Monday, November 26, 2012
Phoenix airport waiting for the fight back to Houston.
Goodness, it's so hard to say goodbye,especially when there are two little ones involved. Garrett (9) was happy to see me and even tho' it's been two and a half months, after just a little bit Caylee (15 months) decided we're friends and was more than happy to play and read books and snuggle.
I've never been much of a traveler, maybe because besides being so busy raising kids I just didn't have too much of anywhere to go. Besides, the idea of getting on a plane and going off seemed selfish to me (what was I thinking?).
I have family in Alaska, my mom and three sisters. They're always saying I need to visit. Between a job I never seemed to be able to break away from and the cost of tickets (how could I just pack up and go away on a trip alone?) that's never happened.
My oldest Daughter went to Greece quite a few years ago, her stay was shorter than we'd expected but we talked about me going there... but then she was back in the US in less than a year. She moved to Florida and I actually stepped out and made road trips there to visit, sometimes just me and one of the kids or two... That was streching my wings!
But this year, so far, I've flown to Phoenix twice! Cort and Tara moved there in March and I thought the next time I would see them would be when they made a trip here. But, they've invited me out and gotten me a ticket both times. This trip was a shorter stay for the holiday. The first one was very different, we went to The Grand Canyon and to Flagstaff for four days.
I have a very special friend, Ellen, from long ago who lives out there, too. We'd seen each other only two or three times just for a few hours over nearly 40 years but on my first trip to Arizona I was able to spend three days with her and her husband. Funny how you can be decades apart from some people but then when you're together it's so like you'rfe having your weekly visit... She's just one special lady!
I don't know what Christmas will bring this year. So much is different from last year for my family, I guess I just wait and see.
Monday, July 23, 2012
It's not that I don't like Texas. It's really an ok place. And it's catching up... Many places you go now you can get sweet tea. I see Buttermilk and Sawdust Pies on menus here and there . But it's really not "The South". It took me awhile to figure out why I was not so comfortable here... Something was missing.... I mean I wasn't actually thinking "I'm not comfortable here " but it just didn't fit me. Some people would ask, in a place like Houston, how could something be missing?
Years and years ago I lived for a bit in New Jersey and then "upstate" NY... meaning, not in the city. THAT is most assuredly a place I don't belong! The only things I miss about up there is Katz's Bakery in Liberty NY and it's not even there anymore.
I was raised in the south and was taught I had to say please and thank you, excuse me, yes maam and no maam. If I opened a piece of gum or candy the trash went into Granny's pocket... I didn't know what littering was but no-one should ever be able to connect me to a piece of trash on the ground. NEVER_NEVER, NEVER interrupt adults who were speaking unless it was for a dire reason. That included no fussin' or whimpering of any kinds. I was raised to call ladies Miss, as in Miss Ann, or if close to them but not blood related maybe aunt and of course the men Mr, ie, Mr Everett or Uncle Everett. I even had one I adored and I called her Mama Jo. Never, absolutely never, did I call an adult by their first name.
When I came to Houston when my kids would speak to people and say something like, Miss Ponterella or Miss Nancy they would be corrected and told " Don't call me Miss! Just call me Nancy. " I explained, this isn't about you... it's about teaching my kids what I consider important to their character. And I have seen this improve over the years, at least in my close circles, a bit.
My children, especially the boys, were taught NOT to enter thru a door if there was a person approaching that they could courteously open the door for. Rain or shine. Not to eat like pets even if it was just a sandwich and to be sure to tend to anyone older than them or a guest at any meal setting. They still say ma'am when being introduced to any of my girl friends and my "boys" are 43 qnd 31 years old. I was blessed one day when a man at a garage sale realized he had worked for my oldest son and with my youngest (when was home on college breaks) and said they both treated him with the untost respect and consideration even tho' the oldest was his boss...Always Spoke to him saying yes sir and no sir. Said I should be a very proud momma.
I have friends who have teen and yound adult children...... Boys and girls. And they talk to me like I'm one of their contemporaries.... Not just lacking any respect in the their speaking that causes them to respond with Yeh, and huh? and to have an attitude that they are always the ones it's all about, ... but I hear them speak to their mommas the same way! This so gets my feathers ruffled, but even more than that it makes me sad. For sure I see models of their daddy's and how their daddy's talk to their mommas! I believe it's a momma's job to teach her children manners and for the daddy's to very, very strongly support it, especially by example. But if you have a daddy who speaks respectfully to his wife, momma, grandma, aunts and all ladies in general, it's what you'll see out of his children. If it's in him, important to him, he'll tend to seeing his sons follow suite.
Simple things like all of this goes a very long way to help children present themselves in ways that makes them positively stand out, it's truly an advantage to them everywhere they go. And I miss it.
I guess the best thing I can say from my heart is, if you're not from the south, I'm sorry.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I love, have always loved and will always love Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers. It's a very special song to me. It' so beautiful.
In the last few years I've met a lady, Liz, and have become very good friends with her. After a bit we realized we have a lot of favorites in common. Surprise, surprise.... We both LOVE this song. I'm amazed how many people my age don't remember it. Cause I just love it!
Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers sang it in '65 and that version is the best to me. I loved to dance when I was younger and I bet I danced plenty of miles to this song.
I went to The Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach Florida in 1967 and saw them. Be still my heart.... I saw them again in Houston in the late 90's. Not the same awesome show but I enjoyed them still. Elvis, my very, very, very most favorite singer recorded it once. Sad to say it wasn't really very good at all. It was also in the movie Ghost, or part of it.
If I'm shopping somewhere and it comes on, I stop and take a break to listen.
The CD was made by my daughter in law and son for their beautiful wedding. My son chose the song I Hope You Dance as the Mother - Son dance.... That was really special because I had sent my son that song when he was away at college..... I cried.... Then, near the end of the wedding Unchained Melody began and he came and got me to dance again.... He said "You didn't think I'd forget, did you?" Oh, what a wonderful thing for him to do.
Something else no one knew was one day, lots of years ago, I was listening to the song and it had been so many years since I'd danced to it asked God to let me dance one more time with someone who understood how much I love the song...
I've been thinking about some things that have been special to me in my life and this is for sure one!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Trying again.
Facebook because I get filled with so much interesting stuff from FB friends... recipes... gardening and decorating ideas, DIY projects.. etc, that I spend very little time even looking at the fabulous blogs I follow.
Procrastinating because I want to have everything ready and organized in my head to post here on my blog.
Life because of so much unexpected happening over the last few months...
I was thinking there was plenty going on.. a new grandbaby girl, born on my father's birthday in August, Caylee Marie. Me being busy with lots of things at church. Keeping up with Bleah, 16 with so many ideas, things to do and places to go.
Then, Kathryn's (my oldest daughter) husband, Franco, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March of last year. The drs said with chemo he could have eleven months. We prayed for a miracle... so many wonderful people stayed in prayer with us. But Franco went to be with the Lord in January ('12).
Three weeks before this in late December ('11) drs told Kathryn she has stage three breast cancer. She began chemo treatement the week of his funeral.
I've been able to be out here in San Antonio with her to go to chemo most of the time and stay on till she's feeling better and able to tend to stuff and take care of herself. She ended up with pnuemonia after the first chemo and in the hospital for five days.
All of this has put some stuff on hold, more so for Bleah than for me. She'd finished school in January, she's home schooled and graduated a year and a half early.
Kathryn just began the second round of chemo yesterday and will have surgery in June, after her youngest graduates... then radiation ... then reconstruction surgery in about October.
I just ordered some save the date cards for Bleah's graduation party in mid-May so I have to get on the stick and put that together.
One week when Kathryn was feeling surprisingly well we went for 3 days on the beach on Okaloosa Island in Florida. It. was. so. nice. !
I still have a job keeping my precious Emery (beautiful, 3, amazingly bright and so loving) but because her family is so fabulous, different family member's have stepped in to fill in for me so I can be at Kathryn's.
I am out here more than I'm at gome in Houston and they have been great!
Em's mom has said she'll do some pictures of Bleah for her graduation announcements and even do the announcements!
Okay, so I'm going to get back to my stuff here and blog like a real blogger!
I hear the three girls upstairs getting ready to go do pictures in the Bluebonnets, Lots of rain coming tonight and tomorrow.... need to get this done!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Just thinkin...
I've been thinking and dreaming |
This is where I'd like to live... You could come by and have tea on the front porch with me.
