Simply Serendebity

Up All Night With The Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Power outages are not good for new chicks. New chicks need to be kept warm - very warm. Their first week they need to be kept in a temperature of 95 degrees. This is easily done with a 250 watt warming lamp. Not so easy when the power is out on a stormy snowy night!!


Heating Lamp

Last night as the power went out, my birds were left without the warming lamp. Luckily I woke up shortly after the power outage about 2:00 am. As I checked in on the girls, they were huddled together benefiting from each others warmth. The smallest (we have named her Marilyn) was wiggling her way to the middle of the flock. I was grateful they were in the house and not in the garage. I turned on the fireplace and was able to warm the room up enough so they weren't to cold.


Chicks

As I was up all night with these chicks, I recalled a similar time when I was on my mission and stayed up all night with chicks.

I had recently been transferred to Zona 5 in Guatemala City. My companion was Hermana Leininger. Our zone leaders came by one day with a gift for us. They gave us two incubated eggs, and told us if we kept the eggs warm they would hatch. That night I removed the shade from a lamp and set the lamp on it's side. I put the eggs as close to the light bulb as I dared - I didn't want to cook them! This was my sad attempt to protect and incubate these eggs. Well it seemed that I couldn't warm the eggs. So, I took the eggs to bed with me. I thought maybe my body heat would warm them. I put them under my neck, in my arm pit, the back of my knee. Nothing I did could warm those eggs. I spent a sleepless night trying to warm those eggs. In the morning it dawned on me that these eggs were regular breakfast eggs, and that the Elders were pranking us.

I couldn't let it end there.

A couple of days went by. The Elders would call and ask us about the eggs. We would tell them how much care we were giving those eggs. They seemed very pleased. We knew that we would be seeing the Elders soon, so we needed to be prepared. In Guatemala, back in the early eighties, you could buy chicks at the grocery store. On our way home one evening, we stopped at the store and purchased two baby chicks. The next day when the Elders came by, we ran out to them with exciting news - that the eggs they had given us had hatched!! They were speachless!! What could they say?? We bested them and we all knew it, but they couldn't acknowledge it. HaHaHa! I'm still laughing to this day!!

We even named the chicks. David and Eric. Those were of course the Elders names.

I am posting a photo of myself and my companion with our chicks. It is against my better judgement that I am posting it. When you see my hairdo you'll know why I hesitate to show the world this photo. Just don't laugh at me! And if you do... don't tell me you did.

Me with David and Eric

Kris with David and Eric

What Came First? The Chicken or The Coop??

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:50:00 +0000

We have about five weeks before we need a coop, for the babies we just brought home. I'm so excited to have little chicks. This is something I've wanted to do for the past few years.

These chicks are so CUTE!! They are so comical to watch. They run as fast as their little legs can go then suddenly stop and fall asleep - literally - falling beak first into the pine shavings. The first time we witnessed one of the girls do this we thought she had died of exhaustion.

They seem to have endless energy, then suddenly they're asleep. They fall asleep standing up, all wobbly like a two year old, not wanting to give into sleep. After five minutes of a good deep sleep they are up and running again.

Right now my girls are staying in the house. Shocking I know! For anyone who doesn't know me, I don't like animals in the house. They'll grow fast, they'll live in a tub for the next 5 weeks (Most of which will be spent in the garage). Once they have pin feathers they can be put out in the coop.

Oh, wait! I don't have a coop!

Reflections of 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:51:00 +0000

I wanted to document the Legge's Life for the year 2010 here on my blog. I actually started this post in early January, but set it aside to work on other things. I still want to post it and hope you all will forgive me for posting it three months later. I can't believe I haven't posted anything since October! I must have been really busy these past few months. Plus I won't allow myself to post anything current until I get this one on the blog.

The year 2010 started with a most amazing day in the Grand Caymans. Swimming with Sting Rays and walking on gorgeous beaches. We took the family on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. This was by far my favorite island that we visited.

Sting Ray City

Grand Cayman

In February I celebrated my 50th birthday with a 50s theme party, complete with singers (The Cadillacs www.cadillacsacapella.com) and hula hoop contest.

A'capella Group The Cadillacs

Hula Hoop Contest

We also visited the set and taping of the local morning show Good Things Utah.

Good Things Utah

In Mid February we started our major remodel on our Kitchen and Bathroom/Laundry Room. I love our new kitchen so much I wish we had done it years ago. Now almost a year later we pretty much have a new house! I love it!

Old Kitchen

New Kitchen!!

During the remodel I used our basement as a make shift kitchen. I would cook meals in the slow cooker, rice cooker, wok, griddle, microwave and toaster oven. We used the outside grill a lot and washed the dishes in the bathroom sink. It was a bit crazy, but we made it work.


Make shift kitchen in the basement

Everything but the kitchen sink!!

At the end of February John and I took a trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. We swam in Cinotes, climbed ruins, rode bikes, swam with turtles, ate great grilled chicken, fed a monkey, went on a zip line and talked ourselves out of a mexican speeding ticket!

Snorkeling in a Cinote


Grilled Chicken

There have been dance competitions, Prom, Sweethearts and Alta Drill.

I traveled to California a couple of times to help with The Ruffled Feathers Eatery (My sister's restaurant). Great place to eat when you're in San Jose. www.rfeatery.com

Spent Easter in St. George

I made strawberry jam and enjoyed Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Strawberry Goodness

Enjoying the Rodeo

Enjoying the Rodeo - Notice the horses tongue!

I baked bread and biscuits.

Whole Wheat Bread

Pesto French Bread

Baking Soda Biscuits

I planted and harvested my herbs and veggies.

Best Tomato Year Ever!

Gorgeous Herbs

Root Veggies

I decorated...

...and celebrated.

We went to Reid Ranch for Youth Conference

Three Bulls Eyes!!!


	On the lake at Reid Ranch

Our tree gave us beautiful Apricots this year. We don't usually get many apricots, because we have an early fruit bearing tree and the spring snows freeze our blossoms. So, I was thrilled to have so many apricots. I made pies (with Rielley's help) and apricot syrup (my favorite).


Rielley made 5 beautiful pies

We enjoyed picnics in the canyons after church. It's a great way to cool down on hot sabbath days.

Foil Dinners are the Best!! No Dishes!

We enjoyed Bear Lake, floating down Provo River, and Shooting The Tube

Bear Lake

Shooting The Tube

Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson Concerts


Lady Antebellum


Toby Keith


John Mayer

I made pesto and pies, canned pickles, jams, tomatoes, soups, and tomatillos. I dried herbs and flowers

Dill Pickles

Tomato Soup

Apricot Pie

Fall brought a trip to New York City (one of my favorite places), Dad's 80th Birthday, Mission Reunion and more Drill (Alta Las Scalles)

Brooklyn Bridge

My Dad - Doesn't he look great at 80!

Guatemala City/El Salvador Mission 1983-84

Las Scalles Hip Hop

We added a backyard pizza oven, spent Thanksgiving in California at my sisters restaurant, and walked down memory lane in San Jose - it was a great place to grow up.

Pizza Oven

Should read - Closed for Thanksgiving - Ha Ha Ha!!

Where the Legge clan began in California

I discovered peanut butter frosting, prepared names for the temple and celebrated Christmas at Temple Square.

Peanut Butter Frosting!!!!!

John Ralph Legge and Amelia Serra

Annual Christmas Horse and Buggy Ride

Beautiful Salt Lake Temple at Christmas Time

I look back over the year 2010 and have great memories of fun times and great accomplishments. But the camera cannot capture the most important things: love for my God, husband and children, health, faith and PEACE!! Life is good.

Peanut Butter Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:04:00 +0000

Peanut Butter Heaven

I love peanut butter! I love it so much I eat it with a spoon out of the jar. My favorite combo is chocolate and peanut butter: Ice cream, cookies, pudding, candy and now cupcakes! I made this delicious cupcake and it has quickly become my favorite.

