On Crooked Creektt

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Refreshing Cherries Delight!

Nothing says Fourth of July to me quite like Cherry Pie!

Unless, of course,
it's Cherries Delight!

While not in my prettiest serving dish, I do apologize.

My dear Joy Circle Sister fell and broke two ribs,
so "Mr. Ed" and I volunteered to carry~in dinner for she and her husband.
Thus, the "take~along" container was perfect for this purpose!

This refreshing Cherries Delight recipe uses only four ingredients!

Cherries Delight

Ingredients:

1 can Cherry Pie Filing
1 box Cherry Jell~O
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Miniature Marshmallows to cover the top

Prepare the Jell~O according to package directions, set aside.

Place the Cherry Pie Filling in a medium mixing bowl. . .

with a hand mixer beat on low speed just until the cherries are mashed up.

Gently fold the cherry pie filling into the Cherry Jell~O until well blended.
Then, stir in the chopped pecans.

Pour this mixture into a 8"inch pan. . .

or two take~along containers. . .

and cover with miniature Marshmallows.

Place in the refrigerator until firm.

Some separation of the layers does occur upon setting.

Top with a dollop of whipped topping before serving!
This recipe makes eight servings.

For me,

I placed the lid atop the take~along for "Mr. Ed" and I to deliver

Bar~B~Que Meatballs, Strawberry Beet Salad (here), Baked Potatoes and

Cherry Delight Dessert to our dear friends.

Cool, refreshing Cherries Delight!

A "no~bake" way to enjoy your Cherry Pie

on the Fourth of July!!!

Until next time. . .

Wishing all of my family, friends and followers a safe and

Happy Fourth of July!

Beyond The Patio Doors. . .

As I share my tablescapes On Crooked Creektt,
I often mention the view through the patio doors.(here)

Follow me today and I'll share what lies beyond the patio doors. . .

May 2014

No fancy chair cushions or throw pillows,

for this Spring and Summer On Crooked Creektt we have had ample rain.

Refreshing rain, that continues to keep the grass and landscape green!
The cushions remain within the garage for storage until needed.

Most years in the Gardens On Crooked Creektt,
I choose a subtle color palette of creamy ivory, soft buttery yellows,
heathery lavenders and variegated greens.

May 2014

This year, I chose vibrant colors to awaken and contrast
the grassy greens of the various Gardens.

Mexican Heather and Zinnias
are a harmonious combination for our viewing pleasure beyond the patio doors.

Although the bakers rack is somewhat difficult to view from the patio doors,
it, too carries the color scheme of the Gardens.

May 2014

New to On Crooked Creektt's Gardens

are the African Queen Fern and a Firecracker Plant.

May 2014

Off the back deck

is a stone path that leads to the On Crooked Creektt's Herb Garden.

July 2014

With our harsh Winter of 2013,

I lost most of the herbs that normally Winter~over.

The only ones that survived were the onion chive

gifted to me by my Joy Circle Sister, Pam. . .

some Lemon Thyme and a Garlic Chive.

Newly planted Basil, Dill, Parsley, Rosemary and Sage

have been added to the Herb Garden since May 2014.

Along with the Sage,
I've added a purplish Sweet Potato Vine for added variance to the Herb Garden.

Along the border of the Herb Garden On Crooked Creektt

set landscaping timbers that feature heirloom vintage wagon wheels.

Among the wagon wheels are years of continuing addition of vinca vines.

A bird feeder hangs from the tree

as well as bird seed in a pie pan on the ground and seed upon a stone.

"Mr. Ed" generously feeds

the many birds that frequent On Crooked Creektt's Gardens,

a neighborhood squirrel affectionately named "Fred"

and our resident rabbit called "Pee Wee".
Below is a comical photo of the Mourning Dove Trio. . .
Maude, Claude and Todd.

"Pee Wee" was born in the Gardens On Crooked Creektt

in the Spring of 2013 and stayed through the Winter beneath our deck.

He shows little fear of "Mr. Ed" or I.

I was approximately three~to~four feet

from "Pee Wee" in the above photos.

And while I have no photos of "Fred",

our son and daughter~in~law gifted us with this adorable look~alike

for On Crooked Creektt's Gardens this past Christmas.

"Mr. Ed's" Dragoon Soldier
keeps daily and nightly watch over the Herb Garden and its "residents".

Retirement affords one with time to gaze upon the wonders of our World.

"Mr. Ed" and I hope that you've enjoyed a bit of our world . . .

with a tour of the Herb Garden . . .
beyond the patio doors.

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Jody & Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Sweet & Simple Fridays!

And. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Brooke @ Creative Country Mom for Home Sweet Garden Party!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

Be sure to visit each of these amazing host and hostesses

for inspiring decor ideas for your own home!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Seasonal Change. . .

As quickly as one would flip on a light switch,
that's just how spontaneously the seasonal decor changes On Crooked Creektt!

Heralding the arrival of Summer On Crooked Creektt
is the appearance of Sunflowers, indoors and out!

Traditional Yellow Sunflowers
and Russian Red Sunflowers adorn the Entry Hall On Crooked Creektt!

When making styling changes to the console table,
I prefer to begin with a clean tabletop.

In the case of a Seasonal change,
I do a deep cleaning of the candle sconces,
carpeting, picture frame and the table.

Next,
I strategically place the main accessories.

Always, the first item is this vintage counter check holder.
"Mr. Ed" prefers to place the days 'outgoing' mail within the holder
before he carries it down to the mailbox.

Then,
come the decor accessories that will enhance the Season or holiday.

Knowing I wanted to feature Sunflowers,
I chose my green pottery jars for the opposite side of the table.

Since I had arranged one of the pottery jars on its side,
a symmetrical arrangement was out of the question.

Not wanting to detract from the heirloom print above the table,
I chose to stack books of similar hues to fill the void.

A petite cloche, atop a wrought iron base,
seem to be a perfect fit between the stacked books and the counter check holder.

Once all the decor accessories were in place,
I began to arrange the Sunflowers within the pottery jars.

A mixture of Russian Red and Traditional Yellow Sunflowers
for the larger of the two pottery jars.
However, only Traditional Yellow Sunflowers
for the smaller pottery jar turned on its side.

Faux succulents are placed within the cloche.

The view as you enter from the Living Room. . .

and the view that greets our family and guests.

Although the day was cloudy and overcast,
I continued throughout our home to add Sunflowers to our decor.

I didn't even mind an early evening torrential down pouring of rain.
Because I know, that the rain On Crooked Creektt
will only bring more of these blooms and eventually prolific blossoms
to our Sunflower Patch!