Week 64 Tuesday (3/31/15)

A Visit to the Farm

         I truly want to foster animals when I move to Kentucky, so today I spent some time in Maple Park on the farm. I needed to see if my allergies would flare, when I was in a barn or around horses.  I am so happy that I didn’t react. A big thank you to Dr. James Lee for finding Judy and her wonderful animals for me. I am so happy and relieved that it all worked out well.

I passed this co-op on my way out to the farm

There's the farm in the distance
Oops- driving and photographing!

 

This is the horse I brushed, groomed, and
rub my face on to see how I
would react. He was a sweet old guy. 

Wearing my old oversized clothes and coat doesn't
make for a good picture - but I ended up covered
in horse hair, so it was a good choice. 

You will notice I was talking to Judy the entire
photo time, but here I was sharing my love
with this beautiful horse. 

Tall, dark, and beautiful

I was literally surrounded by horses,
and loved every minute of it.

I could have stayed there all day.

This one snuck up behind me

Aren't they amazing?

Jeez Louise! I love them all!

I think my hair smelled good.

The one I am petting is young.

I love the stalls. Judy's family is the
fifth generation on this farm.
The stalls are so awesome.

They also had four dogs, so I took
this picture on my way to the car.

My Gorgeous Girls

         I love this plaque that I saw on the wall at the Veterinary Clinic. It is a reminder that our pets are with us forever, even in Heaven. I believe that even if I have never read it in the Bible. I think I believe this because I need to think and believe that I will be reunited with all of my girls when I get to Heaven.

 

I don't know who Buddy Olson
is, but I adore the plaque.

Week 64 Monday (3/30/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Mediterranean Orzo Salad        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/01/mediterranean-orzo-salad/

            This is one heck of a salad. It has so many ingredients that you can barely see the orzo.  Now, I have never tried orzo, so I don’t have a clue what it even tastes like. The ingredients are so varied and colorful that this is a pretty salad.  I would love the cheese and onions, but am not a big fan of the two types of tomatoes. I think I would take this salad to a party, however.

Random Reflections - Bucket List #52

         I would love to host a luncheon for my neighbor friends Nicole and Trisha. We never see each other in the winter, so a summer luncheon would be a really nice idea.

invite my neighbor women to a tea luncheon

submit an article to a magazine

Host a family brunch

Talk a walk or dance in the rain

I want to create units for teachers to purchase

Write a book on organizing a home

Using my dogs and possibly my great-nephews, and design a series of          greeting cards

Plan my funeral

Spend a fun day with each of my nieces/nephews (Alaina has          volunteered          to be first!)
Take a formal cooking class
Organize and host a Christmas Caroling Party
Watch the IMBd list of the best 250 movies
Vacation in Colorado
Create a list of home repairs
Prepare to teach a new course at Aurora University
Visit Brookfield Zoo and photograph the animals
Have absolutely no debt
Set up a schedule for next summer to visit area cities
Organize and purge the basement
I am going to learn as much as I can about large animals
Make repairs in each and every room of my home to prepare to sell
Research Hadrian’s Wall for visit to Scotland
Enter a quilt in a local fair
Write a book about school for parents
Host a game party
Purchase a truck
I would like to learn more about fostering animals
Visit the narrowed list of Kentucky towns each for a weekend
Have a B.M.I. of 24.9 or lower
Return to Florida/Alabama and see old friends
Play tennis again
Learn to play bridge
Have an in-ground pool
Finish writing a book on the Scent Family
Save up enough money for a down payment on my Kentucky house
Research every town in Kentucky in hopes of relocating
Work on learning calligraphy and bettering daily penmanship
Begin making my own clothing using a mannequin
Volunteer at an animal rescue
Visit all 50 states
Photography courses
Complete all of Mom’s and my scrapbooks
Go skiing again in Colorado
Meet the Duggar family
Watch every nominee and winner for the Academy Awards to date
Remodel my kitchen
Take piano lessons
Write 2 books for my great-nephews
Travel to Wales
Travel to Scotland
Alaskan cruise

Wants and Wishes

         One of the things that I want in the future is a home with a wonderful view. Having lived in a subdivision for more than 15 years, I want a home that faces the wide, open spaces, and not neighbors. I love my neighbors, but I am ready for a change.

Week 63 Sunday (3/29/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Chicken Broccolini with Mustard Sauce        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/03/chicken-broccolini-with-mustard-cream-sauce/

         Yeah for mustard sauce! I love Ree’s sauces so much. She has ones that are spicy or sweet, and creamy or rich. The Broccolini part is not for me, but I think I would love the sauce and the chicken.  Yum !  Just a side note – what the heck does the word broccolini mean???? Do you know?? Don’t pretend if you don’t have a clue.  Come on – I cant be the only one who has never seen that word.  Am I???