I used a chocolate cake mix and followed the directions on the box, plus I added 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. I put the batter in a large ziplock bag and snip one corner so I can squeeze the batter through the hole and fill the cupcake papers. You can make the traditional size cupcakes or the mini cupcakes. Bake as directed on the box. Let cool completely before icing.

Peanut Butter Icing

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

3-4 Tbsp milk or cream

1 tsp vanilla

Combine peanut butter and butter in a large bowl, mixing together until light and fluffy. Add sugar, 3 Tbsp milk and vanilla. Start mixer slowly and gradually increase speed. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add 1 Tbsp milk or cream if icing is too thick.

When icing my cupcakes I like to use an icing bag with a tip or just a plastic sandwich bag with a corner snipped off. I can swirl the icing high and coverage doesn't have to be perfect. It makes icing the cupcakes go really quick too.

Connected For Eternity

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:33:00 +0000

We did not choose Carlos Amado to be our Mission President and he did not choose us to be his missionaries. It was part of the plan. We are connected together for the eternities no matter what direction our lives take. There will always be a love and appreciation for each other even when it's been 28 years since we have seen each other. That was President Amado's message to us on Friday night at our mission reunion.

Many years have passed without seeing many of these people. We are a bit older and have more experiences under our belt so to speak. Many of them I didn't remember right away - they do look a bit different! I of course don't. Ha Ha!

We had a great reunion with President and Sister Amado. Alex Boye was there and performed a few songs, we had a great presentation of pictures that had been sent in and compiled into a CD. It brought back many forgotten memories of my mission, I remember it as such a great time in my life.

Mission Reunion with President and Sister Amado

Guatemala, Guatemala City Missionaries 1983-1984

Debbie Smith Johnson, Erick Chojolan, Me

Carol Hair DeFriez, Hna ?, Caty Lang, Me

Christie Schouten, Me

Me, Elder Homer

New York City Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:46:00 +0000

When we go to New York City, it's a major food fest. (I always know I'll gain at least five pounds). Everything we do is scheduled around where and when we will be eating. I keep a list on my iphone of places that we hear about, so the next time we are in NYC we can visit as many on the list as possible.

It's our NYC Wish List!

We have our favorites that are a must each time we're in New York. Like...
Carmines - The best Italian, served family style

Joe's of Bleeker Street - The best slice of pizza, great crust!

La Esquina - A new favorite. Seriously the best tacos! See Emily Everywhere's post "La Esquina: A word worth waiting for" for second testimonial on the tacos. She has some other posts regarding our food frenzie in NYC that are well worth reading.

Katz's Deli - Another new favorite. Order the pastrami sandwich - you won't believe how good it is.

Cupcake Tea at The Ritz

Ritz Carlton - Cupcake Tea is so romantic - go for a walk in the park afterward.

Other great places to grab a bite in New York:

Gramaldi's - Great pizza, but be prepared for a long line unless you get there when they open. Just over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Serendipity - Wonderful, overthetop desserts. Famous for their frozen Hot Chocolate.

Magnolia's, Crumbs and Eleni's - Who has the best cupcake???

Silvias Fried Chicken and Waffles

Silvias - Up in Harlem. Queen of Soul Food. Chicken was good, but the Waffles were fantastic!!

Cookies from Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery - Fabulous cookies. And I love cookies. They have four cookies to choose from, or don't choose and have one of each! Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and Oatmeal Raisin.

Donut Plant - They have a square Peanut Butter and Jam doughnut! Best doughnut I tasted was the Creme Brulee.

Stand - A hamburger joint with Gelato Milkshakes! Yummy!

Artisanal - Suppose to have great Mac and Cheese. I know! Who goes to New York to get Mac and Cheese - It's suppose to be That Good.

Got a Nickel? Go Suck a Pickle!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:10:00 +0000

It has been a busy summer! I realized I am down to my last 3 jars of dill pickles. I have called around to the local farms looking for cucumbers in bulk. I haven't found any yet, we are at the end of the growing season. I thought I may not get any this year. I was delighted when I returned home from New York and a friend of mine brought me some of her excess cucumbers! I was able to bottle 11 quarts of dill pickles. Though that seems like it should be plenty, I wish I could have double or triple that amount. I use them as payment to my Dad when he helps us with todo's around our place in St. George.

Pickles are the easiest thing to bottle. You can get a lot of them done in a relatively short amount of time.

There are different recipes out there for dill pickles. Some recipes call for pickling spices, and sugar. I don't use the pickling spices or the sugar. All you need is a basic brine recipe that you like. My favorite recipe is very simple.

Brine
3 qts (12 cups) water
4 cups white vinegar
2/3 cup pickling salt (make sure you use pickling salt, it is not iodized, so the liquid won't be cloudy in the jars)

You'll need about 8 pounds of 4 inch long pickling cucumbers
3 cloves garlic for each jar, peeled and halved
1 head fresh dill weed for each jar
1 grape leaf for each jar (keeps the pickles crisp)
Optional - if you like spicy!
jalapeno or any hot pepper, with slices cut through it - one for each jar. I like to use the red peppers for their bright color in the jar.
or use 1/4-1/2 tsp cheyanne pepper,
or 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Wash cucumbers, and place in the sink with cold water and lots of ice cubes. Soak in ice water for at least 2 hours but no more than 8 hours. Refresh ice as required.

Sterilize 7 (1 quart) canning jars and lids in boiling water.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine the vinegar, water, and pickling salt. Bring the brine to a rapid boil.

In each jar, place 3 cloves of garlic, one head of dill, grape leaf and pepper if desired. Put enough cucumbers into each jar to fit tightly, do not leave space. I like my pickles cut in spears, but you can do whole or halves if you like that better. Fill jars with hot brine to within 1/4 inch from top. Remove air bubbles. Seal jars, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue.

Process sealed jars in a boiling water bath. Process quart jars for 20 minutes.

Store pickles for a minimum of 8 weeks before eating. Refrigerate after opening. Pickles will keep for up to 2 years if stored in a cool dry place.

GOOD TO KNOW!!

USU Extensions had this to say about crisp pickles:

Use of ice to firm pickles

Soak cucumbers or other vegetables in ice water for 4 to 5 hours before pickling.

Use of grape leaves to firm pickles

Historically, grape leaves are sometimes added to pickle products. The tannins in grape leaves were found to inhibit the pectinase enzyme (a chemical that would break down and soften the pectin structure). However, this enzyme is located at the blossom end of the cucumber and if that is removed this process is redundant.

Green Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:38:00 +0000

When my girls were babies, they didn't like tomato sauce on their spaghetti, they liked "green spaghetti". Back then I'd buy pesto from the store, which in my opinion is expensive and doesn't taste as good as homemade pesto. So I learned to make my own pesto.

This started a long tradition of growing, harvesting, and making basil pesto. A tradition of my sister and nieces coming to Utah and going home to California stocked with frozen pesto. A tradition of Jessica and her friends eating bagels with cream cheese and pesto (among other things). A tradition of not just making one kind of spaghetti for dinner but having both a red spaghetti and a green spaghetti, since Kenzie still prefers the green. We all have our favorite ways to use and eat pesto.

This year I have 20 basil plants growing in my garden. I make and freeze pesto so I can use it all winter long. It is delicious on pasta, sandwiches, bagels, soups, lasagna and my personal favorite - pizza. I never have enough pesto in my freezer. See my recipe below for making the best Basil Pesto ever!!!

If you grow your own basil: Cut the stocks from the plant. Make sure you don't cut the stock back all the way, you want to leave some stem and leaves for a second growth (that means more basil!)

If you don't grow your own basil be prepared to spend a lot for a little bit of basil. You can find it in the produce section of most grocery stores. Check out farmers markets, local produce growers, or import stores may have some. There is an import store near me called Pirate O's that has great local grown basil for a good price.

Clean and dry the basil leaves. I put my basil stocks in the sink full of water with a drop of liquid soap. Agitate the water and then rinse the stocks in fresh water. Remove the leaves from the stems. To dry the leaves I use a salad spinner.

For this recipe you'll need:
2 cups fresh basil - tightly packed

3 Tbsp. pine nuts

4 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

3/4 cup grated romano cheese

2/3 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. butter

Put all ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth.

Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use. I like to use cup size freezer containers, they're the perfect size and they're stackable. Find them wherever canning supplies are sold.

Try making your own pesto. You'll be surprised how easy pesto is to make. Leave me a comment, I want to hear about your successes and how you use your pesto!

Amazing Bear Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:28:00 +0000

Just spent a great weekend at Bear Lake with my family. Bear Lake is amazing. It is gorgeous, easy to get to, and generally not to crowded.

We did some wicked tubing - I say we, but I really mean they. I don't tube, I take the pictures, enjoy the ride and watch the action. My niece Lindsey and her husband Brian came with us. It was great fun. This is Lindsey scissor kicking in the air.

Despite our best efforts, Jessica reigns supreme. She couldn't be thrown off! She is the champion. I don't know how she does it, she was thrown back and forth and bucked around as if riding a bucking bronco. She held on no matter what.

Yosh

John

Everyone loves the Sky Ski!

Thanks everyone for a great weekend! Love you!

Lindsey

Kenzie

Rhett

Can You Say Pie? Apricot Pie!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:09:00 +0000

Did I say strawberries were my favorite? I meant apricots are my favorite...at least for pie. Yummo!!!

It's especially good when the apricots come from the tree in my backyard. We don't get apricots every year, because my tree is early blooming and there is always spring snow that knocks off the blossoms. This year is the first year in many, many years that we have had enough to make pies or anything else. I usually end up begging my friend Kristine for apricots off her tree.

There are a few things that I love to do with apricots. I make Apricot Pineapple Jam (that's for my husband - it's his favorite).

And for me, my favorite is Apricot Syrup!!!

But the season in not complete unless there is an apricot pie. Apricot pie has the perfect blend of sweet and tart. We had so many apricots that Rielley made 5 apricot pies! I don't know if I was more excited that Rielley made the pies, or that we ended up with 5 pies. Rielley said she wanted to make the pies, and she did, all by herself. I was really impressed. The pies were beautiful! And the crust was just perfect, nice and flaky. Yay for Rielley! Yum for Me!!

There's Basil In My Garden and Pesto In My Bread!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:06:00 +0000

Each summer I plant a garden just for the basil and tomatoes. But since I'm taking the time to grow a garden, I might as well plant other things also. So I have peppers, jalapenos, anaheim peppers, eggplant, green beans, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, beets, carrots, cantelope, acorn and butternut squash and different herbs.

I look forward to harvesting the basil so I can make pesto. I make a lot of pesto! I freeze it in 1 cup containers so I can use it through out the coming year.

We use basil as a sauce on pizza, pasta, lasagna, sandwiches, soup, spread on bread, spread on toasted bagels with cream cheese, salad, grilling sauce for chicken, fish, lamb, pork, vegetables, salad dressing, dipping sauce for veggies, and a fabulous pesto loaf.

I recently found a new way to use pesto! I roll

out my french bread and spread the pesto on the dough.

I roll up the dough and put the loaf in a pan. Let bread rise and then cook. When it is cut each slice has a spiral of pesto in the bread. It's tasty and pretty.

After experimenting I have come up with some variations:

* After rolling the dough with the pesto, cut the dough in half down the center lengthwise and twist it.

Put the loaf in the pan to rise and cook.

* Or, when spreading the pesto on the dough add some drained sun dried tomatoes and roll up the dough. Put the loaf in the pan and then slice half way through the dough down the center lengthwise, sprinkle some parmesan on top. As it rises it looks beautiful.

*Try other ingredients. For example: pine nuts, cinnamon, sugar and pecans, cheese, onions, pizza sauce, etc - the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

All of these techniques work and look beautiful. Try them and see which way you like the best.

FREEDOM!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Sir William Wallace died fighting for it. Our country was founded on it. We enjoy the benefits of it and we celebrate it every 4th of July.

We were at the Stadium of Fire this year on the 4th of July. As a tribute to our Armed Forces, each group was asked to stand as their theme song was played. It was all very emotional as each song blared over the speakers.

We applauded the Marines when "From The Halls Of Montezuma" played and the Air Force when we heard "Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder", for the Navy it was "Anchors Aweigh" and the Army was "The Caissons Go Rolling Along" and for the U.S. Coast Guard it was "Semper Paratus". We owe so much to those who have fought to defend our freedom.

Thank you, thank you.

Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:03:00 +0000

I love a Rodeo! It takes me back to my childhood and the time spent at my Grandfathers farm in Wyoming. Every summer we would take the looooong drive from Cupertino, California to Cowley, Wyoming. We'd spend a week there at the farm with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many other relatives that made up the entire town of Cowley...(No kidding - Population 600, give or take a cousin). There'd be BBQs, horseback riding on a horse named Hungry, tire swings, irrigating the fields, driving Grandpas truck, fresh garden peas and pancake eating contests.

When I smell the leather saddles and the manure and hear the horses, I am taken back to the farm and many childhood memories. My grandmother made sure we always had tickets to the town rodeo. One of my favorite memories at the Cowley Rodeo was when my cousin Kevin was on the Wild Horse milking team. He literally picked up the horse and slammed it to the ground. I thought he was pretty cool. Many years later, in staying with the tradition of visiting Cowley on the 24th of July, my family and my sisters family went to the Cowley rodeo. My sisters youngest daughter even entered the mutton busting contest. That is one of our favorite family stories.

Pleasant Grove has a fun rodeo during Strawberry Days. This was our second annual Strawberry Days Rodeo and it did not disappoint. As we entered the rodeo grounds I could smell the manure, leather and hay. Immediately I was thinking of Cowley, Wyoming. There was mutton busting, bucking broncos, barrel racing, roping, wild cow milking and bull riding. There were hot dogs, hamburgers and strawberries and cream. Something for everybody.

Now That's A Kitchen I Can Sink My Teeth Into

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:27:00 +0000

In our home our favorite gathering place is the kitchen. I love to have family and friends sitting or standing, visiting, laughing, preping and taste testing while meals are being prepared. There is something very satisfying about the atmosphere of the family gathering in the kitchen, enjoying life. This is where learning and sharing takes place. I love to have my husband cooking along side of me, he is such a foodie, and he's a great cook! From the time my daughters where babies they have spent time in the kitchen with me. I cleared out a cupboard and put their toys in it, so they were literally playing at my feet. As they grew older they loved to make cookies, cupcakes and brownies, licking the bowl and the spatula was and still is their favorite part. I bathed them in the sink as babies. Homework was done at the counter as I prepared dinner. Science projects, fingernail painting, after school snacking. We've made hundreds of valentine cookies, many peach pies, sunday roast dinner with yorkshire pudding. Homemade ice cream, cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate, jams and pesto. We've celebrated birthdays (15 for each of us) and Christmas's with our tradition of cheeses and proscutto. It's the first place we go when we walk through the door returning from the outside world.

Our kitchen had oak varnished cupboards, blue formica countertops and standing room only. We rubbed elbow, bumped elbow and threw elbows trying to position ourselves for prime kitchen real estate. Though I have wonderful memories of many years together I won't miss you old friend, but I will remember you fondly and maybe shed a tear now and then.

Now, I'd like to introduce you to the new kitchen

on the block. We've moved walls and windows, ovens (plural!) and refrigerator. We have a pot filler, ice maker and our spices are hidden. Bench and bookshelves, pendents and a pot rack (to be installed soon)! It is so beautiful and functional with a bit of room to spare. I look forward to good times and good memories with my new kitchen, now I am shedding a tear!

Photo at the top of this post is of my mother and my older siblings back in 1960. My mother is pregnant with me at the time. Don't you love the high chair and the refrigerator? My mother is taller than the refrigerator! I love this picture, in fact I love it so much that I use it as the cover for my family cookbook.

