You Are Cute

I enjoyed my drive to work the other morning ... such an array of Frosty's!!! Further down the street, this happy guy is not alone!

Where Is Your Hat And Scarf

I enjoyed my drive to work the other morning ... such an array of Frosty's!!! This is the snow family closest to our home. I couldn't resist, "where is your hat and scarf?" ; )

Happy Birthday Toby

Happy Birthday Toby
Originally uploaded by Neva in 2010

Toby is celebrating his 8th birthday on November 20, 2010! He received many nice birthday wishes from his Flickr friends. Happy Birthday To You, Toby Three Paws.
We Love You! >^^<

Happy New Year!

Christmas Cookies
Originally uploaded by iwork4toby

Peanut Blossom Recipe ~

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream shortening and peanut butter. Add remaining ingredients. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Roll in sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 375 degree oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and place milk chocolate kiss or star on top of each cookie, pressing down so the cookie cracks around the edge. Return to oven for 2 minutes or until chocolate just begins to melt.

Substitutions ~

I substituted butter for shortening; Skippy 25 percent reduced fat creamy peanut butter for peanut butter; Splenda for sugar; Egg Beaters for eggs; and Skim Milk for milk.

Thanks, family, for your kind comments! : )

Kalona, Washington County, Iowa

What a fun way to spend a weekend day! Hey, that rhymes! Sherry and I met Carla at her home in Iowa City mid-day on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Our next stop? The historical village of Kalona, Iowa, home of the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi. The Iowa Mennonite School is located just a few miles to the northwest. We enjoyed a scrumptious lunch at Tuscan Moon and strolled through several antique stores. The ladies manning the register at the old hardware store chatted for a spell and made us feel welcome in the community! Our visit to Stringtown Grocery led to the purchase of Chocolate Raspberry Mocha and a dry potato soup mix which will, most likely, come in handy on a cold, winter day this season! Despite the high gasoline prices, Carla drove around the country roads in order to catch a glimpse of Amish life during the peak of Autumn. Out of sensitivity and respect for Amish beliefs, I did not attempt to photograph individuals; however, I will hold onto the memory of the mother and daughters raking leaves in front of their farm home, the horse-drawn buggy carrying a father and son, and the wife hanging a multitude of dresses, shirts, and pants on the clothesline to dry in the strong country breeze. It was an amazing day!