Fun Finds from Sisters Garden

Ooh-la-la - found some great treasures at Sisters and Bloom in rural Kalona, Saturday.
What's in the bag?

These tea towels are just too much, too cute, too fun! Love them!

Hmmm...what else, is in there? Oh, just a pair of sweet vintage hobnail plates!

Annie B Caramels - there were four, but I just couldn't resist a sweet treat. These were on Oprah's Favorite Things last Christmas. They are divine

Fresh, local honey - yummy! Great for keeping allergies at bay, too.

These soaps... The two on the left are handmade, one is Fruit Loops scent - Tim's favorite. It truly smells like the cereal! Of course I can't remember what the top one is but it smells great - fresh, with a hint of flowers. The bar on the right is Pre de Provence, Jasmine. These are favorites of mine. Pre de Provence soaps are made in France with natural ingredients. Oh so luxurious.

The plates cleaned up nicely and match well with my pretty glasses from Pier One. Whipped up a batch of homemade guacamole and poured fresh lemonade. Pleased as punch with the great finds at Sisters and Bloom!  

Claudia's Guacamole
Avacados - mashed
Red Onion - finely chopped
Cherry Tomatoes - diced
Garlic Powder
Season Salt
Parsley Flakes
Spoon of Lemon Juice - to prevent browning
Spoon of Olive Oil

My Bahamian friend, Claudia, didn't give me amounts - so I just eyeballed and added to taste. Of course, it's fabulous when she makes it. She's a great cook!

Happy Sunday,
xo - Em

Goodbye August

As this last weekend of August was winding down and the sun was setting I grabbed my camera and prepared to head out. But there was no keeping Ellie home. She met me at the back door when she heard me putting on my shoes, tail wagging and all - I had to bring her too. Now I need to say she isn't the best dog in the car. We have leather seats so I put an old flannel sheet down to keep her from sliding around and scratching the seats - she just won't sit still in the car! Of course, summer in Iowa is hot, hot, HOT! With the heat index, temps today were around 90 and it was sticky - that darned humidity! On our drive we alternated between having the air conditioning on and turning it off to open the windows to feel the hot breeze.

We saw a couple of deer, a cat, a few dogs, lots of sheep, goats, cows, children throwing a football in front of an old farmhouse, an Amish girl waved to us, rows and rows of corn, fields of soybeans, fresh cut hay, oodles of dragonflies. We finished our drive by stopping at a nearby enchanted cemetery where we were nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes but got a few pics despite them.

September is calling to us, teasing us with falling leaves, warm colors, football games, apple cider, leaves that crunch when we walk upon them, The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown trying once again to kick the football. Oh Autumn, we await your arrival and embrace the cool air, bonfires, pumpkins. xo - Em

Taylor buys a jar of apple butter and a homemade loaf of bread every year at the Kalona Fall Festival. Yummy!