Oh My Goodness! I'm soooo excited! It's that time of year again to bring out all my advent calendars in preparation of the Christmas Season. They all begin on Dec. 1st... so if you like to participate in this wonderful Christmas activity... you only have 2 days left to dig them out of storage, or go purchase one to put out.
My dear friend visited me yesterday and spent the entire day decorating my house for Christmas. Katie has a wonderful eye for decorating and adding tweaking touches that takes decorations from "Oh that looks nice!" to "WOW that looks AWESOME". I have crafty talents, but I have never had that kind of decorating eye, so I am always beyond deep appreciation for her time and talents she shares with me. My job in the decorating process was to drag all the boxes out of storage and unload the items we wanted to use this year. As most of you readers... I'm sure you have more decorations stored away than you have room to use... this is certainly true in my case. But... OF COURSE... the first box unloaded was all of my advent calendars. If I only had the room to decorate sparsely... my Christmas Tree is a must and my advent calendars... I would miss all the other items, but would still feel Christmas complete if I only have a Christmas Tree to look at and my advent calendars to do everyday.
I am truly sitting here with a big smile on my face as I type this blog, in the anticipation of beginning my daily round each morning to do all my advent calendars. This year my count is up to 14... which include... 4 wooded ones, 4 starbucks puzzle ones, 2 snowmen w/artificial trees, 1 3D that revolves, 1 wire one, 1 that lights up, and 1 homemade felt/beaded and sequined one w/pockets (this one I made myself). All have meaning and memories behind them, and each one gives me much joy each year as I count down to Christmas.
Starting on Dec. 1st I begin my day by putting the kettle on to boil for my morning tea, then I light my fragrant scented (Mistletoe) Yankee candles, and then I begin my trek around the house to do each and every one of my advent calendars. Some of the calendars require adding an ornament to an artificial tree, or adding an ornament onto a peg from a drawer... some require me to flip the ornaments from the date to a printed design side... some I open a drawer to reveal a lit scene... some have drawers that contain a sweet treat inside and after retrieving said treat, I flip the drawer around to reveal a piece of a puzzle that will be completed on Dec. 24 (these are my starbucks ones)... one I move a stuffed candy cane from pocket to pocket each day... and one has me retrieve a magnet ornament from a drawer and place on the revolving tree.
Which one of these is my favorite? Hmmmm.... that is a good question, because... as I am doing each calendar I exclaim... "OH GOSH!!, this is my favorite"... that is until I get to the next one and repeat that phrase over and over and over. Some I like because they are just so unique and cool, some I like because the of the deep sentimental value they hold in my heart... and some are just kitchy and odd, how could I not love those?
I thought my 'collection' was complete and had no intention of adding any more.... due to, where do I put any more?... but... last year during a Christmas party I won another one (the lit one), then I found one on clearance after Christmas last year and it was sooooo huge and cool that I just couldn't pass it up... and then just recently while searching for a couple of starbucks advent calendars to give away as gifts to my dear friend's sons... I stumbled upon one I didn't know existed, but went with my starbucks collection, so again... how could I pass that up? So my collection grew by 3 in this past year, all totally accidently! I promise I wasn't even looking! My eye just can't help finding cool advent calendars randomly, and when it does, I just can't ignore such an opportunity. I'm sure one day my house will be over runneth with advent calendars... which I think it already is... but until I truly have not an inch of space to put them, I will continue to enjoy these delightful calendars every single Christmas Season.
I currently have 2 grandsons, and there may be more grandchildren who will arrive over the next several years... perhaps one of their sweet faces will implore me to share a particular favorite of theirs with them and I won't be able to resist, knowing my treasured advent calendar is moving on to be their treasure... and how could I say no to that? I would still enjoy the pleasures of any calendar I might give away to them because it would still be treasured in new eyes!
Last year when my grandsons were not quite a year old, I bought them their first wooden advent calendar to start their collection... knowing it would be a couple of years before they would be able to enjoy it, but also knowing they would never know a Christmas without having an advent calendar. Then this year I found two fabric panels of an advent calendar that my Mother-in-law had made for my oldest daughter back in 1982, it has long since been discontinued and very hard to find on ebay... but my persistence paid off and I scored two of them (one for each of my grandsons) back in Feb of this year. I just last week mailed these finished quilted advent calendars to them (made very lovingly for them by me... Gigi) along with the original one I revamped and mailed to my oldest daughter who has not had a child yet (but officially the original one was made for her)... so now all 3 of my daughters have a cherished childhood memory hanging on their walls this year to continue to enjoy and make new memories with their children... and seriously... how AWESOME is that??
Two days and I'm anxiously counting down for the advent season to begin! My hope is that you will be inspired to begin, renew, or experience this wonderful tradition along with me. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a giddy up in your step!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
Unbelievably it is that time of year again... Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow! WOW!!! Where did time go?? This year I participated in the "Month of November Thankfulness" on FB... where every day my status post is something I am Thankful for. So for this blog... I have decided to blog those posts for those who read my blog, but do not have accessibility to my FB page.
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Witnessing, Belief, Answers
This past month has been delightfully strange to say the least... this blog entry is 'my story' that I thought needed to be shared, because it is just that AWESOME... so to give fair warning... it may be a bit wordy and long... but... stories tend to be like that... so either grab a cuppa tea/coffee, prop your feet up for awhile and continue to read on... or... click off and go on your way... I totally understand if you bail here.
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Front Stoop Sitting
Geez... I've been front stoop sitting as far back as I can remember. Things to be done on the front stoop are... mostly chatting (if you are with someone)... mostly pondering and relaxing (if you are alone). I've been doing a lot of front stoop sitting this past Spring and Summer because of the new home construction going on behind my house, and wanting to be outside but away from the noise and dust.
Our house is nestled in the woods on a cul-de-sac street, in which we are the only house on the street. I LOVE THIS!!! Our neighborhood which has big wooded lots, only has 16 homes in it... thus... it is very peaceful and quiet. We get all kinds of wild life that roam around our yards... such as deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and all sorts of bird life. I can go out in the morning with my cup of tea and just sit quietly and watch as these animals go about their daily lives... and if I am real still and quiet they don't see me or know I'm there... but you let me so much as blink and off they dash back into the woods... so I usually try to stay really still and just watch.
My Dad has always loved just watching nature, and NEVER EVER wants to kill a thing... not even a spider or a snake... he would rather observe them from a distance and leave them alone. But since I grew up in the country and lived on 8 woodsy acres... my Dad has had to kill several mice, snakes, and spiders (which I'm sure each one broke his heart) just to make sure I knew he would always save me and take care of me whenever I needed. Heck... I remember very clearly one fall morning when my cousin (Debbie) and I were walking down the stone wall of my driveway and encountered a cow/barn snake who was really minding his own business... my cousin steps right over it and keeps going... I come to an instant stop and SCREAM as if I had actually been bitten. My Dad... who is a night owl and a late sleeper... did not appreciate being awaken at that early hour by my piercing scream... the kinda of scream that terrifies the heart of any parent... but bleary eyed and barely dressed... out runs my Dad to save me from that totally harmless snake! I also remember sitting on our front porch with my Dad watching a spider spin it's web in the corner of the porch. My Dad would get so absorbed in watching that spider... that he would actually throw flies and bugs in the spun web just so he could watch what the spider would do... and I believe he checked on that web everyday until it was blown away by the wind. So nature watching is one of my favorite past times to do on the front stoop.
Front stoop chatting is one of the best places to just solve all the problems of the world! When my girls where in elementary school, my neighbor (Kim) and I would sit on our front stoops every afternoon with a glass of iced tea and chat while we waited for the school bus to drop the kids off after school. We would hug our kids, hear about their day, give them an after school treat, and then we would continue to stoop sit and chat while the kids played in the yard together until time to go in and start homework and begin making dinner.
But as I stated earlier... new home construction has been going on behind our house since this Spring, and because it is noisier and dustier out back, I started going out on the front porch for the peace and quiet. I enjoy reading, talking on the phone, sipping my tea, or just laying on the concrete to absorb all the warmth stored up from the hot sun. It is a very relaxing place to spend a few reflective moments, or an hour reading a book. When my Mom and daughter (Lauren) came to care for me after my bunion surgery a few weeks ago, we all spent lots of time sitting on the front stoop visiting... my mother worked on her hand sewing, Lauren and her 19 month old son (Henry) played in the yard, and we just talked, laughed, and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. It was sooo nice to share one of my favorite spots with them during their visit.
Fall has arrived and Winter isn't far behind, so my front stoop sitting for this year is almost to and end. But I will continue to front stoop sit while I read, think, chat, or just observe nature for as many warm days as I have left before the first snowfall... after that I will stay inside and huddle up to the warmth of the fireplace and watch nature from inside, counting down the days until I am back outside on my front stoop next Spring!
Our house is nestled in the woods on a cul-de-sac street, in which we are the only house on the street. I LOVE THIS!!! Our neighborhood which has big wooded lots, only has 16 homes in it... thus... it is very peaceful and quiet. We get all kinds of wild life that roam around our yards... such as deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and all sorts of bird life. I can go out in the morning with my cup of tea and just sit quietly and watch as these animals go about their daily lives... and if I am real still and quiet they don't see me or know I'm there... but you let me so much as blink and off they dash back into the woods... so I usually try to stay really still and just watch.
My Dad has always loved just watching nature, and NEVER EVER wants to kill a thing... not even a spider or a snake... he would rather observe them from a distance and leave them alone. But since I grew up in the country and lived on 8 woodsy acres... my Dad has had to kill several mice, snakes, and spiders (which I'm sure each one broke his heart) just to make sure I knew he would always save me and take care of me whenever I needed. Heck... I remember very clearly one fall morning when my cousin (Debbie) and I were walking down the stone wall of my driveway and encountered a cow/barn snake who was really minding his own business... my cousin steps right over it and keeps going... I come to an instant stop and SCREAM as if I had actually been bitten. My Dad... who is a night owl and a late sleeper... did not appreciate being awaken at that early hour by my piercing scream... the kinda of scream that terrifies the heart of any parent... but bleary eyed and barely dressed... out runs my Dad to save me from that totally harmless snake! I also remember sitting on our front porch with my Dad watching a spider spin it's web in the corner of the porch. My Dad would get so absorbed in watching that spider... that he would actually throw flies and bugs in the spun web just so he could watch what the spider would do... and I believe he checked on that web everyday until it was blown away by the wind. So nature watching is one of my favorite past times to do on the front stoop.
Front stoop chatting is one of the best places to just solve all the problems of the world! When my girls where in elementary school, my neighbor (Kim) and I would sit on our front stoops every afternoon with a glass of iced tea and chat while we waited for the school bus to drop the kids off after school. We would hug our kids, hear about their day, give them an after school treat, and then we would continue to stoop sit and chat while the kids played in the yard together until time to go in and start homework and begin making dinner.
But as I stated earlier... new home construction has been going on behind our house since this Spring, and because it is noisier and dustier out back, I started going out on the front porch for the peace and quiet. I enjoy reading, talking on the phone, sipping my tea, or just laying on the concrete to absorb all the warmth stored up from the hot sun. It is a very relaxing place to spend a few reflective moments, or an hour reading a book. When my Mom and daughter (Lauren) came to care for me after my bunion surgery a few weeks ago, we all spent lots of time sitting on the front stoop visiting... my mother worked on her hand sewing, Lauren and her 19 month old son (Henry) played in the yard, and we just talked, laughed, and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. It was sooo nice to share one of my favorite spots with them during their visit.
