The Perfect Pie....

For this yummy cherry pie, I cheated by NOT using the recipe on my pretty pie plate.
I just picked up a couple cans of cherry pie filling, a ready made pie crust...
set my little pie bird in the middle,
cut in a few slits, then baked.

I use a pie bird

to keep the filling in place
and to cut down on sogginess in the crust. A pie bird is a simple
device that can prevent too much steam from building up in your pies.
If there's too much steam, it increases the pressure inside your pie.
All that steam can become too much and will cause your pie to explode.
the last 10-15 minutes, I take the pie out and wrap foil around the crust edge to prevent burning... Then finish baking the remaining time.
It works lovely!!!

Once the pie is baked..
I cool it on a rack with the pie bird still inside...
Once you cut the first piece,
you can then remove your bird easily !!

Ahhh, the perfect pie all the time !!!

Enjoy !!!!

Design Gives Back.....

Kelee Katillac Shack's
Design Gives Back
to homeless doggies left behind.
We joined up and decorated a scarf for Missy,
so that this cause would then
give back $10.00 each scarf that was decorated.
All monies raised would go to helping those doggies.

All we had to do was decorate a scarf.
We were happy to help... even a little.

OUR STORY
***********
We had decided after having our first dog for 4 years, which we got as a wee pup...needed a pal... We thought to get another puppy. But, do we really want to go through all that poo, potty and damage from chewing and destruction??
We did try again... we brought a puppy home.
She chewed, gnawed and pooed everywhere. Sadly we had also found out she was very ill and had grandmal seizures. We had gone through turmoil in only a month with her.
Due to her sickness and damage done, we had to give her back.
With much thought and prayer we then decided to adopt a dog who needed a loving home...
This meant to bring in an older dog.
Not knowing any of her history, we brought home our beautiful Australian Shepherd... Which we named Missy.about two years old at the time.. she was found on the streets, hungry, thin and dirty.
This was to be my daughters first dog and our son's dogs new pal.
We officially adopted her and brought her home.
She immediately bonded with our daughter, the family and our first dog.
She is truly a delight.
Then, a year later our first dog passed away...leaving Missy the only dog.
Since our first dogs death, my son has not wanted another dog.
Maybe someday.
I have to say... I would definitely bring home another dog
that has been abandoned and really needs a family to care & love it.
I would like to encourage anyone to do the same.
Unless you are really up for the puppy thing.
Just remember there are many dogs which have been left on the streets, neglected and needs loving homes.
Call your local Humane Society or PAWS.
We would do it all over again !!!
Missy is a wonderful companion.

150 scarves were decorated and$ 2,000 dollars donated !!!!

If you wish to help in other ways through
Kellee Katillac's Design Gives Back...
visit here.

Celebrate....

From my family to yours !!!!
Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day !!

Granny Squares

Don't you just love the Granny Square?
It's like a little piece of art all in one square.

I recently learned how to make these little sweeties...
And decided to make something for my daughter.
I don't think I will get as far as making an afghan...
at least not right now.

Perhaps, it will be a pillow topper instead.

Here's to Happy Summer Day's Coming your way !!!

A Mad Hatter Tea Party !!!!

Welcome, Come one, come all.
You are cordially invited to
A Mad Hatter Tea Party, hosted by
The Fanciful Twist
Don't be late, like this fella !!




The morning started off with Alice...
She found a bottle which read "Drink Me".
So it goes, she drank it !!! and well, you know the story.
We will fast forward to when she meets the Mad Hatter.

The Tea party begins !!!
Or shall I say,
The Mad Tea Party begins !!!

The table was set...
fit for a queen. and many other guests.

As for the Mad Hatter....
He is mad alright.
Poor Alice was frightened... yet, kept her cool.

They sipped tea.
The Mad Hatter was on his best behavior.
Whatever that means.

Some of the many guests which were present
were The Spinster Sisters.....

Some Little Littles.....

Miss Ducky Dandy......
She loved to sip the tea...

Not to forget these guy's... The Queens courts men,
Willy, Dilly, Jilly and Mo....

Scrumptious strawberry cakes...yummy !!!

Her Majesty The Queen of hearts was present....

The Royal Beheaded Marie Antoinette,
graced the table with her presence.

The Crazy Miss Forester did not
look at all pleased with the cakes...

Oh, but Missy Loo Loo loved it all, in deed !!!

Foxie Loxie would surely agree to that !

Alice after all, was having quite a delightful time.

The party lasted for a many.

Until, Alice could take no more ....

The Mad Hatter was satisfied.

Shortly there after, he went Mad !!!
and frightened poor Alice away.
The End !!!

Thank you for joining our Mad Tea Party...
I do hope you had a wonderful stay...

Summer Musings.....

June 21st was the longest day of Summer, also known for Midsummer Day in Europe. Children would set out a little party for Fairies in their garden in hopes to spot a wee fairy, which would be visible to the human eye if you were "lucky" enough. Unfortunately we didn't leave out a party this year.

Yet, on that morning we found a sweet ( delicate) baby dragonfly with a broken wing in our kitchen. We were certain the fairies were hiding somewhere, watching us as we held their little dragonfly in our hands. Because, you know, Fairies ride dragonflies. Sadly, we could not help him. He couldn't even take flight. Later he passed on. We buried him in our herb garden in our windowsill.

I also wanted to share with you, my frugal finds.
I picked these sweet Lemony Lemonade glasses from The Dollar Tree !!!
Perfect for sipping Summertime Lemonade,
or if you need glasses because your kids break them.
Now that is a SWEET bargain!!!!

And...........
This bright, fun & very spacious reusable bag which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Perfect for the beach or park and shopping !!!!!
Don't you love the red and the darling Daisey's ?
It has a vintage look to it, which I adore.
Can't beat $ 2.00 at Michaels !!!
***********
I spent less than $10.00 !!!
So, go on and get yours, before they are gone !!!
Happy Summer Days !!!

In The Morning.....

There is nothing like a nutritional breakfast.
Cereal with strawberries & milk and a delightful parfait type blend
of cottage cheese & strawberries
( Which Mr. Darling whips up)...
excellent protein !!

I usually enjoy my breakfast with a devotion
or even thumbing through my favorite books or magazines.

And, what's more lovely, is having these lovely crochet dish rags
to wipe your morning dishes clean.
Oh the joy of dishes !!!

I recently picked up a bit of crocheting to pass some quiet evenings with.
The easiest things to make were these soft, durable dish rags.
I love them.... and must thank my Grammy for teaching me some simple stitches.

Wait till you see the Grannie squares I have been making !!
Well, I am off to seize the day.
Happy Summer Morning to you !!!

Smell The Roses.....

The sky unfolded before her eyes
As she stared up in uncanny wonder
The sky was so gorgeous today!
She could have easily fallen asleep under sea of cerlean blue
She closed her eyes, feeling the sun's warmth upon her skin
The wind blew kisses around her bare toes
And she giggled with delight
Like a child who got away with stealing a cookie from the jar

She remained in an unconscious state
Her senses turned on to full volume
Taking in the wondrous world around her
Smelling, hearing, seeing, almost tasting the day

The air was sweet with plum blossoms
Thick and sticky like honey on the early afternoon air
It wafted though her nose and left but a small trace on her lips
It made her sleepy with its rich, invigoratingly aroma
It wasn't very often she had stopped to relax
To take in the world around her

To take but a few moments of her precious life and enjoy

the simple pleasures
In this very moment, she was at home
She opened her eyes
The sun greeted them with bright light

And for a few moments she felt she was somewhere else
Somewhere with sunshine and endless blue sky.
It was times like this that she realized she was glad to be alive
To be able to stop and enjoy these things

These simple things that we all see every day
And to feel enough relief to say, "life isn't so bad"

What Makes A Dad....

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it ... Dad

~~Author Unknown.~~

For the last 15 years Mr. Darling has been blessed by his children. They in return have been blessed by their father.
The day our son was born, he took that little baby in his arms and embraced his fatherhood.
He was truly in love with his little boy. His eyes lit up everyday when he came home from work...and always gave his full attention to his child. Then along came another bundle... a little girl who would soon wrap him around her finger. Their love has blossomed like a beautiful garden.

Mr. Darling is passionate when it comes to his faith and his family.
There has never been a moment where he hasn't been there for our children,
through happy times and hard times.

He gives of himself more than I have ever seen in my lifetime.
His only prayer for his children is that
they will be just as passionate about God, their faith
and their family as he is.

There is nothing but LOVE that comes from his heart & soul for his children.
For that, there is nothing but LOVE our children have for him.

He gives his tender loving heart to his daughter,
giving her full assurance & trust in her faithful daddy.
Her heart belongs to him.



He gives his son a firm foundation, in love, respect and patience
which will pass on when he becomes a father himself.
He is our son's hero.

He is much loved !!!
He is an awesome Daddy !!
Happy Fathers Day !!!

Wishing all you Daddy's out there a great day !!!!

Pucker Up !!!!

Last week Freckles and I were visiting our friends whom had a few lemon trees in their backyard.
We picked a whole bushel of them for lemonade making.

We cut up a bunch of them today.
They were so pretty !

Freckles got to squeezing them....
Lot's of them !!!

She even wore her pretty vintage Summery apron, just for the occasion.

Then she decided to take a little taste....
It started out pretty good, until she got hit with the tartness.

" Oh my !!!"

"Pucker Up !!"

The faces she made were priceless.....
It was hilarious!
I couldn't stop laughing.
Even she laughed about it afterward.

We enjoyed a delightful, cold glass of sweet lemonade,
which still left a wee pucker on Freckles lips !!!