Jetted Tub And A Chandelier

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Every girl needs a jetted tub! Sixteen years ago when we built our home, we thought we were getting a jetted tub in our master bathroom. The builders made a huge mistake in the layout of the bathroom and we didn't get our jetted tub. We have a fairly large bathroom that has a lot of wasted space. We looked forward to the day when we would one day remodel our bath and get our jetted tub.

We met with a couple of contractors and told them what we wanted to do. According to them there was no way to get a jetted tub in our bath. We were so disappointed. We had our friend/neighbor/cabinet builder come in and take a look. He took our bathroom on as a challenge. On the plane to California the next morning, he came up with a layout that would allow us to put in a jetted tub. Yay for Dave!! (See Dave Hall at www.woodcraftmill.com).

We repositioned

the toilet, shower, and tub. We were able to get the jetted tub in plus a larger shower and a linen cabinet!

I found a beautiful gold waterfall chandelier at a consignment store. I had a vision of what it would look like with some paint and antiquing. I removed the crystals and cleaned them in vinegar water to make them sparkle. I took the chandelier apart and spray painted all the pieces antique white. (I took a picture of the chandelier before taking it apart so I could reference it when putting it back together - It's helpful for crystal placement also).

After putting

the chandelier back together I antiqued it with a dark wood stain. Just rubbed it on and wiped it off, leaving just enough to darken the cracks and crevices. It turned out just as I had hoped, creamy and dreamy. It doesn't even look like the same chandelier.

Bye Bye Buttercup Yellow!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:24:00 +0000

When Rielley was born we were in a position where we could finally have a nursery for our new baby. That was 13 years ago!

She doesn't want a nursery room any more! Understandable. Even though it was a beautiful room and meant to grow with her for years. I guess 13 years is long enough.

She wants an older, tween look. Gone with the buttercup yellow walls and the rosebud wallpaper.

At Ri's request, we got rid of her crib & changing table years ago : )

I wanted to do the room updos on a shoe string. We went to second hand stores and budget stores looking for items for the rooms. We found some really good things at great prices.

We started the updo by removing old wallpaper. I have a great friend who knows how to do pretty much everything, so she came over and worked along side me showing me how to remove that awful stuff called wallpaper.

I will never put wallpaper on my walls again - too much work! First you have to put it up, then years later you have to take it off. Paint is much easier.

Rielley's room got a fresh look with two tone green walls, white trim, pink and orange pillows, homemade fabric bulletin boards, long fringe curtains and two very cute chandeliers!

We found an awful black stained nightstand at the second hand store for only $5. Some may have passed it up, but when you repurpose things you really need to have a vision of what it could look like with a little work. So, some fresh white paint and antique drawer pulls was just what we needed to give this nightstand a new look.

We also found a small desk for $10 that fit perfectly in her room. We painted it white and the chair blue to match the chandelier.

I found two small chandeliers at a second hand store for about $45 for the two of them. And when painted were perfect for her room. I removed the crystals and cleaned them with vinegar water to make them sparkle, then taped off everything I didn't want painted. Then spray painted them: one white and one blue. If you find a chandelier in a second hand store make sure it works before you purchase it.

For her window seat we found some fabulous fringe curtains that went from ceiling to floor. I love running my hands through them. We hung her white chandelier above her window seat and made a window seat cushion so she has a cozy place to read books (Yeah right! Have you met my daughter?) or just chill.

We collected picture frames along the way and painted them white. We made a "Wall of Frames"

on one of her walls.

On the other wall we hung photo boards that I made and covered with different fabric prints so she could hang photos and cards that are important to her.

Purple Power!!

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:32:00 +0000

I mentioned before that we started room updos for two of my daughters last year. A year has passed quickly and technically I probably have exceeded the acceptable time frame for blogging about the room updos. But I'd like to document it and show the world what we have accomplished.

Out of respect for Kenzie I won't show a before pic (her room wasn't quite presentable), but I will show you some fabulous after pics of the updos. Her room was painted like a garden with a real picket fence. There was an arbor around the door and a flower box below the window. It was so cute. She had outgrown it and wanted something more updated and fresh.

Her favorite color is purple, so we went with royal purple. And nothing goes better with royal purple than zebra (actually zebra goes great with most colors)!

We found some great zebra chairs and a couple of other zebra print items like pillows and a runner for the bookshelf.

I love the black and white fabrics we found for the lamp shade and the storage boxes.

We used mirrors and glass around the room for sparkle. We found a table for the zebra chairs

and added square mirrors to the edge. It really added bling!

We found an old desk at the local thrift store that we sanded and painted white then paired it with a black chair. (I think the chairs are used more for clothes than for sitting).

On one wall we put up old picture frames that we got at thrift stores and had spray painted black, then added a bit of vinyl lettering to describe Kenzie.

A green rug on the floor makes the room pop!

We love the way it turned out!!!

For me the "cherry on top" is the chandelier that matches perfectly! Every girl needs one!

It All Started A Year Ago

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:26:00 +0000

Our summer project for 2009 was to redo the girls bedrooms. That was a year ago: Now we are bathrooms, laundry room, master bedroom, master bathroom/closet, living room, kitchen, family room and a great room addition into it.

WARNING!!! When you decide to remodel, be careful where it takes you! We have a whole new house. We have moved walls to make a bigger kitchen, closet, great room and laundry room. New showers, tubs and toilets. New wall colors, carpet, shutters and walnut wood floors. Fabulous cabinets, granite counters and a hood range to die for. New fabrics, window treatments, throw pillows, duvet covers and towels. Counter stools, sofas, lights, fans and windows. Where does it stop?? This is madness!!! Chandelier in the closet!!?? Above the tub!!?? How about one in the potting shed? Two for Ri and one for Kenz? I love a repurposed chandelier! I'll put one everywhere! Did I just make a rhyme? Sounds like Dr. Seuss.

I've used the basement office as a kitchen, washed the dishes in the bathroom sink, the garage has become a storage unit (sorry Lover), I've taken the laundry to the local laundry mat (just bring a good book, magazine or knitting project). The refrigerator was in the garage and the microwave was on the patio. We have moved in and out, and up and down. There has been a lot of stress and many ooohs and aaaahs! We live in a new house and are loving it.

Stop by and take a look!

Simply Strawberries

noreply@blogger.com (Debbie Legge) — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:30:00 +0000

There is nothing better than fresh strawberries. Let me just say they are my favorite fruit. I love fresh strawberries... let me count the ways...

- Waffles with fresh sliced strawberries and real whipped cream.

- Spring green salad with fresh sliced strawberries, coarse chopped pecans and course shaved Pecorino Romano cheese drizzled with a blend of balsamic and olive oil dressing. Simple but sooo Yummy!

- I love putting up strawberry jam. It's so rewarding to see those beautiful jars with that yummy jam on the shelf. Even more rewarding to spread it on your favorite homemade bread. I can taste it now! No, really I can! I just made strawberry jam on saturday, I'm eating some right now!

- My mouth waters just thinking about strawberry shortcake. You can serve it with pound cake, angle food cake, those store bought little shortcake cakes, but once you've tried it with a homemade sweet biscuit - you'll never go back. Sweet biscuits are so easy to make, why would you eat it any other way?

- Strawberry soup! Yes, I said it ...soup. So refreshing, and tastes even better in a little tea cup garnished with a dollop of strawberry puree and a mint leaf.

- I was recently introduced to strawberry water. It went down so smooth. Put some slightly crushed strawberries in a pitcher of ice cold water and enjoy. Don't crush to much - you'll

need to strain out the floaties.

- Our family's cake of choice for birthdays is a strawberry cake that my mother-in-law would make for my husband when he was growing up. Since all of our birthdays fall in the colder part of the year I freeze strawberries so I have some on hand for birthday cakes and smoothies.

Wow! What a list of yummy eats. I really do use strawberries in a lot of different ways, but I can't forget the best way is o'naturale. Who can resist a plump, juicy, red strawberry! They are so good for us too. I even served them at my wedding reception almost 17 1/2 years ago, with sour cream and brown sugar. Umm, memories!

I'd love to know how you like to eat your strawberries. Drop me a post and share it with me.