Thoughts and Quotes: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
The Godfather II
The Godfather II
And that's all I'm going to say about the Trump-Putin summit.
Teaching and Learning: Last week I talked a bit about learning something new. I know it sounds as if I'm nagging, but if you haven't tried it, you might be surprised at how much fun you can have. Just check with your library, and if you're not good at searching the computer yourself, ask the reference desk for help. You will be amazed at what is available.
I finished my course on Travel Writing on Friday, and on Wednesday I had already started two new courses: Introduction to Microsoft Publisher 2013 (and if you don't know what this is, I'm not going to tell you - ask your librarian), and Start Your Own Edible Garden.
As you know, I've had limited success with my attempts at gardening, but I have high hopes for the future after I finish this course.
My library has Gale Courses. Yours might not have the exact courses - they might be Lynda or something I don't know about. And don't forget - most libraries have Mango courses for learning a new language and there are more than 70 languages available.
And the best part - IT'S ALL FREE.
Things that Grow: I have, however, been able to grow Stargazer Lilies, so they must be really easy. Try some.
Things that Grow: I have, however, been able to grow Stargazer Lilies, so they must be really easy. Try some.
Tips: Again, I've talked about this. But this is a reminder. Be sure to check those prices. I found this at Walmart when buying new dishcloths. I could buy six for $4.27.
Or I could buy two 3-packs (6) for $3.94. The very same dishcloths.
Tidbits: This video was posted on a Facebook group I joined called Tea Cups and Cupcakes Group, and I can't stop watching it. Even the music is perfect. Amazing what lots of money can do for you. Take a look HERE. And if afternoon tea is your thing, join the Facebook group. (I keep starting the video over and over so I can hear the music while I work on this post).
Tasting: All the photos on the Facebook page prompted an urge to go for a lady lunch. Since we have no place to go for authentic afternoon tea, lady lunches have to suffice. Spring Creek Tea Room isn't really a tea room, but the food is good and it has a quirky, fun look about it.
I had a half chicken salad sandwich with peach soup.
And Joey had a southwest salad and strawberry soup.
Tasting (Again): When I have bananas which have become ripe beyond eating-in-cereal stage, I always have to search through my recipes to find the one which fits the number of bananas on hand. I decided to just put them all here in one place under a heading of "Don't Waste". I was amazed to discover the similarities.
BANANA CAKE
1/2
cup shortening
1-1/2
cups sugar
2
eggs, beaten
2
cups flour
1/4
tsp baking powder
3/4
tsp soda
1/2
tsp salt
1
cup mashed banana (2 or 3)
1/4
cup buttermilk
1
tsp vanilla
Heat
the oven to 350°.
Cream
shortening and sugar. Add eggs
Sift
together and add dry ingredients. Mix 2
minutes.
Add
banana, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Blend
all ingredients well.
Pour
into two 8” or 9” greased and floured round pans.
Bake
30-35 minutes.
BANANA BUNDT CAKE
(From Let’s Cook with
Susie)
1
box yellow cake mix
1
small box banana instant pudding
1/2
cup mashed banana
4
eggs
1
cup water
1/4
cup oil
Heat
oven to 350°.
Combine
all ingredients and blend, and then beat on medium for two minutes.
Pour
into greased and floured Bundt pan.
Bake
for 50 minutes.
Invert
on serving plate and finish with one of the following:
Dust
with powdered sugar OR drizzle with glaze of 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 Tbs
milk OR frost with pudding frosting made with banana pudding mix.
BANANA SNACK CAKE
1/2
cup shortening
2
ripe bananas
2
eggs
1-1/2
cups flour
1
cup sugar
1
tsp baking soda
1/2
tsp salt
1/2
cup chopped nuts (optional)
Heat
oven to 350°.
Sift
dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl, whisk together, and set aside.
In
a large mixing bowl, with hand mixer, combine shortening, bananas, and eggs.
Add
dry ingredient and fold in just until moistened.
Pour
into a greased and floured 9” baking pan.
Bake
35-40 minutes.
Leave
in pan five minutes; then turn out onto waxed paper or a clean dish towel over a
rack.
When
cool, frost or dust with powdered sugar and cut into squares.
ROAD TO HANA BANANA BREAD
(I found the recipe on
the Kitchen Bliss blog, her version of a recipe from the Hana Maui Botanical
Gardens on the 1st Travelers Choice Internet)
3
small very ripe bananas
1/2
cup vegetable shortening
2
eggs
1-1/4
cups flour
1
cup sugar
1/2
tsp salt
1
tsp baking soda
Heat
the oven to 350°.
