More Auctioning

Last night we went to an auction again. This one was a few miles out of Jefferson. I really felt bad for the owner. It had rained much of the day and the wind was blowing like crazy so combine that with plenty of mud and threat of more rain and it was not conducive to a good auction for them. The crowd was sparse. On the other end of  things everything went very cheap, dirt cheap, below pennies on the dollar. For $2 we bought a toaster,iron, citrus press,wastebasket, casserole dish,portable fan,4 cup coffee maker. Of course we really did not want most of it but that is how it goes. For our other $13 that we spent we bought 2  side tables. There were a few other items that we were considering but the lightning started and we left. There were many genuine antiques there that went for a little bit of nothing. It was sad.

Before we went to the auction Colleen went with us to a new restaurant in Paton (pronounced PAY-ton) Iowa. Sounds odd doesn't it. It sure does if you are from this area because Paton is a tiny dot on the map of Greene County Iowa and they have a brand new semi-fancy sit-down restaurant. The name of it is 209 Main. It is not hard to find! The food was excellent and the place was full of people with others waiting. If you cook it well they will come.

I have been struggling with a stiff neck the last couple of days. A heating pad is the answer for relief if you find yourself suffering with a stiff neck too. I am not completely free of pain but it is getting better.

Note to self: There is a very neat old barn at the auction site and I would like to get a picture of it.

Colleen's Colorful Touch

My request of my friend Colleen was that she do what she does, which is to colorfully enhance things. I did not have any specific instructions. Subject matter, colors, technique etc. was all up to her. Here are the wonderful results! Two mismatched file cabinets are now colorfully coordinated and the inside of our bench is holding a surprise for anyone who pops the lid. I love it.

BLT Roll-Ups

BLT Roll-Ups

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
8-10 slices center cut bacon, cooked and crumbled1 cup chopped tomatoes
4 eight-inch flour tortillas
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce

Mix cream cheese and mayo in a bowl. Add crumbled bacon and diced tomatoes. Spread mixture on tortillas and top with lettuce. Roll up tightly and refrigerate for an hour. Slice into 1/2 inch slices.

Settling in...

We have been getting settled in and taking care of the details of life the past few days. It takes awhile to get used to new digs and where things are or will be. It is a mixture of fun and not so fun but this too will pass.
I asked my friend Colleen to put her special touch in our house and she has been working the last  couple of days doing just that. I am loving what she is doing and will take pictures on completion of the project.
Here is one of her at work.

Butch has worked on the motorhome after getting the big stuff done on the house. He has washed and waxed the roof and decided that from here on out it will be time to hire it done. I hope that resolution lasts. I have promised to help him with the rest of it. He has been getting more golf in. Not happy with his game but it should get better soon. It always does.

Someday Soon

Someday soon I will have many things done in the house and just the way I want them and all cleaned up real spiffy like and I will take some final house pictures but until then you will get the crappy pictures just as the house looks this very minute.
 Saturday we went to the auction in Guthrie Center. Sunday we went to one in Yale Iowa (16 miles south of Jefferson). The lady of this house passed away about a year ago and her husband was selling to go to a retirement home. This nice husband did not put any restraints on his wife's spending and she liked nice things. She was fond of Cuisinart as many of her appliances were that brand. She was a quilter and had many different machines, probably each one being an upgrade. It is interesting to look into other peoples lives through their possessions.
It threatened rain all day and sprinkled on occasion  and the auctioneer adjusted his path accordingly. We most likely would not have been there but Butch had his eye on a John Deere mower. He didn't get it...too much money. We bought a loveseat, a 6 drawer dresser, a drill press and a couple of outdoor ornaments for a grand total of $120.
We panicked a bit after buying the loveseat as we were not able get it in the car because it already had a dresser filling it up and it was threatening rain. So we called Leo and he being the nice brother that he is came and picked it up for us and even delivered it into the house! Later Keri came by with a pecan pie for Butch since it was his birthday. Butch is enjoying it tremendously and I have had too much of it myself.

 Today Butch bought a used mower locally for less than half what the John Deere went for. He is tinkering with his new toy as I write this. He did me a "favor" and wind rowed the grass so it would be easier for me to pick up. Isn't he just the sweetest thing?

POOR MAN'S COBBLER

POOR MAN'S COBBLER

1 cup of all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 stick of butter
Fruit of choice-2 cups
(You can use canned filling or fresh fruit)

Heat oven to 350
-melt butter in a 9x? Baking dish...
- mix flour, sugar and milk together by hand until blended
-add fruit to dish right on top of melted butter
-pour batter over fruit mixture

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown

My grandma would pour milk into each corner of the dish before putting into oven to keep the corners from over cooking....

I always double entire recipe to ensure having plenty for everyone...

It's easy, cheap and delicious... I hope yall enjoy it as much as we do

Auction Time

We have always planned to furnish our home with things from auctions. It has been our experience that buying furniture is the same or worse than buying cars. When you buy it the value drops significantly once you plant your butt on it and claim it as your own. So yesterday we went to Guthrie Center to an auction where we planned to buy a round oak pedestal table and chairs. And we did for $240. ( I tell you that because I use this blog as a reference point many times to review the past.)
Here is a picture taken at the auction shortly after our purchase and an unknown lady has perched her hiney on the edge of OUR table.

We were lucky as this auction was indoors. We plan to go to another today and it is outdoors. We will need to plan for rain...raincoats, umbrellas etc.

Below are a few pictures from the last week that I haven't had time to post.

Once in a while Butch and I will go for a walk. And we have been walking over the new overpass hoping to catch a picture as a train is approaching. So far our timing has been off

Jefferson's water tower located in northwest part of town.

Looking south while at the peak of the overpass.

My sister Theresa's art work displayed at the Jefferson Museum during Bell Tower Festival. The festival this year was a sad deal due to rain, rain and threat of rain. We missed it because of an auction.

Spotted these iris as we were walking home one day.