A Haven for Vee

Friday, October 28, 2016

Tying up Some Loose Ends


Praise God it's Friday. Don't the weeks roar by?! 


I finished up at The Ponderosa this week. Yes, I sorted the final box, packed the last book, took my last trip to the transfer station, vacuumed throughout, and will drop off old paint and varnish at the hardware store this  morning. (They participate in a recycling program.) There is some work that I can do around the outside of the buildings and I did do a walk-through of the rental so there are some final tweaks to be done there. Other than that, things are right on schedule.


So today I want to show you what I was thinking of when I left you yesterday. And I also want to show you what I found at my sister's on Monday. Then I want to share a sandwich...yes, you can have half, if you want it, and, finally, what I purchased yesterday afternoon for $3 and for which the clerk made fun of me. ☺


So here we go...




I looked at that black mailbox and it looked exactly like a big old chalkboard to me. Did it to you as well? Since it really is only written in chalk, the next four days of rain will prove a test. 




 ~Inside~


~Outside~



Kim and Steve (sister and brother-in-law) were very busy last weekend getting in this large set of windows. They look great and you can see that there are walls now.




My ham salad sandwich was so delicious! Some folks prefer mayonnaise and I like mayonnaise, too, for many things, but for tuna salad, egg salad, and ham salad, I like Miracle Whip better. Did you see the Spam can? That's because my friend Nancy told me that she always uses Spam to make ham salad. Her ham salad is stellar, trust me. So I made mine for lunch yesterday and it was excellent if I do say so myself. 


Miracle Whip, a bit of mustard, a scant tablespoon of relish, and a scant tablespoon chopped onion is my recipe.


Oh, yum! If you like ham salad, I think you'd enjoy making it with Spam. I'm not proud, are you? ☺


Yesterday, after the aforementioned trip to the transfer station, I took the opportunity to do some errands. The location of our transfer station puts me several miles nearer. I wanted a leaf blower and hoped to find one at Wal*Mart. No such luck, but I did find these.




Three dollars for both plants! I know that their time is short and they are almost fully opened and that frost will wipe them out soon, but even if I cut them for a bouquet, they'd be worth $3. My clerk, an elderly gentleman, grinned at me and said, "They'll be dead in a week." Gheesh, Mr. Sunshine, get a grip.


Thanks for reading, my friend. I appreciate all the comments you have left and all the help you've given. 


Do! (Come back now) Have a good weekend. I am over and out until November...


43 comments:

  1. I would buy them too, and I love your pics. The ham salad out of spam, I'll have to think about lol. Who knows I might. Have a great day.

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  2. Oh spam! That can brings back memories! And your sandwich looks delicious. I'd buy those plants too and they are cheerful looking. And the mailbox--I hope it lasts through the rain. So cute.

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  3. My mother always made ham salad that way. And you know what's also good? Spam and egg salad. She was famous for those sandwiches at church events.

    Love your mailbox and all of the pics. Beautiful! And oh so thankful that you are basically finished at The Ponderosa. I look forward to the day when I may say I am finished at my dad's place -- but I fear that may be months or even years hence. It is a huge task. As was yours.

    Those plants were a great deal and I would have bought them too. In fact, I might just see if our local WM has the same available!

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  4. It must feel great to have that big job done! You've been a trooper and I think those mums were a great little reward for all your hard work. I agree, even if they only last a week, and I think they could last longer, they are well worth that teeny bit of money. I haven't had spam since I was a kid, and that was a long time ago! My girls were introduced to it's wonders by their aunt during an overnight sleepover and we teased her mercilessly for feeding our children something so horrible. We all had a good laugh and the girls actually liked it.

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    1. Oh, when you said "introduced to [spam's] wonders by an aunt", it triggered a memory for me. When I was young, my aunt would often scoop up a few nieces and nephews (in addition to her own six kids) and bring them along to the family cottage where she was staying. I was the oldest of these extras, and after the others had gone to bed and she was catching her breath and enjoying a snack, my aunt would share with me. She made simple sub sandwiches with sliced spam, fresh garden tomatoes and lettuce, often some cheese or pickles too .. miracle whip ... oh, were those sandwiches ever good. One of those food memories that just stays with you.

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  5. I'm wondering if the mailbox has the address written in permanent chalk. I have a few of those pens for some chalk gift tags. Kind of cute.

