We found ourselves with some time on our hands one weekend after previous plans didn’t happen…thanks COVID. We could have stayed home and wallowed, or finish our isolation and then head west for some adventure…adventure won out. We headed to the place where three states, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, meet in a beautiful part of our state. It was a little historical tour, a little fun shopping and a little ice cream. All three of us were happy!

We stayed at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Sharpsburg MD called the Inn at Antietam. The rooms were beautiful, the hosts gracious and the breakfast delicious. It was a great place to unwind and relax.

Well, we officially walked some of the Appalachian trail, maybe a mile, probably the longest I will ever walk it!

We throughly enjoyed our time in Harper’s Ferry. It is such a picturesque town with so many interesting shops and restaurants. A parking tip, park at the National Historical Park Visitor Center about 2 miles away to take the free shuttle there and back.

Our Civil War stop was Burnside Bridge. It is hard to imagine a battlefield when you see this peaceful place. It was a lovely walk and my Hero really enjoyed this part of the day.

You could spend all day in O’Hurley’s General Store in Shepherdstown WV. I loved the variety of fun toys, home goods and books. We hit a few more antique shops on the way home…if only we had more time!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

We have had great luck with our tomatoes this year and as a result have bowls of them on our counter in all their red glory. Now, I love a good salad and cherry tomatoes make the perfect snack, but there is a limit to their deliciousness. I needed a solution fast. So armed with my slow cooker and immersion blender, I created enough tomato sauce to last all winter. The bounty of summer will live on well past Labor Day!

Usual Cast Of Characters.

1. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes
2. About 5 cloves of garlic, also from our garden
3. ¼ cup red wine. We freeze the last few inches of wine after enjoying a bottle. It works out perfectly.
4. 3 tablespoons of white sugar
5. About 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano, also from our garden
6. Any small pieces of Parmesan cheese close to the rind
7. Optional: 3 tablespoons flak seed.

The Steps To Glory

1. Quarter and chop as many tomatoes that will fit into your slow cooker with the lid closed, skins included.
2. Cook on high for 1-2 hours to soften tomatoes and release their juices.
3. Press tomatoes and scoop out hardened skin at the top of the slow cooker.
4. Turn the slow cooker to low and add other ingredients.
5. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours pressing tomatoes and removing hardened skin that floats to the top. Mix well.
6. After 3-4 hours remove lid and, using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Scoop out any remaining hardened skin but blend soft skins into the sauce,.
7. Continue to cook on low with the lid propped open with a spatula handle to reduce sauce about 1 hour.
8. Unplug slow cooker and let sauce cool to room temperature.
9. Scoop 3 cups (or more) into plastic gallon sized plastic bags. Freeze bags flat for easy storage.
10. Enjoy all year long!

A few more days before school starts and soaking in the summer fun.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Are you looking for a healthy yummy snack or a way to spice up that simple summer salad? Try some air fryer chickpeas! This has been a staple in our kitchen this summer when we crave a little salty crunch. Inexpensive, healthy and delicious…what could be better?

The Usual Cast Of Characters

• 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• Extra virgin olive oil spray
• 1 teaspoon dried spices of your choice, such as Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, blackened seasoning, montreal steak seasoning, zatar, etc. I am using everything bagel spice mix today!

The Steps to Glory Start with dry chickpeas: Make sure the canned chickpeas are air dried on paper towels before you cook them for best results. Chickpeas that are wet or damp won’t crisp up, and if they do, they won’t stay that way into the next day. Spread the chickpeas out on dry paper towels. Place another towel on top of them, and move the towel across the chickpeas or do as I do and dry them in a salad spinner!

Transfer the dry chickpeas to the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry 380F about 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes until crunchy on the inside, not moist and golden brown on the outside.

Transfer the chickpeas to a medium bowl while still hot, spritz all over with olive oil and immediately toss with the spices. Eat at room temperature as a snack or over your favorite salad.

Enjoying our last summer movie matinee! How can it already be back to school time?

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri full plate. What’s for dinner

Full Plate@Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen

TFT Blog Party@ Katherine’s Corner

Wednesday Blog Hop@Oh My Heartsie Girl

Senior Salon@Esme Salon

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop@Electric Red Barn

Encouraging Hearts and Homes@Apron Strings and Things

Morning Cup of Joe@The Cottage Market

Happiness is Homemade@Southern Sunflower