Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Good Old Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup On The Cheap
Who doesn't like chicken noodle soup? It is the ultimate feel better, yummy, comfort food that your grandmother used to make for you when you were sick. Right?
This is a quicky recipe using a crock pot and rotisserie chicken from the deli. You can cook and serve in about two hours and it is so good, healthy and inexpensive.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Pour 2 boxes of chicken stock in crock pot.
Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup
Stir well with a whisk to blend soups.
In pan: saute' 1 medium chopped onion, 2 chopped stalks of celery and a bag of sliced fresh carrots. Saute' for a few minutes until vegies become softened. Add to stock in crock pot. (You can also cook the vegies in the microwave until almost done.)
Remove the meat from a deli cooked rotisserie chicken and add meat to crock pot.
Add a Tablespoon of garlic granules (or mince a couple of cloves of garlic.) Add 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Stir all ingredients, set the crock pot on high, cook for 1 plus 1/2 hour and then add a bag of egg noodles. Continue cooking for another half hour. Turn off heat. Garnish with a little parsley. Serve with french bread or crackers.
Tip: You can add a little white wine if you wish.
This is a quicky recipe using a crock pot and rotisserie chicken from the deli. You can cook and serve in about two hours and it is so good, healthy and inexpensive.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Pour 2 boxes of chicken stock in crock pot.
Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup
Stir well with a whisk to blend soups.
In pan: saute' 1 medium chopped onion, 2 chopped stalks of celery and a bag of sliced fresh carrots. Saute' for a few minutes until vegies become softened. Add to stock in crock pot. (You can also cook the vegies in the microwave until almost done.)
Remove the meat from a deli cooked rotisserie chicken and add meat to crock pot.
Add a Tablespoon of garlic granules (or mince a couple of cloves of garlic.) Add 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Stir all ingredients, set the crock pot on high, cook for 1 plus 1/2 hour and then add a bag of egg noodles. Continue cooking for another half hour. Turn off heat. Garnish with a little parsley. Serve with french bread or crackers.
Tip: You can add a little white wine if you wish.
Update on the Credit Card Experiment
The first of February, in my quest to be frugal, I told you, Dear Readers, of my newest experiment: to put no more than $50.00 on my credit card the entire month of February. One more day of the month to go, this being leap year and guess what? I did it. I broke down mid-month and purchased a set of flame less candles from QVC. I HAD to use a credit card. That was $32.00 with shipping. That is all I put on my credit card and I am very proud of myself. If I didn't have the cash for it I didn't buy it even though I could always write a check, I found myself thinking "Do you really, really need this?" And, you know what? I really didn't. I am trying to be frugal.
Some day soon I might splurge on silly things or a nice lunch or a new pair of shoes. Maybe not the shoes because I am embarrassed to admit this but I counted the other day and I own 52 pair of shoes. My weakness. I love them. I am learning to be frugal. Being on a retired/fixed income forces me to conserve, rethink buying something and re-purposing what I do have.
In future posts there will be some DIYs. I think that will be fun. So tune in, folks, because we all might learn something new.
Some day soon I might splurge on silly things or a nice lunch or a new pair of shoes. Maybe not the shoes because I am embarrassed to admit this but I counted the other day and I own 52 pair of shoes. My weakness. I love them. I am learning to be frugal. Being on a retired/fixed income forces me to conserve, rethink buying something and re-purposing what I do have.
In future posts there will be some DIYs. I think that will be fun. So tune in, folks, because we all might learn something new.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Valentine Day Story: One Perfect Rose
Years ago, when I worked as a floral designer, I remember how a young man would walk in the shop and look around without a clue as to what to buy for his sweetheart. Ellen, the owner of the florist shop would ask if she could help with his purchase. If she thought the young man could not afford the $65.00 for a dozen arranged roses, she would suggest just one perfect rose.
We would carefully wrap the rose in pretty paper with greens and lots of babies breath, then tie it with a stream of colorful ribbons. Ellen would present the bouquet to the young man with a flourish and with a big wink she would say:
"You know, you can get just as much loving with one perfect rose as you can with a dozen."
Disclaimer:
Dear Readers, I cannot even imagine what she meant by this statement so you will have to use your own imaginations. I am not responsible for what you come up with! ;-)
Ellen always loved Valentine's Day!
.
We would carefully wrap the rose in pretty paper with greens and lots of babies breath, then tie it with a stream of colorful ribbons. Ellen would present the bouquet to the young man with a flourish and with a big wink she would say:
"You know, you can get just as much loving with one perfect rose as you can with a dozen."
Disclaimer:
Dear Readers, I cannot even imagine what she meant by this statement so you will have to use your own imaginations. I am not responsible for what you come up with! ;-)
Ellen always loved Valentine's Day!
.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Pass The Tofu
I glanced at the company logo on the truck that passed my car the other day. It was of a cartoon pig sporting a little hat and bow tie. I smiled and then realized that the product inside was pork BBQ. So, why was the pig smiling?
There used to be a TV commercial for bacon where a chorus line of pigs danced and kicked their chubby legs to a catchy tune. I think they wore tutus and, of course, big smiles on their little piggy faces.
I see it all the time-cartoon chickens wearing funny hats, cows holding signs reading "Eat More Chicken!" All adorable. Cute. Fun. Selling meat. Selling themselves.
Andy and I raise Black Angus cattle and I don't like to think about what happens when they leave our farm. I expressed this to him once and he said "They have a happy life with us with plenty to eat and fresh water. They roam the pastures, mate and have calves, run, and eat some more. We take good care of them."
That is all true, we treat them like our pets. Maybe that is why I hate to think about their fate when they leave our care.
A few years ago when my mother was living, a calf was born on her birthday and I called to tell her. Mother thought that was so wonderful and I asked if the little female could be named Colleen after her. She was delighted to have a little bovine namesake and would ask about little Colleen every time we spoke on the phone. A year later when Colleen the Cow wasn't so tiny anymore, Andy took her to market over my protests and when my mother asked about her I said: "She was such a beautiful heifer that we sold her to a farmer who wanted to upgrade his herd. She will live many happy years on his farm." Mother was so happy and never knew I had just told her a big fib.
My lie made my mother happy. Some whoppers may be justified. It also may be true. A nice farmer could have purchased her to go live happily there after on his idyllic farm with butterflies fluttering and bunnies hopping..... well, you get the picture. There go those cartoon animals again.
If I dwell on all of this I begin to remember my "vegetarian years" of long ago when I swore off meat because of some Peta pamphlets I happened to see. When I would visit my mother (the same before mentioned "Colleen") in Kansas, she would worry about what to feed me.
"What can I cook for you?" She would ask.
"I will eat everything but the meat." I would answer.