Unless the weather isn't co-operating... then we could just sit in the kitchen and catch up. |
We could have a few more friends over for lunch and talk about our gardens and grandkids....
. |
I would love to spend quiet evening hours in here reading and doing my handwork. |
And a place for me to have my own quiet time. |
Somewhere for my shoes! |
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Of course I've changed the recipe a bit added this and taken that out to make it more to our taste. But all in all, it's just what I had in mind and I can't hardly wait to make a big pot full when the weather cools down.
I bought a pot a few weeks ago. . . . . . 'cause I've realized I tend to fill up whatever pot I'm using and not having a house full, just three of us now, the pot needed to be a little smaller. Anyway, I love the new pot. Not quite as large as the typical dutch oven that comes with a set . . kinda like a saucepan, with the long handle, just bigger than any saucepan I've ever had. I just looked, it's 4 1/2 qt. Perfect size!
So I checked to see what I had around here to mix up something yummy and I end up with a pot of Sausage, Bean and Turnip Green soup. Turnip Greens? Doesn't sound like a typical comination, huh? But it was soooo yummy.
So here you go:
Cook until not quite browned.
Add 1 can diced tomatoes (You can use a regular size can or a large...
depending on your tastes for tomatoes), 2 (15.5 oz.) cans cannellini
beans (rinsed), 1 1Lb. bag frozen collard, mustard or turnip greens, 3 cans low
sodium chicken broth, 1/2 tsp. pepper and bring to a hard boil.
Reduce heat to a light boil with lid on pot for 45-60 minutes.
Remove lid and continue to boil lightly till it reduces to a much thickersoup, 30-60 minutes or so. I like the soup to cool then I taste it to get an accurate sense of if it needs salt. Remember, Don't add any salt until it's finished cooking.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Yummy Treats
We had our monthly brunch today with the sweet, wonderful ladies at our church this morning and I decided to take a couple treats made with the recipes from Kristy over at www.owenscrew.blogspot.com . Kristy is the mom of Trey and Emery who you've seen on my blog and on Bleah's blog, www.blondeforchrist.blogspot.com. I am their "Grammie". I began keeping Trey, now 5 1/2 and one week into kindergarten, when he was newborn.... then along came Emery, or "Emmie Lou-Who", as I like to call her and she's still here with me. So special both of them.... Ooops, sorry, I said this was gona be about the recipes....
First the Corn Dip... mmmm so yummy!
•2 cans fiesta style corn
•2 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese
•1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
•1 small can jalapenos OR green chiles (depending on how spicy you want it!)
•1 cup of mayo
Mix it all together in a good size bowl.........
Put it in an 8x8 dish and
bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 an hour.
Serve with Tortilla Chips.
I think there are alot of things I could do with this recipe to have something different everytime I mix it up.
I used a small can of mild chili peppers and even tho' I usually don't care for spicy food.... just a few spicy chili's or some jalepeno might have been better. When I went to get the mexican corn I noticed they now have something similar with black beans in the can, too. I wasn't brave and I shoulda been. I think the black beans would have been great! Serve this with tortilla chips. Keep them close to the dip. Today the ladies were thinking it was a side dish and just eating it like that.
I also made the party sandwiches from Kristy's recipe! Neither one of took pics of them, but here's the recipe.
•1 12-count package Hawaiian rolls
•6 slices ham
•6 slices Swiss cheese (Kraft Deli Fresh package)
•1/2 cup butter, melted
•1/2 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce (I used more...)
•1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
•1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
•1 tablespoon dried minched onion
Cut rolls in half. Cut ham & cheese into 4ths. Layer 2 slices ham & 2 slices cheese alternately on rolls. Place in 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Combine butter, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, mustard, and onion in a small bowl. Pour over sandwiches. Cover with foil and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 350. Back covered for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.
For these.... maybe some corned beef to go with the mustard one time.... and on a potato roll. I've never been a big fan of the Hawaiian rolls but someone special loves them so I did make mine just like the recipe. Next time my bunch gets together I think I'll be using her recipe exactly and who knows what changes. It really was so easy..... it was difficult to pour a liquid over the sandwiches the first time out but it all went well!
Thank you, thank you, Kristy!!!
Now this is for Miss Linda who's been waiting for awhile for me to get this posted.....
Spiced Bacon Twists
1 Cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 Pound Sliced Bacon
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
With a baking sheet that has sides to catch the grease, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over the foil.
Stir together the brown sugar, mustard powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
Press each slice of bacon into the mixture until well coated.
Twist each strip a few times and place on the prepared baking rack.
Bake until the bacon is browned and crisp enough to hold its shape which takes about 30 minutes.
I have a couple new soup recipes that are so yummy. They'll be on here soon, too. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.
Blessings!!!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Pot Likker Soup
I have friends out here in Texas who call themselves southerners but I wasn't so sure they truly are.... I mean, I love 'em but they kinda screw up their faces like they smell something bad when I mention something like this soup.
I changed the recipe just a little bit after I made the first pot and I have to say, I like it better with the changes.
This is my version.....
Start with 2 lbs, about four bunches of collar greens. Remove and discard the stems.Wash 'em in cold water and tear 'em into about 1" pieces. Bring to a boil in a large pot covered with water, drain, and repeat.
Cut 2 lbs of boneless ham into large chunks, place in a bowl, toss with 2 - 4 tablespoons of hot sauce. I used Lousiana Hot Sauce because I wanted flavor more than heat. ( I used 6 Tablespoons and I don't like spicy food!)
Put the ham and hot sauce in a large pot with 3 tablespoons heated olive oil cooking over med high about 8 - 10 minutes until the meat is brown. DON'T try to skip this part.... This creates the base flavor for the yummy pot likker.
Add 3 med onions, chopped and 2 - 3 cloves of garlic, chopped and cook until the onions are tender.
Add 1 cup pork jowls cut into small pieces (The original recipe doesn't call for jowls but it really adds to the flavor.) and cook just two minutes more.
Make a pan of plain old corn bread..... I don't care for sweet corn bread for a meal like this personally.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2011
What's first, to me, is pretty great. Iggie showed me this on her own blog. She's decided for who knows what reason to take a month off from blogging and for her that's major. She blogs several times a day sometimes and has 263 followers and some of them she's become pretty close friends with.
But, she broke her respite... already.... for this....
I hope you enjoy.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Pumpkins
Best Baked Mini-Pumpkins
Cut off the caps, scrape out seeds, season, re-cap, and bake. That’s all it takes to give each diner a yummy little pumpkin, custom-flavored. Bake while you roast some meat or vegetables, or both! Or, for an all veggie meal, serve with braised greens and toasty baked grains. Make sure you cook dull skinned (not shiny coating like the supermarkets do just for decoration!). As the Cinderella coaches bake, natural oils surface and they turn as glossy and bright as painted and shellacked decorations.
For Each Serving:
1 mini pumpkin
pinch of ground coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, or garam masala or big pinch of dried savory, sage, or thyme, crumbled to powder
pinch salt
pinch pepper
1 teaspoon butter or nut oil
1 Tablespoon prune, apple, cranberry, or orange juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
1. Set oven to 350 degrees to 375 degrees. With sturdy sharp knife, cut a square (or 5-6 sided ) cap around pumpkin stem, poking into the heart of the squash to cut the fibers. Pry out the cap. With melon ball cutter or grapefruit spoon, scoop out and scrape interior to remove all seeds and fibers. Trim fibers from cap.
2. Sprinkle spice (or herbs), salt, and pepper inside and tap to distribute. Add butter, juice, and sweetening. Set cap back in opening, but do not press in fully (or it may slip inside). Place in baking dish.
3. Bake until creamy-soft inside, about 30 minutes for small squash, 45 minutes for larger ones. Test with knife tip - it should slide through easily. Let stand 15 to 60 minutes, as convenient.
I just realized I never posted about the opening of HOME GOODS.... When I was there they had some fabulous pumpkins and fall deocorations! I didn't get any, tho'.
I just realized I never posted the opening of Home Goods.
It was great!
They had lots and lots of fall and Halloween decorations.... But I didn't get any.....What's wrong with me..... But today, I'm in a fall mood. Except for pumpkins and Thanksgiving Fall isn't a favorite season for me.
I've never wanted to go see the changing leaves.... It just means winter is on the way and I don't care for temps low enough in areas where they really change.
But I really do love pumpkins!!!
