Pickles and Co

and the winner is.....

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Holly!!!!!! Thanks for playing! :) I'll be sending your ebay gift certificate right over. :) CONGRATULATIONS!!! (and sorry I'm running behind)

What's in store for your SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER???

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Summer is here, and I'm SO glad! I love summer!!!! Life without an alarm clock (on occasion anyway), days spent in the pool, dinner from the grill....

What's in store for OUR summer? Well...we should be (hopefully) moving to our new house next week. Cassidy's taking driver's ed next week (HELP ME!!!), and between the two girls, we've got 2 church camps, 1 mission trip, 3 basketball camps, 1 tennis camp, and 5 tennis tournaments. And for the family...10 days of wheat harvest and a few days at a family reunion in the mountains. So....looks like it's going to be busy. Anyone like to paint? My new house needs some wall paper peeled and a lot of new paint.

Now here's the fun part. Post here and tell me what you like most about summer, or any special plans you have...1 entry for every comment. Mention Pickles and Co. in a tweet or blog, get 5 entries each. Visit my Pickles and Co. store on Etsy or Pickles and Co. on eBay and tell me what you like...get another entry. On Monday, June 1, I will randomly choose a winner. The winner will receive a $10 eBay gift certificate, and who couldn't use THAT! :)

Look familiar???

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:35:00 +0000

I was at my grandparents home/farm this past weekend helping clean it out and get it ready for an estate sale, a task I'm beginning to believe is never ending. My grandparents house was always a treasure trove. They both loved to collect things, and they had a BIG house full of lots and lots of STUFF! Going through their things was bittersweet. There are lots of memories...lots of treasures. And as an adult, it was kind of exciting to get to peek at some of the things that were so intriguing to me as a kid.

Digging through the old photos was a true adventure. Being a photo lover, it was especially exciting for me to see some very OLD photos, some photos I'd never seen before, and some that I'd forgotten about. And SOME I'd really prefer TO forget about! lol

My greatest treasures were those that other members of my family were throwing in the trash. This photo was one of them. I can't help but wonder who took this photo...was it my granddad? And when was it? And where, exactly? This one was definitely a "pull it out of the trash and add it to my stash" photo. :)

and the winner is.......

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Amy of PriddyCreations! Thanks for playing everyone, and for your sweet comments. I will post to Amy's blog and let her know she won. :)

It's a GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:02:00 +0000

Here's the deal...it's simple. Take a look at my current listing and/or my ME PAGE and post here to tell me which of my sets is your favorite. Or you can tell me about a special place or event where your child wore a Pickles and Co. set. Or, if you don't want to post about either of those things, tell me what you had for breakfast! lol I don't care.

On Tuesday, May 5, I will randomly select a winner from all the posts. You get one entry for every time you post, so post away! :) The winner will receive the Pickles and Co. pincushion you see pictured, which was made using one of my favorite Alexander Henry prints.

On newstands now....

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:20:00 +0000

I'm honored and excited that the sweet little lady wearing my Mary Poppins set was featured in the current issue of Disney's D23 magazine. And isn't Miss Sydney the cutest little thing?

and just to catch up....

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Last month, over Spring Break, we took a road trip down to the Texas coast. We were ready for some sun, some sand, and some SEAFOOD! :)

Don't let the pictures fool you...that water was CHILLY! We had a great time though, and it wasn't too bad, once you got used to it!

Here are a few shots from our trip.

Life has a way...

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:55:00 +0000

of sometimes taking the wind out of our sails. I seem to have disappeared from blogland for the past few months. I've been wanting to start blogging again, but it just didn't seem right to fast forward to this point without sharing what's been happening over the last few months. So finally, I'm ready to pay tribute to my grandmother, who we lost in January.

We're all going to miss Grandma. I still hear her voice in my head fairly often. So many things remind me of her, and I think that's a blessing. It means that she left enough reminders of herself, she touched my life enough, and that she made a big enough impact that she will stay with me always. My girls were blessed that she was a big part of their lives as well. Not many kids get to experience that with great-grandparents, but mine have. And OH how she loved the great-grands.

We love you Grandma, and we miss you.

Paityn and Tony (the horse) meet again

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:44:00 +0000

and the hope of getting a horse of her own only grows stronger

She already has the name picked out.

It would be SO much more fun...if only the weather would cooperate!

It's beginning to look a lot like POPCORN! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:04:00 +0000

Jello glazed popcorn is one of my dad's FAVORITE things. In fact, that's what he asked for for Christmas. So yesterday the girls and I got to work. We made 26 batches. We made every flavor we could think of...cranberry, berry blue, tropical fusion, blackberry fusion...the list goes on. We even made cinnamon (using unflavored gelatin and cinnamon oil), which is my personal favorite! We had such a fun time listening to Christmas music, being silly, and working together.