She worried about my protein intake, which was never at risk.
So now, I wonder if eating meat is right for me. I do love BBQ ribs, roasted chicken and beef brisket. My husband would NEVER give up meat.
And yet, when I look into our cow's big brown eyes and watch them care for their babies I wonder if they can imagine their future. And.........
I write TOFU on my grocery list.
There used to be a TV commercial for bacon where a chorus line of pigs danced and kicked their chubby legs to a catchy tune. I think they wore tutus and, of course, big smiles on their little piggy faces.
I see it all the time-cartoon chickens wearing funny hats, cows holding signs reading "Eat More Chicken!" All adorable. Cute. Fun. Selling meat. Selling themselves.
Andy and I raise Black Angus cattle and I don't like to think about what happens when they leave our farm. I expressed this to him once and he said "They have a happy life with us with plenty to eat and fresh water. They roam the pastures, mate and have calves, run, and eat some more. We take good care of them."
That is all true, we treat them like our pets. Maybe that is why I hate to think about their fate when they leave our care.
A few years ago when my mother was living, a calf was born on her birthday and I called to tell her. Mother thought that was so wonderful and I asked if the little female could be named Colleen after her. She was delighted to have a little bovine namesake and would ask about little Colleen every time we spoke on the phone. A year later when Colleen the Cow wasn't so tiny anymore, Andy took her to market over my protests and when my mother asked about her I said: "She was such a beautiful heifer that we sold her to a farmer who wanted to upgrade his herd. She will live many happy years on his farm." Mother was so happy and never knew I had just told her a big fib.
My lie made my mother happy. Some whoppers may be justified. It also may be true. A nice farmer could have purchased her to go live happily there after on his idyllic farm with butterflies fluttering and bunnies hopping..... well, you get the picture. There go those cartoon animals again.
If I dwell on all of this I begin to remember my "vegetarian years" of long ago when I swore off meat because of some Peta pamphlets I happened to see. When I would visit my mother (the same before mentioned "Colleen") in Kansas, she would worry about what to feed me.
"What can I cook for you?" She would ask.
"I will eat everything but the meat." I would answer.
She worried about my protein intake, which was never at risk.
So now, I wonder if eating meat is right for me. I do love BBQ ribs, roasted chicken and beef brisket. My husband would NEVER give up meat.
And yet, when I look into our cow's big brown eyes and watch them care for their babies I wonder if they can imagine their future. And.........
I write TOFU on my grocery list.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A Fairy on Campbell Ave.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Feedback From A Reader
Someone recently commented on an essay I wrote for the Piedmont Writer's Group book: "Potpourri In Ink." He really liked "The Quilter" and I realized that I have not posted (or written) any stories lately.
The Quilter was written a couple of years ago when our local art museum displayed dozens of beautiful handmade quilts and the writers group was asked to write poems or stories to correspond with the quilts. I was given the photo of a quilt with a beach theme. It was a splash of blues and greens and it reminded me so much of the outer banks of North Carolina and the dunes of the Virginia coast.
Here is the piece I wrote for the exhibit.
The Quilter
The Quilter paints with her needle. Fabric is her canvas. By skillfully sewing piece to piece, a sky develops in shades of blue. Below, the ocean's green-blue waves crash on golden sand. The sculpted beaches are so intricately textured that we can almost see the dune.
As the seascape emerges from the quilter's textile palette, the scene comes alive. Embellishment begins. Full of playfulness, she places a starfish here and, with the use of metallic thread, a flash of sunshine there. She creates an impressionist painting with cotton, yarn and thread.
Each stitch adds depth and we are drawn into the tranquil aquatic abyss. We watch dancing white, foamy waves surge toward the sandy shore and then roll back to the deep blue, leaving tiny shells in its wake.
The quilter stitches for hours on her labor of love. Her fingers fly over water and sky. Her quest is to have us feel the billowing wind and taste the salty surge. She succeeds. The quilt-artist navigates her needle stitch after stitch and when her lengthy voyage comes to an end, a masterpiece is born.
The Quilter was written a couple of years ago when our local art museum displayed dozens of beautiful handmade quilts and the writers group was asked to write poems or stories to correspond with the quilts. I was given the photo of a quilt with a beach theme. It was a splash of blues and greens and it reminded me so much of the outer banks of North Carolina and the dunes of the Virginia coast.
Here is the piece I wrote for the exhibit.
The Quilter
The Quilter paints with her needle. Fabric is her canvas. By skillfully sewing piece to piece, a sky develops in shades of blue. Below, the ocean's green-blue waves crash on golden sand. The sculpted beaches are so intricately textured that we can almost see the dune.
As the seascape emerges from the quilter's textile palette, the scene comes alive. Embellishment begins. Full of playfulness, she places a starfish here and, with the use of metallic thread, a flash of sunshine there. She creates an impressionist painting with cotton, yarn and thread.
Each stitch adds depth and we are drawn into the tranquil aquatic abyss. We watch dancing white, foamy waves surge toward the sandy shore and then roll back to the deep blue, leaving tiny shells in its wake.
The quilter stitches for hours on her labor of love. Her fingers fly over water and sky. Her quest is to have us feel the billowing wind and taste the salty surge. She succeeds. The quilt-artist navigates her needle stitch after stitch and when her lengthy voyage comes to an end, a masterpiece is born.
To Sum It All Up
So, several readers have asked how things are coming along with "The Game." The Game is my frugal attempt to use up and rotate the food in my freezer and pantry. My goal was to spend a measly $25.00 per week for food (non-food such as paper products and cleaning supplies, etc. excluded) during the month of January. A lot of excess food in my freezer is from the holidays and we have really been cleaning it out this month. In fact, I have really been happy with the results.
Well, until at least until this weekend. In the interest of full disclosure: WE BLEW IT! I wish I could blame it all on my husband's addiction to Sams Club but I was right there with him. At least we have supplies to last a week or two plus the rest of the "hoard" still in the cupboards.
The lesson learned? I am thinking more about our meals rather than throwing something together at the last minute or running out for takeout, I am planning ahead and using up what we already have. I also took a lot of canned goods still in date but things I knew we wouldn't use, to the food bank. It has been a cleaning out process and that is a good thing (as Martha Stewart would say.)
So, I forge ahead, planning meals but with a much bigger budget than January. It made me feel good to make do and be more frugal. Now, for the month of February, my game is to put no more than $50.00 on my credit card. I think I can do it! Could you?
Well, until at least until this weekend. In the interest of full disclosure: WE BLEW IT! I wish I could blame it all on my husband's addiction to Sams Club but I was right there with him. At least we have supplies to last a week or two plus the rest of the "hoard" still in the cupboards.
The lesson learned? I am thinking more about our meals rather than throwing something together at the last minute or running out for takeout, I am planning ahead and using up what we already have. I also took a lot of canned goods still in date but things I knew we wouldn't use, to the food bank. It has been a cleaning out process and that is a good thing (as Martha Stewart would say.)
So, I forge ahead, planning meals but with a much bigger budget than January. It made me feel good to make do and be more frugal. Now, for the month of February, my game is to put no more than $50.00 on my credit card. I think I can do it! Could you?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Mix and Match
Graphics thanks to Graphicsfairy.com.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Earrings at The Artisan Center
Available January 31, 2012.
Thanks to Graphics Fairy for graphic.
Valentine Charm Bracelets
Some of my handcrafted jewelry is on display (for sale) at The Artisan Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia. In fact, Mary Wray, owner, has so many wonderful gifts and art available that you could call The Artisan Center "Valentine Central!"
These Valentine charm bracelets will be for sale next Tuesday, January 31.
Friday, January 20, 2012
My $25.00 Per Week Food Budget- How Did I Do It?
Well, the end of another food budget week in under my belt (literally!) I did really well this week and, in fact, broke even spending a total of $24.00 and change. Andy's beef stew became big pot of Vegetable Beef Soup and I will have to freeze half of it. We have eaten this soup for several meals and it is very good, but we are growing tired of it.
Another meal with multi-leftovers was oven fried chicken and dressing. I served it with salad and peas. Not exactly diet-ish, but it was really yummy. That lasted two dinners and one lunch. Tonight I fixed Vegetable Frittata Squares (with broccoli, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, red bell pepper, peas, chives, sour cream and, of course, eggs) to go with pork chops (from the freezer) and fruit for dessert.
"Vegetable Frittata Squares" was a recipe I found in the latest issue of All You Magazine. Now, I am going to give a short advertisement for All You. This is such a great magazine! The recipes are always good. This month in addition to the frittata there were Chocolate Panini and Mocha Truffle Cake recipes! Either would be delish for Valentine's Day dinner. There were many, many more recipes this month.
All You features articles on how to save money. One that caught my eye was called "Yes, you can eat that." For example broccoli stems, shred them and make broccoli slaw. Beet greens can be chopped, blanched and mixed with roasted beets and goat cheese for a salad. It tells how to crisp up wilted carrots and what the heck to do with softened fruit.
There is fashion and medical advice in All You Magazine and it is geared to saving money. And, I can't forget the coupons. There are $50-$80-$100 or more coupons waiting to be cut out. In this economy, we can all use some money saving help. Can you tell, I love All You? Pick one up at the grocery store. The Vegetable Frittata is worth the price of the magazine.
Sunday begins another "cheap eats" $25.00 spent on food for a week. But, it really will be easy. You see, I still have ham, turkey (from Christmas) and chicken and fish in the freezer. All I am buying are staples (milk, bread, coffee etc.) and special ingredients. It feels good to economize and use up what I have, carefully listing only what is needed. I think we are eating healthier too. Tune in for next weeks "game" results.
Another meal with multi-leftovers was oven fried chicken and dressing. I served it with salad and peas. Not exactly diet-ish, but it was really yummy. That lasted two dinners and one lunch. Tonight I fixed Vegetable Frittata Squares (with broccoli, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, red bell pepper, peas, chives, sour cream and, of course, eggs) to go with pork chops (from the freezer) and fruit for dessert.
"Vegetable Frittata Squares" was a recipe I found in the latest issue of All You Magazine. Now, I am going to give a short advertisement for All You. This is such a great magazine! The recipes are always good. This month in addition to the frittata there were Chocolate Panini and Mocha Truffle Cake recipes! Either would be delish for Valentine's Day dinner. There were many, many more recipes this month.
All You features articles on how to save money. One that caught my eye was called "Yes, you can eat that." For example broccoli stems, shred them and make broccoli slaw. Beet greens can be chopped, blanched and mixed with roasted beets and goat cheese for a salad. It tells how to crisp up wilted carrots and what the heck to do with softened fruit.
There is fashion and medical advice in All You Magazine and it is geared to saving money. And, I can't forget the coupons. There are $50-$80-$100 or more coupons waiting to be cut out. In this economy, we can all use some money saving help. Can you tell, I love All You? Pick one up at the grocery store. The Vegetable Frittata is worth the price of the magazine.
Sunday begins another "cheap eats" $25.00 spent on food for a week. But, it really will be easy. You see, I still have ham, turkey (from Christmas) and chicken and fish in the freezer. All I am buying are staples (milk, bread, coffee etc.) and special ingredients. It feels good to economize and use up what I have, carefully listing only what is needed. I think we are eating healthier too. Tune in for next weeks "game" results.
New Old Finds!
I have blogged about The Cellar Chest Consignment Store before:
2/16/11 "Consignment Shop and Being Frugal
3/1/11 "Treasures At The Cellar Chest
I really wasn't looking to buy anything yesterday as I carted in two boxes of things to sell, but I just had to "look around." This is what I found (see picture.) It is an old metal canning pot with lid and I thought, " Wouldn't it be cute lined and filled with ice to hold drinks next summer. Warm dreams of summer parties on the deck with lemonade and BBQ filled my head.
Back to reality and the bitter cold winter.
Tania, the manager gave me another idea for the canning pot. "Fill it with flowers for your porch" she said. I liked that idea and I drifted back into lovely long days of spring with colorful flowers popping up everywhere and ivy dripping over the edge of my old canning pot.
So, I bought it and brought it home to be filled with something wonderful in a month or two.
If you have not been to The Cellar Chest yet, please go see the treasures there. There are two drop leaf tables I would love to have it only I had the room. Lovely little settees and side chairs, sofas and accessories. Take a look at the shelves full of books, glassware, dishes, Christmas items (including a cute set of dishes I am trying to sell) and antiques. Oh yes, I left several old pottery crocks for someone else to buy, but I may go back to get one. It would be a cute addition to my garden.
The Cellar Chest is located at 6620 A.L. Philpott Hwy (58 E.) just outside of Martinsville, VA.
2/16/11 "Consignment Shop and Being Frugal
3/1/11 "Treasures At The Cellar Chest
I really wasn't looking to buy anything yesterday as I carted in two boxes of things to sell, but I just had to "look around." This is what I found (see picture.) It is an old metal canning pot with lid and I thought, " Wouldn't it be cute lined and filled with ice to hold drinks next summer. Warm dreams of summer parties on the deck with lemonade and BBQ filled my head.
Back to reality and the bitter cold winter.