    The sandwich looks good! I've never had Spam. Wasn't it developed during one of our wars so soldiers could have ham without it spoiling? Think I read that somewhere. So tell me, what's in it? I try to be a little creative with lunch. I really don't go to take out restaurants because nothing is healthy and the smell is so enticing you just want to go for it! I try to make lunch something to look forward to.

    Caught up with you as far as your last post. The sign looks great. I won one years ago and I got the numbers for the lakehouse. Not being there all last winter we had a lot of window damage coming off the lake and our storm door was damaged and there is no sigh of the sign (!). It may turn up.

    Have a great weekend!

    Jane

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    1. Regular chalk...it has not held up, though I now know that I like the look. May try the liquid chalk (I have some somewhere) or may just go with an Etsy decal. Hope that your Ramsign # shows up!

      It is probably best not to ask what is in Spam. ; > I did buy the low sodium Spam variety.

      As for the ham salad sandwich filling, if you make it as you like your egg salad sandwich filling, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll like it.

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  6. Such a great idea with the mailbox. I smiled at the Spam haven't had that in years we used to eat it a lot as children. I may give that a try, the way you presented it looks wonderful. The mums were worth every penny if they make you smile for a few days. Take care.

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  7. Love the mailbox--it does look like a chalkboard...and you can change your name and address at will! lol
    Okay- sorry but YOU can have MY spam. I got so sick on it one time (it probably wasn't really that) and I cannot even look at it anymore--which meant I had to close my eyes for part of your blog.
    The windows look terrific-now to get all those labels off (ugh).
    I'd say that was a good $3. I bought one late in the season, too. xo Diana

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  8. Love the comment from the Wal Mart fellow! Wow! Your sandwich looks great. I've never had Spam, but my mother-in-law used to make a delicious ham salad that I have not thought about for years. I love the name of your lane. How appropriate for your lovely area. Your mailbox certainly looks lovely with your lovely writing--hopefully you'll use a more permanent paint, but chalk was good for a test. Congratulations in getting all of that work done at the Ponderosa. Have a nice weekend and you can count on me to return. ♥

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  9. It must be bittersweet (mostly sweet?) finishing up your work at The Ponderosa. You have worked so hard and so steady, I hope that you are able to enjoy a breather now.

    Your mailbox idea was inspired! It looks charming! And Spam...I have not had it since I was a child. But your ham sandwich looks tempting!

    Of course you bought those mums! $3.00?! Why on earth not? (Even if they are "dead in a week." ~grin~ Gotta love Walmart.)

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  10. I'm afraid my comments will be directed to the can of Spam. (big smile) Back in the early years of our marriage hubby was laid off many times so money was tight. I would buy Spam, slice it and fry in a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar and mustard - quite tasty actually. We must have eaten quite a bit of it for now I am threatened to never have a can in the house again. lol I buy flakes of ham for sandwiches and use miracle whip for mixing.

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  11. Finally got my front porch decorated and it looks so inviting. I have a dear friend who loves Miracle Whip, but I grew up on mayonnaise and prefer the taste for my egg salad and potato salad. (I'm a vegetarian, so I don't do the others!) I do think I'll bake some bread this weekend along with planting 100 daffodil bulbs. The weeks do fly by! Happy weekend, dear friend, XOXO

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  12. I'm so glad that you provided this ham salad recipe. We decided for a PEO Christmas Social to have ham and chicken salad finger sandwiches. Perfect timing! ~ Definitely worth the $3. The enjoyment of such a great find is worth $3 and then they look so pretty on your steps. ~ Your sister's windows are lovely. Windows can make a huge difference in a home. ~ Great idea for your mailbox. Are you planning to make it permanent?

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  13. I'm not too proud to try a Spam ham salad sandwich, Vee, and yours looks yummy! Your $3 mum plant is a beauty and worth it, if for only a week. In your previous post, the view from your from window, has a lot to be desired, Vee, but not much you can do. Love your chalkboard mailbox and also where you've place your Ramsign #14.
    Happy weekend to you....see you in November!

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  14. Good Morning, Vee. Love the look of chalk on your mailbox. Mama had Spam a lot when I was a kid and I haven't thought of it in years. Your sandwich looks so good. The clerk that commented on your mums must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed! $3 for such colorful mums is a great deal no matter how long they last. I love to ride or walk down the road and see pots of mums on the doorsteps. Hope your Friday is a good one. xo

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  15. Yikes! November! Those pots are totally worth the splash of color for the week or so.(silly man) Only $3. Congratulations on gettin the job done at the Ponderosa. You did great with chalk lettering on the mailbox. I like your font. I'll take your word for it that the ham salad sandwich was good. Now if I was sitting across from you I would share half the sandwich with you. Have a great last weekend of October!

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  16. I love the chalk on the mailbox!! MY husband loves Spam.

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  17. Oh my gosh, I loved your post... everything was so fallish and fun. Those flowers..well, yes, they are worth $3. I wish I had some of them. Just the other day I opened a can of Spam but I sliced it and made sandwiches out of it that way. I must try the ham salad!
    Thanks, Vee, for the tip.

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  18. Love the lettering on the mailbox! You're done at the ponderosa? woot woot! As for spam, gotta try it fried, you will like it. The leaves - I like the wind blown look, leave them the way they are! I would have bought the mums too. I prefer miracle whip to mayonnaise, but if I do buy mayonnaise - I'm brand loyal to Hellmans. ~ Abby

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    1. me, too

      You know, Abby, this is getting scary...

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  19. Every time I see a can of spam I think I can just taste it. From my child hood days. Now I have a reason to buy it. Thanks!

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  20. Thanks for the wonderful part about Spam--When I was a child, during World War 2, Spam sandwiches were one of Mom's favorites!! I adored them and would often sneak into the fridge for a spoonful of the mixture. She ran the Spam through her meat grinder, then dill pickles and finished it with Miracle Whip!! Oh the delight those sandwiches brought. I haven't bought Spam in over 50 years--It is now on my grocery list and I'm going to make a good Spam sandwich!! At age 84, I've earned the right to live a little dangerously!! Thanks for sharing your recipe--it just hit the spot with me today!!

    Blessings

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  21. Hey I love that mailbox chalk board and what you wrote on it! Adorable. I sometimes use a can of Spam in my Sour Dough Bread Dip recipe (instead of 2 small cans of flaked ham). This recipe is best with Hellmans mayo but we like Miracle Whip for some things here too. Spam is also a staple in our RV trailer! The mums are fantastic and worth every one of those 300 pennies! Glad you are getting things wrapped up at the Ponderosa - you done good girl!

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  22. Such an interesting post! I love Fridays because those are the days when my dd Em and my two granddaughters come for dinner and fun afterwards. Very nice chalk work on your mail box....Can you paint that on? I used to always paint my mailbox and think I should get back to it...I'm delighted that your Ponderosa work is coming to an end! It looked like an enormous task. And I love the look of your sister's addition. Those windows look lovely. And spam. Such memories. My grandmother used to fry spam for me, for a sandwich, every once in a while.Perhaps I will pick up a can next time I'm at the store and use your recipe. If you plant your mums out in a garden bed, probably you'll be able to dig them up in the spring and divide them into little sections and plant those out and have great mums blooming next fall. That last one, the one with the glorious red color, would be well worth keeping! Have a great weekend. I didn't plan to go without blogging for so long, but hope to do something tomorrow.

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  23. What a fun and interesting post. Your ham salad sandwich looks so scrumptious -- I'm going to try it with Spam now that you say. You are getting so much done, that must feel good in so many ways.

    Love your fall flowers at such a bargain!

    Happy weekend to you, dear Vee!
    Brenda
    xox

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  24. Great idea for your mailbox. I love the name of your street!!
    Oh those windows are so nice. Will let in lots of sunshine.
    The flowers are beautiful.
    I'm not so sure about the spam. : )

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  25. Lots of fun things going on here! Cute mailbox!

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  26. Oh, my goodness, Spam!!!! My mom use to fry it and I don't think I could eat it now if I were starving. Well, maybe. Cute mailbox and yes, those flowers were definitely worth $3. Happy weekend!!

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  27. Oh friend! I'm glad your work at the Ponderosa is finished, but sad, too. I'm glad you bought those mums! What a great deal for some beauty!

    I've eaten Spam and liked it, but haven't had it for years.

    I like your idea with the mail box! Mine is black too, and my wheels are spinning about what I can do with mine! You've inspired me!

    Love to you, Vee!

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  28. Thank you for the smiles...have a beautiful Saturday friend.

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  29. Glad that things are going as well as they can for you and that times are moving on a little.

