Hi there! Today is an overcast, windy day. But that's OK because I am inside where it is warm and cozy.

Today I thought I'd share with you some photos of an old car that Daddy took at a farm near where we live. There are a lot of these old treasures dotting groves near farmsteads along the countryside here in Northwest Iowa.

So, anyway, thought I'd share this little blast from the past with you. Hope you have a delightful day! ~ Robert

Hi there! Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. Today I thought I'd share with you a photo of the darling little church pew that is at the top of the open stairway at the house I share with my Daddy and Mommy. This church pew originally came from a Lutheran Church in Webb, Iowa and was used by the minister to sit in when other things were going on during the Sunday service like the choice singing and stuff. Basically he sat in this pew when he wasn't preaching during the Sunday morning services. Now at our house, Mommy has placed two of her antique Swedish Bibles on top of it that date back to the early 1800s. She has also added a colorful quilted bench pillow to add charm to the church pew. See the photo below ...

The picture on the floor next to the church pew is of Mommy and Daddy in Lake Tahoe right before they boarded the Tahoe Queen boat to go cruising around the lake on. See a close-up of the photo below ... As you can see, it was a windy day ...

Enjoy your day and thanks again for stopping by. Check back again soon for more updates ...

~ Robert

Hi there! Today I thought I'd share with you some photos of the sofa Mommy got at an estate auction recently. It is very cozy and comfy. I think it is a really good napping couch, myself.

The skies are bright and sunny on this first day of November. I'm planning on basking in the sun on the formal living room love seat, and occasionally watching birds play in the front yard from my inside window perch. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! ~ Robert

Latest furniture updates ...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope you are having a great weekend. Thought I'd share with you some photos of some an antique hutch that Daddy and Mommy have gotten that will fit nicely into their home remodeling plans.

This lovely antique hutch is ornate and has interesting detail to it. Now it is temporarily stored in the breezeway, but will relocate to its more permanent location in the new sun room that Daddy and Mommy will be adding to our house in the spring of 2010.

Detail molding at the top and painted accents add class to the hutch, as seen in the photos above and below ...

The handles on the drawers also add a nice touch with their unique detail. You can also see the painted accents better in the photo above. The combination is visually very stunning.

It is a lovely fall day and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Stop back again soon. ~ Robert

Apple Cinnamon Chips

Hi there! So, I thought I'd share with you an Autumn recipe that Mommy likes to make ...

Cinnamon Apple Chips

The Apple is the earliest cultivated tree known to man. The apple is used in love spells, divinations, and healing.

Magickal aspects: Fertility, peace, love, healing magic, garden spells and immortality.
Associated Greek God/Goddess: Hera, Zeus, Melanion
Planetary Ruler for Apple Trees: Venus, Libra and Taurus

Try this comforting and healthy snack to welcome Autumn. They are wonderful!

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 red delicious apples

Preparation Directions:~ In a large saucepan, combine apple juice and cinnamon stick; bring to a low boil.~ Meanwhile, prepare apples. Cut top and bottom off apples, then cut crosswise into 1/8-inch thick even slices. Drop slices into boiling juice and cook 4 to 5 minutes or until slices are lightly golden.~ Preheat oven to 250 degrees. With slotted spoon remove apples slices form juice and pat dry. Arrange slices on wire racks in single layer. Place racks on middle shelf in oven and bake 30 to 40 minutes or until slices are lightly browned and almost dry to the touch. Let chips cool completely on racks. ~ Store in airtight container.

My Mommy promises they're not poisonous!

HALLOWEEN POEM

Witches flying past on broomsticks,
Black cats leaping here and there,
White-robed spooks on every corner,
Mournful moaning in the air,

Goblins peering out of windows,
Spirit-things that rap and run --
But don't be scared -- it's just October,
Having one last hour of fun!

Have a happy day and beware of the ghosts and goblins! Meeeee-OooWWwwww-HaHaHa!!!!

Boo! ~ Robert

A beautiful day in the country ...

