Smile for Monday

A Good Day

I had a good day today. Nothing fancy just a good day. Ruth Ann and I went antique shopping ,had lunch, then a Star Bucks coffee.  Came home to my husband watching Football and my cat wanting my attention. Cooked a great dinner of Fried chicken, mash potatoes and gravy. Corn grown in my own garden. And of course rolls to sop up the gravy. Maybe I am weird but the smell of chicken cooking , football on the tube and family around is so comforting to me. There is nothing better then the ordinary things in life.

We lost a dear friend tonight.

Have you ever met someone you just know you would click with. That exactly what happen to me. I met Vera and Tom while working at Primos. Just seeing them walk thru the door made me smile. We soon became good friends.  If ever I was down just a visit with them made the world brighter. We lost Tom tonight. But not in my heart. His smile will always be with me. I loved that smile . It would warm you clear down to your toes. He was never to busy to visit even when his health was bad. He  always  enjoyed a get together.  I learned grace , Kindness, and to laugh at life from him.. Even with all his health problems he still savored life.     Please keep Vera and her family in your prayers.

You will always be in my heart.  Heaven is getting a kind and wonderful gentlemen. You will be deeply missed.

Had A Great New Years Day

                                                      Heidi and Jerry at the fair with us

Yesterday we went to see Heidi (BFF) and Jerry for the day. I haven't seen them since they moved to Three  Rivers. I know it,s only been a month,but for us that's a long time. Our husbands worked nights so we were together at least three nights out of the week. It,s like losing a sister. OK, no more Boo Hooing on with the story.
We meet at a Mexican Restaurant in town. The place was amazing, not just the food but the atmosphere too. It felt warm and welcoming . They did a amazing job decorating for Christmas. Sorry I don't have pictures. I really need to start taking my camera with me.
We then went to Hobby Lobby while Heidi and Jerry did their eye appointment. I had never been to a Hobby Lobby before. WOW!
 After words we all went to the Ridge Hill Antique Barn. This place was massive. And once again wishing I had taken my camera. I found some white dishes to put behind my red collection in my hutch. It really brightened it up. We  went back to Heidi's. They have really done a lot of work on their new home. The chicken coop is darling. If you follow her blog ( http://mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com/ )  you have seen her stove. It looks amazing with the bead board behind it. Then it was out to dinner at a down home cafe / bar. You talk about home town hospitality, this was it. The people were every friendly.
Then is was back to Heidi's . A fire, rocking chair, and great friends a perfect day. I so wasn't ready to leave. But all good things must end. We didn't get home till 11 o'clock but it was  worth it! I can't wait till this weekend when we will be getting back together again. Saturday seems so far off.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday

Happy New Year to everyone. May this new year bring love,health and happiness in to your life. 

My twins turn 21 today. They are celebrating in Vegas with their Aunts and Grandparents.

 This was taken 3 years ago at their sisters wedding. They were  18. It seems like it happen only  yesterday. Time go's by way to fast.  It needs to slow down!

Prayer Chain for Dot and her family

Hello friends and fellow bloggers. I am reposting this to ask for your help in  a prayer chain.  

One of my favorite farmgirl bloggers- Dolly of the Hibiscus House blogs posted about her dear Mother Dot's ongoing illness yesterday as follows:

Dot

"Some of you know that our family has been dealing with a very bad situation. My mama has been very sick for the past three months. She is such a strong person with such determination. I don't think that I personally could have handled what she has had to and continues to go through in fighting this illness. I am so proud of her and thank God everyday for her. I know it is in his hands and that faith is what gets the family through this. I love her so much! She has taken care of everybody in our neighborhood our entire life, the neighborhood children who are now in their fifties and now their children and grandchildren know and love Ms. Dot. She is one of a kind and that is a good thing. You probably may have seen some of her recipes on the cooking blog. She smiles when I tell her of the compliments she receives from her recipes...in fact some of mine indeed came from her, my grandmothers and great grandmothers... handed down for generations... That is what it is all about isn't it?

I would love prayer for mama. It would mean so very much."

Please take the time to post this to your blog and let Dotti know our thought and prays are with her and her Mom.

Crock Pot Candy

 I have to add one last candy recipe. This was so easy and so good. That I couldn't pass it up. This is off the Trisha Yearwood cooking show on food network. I wish I had thought of it. But be warned this does make a lot.
Layer in the crock pot about 2 pounds roasted peanuts,1 regular  bag semi sweet chocolate chips, two bars of dark choc( about 8 oz. total) , and two packages of white almond bark.

 Place lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 3 hours. I accidentally put mine on 4 hours . Didn't hurt it any.

 While you wait on your crock pot, line your muffin pans with cupcake liners. When candy is ready just stir it together and put into cups. Not only is it easy ,but little clean up. Less dishes to wash always makes me happy.  This takes a little more time to cool then other candies. Mainly because the cups hold the heat in.

