Thursday, October 28, 2021

Just Stopping By

Thoughts and Quotes: Do something today that will encourage you to blossom.
                                                            Unknown

Nothing exciting to report. I'm trying to finish as much of my fall housecleaning as possible before I have company. I won't have the deep cleaning finished, but I'll have a start. In the meantime, it looks like this.



I'm not looking forward to December. I've made a promise to myself that I'll remove the film from all of the seven back windows - five in the family room and two in my bedroom - before Christmas. The prior owner put it on the windows, so it's had lots of time to bake on, making the removal a real bear. I have to do it though, because it's starting to get streaks and bubbles which are spoiling my view. Take a look. And it's like looking through a fog.


The janitor is getting brave; coming during daylight and right into the screened patio. Here he is with Louie. He was Lucifer before I caught him and had him neutered. He's a lot nicer to the other kitties now.


Things I enjoy: Niece Terri and I joined The Friends of Gladys Taber and we attended our first meeting last week. Gladys was born in 1899 and died in 1980. She wrote articles for Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle. If you're old enough, you might remember the ones from FC titled Butternut Wisdom. When she and best friend Jill were married and living in New York, the couples bought an old farmhouse in Cape Cod which they named Still Meadow. When Gladys and Jill became widows, they moved there full time and later built a cottage called Still Cove. Gladys wrote lots of books about the daily life there; gardening, friends, raising and showing Cocker Spaniels, kitty Amber, food, the weather, the visitors, things which can go wrong if you're living in a 100+ year old house, etc. She talked about her unicorn who came to visit their stream and crop the violets and lilacs. Absolutely delightful reading. 

The person who started the Missouri chapter had a unicorn which she brought to each meeting. He's been passed to each new president, and it looks like this trip loosened his horn. I can see that it's been glued several times, but he's still beautiful.


The theme this time was herbs and flowers. We each talked about our favorite herbs and flowers and how we use them. Paulette brought each of us a cute gift bag with a sweet little real pumpkin and a jar of damson plum jelly.


I took baskets filled with recipes for chili, a sample of the chili mix, a can of tomatoes and a can of beans (if they have hamburger in the freezer and catsup in the fridge, they're all set). I chose this because the recipe calls for oregano, which I usually associate with Italian cooking. I also took recipes for seasoned rice mix which has basil, parsley, and dill. I included a jar of rice with seasonings (just add water and cook). Here are the recipes.

CHILI

1 lb. ground beef
1 recipe chili seasoning (see below)
1 15 oz. can pinto beans (don’t drain)
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes (don’t drain)
1/4 cup catsup 

Chili Seasoning
1 Tbs chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp crushed oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

Brown ground beef and pour off excess fat (I like a little left in).

Stir in balance of ingredients. 

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer about ten minutes until some of the excess liquid is absorbed. 

When I make the chili mix, I set up four bowls and make four recipes of seasoning. I use one and put the other three in plastic bags and store them in the freezer. 


SEASONED RICE MIX

Seasoning Mix:
3/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
1/2 cup dried parsley
1 Tbs dried basil
1 Tbs dill weed
3 Tbs dried onion flakes
1 tsp seasoning salt
2 tsps garlic powder
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning 

Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight container.

To Prepare:
1 cup rice
2 cups water
3 Tbs. seasoning mix 

Bring water to a boil. 

Add rice and seasoning mix. 

Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes.

This is the original recipe. It's a little on the salty side. You could probably make it with a 1/2 cup of bouillon granules and omit the seasoning salt. Or just use 2 Tbs seasoning mix when you cook the rice.


Tasting: Lacey and I went to Victoria's. She's the president of the Christian County Republicans Women Group, and her name is Lacey Hart - how fun is that? We spent the afternoon eating and talking and hated to leave. Victoria's is such a great place to eat great food and get totally pampered by the servers.

I had the salad with poppyseed dressing and Garlic Chicken. You can see the chicken breast peeking out from under the noodles. Mixed in with the noodles are fresh spinach and fresh tomatoes.