      

Trivial Triffles

Sycamore Murder

         I was watching one of those “solve the murder” shows when a portion talked about a killing in Sycamore, Illinois.  This happened when Sycamore was a small town. A man abducted a little girl.  Here is the link about the story. Mom - did Uncle Gene live in Sycamore in 1957?

https://jackdmccullough.wordpress.com/jack-mccullough-and-the-maria-ridulph-abduction/

Memory Musings

The job had I held for two to three years prior to moving to Florida, was at Grimms Pharmacy. I worked in the pharmacy and the cosmetics counter most of the time. I loved working at this store, because like the Andersons, this was a job where I had many friends.

Nancy Anfinsen, Henry Funk and his brother-in-law, Paul were the pharmacists. Annie Matthys worked the front register and greeted each and every person who entered the store. She was always happy and friendly and I loved her dearly. I attended school with her daughter Sue.

          Verneda Walsh was in charge of the Hallmark section. She put a lot of pride in her department. I loved working with Verneda and became a friend of her son David. Carol Vial, Mary Birkett, Phyllis Brown and I all worked in the pharmacy together. Mary Birkett was the mother of a childhood friend named Kathy. I recently heard that Mary passed away. The world is a little bit sadder without Mary.

Bunny and Dar Regelbrugge, as well as Phyllis Brown, ran the gift store next door. Bunny also worked in cosmetics. They were a lot of fun. Bunny’s grandson was in the classroom next door to mine last year. The world is a small place.

         Austa was the Queen of cosmetics. She was the full-time employee and I learned a lot from her. She was very good to me.

         Rudy worked in stockroom and was basically a jack-of-all-trades. I can’t remember his wife’s name but she worked in cards with Verneda.

         I am truly shocked that I remembered all of these people after all of these years, but I just focused on it one night. All of these people made an impact on my life and etched ideas in my memory.  I loved them all.

Week 63 Saturday (3/28/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2014/11/broccoli-cauliflower-casserole/

         Are you looking for a great side dish for your Easter table tomorrow?  This one may just fit the bill. Broccoli and Cauliflower would go great with a ham dinner.  It is so nice to be able to make a casserole ahead to save time on a holiday. Many of us spend Easter morning in church, so a make ahead side dish saves time and reduces stress.

                 

Random Reflections

         I began working on the biggest item on my bucket list this week. First, I printed out the list of all Academy Award nominees for best picture since the onset in 1927/28. This list is monstrous! To date, there are 513 movies.  I went through the list and I have watched only 102.  I guess I have a big task ahead of me. At least it is something I enjoy doing.

Helpful Home Hints

         This is a major cooking week so I decided to do a little spring cleaning. I began by cleaning out the refrigerator, inside and out, with mild detergent. I took out all trays and shelves. I washed them, and let them dry thoroughly before putting them back in. I did remove the old ice from ice trays.

         

Week 63 Friday (3/27/15)

Recipe Review      

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Veggie Scramble

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/03/veggie-scramble/

         There is nothing I love more than breakfast. I love to eat eggs and sausage on the weekends.  I feel like it is a true treat. This recipe looks so pretty and delicious, but the spinach and cherry tomatoes are a big no to me. What I like most about this dish is the onions and cheese that would take this one over the top. This would be a great special Sunday or Saturday breakfast for your family.  Try it, you may love it.

Fabulous “Family and Friends” Food

Nieman Marcus Cookie Wannabees

No name on the recipe card

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups butter

2 cups sugar

2 teasp. baking powder

2 cups brown sugar

2 teasp. baking soda

4 eggs

5 oz. chocolate chips

2 1/8 teasp. vanilla

1 (8 oz.) Hershey bar (grated)

4 cups flour

2.75 cups chopped nuts

1 teasp. salt

5 cups blended oatmeal

Directions:

First, combine the butter and sugars. Then add the vanilla and eggs. The next step is to add in the flour, oatmeal, salt, and baking powder and baking soda. Now grate the chocolate and add it and the chips and nuts into the mix. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes at 375 degrees.  This recipe makes over 100 cookies.

Week 63 Thursday (3/26/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Zucchini Noodles

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/03/zucchini-noodles/

         I know so many people that just love zucchini, and Lord knows that it is wonderful for you.  Of course, a lot of people like it fried (my Southern friends), and then there are the people that love it as a side dish or hor de oeuvre.  Me – I will pass.  I am so lucky that I am on Coumadin, which limits the green food I can eat, however to be honest, I have always hated anything green. I am not even a fan of green Jello.  I do have two exceptions to that rule. The first exception is a new favorite, which is guacamole.  Chipotle Guac is just fabulous!  The other is M & M’s. There is nothing more wonderful than an M & M.  Go figure!

Random Reflections              

       This past Sunday we had a pretty mello afternoon. I was working on this blog and cooking. After playing Frisbee several times, the girls could be found sleeping or watching the world go by.

Could Sage look any more comfortable?

Willow is so exhausted, she
actually rests her head on the ledge.

      

Irksome Ideas and Images

         How do you feel about static cling?  It bugs the heck out of me. During the winter I have static cling every time I take my coat off entering my classroom. Thank Heavens for Static Guard or the day would be extremely frustrating. Maybe we just need to invest in a humidifiers or vaporizer to keep the cling to a minimum. It would also help with a dry cough and an irritated dry nose. OMG – I am brilliant – even though it is a little late in my career.

