The Midwest's Largest Rummage Sale

We attended the giant rummage sale again this year. It is overwhelming to see so much stuff. I picked up a few vintage cook books and gardening books and some misc. kitchen junk. It is just a fun thing to attend.

Here is the information about the sale from the paper:

Memorial Community Hospital’s Auxiliary Gearing Up for Rummage Sale

BLAIR, Neb. – The Auxiliary of Memorial Community Hospital & Health System will hold it’s annual rummage sale at the Washington County Fair Grounds Thursday and Friday, September 11th – 12th From 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday, September 13th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday, September 14th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Rummage Sale’s Antique Auction will begin at 2:30 pm on Sunday, September 14th. To volunteer before, during, or after the event contact Kathy Jensen at (402) 426-2030.
The volunteers and employees at Memorial Community Hospital & Health System’s Auxiliary have been busy sorting, packing and stacking tens of thousands of items for what is likely the largest rummage sale in the Midwest. The steady flow of processing donations has been ongoing since the close of last year’s record breaking event, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, and broke the cumulative $1 million dollar mark by raising more than $72,000.
The sorting area at the entry to the auxiliary’s warehouse holds countless bags of recent donations which line the walls, awaiting their turn on the sorting table. The storage area, just through an open doorway off to the side of the sorting area, resembles a valley, flanked on either side by stacks of sorted and boxed items that soar to the rafters, and in some cases touch the ceiling. The sight can be a little overwhelming but those working at the warehouse are confident it will all be processed in time for the rummage sale. “We’re ahead of schedule right now and can handle a lot more” says Kathy Jensen, Auxiliary Manager. “The generosity of this community keeps us on our toes and we’re very much appreciative of that”. Jensen also noted that the Auxiliary is in need of good quality cardboard boxes for storing and moving the items as well as plastic bags to be used at the sale. Both, items and donations, can be dropped off at the Auxiliary Closet, located at 238 S.13th Street in Blair, NE.

Tagging Monarch Butterflies

I had a great time volunteering at one of the master garden sites yesterday. A highlight of the day was learning how to tag butterflies. We placed a sticker on the wing of a monarch butterfly. The sticker has a phone number and an ID number. Monarch watch is a program that help track the travels of the Monarch Butterfly as they Migrate to Mexico.

Wanting To Try: Watermelon Margaritas

Frozen Watermelon Margaritas Recipe


5 cups cubed watermelon, seeds removed
1/2 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water, heated until sugar melts), cooled
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups silver tequila
4 ounces orange liqueur
2 ounces melon liqueur
Watermelon wedges, for garnish

1. Place watermelon in a food processor and process until smooth.

2. Pour the pureed watermelon into 2 empty ice cube trays and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. Place 8 martini glasses in the freezer to chill.

3. Place 2 cups of the watermelon ice cubes and the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

4. Pour into 4 glasses and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Garnish each glass with a watermelon wedge.

Apple Season: So-Easy Apple Butter

I spent some time this week peeling and slicing Apples that Angie and her family picked for us. This Month's Midwest Living Magazine is full of some great looking Apple recipes. I am anxious to try a few this season. I Tried the easy apple butter- We have been having it on Peanut butter sandwiches this week. Apple butter smells so great when it is cooking.

So-Easy Apple Butter

4 Pounds Cooking Apples, Peeled. cored, and Sliced ( about 12 cups)
2 Cups Sugar
1/3 Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Cider Vinegar
2 teaspoons allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg


1. Place apple slices in a 4 qt slow cooker. Stir in water, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
2. Cover; cook on high-heat setting 5 to 6 hours. Stir. Cool at least 1 hour, or cover and chill overnight. Ladle apple butter in half-pint storage or freezer containers, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace. Seal and label. Store 3 weeks in refrigerator or 1 year in freezer. Makes 4 half-pints.

Growing: Datura Angel Trumpet

The Datura plants that I grew from seed this spring are just now blooming. I am amazed at these beautiful large white blooms. They open at night and smell so good. I might try to over-winter them in the basement this year.

Baking: Football Cookies

Making: Easy Home-Made Peach Ice Cream

Thanks to Angie for giving me these awesome peaches. I used them up in this super easy to make Ice Cream. I used my new Ice Cream bowl attachment that came with my mixer.

2 pounds ripe peaches- cut up
2 (14 ounce cans) sweetened condensed milk - chilled
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup milk

Puree all ingredients in a blender. Chill for a few hours. Freeze in an electric ice cream maker. Remove and freeze for several hours until set up.

Baking:Butterfly Cookies for the Papillion Junior Woman's Club

Baking: Frog Cookies

Quinn's School year has started out with a "Froggy" Theme. I made these Frog cookies for a classroom treat a few weeks ago.