The Old Parsonage is serving up some lemonade!

Tina at Beansie Babbles has generously graced me with a new lemonade stand. The award is bestowed upon someone who shows that Attitude of Gratitude. Thanks Tina!

Last year I started keeping a Gratitude Journal. It has really helped me to focus on the good things in life, be they large or small. Sometimes it's hard and I really have to stop and look, but with the Lord's help I can see everything.

Upon accepting this award, the rules are as follows...

• Put the logo on your blog/post.
• Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.
• Link to your nominees within your post.
• Comment on their blogs to let them know that they have now been awarded.
• Share the love, and link to this post and the person who nominated your for this award.
• Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

Well once again, I'm cheating (hmmm this seems to be a habit - let's call it breaking the rules for a good cause). I'm bestowing The Attitude of Gratitude it to all of you wonderful followers and those who just stopped by for a visit. Because I am grateful to each and everyone of you. You are my friends and confidants, and I wouldn't trade anyone of you for all the tea in China.

Make my lemonade pink!

Rose Petals and Rust Giveaway

Rose Petals and Rust is having a wonderful give away in honor of her 100th post. So be sure to pop over and enter for you chance to win these fabulous pink Christmas ornaments, I just did.

Everything's coming up Roses at The Old Parsonage

For this week's pretty in pink post, I thought that I'd share my walls or to be more specific my wallpaper. It's full of yummy pink roses.

This wallpaper is in our dining room and the plate display is above our piano.

Moving along to the foyer, yes the wallpaper does look familiar. It's a reverse of the dining room.

Since the wallpaper is so dark and the room is very small, I've used mirrors throughout the room to reflect light and brighten the area.

And the last room is the living room. The pattern is different than the others, however the colors are in the same palette.


This is one of my favorite photo displays. It's my DH, his father and his grandfather all in their service uniforms. I had the photos all touched up and made B&W. What a family treasure!



I'm hoping that you all had the chance to visit all the newbies to Pink Saturday last week. But, if you didn't, here's one that I 'm sure you'll love Tammi for Visions of Vintage. I told Tammi that she and I are soul sisters. Pop on over and tell her that I sent you.

Thanks for taking a little pink tour with me through our home. And, thanks so much to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday Please be sure to visit Beverly to see she and others are sharing. Enjoy your day!

It's Rudolph Day at The Old Parsonage

It's September 25th and you all know what that means...It's Rudolph Day at The Old Parsonage!



Take some time to do something Christmassy today. If you're in the mood to buy something for Christmas - QVC is doing Christmas all day!

I'm headed off to work, but hope to create some Christmas Magic this weekend - if I'm feeling better. Today it feels like my head cold is moving to my chest. Ugh!!

I'd like to thank the academy

Actually I'd like to thank Val McVal from Sew Not My Day for the Kreative Blogger Award. The rules say that I must tell you 7 things that you don't already know about me and nominate 7 other blogs.

I'm going to cheat and use some of the same things I mentioned in another post back when I started blogging. So most of you won't know these things but 1 or 2 of you might.

• I was head cheerleader way back when
  
• I married my childhood sweetheart - I'm talking I told my Mum I was going to marry him when I was 12years old
• I love Meatloaf, the group - I sing their songs in the shower ( I also love the food)
  
• I work at an advertising agency
• I like my coffee sweet - with splenda and french vanilla creamer - it's more like a dessert
• I'm planning a family reunion - you'll hear more about that in the next few weeks
• I hate peas - I'll eat them if they are in something, but served straight up and I'll just pass the bowl

Now for the next step I'm supposed to pass this on to 7 other blogs. Well, I'm not feeling too froggy - I have a whopper of a cold - so again I'm going to cheat (hey that's #8 I guess sometimes I cheat - oh my although not at anything that really matters I guess - really and truly). If you are reading this and have a blog, then by all means consider yourself awarded. I'm just too pooped to make a list, link, etc. And, I really do feel that every blog out there is creative.

Enjoy your day! cough, cough, sneeze, wheeze!

A sneak peek at The Old Parsonage

I've been working on a few Christmas ornaments since August. It was my first time working with papier mache.

I'm going to try and finish them up this weekend in honor of Rudolph Day on Friday. Don't know what Rudolph Day is? It's the 25th of the month. It's the day when the "Keeper's of Christmas" plan, prepare and do something Christmassy. It really helps to focus and cut down on stress as the day draws near. There's on 3 more Rudolph days left until Christmas. Why don't you come with me as we begin the journey from Fall celebrations to Thanksgiving and finally Christmas.

Who's with me?!

Thrifty Treasures from The Old Parsonage

A few weeks ago my Mum and I went to Renninger's Market in Kutztown. You all know how much I love to go junkin'! Well I found these 2 platters. The largest is big enough to hold about a 25 lb turkey.

They aren't the same pattern and their is some crazing and a few chips around the rim but for $5 for BOTH, I couldn't pass them up.

My Mum argued with me not to by them. She said,"What good are they? You can't eat off them." "Hasn't you ever seen the platters above the piano?" I replied.

Then the light bulb went off. "Oh you're going to use them to decorate!" "Yep!!"

When I dropped her off at home, she gave me a bag of tablecloths that were my Gram's. Isn't this cute? I love the precious pink and yellow rose buds.

Thanks so much to Beverly and Kelli for hosting Pink Saturday and Show and Tell. Please visit these wonderful women to see what they and others are sharing.

One more very important that I forgot ...a link to a new friend and fellow blogger Miz Mollye. I found this sweet blog last week while visiting for Pink Saturday. It is full of Creativity with a capital "C", and I liked it so much that I became and instant follower. So, be sure to stop by and say hello, tell her I sent you!

Enjoy your day!

It's Official at The Old Parsonge

aIt's official we're counting down at The Old Parsonage. That's right we've reached double digits and I'm starting to ramp up my plans an preparations for Christmas.



I made this countdown last year. The base is a clipboard covered in scrap book paper. I've tied coordinating ribbons and threads around the clip so that it doesn't show.

I added round magnets to the red paper to hold the large tags (each tag has magnetic strips on the back) You'll need 2 of each number if you are going to make a countdown.

I covered a salt water taffy box in coordinating paper and embellishments. This is where I store the additional tags. The guys will laugh when they get home and see the countdown has begun. Remember if you do small things to prepare or buy small things here and there it'll mean less stress and more time to enjoy.

I know, I know you're saying there's still 99 days, that's plenty of time! Is anyone else starting to countdown?

The smell of Cinnamon at The Old Parsonage

Mmm the smell of cinnamon at The Old Parsonage is wonderful tonight.

The temps are going down into the 50's and we've got every window in the house open! I love the cool crisp air. Although, I've got the oven going too and it's taking a little of the chill out of the air. I have one Jewish Apple Cake cooling and another in the oven.



I have to say that I have several recipes for this type of cake but this seems to be everyone's favorite.

Jewish Apple Cake

Mix

• 3 cups flour

• 2 1/2 cups sugar

• 3 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

Add

• 1 cup canola oil

• 1/2 cup apple cider or orange juice

• 4 eggs

• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix

• Peel and finely slice 6-8 tart apples (I use Macintosh)

• 2-4 tsp cinnamon

• 3-4 tbl sugar

Add to the batter. Pour in a greased pan. I use a bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 1.5 hrs or until a piece of uncooked spaghetti used to poke the cake comes out clean (an added tip). Put a pan of water in the oven so that the cake doesn't dry out. Enjoy the smell of cinnamon at your house!
Cool on a rack and turn our onto a pretty cake plate. I timed myself on the second cake it took me 17 min to prepare the cake including the time it took me to peel and slice the apples.

I'm always looking for recipes, so let me know if you have any good ones!

A Vistor stops by The Old Parsonage

As I walked through the backyard on Sunday, a visitor stopped by our bird feeders. As I walked closer, it flew over to our pool. I ran back into the house to get my camera, never expecting it to be there when I came back.

Isn't it amazing? It's a red-tailed hawk, and I can't believe that it stayed long enough for me to grab a photo. It flew from the pool to our pecan tree in the back yard, waiting to swoop down on one of the small finches that frequent our feeders.

I haven't seen it since, but the finches are still coming every day. Last fall we had deer coming to feed at night under the feeders, eating the spilled seed. I'm hoping that they come back again.

One last very important thing Lisa at Pupylov is having a great Fall giveaway.

So be sure to stop by and comment to be entered to win, I just did!!!

Wedding Soup at The Old Pasonage

Who doesn't love hot soup on a cool and rainy fall day? We love all kinds of soup, but Wedding Soup is a favorite at The Old Parsonage. So early Monday morning, I started the mini meatballs and the chicken broth. And by 10 am, the soup was simmering.


If you'd like my make-shift recipe, here it is. Although I don't have exact quantities. Use your judgement, that's what'll make it your own.


Italian Wedding Soup

• 2lbs Beef/Pork/Veal Mixture
• Bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Crushed Garlic
• Parmesan Cheese

Combine all of the above and make mini meatballs - size of pennies. Bake or fry till cooked.

• 2 stalks celery
• 2 carrots
• 1/2 onion
• Crushed Garlic
• Salt and Pepper
  

Finely chop and saute in olive oil until soft . Add the meatballs and softened vegetable to

• Approximately 64 oz of Chicken stock - I make my own, but any good brand name will do

Bring to a boil then add

• 8 oz of Acini de Pepe - a tiny round pasta

Clean 2 heads of escarole. You'll find this green in the lettuce section of your market. To clean the escarole, tear the leaves apart and wash them in cool water. It is very sandy, so do this very carefully or your soup will be gritty. Shred the escarole by cutting it into fine strips. Add to the pot of soup.

You may need to add additional water if it gets too thick, but we like it thick. Simmer and enjoy!

What's you favorite homemade soup?

3 Heads are better than 1 at The Old Parsaonge

You've all heard the saying 2 heads are better than one. Well, here at The Old Parsonage we've taken it one step further to say..."3 Heads are better than 1."



My Mum has heard me remark that I love "head vases." I've seen them for years at flea markets and antique shows and just love their beautiful expressions. So, for my birthday she bought these 3 lovely ladies. Aren't they just the sweetest things? They are the first of what seems to be a new collection.

Thanks so much to Beverly and Kelli for hosting Pink Saturday and Show and Tell. Please visit these wonderful women to see what they and others are sharing.



If you like what you've seen today, why not become a follower? Don't forget to leave a comment, so that I know you've visited. I'll be visiting you all sometime soon.

One last thing... Today is 9/11. Let's all say a prayer in thanks that we have the right to remain free and worship our God.

Goodbye to Summer at The Old Parsonage

The garden is starting to say goodbye to summer at The Old Parsonage. And I don't think that I've shared any photos of it's beauty.



This is another piece of my Eldreth pottery. A birdhouse that hangs from a mini shepherd's hook in the side garden. I just realized that the perch is missing.

The Black-eyed Susan's are still producing flowers, but their leaves are starting to turn brown. I try to remember to save the seed heads from the cut flowers that I take in the house.

This allows me to scatter them throughout the other beds and enjoy their beauty again next year. I've given away so many seedlings in the past, I just love to share the wealth.

Speaking of sharing the wealth. My friend Bucky,(aka the "& Co") from Mike Hale and Company shared her wealth of yellow gold. Last year she grew heirloom tomatoes and threw the seeds into her compost. This year, she brought so many tomato plants to work, that we all got to share in the wealth. These tomatoes are so sweet, we just keep them on the counter and pop them into our mouths like candy.



This bird bottle hangs on our pergola. Now that I see a close -up of it, it looks like I'll be putting that on my fall-cleaning list - kinda grungy hunh?

Although we don't officially say goodbye to summer until September 21. Here at The Old Parsonage, I'm bringing on fall...bit by bit!

The Old Parsonage is Paying it Forward

A few weeks ago, I won a "Pay It Forward" from Barbara Jean at Treasures from the Heart.


This is a fun little game. I will send a little gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post. However, you must agree to "Pay it Forward". Post the same rules on your blog and "Pay it Forward" to the first 3 people who reply. The gift doesn't have to be extravagant, just something sweet and from the heart.

How do you like my sweet garden angel? He was b-day present (from a few years ago) from my wonderful DH.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful holiday weekend, full of good times with family and friends!
Stay Safe!!

A few Jugs at The Old Parsonage

You know that feeling you get when the seasons start to change and you start to move things around...moving plants indoors that have enjoyed the summer sun, making room for new treasures, or you just want to change things up? Well that's what's happening to me. I cleared off the windowsill over the kitchen sink and decided that I needed a change. After "shopping" my kitchen I decided that my jugs would look great there. The salt glaze is from Eldreth (another Lancaster County find), and the yellow was my grandmother's.

It's doesn't have a brand name on it like Hull, but it is marked USA 52-2403. Has anyone seen anything like this?

And since this post is celebrating Pink Saturday as well as Show & Tell, I wanted to give you a real close shot of the beautiful pink in the flower. I'll be visiting the local produce junction on Thursday and will just have to get some fresh flowers for my Jugs. Thanks so much to Beverly and Kelli for hosting these wonderful events. Please stop by their blogs to see what they and others are sharing, and don't forget to leave a comment, we all love to hear what other's think about what we've shared.

Last week during my Pink Saturday visits, I came across this lovely blog - Couture de Papier. If you're looking for some vintage fun and a great crafter, be sure to check it out!

Enjoy you day!
Leann

A new Face for The Old Parsonage

I got this sweet new face for The Old Parsonage (head) at the Blue Ball Craft & Flower Warehouse for $6. I love how it's all chippy and the peach undertones make it perfect for Fall decor!

After we left the warehouse, we went to King's (Mennonite) located right outside of Intercourse. I'm not making up these names, they are the real names of the towns in Lancaster County PA. I bought some scrapbook paper (they sell Bo-Bunny and other vintage looking lines), a set of brown corded mini-lights and a battery operated nubby looking candle for My Jade. They sell quality made furniture, candles, linens, shelves, and paintings, etc.

On the way home we hit several produce stands. I bought 20 lbs of tomatoes (for sauce), cabbage (for filled cabbage - yummy), corn (to freeze, give away and enjoy) and a shoe fly pie. If you've never had a shoe fly pie, you don't know what you are missing. It's an Amish specialty!

And, since it's my birthday on Monday, my Mum and I are going to do some more running around up in the same area on Tuesday. I get a day off for my b-day and since mine fall's on the holiday, I'm taking Tuesday off. We're headed to Root's in Manheim in the early morning and then will take the long way home down Route 30. Can anyone recommend any places to stop and shop?