Week 63 Wednesday (3/25/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Homemade Tortillas        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages:  143 - 145     Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins         OR

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/05/homemade-flour-tortillas/

         I decided to skip these because why would I make these when I can easily buy them?  Of course, maybe they taste better than the store bought version, but the time and machine it takes, seem too much for this wanna be country girl. I hate to invest in a machine, when I am not sure if I would even notice the difference.  Oh well – on this one I am taking the easy way out.

      

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

         Being a saver, is something that I am extremely grateful for in my life. I think this is one of the most important life skills that a person can learn. It is so much easier to go out and spend impulsively, but the excitement of delayed gratification, when you have saved for a long time, is so much greater. I feel fortunate that this is one of my strongest skills.

Memory Musings

         From 1976 – 1986 I worked for Capt. Anderson Sightseeing in Panama City Beach, Florida.  I loved working the Anderson family. I began working for them at 19 years of age. I was initially hired as a waitress aboard the Capt. Anderson, a dinner boat. As time progressed, I also worked for Pam and Ken Anderson in the office during the day. They became dear friends, and I have only positive things to say about the family and the business. Some of my friends and coworkers from my time with the business were: Gigi Gosenheimer, Maggie Biggs, Rusty McMann, Rick Whitehouse, Walt Fitzpatrick, Johnny Jones, Gary Molina, Jeff Bottorf, Rachel and Harold Campbell, Midge Tandy, Lori “Eyes” Casler. By writing this blog, I am also basically writing my life story, but out of order. I realized that if I put all of these memories together, I will have my life in a memoir.  How cool! Have you ever thought of writing down your memories of your life??????

Week 63 Tuesday (3/24/15)

Recipe Review      

No blog today either – what is wrong we me???  I think I am tired and need a couple of days break from the stove.  Stay with me - I always bounce back....I hope.

Craft Corner

         One of my goals over Spring Break is to spend some time working on a craft. I do not care what it is, but I truly miss crafting and need to begin a project or continue working on an old one.  Anything will do for me.

My Gorgeous Girls

Check out this website:

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/dieting-dachshund-ohio-obese-svelte-29559221

         This made me so sad, and at the same time happy.  As a person who has struggled with their weight an entire lifetime, one thing I do correctly is make sure that my dogs maintain a perfect weight. This poor dachshund was so overweight, that it couldn’t move well. It does end happily however, as an ideal was reached eventually. I can’t believe that dachshund went from 65 to 12 pounds.

Week 63 Monday (3/23/15)

NO COOKING TODAY - MAYBE TOMORROW

Random Reflections - Bucket List #51

I have absolutely no idea what I would write about, but it would be fun to write an article and actually try to see if anyone wanted to publish it.

submit an article to a magazine

Host a family brunch

Talk a walk or dance in the rain

I want to create units for teachers to purchase

Write a book on organizing a home

Using my dogs and possibly my great-nephews, and design a series of          greeting cards

Plan my funeral

Spend a fun day with each of my nieces/nephews (Alaina has          volunteered          to be first!)
Take a formal cooking class
Organize and host a Christmas Caroling Party
Watch the IMBd list of the best 250 movies
Vacation in Colorado
Create a list of home repairs
Prepare to teach a new course at Aurora University
Visit Brookfield Zoo and photograph the animals
Have absolutely no debt
Set up a schedule for next summer to visit area cities
Organize and purge the basement
I am going to learn as much as I can about large animals
Make repairs in each and every room of my home to prepare to sell
Research Hadrian’s Wall for visit to Scotland
Enter a quilt in a local fair
Write a book about school for parents
Host a game party
Purchase a truck
I would like to learn more about fostering animals
Visit the narrowed list of Kentucky towns each for a weekend
Have a B.M.I. of 24.9 or lower
Return to Florida/Alabama and see old friends
Play tennis again
Learn to play bridge
Have an in-ground pool
Finish writing a book on the Scent Family
Save up enough money for a down payment on my Kentucky house
Research every town in Kentucky in hopes of relocating
Work on learning calligraphy and bettering daily penmanship
Begin making my own clothing using a mannequin
Volunteer at an animal rescue
Visit all 50 states
Photography courses
Complete all of Mom’s and my scrapbooks
Go skiing again in Colorado
Meet the Duggar family
Watch every nominee and winner for the Academy Awards to date
Remodel my kitchen
Take piano lessons
Write 2 books for my great-nephews
Travel to Wales
Travel to Scotland
Alaskan cruise

Wants and Wishes

         I want to locate a town in Kentucky where I can feel safe. One of the areas that I am particularly interested in is the crime rate in the towns that I am investigating in Kentucky. I want to live in a town with a low crime rate. Many cities have drug issues and the crime rate is very high. I am not interested in a town like that, or one that is near a river. Avoiding flooding is another major area for me. So, I will continue to thoroughly check out all of the towns in Kentucky.