Teas and T's

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

Saturday, October 15, 2016

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