Flea Market Finds

If you have not already been made aware: I, Katie Claire Newton, am a collector. A collector of anything really. Well, almost. Anyway, Katie B. and I went out this past Saturday in search of Abilene's hidden treasures, and I am so pleased with the things I discovered!

A metal, lace picture frame, which will be used as a jewelry display. (More on that idea later.) Two jars of buttons; one collection of blues and greens, and the other of yellows and oranges. A folding wooden ruler. A bag full of foreign and domestic vintage stamps. A brown vintage purse, for 79 cents. A floral handkerchief from Paris; atleast that's what it says on the tag. And, a vintage red suitcase. The suitcase is in perfect condition, and it cost a mere $2.71. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.


Buttons. I've collected them since I was in tenth grade, and I still don't seem to have enough. If you have any that you would like to get rid of, I'd be more than happy to take them off your hands. smile


Last but not least, stamps. I've never bought vintage stamps before, usually because they are not listed at the thrifty prices I like. But I bit the bullet and bought these, and paid a mere buck twenty-five for them. Ones from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Israel, Kenya. For the U.S., Girl Scouts of America, Peace Corps, Wildlife Conservation, Tom Sawyer, and tons of Presidential, Christmas, and Artist themed ones. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with all of them. Any ideas?


Hope you had a lovely Monday!

Black and White Cookies

While living in the Bronx several summers ago, I had an established tradition each afternoon. . . I would walk several blocks to the nearest corner store and purchase two things: one black and white cookie and one grape soda. Not quite sure why I started this, or why I desired that combination, but I did.

Anyway, I recently came across this magazine/website.



Household cooks from all over the states can share their favorite family recipes. I have already used from several of them and they are great! Here's the recipe for Black and White cookies:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
2 Tbls. shortening

Step 1:
Beat the sugar, butter, and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla. When mixed in, add the flour; mix well. Divide dough in half. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the dough, but not too thin. (The dough is tender, so you can have a thicker cookie.) Cut the dough into desired shapes. Bake for 8 minutes or until barely light brown. (I baked mine for about 10 minutes, but my oven is also 40 years old. . . just watch them closely.) Cool completely on cookie rack.


Step 2:
Melt semisweet chocolate chips; set aside. (Rather than using the microwave, I melt mine by using a double-broiler. Less likely to burn in my opinion.) Combine white chocolate chips with shortening; melt slowly. Dip half of each cookie in the melted white chocolate*; cool until set. Brush melted semisweet chocolate on the other half**; let set completely. Makes 24 cookies.

*Useful tip: I cut several medium sized squares of parchment paper and placed the paper over half of the cookie. Though this makes things a bit messy, it made the middle line much more straight and pretty.
**Use the back of a spoon to smooth on the semisweet chocolate.


Hope you enjoy!

Franklin

Every time I visit, I am reminded how much I miss this place....


And these people.


Texas is great and all, but there's something special about Tennessee. Perhaps it's the tall green trees, and my dear friends who I only see about twice a year now. (I need to start writing more letters; I also love receiving snail mail, hint hint). smile. Being in Tennessee makes my heart happy, and I'm glad we were able to visit, even if it was for only three days. Here are some pictures from this weekend.... enjoy!


Each time we visit grandmom and granddaddy Daniels, I learn something. Granddad still has his playful sense of humor, and grandmom always shows her abundant love and hospitality. Thanksgiving better come quick!


We walked around downtown Franklin with mom. She treated us to Starbucks, and bought us an Oregon handtowel :) Heath and I ate dinner at the Mellow Mushroom. . . if you have not eaten there, you should go. Great atmosphere and wonderful pizza!

On Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's Market. One of my favorite things to do while I'm home.


We bought fresh kettle corn.....


This guy enjoyed it a little too much. smile! He walked around the entire place like this.


We ate lunch with Aunt Lynn at Wild Ginger. It was great to see you, Aunt Lynn! You and Heather better come visit us in Portland... I'm counting on it! (Order the Firecracker; it's a sushi dish with salmon. By far my favorite dish I've had in a while. The Skittle salad is great as well. Andrea: you and Andrew should to eat there... tonight!)


Saturday night, my sweet friend married her best friend.


Katie looked beautiful and I'm so glad we were able to be there. God is so good, and I know he will bless Katie and Robert in their new life together. Congrats, friend!

Heath and I enjoyed getting dressed up. . .



And, we got to see Julie!!!! Sorry we didnt' have more time, friend. Guess you'll just have to come out to Portland!

We also visited with Grandmom and Granddad Morrison. I forgot to take a picture, so we'll just have to wait until California at Em's reception. It was great to see them all settled in their house!

If you were wondering, not only has my plant not died. . .


there's another bud on it's way! Guess I'm doing something right.

Spring has Sprung

. . . and hopefully the heat is here to stay for a while. Lately, I've enjoyed opening all of the windows and listening to the birds sing, though sometimes I fear for birds flying into our house. I have a feeling I wouldn't react calmly. Heath and I ate dinner on our porch several nights ago, and it was wonderful!



If Abilene weather will cooperate, we might be able to do this a few more times before the move. smile
This little beauty is new to us, and I love how bright and cheery it makes me feel early in the morning as I leave for work. Theresa, my lovely mother-in-law, gave it to me for my birthday.



A new one just started blooming several days ago. Sure hope I don't kill it!

Quick update: Heath and I are in Franklin for the weekend. Visited Grandmom and Granddad Daniels today, going to visit Franklin Farmer's Market tomorrow, and Katie Dodge's wedding is tomorrow night! I'll post pictures of everything in a few days.

Portland update: I've scheduled over 10 appointments to view apartments in the Beaverton area (about 10 miles west of Portland). We'll be visiting our future city in two weeks! Pray that we find a good place to live.

I hope your day was lovely.

Headed North

In two months, this place will be home.



We're excited, and a bit nervous of moving this far away from family and friends. This will be an adventure, our adventure, and I'm happy we have this opportunity. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of public transportation, which will be a near daily occurance. Visiting the local farmer's market and weekend craft fairs. Taking pictures. Hiking and skiing for weekend activities. smile.



Now I just need to find a job...

We're planning to make a trip up to Portland fairly soon. Apartment hunting, hopefully close to Heath's school and the MAX, the light rail through the city.I'll try to post some pictures along the way.

Internet is an issue

I'm still here, and I still plan to be a good blogger. smile. We don't have internet at our house anymore, hence my dilemma of not writing more often. Hope to change this soon.

Heath is back home. He loved Portland, which made me want to move there all the more. Lewis & Clark, which is also located in Portland, finally contacted him and his phone interview is tomorrow. We hope to hear back from Pacific University in a week or two. Keep us in your prayers. I know we'll make the most of wherever we end up.

Later to come this week: Pictures!!! and maybe a few of my craft projects that are finally coming to fruition. Hope you have a lovely Wednesday.

Currently listening to: "Wedding Song" by Anais Mitchell