August has arrived

I'm a little late getting to posting blogs, so two for different times period will be coming your way today.  While my sisters were here, a piece of metal came out of the old kitchen faucet and though we could still get water, as one of my brother-in-laws said, "this faucet works in a really unusual way."  Ha ha. We ordered a new one and with help of Nelson's brother-in-law, Butch, it is finally installed. I like it. It's higher than the last one so makes it easier to fill up the canning kettle and corn pot!

Nelson had a friend here and he showed us how to cook corn in the microwave and have the ear just slide out of it's casing - no silk or anything. Really cool and tasted great; we did 6 ears that way. Next day the microwave stopped working and hasn't worked since. Not sure it was really the corn, more likely a combination of things.   However, had to order a new one. We were very careful to make sure it was right size to fit onto our shelf - But of course, best laid plans! First, not really the size told to us by manufacturer and second, instructions say do not install over or near a range or other source of heat or steam. So much for all the canning and cooking veggies on the stove under the microwave..  But apparently all the new microwaves indicate the same thing.  Expect having it there really was the contributing factor to the microwave going bad. So we are again re-arranging the kitchen. Not yet done.. 

Made some Dixie Relish that uses cabbage- trying hard to figure out what to do with cabbage. Can only make so much coleslaw and Nelson won't eat any of anything made with cabbage (if he knows it's in there) other than sauerkraut. Will have to make some more of that.

The annual Abingdon Highland Festival started this week and so for all (especially you , Kathy T) who have missed it, here are some pictures from the wonderful quilt exhibit. All quilts made by people from Appalachia - some of them quite old and with interesting histories. Here are just a few:

very intricate; every flower and leaf is
individually stitched 

One of my favs- picture doesn't do
it justice; cannot figure out
 how it gets to look 3-D

Love the design and colors

Great kid quilt



Jelly beans with old-time pictures
Precious

 Garlic man

Walked from 10:15 until I left Abingdon at 4:00 - this quilt exhibit was less than an hour of that time, but forgot to take other pictures.

Started at the antique market (costs $5 to get in) but have great stuff and you can learn much even if not in the market for real antiques. They were beautiful.

Then went down to the juried art show and enjoyed that as well. Bought Garlic Man (isn't he cute?) to store my garlic in Florida, from a very talented artist who was working on creating tiles when I was in the Arts Depot.

Then went to the arts and crafts fair and bought two knobs for my new cabinet. I cannot get one of the old ones off yet, so can't show the updated knobs. Also a fan pull - haven't decided where that goes yet. And one matted, but not framed picture - from Nostalgic Art.  Was a fun but tiring day and didn't accomplish all I wanted. Have to decide if I am going back or not.

Tomorrow however, will not be the day. Getting my hair cut and neighbor coming for dinner.