Here's the recipe:

Glazed Popcorn

8 c. popped popcorn (we used 11 c. since the popcorn was especially fluffy)
1/4 c. butter (margarine)
3 T. light corn syrup
1/2 c. sugar
1 pkg. (small) Jello gelatin, any flavor

Place popcorn in a large bowl. Heat butter and syrup in small saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and gelatin; bring to a boil over med. heat. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 5 min. Pour syrup immediately over popcorn, tossing to coat well.

Spread popcorn on foil lined cookie sheet, spreading evenly. Bake in preheated 300 degree oven for 10 min. Cool. Remove from pan and break into small pieces.

Tree Hunt 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:43:00 +0000

I have to admit...this time of year, I'm really missing Wyoming. I miss the SNOW! Had we been there longer, I might have grown to dislike snow, but I hadn't reached that point yet. On the flip side, when June rolls around and I'm floating in the pool (vs. turning my seat heaters on and scraping snow), I will not be missing Wyoming. You get a little, you leave a little.

One thing I truly love about my family is that, no matter where we are, we find a way to keep our family traditions...such as the annual TREE HUNT. Granted, going to a tree farm in 67 degree weather (with ferocious wind) was slightly different than the quiet forest, traipsing through snow up to our knees and the gentle falling snow. (See Tree Hunt 2007) But still...it was fun.

So here we are...looking for the "perfect" tree.

Is this one it?

Well....maybe not.

But I think Paityn spotted one...

Here it is

and, upon the wisdom I gained from my grandpa, we "put rocks in our pockets" to keep from blowing away. :)

Here's the SAWMASTER, hard at work, cutting down THE TREE.

and taking it to the shaking machine

AND...they wrap it up and tie it onto your car...now THAT'S service you don't get in ANY forest! :)

Paityn...meet Tony

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Paityn has been wanting a horse for awhile now. She's spent months trying to work up enough nerve to ask her PaPa to get one. Finally, a few weeks ago, she found the courage and asked me for his cell phone number. It caught him a little off guard...out of nowhere Paityn calling to ask for a horse. Right now, the problem is my parents aren't home enough to give a horse enough attention, and we're too far away to give it the needed attention ourselves. I know he would like to make it happen though.

For now, she got the next best thing. He arranged with my aunt for Paityn to ride her horse on Saturday. I'd say she had a good Thanksgiving. :)

Brushing Tony

Getting ready to ride

Tony the horse

This is the BIG TIME

Paityn, Tony, PaPa, Dusty

saying goodbye

It's that time of year again....

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:20:00 +0000

Time to do those family Christmas photos. It's always a good excuse to get out and enjoy the outdoors, and today was a beautiful day. We took a thermos of coffee and made an afternoon of it.

I'll share some from today, but I'll hold off on sharing the Christmas card photo...I'll share that later.

Some fall COLOR

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:40:00 +0000

The Famous Meersburger

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:32:00 +0000

If you've never had a Meersburger (yes...that's meant to be one word), you're missing out. North of Lawton, OK, nestled in the Wichita Mountains, is a place called Meers. I guess it's a town...I'm not sure. There's really nothing there except Meersburgers. As you can see, the place looks like a shack. The tables sit at a slant, and there's writing all over the walls. It makes you wonder how it could possibly pass any kind of building inspection. Yet, it's been featured on The Food Network, and it was voted one of the top 3 burgers in America in 2007 by Bon Appetit magazine.

We ordered two 1-lb burgers. They come with mustard as "mayo is for sissies" and "ketchup is for yankees". As you can see, the meat was hanging off the 7-inch bun, and it was covered with cheese, jalepenos, pickles, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes. The girls each finished their 1/2 lb., and Chris and I both finished ours.

If you're ever even CLOSE to Meers, you have to go! But don't go on a Tues....the owner will be spending time with his cows.

crunchy and a little FALLISH

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:58:00 +0000

AND she does a little flower arranging

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:34:00 +0000

You know my 10-yr-old...the one who sews purses, designs her own doll clothes, etc...yeah...that's the one. I brought home some fall silk flowers and a pretty vase yesterday, and when I'd finished putting away my groceries, I turned around to find that this is what she'd done.

FALL is in the air

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:06:00 +0000

There's a cool crisp feeling in the air, and I'm excited! This is what I woke up to this morning.

one of my FAVORITE things

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:14:00 +0000

I'm so glad Mom still has rhubarb growing in her garden! I just made Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins, and I have enough left for at least five pies!