It is a lovely fall day here in Iowa. And, they say we will get our first frost of the year tonight. Daddy and Mommy plan to bring the potted plants outside into the house so the frost doesn't kill them or anything.

Meanwhile, here are some beautiful photos of a hot air balloon landing in a hay field here in Iowa that I thought I'd share with you ...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoy the rest of your week! Catch up with ya again later ...

Robert

New Lattice Fence

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. Daddy got done building that Lattice fence this past weekend. I think it looks charming. See photos below ...

Daddy buiding Lattice fence.

Completed Lattice fence along one of the side patios, shown above and below ...

Bistro table and chairs on the side patio, which the Lattice fence now surrounds.

Pretty yellow flowers are blooming in a pot on the side patio.

Meanwhile, Mommy took some new photos of me in the formal dining room while I was waiting for Daddy's birthday party to begin. Today is Daddy's birthday!

I love my Daddy very much and can't wait to get the party started so I can wish him a Happy Birthday!

Mommy just told me we should hide so we can surprise Daddy when he enters the dining room for his birthday celebration. So, I lied down on the chair so he wouldn't see me when he entered the room ...

Daddy Hawaiian Style ...

Happy Sunday. It's another bright and cheery day with the sun shining and mild temperatures. I, again, am loving it!

Today I thought I'd share with you some fun photos of Daddy all decked out in his Hawaiian shirt leisure style. Yes, folks, he’s down-to-earth, warm and friendly, and looks great in his Hawaiian print shirts.

Well, Mommy is getting brunch ready for me. Mmmm. Yummy stuff, I'm sure ... Gotta go! ~ Robert

Robert patiently waits for his Sunday morning brunch in the formal dining room.

Mommy in Lime

Happy Saturday! It's a beautiful day ... sunny and in the 80s. I'm loving it!

So, anyway, thought I'd share with you some fun photos of Mommy decked out in lime green. I think the bright color is fun and it's Mommy's favorite casual sweater. The lived-in look is textbook Mommy. Her clothes often seem like things she has owned and loved forever. Hers is sort of self-described style. With her signature easy, unconstructed look she exhibits sort of this spirited presence with natural ease.

Close-up of Mommy.

Another photo of Mommy in her lime green sweater coupled with her slightly tattered and faded jeans.

Anyway, I've noticed some birds were gathering in the yard outside the formal living room window. I must go catch a better peak at them. Watching them drives me wild!

Enjoy your weekend! ~ Robert

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend! Hope you are having a good time! Today I thought I'd share some photos with you of a friend of Daddy. His name is Florian, just got married, is in the military, and he currently lives in Belgium.

Florian's Wedding Day, above and below ...

Below is a photo of Florian and his military police car. And further down are some photos of Florian in action with his military unit.

Meanwhile, Mommy just told me that there is no better time to savor the last warm weather days. She is busy making a salad that is sure to be both savory and hearty. Below is the recipe, in case you would like to try making it for yourself and your family ...

AUTUMN PASTA SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16-ounce) box tubular pasta
1 bunch spinach, cleaned and torn into bite-sized pieces
1 large red onion, diced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 small can sliced olives, drained
1 (16-ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
salt and freshly group pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain. In a large bowl, combine pasta, spinach, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and Parmesan cheese. Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. This salad is best made one day in advance to allow flavors to blend.

Enjoy! ~ Robert

Mommy's Birthday!

Today is Mommy's birthday so I gave her a lovely card, shown above and below, in recognition of her special day! In case, you have trouble reading the card on your computer screen, it says: "You're not getting older ... The mice are just getting faster. Happy Birthday."

The photos above and below are of me in the dining room waiting for Mommy's birthday luncheon to get started.

As you can see by the above photo, before the luncheon got started, I alerted Daddy that the wine cabinet needed to be restocked.

Mommy took some nice photos of the formal dining room prior to the luncheon. See the new dining room photos below:

As always, have a happy day! ~ Robert