Tania, the manager gave me another idea for the canning pot. "Fill it with flowers for your porch" she said. I liked that idea and I drifted back into lovely long days of spring with colorful flowers popping up everywhere and ivy dripping over the edge of my old canning pot.
So, I bought it and brought it home to be filled with something wonderful in a month or two.
If you have not been to The Cellar Chest yet, please go see the treasures there. There are two drop leaf tables I would love to have it only I had the room. Lovely little settees and side chairs, sofas and accessories. Take a look at the shelves full of books, glassware, dishes, Christmas items (including a cute set of dishes I am trying to sell) and antiques. Oh yes, I left several old pottery crocks for someone else to buy, but I may go back to get one. It would be a cute addition to my garden.
The Cellar Chest is located at 6620 A.L. Philpott Hwy (58 E.) just outside of Martinsville, VA.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Artisan Center In Rocky Mount, Virginia
The Artisan Center is the place to go for a unusual gift or piece of art. There are paintings, sculpture, note cards, jewelry, wood carvings, Mosaic tables and birdhouses and books to name a few. In fact, there is a little of everything in this lovely gallery in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Located at 224 Franklin Street.
Shown in the picture is owner, Mary Wray. She will help you find the perfect purchase and even give you a little history about the "White Lightening" capital of the world; Franklin County, VA. Why, you can even buy a jar of Moonshine jelly!
Come In And Take A Look Around......
Button, Button Who Has The Button?
Patchwork Heart Pillow For Your Sweetie
Will You Be My Valentine?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Game Continues!
This is an update on my attempt of frugality. As you recall (or you can scroll down a couple of posts) I am playing a little game with myself and trying to spend only $25.00 per week on food for the month of January. Now folks, this does not include cleaning supplies, toiletries or miscellaneous non-food items that always end up in the shopping cart. Unless I was an extreme coupon person, which I am not, that would be impossible.
So, I must admit that math was my worst subject back 100 years ago when I was a lass in school. However, I will try to figure out how I am doing so far with my "game."
I was actually $10.00 to the good last week. I know spending only $15.00 seems like a dream but as I told you, we had a ton of leftovers in the freezer- still do!
Things were going well until my husband wanted to go to Sams Club for chicken salad (personally I think my chicken salad is better because I add pecans and grapes or apples, but to each his own!) So, you know how it is when you are pushing the cart down the aisles at the big warehouse stores. Add a little this, add a little that and Vim-Vam-Voom- you rack up a $200 receipt. So, I was taking things out as fast as he was putting things in the cart.
"Remember the near heart attack you had when you saw the December bill from this place?" I asked.
Well that did it but we still spent $29.00 on food which equals $19.00 (because I had that $10.00 from last week) but only leaves me $6.00 to go. I can do it! I am determined to do it! I am woman hear me roar!!!!
Opps, I got lost in the moment. Tune in soon for the next installment of "Lynn's Frugal One Month Lifestyle Changing Game."
PS: Of course, this doesn't include lunch out with the girls. Or dinner out with my husband. Or if I happen to end up one day at Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke.
So, I must admit that math was my worst subject back 100 years ago when I was a lass in school. However, I will try to figure out how I am doing so far with my "game."
I was actually $10.00 to the good last week. I know spending only $15.00 seems like a dream but as I told you, we had a ton of leftovers in the freezer- still do!
Things were going well until my husband wanted to go to Sams Club for chicken salad (personally I think my chicken salad is better because I add pecans and grapes or apples, but to each his own!) So, you know how it is when you are pushing the cart down the aisles at the big warehouse stores. Add a little this, add a little that and Vim-Vam-Voom- you rack up a $200 receipt. So, I was taking things out as fast as he was putting things in the cart.
"Remember the near heart attack you had when you saw the December bill from this place?" I asked.
Well that did it but we still spent $29.00 on food which equals $19.00 (because I had that $10.00 from last week) but only leaves me $6.00 to go. I can do it! I am determined to do it! I am woman hear me roar!!!!
Opps, I got lost in the moment. Tune in soon for the next installment of "Lynn's Frugal One Month Lifestyle Changing Game."
PS: Of course, this doesn't include lunch out with the girls. Or dinner out with my husband. Or if I happen to end up one day at Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke.
Andy's Beef Hunter's Stew
He is on board with my game of spending $25.00 per week on food this month. This is how he made his stew:
He knew we had two nice beef steaks in the freezer which he seared and then cut into bite sized pieces. He cut up 4 large potatoes, two large onions, a few stalks of celery, a cup of chopped carrots and added all to our 4 quart crock pot. He added a box of beef broth and a few cubes of beef bouillon then adding several cups of water. The spices he used were: a little garlic, a few red pepper flakes, black pepper and a little oregano.
This cooked for 4 hours on high and then 2 hours on low. It made a huge amount of stew and we will eat it for many meals this coming week. Shown in the picture, the stew is combined with a grilled cheese sandwich. As far as the game goes, all we had to buy was the celery. What a deal!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
You've Gotta Do What You've Gotta Do!
When Husband Andy looked at the grocery and Christmas bills for December, he caught his breath. He didn't say much but I could tell he regretted some of his "Christmas Cheer."
So, I am playing a game with myself the month of January and I am trying to spend only $25 a week on groceries. $25 doesn't go very far, it is true, but I have a side by side refrigerator with the freezer compartment stuffed to the brim as well as a small deep freeze in the garage. I was so tired of Christmas food that I froze a large part of the leftovers. I know there is chicken and pork chops waiting to be cooked and maybe even a stray pizza.
So, this week I made a large amount of chili in the crock pot, served it over rice with onions and cheddar cheese. I also invented a soup with leftover sausage, onions, parmesan cheese, chicken broth and potatoes. I bought a bunch of Kale which was under a dollar, chopped some of it and threw that in there too. It was yummy.
Another meal was ham and beans. I had the dried beans and pulled Christmas ham from the freezer and, of course, made cornbread. I made turkey pot pie from leftover deep fried turkey from the freezer and frozen puff pastry. Tonight, we baked potatoes and smothered them with a choice of chicken, cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream or the above mentioned chili with the same toppings. It was very good and so inexpensive. Andy did dip into my little budget and brought home tangerines so that was a healthy dessert.
Looking through my canned goods, I can come up with lots of meals. Salmon will become Salmon Croquettes and we love tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for a quick dinner. We love to eat breakfast for dinner and Andy makes up a breakfast casserole using Tater Tots in place of hash browns, onions, cheese and eggs. If he has ham, bacon or turkey, he will mix that in too.
So, this may become more difficult as the month comes to an end but I am sure I can find lots of good ingredients in my cupboards and freezer. Remember all that pumpkin puree I froze? Well, thank goodness; because there is nothing better than pumpkin cream soup.