I could drink the salad dressing, it's so yummy. And don't you love the way it's served in upside down candleholders? The blingy cylinder with a purple flower is my napin ring.



Lacey had ranch dressing and Parmesan Chicken. Her chicken breast was also buried under the noodles.



Cooking friends take note of the bits of lettuce around the plate which add dimension and color to the plate. A simple trick, but a big difference. 
 
You always get a fresh-baked croissant, even if you're only having soup.


The pastry cart was so inviting, I couldn't decide. I had Pumpkin Cheesecake (lower middle) and a piece of Coconut Custard Pie (lower right) to go. Lacey ate part of her Napoleon (upper right) and took the balance home.


Thank you: My Lil' Bro' and Lil' Sis' went to New England to visit Niagra Falls, Acadia National Park, and the fall colors. They brought this for me, and I see pancakes and maybe a maple sundae in my future.


Tasting: Yes, more food. I had a red velvet cake mix I needed to use, so I was going to use it to make Cherry Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Pudding Frosting made with some maraschino cherry juice in place of part of the milk. Then I lost my cake mix. I looked everywhere. About two weeks later, I found it in the garage by my Christmas cardmaking box. I guess I went to add something to the box with the cake mix in my hand. I put it down to raise the lid, and there it stayed.

By the time I found it, I couldn't remember what I planned to make. Kansas Linda dredged up my email and told me, but by then I'd used the chocolate pudding mix for something else. I told her the cake mix had expired, and she told me to use it anyway. I did. It was still okay. I had a can of Betty Crocker cherry frosting which I used and finally got rid of that stupid cake mix.


Here's the cake recipe.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CAKE
3 eggs, beaten
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 can cherry pie filling
1 tsp almond extract 

Heat oven to 350°. 

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan, or two 8” or 9” round cake pans. 

Mix all ingredients well, using electric mixer. 

Pour into prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes. 

When cool, frost with Pudding Frosting using chocolate pudding and a little maraschino cherry juice, or cover with Chocolate Ganache. 

Try yellow cake mix with blueberry pie filling – spice cake mix with apple pie or peach pie filling. Omit or change flavoring extract. Change frosting.


I hope your October Bucket List has more checkmarks than mine.

OCTOBER BUCKET LIST

Buy a pumpkin for your porch

____ Take a drive to see the colored leaves 

Plant some bulbs for spring flowers

Buy a new autumn scented candle

____ Attend a fall festival 

Make a new hot beverage recipe – cider, spice, or   cranberry 

____ Go for a walk in the crisp, cool air 

Make pumpkin muffins or bread

Make chili and cornbread 

____ Watch an autumn Hallmark movie 

____ Buy a new cozy sweater 

Treat yourself with a new tea

Clean out the garage

Buy some Halloween candy - for yourself.
 

Put your autumn wreath on your door.

Since last time, I made a hot drink. It's not bad, but too much work. I had to grind fresh cranberries with fresh ginger and some apple cider. Then I sliced an orange and studded the rind with some whole cloves. Then I had to simmer cider, the cranberry mash, and the orange slices for four hours in the crockpot. I was supposed to add cinnamon sticks, but I didn't have any, so I tossed in three hard cinnamon candies. Then I had to strain it.


The next time I want a hot drink, I'll mix some apple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice cocktail; pour a cup and add a cinnamon hard candy, and heat it in the microwave.

I also made chili and cornbread (muffins), but I froze it so I can make chili-cheese omelets with corn muffins for breakfast.

I didn't exactly clean out the garage, but I certainly made it look better, and I can actually walk around without feeling as if I'm on an obstacle course.

I will get a walk in on Saturday when I doorhang fliers for the election. 

I'm driving to the market tomorrow. Perhaps I'll see some colored leaves.

I've missed all the fall festivals and Hallmark is already showing Christmas movies - Really?!