About half way thru I got the idea to add marshmallows. I put a little of the candy in the bottom ,then added a large marshmallow I had cut in half. Then covered the top with more of the candy. Everyone said these reminded them of a old time candy called Mellow Gold or was it Gold Mellow. I am not sure of the name. But they did go quick. My husband like the ones with the marshmallows. My daughter preferred the ones with out.  All I know is I took them to a candy, cookie swap and had none left to bring home. Which is probably a good thing considering all the tasting I have done while cooking this holiday.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Tour

 I have seen a lot of tours of Bloggers home. Which I really enjoyed. So I thought I would share a little of mine. This is our mantel and new tree. Our old tree was given away.

 This is the snowman I painted years ago. It's one of my favorite piece.

One good thing about the military is you get to travel around the world. This nativity scene is hand carved from Bethlehem.

We almost got the tree to big. Our Angel is  close to the ceiling.

I bought my husband this one year, because his favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. A leg lamp ,just like a man. LOL

Don't you just love the little bears guarding the snowmen.

 On to the dining room. This is a antique china cabinet we got from Germany. My Amberina collection works well with my Christmas dishes.

 The four little Christmas kittens have followed me around the world.

My green tree I made years ago got broken, I was lucky to find this one in a antique store.

Welcome to my Kitchen. My husband put this shelf up for me last month. It sure came in handy this Christmas.

I love this tree. My dear friend Ruthann gave it to me. It use to be her mothers. The green are little birds.I still have to glue the bulbs and the birds in so I don't lose them.

The true reason for the Season.  The best gift we could ever receive.
 Merry Christmas everyone.




 

No store meal here.

I have had a garden for the past three years . Each year it gets bigger and bigger. This year I planted a lot of different vegetables. I also added a herb garden. So I decided to see if I could make a meal totally from my garden, with meat that my husband had hunted. I didn't want anything in the meal that was from a store. Soup sounded like the best choice.

This is all from my garden. Well except the moose meat,  compliments of my husband.

These are the herbs from my garden. This was the first time I added rosemary to veggie soup. It ended up giving it a really good favor. It really felt good knowing I could make a meal from thing I grew. I hope to one day to only have to get minimal things from the store.  There is a great pride in making your own food.

PS Yes as you can see from the picture I forgot to add the potatoes. Oh well, There is always another meal to be made.

Peppermint Fudge Balls

Sorry about the picture. I took these to a gathering and this was the only one left by the time I thought to take a picture. I cut it in half to show you the inside. Then promptly ate it.

Peppermint  Fudge Balls.

1 can condensed milk
Dash of salt
Dash of vanilla
2 cups  Hershey white morsel chips ( any brand will do.)
1 cup Andies peppermint chips.( You can also use 1 cup chopped peppermint kisses if you can't find Andies.)

In a med sauce pan heat up the condensed milk ,salt and vanilla till warm enough to melt chocolate. Stir in both type of chips  till melted  and smooth. Pour into a baking pan. Right before it is completely set cut into piece and roll into balls. Let rest for 15 min to finish firming up. Melt chocolate bark in a microwave safe bowl for 1 min. After that stir  very 30 seconds to make sure not to burn chocolate. After it has melted and is  smooth, using a fork dip peppermint balls in chocolate. Tap your fork on the side of the bowl to release extra chocolate from the ball. Place on foil or wax paper to dry. This recipe makes a good amount of balls. But don't worry they will disappear in a hurry.

Kids always surprice you.

I have not been in the Christmas spirit this year,due to many reasons. One of which was feeling I was only good for cooking and cleaning as far as my kids were concerned. I know all parents go thru this at one time or another. But it just hit me hard this year. My daughter changed those feeling tonight.
 I was making candy for a party when I burnt my wrist by dropping boiling sugar on it. I sent her to get  gauze to wrap my wrist. She came back not only with the gauze but also burn ointment to relieve the pain.
She then went into the kitchen and finished making the candy for me. As I set on the sofa she walked in the room with a cup of coffee for me. Yes there is a Santa Clause. In that one action she gave me back my Christmas spirit.

Look mom I am an owl .

What a Christmas gift. The only different between this and The Christmas story, is it not a pink bunny.

Hiding from the dogs

 This makes a great hiding place. What's so funny mom? Why are you laughing at me?

                                               Ok, I see your point. I'll find a new place.

wonder fudge

I couldn't believe how easy and fast this fudge was. And the best part is it always turns out great. But I am getting a head of my self.
While Rick and I were in the Home Depot the cashier was talking about this fudge she  made. I told her I was in the process of making Christmas candy. She told me she had the best fudge recipe. The cashier at the other register chimed in that it was the best she had ever eaten. I was polite but told her that I didn't have much luck with fudge and the stirring it took to make it. She assured me this had very  simple ingredients with little stirring.  She gave me the recipe to try. I told my husband I appreciated the recipe but probably won't make it. I am so glad I did. It was good and the texture was perfect.

 The recipe.
1 can condensed milk
Dash of vanilla
Dash of salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate   chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Nuts ( optional )


Heat milk ,vanilla, and salt together. Add the chocolate, stir till dissolved and smooth. Pour into foil lined baking pan. Let cool at least 4 hours. If you try it while it still not set it does affect the taste. I learned this the hard way. It still tasted good. But was much better the next morning.

I am going to try different types of fudge  using white chocolate chip, peppermint chips, peanut butter chip, and Andies candy. Will let you know how it turns out.

Camping Kitty

 I decided I wanted to take Cleo with us when we went camping. She was little, so transport would be easy. So I thought. It was a two hour drive to the camp spot . She cried almost all the way. It was her first time in a carrier. It was a nice purse type carrier. It had a comfy plush floor in it. Three of the four sides were screened so she could see out. I tried petting her thru the door to calm her down. I think it only made it worse. Almost at the end of the trip I left her in the back seat and didn't look at her or try to calm her. She fell asleep. As long as I didn't pay attention to her she didn't cry. Lesson learned. The trip back home was so much better. She cried a little at the beginning of the trip, but that was it. 

 When we first got to the camp site she had to check ever thing out. But soon realized camping was for relaxing. She did do a lot of sleeping during the day. We soon learned she did this so she could torment us at night. One am is not play time.

 She had a great time. We also took her, to give her time away from the dogs. Sabrina loves to follow her around and lick the day lights out of her. I sometimes wonder if she is checking her out for dinner. Poor cat her back is always wet.

Cleo had her nose in Rick's oatmeal. We just couldn't convince her that Oatmeal wasn't for cats.
 We was never able to take her outside with us. The noise and people freaked her out to much. But that may be for the best. Over all she is going to make a great camping kitty.

Homemade Vanilla For Christmas

 I found this recipe last year on the blog Cattle and Cupcakes. I thought it would make a great gift. The recipe said to let it set for two to three months. I knew I wanted it for Christmas was I let it set for about 5 months. Wow, it turned out so good. I have made cakes, cookie, and candy out of it. I had plan to give most of it away. It didn't turn out that way. I only made three jars. Heidi did get one ,but the other two I ended up keeping.  I did make 5 more jars. That I promise I will  give away when they are ready.

This is the website and address for those that would like to order any. Their prices beat any other site I have seen. It about a dollar a bean. But the more you order the cheaper it is. I bought 25 beans for 20 dollars. At the store you pay 13 dollars for 3 beans.  I know because that where I bought mine before finding this site.These also come vacuum sealed so they are much fresher  then the one in the store.
The recipe is very easy .

1 cup vodka ( Has to been gain base . You can not use potato )

5 vanilla beans.

Slice your beans lengthwise ,then cut in half. add to your cup of Vodka.

  Place in a cool dark place. I use my closet. Shake once a day.

 Can be used as early as 3 months. I found leaving it 6 to 7 months make the taste more intense.

 I use a pint canning jar and 10 beans. I place the beans ( after they are cut) in the jar and add Vodka  to the top. Leaves a little room so you can shake it.
This is so worth the time. Start today and you  can have world class vanilla by next Christmas.You can also make  and give it this Christmas with the directions and recipe. Just make sure they know not to use it for 3 months. Believe me they won't care for the taste if they try to use it right away.

Early Christmas Present

 My dear friend Donna gave me these dishes a couple of days before thanksgiving.

 When my husband came home he told me how he grow up with these dishes. They brought back fond memories of her grand mother.

 I am missing the lid to the sugar bowl. Which is a blessing in disguise. Now I have a reason to go antiquing.  Not that I need one.

 I love this bowl.  Does anyone know if you can put these in a dishwasher?

I almost made the mistake of putting this in the oven. I would of been really upset if I had ruined  a piece of this set. I can't thank Donna enough. Not only is it a lovely set,but for my husband it bring a bit of his grand mother into the house.

Thankful for hard times.

What am I thankful for? Everything! During this time of year people ponder on the things they are thankful for. They range from family, to health, to jobs. For me I am thankful for the hard and sometimes bad things that have happened in my life.  Those dark days that looked like they would never end.  As I look back now, I thank God for these times.  I couldn't see anything positive coming out of them. But now I see so much that I learned along the way.  It taught me to appreciate the good things in my life so much more. To get over myself. It gave me a taste of my own medicine that I so much needed. I learned to see people as they truly are. Not what I wanted them to be. To see not only the bad but also the good in myself. That I am a lot stronger than I ever thought I could be. I learned to value little moments in my life.

I learned what a true man is. It's not the one that values money over all or turns woman's heads. Or the bad boy we seem to think we can change when were young. But the one that sees the beauty in us, even when we are at our worse. The one that holds us when we feel our world is falling apart around us. Whispering everything will be fine in our ear. When they really have no idea whats going on.

I thank the Lord for those hard times that have blessed my life so much.