As for dessert: We were given chocolate truffles and dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes for Christmas and boy are they good but..... so rich and so many calories. We allow ourselves one after dinner with coffee or have a little of that famous "Sarah Mason's Dessert-Type Pumpkin Bread" from a few posts ago. I will let you know how my little experiment turns out as the month goes on. I don't think we are going to starve and might even learn something in the process.
So, I am playing a game with myself the month of January and I am trying to spend only $25 a week on groceries. $25 doesn't go very far, it is true, but I have a side by side refrigerator with the freezer compartment stuffed to the brim as well as a small deep freeze in the garage. I was so tired of Christmas food that I froze a large part of the leftovers. I know there is chicken and pork chops waiting to be cooked and maybe even a stray pizza.
So, this week I made a large amount of chili in the crock pot, served it over rice with onions and cheddar cheese. I also invented a soup with leftover sausage, onions, parmesan cheese, chicken broth and potatoes. I bought a bunch of Kale which was under a dollar, chopped some of it and threw that in there too. It was yummy.
Another meal was ham and beans. I had the dried beans and pulled Christmas ham from the freezer and, of course, made cornbread. I made turkey pot pie from leftover deep fried turkey from the freezer and frozen puff pastry. Tonight, we baked potatoes and smothered them with a choice of chicken, cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream or the above mentioned chili with the same toppings. It was very good and so inexpensive. Andy did dip into my little budget and brought home tangerines so that was a healthy dessert.
Looking through my canned goods, I can come up with lots of meals. Salmon will become Salmon Croquettes and we love tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for a quick dinner. We love to eat breakfast for dinner and Andy makes up a breakfast casserole using Tater Tots in place of hash browns, onions, cheese and eggs. If he has ham, bacon or turkey, he will mix that in too.
So, this may become more difficult as the month comes to an end but I am sure I can find lots of good ingredients in my cupboards and freezer. Remember all that pumpkin puree I froze? Well, thank goodness; because there is nothing better than pumpkin cream soup.
As for dessert: We were given chocolate truffles and dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes for Christmas and boy are they good but..... so rich and so many calories. We allow ourselves one after dinner with coffee or have a little of that famous "Sarah Mason's Dessert-Type Pumpkin Bread" from a few posts ago. I will let you know how my little experiment turns out as the month goes on. I don't think we are going to starve and might even learn something in the process.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I LOVE Brussel Spouts!
I am happy to report that the Christmas food is gone! Well, almost gone because I did freeze some ham and pumpkin bread as well as macaroni and cheese (don't know how that will turn out) for later meals. Andy and I were so tired of turkey and dressing, cranberries in all forms and ham.
Tonight, I made a simple baked Tilapia dinner. I kicked it up a bit with some yummy sides. I recently found a recipe for Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom casserole. It is so good. And, as you can see from the picture, I cooked "Caramelized Brussel Sprouts."
Don't like brussel sprouts, you say? Forget about it! When you cook fresh brussel sprouts and caramelize them like this, they taste as sweet as candy!!!! Here is how to do it:
Take one package of fresh brussel sprouts, cut off the stem, trim off the outer leaves, rinse and cut in half down the center. Pour 1/3 Cup of good Virgin Olive Oil into a measuring cup and dip out 3 Tablespoons into a large skillet. Place the brussel sprouts cut side down in the skillet and drizzle the rest of the Olive Oil over them. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, cover and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cover and add a couple of Tablespoons of water, cover again and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off heat and let simmer a few more minutes or until tender. Toss with the juice of 1/2 of a lemon and a little more salt and pepper.
Talk about good! Try it, you will like it.
One silly little tidbit: When my sons were young, they HATED brussel sprouts and for some reason we started calling them "Brussel Straps." Still do! Guess you had to be there. That's all Folks!
Tonight, I made a simple baked Tilapia dinner. I kicked it up a bit with some yummy sides. I recently found a recipe for Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom casserole. It is so good. And, as you can see from the picture, I cooked "Caramelized Brussel Sprouts."
Don't like brussel sprouts, you say? Forget about it! When you cook fresh brussel sprouts and caramelize them like this, they taste as sweet as candy!!!! Here is how to do it:
Talk about good! Try it, you will like it.
One silly little tidbit: When my sons were young, they HATED brussel sprouts and for some reason we started calling them "Brussel Straps." Still do! Guess you had to be there. That's all Folks!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Impressions of the new year, 2012
I have no complaints so far, of course 2012 is only two days old. Just a baby! But.... it is OK so far with the exception of a few coughs and sneezes around our house. My husband is downstairs in his recliner as I write this. His throat is sore and scratchy, he has the chills (off and on) and he aches all over. I suggested he call the doctor today but, (and this is a man thing) he said "Maybe tomorrow." Just now, he is well enough to call the Georgia University's quarterback a "big dummy."
I have also been under the weather with a headache. Today, I felt well enough to start dismantling the Christmas tree and decorations. Why, oh why does it take so long to take down? It is so much fun to put up that the time seems to fly. But, back to my illness of the last couple of days. It got me thinking about my childhood and how my mother treated our colds.
Mother was a big believer in Vicks VapoRub. She thought it was a miracle potion because when we were very young, she would stick it up the noses of my sister, brother and me. She would also spread it all over our chests. Mother would then take one of our dad's handkerchiefs and stick it to the goo so our pajamas wouldn't smell like Vicks VapoRub. I can almost smell it now! Seriously.
Mother had another secret medicine she only brought out in an emergency. It was called: Hot Milk Toast. Just the thought of it nearly turns my stomach. Maybe it is a Midwestern "delicacy" because I have never known a Southerner to eat it. I never want to have to endure it again. Ever! Hot Milk Toast is just as it says: Hot milk over toast. Powdered sugar on top does not help. It is slimy and mushy and really a fate worse than death if you were a little Kansas child in the 1950s with a drippy nose and Vicks VapoRub all over your sticky chest.
Now that I have that off of my chest, what am I smelling? Oh no! It can't be! But it is- Vicks VapoRub wafting upstairs to my office loft. My sick husband is also a believer.
I have also been under the weather with a headache. Today, I felt well enough to start dismantling the Christmas tree and decorations. Why, oh why does it take so long to take down? It is so much fun to put up that the time seems to fly. But, back to my illness of the last couple of days. It got me thinking about my childhood and how my mother treated our colds.
Mother was a big believer in Vicks VapoRub. She thought it was a miracle potion because when we were very young, she would stick it up the noses of my sister, brother and me. She would also spread it all over our chests. Mother would then take one of our dad's handkerchiefs and stick it to the goo so our pajamas wouldn't smell like Vicks VapoRub. I can almost smell it now! Seriously.