I'll carry over my "buy a new cozy sweater," as I'm on the lookout for a new black cardigan. One of my hobbies is losing black sweaters. I leave them in dark booths in restaurants.

Perhaps I can do better in November.

NOVEMBER BUCKET LIST

Start your Christmas shopping 

Make a pumpkin pie 

Get out your winter clothes 

When you wake up, thank God for a new day and all your blessings 

Put the electric blanket on the bed 

Invite friends for a fall lunch 

Buy a turkey for now or later 

Make real cranberry sauce – not the stuff in the can 

Try a new soup recipe 

Tuck up with a cozy throw, a good book, and a cup of hot chocolate 

Invite friends over for games 

Buy some fall flowers 

Go out for lunch at a restaurant you’ve never tried

Eat apple slices dipped in caramel 

Have grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch 

Stock up on non-perishables to avoid going out in the icy cold 

Make apple crisp 

Spend an afternoon at the library 

Vote on the 2nd

I'll be busy with company for awhile, but then I'll have lots of photos for all you foodies.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

STAY WARM AND DRY

BUT ALSO HYDRATED

EAT YOUR GREENS

AND APPLES

CONSIDER TAKING VITAMIN D OR GET SOME SUN

GO FOR A WALK IN THE WOODS, OR THE PARK, OR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE



 

 


 

 










 

Monday, October 18, 2021

Bucket List and a Rant

Thoughts and QuotesAt what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? — Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the Ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! — All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
                                                                 Abraham Lincoln

Truth be Told: I've not accomplished much this week, but I did check off a few things on my October Bucket List.

I bought a really great candle from Aldi for only $4. It smells exactly like October.



I made pumpkin bread. I only used pecans, no raisins.

 
And then I also made Pumpkin-Creamcheese Muffins. The recipe makes 18.

Both recipes are on the drop-downs above under Bread.


Then I tried a new recipe - Blue Banana Bread. A fail for sure. Banana Bread stands on its own - a waste of good blueberries. Use your blueberries for a pie or muffins instead.


The Questions of the Week:
Does Hunter Biden get a commission from the pharmaceutical companies for each jab? Or maybe he’s on the Boards of Directors with a big salary? Or is the big vax push just a way of controlling all the “little people who aren’t important?” We all know the vaccine is no guarantee and the survival rate of the China virus is 99+ percent. And has the death rate been “enhanced?” Do some research. And why are the illegals pouring across the border exempt? Hundreds of thousands of them are being scattered around the country with no vaccinations and most without even a test.
 
Do Socialists, aka Democrats, really know what goes on in our country or are they just Cuomo groupies, one of the Kool-Aid drinking sheep, doing as they’re told? And if they are curious to know both sides and watch conservative channels occasionally, are they okay with the lies they’re being fed? Maybe they want full-blown Socialism, and if they do, fine – they have a right to their opinions, but they should at least investigate so they’ll make informed decisions.

Do Socialists (Democrats) really believe in the double-standard or are they not aware? Some of the people who went to the capitol on January 6 are still incarcerated; many, if not all, in solitary confinement. There are no charges beyond misdemeanor vandalism and trespassing. What if it were one of your loved ones? 

Are they okay with the assassination of Ashley Babbitt? A tiny female (am I allowed to say female?), who went through a window, broken by someone else, not told to halt, and shot by an incompetent capitol policeman – the same policeman who at one time forgot and left his gun in the capitol men’s room. He was never charged or reprimanded, and he was not charged with Ashley Babbitt’s murder. I heard someone on CNN say that if he hadn’t stopped her, the members of congress could have been killed by the mob coming behind her. What were they going to do? Murder them with their bare hands while armed capitol police watched? No one in the “insurrection” was armed with either a gun or a knife. What if the colors were switched and Ashley was black and the policeman was white? Would that have made a difference or is it just open season on Conservatives? Do white lives matter? Just realized I said “policeman” several times. I meant “policeperson.” Sorry. 

Another example of the double standard: Roger Stone, advisor to President Trump, and Andrew McCabe, Deputy Director of the FBI, both accused of lying - Stone to the FBI and McCabe to congress. 

Roger Stone – roused from his home in the early hours of the morning by FBI agents surrounding his home in full tactical gear, even a boatload because his home backed up to water, accompanied by CNN to film it all (how did they know?). Sentenced to 40 months in prison, and later the sentence was commuted by the president. 

Andrew McCabe – fired but never prosecuted, lost his pension but it was reinstated, now appears regularly on CNN. 

If Eric or Don, Jr Trump had a laptop full of the same things as Hunter Biden’s, would they already be in prison? Or do Socialists even know about Hunter’s laptop? Ivanka Trump was forced to give up her patents in China, while Hunter Biden still maintains a large interest in a company owned by the Chinese Communist Party. Is that okay?

Why is it okay for the news media to lie and when called out, they simple print a tiny little “sorry” buried deep in their papers or just ignore being caught if they’re on radio or TV? Remember Adam Schiff’s, “I have absolute concrete proof that Trump colluded with Russia,” and has never produced it (since it doesn’t exist) nor has he apologized after we learned that it was all a hoax brought on by the Hillary Clinton campaign’s purchase of the phony Steele dossier to draw attention from her email scandal. Or maybe Socialists don’t even know about that because CNN and MSNBC didn’t report it. And what about Hillary’s email scandal. She deleted 33,000 emails though they had been subpoenaed. Are Socialists really okay with that? Why is she exempt from our laws?

Why have I stopped communicating with my Socialist peeps? I’ve been told that I can just avoid discussing politics. Yes, I can. I know that we’re not supposed to talk about money, religion, or politics. However – and that’s a big however – others' views on money and religion do not affect me – political beliefs do. When I talk to a known Socialist, I’m always thinking, “My country, the country I love, is being destroyed by people like you with your radical ideas. Do you not understand that you’re being led to the slaughter? I won’t be here by the time the takeover is complete, but your grandchildren (and maybe children) will be living their lives under a dictatorship, regardless of the label put on the new government. And it has already begun. Who gave President Frauden the right to ignore our immigration laws?” Besides, I just like associating with like-minded people so that I don’t have to watch everything which comes out of my mouth. I’m not known for my diplomacy. 

Have Americans become soft and irresponsible? What happened to the American can do, work hard, freedom above all spirit? We used to stand on our own two feet; now many want the government to coddle them from birth to death. Did you pay your own baby sitters, health care, education, the education of your children? Did you buy your own contraceptives? If you messed up and had an unwanted pregnancy, you probably raised your child instead of murdering it. Someone mentioned that since our country is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the child care in the bill the Socialists are promoting cannot be paid unless we borrow the money. With our debt at an astronomical high, that means that your grandchildren will end up paying for their own babysitters, as they’ll inherit the debt.

We've become so "entitled" we can't even be responsible for our own trash  - just take a look along the roadsides. Or take a look the next time you're making a left turn at an E stoplight. While people wait for the light to change, they open the door and dump their ashtrays. Oh, well. Someone else will clean it up. What has happened to us?

"Let's go Brandon." If Socialists don't know what this means, it can probably be found on Fox, OANN, or Newsmax channels. Old news so you might have to search YouTube.

Why do I care? My son is gone, my daughter-in-law is a survivor, I have no grandchildren. Because I love this country - my country. At my age, I know what it's like to be proud, to get a lump in my throat when I sing the Star-Spangled Banner and a little tear in my eye when I say the pledge to our flag. I remember feeling safe and admiring law enforcement. I remember when we respected most politicians and now respect only a handful. I remember bathrooms being strictly male and female. I remember celebrating our history, our freedom, our religions, our holidays, our founding fathers. I remember when our immigration laws were enforced; people came legally and were vetted. Now we have drug cartels, terrorists, child trafficers, and gang members entering our southern border and housed, fed, clothed, doctored, and welcomed for breaking our laws. I remember when people looked after their own children instead of fathers ignoring them and mothers and children becoming dependent on the government for welfare, reduced rents, health care, and food stamps. I remember movies filmed in daylight instead of the darkness of night, stories which made you feel good or had a moral - not violence and destruction. I remember when the news media really told the news instead of spouting propaganda.