Mmmmmm.........mmmmmm............

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:24:00 +0000

The beginning of the new school year has given me a sudden desire to become Martha Stewart. And let me tell ya...my family is NOT complaining.

Last week I found a great recipe for homemade GRANOLA BARS. They were a huge hit for breakfast, backpacks, and briefcases. In fact, it was requested that I make them again this week, which I did.

This week, I've decided to make homemade SANDWICH BREAD (and a few rolls to boot). They've been tested and highly approved, and I was asked to "please make it all the time". So I suppose that's something I'll be doing on a regular basis now. Oh my! The house does smell good while it's baking!

Homemade yogurt is a common occurrence around here too. And I guess it's not really a desire to become Martha. It's not like I even watch her show. (although I happened to today, and they were making Goat Cheese...hmmmmmm) Seriously though...I'm starting to think about all the junk in the stuff we get at the store, and I'm kind of not liking it. Besides...it's kind of nice to get a little praise from the family! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:46:00 +0000

It seems like I've got a little catching up to do.

I have been the recipient of the ARTE Y PICO Award! The honor was bestowed upon me by Clara of Mimi Kattini! Thank you Clara, and I'm sorry it took me so long to post this. Where did this award first originate you ask? Well, you can read about it here...however, it is in Spanish. These are the rules:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award, creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award-winner, has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y pico"blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5) To show these rules.

AND, so now the winners are...

Laurie of Blowin Bubble
Boutique
Jennifer of Sweet Sunshine Boutique
Holly of Peyton's Place
Janae of Eldredge Family Blog
Tracy of Creme de la Gems

I just love these little fellas!

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:34:00 +0000

In the midst of our chaos, while everything we owned was loaded on a moving truck that was somewhere between I-80 and I-40, we got to take a little trip to Red River, NM. It sure was nice to catch our breaths!

Goodbye WYO

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:45:00 +0000

It's time for another chapter in our lives...time to say "goodbye Wyoming" and "hello again Oklahoma".

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. From the time we went "home" for harvest until now, things have been a little crazy. Crazier than usual even. We've always know we wanted our girls to grow up near family. Even though we're far away, we probably spend more time going "home" than the average family who lives near their family. Oklahoma has always had ahold of us.

Chris was offered a position that, not only is a wonderful career opportunity for him, but also takes us close to family. We've taken the long way around, but we're finally going "home".

As I sit under the tree in the backyard, bootlegging internet from the neighbors (thank you neighbors, whoever you are), watching the movers go back and forth loading everything we own onto a Mayflower truck, there's little for me to do but reflect on the last two years we've spent in Wyoming. Some people refer to us as "gypsies". While it's true we've moved quite a bit, we don't regret any of those moves, and we've always believed we were following where we were led. Each new place has given us opportunities and experiences I wouldn't have missed for the world.

So, as excited as I am to begin this new adventure in our lives, right now I'm thinking of the time we spent here, and the things we will most certainly miss...the memories we will carry with us.

The mountains...they give me a high I can't even put into words. They bring tears to my eyes while making me smile with the excitement of just being near them.

The patiently awaited first blooms of spring (although it's really more like summer since spring doesn't actually exist in Wyoming).

The thrills (just do what I do and pretend this is me):

The snow (in Nov-Feb...not so much in April, May, June...):

The wildlife:

The beautiful fall weather:

And one of my very favorite things...going on our Christmas Tree hunt:

We will miss you, Wyoming, but we'd like to think we made the most of what you had to offer.

Not so random thought for the day...

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:34:00 +0000

Don't you just hate it when the crawdads eat all your bait!

Wheat Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (Annette) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:24:00 +0000

They say you can never go home again, but I'm not so sure that's the case. To me, "home" will always be "home". Maybe it's because we've moved so many times and lived in so many different places, but it just always feels like we're going home when we go back to the place where I grew up, and where most of my family still lives...Oklahoma.

Every June we spend about 10 days helping with harvest. Over the last 20 years, my city-boy husband has become quite the farmer. He looks forward to it, and I THINK they actually count on him. It's a family event, and although my girls have been many places, and experienced many different things, I think this might just be the most wholesome wonderful thing out of them all.

Every kid should get to experience country life...at least for a moment.

There's nothing like some good old-fashioned dirt-diggin' kind of fun!

Remember "Parachute Men"? They make for some cheap and great entertainment. :)

I love that my kids can get a small taste of how I grew up. I come from a hard-working family with good strong values, and, although there were times during my teenage years that I didn't want any part of it, I'm very proud that those are my roots. I can only hope that I can be the kind of example to my children that I was shown throughout my life...that of my family.