Passion for Horses Prevails

I spotted a neon pink sign while traveling a main crosstown street today. An immediate U-turn was necessary. The sign read "PONY & HORSE RESCUE TODAY!" How could I resist finding a way to help? I have been reading horse stories all fall... must be in preparation for today. The cutest shaggy pony was there to greet me. Who knows where this will lead, but I registered to volunteer my time grooming and loving any rescued horses who need me. Check out their website - www.HorseNorthRescue.Org Perhaps there is a similar organization in your area in case you share my passion for horses!
***
Here I am on horseback.... last March at Saguaro Lake Ranch in Arizona ... and riding the trails in Canyon de Chelly where I camped on the Navajo Reservation for a week in September 2006.

Silent Night......All is Calm

Here is our town's public Christmas tree. Photo was taken this evening on our way home from friends. Hope you are all at peace this holiday season.









Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Brrrrrr!

12 below zero this morning. I am thankful it is not snowing and the wind is not blowing in addition to the chilly temps. Took this photo through the window -- you can see a reflection of Christmas lights. No way am I going outside until I have to or it warms up, whichever comes first! Stay warm!

Make it Festive!

Apparently a nearby summer cottage is going to receive some renovations soon. A Port-a-Potty was recently perched atop a snowbank at the edge of it's yard. While walking my dog this morning I noticed the bright red bow has been added! Don't you love it?!

What you won't find in a blizzard!

I absolutely had to attend to errands today in spite of the ice-covered roads, wind-driven snow and 6 degree weather. No problem if you take your time and pay attention... a little luck helps, too. On my way home I found myself on the street of a favorite consignment shop. Luckily it was open and full of new items. Must be lots of people did some serious fall house-cleaning.

There were no vintage linens today that suited my needs, but I found a few treasures just the same. Two nice old wood bobbins and some rubber type stamps.... there was a bucket of letters but I picked through and found the words, such as "today" and "special" and "infants" and "as advertised," and more. Luckily all of this was inexpensive because I have no idea what I will do with them.

As I was about to leave the store I spotted a familiar wicker ottoman with cushion! I laughed and told my story to the shop owner. About 3 - 4 years ago I found that very piece at a moving sale in Mesa, Arizona! Charming, I thought, and we squeezed it into the van with the two dogs, two cats and all our gear for the drive back to Michigan in the spring. However, I never made a new cushion nor painted the ottoman as planned. This fall I sold it in a yard sale! It was one of the consignment store "pickers" who bought it and now it's for sale again at six times what I paid for it in the first place!!

Scandinavian Elves & Trolls

The purpose for traveling out in the county yesterday was to visit a magical shoppe with a group of long-time friends and share a unique and wonderful lunch together. A Swedish woman (Judy), we will call her Punzel, has 90 Acres of enchantment and every imaginable Scandinavian gift. If you ever get a chance to visit her shoppe, please do so and call ahead to make lunch reservations.
*********
The food is traditional and the presentation is a work of art. I took photos of the two courses. Tried pickled herring for the first time and it was great. Fresh flower garnishes from Punzel's magic garden were used freely... yes, I ate them, too! Punzel welcomes guests wearing her Swedish costume and tells stories, myths and legends about the various elves and trolls. December 13 is Sankta Lucia Day as well - more reason to celebrate the official Swedish opening of the month long Holiday Season.
*********
My treasured purchase from the gift shop is a snow globe/music box - very festive and fun! Check out her website - PunzelsLegends.com

Orange Hat Photos

Orange Hat

While traveling out in the county yesterday I was so excited to see this gentleman driving his fully-harnessed horses through the deep and blowing snow! Before my car had even come to a stop alongside a snowbank, I had my camera at the ready and the car window down. The horses were hauling a huge round bale of hay on a skid. They were frisky and happy to be working for their own eating enjoyment!

Oil & Vinegar

If you do not have your holiday shopping under control, check out this new little shop either on line or in downtown Traverse City. Absolutely fabulous Oils & Vinegars! Tastings are offered. Gift assortments! I would love to take in a bowl of hot pasta and turn on a few spigots. Yummy! There is a resident black lab peeking through the drape which serves as a door to the back workroom.... very friendly, too, I might add.
Probably there is some rule about no dogs allowed in a foodie store... after all, this is not France!

