Love It or Hate It

Rhubarb! You can't help but Love this, honest. Rhubarb Struesel Bread.
It's moist and just the right "tang" to the rhubarb.



My sister Maggie hates rhubarb. She loves this bread.
Rhubarb Streusel Bread
1 cup milk
1 tbls. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2-2 cups rhubarb
Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 tbls. butter, melted
1/2 cup oatmeal
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla; let stand for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, oil and egg. Combine flour, salt and baking soda, stir into sugar mixture alternately with the milk mixture just until combined. Fold in rhubarb. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.
In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle over the unbaked loaves.
Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Enjoy!

I've Been Waiting!

At last, they made their presence!





The light pinks fill my house with such a fabulous aroma.

Six Years Ago Today

I remember this day well. Early in the morning, Mom called and said Dad died. Richard and I went right over to the house. He laid there so peaceful, out of his pain and the misery of his last six weeks.

Dad never liked to talk about death. We all knew he was dying but never talked about it with him. We didn't say our goodbyes.....he pretty much chose to isolate himself from everyone. He was a very private man.

What would I have said if I had the opportunity to say goodbye? I would have been a mess. I'm not good at goodbyes.

I do know Dad loved us, he wanted the best for us, and always wanted us to strive to do better. He provided well for his family and taught us to keep a tight bond with one another. At that, he very much succeeded.

I think of you often Dad. And, we're taking good care of Mom! Love and miss you Dad!
 
 Love, Barbie

Remember

Please take a moment to Pause.............. and Remember !

Allegan Antique Market

We spent the last two days in Allegan setting up with hubby's brother for the antique market.  It is held the last Sunday of every month from April thru September.  It is a very nice venue.  There is something for everyone there.

It was a little steamy today....it reached 94 degrees and the humidity made its presence.  It didn't hold back the shoppers.  We sold some things and I sold a ton of vintage buttons.  I was very pleased with that.

Here is a few photos of some of my favorite vendors:

Count Your Blessings, lots of burlap, linen, lace.

I really wanted this wastebasket for the camper - went back it was gone!

The latest craze, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

R. Lucas Scott Co. touch of french decorating...nice things

Nice booth...lovely things

Love these succulents in  the cans on a silver tray

Lots of chippy stuff.

Yes, even Santa was there

Lots of crystal

Door Knobs

Just something for everyone.  If you are in the area, it is a great way to spend the day.  Thanks to the vendors that agreed to have their booth photographed for my blog.  I hope you all stopped by!

Happy Birthday Leah Barbara!

We celebrated my niece's birthday yesterday evening.  It is actually on the 26th of May, however, she was leaving for a music festival this morning at 3 a.m.  It takes place in Southern Illinois, it is all weekend and it's filled with music, kids, tents and bands of all sorts.  People I never heard of....go figure.  She will have a great time.

Anyway, we celebrated Leah turning 19 with a cookout.  It was a gorgeous evening to be outside.

Blowing out her candle!

 Leah with her brother Jake (fake smile)~ Leah's hair is so long.  She is waiting for her cousin Jessie to grow her hair a bit more and they are both having it cut and donating it to Locks of Love!

 This cake holder rotates as it plays Happy Birthday!  It's my mom's and she said it belonged to her Mom.  We figured last night it is about 80 years old.  It's a family tradition to use this for birthday cakes.

Phil is rarely without his iPad.

Granny enjoyed the evening with all of us too!

Happy Birthday sweet Leah!   Hope your 19th year is full of fun times, good friends, family time, and adventures.  Be safe!

Love, Aunt Barb

OUCH!

A bee just nailed my foot. He was in my flip flop when I put it on. Yeow!



See red dot.



See dead bee. He was huge and fury!

Ice and hydrocortisone and it still is stinging.!!! feel bad for me OK!

Looking Good

The yard is so happy!













Spent the day primping it up. Weeding, trimming, mowing, blowing...hate the helicopters from the trees. She's looking really good right now,

Happy Birthday Miss Staci

And another birthday! A few weeks ago it was Sarah's birthday, now her sister Staci turns 19.





My Florida niece is adorable and just as sweet as can be. She is so kind hearted, loves to laugh and have fun. She is going to college and working at 4Rivers Catering in Winter Park. What I love about Staci is how much she talks and how she loves to spend time with her MaMa and family. She is so down to earth and lovable.  Happy Birthday, Staci. Can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

Staci with my brother Mike!

Love, Aunt Barb

Surprise Guest!

My sister walked over last night and asked me if I saw this in my backyard.




It's a lovely Lady Slipper. I had one a few years back but have not seen her since. Isn't she lovely?




Right in my own backyard!

Location:Home

Anthro Inspired Cuff Bracelet

This was a fun little project.  I saw a similar Anthro cuff bracelet on Indulgy (have you checked that out yet?)  It's similar to Pinterest.

I have totes full of vintage buttons and thought I would give it a whirl.  What do you think?

Like or not?

Troubles in The Cloud

My iPad has been acting up. I took it to the Apple Store and they wiped it clean. I had to reload my apps. Bad news is I lost my calendar, my photos, and my recipes! Can you imagine! My recipes. Some of them I had loaded into Paprika Manager and threw away the paper copy. I'm sick!

Back up your data ALL THE TIME! I thought I was backed up to the "Cloud" but I guess I was wrong. I need to learn all about the Cloud now so this doesn't happen again. I got some work ahead of me!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

In the Woods

My brother didn't believe me when I said we were camping. The fire pit didn't quite convince him. Here's proof.








Poison Ivy area right next door to us! YIKES!

We spent two nights and the trial run went well. We made a few notes..just a few tweaks to do and we are good. So peaceful out in nature. The beach was so pretty....water calm and really blue. No boats out yet.

Back home and I will say, our bed felt really good last night.

Camping

-



Walked down to the beach and we laid in the sand letting the sun rays warm us. Fabulous. More pics soon.

Location:Hoffmaster State Park

Mother's Day

I have been blessed to have a wonderful mother!  You often hear people remark that their mother is the best, and I believe that is how it's suppose to be.  Everyone should have the privilege of having a mother that they admire, learn from, is inspired by and loved by.  Yet there are so many out there that are denied this blessing.  I feel bad for those relationships that are estranged or those who have no connection to mother.  I  can't imagine what that would be like as I have been so blessed all  my life.

At 91 years old, my mother still has so much love in her heart.  She still wants to "take care of" instead of "being taken care of".  My mom is selfless, giving, concerned, loving, and loved by many.  She is a blessing to so many.  I love you Mother!

My sisters and now my niece.  Wonderful mothers to their children.  Wonderful aunt to the little one.

And I can't forget my sister-in-law, Marlene.....such a wonderful mother to my Florida nieces and nephews.

Thanks to all of you for being such wonderful mothers to your children.  It warms my heart to think of the sacrifices each of you have made throughout the years and the love you have shown your children each of every day, through good times and difficult times.  My love to each of you.  You deserve to be honored on this day!
Happy Mother's Day.

Market Day

Fresh picked asparagus!  I love it grilled, roasted, steamed, whatever!  It's so good fresh from the fields.

Rhubarb!  I have a few good recipes....rhubarb bread and rhubarb custard pie!

Radishes!

Lettuces!

Oh look at that cute stall!

Finally the season is beginning!

Sweet Spring

I adore lilacs and Lily of the Valley. I checked my garden of Lily of the Valley today and they are in bloom, however they are turning yellow already. I picked a small bouquet. Their fragrance is intoxicating.  I will enjoy them while I can.




Babs

Testing upload

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Bubbles

I couldn't resist sharing this photo of our little JoJo.  She's just so happy having her bubble bath.  Hope this brings a smile to your face like it did mine.!