Dinner on the Dock

   Our pond here on O'Donovan acres is quite a beautiful setting. So when we had a   cookout with some of our friends I decided we should dine on the dock!  

It was very relaxing and enjoyable to eat out there. We sat and watched the sunset then headed inside before the mosquitos found us. What a fun evening!

A July Rainbow

This morning I was up early and was rewarded by this beautiful rainbow! This is a very rare thing for the summer time here on O'Donovan acres. It started out as a double rainbow, but by the time I got my camera just this one was left!

Springtime Blooms

Spring is the most beautiful time of year here on O'Donovan Acres!

The fruitless flowering pear and plum trees really put on a show!

The pink blossoms are the plum trees, but since they are fruitless, we have the beauty of the tree without the mess of the fruit! 

 

Lastly here is the pear tree! When we planned our landscape we purposely staggered the trees so we could enjoy the contrast of the white and pink blossoms they produce!

A Country Cafe

      Whether it's breakfast you're craving or just a light snack, this is a cozy and enjoyable place to relax.  Spring is the best time of year to sit and absorb the beauty of the roses in full bloom just outside the windows and the golden fields of grain beyond.

  

  I love these pewter salt and pepper shakers, a recent thrift store find.  The silver spoon holder is from "Remember When Antiques" in Cayucos, CA.  If you've never been there, it is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon if the weather is foggy or windy.

I found these red dishes at Goodwill and looked for a red fabric to show them off.  Sheets from Kohl's were the answer to my dilema so I made this tablecloth and curtains to match.

Friends and Family welcome!

Berry Pickin' Time

It's June and time to start picking blackberries and raspberries.  Yum! That means pies, cobblers, jam, and homemade ice cream. Last year we only had a few pickings before the birds finished them off.  So this year we put a huge net over them, thanks to Dad and Mom Stevens who bought Jon a net for his birthday.

We will enjoy them all year since it looks like there'll be plenty to freeze. 

Berry Cobbler

6 cups berries

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 Tbsp cornstarch

1 cup water

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp butter

Mix sugar and cornstarch.  Add water and salt.  Mix well.  Add fruit and bring to boil.  Boil 1 minute or until slightly thickened.  Spoon into greased 13 X 9 and top with pie crust sprinkled generously with sugar.  Bake at 450 for 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 350 20-30 minutes.  Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Never Fail Pie Crust

1 1/3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening (I use butter flavored)

4 Tbsp water

sugar

Mix 1 cup flour and salt. Cut in shortening.  Sprinkle water over and mix with a fork.  Use 1/3 cup reserved flour to roll out crust. 

Place over filling and sprinkle generously with sugar.