Which reminds me of a recent happening in my kitchen. Husband, Richard, purchased a wonderful pork roast and had supper waiting for me when I got home complete with sweet yams and broccoli. He carved it on a cutting board on the kitchen counter! We ate! I dashed off to the office and some computer work. He darted out the back door to snow blow the entrance to the driveway.... again! We both converged on the kitchen at about the same time a little while later to find Reggie and Sadie, our two dogs, licking the kitchen floor clean! No pork roast visible! No roast pork sandwiches for us this week! Don't they look innocent?

Holiday Gatherings

A group of long-time neighbors and extended family friends gather annually at this charming late 1800's one-room schoolhouse for a holiday dinner and gift exchange. It is the old Courtade School and presently a B & B called the Schoolhouse Cottage.... sleeps six and is busy year-round for vacations and reunions and parties. It is full of antiques typical of turn-of-the-century schools... note the portraits of Presidents Lincoln and Washington above the blackboard. That's me with the new perm and my husband, Richard, too. Hope you are all finding special ways to enjoy friendships this holiday season.

Ruffles

A fellow eBayer and blogger friend, Purple Flower Fairy, has inspired me to sew with these lovely floral fabrics and to create lots and lots of ruffles. Here are photos of ruffled pockets appliqued to Osh Kosh bib overalls. Cute, huh? Just listed them on eBay. Pant legs have flowered ruffles all around as well!

How about a close-up?

December

Here's my corgi, Sadie, wishing her legs were a little longer. We are getting some good lake-effect snow here. Makes me feel as excited as a kid on Christmas morning! How's
the weather where you are?

It's My Party....!

Here is lovely one-month-old Amelia at a Baby Shower in her honor today!
She is a friend's newest grandchild. What fun! Her favorite gift was a Red
Sled for traveling the snowy trails this winter in the Upper Peninsula where
she lives. Isn't she wearing a gorgeous sweater?

Special Finds

The most delightful customers at my booth today at the Holly Berry Arts & Crafts Fair were the little boys and girls who discovered the basket of Catnip Fish sitting on a child-sized chair! With only a dollar or two to spend, these little fish were the perfect gift to Kitty ..... and very affordable at $1 each.... a special find for young shoppers. They sold as quickly as I finished sewing them closed .... one of those projects I had not completed before the event.

On the drive home tonight I noticed my favorite Antique Emporium was still open. Of course, I stopped! In the room full of vintage linens I found a beautifully made old quilt. Does anyone know the name of this pattern?

Skim Ice, Open Water & Holiday Lights

Around noon today this was the view from my kitchen window! Gorgeous!

Spent the day finishing projects and packing the car for a craft fair. Set up

was tonight - event is tomorrow. Holly Berry Arts & Craft Fair! Hubby is such a huge help in

this process. He does all the driving and unloading, then helps me rearrange
the booth as many times as I ask until it is just right.

On the way home we drove by a spectacular holiday light display.... here's a photo.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

Thought I would share photos of creating the best part of our Thanksgiving meal!

There are many pie-baking stories. My elementary school teacher, Mrs. Gregory shared this recipe with me for Dutch Apple Pie. She also served it at many gatherings at her home for her "kids." She taught in a rural two-room schoolhouse on the shore of a lake (many more stories....)....three to four grades to a room. She was my teacher from K-5th grade, so I knew her well.

Thanksgiving

Everything is ready here for the Thanksgiving meal tomorrow..... except there is a slice of pumpkin pie missing! I tried to get a few things prepared ahead.... never should have done
that. Last minute baking is better. That way the pies will be untouched when the meal is
served!

For many, many years my mother would dig out her turkey salt & pepper shakers for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have no idea where she kept them. Her house was small.
They appeared like magic at the appropriate times. Now the turkeys are living in my house.
She would be pleased that I use them. One more memory to be thankful for!

Happy Turkey Day!

Winter Perm

Welcome to the Pie Lady's blog site. Please share with me your thoughts anytime regarding life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yes, I bake pies - lots of them! Baking is creative therapy... not to mention an act of pursuing happiness.... they smell good, they taste good, they make people happy!

Winter has arrived extra early here in northern lower Michigan! The small inland lake where I live has a skim of ice already. I found my ice skates and have them ready to go. We have had two good snow storms with an accumulation of around a foot, but now it is warming up a bit so the snow is settling, melting and turning to slop! My two dogs, my husband and I are outside a lot ... hence, a winter perm for me. Just got it done this afternoon! Too, too curly! I love it! Just plop a knit hat on my head, go and forget about it!