Week 43, 10-16-2016

Thoughts and Quotes: Sign on the wall at the nursing home.

I was at the nursing home to attend the 89th birthday party of my sister-in-law's father (my Lil' Sis').  The staff put up this sweet sign outside the activity room.

Becky had an ice cream cake made at Dairy Queen showing the USS Hancock, Glenn's ship during his time in the service.

And here he is with four of his five adoring daughters.

Jeannie told him, "Dad, we're saving the candles. We'll switch them around for your 98th".

October is a busy birthday month. My brother Bill's birthday was on Monday, and we met for dinner at Outback, along with friend Steg. He's my monthly date. When his wife Sally plays bunco, we go to dinner. Bill is in the process of moving, so he got a simple cake in a traveling-kind of pan.

I made Hershey's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake, and if you haven't tried it, give it a whirl. Very easy and really good.

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE

From Hershey’s Cocoa

1-3/4 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

1-1/2 tsps baking soda

1-1/2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

2 tsps vanilla

1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 13 X 9 baking dish.

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixer bowl.

Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla.

Beat 2 minutes on medium.

Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).  

Pour into baking dish.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until done.

Note:  Cake can also be made in a Bundt pan, tube pan or layers.

I like it with Pudding Frosting made with fudge instant pudding. See Week 2.

And if you haven't tried Outback's ribs - Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Tips: Last week I reminded you to check the prices on the shelves at the market. Now look what I found. When I took the last roll of paper towels, I found this stuck on the wrapping - not the wrapping of the roll, but the wrapping which held all eight rolls.

I noticed the little arrow, so I peeled it off and found this on the other side.

And I had just purchased this very thing. Fortunately, it doesn't expire until December 31. I guess we not only have to be diligent about reading shelves, but also packages.

Tips: Another one. I wanted to buy three bags of mulch at Walmart, and it's stacked in the parking lot. I pulled out my camera and took a photo of the bar code.

I told the cashier I wanted three bags. She scanned in the code right from the photo, I paid her and then loaded the bags right into my trunk when I left. I was amazed. She didn't even have to key in the code. Just scanned it. She said that it works with the photos on your phone also, but I have an old flip phone ($17.66 per from Consumer Cellular), so I usually carry my little quickshot camera. 

The Pepper Report: My little boy has become the gift which keeps on costing. Last weekend, he kept scratching and scratching, and I noticed little black specks on the light blue blanket where he had been lying. Uh, oh!  Fleas! So Monday I got $64 worth of flea medicine from the Dr. and then I took him for his feline distemper shot and medicine for his everlasting wound over his left eye - $50. But he has turned out to be the sweetest, lovingest little darling a kitty mom could ask for. That's until he decides to swat me. He's very curious (typical kitty) and watches everything I do. He even watches me vacuum, where most kitties would run for cover when the Monster Vac appears. This happened this week.

What's this?

 

It looks wet and I'm thirsty

I don't think it's for kitties

 

Well, maybe it is though

But what's this thing which sticks out

These floating things are in the way

Oh, I get it

Tales: I finally finished Alexandra Stoddard's book called Feeling at Home. Her books are fun for many reasons. The quality of the book itself is first class. I always have the urge to tear out the filler sheets in the front and back to make greeting cards because the colors are so beautiful. The printed pages are on quality stock. The margins are filled with thoughts and quotes. She inspires me. After I finished this book, I found myself looking at housework in an entirely new way. I hate housework, but Alexandra reminded me that my home is to love. I started thinking of all the people who don't have homes or live in tin roof shacks. I have food in the refrigerator and a car in the garage. I was especially grateful this week, thinking of all those left with nothing because of Hurricane Matthew. Alexandra says that when we're cleaning or doing maintenance around the house, we're "loving up" our homes. That's my attitude from now on. (I might have to keep reminding myself when I'm cleaning toilets).

Tips: I've been honored by being asked for my permission to have this blog listed on a website which lists blogs from all over the world. Grab a cup of tea and take a look. If you like blogland, you'll love seeing the list Jerry Beuterbaugh has compiled on www.sitehoundsniffs.com. The blogs are listed by subject and also by country. An impressive list. Take a look here. 

Thrifting: You knew it was just a matter of time before I'd be buying more dishes. This was a different situation. I wanted this little tea set for a door prize at the library mother-daughter tea next May. Judging by the shape, it's probably for coffee, but we can improvise.

Compared to a normal-size teapot, it's the perfect Little Girl size

And in the tote I also got all of this for $15

I use glass for everyday and these are just the right size for soup, cereal, whatever (no ice cream!)

A little Christmas mini-loaf pan

Cut glass pieces

Four Anchor Hocking custard dishes

A large pretty relish dish

Four salad plates (not sure I have anything to go with these)



This striking black bowl which Brother Bill can use in the middle of his dining table for fruit.



And maybe he can use these coffee mugs



These little bowls and salad plates are Pyrex, but they might blend

with these

 Plus all these kitty dishes

Tablescapes: As you know, I've started some books but can't seem to get back to them. The time is now. The book will be a Year of Everyday Tablescapes, one for each week. There will be a write-up of where I got the dishes, and most came from thrift stores, garage sales, some gifts, and Craigslist. I need to do three of these tables over because of items I've added, but these are the thirteen Autumn tables. These photos aren't necessarily the ones I'll use. I put these in a recap file because they're wide views so I can see what's on the table for doing the write-ups.

I've changed my wreath

My pumpkin is on the porch (still looking for my colored leaves to go around it).

A few leaves are turning, but today we're still green. Notice my mailbox no longer leans.

Perhaps Neighbor Martha will let me photograph her autumn decorations to post next week. She's a master decorator.

Togs: Will this ever end? I'm running out of clothes which fit, so this closet reorganization might be suspended while I do some Trimming and Thinning.

Day 120

Day 121

Day 122

Day 123

Day 124

Day 125

Day 126 (same pants)

TODAY IS NATIONAL MUSHROOM DAY

MAKE SOME SOUP

IF YOUR LEAVES HAVE TURNED, TAKE A RIDE TO ENJOY THEM

IT'S APPLE SEASON - MAKE A PIE

EAT THOSE GREENS

START YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE