an outing in Northville Michigan

My friend and I went to the RePurpose store of Cari Cucksey's this week... I've watched her show "Cash and Cari on HGTV . Her store was very fun, and so much to see.

who doesnt love the old doorknobs. I remember the glass one from when I was young. Does that make me ancient....

great use of these tresures, right

would love to go on some of her treasure hunts in this old van.

Cari also had a small section devoted to vintage clothing. My first sighting of Jimmy Choos shoes. They had the originall price tag of $599, and you could snap them up for a mear $359.. not my size, nor my price range tho... maybe next time. All in all, a fun outing that is only 30 mins away. Good to do on a cold day in January.. or anytime, really.

a leisurely Saturday morning

It doesnt get any better than this.. A great muffin straight from the oven and the gardening magazine to pass away the cold and snowy morning as January draws to a close..

For those of you who are interested, I will try may hand at posting this receipe for these delicious muffins..

Lemon Cranberry Muffins

1. 1/2 cup sugar


2. 3/4 cup yogurt


3. 1/3 cup canola oil


4. 1 large egg


5. 3 tsps grated lemon zest


6. 2 Tbsps lemon juice


7. 1 tsp vanilla


8. 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour


9. 1/2 cup cornmeal


10. 2 tsp baking powder


11. 1 tsp baking soda


12. 1 1/2 cups chopped cranberries


13. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


14. 2 Tbsps raw or turbinado sugar( or use reg. sugar)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line the muffin tin with 12 paper liners, or grease well. Wisk 1/2 cup sugar, yogurt, oil, 2tsps lemon peel, lemon juice and vanilla in medium bowl.

Wisk flour, cornmeal, soda, and baking powder in lg bowl. Add yogurt mixture and fold until almost blended. Fold in cranberries and wlanuts, divide into 12 muffin cups. Combine raw sugar(or you can use reg sugar) and remaining lemon peel, sprinkle o tops. Bake 20-25 mins.

These yummy things are just what you need on a cold wintery day.. They're almost as good as a little dose of sunshine.. enjoy

a new face

Well as you all know, January can be a rather tough month for us all, and our house has been much too quiet. This little guy has found his way to Michigan. from a bad situation in North Carolina . His name is Oscar, a 7 yr old PBGV

Oscar is very cautious of everyone, and everything right now, but he makes us smile, even tho he can be a bit squirrlie at times. After two bad homes, I might be that way too..
He has conquered the terrifying stairs after only 5 days, and he can go up AND down now. I haven't been doing much work as he still is afraid of the stairs to my work area, and frankly, well, I think a little down time has been good.. You will be seeing much more of this little guy, so prepare yourselves...

with the New Year, a final farewell

Bobby found his way into our hearts in 1997. He was a rescue from Ohio. What a silly little dog.

He hunted anything on 4 legs and was fearless. His first encounter with a woodchuck taught him which end to respect, and from that day on, woodchucks beware. The first time he chased a chipmunk into the underneath of our van and ripped out the working parts, taught us that Bobby was serious at his tasks.... yet there was the always the softer side, in which he found his way into all hearts, old and young, whoever he met.

And so with the passing of the old year, to the new, comes a passing of our irreplaceable friend.

Bobby will be missed by one and all.. This dog will surely be at heaven's gate, greeting one and all...

Wishing you all Happy New Year

A super time was had here. We hope that your holidays were joyous and fun-filled..

Wishing you all, Happiness, Joy and Peacefull moments for this New Year 2011...