Looks at these KNUCKLEHEAD PUMPKINS.... I kinda like 'em.
These are pretty terrific... Even tho' I'm not sure they're real.
If they are, that's a lot more work than I'm willing to tackle.
These are Fall Leaves for me! A favorite sugar cookie recipe and mingled fall colors of dough.
I wish these people were my neighbors!
4 cups cooked pumpkin
2 cups chopped onions
4 Tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups white wine freshly ground pepper
kosher or sea salt
1 cup heavy cream (special occasion) OR 1 cup milk (weeknight dinner)
Optional garnishes:
grated nutmeg
chopped crystallized ginger
croutons or
freshly popped popcorn
Lightly brown onions with the olive oil in a thick-bottomed soup pot. Add garlic and cook until it softens but doesn't brown, about 1-2 minutes. Add the pumpkin, broth, and wine, stirring to blend. Add S & P. Cook for 30 minutes or so over medium heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Puree soup. Serve hot with 2-3 T cream in each bowl. Garnish as desired. Serves 8, or 4 with yummy leftovers.
Can you imagine? I believe these are studs all pushed into the pumpkins. I love them!
And maybe the simplest way to decorate your pumpkins..... Stencils. These are great, too!
Monday, October 4, 2010
So Sad!!!
There were PLENTY of FANTASTIC things I could see as I pressed my nose up against the windows! :(
It's gona be so good but I'm very disappointed! Woe is me....... But the anticipation grows!
Friday, October 1, 2010
To make it all better I grilled the muffins in butter (naughty, naughty!).
Made myself a cup of hot Black Current Decaf Tea.
Now that's me being good to me!
Some of my goodies were made by Carol's friend, Margaret...... Margaret is the daughter of a gentleman, Mr. Johnson, who Carol used to take care of before Carol had her transplants.
Margaret and her husband, Leroi, were driving from their home near Anchorage to the Denver for their son's graduation from medical school this past weekend when they hit a patch of ice and had a terrible accident. Margaret's injuries were minor but Leroi was killed immediatly.
Please keep Margaret, her family and their friends in your prayers.
These people have been so kind and loving to my family.
This is so sad!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Pact...
Hello! My name is Bleah Briann... (www.blonde4christ.blogspot.com) and "Jennifer" is my grandma.
So now that we're all acquainted I'd like to tell y'all a little story.
Trey, Emery, my Grandma, and I were in Sam's the other day, doing some grocery shopping for this church dinner thing we're having. Emery was fussing... Trey was picking on Emery, and talking. And I well... well of course I wasn't doing anything at all. Though I'm told I was talking just as badly as Trey. Grammie was a little distracted. And she was trying to concentrate and I guess we were being kinda difficult. Here's the slant of what Trey figured should be our tactic towards her, since he just wasn't happy with being shushed...
{the look} |
Bleah Briann
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ever After
Well, life is more back to normal this week....
Iggie went to camp for two weeks and when I was talking to a friend I said to her, " It's been... how many years since I've had 2 weeks without kids? ............. Never!"
My oldest daughter is 42 and Iggie is 15.
Last year when she went to camp for a week I'd gone out to Liberty Hill and wasn't alone then.
This time I went to Liberty Hill for 5 days and came home. For the next 9 days it was just me and the cat. And.... she didn't like it!
It's been really surprising to me how much differnce even one, easy going child can be compared to none.
Anyway, she's back and has been resting up from the work routine she followed with all the other interns.
She met lots of new friend, so knowing her, she was spending plenty of time visiting when she could have been resting but I know that they keep the interns busy with pretty much constant chores. She did a lot of kitchen duty this time.
So, she was thinking home cooked food and being lazy.
Last night I made a speial meal for her and then we watched our FAVORITE movie.... Ever After.
We get excited. We both almost know every word of it, knowing what's about to happen and we cry thru several of the scenes. At one pint she said "This is the best scene and the saddest, all in one."
There's a point where someone throws a punch and we both whoop about it!
If you haven's seen it.... Go rent it. She and I began watching it when she was 4 and we enjoy it more each time. She says.... "That's the TRUE story of Cinderella! That's how it really happened!"
I hope so!!!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
And, I'd like to find some roses that would do well on the edge of the shady area like these......