand by... Clorox Wipes. I have heard all the warnings, honestly, I have. But, I have also tried all the other medicines and remedies. A small fortune of creams, lotions, and potions reside in my medicine cabinets. And nothing dries it up and heals it faster than these. No disclaimer needed. Don't try this at home should be obvious. But it works for me!

Last night, I dipped into the orange paint and came out with all of these! Insulators made into pumpkins. A pan lid made into a pumpkin. Some candy corn pumpkins. Pumpkin boxes. and Pumpkin ornaments. Guess what it coming up on Saturday? Pumpkin Fest. Rural Valley, Pa!

No television, no Internet, not much cell phone service.... and it is amazing the knitting you can get done.  Last Wednesday night a group of us from my church left for West Virginia on a mission trip. This is the second year that we have gone there to work. World Vision has an amazing ministry there helping to meet the physical needs of many people and partnering with the local churches to meet their spiritual needs also. You can read more about it by clicking the link above or here http://worldvisionusprograms.org/appalachia.html Personally, I always thought of World Vision as some big, impersonal organization, until we got involved there. Their work is amazing! We stay at the Barbour County 4-H Camp. Brings back church camp memories! Below are pics of the warehouse. They receive surplus from companies and individuals...  and process it through as needed. This is a pic of the Teacher Resource Center. Everything here has been donated by companies and individua...

I did get a little painting done. But... The week, although short, was crazy! All these boxes of shirts printed, way over 1000, and all the other work that goes along with that. Logan found a great little corner to enjoy his Teddy Grahams. And this pic, while it was not from last week, I just had it sent to me. Don't they look like they are having fun? This little gator was one of the BEST purchases ever! All the kids love it!  So Friday afternoon, after JWS delivers and runs and drives everywhere to deliver shirts. He goes to the hospital to visit his mom. Comes home at 4:45,  fixes supper,  changes his clothes,  relaxes in the recliner and his mom calls from the hospital  and they are sending her home.  6:00. So much for that rest.  He gets her home at 8:00 because the hospital is not just around the corner.  and we have to have her back there at 9:00 Saturday morning for dialysis  again.  And so begins the weekend,...