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  30. $3 is such a good price! I laughed out loud about your thoughts on Mr. Sunshine.

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  31. What a cheerful post. The flowers look wonderful. Spam for ham salad sandwich, never tried that, but it does look wonderful. Have a wonderful weekend!!

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  32. Yeah, he sure was "Mr. Sunshine" wasn't he? My mums have been out there a few weeks, but are on their way out. Spam: Haven't had this in ages. Can't even recall what it tastes like. But I may just dip my toes back in the water to see!
    Brenda

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  33. I'm not familiar with ham salad but the SPAM sounds like a great idea. Also I do like Miracle Whip with certain things. I actually worked at a regional office for Hormel and I own stock in the company. Thanks for supporting my investment!!!

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  34. Sweet Vee, you always seem to get a chuckle out of me. Life does move on, doesn't it... praying that you will find a peace in the finality of the "doings" at the Ponderosa. Ham salad with SPAM sounds awfully good to me, although I will take mine with Hellman's. Too much of a saltaholic to like Miracle Whip (or sweet relish, either), but definitely not proud. ;) I so totally would have bought the mums... you will easily get $3 worth of enjoyment out of them.

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  35. Well, I've had fried spam sandwiches. Yep, I really have, I'm not proud, either. They aren't too bad if you're hungry and there isn't anything else to fix. I sometimes buy a can to have on hand just for that reason. Haven't thought to make spam salad, sounds good to me. Your mums are beautiful, mine are about done for. Oh well, the geraniums are still blooming!
    Have a good week. As for me, I can't wait to see what surprises are in store in the news dept. :)

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  36. Well, that was a newsy post Vee. The new windows in your sister's house are beautiful and will welcome lots of light into the room. I haven't had Spam since....maybe 195?!! I honestly don't think it was something we ate at home but maybe I had some at a friend's house in a sandwich. You really got a great deal on the mums and they will bring much joy for their $3.00. Throw a towel over them at night and they'll survive a while longer. Are you planning on selling the Ponderosa now that you've got it cleaned up? What a job that's been for you and what a relief to have it all done I'm sure! Hope the week ahead is a good one for you.

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  37. Vee, I so enjoyed this post. It's time to catch up here at your blog. I have to say that I've always loved ham and spam mixed together and thought about posting it on mgcc but wondered if I would get a lot of negative comments but now... I think I just might! I also agree that some sandwiches just need Miracle Whip!

    I will be curious to know how the chalk board mail box stands up. I know that this month in our town it would have washed off in a day! I love the look of it.

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  38. Vee, your ham salad sandwich looks very delicious! I have not eaten spam in many years and now you've given me a hankering for it. I also like Miracle Whip.

    Your mailbox looks pretty -- the chalk would last well here as we have nit had any rain in ages. No snow either. It is still hot enough during the day to not need to wear a coat or even a sweater.

    If you plant those mums in your garden beds and cut them down after the frost kills them they should come up in spring. I used to do that every year. Sometimes I left the plants in their pots in my garage after the frost got them and water them every now and then and they would also grow back in the pot. Worth a try.

    So glad the Ponderosa project is completed, as it will give you some free time. Your sister's new windows are beautiful!

    PS: Doing a little research I found that the Bird Woman Waterfall has no reference to Sacajawea or Lewis and Clark. L&C passed through a portion of Montana but not near the Glacier area. The name may have been associated with the wife of a prominent Blackfoot Indian chief from an earlier era. It was the most unique waterfall I've ever seen!

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  39. I missed this sweet post...I've been pretty busy, Bill's been sick (and you know how men and sickness get along) then I wasn't feeling all that great for a few days..then getting ready for the Halloween Eve Party...haven't visited bloggers like I should.
    Love your mums...I'm trying to wait til around Thanksgiving but if I find some like yours for 3 bucks, they're mine...

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  40. Love this post, Vee! I guessed you would put your house number on the mailbox, but I really like the way you did it. :) Are your sister and her husband building a house themselves? If so -- WOW! I love those big windows.

    I do like good ham salad and had never thought of making it with Spam. My MIL makes delicious ham salad from leftover holiday ham. Yum!!! I believe she adds mayo, mustard, diced pickles, and chopped boiled eggs. Now you've made me want a ham salad sandwich. :-D

    Thanks for your visit today and I hope you have a lovely weekend!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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