No More Hibernating

Okay, before we start, go to the window on the right and where it says, "Follow by email." Put in your email address, and click on submit. Any new blog posts will come right to your email. Blogger fixed this problem some time ago, but I just haven't told you. 

I won't be sending notifications any longer. If you have trouble with this, let me know. It should work. I used it, and I'm getting my own blog posts in my email. It won't look the same - no header, etc. but you can always just type my address in your search engine - www.teasandts.blogspot.com.

Thoughts and Quotes: "May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load."   An Irish Blessing

Celebrate the GREEN this month; not just on St. Patrick's Day, but all month. Eat lettuce and kale and spinach and celery and cucumbers. Oh, okay. You can skip the kale. Buy some Granny Smith apples and make applesauce. Wear green - hurry spring along. Work in the yard; my weeds are green and growing like mad. Maybe you have some as well. Spend some green on yourself. You can't take it with you, and it's not earning any interest in the bank now. Make lime jello. Eat kiwi and green grapes. Make corned beef and cabbage, or Irish stew, or soda bread.

Send some cards. I sent a few.

Better Homes and Gardens ideas for St. Pat's. Click HERE.

Tasting: Hooray! Keeter Center is open. Mim and I went down to check it out. Things have really changed, but not just because of Covid. For some reason, they've felt the need for more security. There's a big fence around the Keeter Center now, and you have to go through the gate. Then you turn right on a new road which leads you to the parking lot, where you have to check in at another guard house. 

This was the view before:

Now the paved road to the parking lot spoils the view. Not much of a view because of the rain anyway the day we went, but now there will be traffic going back and forth on that road while you're eating. Sunday brunch and Easter and Thanksgiving buffets will be especially busy.

Because of Covid, there are fewer than half the tables in the dining room. We had a very quiet and peaceful lunch. Being out felt so wonderful. I don't remember the "College of the Ozarks" across the fireplace, but maybe I just forgot.

Fresh flowers, of course.

We had the charcuterie tray first. The students made everything but the cheeses. Clockwise from the top: Lavosh, summer sausage, spicy mustard, brie with strawberry jam, candied bacon, cheese, pate, spiced pecans.

Mim chose soup and a cheeseburger; smoked chicken and gnocchi soup. It didn't look very good - sort of a gray-green color - but she gave me a taste, and it was really yummy. I loved the way they garnished it with minced carrot and zucchini. I should have taken a photo. I did get one of her overflowing cheeseburger, and it came with homemade potato chips which had a rather smoked ham flavor.

I had my old standby - chicken-fried chicken on top of a mound of mashed potatoes and topped with pepper gravy, plus a lot of fresh green beans. It must be popular, because though the menu is new, this plate survived. A little out of focus, sorry.

They still serve cranberry scones, but the honey-wheat rolls have been replaced by a softer molasses version, but still a yeast roll. In addition to regular butter (made in their dairy), they also bring strawberry butter and apple butter (also made by the students). Paper disposable menus, of course.

The end of the dining room now has a display of items made by the students. The stained glass sign is rather impressive and the items are displayed on an unusual wooden creation. 

The gift area in the lobby has been extended to make room for donated quilts  to sell with proceeds going to the college. This one reminded me of dogwood and spring.

And this one has tiny cherry sprigs on the background. They're close together, so I had to take the photos at an angle.

There are also some display windows in this area.

A new item in the gift shop. Would it feel strange, leaning on our flag?

The rather strange vases behind the reception desk were made by a Branson vendor. I think they look as if the glass is melting.

The grounds are still beautifully kept. The campus is still closed due to Covid, so we couldn't drive through to see the swans and the flowers, but the front garden is open. The new fence is made of black iron bars, so difficult to see. 

 

Thrifting: To top off a perfect afternoon, we stopped at Goodwill in Ozark, and I naturally found some treasures.

My best find, four pink swirl dishes for 50 cents each. The computer distorts the color. They look pink with pink dishes and peach with peach dishes. 

They go with these. Now I just need bread and butter plates.

Five glass bowls for everyday - 50 cents each.

My other bowls are too small or too shallow. These are just right for a soup or salad lunch.

An olive dish for 25 cents. At least that's how I use these skinny ones. Can anyone tell me how these things are supposed to be used?

I'm always looking for tall coffee mugs, because my one serve Black and Decker Kerig wannabe splashes the coffee out as it drips if the mug is short.

A nice heavy mug for $1.

A sweet little pitcher for $2.

I'm sure I can find room for this on the cabinet top. Couldn't pass it up for $3.

And a real bargain at $3. This Stampin' Up set cost $20 back in 2003; in current prices, it would probably be $26.

And I didn't buy this, but couldn't resist sharing the message with you. 

Pictures from the yard next week. My tulips and hyacinths are coming up. The daffodils are blooming, but hanging their heads right now, heavy with rain dripping off.

WISHING YOU SUNSHINE

AND BLUE SKIES

AND TULIPS POPPING UP

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

GO OUT AND SEE THE WORLD AGAIN

IT FEELS REALLY GOOD

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE