Monday, June 30, 2014

Baby Deer

When I returned home from church yesterday I found I had a little visitor.  Isn't he sweet?


Diana

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Flood Video

Still pictures just didn't show how crazy this was!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Flood At The Cabin

Whoa!  Jenn, Abby and Abby's friend Kelsey went out to the cabin last night.  This is the first time any of us had ever been out there during heavy rain.  This is what they saw.  
A few minutes later and they would have been stuck on the other side of the creek.  The water quickly rose and covered the bridge, moving one end of it about 15 feet down the bank.
Before the flash flood.....  
 The creek overflowed it's banks and got dangerously close to the cabin.
Jenn said they were ready to leave if it reached the wood pile.  That's the wood pile in the field!  They were standing on the porch to take this picture.  Just as fast as the water rose it drained down stream bringing the creek back to it's normal/high level.  
Phew!  Looking at these pics is still giving me anxiety.......
Diana

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Really Good Basic Bread

Shout out to Roxana from Roxana's Home Baking for her fantastic and easy basic sandwich bread recipe!  I tried it yesterday and loved the results.
 It is just as she describes and delicious to boot.  The only thing I did different is that I brushed the top of the finished loaf with melted butter cuz I like a soft crust.
The texture is lovely with small air pockets so you sandwich will hold up well.  Definitely give this a try.

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 tsp active Red Star dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
     
  • 3 cups (360 grams) all purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup (56 grams) melted butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 - 1/3 cup (30 - 40 grams) all purpose flour
Instructions
  1. In a bowl add the water, yeast and teaspoon of sugar. Stir to combine and leave at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes until doubled in volume.
  2. In a mixing bowl sift the 3 cups of flour and make a well in the middle.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture, add the egg, sugar, salt and melted butter.
  4. With the dough hook on start mixing adding the milk and slowly adding the remaining flour until the dough forms a soft and elastic ball.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for about 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
  6. When the dough has risen, punch it down and shape it into a log. Place it into a 9X5 greased baking pan, cover and let rest again at room temperature for another 30 minutes.
  7. In the meantime, heat the oven to 375F.
  8. Bake the bread for about 30 minutes until golden brown and the smell of fresh bread takes over your kitchen.
  9. Leave to cool slightly in the pan before removing it and completely before slicing it. 
Diana

Monday, June 16, 2014

Update on Our Cute Little Vintage Camper

I have been so busy lately getting our "A Frayed Knot" glamped up.  A few coats of shinny white paint and some new details really brightened her up!  Check out the pics below.....
Here is the dining area.  The table hasn't been installed because I have apparently "misplaced" the wall bracket that holds it up.  I ordered a new one months ago but put it away for safe keeping and now can't find it...... I will find it eventually but until then it is driving me nuts!   Oh well.  The crows nest looks so fresh and clean now and not dark and scary like before.
 Here is one of the night stand/suitcases near the fold out couch.
 The other side table.  
  In case you forgot here is a before photo.  Not bad but not good either.
The kitchen still has some work that needs to be done.  I will be painting the stove and icebox with teal automobile engine paint soon.  We also have a cool quilted stainless steel back splash to put up.
 Before......
 After!
 I added some decorative elements on the kitchen's upper cabinets.
 The old mirror was in terrible shape so we picked up this cute polka dot mirror from Ikea.  It is smaller but the dots were so fun we couldn't resist.
 The world's tiniest closet also got a makeover.
 Another Ikea find.
 View of the couch/bed area.
 The coziest place ever to curl up and read a book!
 I am probably going to paint the sink in the same teal paint I will be doing the rest of the appliances in.  The floor is original and is in pretty great shape so no plans to replace it just yet.
Another cozy spot.
The other side of the dining area.
 The crow's nest before.....
 and after. 


Hope you enjoyed our little playhouse.  Can't wait add a few more touches and then start on the exterior.
Diana

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Latest Roundup of Cards

 Here are a few cards I put together and sent out last week!  I used a vintage suitcase as a backdrop that I still haven't decided what to do with yet.  Any ideas?



Diana