Blend
together the bananas, shortening, and eggs.
In
a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and then gently fold them
into the banana mixture.
Pour
into a greased and floured loaf pan.
Thump once to remove air pockets.
Bake 40-45 minutes. Cool before
cutting.
The original recipe
says to bake in a 9 x 9 square pan sprayed with non-stick spray and then cut
into squares.
Joey says that if you catch them just when they're ready to get those little brown spots, you can peel and wrap them, put them in the freezer, and they're still good to use with cereal. And a lot less trouble than baking a cake or bread and much better for you.
Teas: Wish I'd been there. This is so beautiful and so inspiring, I find myself going back to it over and over. I love the background music and will look for it soon. Click HERE. This is in case you missed it under "Tidbits" above. You really do need to see this video. I can't emphasize it enough. You'll love it.
Tidbits (again): Grab the tissues and watch this video. Click HERE.
Muffin Tin Monday:
Muffin Tin Monday:
LEMON
MUFFINS
2-1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
Grated rind of one lemon
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain yogurt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Heat oven to 350°.
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or use paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and
lemon rind in a large mixing bowl.
In a smaller bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the wet
ingredients, stirring with a large spoon until moistened.
Spoon into muffin cups and bake 18-20 minutes.
Glaze with a mixture
of lemon juice and powdered sugar, if desired.
Tissue Box Cards:
Thank You: To Don and then Joey for sharing this.
Tasting: I honored National Corn Fritter Day by making some for breakfast. These are easier than the little balls you deep fry.
An Obituary printed in the London Times....Absolutely Dead Brilliant!!Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death,
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason.He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights
- I Want It Now
- Someone Else Is To Blame
- I'm A Victim
- Pay me for Doing NothingNot many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
CORN
FRITTERS
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
and drained
1 cup flour
2 tsps sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs, lightly
beaten
3/4 whipping cream
Oil for frying
Mix flour, sugar, baking
powder, salt, and corn together in a large mixing bowl.
Mix eggs and cream and
stir into flour mixture.
Heat oil in skillet over
medium heat, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
Drop 1/4 cups of batter
into skillet and cook 2-3 minutes per side.
Serve with butter and
syrup for breakfast; with garlic butter as a side dish, or make smaller
fritters and serve with aioli for snack food.
The Pepper and Pals Report: I have to be careful to limit the attention I give Stormy, as Pepper is starting to get jealous. I try to hold her and pet her where he can't see. I know he likes her because the other day she was lying on the chair in the entryway and Pepper was lying on the floor in front of the chair. On second thought, maybe they weren't bonding. Maybe Pepper had her treed.
All the kitties are eating less with this terrible heat. They eat in the morning and then disappear all day. I hope they've found a cool spot. Maybe they go over by the lake. And they're coming later for dinner, when it's cooler.
I can't keep them out of the flower pots. Guess I shouldn't have named the one who looks like a skunk "Flower". He probably started it.
Time for BJ to get spayed, so naturally, she's been missing in the mornings, and comes for dinner after the vet is closed. I know she can read my mind. Her kitten was missing for awhile, but she's been back the last couple of days. And BJ has been here for the weekend, since the vet is closed.
Tasting: Joey's book club met at a member's house this month, and she served this chicken casserole. She made it with poppy seeds on top, which I omitted. The original recipe is at Allrecipes.com, see it HERE. Quick and easy and very good. Serve it with dressing, rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
QUICK
CHICKEN CASSEROLE
5 cups finely chopped
cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken
soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 cups crushed buttery
round crackers
A sprinkle of ground sage (optional)
Heat oven to 350°.
Spread the chicken over
the bottom of a 9” x 13” baking dish.
Stir the soup and sour
cream together and spread it over the chicken.
Mix butter with crushed
crackers and spread over chicken. Sprinkle with sage, if desired.
Bake 30 minutes.
Note: To add some crunch, sauté a cup of finely
chopped onion and a cup of finely chopped celery in 2 Tbs butter until crisp
tender and add it to the soup mixture.
Tragedy in Branson: Pray for the victims and families of the horrible accident when an amphibian vessel known as a Duck sank. Our flags are at half-mast here in Missouri. So sad.
DREAM IT
BELIEVE IT
PLAN IT
DO IT
THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE
The Common Sense Obituary made me smile, how sad that it is so true. The cute puppy video was a joy, what a tease. Loved the recipe for the banana bundt, we have some over ripe bananas. Like you I loved the enchanting afternoon tea video. Hope all is well with you.
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