Fall has arrived and Winter isn't far behind, so my front stoop sitting for this year is almost to and end. But I will continue to front stoop sit while I read, think, chat, or just observe nature for as many warm days as I have left before the first snowfall... after that I will stay inside and huddle up to the warmth of the fireplace and watch nature from inside, counting down the days until I am back outside on my front stoop next Spring!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
40 Years of Joe
Our story began on a beautiful summer day... June 22, 1972 to be exact (it's in my diary!)... when a 14 year old boy (Joey) took off on his bike with his two brothers to gather the neighboring kids to play a game of field baseball. Joey and my cousin (Debbie) lived in the country... so to find enough bodies to make two teams for a game of baseball, meant all the kids in every nearby family was invited to play... which meant you had kids from the ages of 5 to 14 all outside, in the neighbors field, playing baseball until the parents called them all back home for lunch, chores, dinner... etc.
On this particular June day, I was visiting with my cousin at her house... we have been best friends and playmates our entire lives... I'm 3 years older and was/am a girlie girl, Debbie was/is a tomboy who could, and does play any sport as well as any of the guys. So of course she was ALWAYS the first neighbor who would be asked to play baseball with them any time a game was getting put together. Joey knocked on the door expecting Debbie to answer it... but... Debbie left to go to the bathroom, leaving me to answer the door, which I did... and there he was... sooooooooooo darn cute that I was instantly smitten... I may have only been 13 years old... but... I was TOTALLY SMITTEN!!!
Fortunately for me, I also lived in the country, just 2 miles down the road, and because there just weren't many girls in the area my age, I didn't have competition on trying to win Joey's affection. Joey was always a nice, sweet and funny boy, our personalities matched perfectly and we just hit it off from "I reckon" (my answer to him when he asked me if I wanted to play ball with them). Even though I spent a lot of time with Debbie before I met Joey... you can only imagine how much more time I was at her house after meeting Joey. It was a FABULOUS summer, and by summer's end I was in LOVE!!!!
Joey was a year ahead of me in school, but we had several classes together and we quickly became High School Sweethearts, we would stay sweethearts all through High School. After graduation, Joey left for college 2 hours away. He broke up with me before he left for college... not because we had a disagreement or weren't still in love... it was because his Mom insisted he have the freedom to experience college without any ties back home. In her eyes, this was his chance to really see what the world had to offer. At the time, I was broken hearted and knew he would find someone else and I would lose him forever. But... I quickly learned that even though we were 'officially' broken up... we really weren't. He wrote me letters several times a week, we called each other long distance when we could (at the time long distance was a luxury most of us couldn't afford), he came home for the weekends whenever he could, and our relationship continued to forge and bloom long distance all the same... he never dated anyone else, nor really did I. Now that I am a parent, I totally understand sending your child off to college and encouraging them to be unattached so that they would be available to enjoy all of the college experience. I have always had a great relationship with my Mother-in-law, and I knew her wanting him to be 'free/available' at college wasn't about me... it was about her wanting her son to know he would always have options. And it was at college that Joey grew up and became Joe.
I was ready (or so I thought) to get married and have babies the moment I graduated High School... I had no intentions of furthering my education, I wanted to just get a good job, work and have a family of my own. Now that I am in my 50's I see the silliness of my thinking... but all I knew was I was in love with this wonderful guy and I wanted us to be a family forever! As it turned out... after 5 years of dating, Joe and I did marry young... I was 19, he was 20... and two years later we started our family. It hasn't always been blissful... we were young, dumb, and dirt poor... but we found our way all by ourselves... and we have had fun all along the way. When we didn't have a penny to our name... we sat and played cards, board games, and backgammon and listened to albums... when we had some spare change we would get a neighbor to watch the girls and we would go to the movies, or out for a cheap dinner (we couldn't afford to do both)... when we had a bonus, we took the entire family out to celebrate. With or without... we have just always made it work, and have always had fun along the way. I remember and cherish the early days that were hard because it made us grow strong together... Joe and I have always been "We" and/or "Us"... 40 years strong and hopefully 40 more years to go!
I am blessed to have found the "Love Of My Life" at the tender age of 13!! Joe and I just celebrated our 34th year of marriage this summer. He continues to be the "Love Of My Life", my Best Friend, my Partner, my Soul Mate... "the bread to my butter, and the breath to my life" (to quote Paul Child's toast to Julia)... Joe makes me laugh every day, he makes me a better person just by the example of goodness he sets... Joe really is, always has been, and always will be my Everything! I am blessed and I am grateful!
Here's to all of you as you celebrate your own Love Timeline!... Here's to Love... May Love always rule strong!
On this particular June day, I was visiting with my cousin at her house... we have been best friends and playmates our entire lives... I'm 3 years older and was/am a girlie girl, Debbie was/is a tomboy who could, and does play any sport as well as any of the guys. So of course she was ALWAYS the first neighbor who would be asked to play baseball with them any time a game was getting put together. Joey knocked on the door expecting Debbie to answer it... but... Debbie left to go to the bathroom, leaving me to answer the door, which I did... and there he was... sooooooooooo darn cute that I was instantly smitten... I may have only been 13 years old... but... I was TOTALLY SMITTEN!!!
Fortunately for me, I also lived in the country, just 2 miles down the road, and because there just weren't many girls in the area my age, I didn't have competition on trying to win Joey's affection. Joey was always a nice, sweet and funny boy, our personalities matched perfectly and we just hit it off from "I reckon" (my answer to him when he asked me if I wanted to play ball with them). Even though I spent a lot of time with Debbie before I met Joey... you can only imagine how much more time I was at her house after meeting Joey. It was a FABULOUS summer, and by summer's end I was in LOVE!!!!
Joey was a year ahead of me in school, but we had several classes together and we quickly became High School Sweethearts, we would stay sweethearts all through High School. After graduation, Joey left for college 2 hours away. He broke up with me before he left for college... not because we had a disagreement or weren't still in love... it was because his Mom insisted he have the freedom to experience college without any ties back home. In her eyes, this was his chance to really see what the world had to offer. At the time, I was broken hearted and knew he would find someone else and I would lose him forever. But... I quickly learned that even though we were 'officially' broken up... we really weren't. He wrote me letters several times a week, we called each other long distance when we could (at the time long distance was a luxury most of us couldn't afford), he came home for the weekends whenever he could, and our relationship continued to forge and bloom long distance all the same... he never dated anyone else, nor really did I. Now that I am a parent, I totally understand sending your child off to college and encouraging them to be unattached so that they would be available to enjoy all of the college experience. I have always had a great relationship with my Mother-in-law, and I knew her wanting him to be 'free/available' at college wasn't about me... it was about her wanting her son to know he would always have options. And it was at college that Joey grew up and became Joe.
I was ready (or so I thought) to get married and have babies the moment I graduated High School... I had no intentions of furthering my education, I wanted to just get a good job, work and have a family of my own. Now that I am in my 50's I see the silliness of my thinking... but all I knew was I was in love with this wonderful guy and I wanted us to be a family forever! As it turned out... after 5 years of dating, Joe and I did marry young... I was 19, he was 20... and two years later we started our family. It hasn't always been blissful... we were young, dumb, and dirt poor... but we found our way all by ourselves... and we have had fun all along the way. When we didn't have a penny to our name... we sat and played cards, board games, and backgammon and listened to albums... when we had some spare change we would get a neighbor to watch the girls and we would go to the movies, or out for a cheap dinner (we couldn't afford to do both)... when we had a bonus, we took the entire family out to celebrate. With or without... we have just always made it work, and have always had fun along the way. I remember and cherish the early days that were hard because it made us grow strong together... Joe and I have always been "We" and/or "Us"... 40 years strong and hopefully 40 more years to go!
I am blessed to have found the "Love Of My Life" at the tender age of 13!! Joe and I just celebrated our 34th year of marriage this summer. He continues to be the "Love Of My Life", my Best Friend, my Partner, my Soul Mate... "the bread to my butter, and the breath to my life" (to quote Paul Child's toast to Julia)... Joe makes me laugh every day, he makes me a better person just by the example of goodness he sets... Joe really is, always has been, and always will be my Everything! I am blessed and I am grateful!
Here's to all of you as you celebrate your own Love Timeline!... Here's to Love... May Love always rule strong!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The First Day of Fall 2012
Today is the first day of the Fall season for 2012... and it indeed does feel like fall, smells like fall, looks like fall... and therefore, my taste buds have begun to switch over from the tastes of the fresh fruits and vegetables of Summer, to the heavier and heartier tastes of Fall. Isn't nature funny in how that happens?? No matter how much I enjoy eating certain foods of any season... when the season has passed and the new one has begun... my taste buds change right along with the seasons.
I'm a devout Summer lover... it truly is my favorite season... I enjoy Fall and Spring... I endure Winter! I'm really trying hard this year to be a good sport and not be a pouty pants whinning about the end of Summer like I usually do. All of my friends and loved ones know... I start my pouting and whinning over the end of Summer soon as Labor Day ends. This year may be different because my situation is different... but either way I'm gonna try hard to appreciate the beauty of Fall and not mourn the passing of Summer.
My situation this year is different due to the fact that I had bunion surgery 2 weeks ago and am pretty much under house arrest for the next 3 months... which means... I can't be outside swimming, gardening, golfing, or enjoying any of my other Summertime pleasures, so I will stay propped up inside and watch as the colors change and the leaves fall.
Don't get me wrong... I don't dislike Fall... it's just that... Fall isn't Summer. I do like the crispness in the air that Fall brings, I like watching the leaves change color and fall into a Monet like blanket all over the grown. I LOVE caramel apples, and they only taste good in the Fall, I love the soups and stews that warm the belly and soul on a cool crisp day, or even better on a cold rainy day. I like huddling up to and warming my hinnie by any fireplace or firepit. I love pumpkin patches and all the yummy treats that can be made from pumpkins. I love corn mazes, hayrides, art/craft fairs, and the festivals that Fall brings.
There really is sooo much to enjoy in the Fall season and I welcome Fall 2012 with arms open wide! In fact... I think I will go put on my first pot of chili for this very first day of Fall!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The Olympics 2012
The Olympics have been a "MUST SEE" event for as long as I can remember. I can't remember a single Olympics that I haven't been glued to the TV to watch.
Although our family enjoys watching ALL of the events of the Olympics... we all have our favorite sport/event we like to watch. For the Summer Olympics my husband likes beach volleyball, and track and field the best, but also likes the swimming and diving... our daughters and I like to watch gymnastics, swimming, diving, synchronized swimming/diving as our favorites. For the Winter Olympics my husband enjoys the skiing events the best, while our daughters and I like the skating events the best.
Watching and cheering the USA attempt to win medals... particularly the GOLD of course... can be a breath taking experience. At times I literally find myself holding my breath to see if the USA competitors accomplish a win in their events... especially when the competitions are soooo closely matched, and the finishes are soooo closely contested.
Watching Michael Phelps obtain the unbelievable feat of winning the most Olympic medals of anyone in the whole wide world has been a wonderful experience. I LOVE watching history being made as it is being made. But that he is a USA Olympian is of course the BEST!!!
As I continue to watch and enjoy all of the Olympians from all over the world compete, I will cheer the longest and loudest for USA... but you just can't help getting caught up in the 'underdog' stories and wins... no matter what country they represent. In fact I enjoy the 'how they got there' stories from all Olympians, from all over the world. It takes sooo much training, devotion, commitment, determination, and sacrifice to make it to the Olympics... how could you not get caught up in their personal stories! I'm proud of all who 'give it their all' to accomplish the physical feats they put their bodies through to jump higher, run faster, or whatever the event requires their bodies to do. Watching these athletes bodies do what they do, watching their defined muscles.... WOWZERS, WOWZERS, WOWZERS!!!
