Teas and T's: August 2016

Thoughts and Quotes: Let food be thy medicine. Hippocrates

I know he was right. We all know he was right. When I started this blog, one goal was to begin eating a more healthful diet. Then, as you know, my world went into a tailspin, and I lost my way. I believe it's time to get back on track. First steps will be at the end of this post. I hope you'll join me.

Trips: Remember - trips are little one-day jaunts, as opposed to Travel, where you sleep in hotels. Friend Carol sent me a link I want to share with everyone who lives in or is visiting the Ozarks in the next few weeks. The link is a list of all the Fall Festivals and there are a lot of them. Click HERE.

Tasting: I met Friend Katie Sue at F-D Grill, and had my same old tilapia and shrimp. As a matter of fact, we both had the very same thing, so only one photo. There's yummy rice pilaf under the fish and shrimp which doesn't show. I just can't seem to order anything else when I go here. Does everyone get stuck on one certain thing at a certain restaurant, or am I just boring? Don't answer. I feel that I'm an adventurous diner. I'll try anything, so long as it isn't raw meat or fish. I even like haggis, and no one I know likes haggis. I like to think that it's just a matter of knowing a good thing when I find it.

I needed Corelle plates for Pepper (that messy little boy), so I decided to stop on the way home for more -

Thrifting: I found four plates for only 50 cents each, and also:

A stencil for blind embossing with a price tag of $7.49; I paid 25 cents.

A VHS tape, unopened, original price $12.99, and I paid 50 cents

And my best find - I think it's a signed print of a watercolor. It's a local artist, and Katie Sue knew about him. I didn't. Paid $2. Much prettier in real life. I bought it for Katie Sue, as she loves birds, and she loves blue.

And I was still in the mood, so I went to the store in Nixa, where Baby rules the roost. She was having a nice snooze outside the front door. I asked if I could take a photo, and without opening her eyes, the tip of her tail just barely moved up and down. I took that for a "yes".

Remember the peach teapot from last week? I found matching napkin rings for 20 cents each

A couple of new gift boxes for 40 cents each

Six sets for $1.80 each - really nice quality - not chipped, light reflection

Six bowls, just right for soup or salad for 20 cents each

This cute guy for $1.20 - I have plans for him, which you shall see later

And this sweet little scarf ring for 80 cents

An amazing difference between thrift store and flea market prices.

Tasting: I invited Friends Kathy, Joey, and Katie Sue for lunch on Friday. As you can see, I'm already in the mood for fall.

I served only Reuben sandwiches, which are really filling, potato chips, and pickles. If you've never made a Reuben and would like to know how, here we go:

Here's what you need - If you can't find Silver Floss Sauer Kraut, just be sure you get Bavarian Style sauer kraut. I use baby Swiss cheese and rye bread without the seeds. Get the cheese and corned beef cut fresh (not the prepackaged stuff).

Butter one slice of bread and place it buttered side down on a cold griddle or skillet.

Then a layer of cheese

Next is the corned beef - don't skimp

Then the sauer kraut (be sure to squeeze the juice out first)

Drizzle with Thousand Island dressing

Another layer of cheese

Top with another slice of buttered bread and cook as you would a grilled cheese sandwich.

Yummy!

We had Cherry Chocolate Cake for dessert (recipe is on Week 2 in the archives). I put chopped maraschino cherries on top, which I might not do in the future, as they looked like red bell pepper or tomato. Not very appetizing on a cake.

Time for Others: This get together was not about the food. It was to make Halloween cards.

Kathy's card

Joey's cards

Joey brought a pitcher of tea like she and Kathy drink (no caffeine), and I loved this pitcher she bought last week at a flea market, so she gave it to me. Doesn't it look just like the Kool Aid pitcher? What a friend!

Katie Sue was unable to come on Friday, but she came on Saturday and brought some cards she made last week.

If you have a craft room, be very grateful, because I don't and this is what my dining room looks like. And this is after I straightened it on Friday night.

Joey came back also, and I made more Rueben sandwiches and we ate right in the middle of this mess.

Katie's cards

Joey's cards

Patsy's cards

If something seems familiar, these were my cards from prior years

And the mess is still in the dining room, so to be continued . . .

Tidbits: Update on Pepper. He spent Friday and Saturday in the living room so he could be near us. Not like the week before, when he hid under the bed when company was here.

He's still acting like El Chapo at times