Sunday, October 23, 2016

Week 44, 10-23-2016

Thoughts and Quotes: Move at your own pace and remember...a single tiny step you actually take is better than any big plan left undone.  Princess Sassy Pants (?)

I have no idea who Princess Sassy Pants might be, but I found this on Linda's Peaceful Place blog here.  You might want to take a look - lots of memorable quotes. And if you're reading this, Linda, Happy Birthday next Thursday. I'm having lunch that day with my cooking buddies, and we'll toast your birthday. If Canada were closer, we'd invite you to join us.

I love this quote and will print it out and scatter it around the house to keep me moving. And I shall add to the quote: "Our time here is short - get a move on!".

Tidying: Remembering Alexandra Stoddard's book from last week, I have been "loving up" my house this week. Windows are getting washed before it's too cold because I always end up drenching myself as well as the screens and windows.

Thread: I'm almost ashamed to show this, when I think of all the beautiful crocheted, knitted, embroidered, etc. items I see created by the Five on Friday ladies. But I can't keep my pants from sliding off their hangers any other way than these:



You need only a wire coat hanger and a bit of rug yarn. You roll the yarn into little balls about the size of a golf ball. Tie two balls together, making a rather large knot and leaving some tails about 2" long. Center the knot on the end of the hook part of the hanger. With a ball in each hand, alternate sides by crossing the right hand ball over to the left side of the hanger and draw it back through the loop you just created (working in the tails as you go). Repeat with the ball on the left. When you get to the end, you tie it, cut tails long enough to tie a little bow. My mother made lots of these for me when she visited, and I still use them after all these years. They don't wear out - I just keep buying clothes, so I need more.

Make these when you're wearing pants, because the easiest way to hold the hanger is between your knees - not that easy if you're wearing a pencil skirt.

Tales: I've had this book sitting on my bookshelves for years. Maybe because the assassination anniversary is next month, it caught my attention. The book starts with Jackie's childhood and ends right after the death of Aristotle Onassis. I learned things I'd never read before, and I applaud the author because he didn't try to portray Jackie any way except the real woman. She wasn't put on a pedestal, she wasn't treated as "poor thing - all that tragedy", and she wasn't scorned as a gold digger. I have a gazillion books about the presidents and the first ladies which I plan to read before I'm gone. (Note to self: See Thoughts and Quotes).


Tidbits: Neighbors Martha and Clark belong to a Dinners at Eight group and this week was their turn to host. Martha is a master decorator and loves autumn. Her fall decorating gets as much attention as Christmas - it even includes the tree. I though you might enjoy seeing her work.
Outside


The Entry


The Living Room


The Family Room




The Breakfast Area




The Dining Room




Even the Music Room



And the Powder Room


Give the lady a big hand!  Good Job!

Tasting: Sometime back I started to make up a list of menus so I could just go to the file to see "What's for dinner?". As usual, I got sidetracked, but decided to give it another try. Here's what's for dinner today.

Cucumber-Tomato Salad
Not Your Mama's Tuna-Noodle Casserole
Buttered Carrots
Harvard Beets
Southern Corn Bread
Andes Mint-Chip Cookies/Vanilla Ice Cream


Since I was having tomato salad, I didn't sprinkle chopped tomatoes over the casserole.


CUCUMBER-TOMATO SALAD

Marinate chopped fresh tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced celery in your favorite vinaigrette.


            NOT YOUR MAMA’S TUNA-NOODLE CASSEROLE

12 oz. white tuna in water
6 oz (3 cups) uncooked noodles
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 to 2/3 cup sour cream
2 tsps prepared mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1 small zucchini
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 medium tomato, chopped

Cook noodles, drain and rinse in hot water.

Heat oven to 350°.

Drain and flake tuna and mix with noodles, celery and green onions.

Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, thyme, and salt. Stir into noodles.

Spoon half the noodles mixture into a buttered 13 X 9 baking dish or 2-qt. casserole dish.

Wash and thinly slice the zucchini and spread half over the noodles.

Repeat layers and scatter cheese over the top.

Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Sprinkle with chopped tomato before serving.


HARVARD BEETS
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
3 cups cubed beets (canned)
2 Tbs butter

Mix together the sugar, cornstarch and salt.

Add vinegar and water and stir until smooth.

Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.

Add beets and let stand 30 minutes.

Before serving, heat to boiling and add butter.


CORNBREAD – SOUTHERN
Clabber Girl Baking Powder

1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups white (or yellow) cornmeal
2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg

Heat oven to 450°.

Melt shortening in a 9” iron skillet or 9” baking pan in the oven, brushing sides of pan with hot shortening.

Sift dry ingredients together in mixing bowl.

Combine egg and buttermilk and stir into dry ingredients, along with melted shortening.

Pour batter into hot pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned.


ANDES® MINT-CHIP COOKIES
(Andes® Package) (48 cookies)

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsps vanilla
2 eggs
1 pkg (10 oz) Andes® Mint baking chips
2-2/3 cups sifted flour

Beat together butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and baking powder.

Stir in mint chips, then flour.

Chill in refrigerator about an hour.

Heat oven to 350°.

Roll about 1 oz dough into a ball, flatten slightly and put on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.  Leave on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before removing.




Tidbits: National Days this week:
October 24 - National Bologna Day: Easy-peasy, just eat a bologna sandwich
October 25 - National Greasy Food Day: Cheeseburgers and fries, here we come.
October 26 - National Pumpkin Day: If you haven't put one on your porch yet, do it now.
October 27 - National Navy or Beer Day: Since I don't drink beer, I'll have to thank a sailor.
October 28 - National Chocolate Day: Goody-goody!
October 29 - National Cat or Oatmeal Day: Everyday is cat day here, so guess what's for breakfast?!
October 30 - National Candy Corn Day: Yuck!

Togs: Remember - this isn't a fashion show. It's just my closet reorganization. Some of these outfits are just run-to-the-market clothes.

Day 127


Day 128 (notice that I had help choosing this and he matches)


Day 129



Day 130



Day 131



Day 132



Day 133




GET THE KIDS' COSTUMES READY

TAKE A LONG WALK BEFORE IT'S COLD

HOW ABOUT SOME APPLE CIDER?

EAT LOTS OF GREENS

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE







14 comments:

  1. Hi Patsy,

    First of all, thank you so much for the birthday wishes! And thanks, as well, for sharing the Princess Sassy Pants quote and mentioning that you found it on my blog, I greatly appreciate it. Princess Sassy Pants...well, she has a Facebook page and here is her website. tangledtwinkle.com
    I am so glad you enjoyed her quotes and images.

    Wow, Martha is a great decorator, and I love everything...the tablescape, the colours, the decor. Just beautiful! The food in your photos looks delicious. The hangers are lovely, and the book looks very good!

    I really enjoyed this post, and thank you so much for your visit and comment on my blog, you are welcome anytime. I will be following your blog! :) I post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've signed up with my email so I won't miss your great quotes. I only post on Sunday night - not as ambitious as you, I'm afraid.

      Going to pay Princess Sassy Pants a little visit and go to bed. Big week coming up.

      I love your city and I love your country. New Brunswick has the best leaves of anywhere on the North American continent, in my opinion.

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  2. I was impressed with the wonderful hangars such a great way to stop them slipping off. The house you showcased was a joy to behold, a beautiful home with beautiful décor. Stunning.

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    1. That was the middle level. She also has an upper level with bedrooms, bathrooms, and an office. There's a lower level for storage, a bathroom, and a huge recreation room. I didn't check the other levels to see if they're decorated, but they might be, because I've seen the lower level decorated for Christmas. Lots of work, but she enjoys decorating.

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  3. Hello my dear Patsy!

    I'm not sure about presidents - but I sure find anything relating to the Kennedy's fascinating. ;)

    YOur friend's home is just beautiful!! And as usual I love seeing what yummy recipes you share this time - and more outfits....as well as a Pepper spotting! Lol

    Hope you have a wonderful and blessed week ahead. I'm soaking up every last second of this wonderful time of year!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Missed you on Five on Friday and then I read your Happy Homemaker Monday post and I see why. Girl, you've been busy, busy, busy.

      I just today mailed my Halloween cards and you're listening to Christmas music. Must get started on Thanksgiving cards now - busy time of the year, but isn't it fun?

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  4. Hi Patsy, such an interesting post! I love the 'get a move on' quote - think I'll hang that one up! The change of seasons always makes me feel like a slug....Your neighbor's home is so elegant. Love it. I like how you lay out your wardrobe for the week. Such cute outfits. I love the buffalo check shirt. My Dad always wore them and I have a couple of his that I wear to do my yard chores. Wonderful recipes, too - thanks for sharing those. My Mr. loves cornbread....Thanks for stopping by. I'll be sure to visit again. xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you, Karen. I'm like General Patton. Gen. Omar Bradley said, "Give him a (newspaper) headline, and he'll give you 30 more miles". Give me some kudos, and I try even harder the next week.

      Actually, the clothes I show aren't for wearing the next week. I'm reorganizing my closet bit by bit. And some of the outfits are just for running to the market. I'm getting down to by "B" clothes (too tight), so might have to knock off for awhile and concentrate on dieting - not easy with holidays coming up.

      The cornbread recipe is southern style. Not sweet at all. Perfect for cornbread stuffing.

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  5. Thank you for comment me dear - shoe me where can I follow you I don't see social icons leave a comment on my blog
    kisses for you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I left the info on your last post. Let me know if you can't find the box.

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  6. First off....my daughter and two grandsons live in MO.

    You have a wonderful post here, from everything to all things. I like your style!!

    I think I'd really enjoy reading the book on Jackie!!! I'll have to look for it.

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    1. Where in Missouri do they live? Maybe we're neighbors.

      So sorry I already donated the Jackie book to the library for their book sale. If I can get it back at the next booksale (April, 2015), I'll send it to you. I'm sure it's already packed in a box in storage somewhere by now.

      Thank you for your nice comments. Knowing someone enjoys what I do spurs me on to the next post.

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  7. Replies
    1. The beets were the best.

      More food coming up tomorrow. Autumn tea.

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