I love the tears of accomplishment, the looks of pride of achievement as they represent their countries, and stand on the podiums to accept their medals... and I personally think that a medal is a medal... GOLD is the most precious... but... to win a medal amongst the greatest athletes of the world, to me is something to be proud of forever! I understand the tears of defeat as much as I understand the tears of joy for winning... I'm also proud of those who have given it their all, and just didn't quite make it to the medal podium... but still... are a gracious loser, knowing they did indeed do their best. Having said that... I have little pride for those who win ungraciously, as well as those who lose ungraciously. You can be proud of your accomplishment and still maintain graciousness. I'm just not a fan of cockiness period... and there IS a HUGE difference between confidence and cockiness.
Gabby Douglas was my girl from the start of the Olympic trials to not only make the USA team, but to win GOLD for USA... I'm sooo very proud for her for what she did, as well as for how she did it, and how she has handled herself since her win... YOU GO GIRL!!!!!
Now... back to watching the Olympics... GO USA!!!!!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
OOPS and OUCH!!
This week was not what you would call my best week... but I managed to survive it despite myself... and now... it's a brand new week... fresh start! YAY!!!!
My bad week started last Sunday (July 22nd) as I was watering my patio flowers that sit in pots at the edge of our pool. I was chatting on my cell phone to my youngest daughter at the time... hands free I might add, as I had my cell phone in my pocket, and earbuds in my ears... my cell phones have been known to enjoy a swim in pools and toilets... so thus I was trying to make sure my cell phone stayed nice and dry... but in doing so... I tripped over the pool cover rope and fell quite hard on my left wrist... I fell so hard that my husband (Joe) heard my fall (he was inside the closed garage, about 50 yards away, and he ran out to see if I was OK), and the fall actually knocked the wind out of me for a moment. OOPS and OUCH!!!#1 I was absolutely sure I had broken some part of my body... but once my breath returned, I stood up, brushed myself off and realized I was OK. I have always been a clumsy goober... my parents can attest to this from all the ER visits during my childhood... but it has been years since my last clumsy episode. It was a scorcher day anyway, so Joe and I finished up the day relaxing in our recliner chairs as we watched the British Open Golf Tournament... and that was that for Sunday.
Monday my bad week continued. As I was backing out of my garage... ever so slowly and cautiously, as ALWAYS... and just as I cleared the garage, I began to turn my car, and then... BAM... I backed into a car parked in my driveway. My car was fine, the car I hit has a sizable dent in the front quarter panel. I knew the car was there... I saw the car sitting in my driveway when I opened the garage door... but I did not realize how close it was parked to my turn around area... I was concentrating soo hard on NOT hitting the sides of the garage... I just did not see the car behind me until I hit it!!! OOPS and OUCH!#2
I immediately told the car owner, then drove to my insurance agency, and the process has already begun to repair said hit car... but still... signs were pointing to me that I should just stay put, wrapped in bubble wrap, safe and sound in my home this week!
Tuesday came and went without incident... only because... I did stay put inside my house all day. Wednesday I ventured out for a luncheon and had a lovely time, but my left wrist had begun to ache a bit... making me wince at times when grabbing, or lifting things. By Thursday my left wrist was starting to throb quite consistently... and you would think I might have told myself that... 'maybe'... I should go get it checked out... but... I just kept telling myself it was just jammed from the hard fall... I saw no swelling or bruising.
Friday when I went to my pilates session... my instructor, who is also a physical therapist, took a look at my wrist and did see some puffy swelling inside my wrist, but I still had full range of movement.. only hurting when lifting or grasping... I continued to think it was just jammed. Saturday I had a massage and my masusse worked on my wrist, asking me to describe the discomfort I was experiencing... after doing so, she thought it did indeed sounded like a hairline fracture... so... I finally took myself to get my wrist x-rayed... but because it is now a week post injury, and it was the weekend... I wont know for sure if it is indeed fractured or just jammed until Monday (tomorrow)... but the ER Dr. splinted it, and that has helped... however... when I take the splint off to bathe... I can't bend the wrist at all. OUCH #3 REALLY!!! I have 'been there, done that... and got the tee shirt' with this wrist before when I was 8 years old!
Good news is... 'IF' my wrist is just jammed... I can get it manipulated and popped back out, wearing a splint for just another week... but "IF" it does have a hairline fracture, it will be casted for 2-4 weeks. I must say typing this blog one handed has been quite the challenge... but I feel so accomplished 'gitten-er-done"!!
But the thing that BUMS me out the most is... I have been begging for new golf clubs for years, and I started playing golf quite regularly this Spring, and Summer to convince Joe that new golf clubs is a 'need' vs just a 'want'... which I finally did convince him... I ordered the new clubs... and they arrived the day AFTER I hurt my wrist. I have bunion surgery coming up the first week of September... so... I have been getting as much golf time in as possible these past couple of months, knowing my golf season was quickly coming to an end this year. Now... thanks to my clumsiness... I'm out of the game for the rest of the Summer... not getting to play with, or enjoy my new clubs until next Spring!! GEEZERS!!!
We all have 'those" days.. and occasionally, 'those' weeks... it's up to you to decide if 'those' days or weeks will define you, or make you stronger, encouraging you to just get through them. I learned a long time ago (Thanks to the good example Joe always sets) that a positive attitude will make the worst of circumstances more bearable... after all... tomorrow is another day... a 'do over' so to speak. Each day you are blessed enough to wake up, is a new fresh day!
My wrist will heal... I will get to enjoy and play with my new golf clubs... but until then... life is still good and I am blessed!! And in the end... it's just one more story to tell, and share of me being a Ding Dong!!
7/30...
Addendum to yesterday's post (of 7/29)... Wrist NOT broken! WHEW!!! Dislocated and popped back in place... getting it popped back in place about made me puke... but I DID get through it, and it is MUCH better now! Just remember to' breathe in, and breathe out' on bad days/weeks and things WILL be OK in the end... if things aren't OK now... it's just not the end yet!
My bad week started last Sunday (July 22nd) as I was watering my patio flowers that sit in pots at the edge of our pool. I was chatting on my cell phone to my youngest daughter at the time... hands free I might add, as I had my cell phone in my pocket, and earbuds in my ears... my cell phones have been known to enjoy a swim in pools and toilets... so thus I was trying to make sure my cell phone stayed nice and dry... but in doing so... I tripped over the pool cover rope and fell quite hard on my left wrist... I fell so hard that my husband (Joe) heard my fall (he was inside the closed garage, about 50 yards away, and he ran out to see if I was OK), and the fall actually knocked the wind out of me for a moment. OOPS and OUCH!!!#1 I was absolutely sure I had broken some part of my body... but once my breath returned, I stood up, brushed myself off and realized I was OK. I have always been a clumsy goober... my parents can attest to this from all the ER visits during my childhood... but it has been years since my last clumsy episode. It was a scorcher day anyway, so Joe and I finished up the day relaxing in our recliner chairs as we watched the British Open Golf Tournament... and that was that for Sunday.
Monday my bad week continued. As I was backing out of my garage... ever so slowly and cautiously, as ALWAYS... and just as I cleared the garage, I began to turn my car, and then... BAM... I backed into a car parked in my driveway. My car was fine, the car I hit has a sizable dent in the front quarter panel. I knew the car was there... I saw the car sitting in my driveway when I opened the garage door... but I did not realize how close it was parked to my turn around area... I was concentrating soo hard on NOT hitting the sides of the garage... I just did not see the car behind me until I hit it!!! OOPS and OUCH!#2
I immediately told the car owner, then drove to my insurance agency, and the process has already begun to repair said hit car... but still... signs were pointing to me that I should just stay put, wrapped in bubble wrap, safe and sound in my home this week!
Tuesday came and went without incident... only because... I did stay put inside my house all day. Wednesday I ventured out for a luncheon and had a lovely time, but my left wrist had begun to ache a bit... making me wince at times when grabbing, or lifting things. By Thursday my left wrist was starting to throb quite consistently... and you would think I might have told myself that... 'maybe'... I should go get it checked out... but... I just kept telling myself it was just jammed from the hard fall... I saw no swelling or bruising.
Friday when I went to my pilates session... my instructor, who is also a physical therapist, took a look at my wrist and did see some puffy swelling inside my wrist, but I still had full range of movement.. only hurting when lifting or grasping... I continued to think it was just jammed. Saturday I had a massage and my masusse worked on my wrist, asking me to describe the discomfort I was experiencing... after doing so, she thought it did indeed sounded like a hairline fracture... so... I finally took myself to get my wrist x-rayed... but because it is now a week post injury, and it was the weekend... I wont know for sure if it is indeed fractured or just jammed until Monday (tomorrow)... but the ER Dr. splinted it, and that has helped... however... when I take the splint off to bathe... I can't bend the wrist at all. OUCH #3 REALLY!!! I have 'been there, done that... and got the tee shirt' with this wrist before when I was 8 years old!
Good news is... 'IF' my wrist is just jammed... I can get it manipulated and popped back out, wearing a splint for just another week... but "IF" it does have a hairline fracture, it will be casted for 2-4 weeks. I must say typing this blog one handed has been quite the challenge... but I feel so accomplished 'gitten-er-done"!!
But the thing that BUMS me out the most is... I have been begging for new golf clubs for years, and I started playing golf quite regularly this Spring, and Summer to convince Joe that new golf clubs is a 'need' vs just a 'want'... which I finally did convince him... I ordered the new clubs... and they arrived the day AFTER I hurt my wrist. I have bunion surgery coming up the first week of September... so... I have been getting as much golf time in as possible these past couple of months, knowing my golf season was quickly coming to an end this year. Now... thanks to my clumsiness... I'm out of the game for the rest of the Summer... not getting to play with, or enjoy my new clubs until next Spring!! GEEZERS!!!
We all have 'those" days.. and occasionally, 'those' weeks... it's up to you to decide if 'those' days or weeks will define you, or make you stronger, encouraging you to just get through them. I learned a long time ago (Thanks to the good example Joe always sets) that a positive attitude will make the worst of circumstances more bearable... after all... tomorrow is another day... a 'do over' so to speak. Each day you are blessed enough to wake up, is a new fresh day!
My wrist will heal... I will get to enjoy and play with my new golf clubs... but until then... life is still good and I am blessed!! And in the end... it's just one more story to tell, and share of me being a Ding Dong!!
7/30...
Addendum to yesterday's post (of 7/29)... Wrist NOT broken! WHEW!!! Dislocated and popped back in place... getting it popped back in place about made me puke... but I DID get through it, and it is MUCH better now! Just remember to' breathe in, and breathe out' on bad days/weeks and things WILL be OK in the end... if things aren't OK now... it's just not the end yet!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Homemade Butterfinger Ice Cream
This homemade ice cream recipe is the BOMBDIGGIDY-EST of all home made ice creams! We have been making this recipe since 1987... and it has been a HUGE hit every single time we have made it! YES!!! I will share this recipe at the bottom of this blog... it is just tooooo good not to share!
I obtained this recipe from our Minister's wife at an "Ice Cream Social" our church (Symrna Presbyterian Church... in Smyrna Tennessee) held one evening in the summer of 1987. There were at least 6 different flavors of homemade ice creams at this particular social... it was our very first "Ice Cream Social" we attended... the line for the Butterfinger ice cream was instant, and constant, until the ice cream ran out in less than 10 minutes. Our family considered ourselves quite fortunate that we had arrived early, and were among those attendees that 'scooped' (pun totally intended!) up a bowl of this DELISH treat. Our Minister's wife (Jimmy Threlkeld... her husband, the Minister was Gayle Threlkeld... truly!!! this is typed correctly... she was Jimmy, and he was Gayle!) was besieged with requests to share her recipe... which... THANK GOODNESS she indeed did, by handwriting out this recipe for every single person who asked for it! In fact... the recipe I have is still her hand written version on a 3X5 index card. I cherish it dearly... not only for the recipe itself, but for the memories it evokes from a very special lady, and a very special evening, every time I see this index card. I can guarantee we have never missed an "Ice Cream Social" invite since that evening in 1987.
As far back as I can remember my family has enjoyed making homemade ice cream every single summer. I remember actually sitting on the ice cream maker in my Grandparents driveway as my Grandfather, Father, or Uncle cranked away! All of us kids would take turns sitting on the ice cream maker while it was being churned by one of the men... we were rewarded with a very cold hinnie... and lots of giggles! I also have many lovely memories of being at my Aunt and Uncle's home in the country, drooling while waiting for the ice cream churning to be complete and the ice cream ready to eat... my Aunt made lots of different flavors... I vividly remember peach and strawberry in particular... but other than this Butterfinger recipe... my all time favorite is just plain ole vanilla! I know! I know!!! Some of you might think that drab and boring... but... I only prefer vanilla ice cream if it is homemade... it is just so simple, and sweet, and well... it is like the oreo cookie... it is just special as it is... wholesome, fresh, and perfection!
I hope I have inspired you to go dig out your ice cream maker... or go purchase one... and to make a batch of homemade ice cream, plain, fruity, chocolate... or give this Butterfinger recipe a try. It is just part of the magic summertime brings. Yes... ice cream CAN be made any time of the year... but for me... it truly tastes best on a summertime evening, with family and/or friends gathered around sharing in the fun of both making it, and eating it!
Here my blogger friends is the most delicious homemade ice cream you will ever eat! And... it is SUPER easy to make... takes less than 10 minutes to prepare this yummy concoction for the ice cream churner!
BUTTERFINGER ICE CREAM (Jimmy Threlkeld)
1 - gallon whole milk... it's hard to say how much you need... it depends on the size of your ice cream freezer... you want to make sure you have enough milk.
2 - eggs
2 - cans Eagle Brand Milk
2 - tbsp sugar
1 - can carnation milk
2 - tsp vanilla extract (DO NOT use imitation!)
2 - heaping tbsps peanut butter
4 to 6 - Butterfinger candy bars... chopped... (place candy bars in freezer at least 10-15 minutes before placing in a plastic bag and whacking with a hammer)... 4 - Large candy bars... 6 - Small candy bars
Beat eggs until fluffy, then add all other ingredients... mix well. Add whole milk to the 'fill' line on the ice cream freezer... and churn! Simple as that!
I obtained this recipe from our Minister's wife at an "Ice Cream Social" our church (Symrna Presbyterian Church... in Smyrna Tennessee) held one evening in the summer of 1987. There were at least 6 different flavors of homemade ice creams at this particular social... it was our very first "Ice Cream Social" we attended... the line for the Butterfinger ice cream was instant, and constant, until the ice cream ran out in less than 10 minutes. Our family considered ourselves quite fortunate that we had arrived early, and were among those attendees that 'scooped' (pun totally intended!) up a bowl of this DELISH treat. Our Minister's wife (Jimmy Threlkeld... her husband, the Minister was Gayle Threlkeld... truly!!! this is typed correctly... she was Jimmy, and he was Gayle!) was besieged with requests to share her recipe... which... THANK GOODNESS she indeed did, by handwriting out this recipe for every single person who asked for it! In fact... the recipe I have is still her hand written version on a 3X5 index card. I cherish it dearly... not only for the recipe itself, but for the memories it evokes from a very special lady, and a very special evening, every time I see this index card. I can guarantee we have never missed an "Ice Cream Social" invite since that evening in 1987.
As far back as I can remember my family has enjoyed making homemade ice cream every single summer. I remember actually sitting on the ice cream maker in my Grandparents driveway as my Grandfather, Father, or Uncle cranked away! All of us kids would take turns sitting on the ice cream maker while it was being churned by one of the men... we were rewarded with a very cold hinnie... and lots of giggles! I also have many lovely memories of being at my Aunt and Uncle's home in the country, drooling while waiting for the ice cream churning to be complete and the ice cream ready to eat... my Aunt made lots of different flavors... I vividly remember peach and strawberry in particular... but other than this Butterfinger recipe... my all time favorite is just plain ole vanilla! I know! I know!!! Some of you might think that drab and boring... but... I only prefer vanilla ice cream if it is homemade... it is just so simple, and sweet, and well... it is like the oreo cookie... it is just special as it is... wholesome, fresh, and perfection!
I hope I have inspired you to go dig out your ice cream maker... or go purchase one... and to make a batch of homemade ice cream, plain, fruity, chocolate... or give this Butterfinger recipe a try. It is just part of the magic summertime brings. Yes... ice cream CAN be made any time of the year... but for me... it truly tastes best on a summertime evening, with family and/or friends gathered around sharing in the fun of both making it, and eating it!
Here my blogger friends is the most delicious homemade ice cream you will ever eat! And... it is SUPER easy to make... takes less than 10 minutes to prepare this yummy concoction for the ice cream churner!
BUTTERFINGER ICE CREAM (Jimmy Threlkeld)
1 - gallon whole milk... it's hard to say how much you need... it depends on the size of your ice cream freezer... you want to make sure you have enough milk.
2 - eggs
2 - cans Eagle Brand Milk
2 - tbsp sugar
1 - can carnation milk
2 - tsp vanilla extract (DO NOT use imitation!)
2 - heaping tbsps peanut butter
4 to 6 - Butterfinger candy bars... chopped... (place candy bars in freezer at least 10-15 minutes before placing in a plastic bag and whacking with a hammer)... 4 - Large candy bars... 6 - Small candy bars
Beat eggs until fluffy, then add all other ingredients... mix well. Add whole milk to the 'fill' line on the ice cream freezer... and churn! Simple as that!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Cherry Pie
I've been making a lot of pies this summer with all the wonderful fresh fruit summertime offers... Cherry Pie has just been one of my favorites... the recipe for my Cherry Pie is included at the bottom of this blog.
I purchase fresh fruit all season long during the spring and summer... one of my favorites is fresh cherries. I had bought a bag of cherries for nibbling on for guests who were visiting... but... because of all the other goodies I had on hand... the cherries never were consumed... so... I decided that instead of letting them go to waste, I should make them into a cherry pie.... GOOD DECISION!!!!
I have never made a 'from scratch' cherry pie before, so I had no clue on how long it would take to pit a bag of cherries... it took me 45 minutes to pit them all with just a paring knife, and I had purple hands when I was done. I knew there HAD to be a better way to pit cherries... so... I went on a search for a cherry pitter. I began my search at a local kitchen gadget/supply store, and as I was standing staring at the wall of tools/gadgets the owner approached me and offered her assistance. I told her what I was looking for... she said she didn't have any in stock and... believe it or not... she actually suggested I buy frozen cherries instead, since they did not contain sugar. WELL!!!.... I hate to inform her... BUT... my fresh cherries did not contain sugar either... AND... they are wayyy better than frozen any day! However... she did tell me of another place where I might purchase a cherry pitter if I truly was determined to bake a cherry pie with fresh cherries. I was quite successful at this next store, having 3 different types of cherry pitters to chose from. The pitter I purchased was a bit pricer than I thought it would be... but... after using this new tool, I am beyond impressed at how wonderfully it worked... it only took me 7 minutes to pit this second bag of cherries. I LOVE my new cherry pitter and think the cost was definitely worth it! I bought a stainless steel pitter... it was $20.
I began my cherry pie with Julia Child's pastry crust... which just happens to be the BEST pastry crust EVER!!!! You can use this pastry crust for savory or sweet recipes... plus it is just the easiest crust to make, and work with as well. This pastry crust recipe will also be included at the bottom of this blog.
I had so much success with my first cherry pie... that the family I baked it for requested if they could come "play" with me in my kitchen so they could learn to bake a fresh pie too. The week following their dinner visit when my first cherry pie was served... I had 'Pie Baking Lessons 101' in my kitchen with these two young lads... YES!!! I typed that correctly... lads not lasses!... and we had a blast. I decided for them that they should make individual pies instead of one big pie so that they both had a chance to make the fruit filling, as well as making the crusts. This turned out to be a stellar idea and they both enjoyed the entire process of making a 'from scratch' fruit pie. We made blueberry pies along with the cherry pies... I simply substituted blueberries for cherries in my cherry pie recipe... feel free to exchange the cherries for any fruit of your choice... your pie will still be very delicious! I just bought another bag of cherries today to make yet another pie tomorrow.
*Side note... the recipe below made 1 big pie or 4 individual pies... thus they made 4 cherry pies, and 4 blueberry pies.
And by the way... I must note that my husband did not get to enjoy my first pie, nor did he get to enjoy the pies I made in 'Pie Making 101'... so I decided to surprise him by making him a pie just for him... however... I did not have any fresh fruit on hand... so... I decided to use some frozen blueberries I had in the freezer. He thought my blueberry pie was a State Fair Ribbon winner... but... because I HAD tasted both the fresh fruit pies, as well as this frozen fruit pie, I can tell you that the fresh fruit pies were hands down WAYYY better than the frozen fruit one! Any time you can use fresh fruit, I suggest you do... frozen fruit will suffice in a pinch... but... the difference between the two was a huge difference! Although... a home made pie from fresh or frozen fruit is a winner any day!
Here are the recipes for both the pastry dough and the cherry pie.
Pastry Crust (Julia Child - The Art of Mastering French Cooking)
2 - cups all purpose flour
1 - tsp salt
1/4 - tsp sugar
6 - ounces (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cubed into 1/2" bits, chilled
4 - Tbsp shortening (crisco), chilled
1/2 - cup iced water... plus a couple tsp more if necessary
Place flour, salt, sugar, butter, and shortening in a food processor... pulse 10 - 12 times... pause for 10 seconds, and pulse another 10 - 12 pulses. Add iced water all at once and turn processor to on position and mix until dough just starts to gather into a ball or on the blade... this should occur within 20 seconds, if not... add a tsp or two more of water. Remove dough from processor, pat into a disc, place disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Roll dough out to 1/8" and place in 9" pie pan. This recipe makes 1 pie crust... you will need to make this recipe twice for the cherry pie recipe.
Cherry Pie
4 - cups cherries, pitted (preferably fresh... but frozen may be used)... other fruit may be substitued
1 - cup sugar (for a sweeter pie, add an additional 1/2 cup sugar)
4 - Tbsp cornstarch
1/8 - tsp pure vanilla extract (DO NOT use imitation!.... almond extract may be substituted)
2 - pie crusts
1 - Tbsp sugar - to sprinkle over top crust
Place cherries in sauce pan over moderate heat, and cook until cherries lose considerable juice... about 10 minutes. Remove cherries from heat. In a small bowl combine sugar and cornstarch together. Pour sugar/cornstarch mixture into cooked cherries, and mix well. Add vanilla extract (or almond extract if preferred). Return sauce pan to low heat, stirring frequently, cook mixture until thickened... as in jam or preserves thick... 7-10 minutes. Remove cherry mixture from heat and let cool. Pour cherry mixture into a pie crust... top pie with 2nd pie crust, seal edges, and cut slit vents in top crust to let steam escape while baking... (I cut my 2nd pie crust into strips and did a lattice top instead of covering the entire pie with a 2nd crust). Bake in 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes... crust should be slightly golden brown. Remove pie from oven, and let cool completely before serving... at least an hour.
I purchase fresh fruit all season long during the spring and summer... one of my favorites is fresh cherries. I had bought a bag of cherries for nibbling on for guests who were visiting... but... because of all the other goodies I had on hand... the cherries never were consumed... so... I decided that instead of letting them go to waste, I should make them into a cherry pie.... GOOD DECISION!!!!
I have never made a 'from scratch' cherry pie before, so I had no clue on how long it would take to pit a bag of cherries... it took me 45 minutes to pit them all with just a paring knife, and I had purple hands when I was done. I knew there HAD to be a better way to pit cherries... so... I went on a search for a cherry pitter. I began my search at a local kitchen gadget/supply store, and as I was standing staring at the wall of tools/gadgets the owner approached me and offered her assistance. I told her what I was looking for... she said she didn't have any in stock and... believe it or not... she actually suggested I buy frozen cherries instead, since they did not contain sugar. WELL!!!.... I hate to inform her... BUT... my fresh cherries did not contain sugar either... AND... they are wayyy better than frozen any day! However... she did tell me of another place where I might purchase a cherry pitter if I truly was determined to bake a cherry pie with fresh cherries. I was quite successful at this next store, having 3 different types of cherry pitters to chose from. The pitter I purchased was a bit pricer than I thought it would be... but... after using this new tool, I am beyond impressed at how wonderfully it worked... it only took me 7 minutes to pit this second bag of cherries. I LOVE my new cherry pitter and think the cost was definitely worth it! I bought a stainless steel pitter... it was $20.
I began my cherry pie with Julia Child's pastry crust... which just happens to be the BEST pastry crust EVER!!!! You can use this pastry crust for savory or sweet recipes... plus it is just the easiest crust to make, and work with as well. This pastry crust recipe will also be included at the bottom of this blog.
I had so much success with my first cherry pie... that the family I baked it for requested if they could come "play" with me in my kitchen so they could learn to bake a fresh pie too. The week following their dinner visit when my first cherry pie was served... I had 'Pie Baking Lessons 101' in my kitchen with these two young lads... YES!!! I typed that correctly... lads not lasses!... and we had a blast. I decided for them that they should make individual pies instead of one big pie so that they both had a chance to make the fruit filling, as well as making the crusts. This turned out to be a stellar idea and they both enjoyed the entire process of making a 'from scratch' fruit pie. We made blueberry pies along with the cherry pies... I simply substituted blueberries for cherries in my cherry pie recipe... feel free to exchange the cherries for any fruit of your choice... your pie will still be very delicious! I just bought another bag of cherries today to make yet another pie tomorrow.
*Side note... the recipe below made 1 big pie or 4 individual pies... thus they made 4 cherry pies, and 4 blueberry pies.
And by the way... I must note that my husband did not get to enjoy my first pie, nor did he get to enjoy the pies I made in 'Pie Making 101'... so I decided to surprise him by making him a pie just for him... however... I did not have any fresh fruit on hand... so... I decided to use some frozen blueberries I had in the freezer. He thought my blueberry pie was a State Fair Ribbon winner... but... because I HAD tasted both the fresh fruit pies, as well as this frozen fruit pie, I can tell you that the fresh fruit pies were hands down WAYYY better than the frozen fruit one! Any time you can use fresh fruit, I suggest you do... frozen fruit will suffice in a pinch... but... the difference between the two was a huge difference! Although... a home made pie from fresh or frozen fruit is a winner any day!
Here are the recipes for both the pastry dough and the cherry pie.
Pastry Crust (Julia Child - The Art of Mastering French Cooking)
2 - cups all purpose flour
1 - tsp salt
1/4 - tsp sugar
6 - ounces (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cubed into 1/2" bits, chilled
4 - Tbsp shortening (crisco), chilled
1/2 - cup iced water... plus a couple tsp more if necessary
Place flour, salt, sugar, butter, and shortening in a food processor... pulse 10 - 12 times... pause for 10 seconds, and pulse another 10 - 12 pulses. Add iced water all at once and turn processor to on position and mix until dough just starts to gather into a ball or on the blade... this should occur within 20 seconds, if not... add a tsp or two more of water. Remove dough from processor, pat into a disc, place disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Roll dough out to 1/8" and place in 9" pie pan. This recipe makes 1 pie crust... you will need to make this recipe twice for the cherry pie recipe.
Cherry Pie
4 - cups cherries, pitted (preferably fresh... but frozen may be used)... other fruit may be substitued
1 - cup sugar (for a sweeter pie, add an additional 1/2 cup sugar)
4 - Tbsp cornstarch
1/8 - tsp pure vanilla extract (DO NOT use imitation!.... almond extract may be substituted)
2 - pie crusts
1 - Tbsp sugar - to sprinkle over top crust
Place cherries in sauce pan over moderate heat, and cook until cherries lose considerable juice... about 10 minutes. Remove cherries from heat. In a small bowl combine sugar and cornstarch together. Pour sugar/cornstarch mixture into cooked cherries, and mix well. Add vanilla extract (or almond extract if preferred). Return sauce pan to low heat, stirring frequently, cook mixture until thickened... as in jam or preserves thick... 7-10 minutes. Remove cherry mixture from heat and let cool. Pour cherry mixture into a pie crust... top pie with 2nd pie crust, seal edges, and cut slit vents in top crust to let steam escape while baking... (I cut my 2nd pie crust into strips and did a lattice top instead of covering the entire pie with a 2nd crust). Bake in 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes... crust should be slightly golden brown. Remove pie from oven, and let cool completely before serving... at least an hour.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Original New York Cheesecake
I recently made a New York Cheesecake from a recipe I have had for 34 years, but have never made before. Kevin, my son-in-law celebrated his 25th Birthday in June... he and the family came to Kansas to visit us 4 days after his Birthday, and I promised to make him a cheesecake for to celebrate his Birthday when they came to visit because I was told his FAVORITE dessert is cheesecake. OMGOSH!!! It was amazing... and I WON'T be waiting another 34 years before I make it again... but I will include the recipe for this DELISH dessert at the bottom of this blog.
This recipe came to me via my Mother-in-law when I married Joe. She was famous for it, and it is an original recipe from the 1950's. This cheesecake does not have a graham cracker crust... instead... it makes it's own crust. When she and Pop came to visit us 2 weeks before Kevin and family... I told her I was going to make it... she said she had lost hers and could she get a copy from me... so... 34 years later... I give her a copy of her own recipe! How funny is that!?
When I told Kevin I was going to make this cake for him... he was beyond delighted... however... he was expecting the only kind of cheesecake he has ever had... which is the graham cracker crust kind. When I explained my version did not have a graham cracker crust... you could see the disappointment in his face even though he tried to hide it. But... after he ate my crustless cheesecake... he is hooked... now he can't see himself going back to the graham cracker crust kind.
I must say that this recipe is NOT figure friendly! It is VERY rich, and a very heavy dessert. I was a bit trepidatious in making this cheesecake... only because I had never made a from scratch cheesecake before. I seldom use a spring form pan (which is a must)... and wasn't sure how well this cheesecake would release itself from the pan. It turned out PERFECT... and I will be making it again soon when our next round of company comes to visit.
This cheesecake is so rich, it truly can stand on it's own as is... but... a fruit filling on top, definitely makes it pop with a WOW factor. In fact... the day before I made this cheesecake I had made a 'from scratch' cherry pie and crust... it too was unbelievably good. I was making a new fresh 'from scratch' dessert every day that Kevin and family where here, so I took both a wedge of cherry pie, and a wedgle of cheesecake to a couple of dear friends... they decided that while both were delicious... they decided to put the cherry pie on top of the cheesecake and eat them both at once. When I told Kevin about this... he too decided to try it... all he could say was it was REALLY REALLY good... and REALLY REALLY rich! So.... do try a fruit filling to serve along with the cheesecake if you dare!
Now here is the recipe for this wonderful cheesecake... make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin to make this recipe.... and do try to use the best of ingredients... the results will be worth it, and I am sure you will enjoy eating every bite!
New York Cheesecake
4 - 8 oz pkgs cream cheese
2 - cups sugar
5 - eggs
1 - tsp lemon juice (fresh)
1 - tsp vanilla extract (pure... NOT imitated)
4 - tsp cornstarch
5 - tsp melted butter (cooled)
pinch - of salt
1 - pint (16 oz) sour cream
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Blend cream cheese 1 pkg at a time until creamy. Add sugar and blend til creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients, adding sour cream last. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn oven off for 1 1/2 hours... DO NO OPEN the oven during this time. Remove cheesecake from oven, and let stand 10 minutes. Remove the spring from sides, leave the cheesecake on the bottom part of spring form pan. Wrap/cover in plastic wrap or foil, and store in refrigerator for at least an hour. VIOLA... dig in!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Nike+FuelBand
If you haven't seen or heard of the Nike+FuelBand yet... go to the Nike+FuelBand.com website and check it out... then order one immediately!!! It is the coolest tool for the everyday fitness/athletic person. After I received the fuelband I ordered... I've been wearing it everyday for a month now... and... like all things I really like... I just gotta share this one to my blog readers.
You may be asking yourself... "What the heck is it???"
It is a 1" wide, lightweight bracelet you wear on your wrist that keeps track of your daily activities, and then translates your movements into Nike fuel. Every activity counts and adds up to fuel points. At the end of the day, you simply plug your bracelet into a computer thru an USB port that is inside the clasp of the bracelet, or sync it through bluetooth on a mobile phone (yes.... there is an ap for that)... and collect your daily results.
The bracelet looks great on both men and women.... it is literally a black band that looks like a bracelet on a woman, or a watch on a man. On the band is a hidden button... push it once and a band of pin dot lights will light up on the bottom.... starting at red and progressing towards green... there is a single pulsing green pin dot light at the end of the lights to let you know how much further you need to go to reach your daily goal. On the top of the bracelet, once you have pushed the button once, you will see a lit readout of how much fuel you have burned... a 2nd push tells you how many calories you have burned... a 3rd push tells you how many steps you have taken... and finally... a 4th push tells you the current time. So.... if you don't wear it for anything else... it is still a really cool watch! Once you have met your daily goal (which you set your personal goal when you receive your watch and log on to create your account.... which is free... you set your own personal goal for your personal lifestyle) when you push the hidden button, the top of the watch band lights up with the word GOAL... which then tells you, you have met your daily goal requirements for that day.
When you plug your nike fuelband into the computer, or sync to your mobile phone, you will get the results for that day... if you met or exceeded your goal for the day, how many days in a row you have met your goal, a timeline graph of when you used the most fuel during the day, how you are doing compared to yourself, how you are doing compared to women in your age group (or men among the men's group), and how you are doing compared to every person wearing the nike fuelbands. In other words... this fuel band keeps track of all your activity for as long as you keep wearing and using the fuelband.
I personally receive so many compliments on my beautiful bracelet every single day... and then once I tell the complimenter that it is actually a fitness tool, they are amazed! Same for men.... it looks like a really cool watch... but once it's functions are explained, everyone wants one! The only place you can't wear this band is in water... you can't wash dishes with it on, shower, or go swimming with it... but other than that you can wear it anywhere, and with anything you are wearing. Before I discovered this wonderful tool, I was wearing a pedometer on my underwear... but... since I usually wear dresses, and skirts... I always had this hump/bump sticking out of all my clothes... or... it would pop off during restroom visits, and I have lost a couple of pedometers because of that, a couple of my pedometers have gone toilet swimming (NO!! I did not retrieve them from the toilet)... so to me... wearing this bracelet was the perfect solution! I no longer have to discreetly fish up under my dresses/skirts to check on my progress... now I can just push my wrist button and viola!!! information instantly accessible, and I don't have to squint to read it either, because it is all lit up for me to easily read... day or night.
My husband and I try hard to keep fit, workout, and eat healthy (we are in our 50's), and enjoy having tools to help keep us on track of our daily goals. I think this creation is genius! My fuelband never gets in my way of doing any activity, and I don't realize it is even on my wrist until I choose to check my progress. My other pedometers were rather inexpensive (ranging from $10-$20), but only gave me results for steps walked.... the Nike+FuelBand is $150, which is much pricier... but... the information it gives me, the ease of wearing it, and the encouragement I personally receive from wearing it just in one month, make me feel like it has, and will continue to pay for itself. I look at this as an investment to my health... and... as they say... you do get what you pay for.
The Nike+FuelBand comes in 3 sizes (Small, Medium, Large).... when you order, there is a printable wrist measure for you to print out and check your wrist size. I wear a small... my husband wears a medium.... but... each Nike+FuelBand comes with a tool and an extra link to increase the size if needed... however... for now the only color selection is black.
I waited for a month before I would share this wonderful fitness tool on my blog, because I wanted to make sure it really worked... and it does really work! I just LOVE it!!! I suggest you go to the Nike+FuelBand.com website first... check it out, see what it looks like, and read all about it before ordering... but then... do order one and get started on setting a goal, and reaching a goal everyday once you begin wearing your own Nike+FuelBand.
You may be asking yourself... "What the heck is it???"
It is a 1" wide, lightweight bracelet you wear on your wrist that keeps track of your daily activities, and then translates your movements into Nike fuel. Every activity counts and adds up to fuel points. At the end of the day, you simply plug your bracelet into a computer thru an USB port that is inside the clasp of the bracelet, or sync it through bluetooth on a mobile phone (yes.... there is an ap for that)... and collect your daily results.
The bracelet looks great on both men and women.... it is literally a black band that looks like a bracelet on a woman, or a watch on a man. On the band is a hidden button... push it once and a band of pin dot lights will light up on the bottom.... starting at red and progressing towards green... there is a single pulsing green pin dot light at the end of the lights to let you know how much further you need to go to reach your daily goal. On the top of the bracelet, once you have pushed the button once, you will see a lit readout of how much fuel you have burned... a 2nd push tells you how many calories you have burned... a 3rd push tells you how many steps you have taken... and finally... a 4th push tells you the current time. So.... if you don't wear it for anything else... it is still a really cool watch! Once you have met your daily goal (which you set your personal goal when you receive your watch and log on to create your account.... which is free... you set your own personal goal for your personal lifestyle) when you push the hidden button, the top of the watch band lights up with the word GOAL... which then tells you, you have met your daily goal requirements for that day.
When you plug your nike fuelband into the computer, or sync to your mobile phone, you will get the results for that day... if you met or exceeded your goal for the day, how many days in a row you have met your goal, a timeline graph of when you used the most fuel during the day, how you are doing compared to yourself, how you are doing compared to women in your age group (or men among the men's group), and how you are doing compared to every person wearing the nike fuelbands. In other words... this fuel band keeps track of all your activity for as long as you keep wearing and using the fuelband.
I personally receive so many compliments on my beautiful bracelet every single day... and then once I tell the complimenter that it is actually a fitness tool, they are amazed! Same for men.... it looks like a really cool watch... but once it's functions are explained, everyone wants one! The only place you can't wear this band is in water... you can't wash dishes with it on, shower, or go swimming with it... but other than that you can wear it anywhere, and with anything you are wearing. Before I discovered this wonderful tool, I was wearing a pedometer on my underwear... but... since I usually wear dresses, and skirts... I always had this hump/bump sticking out of all my clothes... or... it would pop off during restroom visits, and I have lost a couple of pedometers because of that, a couple of my pedometers have gone toilet swimming (NO!! I did not retrieve them from the toilet)... so to me... wearing this bracelet was the perfect solution! I no longer have to discreetly fish up under my dresses/skirts to check on my progress... now I can just push my wrist button and viola!!! information instantly accessible, and I don't have to squint to read it either, because it is all lit up for me to easily read... day or night.
My husband and I try hard to keep fit, workout, and eat healthy (we are in our 50's), and enjoy having tools to help keep us on track of our daily goals. I think this creation is genius! My fuelband never gets in my way of doing any activity, and I don't realize it is even on my wrist until I choose to check my progress. My other pedometers were rather inexpensive (ranging from $10-$20), but only gave me results for steps walked.... the Nike+FuelBand is $150, which is much pricier... but... the information it gives me, the ease of wearing it, and the encouragement I personally receive from wearing it just in one month, make me feel like it has, and will continue to pay for itself. I look at this as an investment to my health... and... as they say... you do get what you pay for.
The Nike+FuelBand comes in 3 sizes (Small, Medium, Large).... when you order, there is a printable wrist measure for you to print out and check your wrist size. I wear a small... my husband wears a medium.... but... each Nike+FuelBand comes with a tool and an extra link to increase the size if needed... however... for now the only color selection is black.
I waited for a month before I would share this wonderful fitness tool on my blog, because I wanted to make sure it really worked... and it does really work! I just LOVE it!!! I suggest you go to the Nike+FuelBand.com website first... check it out, see what it looks like, and read all about it before ordering... but then... do order one and get started on setting a goal, and reaching a goal everyday once you begin wearing your own Nike+FuelBand.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Hot As Hades In Kansas
No kidding.... it truly IS 'Hot As Hades' here in Kansas. Today (Monday, June 25th, 2012) the temperature index was 'supposed' to be 106 degrees... but... on my way home from dinner out tonight, I noticed on the bank sign as I passed by that it ended up being 113 degrees, and my car instrument panel read 110 degrees... but... I was driving in my convertible with the top down and wind blowing, which must account for the 3 degree difference... but none the less... give or take a degree or two... it IS Hot As Hades!
The hot temperature will be with us for at least the next 7 days... tomorrow (Tuesday) it is expected to be 104, Wednesday 106, Thursday 106, Friday 100, and Saturday 100... but... it is likely those temperatures will rise higher than that. All I can say is... "It's a good thing we have a pool to refresh in as the temperature continues to rise"... but then... the pool water is also rising... 86 degrees today with it probably reaching 90 degrees in the next couple of days... bath water warm!
Last year Kansas had over 60 days in the triple digits, 2 of those days our teeny tiny town of Hutchinson (which is smack dab in the middle of the state) hit 112 and was officially declared the "hottest spot in the Nation"!! Some days there is a fierce wind that actually stings because it is so hot... other days it is quiet, still, and stifling... but... I just LOVE it!!!! Kansas also doesn't get very much rain during the summer months... so it is hot AND dry.
After living in these hot temperatures for several months, your body actually starts to acclimate itself to these temperatures. Last year, my husband Joe and I took a trip to Seattle, and Vancouver Canada the last week of July/first week of August... the "hottest" weeks of summer, or so they say. This region was experiencing their hottest week of the summer while we were there visiting... the highest temperature that week was 78 degrees! The locals were so excited for the really warm weather that week... but I nearly froze to death all week because my body was so used to triple digit temperatures. Everyone is walking around in tank tops and shorts... I was walking around with my sweater on, wishing I had brought a sweatshirt instead. I'm sure the locals thought I was crazy or sick... but I was just dang cold! Although... it really was a very lovely vacation and we enjoyed every minute of it. I just couldn't get over the fact at how used to the hot heat I had become.
Even here in Hutchinson Kansas folks think I'm a bit off my rocker for just LOVING the heat... but I have always liked the heat and just want to be outside as much as possible. I have a convertible that I drive with the top down from April thru October... and a day or two in November on occasion when possible. In April and May I do have to use my hinnie heater, and have the heat blowing full blast to stay warm with the chillier wind blowing... from June thru September I have the hinnie cooler on (I had never heard of such a thing as a 'ventilated seat cooler' until I bought this car 4 years ago... but it is pure GENIUS!!!) and I have the a/c blasting... then in October it is back to the hinnie heater and heat blasting until I have to eventually put the top up for winter. But then... I really don't get out much in the winter time because I HATE the cold! : )
I consume ice tea, (sweet... southern style... like I was raised on) lemonade, and ice water all day long during the summer months. Fresh fruit and salads are my preferred meals during these hot times as well... it's just too dang HOT to eat heavy food items.
If you like it hot... and "Some Like It Hot" (remember that movie with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe) ... like me... make your way to Kansas and enjoy the heat with me!
The hot temperature will be with us for at least the next 7 days... tomorrow (Tuesday) it is expected to be 104, Wednesday 106, Thursday 106, Friday 100, and Saturday 100... but... it is likely those temperatures will rise higher than that. All I can say is... "It's a good thing we have a pool to refresh in as the temperature continues to rise"... but then... the pool water is also rising... 86 degrees today with it probably reaching 90 degrees in the next couple of days... bath water warm!
Last year Kansas had over 60 days in the triple digits, 2 of those days our teeny tiny town of Hutchinson (which is smack dab in the middle of the state) hit 112 and was officially declared the "hottest spot in the Nation"!! Some days there is a fierce wind that actually stings because it is so hot... other days it is quiet, still, and stifling... but... I just LOVE it!!!! Kansas also doesn't get very much rain during the summer months... so it is hot AND dry.
After living in these hot temperatures for several months, your body actually starts to acclimate itself to these temperatures. Last year, my husband Joe and I took a trip to Seattle, and Vancouver Canada the last week of July/first week of August... the "hottest" weeks of summer, or so they say. This region was experiencing their hottest week of the summer while we were there visiting... the highest temperature that week was 78 degrees! The locals were so excited for the really warm weather that week... but I nearly froze to death all week because my body was so used to triple digit temperatures. Everyone is walking around in tank tops and shorts... I was walking around with my sweater on, wishing I had brought a sweatshirt instead. I'm sure the locals thought I was crazy or sick... but I was just dang cold! Although... it really was a very lovely vacation and we enjoyed every minute of it. I just couldn't get over the fact at how used to the hot heat I had become.
Even here in Hutchinson Kansas folks think I'm a bit off my rocker for just LOVING the heat... but I have always liked the heat and just want to be outside as much as possible. I have a convertible that I drive with the top down from April thru October... and a day or two in November on occasion when possible. In April and May I do have to use my hinnie heater, and have the heat blowing full blast to stay warm with the chillier wind blowing... from June thru September I have the hinnie cooler on (I had never heard of such a thing as a 'ventilated seat cooler' until I bought this car 4 years ago... but it is pure GENIUS!!!) and I have the a/c blasting... then in October it is back to the hinnie heater and heat blasting until I have to eventually put the top up for winter. But then... I really don't get out much in the winter time because I HATE the cold! : )
I consume ice tea, (sweet... southern style... like I was raised on) lemonade, and ice water all day long during the summer months. Fresh fruit and salads are my preferred meals during these hot times as well... it's just too dang HOT to eat heavy food items.
If you like it hot... and "Some Like It Hot" (remember that movie with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe) ... like me... make your way to Kansas and enjoy the heat with me!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Crab Boil With The Geriatric Group
This past week several of my husband's family (His parents, 2 Aunts, and 1 Uncle) drove to visit us here in Kansas from Kentucky. This group... whom we loving refer to as the "Geriatric Group"... because they are the older relatives... but... they are hilariously fun!!! We laughed, giggled, and shared many memories from all our past get togethers, and the time just flew by.
My husband Joe just LOVES any, and all kinds of seafood... his specialty meal being his famous "Crab Boil". Joe and I have had crab boils many times over the past several years, but we usually do them when our daughters and their husbands are in town, and as a summer time get together event with friends. We have talked about these crab boils with his parents (who also just LOVE seafood of all kinds) afterwards, but they have never been around to experience one. So.... when we found out they were coming for a visit this year, we decided to do a crab boil just for them. It was a HUGE success and very enjoyed by all!
Several years ago I bought Joe a turkey fryer for frying his Thanksgiving turkey... but this pot is also good for crab boils as well. It is a large pot that sets on a stand that is connected to a propane tank. When he fries his turkeys he fills the pot up with peanut oil... when he does his crab boil he fills the pot up with water and makes his own seafood broth. This turkey fryer has been well used for over 10 years now, and is still going strong with many more turkey fryings and crab boils to go.
Joe begins by layering his ingredients into the huge pot... placing the food items that take the longest to cook in the bottom, and ending with the food items that just need to be quickly steamed on top. The longest part of doing the crab boil is getting the cooking broth up to boil... after that the whole process goes very quickly. First in the pot is the baby new potatoes (kept whole), then he places ear corn nibblets on top (whole ears of corn that have been cut in half), then in goes the smoked sausage. It is at this point that he adds in his water, spices, seasonings, and herbs to flavor the boil. Then after the broth starts to boil, he adds the crab legs, shell on shrimp, then the clams, and finally the mussels. When he has determined everything is cooked to perfection... he then pours the entire contents of the pot into large aluminum roasting pans and sets those in the middle of the table... then declares... "It's time to feast!"... and the feasting thus begins!
We set up tables outdoors with plastic disposable tablecloths on top, so that when the feast is finished and everyone is completely satiated, fingers licked, and all juices have been sopped up with the crusty bread we serve with the crab boil.... we then... just gather up the plastic tablecloths and dump the whole nasty mess into a garbage can and VOILA.... clean up is a breeze! As Joe is preparing the crab boil, the table is set with plastic dinnerware... utensils aren't needed... just your fingers... little bowls of butter for dipping for each guest, a couple rolls of paper towels for face and finger wiping, another aluminum roasting pan for all the empty shells... that's it!
This is definitely a warm weather kind of eating experience so that you can keep all the mess, and seafood smells out doors, and for an easy cleanup. After all bellies are full to brimming over, we then continue to sit outside and enjoy wine and conversation until dark. Every time we have put on a crab boil it has been such a fun relaxing treat for everyone. We are doing another crab boil just next week when our youngest daughter and her family visit (Lauren, Kevin, and Henry)... and they have been looking forward to the crab boil for 6 months now!
To make a crab boil you basically need a large pot over a hot heat source... then you can add any ingredients and seafood you desire, as well as any flavorings to make the broth as you desire. There are lots of recipes to be found for crab boils... don't be afraid... they are very easy and basically are a "One Pot Meal". But do be sure to have lots of crusty bread around for lots of broth sopping after all the delectable nibbles have been consumed.
Grab some family and/or friends.... begin a new summer time tradition and have a crab boil, wine/beer and have a mav-ah-lous good time! YUM YUM, SLURP SLURP AND SOP SOP!!!!
My husband Joe just LOVES any, and all kinds of seafood... his specialty meal being his famous "Crab Boil". Joe and I have had crab boils many times over the past several years, but we usually do them when our daughters and their husbands are in town, and as a summer time get together event with friends. We have talked about these crab boils with his parents (who also just LOVE seafood of all kinds) afterwards, but they have never been around to experience one. So.... when we found out they were coming for a visit this year, we decided to do a crab boil just for them. It was a HUGE success and very enjoyed by all!
Several years ago I bought Joe a turkey fryer for frying his Thanksgiving turkey... but this pot is also good for crab boils as well. It is a large pot that sets on a stand that is connected to a propane tank. When he fries his turkeys he fills the pot up with peanut oil... when he does his crab boil he fills the pot up with water and makes his own seafood broth. This turkey fryer has been well used for over 10 years now, and is still going strong with many more turkey fryings and crab boils to go.
Joe begins by layering his ingredients into the huge pot... placing the food items that take the longest to cook in the bottom, and ending with the food items that just need to be quickly steamed on top. The longest part of doing the crab boil is getting the cooking broth up to boil... after that the whole process goes very quickly. First in the pot is the baby new potatoes (kept whole), then he places ear corn nibblets on top (whole ears of corn that have been cut in half), then in goes the smoked sausage. It is at this point that he adds in his water, spices, seasonings, and herbs to flavor the boil. Then after the broth starts to boil, he adds the crab legs, shell on shrimp, then the clams, and finally the mussels. When he has determined everything is cooked to perfection... he then pours the entire contents of the pot into large aluminum roasting pans and sets those in the middle of the table... then declares... "It's time to feast!"... and the feasting thus begins!
We set up tables outdoors with plastic disposable tablecloths on top, so that when the feast is finished and everyone is completely satiated, fingers licked, and all juices have been sopped up with the crusty bread we serve with the crab boil.... we then... just gather up the plastic tablecloths and dump the whole nasty mess into a garbage can and VOILA.... clean up is a breeze! As Joe is preparing the crab boil, the table is set with plastic dinnerware... utensils aren't needed... just your fingers... little bowls of butter for dipping for each guest, a couple rolls of paper towels for face and finger wiping, another aluminum roasting pan for all the empty shells... that's it!
This is definitely a warm weather kind of eating experience so that you can keep all the mess, and seafood smells out doors, and for an easy cleanup. After all bellies are full to brimming over, we then continue to sit outside and enjoy wine and conversation until dark. Every time we have put on a crab boil it has been such a fun relaxing treat for everyone. We are doing another crab boil just next week when our youngest daughter and her family visit (Lauren, Kevin, and Henry)... and they have been looking forward to the crab boil for 6 months now!
To make a crab boil you basically need a large pot over a hot heat source... then you can add any ingredients and seafood you desire, as well as any flavorings to make the broth as you desire. There are lots of recipes to be found for crab boils... don't be afraid... they are very easy and basically are a "One Pot Meal". But do be sure to have lots of crusty bread around for lots of broth sopping after all the delectable nibbles have been consumed.
Grab some family and/or friends.... begin a new summer time tradition and have a crab boil, wine/beer and have a mav-ah-lous good time! YUM YUM, SLURP SLURP AND SOP SOP!!!!
Friday, June 15, 2012
A Devine Day
Every once in awhile we all get to experience one of those marvelous wonderful days, when everything seems to go just right, or it is just a day of unexpected pleasures. Well yesterday I had such a day... and it was just DEVINE!!!!
I woke early, feeling very refreshed and well rested. I had my "cuppa" (hot tea like I do every morning) and sat down to my computer to check on my emails, Facebook, and such... and have some Facetime with my Grandson and Daughter. The morning was just one of those BEAUTIFUL sunshiny mornings, birds chirping, breeze blowing through the trees... one of those mornings where you grab your "cuppa" (coffee or tea) and head outside and sit on the porch to enjoy your morning over your "cuppa"... which is what I also did after Face timing with Lauren and Henry. Then after I enjoyed my leisurely cuppa tea, I took care of all my house chores, then headed out for a scheduled golf lesson.
I have been playing golf... or I should say... I have known how to play golf for 18 years, and I am still at the 'hit and giggle' stage and don't bother to keep score, because I know I will get the max shots allowed per hole... so why bother keeping score... and... when I go out and play it is usually with my husband, and then I just tee off and pick up and play where his ball is through the hole. So..... it was a big deal for me to decide to get more serious about my golf.... thus the golf lesson to get fitted for some new clubs. My current clubs were bought second hand 18 years ago for $100, and are made of real heavy steel!!! I have no flex in my shaft... so they say! The newer clubs weigh less than half my current clubs.... plus if you know anything about golf.... I only have 4, 6, 8 (irons) 3 wood, driver, pitching wedge, and putter.... that's it!!!!
Any hooty.... back to my "Devine Day". After my golf lesson, I decided to work on what the golf pro taught me, and stayed on the practice green to hit 100 golf balls. After I hit those 100 balls, my forearms were screaming and knotted up tight as an overwound watch! But... as I was heading back to my car to go home, a couple of ladies I golf with on Tuesday nights were passing me by in a golf cart after just playing the front nine, and asked if I would like to join them on the back nine. I have NEVER just picked up a random game and gone to play.... so I said "SURE!!!!!"... and I did! After all those practice shots, I literally had no more energy or umph in my swing... but I could still chip and putt pretty good. So again... I teed off, and if my shot wasn't very long or good, I would pick up and play where their ball was. We had such a fun fun fun time that afternoon! I'm soooooo glad they asked, and sooooo glad I said yes!
After golf, I came home and plopped on the couch for a 1/2 hour to catch my breath. Then it was back out to run a few errands... got my car filled up with gas, and ran her through the car wash.... then to the grocery to pick up a couple of things for dinner... and back home again, home again, jiggity jig to start dinner.
Joe had prepared a marinated skirt steak on the grill a couple days earlier, so we sliced the left overs up and turned them into fajitas. And for whatever reason... which again... NEVER happens!!!... Joe decided to join me in the kitchen and we made our meal together... commenting all the while to each other that we need to cook together more often. It was such fun! The fajitas were absolutely DELISH!!!!! I made homemade guacamole and pico de gallo to go with them.... OH MY GOODNESS GOOD!!!
After dinner we took our nightly stroll through our woodsy neighborhood and chatted about all our up coming events and visitors. The night was as beautiful as the day had been, and the breeze was still just swirling around us... just enough to make it pleasantly refreshing... I forgot to mention that it was still 91 degrees at this time... which was 8:00pm.
That was really all that happened on this particular day.... nothing majorly exciting happened... it was just a day that was beautiful weather wise from dawn to dusk, I worked hard on my chores, I played hard with my new golf lady friends, I enjoyed a simple but delish meal prepared with my husband, we walked and talked and then hit the bed... but the whole day just flowed along like a sweet burbling brook running along side a beautiful meadow. Basically it was a wonderfully fun and beautiful summer day!!!!
Obviously this blog has no redeeming value to it... other than to just say... I had a really good day and wanted to share it, in hopes that whoever is reading this blog will say... "OH that reminds me of this "Devine Day" I too once had", and the memories will spark and you will have a nice day from your memories! This day is in my "Special Day" memory bank for sure! And the great thing is.... it is only June!!!! We still have 3 more months of spectacular summer weather to enjoy and create more "Devine Days" with!
Wishing you and yours a Devine Day... today and everyday!
I woke early, feeling very refreshed and well rested. I had my "cuppa" (hot tea like I do every morning) and sat down to my computer to check on my emails, Facebook, and such... and have some Facetime with my Grandson and Daughter. The morning was just one of those BEAUTIFUL sunshiny mornings, birds chirping, breeze blowing through the trees... one of those mornings where you grab your "cuppa" (coffee or tea) and head outside and sit on the porch to enjoy your morning over your "cuppa"... which is what I also did after Face timing with Lauren and Henry. Then after I enjoyed my leisurely cuppa tea, I took care of all my house chores, then headed out for a scheduled golf lesson.
I have been playing golf... or I should say... I have known how to play golf for 18 years, and I am still at the 'hit and giggle' stage and don't bother to keep score, because I know I will get the max shots allowed per hole... so why bother keeping score... and... when I go out and play it is usually with my husband, and then I just tee off and pick up and play where his ball is through the hole. So..... it was a big deal for me to decide to get more serious about my golf.... thus the golf lesson to get fitted for some new clubs. My current clubs were bought second hand 18 years ago for $100, and are made of real heavy steel!!! I have no flex in my shaft... so they say! The newer clubs weigh less than half my current clubs.... plus if you know anything about golf.... I only have 4, 6, 8 (irons) 3 wood, driver, pitching wedge, and putter.... that's it!!!!
Any hooty.... back to my "Devine Day". After my golf lesson, I decided to work on what the golf pro taught me, and stayed on the practice green to hit 100 golf balls. After I hit those 100 balls, my forearms were screaming and knotted up tight as an overwound watch! But... as I was heading back to my car to go home, a couple of ladies I golf with on Tuesday nights were passing me by in a golf cart after just playing the front nine, and asked if I would like to join them on the back nine. I have NEVER just picked up a random game and gone to play.... so I said "SURE!!!!!"... and I did! After all those practice shots, I literally had no more energy or umph in my swing... but I could still chip and putt pretty good. So again... I teed off, and if my shot wasn't very long or good, I would pick up and play where their ball was. We had such a fun fun fun time that afternoon! I'm soooooo glad they asked, and sooooo glad I said yes!
After golf, I came home and plopped on the couch for a 1/2 hour to catch my breath. Then it was back out to run a few errands... got my car filled up with gas, and ran her through the car wash.... then to the grocery to pick up a couple of things for dinner... and back home again, home again, jiggity jig to start dinner.
Joe had prepared a marinated skirt steak on the grill a couple days earlier, so we sliced the left overs up and turned them into fajitas. And for whatever reason... which again... NEVER happens!!!... Joe decided to join me in the kitchen and we made our meal together... commenting all the while to each other that we need to cook together more often. It was such fun! The fajitas were absolutely DELISH!!!!! I made homemade guacamole and pico de gallo to go with them.... OH MY GOODNESS GOOD!!!
After dinner we took our nightly stroll through our woodsy neighborhood and chatted about all our up coming events and visitors. The night was as beautiful as the day had been, and the breeze was still just swirling around us... just enough to make it pleasantly refreshing... I forgot to mention that it was still 91 degrees at this time... which was 8:00pm.
That was really all that happened on this particular day.... nothing majorly exciting happened... it was just a day that was beautiful weather wise from dawn to dusk, I worked hard on my chores, I played hard with my new golf lady friends, I enjoyed a simple but delish meal prepared with my husband, we walked and talked and then hit the bed... but the whole day just flowed along like a sweet burbling brook running along side a beautiful meadow. Basically it was a wonderfully fun and beautiful summer day!!!!
Obviously this blog has no redeeming value to it... other than to just say... I had a really good day and wanted to share it, in hopes that whoever is reading this blog will say... "OH that reminds me of this "Devine Day" I too once had", and the memories will spark and you will have a nice day from your memories! This day is in my "Special Day" memory bank for sure! And the great thing is.... it is only June!!!! We still have 3 more months of spectacular summer weather to enjoy and create more "Devine Days" with!
Wishing you and yours a Devine Day... today and everyday!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Coconut Cream Pie
My Dear Friend Kay is a true down home Southern Gal... who has a really large sweet tooth... especially for anything lemon or coconut. Last year when she and her husband came to visit, I promised I would make her a lemon tart... which I did and she ate every bite. When they had plans to come visit again this year I asked her what she wanted me to make special for her, and she requested a Coconut Cream Pie.
I have never eaten or tasted a Coconut Cream Pie before, and baking in general isn't my strong suit in the kitchen... but... I was confident I could and would figure it out... and indeed I did!!! I used Julia Child's pastry dough recipe (it can be found in her famous "The Art of Mastering French Cooking" cookbook... I used the Coconut Cream Pie recipe from Emeril Lagasse that I found on foodnetwork.com. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! This truly was the tasty-est pie I have ever put in my mouth! WOWZERS!!!!! It was FAB-U-LOUS!!!! I will add both recipes to the bottom of this blog for any of you who want to try this incredible delicious pie.
The pastry dough I made from Julia's recipe is the simplest and easiest dough to make and it is so easy to work with when rolling out. I used her version where you just throw all the ingredients in a food processor, pulse it a few times til well mixed, wrap it in plastic and let it set in the refrigerator for a 1/2 hour or more. I blind baked the pie on 400 degrees for 10 minutes, removed the foil and baking beads, placed back in the oven for another 10 minutes until slightly golden brown, then removed pie shell from oven and let it cool, and then added the coconut cream filling.
The coconut cream filling is a custard sauce made from scratch with toasted coconut added in at the end. After filling the pie shell with the coconut cream custard, I whipped up the meringue, piled it on top of the coconut cream and baked it for another 5 minutes til brown. My pie was so perfect and beautiful, it could have been a photo in a food magazine... and... it was so dang delicious too! I was quite proud... in fact... I think my feathers are still a bit puffed up with pride from my pie! I am re-making this recipe this weekend for another set of guests who are coming to visit. I set the bar so high with my first pie, I sure hope this one comes out as pretty and delish!
The pastry shell was a breeze to make and bake... but the coconut cream pie filling recipe is a bit time consuming... but definitely worth the trouble... I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as we did.
Here is the recipe for Julia Child's pastry dough.
PASTRY DOUGH
2 cups all-purpose flour (scooped and leveled... not sifted)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
6 oz (1 1/2 sticks) chilled butter cut into 1/2" bits
4 Tbsp chilled shortening (I used Crisco)
A scant half cup of iced water, plus more droplets more as needed
Measure dry ingredients into food processor bowl (equipped with steel blade). Add chilled butter bits and chilled shortening to flour in bowl. Pulse 4 - 5 times, add a scant half cup of iced water, turn food processor to on, pouring water into mixture all at once, immediately pulse food processor several times and the dough should mass on the blade. If not, dribble in a little more water and repeat, repeating again if necessary. Dough is done when it has begun to mass on blade... DO NOT OVER MIX!!!! Scrape dough out of bowl, pat into disc shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and set in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but it may remain in refrigerator for 2-3 days, or it can be frozen at this point if wrapped in was paper and sealed tightly in a plastic bag.
To blind bake pastry shell... roll dough out on floured surface to a 1/8" thick circle, and about 2" larger than your pie pan. Crimp edges as desired and cut off excess dough from rim. Place pie shell in refrigerator for 20 minutes and let rest. Remove pie shell from refrigerator and line inside of shell with foil, then place dried beans or baking beads inside of shell and bake in 400 degree oven in the middle of oven. Bake for 10 minutes, or until slightly golden. Remove beans/baking beads and foil, prick bottom of pie shell with fork, and return pie shell to oven for another 10 minutes more.
Here is the recipe from Emeril Lagasse I used from foodnetwork.com
COCONUT CREAM PIE
1 blind-baked 9-inch pastry shell (Julia Child recipe for pasty shell)
I have never eaten or tasted a Coconut Cream Pie before, and baking in general isn't my strong suit in the kitchen... but... I was confident I could and would figure it out... and indeed I did!!! I used Julia Child's pastry dough recipe (it can be found in her famous "The Art of Mastering French Cooking" cookbook... I used the Coconut Cream Pie recipe from Emeril Lagasse that I found on foodnetwork.com. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! This truly was the tasty-est pie I have ever put in my mouth! WOWZERS!!!!! It was FAB-U-LOUS!!!! I will add both recipes to the bottom of this blog for any of you who want to try this incredible delicious pie.
The pastry dough I made from Julia's recipe is the simplest and easiest dough to make and it is so easy to work with when rolling out. I used her version where you just throw all the ingredients in a food processor, pulse it a few times til well mixed, wrap it in plastic and let it set in the refrigerator for a 1/2 hour or more. I blind baked the pie on 400 degrees for 10 minutes, removed the foil and baking beads, placed back in the oven for another 10 minutes until slightly golden brown, then removed pie shell from oven and let it cool, and then added the coconut cream filling.
The coconut cream filling is a custard sauce made from scratch with toasted coconut added in at the end. After filling the pie shell with the coconut cream custard, I whipped up the meringue, piled it on top of the coconut cream and baked it for another 5 minutes til brown. My pie was so perfect and beautiful, it could have been a photo in a food magazine... and... it was so dang delicious too! I was quite proud... in fact... I think my feathers are still a bit puffed up with pride from my pie! I am re-making this recipe this weekend for another set of guests who are coming to visit. I set the bar so high with my first pie, I sure hope this one comes out as pretty and delish!
The pastry shell was a breeze to make and bake... but the coconut cream pie filling recipe is a bit time consuming... but definitely worth the trouble... I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as we did.
Here is the recipe for Julia Child's pastry dough.
PASTRY DOUGH
2 cups all-purpose flour (scooped and leveled... not sifted)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
6 oz (1 1/2 sticks) chilled butter cut into 1/2" bits
4 Tbsp chilled shortening (I used Crisco)
A scant half cup of iced water, plus more droplets more as needed
Measure dry ingredients into food processor bowl (equipped with steel blade). Add chilled butter bits and chilled shortening to flour in bowl. Pulse 4 - 5 times, add a scant half cup of iced water, turn food processor to on, pouring water into mixture all at once, immediately pulse food processor several times and the dough should mass on the blade. If not, dribble in a little more water and repeat, repeating again if necessary. Dough is done when it has begun to mass on blade... DO NOT OVER MIX!!!! Scrape dough out of bowl, pat into disc shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and set in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but it may remain in refrigerator for 2-3 days, or it can be frozen at this point if wrapped in was paper and sealed tightly in a plastic bag.
To blind bake pastry shell... roll dough out on floured surface to a 1/8" thick circle, and about 2" larger than your pie pan. Crimp edges as desired and cut off excess dough from rim. Place pie shell in refrigerator for 20 minutes and let rest. Remove pie shell from refrigerator and line inside of shell with foil, then place dried beans or baking beads inside of shell and bake in 400 degree oven in the middle of oven. Bake for 10 minutes, or until slightly golden. Remove beans/baking beads and foil, prick bottom of pie shell with fork, and return pie shell to oven for another 10 minutes more.
Here is the recipe from Emeril Lagasse I used from foodnetwork.com
COCONUT CREAM PIE
1 blind-baked 9-inch pastry shell (Julia Child recipe for pasty shell)
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup for the egg whites
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 3/4 cups toasted coconut
- 1 tablespoon butter
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a saucepan, whisk the 2 cups of the milk and 3/4 cup sugar together. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the liquid up to a simmer. Whisk the egg yolks together. Temper the hot milk into the egg yolks. Whisk the egg mixture into the hot milk mixture. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining milk, making a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the hot milk mixture. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until the filling is thick, about 4 to 6 minutes. Fold in the vanilla, coconut, and butter. Mix well. Pour the filling into the prepared pan and cool the pie completely. Using an electric mixer with a whip attachment, whip the egg white to soft peaks. Add the remaining sugar and whip the egg white to stiff peaks. Spread the egg whites over the top of the pie. Place the pie in the oven for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
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About Me
- Vickie G
- I am a short little lady with a passion for cooking and pilates. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart (my soulmate and love of my life!!!) and we have 3 amazing daughters. I am 50 years old and love living life with as much zest as possible.