Big Bear Or Bust....Part 2

Welcome to Big Bear !
We stayed three nights & four days in Big Bear with our Church family.
What a wonderful, relaxing time we all had.

We stayed in a 7000 sq.foot Log Cabin home, nestled in the heart of Big Bear city.
You can really get lost in this cabin !
There were three floors of living space.
Two kitchens, two living rooms, a game room, bunk house,
five separate suites with private bathrooms,
and beautiful scenery.

Every night we all had fun playing games, karaoke,
and just hanging out visiting with our friends.

Every day we woke up to the wonderful sunshine, fresh air and quiet moments. Mr. Darling enjoyed his time reading on the balcony outside our room.

We spent time outdoors a bit...
One morning we went to the Farmers Market and Village.
The next we went to the lake for a dip...
well Freckles went in the water.
I will share more pics from those moments next !!!

Big Bear Or Bust ! Part 1

Here we are on our way up to Big Bear !
We had to stop for a bit since the roads were so windy,
Mr. Darling got a bit car sick.
So we stopped for a few scenic pictures !!!

What beautiful scenes!
We're on our way up to a huge
Cabin Church Retreat with our friends !

More pics. soon !!!

In The Kitchen....

I love my old kitchy items...
These are the things that make my kitchen smile.
A sweet vintage toy stove, filled with my crochet dish rags.

Darling wooden vintage salt & pepper shakers...
sure to leave you smiling.

And...my favorite crochet pot holders which were
lovingly stitched together from many women.

Happy Summer days to you !!
We are off to a cabin in the woods...
will share our time when we get back !!!

What's Cookin' ?

The perfect Summer sandwich !

Hamburger patty, aged Swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce & turkey bacon
all smothered in mayo & ketchup on toasted sour dough bread.
Add a little cup of soup to the side.
Yummy !!!

A Glimpse.....

A place to Dream... A place to create a little magic...

These are just the little glimpses in my world which give me inspiration.

I hope it will give you the same in return.

Pioneer Days....

Long ago children in the Pioneer days either home schooled
or walked miles to get to a small School House to do their studies.
Some schools had lovely little desks, McGuffy readers,
more books and slates to do their writing.

They would work on Bible verses, History, Reading,
Writing and Arithmetic.

Children of all ages were in one big class room.
Some of the older students would help out the
younger ones when they needed it.

There was much to do in a school house.
On cold days they would have
to keep it warm by making a fire.
Keep the chalk board clean and the floors swept.

There was even a little bit of time
for a little play out in the school yard.

More work and chores would have to be completed
even after school, when they got home.
Children would help by making butter.

Making useful items.

Making many, many candles
for their evening light.

Make more butter !!!

And... help with washing the clothes on wash day.

A Pioneer child's day is a very long day....
That's what Freckles learned this week
when we attended a local Pioneer Day.
She loved it though....
She said she could certainly live like that.

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 !!