I'll not have any more blog posts until I come down from my soapbox or until I'm canceled by Blogger, whichever comes sooner.


PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

PRAY HARDER


THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE





 

 

 

 

 

 


                                     

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Excuses, Excuses

Thoughts and Quotes: I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
                                                      Anne of Green Gables

A short post to stay in touch. I've been on the couch for three days with a bad cold, and I bent my fingernail all the way backwards on my pointer finger, ripping it off (the nail, not the finger) and exposing bare flesh. It hurts to type.

If you haven't read the latest blog post from Susan Branch, here's the link, and you can learn about Granny Chic. Click Here. 

Tales: Another book sale, but I bought only one book for myself, and one for Niece Terri, but lots of DVD's.

I've already read this - very interesting.


Terri's book for inspiration.


The DVD's. I've never watched Mr. Selfridge, but I usually like Britcoms.









The Pepper and Pals Report: They come and they go. I've haven't seen Beau for so long, that I doubt he'll be back. Freddie has been away for at least two weeks and Flower at least one week. They'll no doubt return. They go off to their vacation homes or to visit relatives, but show up sooner or later. Sweetie Face is here off and on. 

Three of BJ's litter of four have survived long enough that I think they're safe. Two little rebels and a Bitty BJ. One little rebel is almost twice the size of the other. Interesting.

Rebel, rebel, Baby, and BJ. Can't name the rebels until I know whether they're boys or girls.




Bitty BJ is very skittish, so she's probably female. I hope she won't be a slut like her mother.


Grandpa in the flowerpot and Baby on the bench.


Things of Interest: I went to Lowes on October 7, and it's already Christmas.



But you'll like this - in the parking lot at Lowes.


Things to Stock Because of Rising Inflation: You can tell a man made this list.

1. Food - Stock your freezers with meat and your pantry with non-perishables like rice, pasta, sugar, beans, canned goods, coffee, tea. Just watch the use by dates.

2. Water

3. Over-the-counter medicines - aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins.

4. First aid items like band-aids, cotton balls, antibiotic cream.

5. Fuel sources, in case of emergencies - butane, propane, etc.

6. Tools

7. Clothing - I definitely can skip this one. 

8. Guns and ammo.

9. Batteries in all sizes.

10. Gold and silver.

I added:

11. Paper goods - paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, plastic bags.

12. Laundry products - detergent, dryer sheets, bleach.

13. Cleaning products - dishwasher soap, toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner.

14. Personal products - hair products, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo.

15. Holiday products - greeting cards, gift bags, ribbon, tissue paper.

Thrifting: Not at a thrift store, but I went to Dollar Tree while everything is still one dollar.

Yes, I have some orange plates, but that little niggling itch told me to get them. So I did.


And these cute little trees.


I like them white, but they have batteries to change colors from red, green, blue, and purple.



The Update on my Bucket List: I haven't accomplished much - excuses, excuses.

Buy a pumpkin for your front porch.


Plant some bulbs for spring. Bought these so far. 


Treat yourself with a new tea. A new tea and an old mug. Tea is not bad. Almost has a sweet taste.


I added a couple of things.

Put your autumn wreath on your door.


Buy some Halloween candy - for yourself.


I haven't bought an autumn sweater yet, but I found this cozy throw at Aldi.


Didn't take an autumn drive yet - this is all the color I've seen so far.


No rant this week - it hurts my finger.

WORK ON YOUR BUCKET LIST

EAT YOUR GREENS

AN APPLE A DAY

STAY HYDRATED

EVEN THOUGH IT'S COOLER, USE SUNSCREEN

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE