Summer Time Good Eats & Good Reads...

The "ugly dessert, that's oh so good..." Nothing says "Summer Time," like tantalizing lemon flavored desserts!

Lemon Squares made for my mom's birthday!

This recipe, which I've included below, is so easy to make, and the consistency of the squares are thicker and more "cake-like," than most recipes I've used before.

Wrapped up, bowed up, and ready to be delivered...

{below} It has been much too hot to do much of anything....but cook, eat, and READ.

This is a great little series I picked up, by Sherryl Woods.
I read them all in a short time...once you start, you can't put them down!
And oh, how I want to be an honorary "Sweet Magnolia!" ;)
I highly recommend this delightfully southern trio!

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Lemon Squares

1 box lemon cake mix
1 stick butter (melted)
1 egg beaten
Mix together and press in greased pan.

1 box powdered (confectioners) sugar
2 eggs beaten
8 oz. cream cheese (at room temp-easier to mix)
Mix together second set of ingredients. Pour on top of crust. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool.

~~ enjoy!

Sweet Bird of a Deal

The extreme heat...and humidity...seem to be driving the yard sales away these days, {{at least in our area}}, but I was fortunate to snag the two feathered friends below, at one the beginning of the summer.

Kevin and I were on our ritual Saturday morning "Breakfast Run," and we happened upon a local interior designer that was having a retirement sale. Kevin kindly stopped and let me browse {{quickly---"hungry.man.in.the.car"}} through the wares, but the only thing that really caught my eye were the bird figurines.

I am such a sucker for anything "birdish!" :)

But, the figurines were marked $35 for the pair....a little too rich for me!

Once we arrived back home....birdless...I announced that I was running out for a few errands.

Kevin just grinned and said, "I was wondering how long it would take you to get back to that yard sale." Yes, I had pleading on the mind and was pretty certain that at $35, the birds would be there waiting patiently for me!

After looking at the markings, I offered the lady $25 for the pair.

She responded {{in a slightly annoyed tone}}, "But they are Chelsea House!" At which I very nicely countered in my sweetest southern voice, "Yes, I know, but would you take $25? And reluctantly she agreed. After all, it was a yard sale.

That was one major score for junkin'. $25 was steep for a yard sale find, but the pair is in perfect condition and worth a couple of hundred dollars.

I love them though, even had they not had desirable pedigree! :)

And now they reside atop an old radio in my home, an auction piece found years ago...

For more thrifty finds, visit Rhoda and other participants at....

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"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song." ~Chinese Proverb

Quick Trip Down South

Three weeks have passed, and I still haven't posted about our RV Adventure...seems that I have misplaced my daughter's camera. Which is pretty par for the vacation itself. Let's just say, it was an adventure we won't soon forget.... Hopefully the camera will turn up soon and I'll share more! It was nothing short of a sequel to the movie, "RV."

...And moving right along, this past Wednesday, Kevin, Ashley, and I ventured to Charleston, SC, for a quick day trip. (i.e. picking up bulldozer parts for Kevin) We stopped in Mt Pleasant at one of my favorite antique malls in the area.

Didn't buy a thing, but it was fun just to browse...

Loved the dresser and silver set of birds...

And check out the white chippy, fruity chandelier below! Really admired this piece...

This mirror made my heart flutter, but unfortunately, I couldn't think of anywhere -- anyhow I could use it in my home!

I have a collection of similar trays in my kitchen. These were in great shape and the prices were very reasonable.

I absolutely adored the brass mirrored sconces below, but they were a little out of my price range.

After leaving the Antique Mall, we stepped over the Home Furnishings Store. Can't remember the name, but it is to the left and full of really nice, beautiful collections.

One booth contained refurbished small furniture pieces, sure to make a bold, beautiful statement in any home! The pieces and upholstery choices were creative, fun, and very well executed pairings!

I sincerely think the chair below longed to come home with me, but alas, behind he had to remain!

On the last aisle, I spotted the silver serving beauties below! Love at first sight, I must confess!

Are they not the most precious pieces, in all their bird, twig, and silver splendor??? ...So hard to walk away...

Closeup of the bird, such pretty detail!

As the temps soared over 100, we headed across the bridge to Downtown Charleston for lunch, where not only could one get "gator sausage," if you so desired ....but everyone is served the appetizer--warm boiled peanuts....

At none other than our favorite Charleston Restaurant...Hymans Seafood!

Each table is marked by brass tags noting famous celebrities that ate at that particular table.

We shared our table with....

...and Sister Hazel (didn't get a pic of that tag). What an eccletic grouping! :)

It was nice to get away for the day...and it was too hot to do anything but RIDE ...in the A/C...in this heat! Today is much nicer, 83! I'm headed outside to clean the surburban and look for the missing camera. Wish me luck!

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Hyman's Seafood Motto

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have...and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our ATTITUDES. ~Chuck Swindoll