Mother had another secret medicine she only brought out in an emergency. It was called: Hot Milk Toast. Just the thought of it nearly turns my stomach. Maybe it is a Midwestern "delicacy" because I have never known a Southerner to eat it. I never want to have to endure it again. Ever! Hot Milk Toast is just as it says: Hot milk over toast. Powdered sugar on top does not help. It is slimy and mushy and really a fate worse than death if you were a little Kansas child in the 1950s with a drippy nose and Vicks VapoRub all over your sticky chest.
Now that I have that off of my chest, what am I smelling? Oh no! It can't be! But it is- Vicks VapoRub wafting upstairs to my office loft. My sick husband is also a believer.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Day, 2012! Can you believe it?
Andy and I celebrated New Year's Eve with a nice early dinner at the Olive Garden. Love the soup, salad and bread sticks. Later, back home in our flannel jammies, we watched Dick Clark count down the new year, the big crystal ball in NYC drop and the crowd in Time Square usher in 2012. We toasted with a glass of bubbly, clicked glasses and kissed our first kiss of the new year.
That all sounds sweet and sentimental- right? Well, the truth is: we were both sick. Andy with a sore throat and me with a headache (and not from the 2 sips of wine either.) We just felt crummy, a feeling that continued through the night. This morning brought a worse headache, chills and nausea for me and scratchy sore, irritated throat and achy joints for Andy. How is that for starting a new year?
At almost 3 pm January 1st, things seem a little better although we were disappointed not to win the VA One Million Dollar Lottery. Three Virginia folks did and I bet they are celebrating right now. Oh well, we really didn't expect to win anyway.
I have to write my New Year resolutions and try to stick to them this year! But here is one that I hope to accomplish:
I am going to launch a website to sell my various items. It won't bring me a million dollars, but might help the "fixed income" thing a little bit. So, I will tell you about it soon. Right now, my jewelry, Christmas stockings and "fancy" bookmarks are available at One Block East Gallery in downtown Roanoke, VA. Check them out if you are in town. Debbie will help you find the perfect gift. More later about these items and more. Pictures too!
Meanwhile, Dear Readers- A very Happy New Year to each of you. I hope you have enjoyed my silly little blog- I certainly have had fun writing it. More to come, so tune in often!
That all sounds sweet and sentimental- right? Well, the truth is: we were both sick. Andy with a sore throat and me with a headache (and not from the 2 sips of wine either.) We just felt crummy, a feeling that continued through the night. This morning brought a worse headache, chills and nausea for me and scratchy sore, irritated throat and achy joints for Andy. How is that for starting a new year?
At almost 3 pm January 1st, things seem a little better although we were disappointed not to win the VA One Million Dollar Lottery. Three Virginia folks did and I bet they are celebrating right now. Oh well, we really didn't expect to win anyway.
I have to write my New Year resolutions and try to stick to them this year! But here is one that I hope to accomplish:
I am going to launch a website to sell my various items. It won't bring me a million dollars, but might help the "fixed income" thing a little bit. So, I will tell you about it soon. Right now, my jewelry, Christmas stockings and "fancy" bookmarks are available at One Block East Gallery in downtown Roanoke, VA. Check them out if you are in town. Debbie will help you find the perfect gift. More later about these items and more. Pictures too!
Meanwhile, Dear Readers- A very Happy New Year to each of you. I hope you have enjoyed my silly little blog- I certainly have had fun writing it. More to come, so tune in often!
Parties and Get Togethers
Tis the season for parties! We entertained with two dinners and a luncheon for family and friends. It is fun to bring out the china and Christmas dishes, platters and red stemmed glasses. We eat too much, drink more than usual, and spend too much money- but it is always worth it and much more just being with loved ones.
After Christmas Andy and I went to Ibby Greer's "2012 Mayan End Of The World" party. It was December 30th and by then we were sick of "Holiday Food," you know, ham, turkey, sweet potatoes and all of those desserts. Ibby, along with Bill Connor and Andrew Call, hosted a wonderful evening at their beautiful historical home called "The Grove." The theme was Mayan and the food was Mexican. Wonderful Mexican! There was not one single ham biscuit or bowl of ambrosia on the table. OH LA!!!! Fabulous dinner with wonderful, interesting people to boot. The picture shows the festive table, but that was only half of the food laid out! My tread mill is calling my name!
Dining Room Table at the "Greensboro Girls Christmas Party
I have blogged before about my six friends who live in North Carolina. I call them "The Greensboro Girls." None of us would qualify as "girls" anymore, but that is beside the point.We all used to work together at a wonderful place in Greensboro called "Potpourri Press, The Company Store." After the business closed, we continued to stay in touch and over the years we have gone through just about every imaginable event, situation, emotion, trauma or drama and managed to stay close friends.
We have a Christmas party every early December. Everyone brings a dish, bottle of wine and gift to share. We play the Dirty Santa game and sometimes it gets a little wild and woolly! There are REALLY fun gifts at the party and several of them are stolen, swapped and/or fought over (in a nice way, of course.) It is all in fun. Usually!
This year, Tricia hosted the party. Tricia is a decorator extraordinaire. She changed her theme this year and the picture shows her beautiful white/silver and crystal table scape.
We have a Christmas party every early December. Everyone brings a dish, bottle of wine and gift to share. We play the Dirty Santa game and sometimes it gets a little wild and woolly! There are REALLY fun gifts at the party and several of them are stolen, swapped and/or fought over (in a nice way, of course.) It is all in fun. Usually!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
We all know the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are so busy baking cookies, shopping and decorating that we fall into bed exhausted, wondering how we will finish our long list of things to do before Christmas. It is a busy time of the year with parties, family functions and dinners to plan. But along with the grocery shopping and holiday events, we pause to reflect on why this season is so special.
A baby was born long ago who changed the world. What a simple statement but how true it is. The baby Jesus was born in a lowly manger in a stable and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. And..... He changed the world. So, we pause and reflect. We worship and sing His praises. And indeed..... He changed the world. Let us never forget the real meaning of Christmas.
A baby was born long ago who changed the world. What a simple statement but how true it is. The baby Jesus was born in a lowly manger in a stable and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. And..... He changed the world. So, we pause and reflect. We worship and sing His praises. And indeed..... He changed the world. Let us never forget the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Was Right Around The Corner!
With all the excitement around Thanksgiving/marriage/celebration on Vashon Island/ The new book/ and all that pumpkin puree (scroll down and you will find out all about these topics) I got a very late start decorated my house for Christmas.
My tree is 12 feet tall and I have lots of banisters, a mantle, doors to decorate and 12 large plastic tubs full of Christmas decorations to deal with. The tree takes a full day. It is "woodsy" full of birdhouses, birds, red and green plaid ribbons, plaid balls and red bead garland. There are berries, nests, pine cones and over one hundred red, green and gold balls. I added another ball to the mix this year. I covered Styrofoam balls with about one hundred white buttons (some mother of pearl, some Bakelite, some new, some old.) I pin them on the ball with a pearl head floral corsage pin and use a sheer ribbon at the top. See picture above. I love the look!
The Piedmont Writer's Group Book!
After Thanksgiving, Vashon Island and the Big Pumpkin caper.... The Piedmont Writer's Group book Potpourri In Ink was finally published.
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Next Time I Will............!
After returning from our big adventure on Vashon Island, I had to deal with my 35 pound fall pumpkin from the front porch. I thought I would be frugal and cut it up, cook and puree the monster pumpkin but I didn't realize how "involved" that would become.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
Vashon Island, Washington
In the middle of Puget Sound, off the coast of Seattle, Washington sits Vashon Island. There is no bridge connecting Seattle to the island, you can only reach it by ferry boat. This thirteen mile (long) by 6 mile (across) mass of land is shaped like a lower case "h." Once there were two islands: Vashon and Maury, they are now joined by a little strip of land called Burton. Burton was our destination as Andy, the airport shuttle driver, a passenger named Karen and I drove onto the ferry to cross from Seattle to Vashon Island.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
Why Even Go Off The Island?
Everything one would ever need seems to be on Vashon Island. The downtown is small but there are a dozen good restaurants, many art galleries, boutiques and shops. One of my favorite stores, The Pharmacy, is a drug store, yes, but so much more! You can purchase greeting cards, Vashon Island tee shirts, hats and hoodies, jewelry, board games, candy and a candy jar to store it. There are note cards, cookware, glasses, scarves, gloves and almost anything you need or want.
We ate several times at The Hardware Store, which USED to be a place to buy nails and hammers but now serves up a great burger and homemade fries, chowders and yummy breakfast. In fact, the pancake (picture shown above) is as big as a dinner plate.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
Interesting People Who Reside On Vashon Island
John Ratzenberger- Remember him? He played Cliff on TV's Cheers
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
The Monastery Monks Who Have A Coffee Label
Picture this: A man in a long white beard with long white hair, dressed in a black cassock and a big silver cross. This is Father Tryphon who lives on Vashon Island and heads a small group of Russian Orthodox monks. They also have their own coffee label called "Monastery Blend Coffee."
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
The Bike In The Tree
According to Wikipedia (via: www.roadsideameica.com/tip.1412) "A bicycle placed in the fork of a tree, gained fame when a kid chained the bike to the tree decades ago and never picked it up, leaving the tree no choice but to grow around the bike."
My son, Travis, took this picture.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The House on Vashon Island
Bayview Retreat is a four bedroom, two bath country pine long lodge. It has a great view of Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island which is off the Seattle coast. The house is set on nearly two acres on Burton Peninsula. It offers 3500 square feet of living space and can sleep up to sixteen people. Travis and Maureen leased Bayview Retreat and the additional guest house for a week. It was the perfect party house and beautifully accommodated the whole bunch of family and friends. It rained, of course, (because after all it IS Washington state) so we were not able to enjoy the lovely landscaped grounds or sit on the deck. We did venture out to explore the Island but the cozy fireplace kept us happy right there in the living room.
Love on Vashon Island
Backing up a month ago, Andy and I spent 6 days on Vashon Island off the coast of Seattle. Vashon is a little piece of heaven, misty and rainy, but heaven no less.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
Travis and Maureen were high school friends in Richmond, VA over 20 years ago. After graduation they went separate ways: school, careers and marriages. there were ups and downs along their paths and then a couple of years ago they connected on Facebook. Travis, a widower with a young son was living in Portland and Maureen lived in NYC. Through e-mails, text messages and phone calls their friendship grew until a year ago when they discovered they loved each other. Now that is romantic!
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Once again, my "famous" Christmas Reindeer Chow
This was posted last year but I want to give it to you again, Dear Readers! It is just yummy and a great (and quick) treat to give out as gifts. My hairdresser Bonnie will get some next week, Dorothy tomorrow, Andy's brother Kenneth yesterday and I mailed bags to Kansas and California. Forgot Oregon; sorry about that Son! Lots more to give out next week.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Do Blonds Have More Fun?
Marilyn Monroe got a lot of mileage out of her tresses but blonds are sometimes associated with being dumb! Why? The color of ones hair has nothing to do with brainpower! Personally, I think being blond makes me feel good about myself. Light, airy, fresh, sunshine: those are the words I use to describe being blond. Being blond has gotten a bad rap.
I know one thing, I will never, ever be grey headed. On some people it looks great. There is nothing prettier than a beautiful woman (or man) with a snow white head of hair. I just know that when I am walking in the salon at age 102 (with my walker,) I will say "Blond me up, Bonnie!"
Blonds really do have more fun!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Local Roots Restaurant- Roanoke, Virginia
If you are on a great shopping trip, you will need some great food. For lunch, my friend recommended "Local Roots" which is a hop, skip and jump from Black Dog Salvage.
Lovely atmosphere, gourmet food and excellent service. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup drizzled with molassas and a dollop of spinach. The bread was a dense cornbread scone. Yum!
Lovely atmosphere, gourmet food and excellent service. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup drizzled with molassas and a dollop of spinach. The bread was a dense cornbread scone. Yum!
Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia
Dear Readers,
My friend Ibby told me about Black Dog Salvage a while ago and then a story about it on The Nate Berkus Show last week really made me curious. Ibby and I drove to Roanoke for a fun day of treasure hunting. It was well worth the drive- you have got to see Black Dog to believe it. A flyer says "A treasury of antiques and architectural relics that await your discovery." So come with me on a short trip (via pictures) and see for yourself: Black Dog Salvage.
This picture shows Christa Stephens stoking the fire in the wood stove.
This is a big, big place so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to shop 'til you drop.
P.S. If you want to check it out here is the address:
902 13th Street S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 343-6200
www.blackdogsalvage.com
My friend Ibby told me about Black Dog Salvage a while ago and then a story about it on The Nate Berkus Show last week really made me curious. Ibby and I drove to Roanoke for a fun day of treasure hunting. It was well worth the drive- you have got to see Black Dog to believe it. A flyer says "A treasury of antiques and architectural relics that await your discovery." So come with me on a short trip (via pictures) and see for yourself: Black Dog Salvage.
This picture shows Christa Stephens stoking the fire in the wood stove.
This is a big, big place so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to shop 'til you drop.
P.S. If you want to check it out here is the address:
902 13th Street S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 343-6200
www.blackdogsalvage.com
Treasure Hunt
Black Dog Salvage claims "40,000 square feet of treasures from around the world." I believe it! If you need stained glass, art work, mantles, glass, antiques, DIY components, Doors, windows, furniture or garden decorations (the list is really endless) then you will probably find it at The Black Dog Salvage. It is a shoppers paradise and you may even meet the real live black dog: Sally. 
Chic Shabby Chic!
I had to have this cute shabby chic cup and saucer! What a fun mini sculpture. Now to figure out what to put in the cup- maybe a fat candle? How about chocolate candies or a place to put jewelry at the end of the day? Think I will go with the chocolate!
Viva La Cupcake
After my long shopping day, Andy and I feasted on the yummy four-chocolate cupcakes I brought home from Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke. You just can't have enough chocolate!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Scenic Lovers Leap
Andy and I, along with his son and daughter, their spouses, two grandsons and one great grandson, piled into two cars this morning and headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves are turning spectacular colors and we needed our annual pumpkins and mountain cabbage. Our first stop was the very crowded parking area at Lovers Leap on highway 58 just out of Stuart, VA in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a beautiful view of the mountains and the "colors" of the fall trees.
The Lovers Leap Birdhouse Shop
Mr. Mickle builds them, Mrs. Mickle paints them and they sell the most 
delightful birdhouses in their "Henriedda Crafters" store perched in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to Meadows of Dan, VA.
delightful birdhouses in their "Henriedda Crafters" store perched in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to Meadows of Dan, VA.
The Pumpkin Patch
Choose the perfect pumpkin, colorful mum plant or a big bag of mountain cabbage at the Pumpkin Patch.
Three Little Boys
Back home on the farm after a long day on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we had a yard full of little boys!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
She wore many hats!
I was speaking of wearing hats in my last post "The Ruby Rose Tea Room" and it got me thinking about my grandmother who went by many names: Mable Elvira Kirkpatrick Reynolds, and whose nickname was Billie. Her grandchildren referred to her by a rather formal "Grandmother," but her many great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter called her GeGe.
Grandmother also wore many hats- literally! Grandmother was a milliner, the maker of hats which included the pillbox, cloche and sailor hats. She made hats from wool, felt, straw and velvet. I remember watching her steam felt hats over a very bald head form in the kitchen, where she pulled, carefully pinned and left them to dry on the counter.
Other "hats" Grandmother figuratively wore were: homemaker, wonderful cook, mother, wife, friend and seamstress. In fact my grandmother was an expert seamstress who outfitted my sister and me in darling outfits. She also tailored sports coats and slacks for our little brother, Gregg. When we were young, she made all of our play clothes, school outfits as well as Easter dresses, hats and coats. If she was making us a special outfit for Christmas, we wore a blindfold during our fitting. I remember standing on a chair, Grandmother on the floor with a mouth full of straight pins, and she hemming my skirt. I would turn an inch every time she would say "turn." Of course she had a mouth full of pins and it would be a very muffled "turn."
When I was about 13, Grandmother took my sister and me to Kansas City to see Cinerama which was a 3-D movie
in a theater with three screens. She made matching sailor dresses for us. They were pale gray with a herringbone pattern, pleated shirts and big sailor collars with a long red ties down the front. She made wide brimmed hats out of the same fabric as the dresses with long red ribbons streaming down our backs. We walked to the theater down a narrow street that Grandmother called "Petticoat Lane." She said it was because the wind blew down the street whipping the girl's skirts around, showing their slips. I remember hearing a "wolf whistle" as we walked down the street. She said it was for Rhonda and me, but Grandmother was only in her forties and quite the dish and looking back on that day, I think the whistle was for her.
When I entered high school I didn't want "homemade" clothes anymore. But, she made my lovely high school prom dresses then formals and homecoming suits when I went away to college. She would make my clothes from a size 10 pattern and send it to me on a Greyhound bus. She never hemmed it, knowing that I would want it shorter than she would hem it so she left that task for me. When I walked down the aisle (the first time) I wore the beautiful white satin, floor length gown with a long detachable train she made for me. The train was edged with a lace floral trim handsewn with hundreds of pearl seed beads. The same lace and pearls decorated the waistband and bottom of the skirt. It was just beautiful and took her hours and hours to sew those beads.
Grandmother made hats for herself, my mother, friends, aunts and my sister and me. Pictured above are two hats that my mother saved from the 1960s.
Grandmother also wore many hats- literally! Grandmother was a milliner, the maker of hats which included the pillbox, cloche and sailor hats. She made hats from wool, felt, straw and velvet. I remember watching her steam felt hats over a very bald head form in the kitchen, where she pulled, carefully pinned and left them to dry on the counter.
Other "hats" Grandmother figuratively wore were: homemaker, wonderful cook, mother, wife, friend and seamstress. In fact my grandmother was an expert seamstress who outfitted my sister and me in darling outfits. She also tailored sports coats and slacks for our little brother, Gregg. When we were young, she made all of our play clothes, school outfits as well as Easter dresses, hats and coats. If she was making us a special outfit for Christmas, we wore a blindfold during our fitting. I remember standing on a chair, Grandmother on the floor with a mouth full of straight pins, and she hemming my skirt. I would turn an inch every time she would say "turn." Of course she had a mouth full of pins and it would be a very muffled "turn."
When I was about 13, Grandmother took my sister and me to Kansas City to see Cinerama which was a 3-D movie
in a theater with three screens. She made matching sailor dresses for us. They were pale gray with a herringbone pattern, pleated shirts and big sailor collars with a long red ties down the front. She made wide brimmed hats out of the same fabric as the dresses with long red ribbons streaming down our backs. We walked to the theater down a narrow street that Grandmother called "Petticoat Lane." She said it was because the wind blew down the street whipping the girl's skirts around, showing their slips. I remember hearing a "wolf whistle" as we walked down the street. She said it was for Rhonda and me, but Grandmother was only in her forties and quite the dish and looking back on that day, I think the whistle was for her.
When I entered high school I didn't want "homemade" clothes anymore. But, she made my lovely high school prom dresses then formals and homecoming suits when I went away to college. She would make my clothes from a size 10 pattern and send it to me on a Greyhound bus. She never hemmed it, knowing that I would want it shorter than she would hem it so she left that task for me. When I walked down the aisle (the first time) I wore the beautiful white satin, floor length gown with a long detachable train she made for me. The train was edged with a lace floral trim handsewn with hundreds of pearl seed beads. The same lace and pearls decorated the waistband and bottom of the skirt. It was just beautiful and took her hours and hours to sew those beads.
Grandmother made hats for herself, my mother, friends, aunts and my sister and me. Pictured above are two hats that my mother saved from the 1960s.
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