The Brambleberry Patch

Curiosity Gets The Better Of Us

2011-04-20T22:22:00.001-04:00

Thanks for visiting my blogs.

I will leave you with a little thought.

Once an acquaintance, that I thought,

Here one day the next day naught.

Back to Familiarity

2010-06-07T13:52:00.001-04:00

La donna è mobile (Woman is fickle).

I tried my hand here, at blogger, and found that I missed wordpress. Therefore, I have moved back to WP.

Follow me back to my old stomping grounds-

Say-very Sweet Things.

A Dilegently Productive Day

2010-06-04T21:09:00.002-04:00

Earlier this afternoon, I made homemade butterscotch/chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

I just added a handful of butterscotch chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips to the cookie recipe.

While I was in the garage folding clothes, I spotted my cat Shadow curled-up in an empty soda box.

I call this picture Shadow Box-(ing).

After snapping a few pics, he realized I was hovering over him-

Sorry I bothered you, little guy.

For supper this evening and for tomorrow, I made homemade pizza using homemade dough, and homemade pizza sauce. I made the pizza sauce early this morning.

Homemade! Homemade! Homemade!

Yeah, we get it! You made homemade pizza. Geesh! *LOL*

I have kept myself busy all day.

And now, I am pooped!

PomahBerry Yogurt Pops

2010-06-03T22:01:00.000-04:00

Last nights frozen pop experiment-

Brian and I accomplished what we had intended to do. That was to see if we could come up with a frozen pop recipe from the ingredients that we had on hand.

They weren't brick hard. They had the same bite as any commercial frozen treat. My issue was with the taste. I don't care for berry drinks and that was base for the pops. They were too tart for me. Since Brian likes berry drinks, he thought they were delicious.

Here is how we made them and the ingredients used.

Frozen Pop Treats

In a large, glass measuring cup (4 cup size) first add-

1/3 cup of fruit flavored yogurt (your choice of flavor)
3 Tablespoons corn syrup
Pour the flavored drink (again, your choice)to the 3 cup mark.

Mix well using a whisk. Pour into molds.

Store in freezer until completely frozen (6-8 hours).

We are looking forward to making many different flavors with differnt types of ingredients.

Maybe summer will be fun after all!

Popsicle® Flavor Experiment

2010-06-02T21:25:00.007-04:00

Brian and I have been wanting to make some frozen pops. Below are the ingredients we had on hand.

Brian named them, PomahBerry Yogurt Pops (pomegranate and berry). We won't know until tomorrow how they will taste.

Before going into the freezer

If these don't taste as we had hoped, we will keep on trying different flavors.

Or, we will just pick recipes from the book I already have to make frozen Pops☺

And, if they are all we expected, I will post the recipe.

Decisions, decisions!

I Wonder

2010-06-01T21:15:00.008-04:00

It has been many years since I picked up a paint brush.

This is one of my, many, painting I have stored away in a closet.

I wonder if I will be inspired to paint again.

"Need and struggle are what excite and inspire us.”-William James (1842-1910)

Never Forget

2010-05-31T19:01:00.002-04:00

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.- Kelly Strong

It Just Makes Me Happy

2010-05-30T19:54:00.001-04:00

The hydrangea is so pretty.

I love the big clusters.

For something so big, it is so delicate and lacy looking. I picture tiny little pearls dotting each center of clusters.

I love how you can change it's colors by altering the pH of the soil.

I love looking at them. They make my heart happy.

Last year I bought a hydrangea from Lowes. That is when I transferred it to a bigger pot. Last month I noted that it was coming back to life.

This is one of many clusters from my potted hydrangea.

I am still deciding if I want to change the color to blue or leave it as this pretty, pale pink.

Has anyone changed the color of a hydrangea?

A Great Value

2010-05-29T21:12:00.006-04:00

Everyone likes a great value. But does everyone like Great Value?

In my quest to cut down on the food bill, I have been seeing more and more white labels in my food closet. Not so long ago I would have balked at using no name food products.

My reply to using said products would have been something like this-

Ewwww!

But there are moments when we have to set our pride aside and do what is best for the times. 'Pride goeth before the fall' and that sort of thing-hubris. Or was it more 'The fall goeth before the pride'.

I made chili con carne today and used Great Value products for the ingredients.

While the chili was cooking, I compared the ingredients with the GV tomato sauce with the Hunt's tomato sauce and they seemed to be the same. But would it taste the same?

After a long, slow simmer on the stove I am happy to report that the chili tasted just like my chili. It was good.

Now, I can sleep!

Grab a big bowl, guys!

It looks like we will be eating chili for a while

and "pick-up some more of that-there Great Value food"!

Ramble at Bramble

2010-05-28T22:24:00.003-04:00

I now have a forum here, on blogger. So far, I have added two topic. I have also added a 'Live Facebook Stream' to my side bar. I still find the life stream too big and will work on it to make it smaller-hopefully.

I made this little 'forum' graphic this evening. Most of the graphics on this site are made by me using my rusty, ol' paint shop pro7.

Tonic, Soda, Soda Pop

2010-05-27T22:39:00.001-04:00

Maybe it's because I am thristy-or maybe it's because I am thinking of my childhood while I am thirsty...

What keeps coming to the forefront of my mind is a tonic I used to drink when I was a child. For those of you that think I drank something akin to Vitameatavegamin,

Are you tired, run-down, listless? Do you poop out at parties? Are you unpopular? The answer to all your problems is in this little bottle. Vitameatavegamin. Yes, Vitameatavegamin contains Vitamins Meat Vegetables and Minerals. Yes, with Vitameatavegamin, you can spoon your way to health. All you do is take a great big tablespoonful after every meal. Mmmmmmm..... It's so tasty, too! Tastes just like candy! So why don't you join all the thousands of happy peppy people and get a great big bottle of Vitameatavegamin tomorrow! That's Vita-meata-vegamin! (wink)

tonic, to me, is what soda or soda pop is to others.

The tonic (tawnik) that I am referring to is Squamscot Soda.

It's a small company in New Hampshire that dates back to the Civil War. Their ~~soda~~ tonic, is still made using a simple syrup (sugar and water). Today's ~~sodas~~ tonics are made using high frutose corn syrup as a sweetner.

My grandparents sold Squamscot beverages at their restaurant and when I was allowed to have a tonic, I would always have a cream soda.

That is but a distant memory to me now. Someday I hope to have a Squamscot tonic anytime I want.

But then again, 'Moxie' was another tonic I enjoyed.

What would you use to describe a carbonated soft drinks?

Because I Don't Know How To Weave Baskets

2010-05-26T22:39:00.000-04:00

I designed a new blogger background and header today. I am not fully satisfied with them and haven't decided if I want to use it here or offer it for download.

Mmm!

Decisions, decisions.

I call it 'Country Kitchen'. I think it would be fun to have a kitchen that uses these colors.

What are your color ideas for a country kitchen?

BTW. I would love to know how to weave baskets.

Maybe someday.

Time & Tide...

2010-05-25T20:17:00.003-04:00

...so they say.

I have been stagnating lately. Well, more than lately. For a couple of months, I have sheltered myself from life.

Everything I hoped to do was just a dream. Everything I had to do were tucked safely away in mind.

I, somewhat realize, that I have control of my life. I can't control the outside factors, but I can control me. I have been giving my control to others. I have been weak and pitiful.

I am getting better.

I will get better!

Thinking Veggie Garden

2010-03-02T19:19:00.004-05:00

In the next couple of weeks I should have tomatoes planted. That is, if the weather permits. It has been significantly cold down here since November. I haven't decided which other vegetables to plant just yet. I will plants some sweet basil. But what I do know is that we need to make another raised vegetable bed like the one we made last year.

Therefore, I have gardening on my mind as well as getting the floors in the living room and kitchen completed. Since we are restoring the floors on weekends only, this task is dragging on and on and...

Tiny Sugar Heart

2010-02-28T18:09:00.005-05:00

Click the above picture to see it enlarged then double click again and it is back to the thumbnail size.

Yah! It worked.

Heart to Heart

2010-02-25T18:25:00.000-05:00

I didn't want Valentine's day to go by without mentioning that day. For that day, Tom bought me some beautiful orange roses. He always finds a way to make me feel special.

I did manage to do some baking in between working on the floors. I found an idea on a website for some filled heart-shaped pastries.

For the life of me, I can't remember which site I saw them.

I filled some with peach preserves and some with pear preserves.

I used pie crust dough cut into heart shapes and sealed the edges with a fork and poked the center with the fork.

Before baking, I brushed each pastry with milk then sprinkled sanding sugar on the top.

I was supposed to make sugar cookies for Brian but ran out of time and energy.

There is always St. Patrick's Day.

Sunday Pies

2010-02-24T18:20:00.000-05:00

Sunday, while Tom was working on the livingroom floor, I made homemade chicken pot pies from a recipe by Ida Garten.

Although they are not for those watching their calorie intake or their cholesterol, they were delicious.

Also, in keeping in line with a high fat dinner-

I made an Impossible Buttermilk Pie. I added a ½ teaspoon of almond extract to this pie.

One other buttermilk pie that I made, I used orange extract ( ½-¾ teaspoon).

Impossible Buttermilk Pie

Preheat oven to 350ºF

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Bisquick baking mix
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 eggs

Grease a 10 inch pie plate ( I used cooking spray).

Beat all ingredients until smooth, 30 seconds in the blender on high, or 1 minute with hand beater.

Pour into pie plate.

Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.

Serve with fresh fruit, if desired.

This Saturday, we are going to rip out the kitchen vinyl on the floor. I can't wait to do that and finally get that ugly stuff out of the house.

BTW. Here are some pictures of what acid etching stain looks like when applied to concrete floors. I am not guaranteeing that our floors will look like those floors in the photos but I can dream. ♥

We're Floored

2010-02-22T18:37:00.000-05:00

Tired of the living room and kitchen floor, we decided to undertake a huge project. Our kitchen's floor covering is 20 years old and it is tired and worn like me. All of our floors are cement floors. About 16 years ago we ripped out the wall to wall carpeting and I acid etched then painted the cement floors then added a sealer on top of that. A couple of years ago, we tiled the living room floor. Since the living room and the kitchen flow into one another, we had an ugly divider between the two with ugly floors that were hard to maintain and keep clean.

So, I came with an idea. Since we are on a tight budget, I decided we could stain the floors with acid etching stain. And do it all ourselves.

First we had to remove the tiles from the living room floor. What was under the tiles was the adhesive from the tiles and the cement floor I paint about 16 years ago. It is quite the mess we have going on here. This was last week. We are taking it slowly anddoing the floors in sections as our aching bodies cry out for relief.

Under these tiles was black adhesive where there used to be a parquet wood flooring in front of the front door.

Scappings from the painted cement using striaght-edged blades.

More scrappings. After the scrapping, we use a paint stripper to remove the rest of the paint, adhesives and high gloss sealer.

This is what we used to scrape the floor before we got smart and wondered if straight edged blades would work better.

Tom worked on most of the floor yesterday. I had to take a break as my neck, legs, back, eyeballs, fingers, (well, you get the idea) were aching.

After all the stripping and removing of the paint, etc., we are going to wash the floor with trisodium phosphate before we stain the floor with an etching stain. After this floor is prepped, we are removing the vinyal floor in the kitchen and repeat the same process as we did in the living room.

We did things bass ackwards. We didn't remove the baseboards but before we stain, we have to do just that. I don't know why we left baseboards. I think it was pure defiance or maybe just laziness.

I vote for defiance.

I have always complained that our house was small but in instances such as this, I am thankful.

Loaf, Loaf, Stack

2010-02-02T18:49:00.000-05:00

What to do...What to do for supper.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Meat Loaf"][/caption]

Let's see. What else can I loaf.

I loafed meat.

I could loaf-off. I know how to do that well.

I know!

Bread!

I can loaf bread.

How about a loaf of Onion & Dill Spoon Bread?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Loaf of Onion & Dill Spoon Bread"][/caption]

How about cookies?

Can I loaf cookies?

No?

Then a stack of cookies it shall be.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Chocolate-Chocolate Mint Cookies"][/caption]

The end.

To Grandmother's House We Go

2010-02-01T17:37:00.000-05:00

I watched Nicky and Elizabeth for a short while today.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Nicky"][/caption]

I tried to get pictures of Nicky without knowing. Only when he thought I was finished snapping him, was I able to get some shots of him candidly.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Elizabeth Ann-February 1, 2020"][/caption]

Elizabeth is cooing and smiling now. She looked so cute in her little red outfit.

Get used to it kid.

Grammy always has her camera near by.

There's no escape.

Say It, Spell It, Say It

2010-01-31T17:35:00.000-05:00

Caution: A Grammy Moment Ahead.

I had mentioned in a previous post that Brian was going to compete against other fourth and fifth grade winners in his school’s spelling bee. If he won he would have advanced to the county-wide bee. Then from there, the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

During the competition, I was in Miami. Before my trip to Miami, we had studied nightly to prepare him for the bee. From there Tom took over. Brian could spell words like paramecium, latitudinarian, psychoanalysis, aggrandizement, labyrinth and so on and so forth. First he gave me the words to spell and them I gave him the words. There was a method to my madness by me spelling first. This way, he had to look at the words while I spelled them and was learning them at the same time.

On the day of the competition, Tom took a video camera and recorded the competition. Out of sixteen children, Brian was down to the last four. His word was 'Lobbyist'.

"L-O-B-B-Y-E-S-T"

Oh, dude!

After I got home I viewed the tape and I could see the disappointment in his face.

Brian felt terrible and was worried that he had let us down. We told him how proud we are of him and as long as he tried, he could never let us down.

I don't think he will ever forget how to spell the word L-O-B-B-Y-I-S-T.

That same week, he got his report card and made straight 'A' honor roll again.

You go, Brian!

And Not A Drop To Spare?

2010-01-28T17:06:00.000-05:00

Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink ;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.-The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

I come from an area in New England where the ocean and the beaches were within my reach. As a children, my sister and I swam in Atlantic Ocean at Rye Beach/Wallis Sands. Of course, back then, it wasn't a destination for tourist as it is today.

The ocean water temperatures were frigid. In the summertime, when the air temperatures rose to where the heat and humidity were just to much for one to tolerate, the only way to cool down was to go to the beach to swim. Whether it was summertime or otherwise, that ocean water could turn a body blue and the rocky, jagged shores could give one a nasty cut, bruise, break to a bone or even-dare I say-a fatality.

As children, we could just barely romp among the waves on legs that were numb and tingly from the cold sea water, I could hear my mother call out from the shore telling my sister and me that it was time to come in and dry-off,

"Your lips have turned blue"!

Shivering, teeth chattering and near convulsions, we cried out and pleaded,

"It's not cold"!

"Can't we stay in a little longer"?

"You're not being fair"!

While in Miami, my sister and I visited the beach there. The beach was right across the street from out hotel. It was cold and windy the two days we were at the beach. We didn't get to experience the 'Miami Beach Scene' because of the weather. But I did snap a few photos and combed the beach for shells.

The first thing that caught my eye were the different hues of blue from the sky and ocean. And in the forefront, the white sands.

Dotted along the shore where these beach/guard shacks or beach/guard huts painted in, what I call, tropical colors.

I no longer find relief and joy in the ocean waters. I am content to just sit on shore, feet planted firmly in the sands, and admire the impressive, mighty forces of the deep.

Architecturally Pleasing

2010-01-20T07:06:00.000-05:00

Some of the grandiose architecture in Miami are works of art.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Miami"][/caption]

I was doing some research on architecture and was reading about Vitruvius, a roman architect, engineer, etc. in and around 1st century. He stated that a good building should satisfy the three principles of firmitatis utilitatis venustatis. Roughly translated, one of those principles are:

Venustatis (Beauty)- it should delight people and raise their spirits.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Miami"][/caption]

Looking at these building did delighted us and raises our spirits as we happened upon them. We were in awe of these majestic beauties.

Especially this building-

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Miami "][/caption]

The colors and the geometric shapes really popped-out at me.

Miami is very colorful and pleasing to the eyes.

I also learned that the notes on Leonard da Vinci's famous drawing, The Vitruviam Man, are based on the work of architect Vitruvius.

How 'bout dat!

Insert cliché here ____________________________.

Who's The Mystery Man?

2010-01-18T16:33:00.000-05:00

On one our walks, my sister and I wanted a frozen, tropical drink and were deciding which place to have one. We walked up and down the street lined cafes. During our second pass at one of the cafes, I spotted a familiar face and said to my sister-

"Is that who I think it is?"

She said,

"Yes, I thought it was him"

So, we made a third pass by just to make sure and them passed by a fourth time. This time the person in question was speaking with his lunch companions.

We turned to each other and practically said at the same time-

"I'D KNOW THAT VOICE ANYWHERE"!

IT WAS HIM!

Not wanting to disturb him during his meal, my sister and I walked across the street to snap a picture of him. Using my telephoto lens, we pretended to take pictures of each other so as not to cause suspicion.

[caption id="attachment_2469" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="Mystery Man"][/caption]

Can you guess the mystery man?

On one of our walks, I was admiring some large potted palms beside a stair case.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Potted Palms"][/caption]

Then I realized where I was. I was standing in front of Gianni Versace's mansion.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Gianni Versace Mansion"][/caption]

I snapped a picture of my sister standing on the 'infamous' stairs leading up to his beautiful estate.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carol"][/caption]

We walked by this old car, a couple of times, parked outside one of the hotels. Then my sister noticed that there was someone sitting in it. I got a little closer and saw this ominous figure sitting behind the wheel. Reluctantly, my sister took a picture for afar. I got right up close and snapped away.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Original 'Gangsta'"][/caption]

"I ain't scared of no gangstah"!

By the way. After we spied the 'Mystery Man' my sister and I did find a place, back at our hotel's outside cafe, to sit and have a frozen drink and talk about how excited we were to see this person.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Frozen Tropical Drinks"][/caption]

While we were savoring these frozen concoctions and nursing brain freezes, our Mystery Man walked nonchalantly by us.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Our Mystery Man Leaving"][/caption]

"Bye, Mystery Man".

"See yah at the movies, kid"!

My Trip To South Beach, Miami

2010-01-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

My sister, Carol and I arrived in Miami last Sunday night. We arrived home this past Friday. We stayed at The Beacon Hotel which was built in 1937 during the Art Deco era. It was a step-back in time. We were in the Art Deco section on Ocean Drive. The beach was right across the street. The buildings there were so stately and beautiful.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The Beacon Hotel"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="The Beacon at Night"][/caption]

The first night there, Carol and I ate at the Rendezvous On The Beach restaurant at our hotel. I had chicken with black olives and capers and she had fettucine alfredo. My meal was so delicious that now I just have to make it here at home. We could have eaten outside on their side walk cafe but we chose to eat inside as it was so cold down. It was unusual for Miami to be that cold. It was in the low 30's. Everyone was wearing winter jackets and hats.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Outside Our Hotel-The Sidewalk Cafe at Night"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Outside Our Hotel-The Sidewalk Cafe During The Day"][/caption]

In the photo above you can see the heater that they kept lite. All up and down the streets are sidewalk cafes and everyone had torch heater to keep everyone warm.

For entertainment, our hotel's restaurant had a guitar player playing flamingo and a female flamingo dance scantly dressed and she freezing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="Flamingo Guitarist"][/caption]

Sorry about the picture of the guitar playing being blurry. But the palm tree's trunk is very pretty and colorful.

I saw my first coconut tree. They line the streets of Miami. They are so pretty.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Coconut Tree"][/caption]

I see palm trees all the time living here but not coconut trees.

This is my sister Carol My sister. The strawberry margarita she is drinking is bigger than her. This was on Wednesday or Thursday. It started to warm up in to the 70's but got cold again towards evening-down into the 50's.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="My sister, Carol"][/caption]

This is me. I am looking a little tired in this one. It wasn't the drink! Really! I was just tired. I am always tired. Just look at that luggage under my eyes. I was drinking a strawberry daiquiri. It looks like I am about to fall right into that drink.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Me"][/caption]

I have more pictures that I want to post. But I am going to do that in different postings.

It was quite the experience for the both of us. It was good to get away. I thank my sister for a once in a life time experience. In spite of the cold, we enjoyed it very much.

Spell It!

2010-01-07T17:48:00.000-05:00

Brian is one of his school's homeroom winners of the spelling bee for his grade. He will be competing against other fourth and fifth grade winners in his school's spelling bee this Monday. If he wins then he will advance to the county-wide bee. Then from there, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. We have been studying MerriamWebster's Spell It! for a couple of days in the evening. The teacher gave us a booklet of tips and tricks.

I got the notice this Tuesday regarding his participation in the bee. They sure didn't give us enough time to study. Before Christmas vacation, Brian told me that he had won the spelling bee in his class had but I had no idea that it was for this competition. If I had known, we would have studied during Christmas vacation. That is not to say that Brian would have been a very happy camper about that.

I won't be here to see him compete in the school spelling bee. I will be in Miami. Tom is taking the morning off from work to be there for him. I am worried that we didn't have enough time to prepare. As a matter of a fact, I know we didn't study enough.

Win or loose, I am still very proud of him.

My daughter's new website-Going Out On A Whim . This is the maiden voyage for her.

Carrie, I wish you luck and success in all her endeavors.

A Gift From My Sister

2010-01-05T07:49:00.000-05:00

In five days, my sister and I are flying to South Beach, Miami. My sister gifted me this trip.

How extravagant and generous is that!

She will be flying into Jacksonville from New England, I will be there when she arrives and a couple of hours later, her and I both will fly out of Jacksonville to Miami. We are leaving the family behind and venturing out on our own.

[caption id="attachment_2452" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="South Beach, Miami"][/caption]

We have had this planned since the middle of December. It will be quite the adventure for the both of us. We plan to take pictures, shop, comb the beach, dine, hit a few night clubs, explore and just relax.

I am so very thankful to my sister and looking forward to just some sister time.

Bubbly, Pies and Googly Eyes

2010-01-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

The tourtière was very good. I am a miserable failure when it come to rolling pie crust. I have never been able to roll out a crust properly. The crust was ripping, tearing and sticking. There were more than a few patches to the crust but after they came out of the oven, they looked okay.

Phew!

I must give a 'shout out' to Tom as he was standing by and helped me patch the crust.

I would love to invest in this handy little baking mat. It just may be to my advantage when it comes to rolling pie crust. Maybe!

The crust came out perfectly flaky. I used shortening and some lard. I know that there are those out there whose arteries are clogging while reading this but I only make these pies once a year. And lard makes such delicious crust and biscuits.

Tom and I welcomed in the new year by toasting with come Asti Spumante. I prefer this sparkling wine to Champagne because of its sweetness. I call it the Italian version of Champagne.

And the anticipation of waiting for the clock to strike midnight. *LOL*

Yes, this was before he even had a sip of the Asti.

Down, boy!

Happy '2010'

2009-12-31T09:25:00.000-05:00

In keeping with my Candian French side, I am making our traditional tourtière for New Year's eve. I make homemade baked beans with this dish but I forgot to soak the beans last night. I know you can do a quick method but I prefer to soak the beans overnight. Therefore, I won't be baking beans today.

Now what?

I had Tom buy me can of B&M baked beans-THAT'S WHAT!

I want to wish everyone a safe and-

French Fried Onion Straws

2009-12-27T15:41:00.000-05:00

Because I had too many onions, we made onion straws/French fried onions yesterday.

Note to self: Check inventory before sending Tom out for groceries.

Instead of making my own flour mixture, we used Don's Chuck Wagon Onion Batter by Hodgson Mills. I used it dry rather than mix in any liquids to make a batter. After slicing the onions into super thin rings, I soaked them in milk for a half an hour, drained the onions from the milk then coated them in the dry mix. I let them sit for about 15 minutes before frying.

A big o'pile of floured onions before becoming delectable, crunchy onion straws-

The first of three large batches-

Mmm!

They were so good as was the cranberry liqueur I made that had to sit for almost two months before we could drink it.

Phew! Is that what they call a run-on sentence?

It was a good day!

It's A Small World

2009-12-25T18:40:00.000-05:00

It seems that my world is getting a little smaller.

Today I got an email from a blog friend stating that she is shutting down her blog. She has lost interest in the blog world. I am going to miss her.

I have noticed that many are absent from their blog in favor of Facebook. I have an account with Facebook and have for almost two years. It wasn't until this September that I started using it. I found and still find Facebook very impersonal. My reason for being there daily is that my sister and daughter can be found there. I have had a blog since 2002 and I couldn't interest either of them to stop by and visit. Therefore, if the mountain won't come to Mohammad then Mohammad must go to the mountain-so to speak.

Christmas wasn't anything to write about. As a matter of a fact, I can't wait to put this day and yesterday behind me. Just as soon as every last decoration and holiday dish and geegaw is put away will I be able to move on with anticipation for 2010 (every year I say that next year will be better than the previous year).

There is a voice inside of our heads
that tells us of what is to come
deja vu turned upside down
is what it may seem like to some
whether it's foresight or just premonition
it leaves you feeling quite strange
whisper or shout, it allows for no doubt
that your fortunes are due for a change.

This is the first time, since the history of Tom and Liz, that there won't be any Christmas pictures. The camera seemed to be the furthest thing from my mind. I do regret that but I can't go back in time and start snapping pictures.

I didn't even get to see Elizabeth in the sweater and hat I made for her. It was so warm here yesterday afternoon that it would have been impossible for her to wear it. Carrie said that she did wear it earlier in the day before it got too warm out.

Yes, my world is getting a little smaller and I have no doubt that a revelation will hit me on the head and tell me to-

Git movin' and figyahit out!

Yah wastin' time!

I believe my revelation will have a New England accent. *smile*

The Elves Have Taken Over

2009-12-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

I made a crocheted sweater and hat for baby Elizabeth-

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Crochet Sweater and Tam/Hat"][/caption]

I got the pattern at Bella Bambina. The hat/tam I made up off the top of my head. I had the Night, Night Kitty that I had crocheted for Brian a couple of years ago model it.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sweater and Tam/Hat I Crocheted"][/caption]

Brian tightening the tree in the stand.

And who is that behind tree?

Now who could that possibly be?

It maybe one of the elfs!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Brian and the Elf Hiding Behind the Tree"][/caption]

These are some pictures I took of this weekend after all the Christmas decorations were up. I have Brian and Tom to thank for getting the decorations up. I was procrastinating and was hoping that the elves would come and do all the trimmings to the house.

Wait!

Aren't those elves...

Yes, Elizabeth! There is such a thing as an elf.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Grampy and Brian Disguised As Elves."][/caption]

I made a batch of the original, original chex mix that my mother and father made when I was a child.

It was a good weekend. We played Christmas music, danced and just had fun.

Afghan and Ribbon

2009-12-19T20:32:00.000-05:00

Brian took 5th place out of the top 6th winners at his school's science fair.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Brian and his Ribbon"][/caption]

Afghan I crocheted for Elizabeth.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Elizabeth's Crocheted Afghan"][/caption]

I have made each grandchild an afghan.

Big Whoop!

The Sugar Eating Fungus Takes Fifth

2009-12-12T19:25:00.000-05:00

Caution! You are about to enter into another Grammy moment.

Brian's took 5th place out of the top 6th winners in his school's science fair. His teacher emailed me to inform me that on Monday, at school, they are going to announce the winners. From what I understand, the top six will move on to the system-level competition. I am not sure what that means. I will find out more Monday.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Click project/photo to see a larger image"][/caption]

We wracked our brains to think of a project that was unique and wasn't one that has been done many times before.

We came up with 'Yeast'-The Sugar Eating Fungus. Actually, baker's yeast-Saccharomyces Cervisiae (sack-a-roe-MY-seas sair-a-VIS-e-eye).

I love saying Saccharomyces Cervisiae now that I know how it is pronounced.

We wanted to see if yeast can function as a decomposer. We used a banana in this experiment.

Along with the poster, he had a typed report and kept a daily log/journal of the experiment.

Yes! Yeast does act as a decomposer.

Also, out of the four 4th grades classes, Brian and another of his classmates won the spelling bee in their class.

Now, if I could just get him to make his bed...

A Botched Batch

2009-12-08T14:48:00.000-05:00

From Sandy over at Carolina Moon Reflections, I got the idea to bake some chocolate chip cookies. I have a large bag-a very large bag-of chocolate chips that Carrie brought over for me. Therefore, why not bake some chocolate chip cookies (the snickerdoodles will just have to wait).

After I made beef stew for supper, I got down to the task of baking.

After the first batch of cookies were baked, I noticed that they didn't spread like a Toll House cookie should. They were almost cake-like.

I double checked the recipe to see if I had made a mistake. I did everything exactly what the recipe states. They taste like a Toll House cookie, but don't look like one.

What could have gone wrong?

Don't Give Me That Look!

2009-12-07T07:29:00.000-05:00

It looks like Brian is angry about me taking his picture when in fact he wanted to try out a new look and pose.

Where are you going
My little one, little one...

Turn around and you’re two
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young man
Going out of the door.

Where is that little boy smile that made his eyes light up?

I think I like your boyish charming smile...No, I know that I like your boyish charming smile rather than this serious manner.

I have been wanting to bake some snickerdoodle but haven't been in the mood to bake. The temperatures dropped to 36°F the night before last and the days have been cold. This time of the year is the perfect time to bake. I got to get my butt in gear and do something constructive.

What have you been baking?

Say-very Sweet Things

2009-12-03T10:32:00.004-05:00

Say-very Sweet Things

Carrie, Nicky and Elizabeth have been staying with us until Carrie recovers from the C-section she had when Elizabeth was born. Her hubby works during the day and I was not able to be with her during the day to help her out with the kids. Carrie could hardly walk as her feet had swollen three times their size from all the water she was retaining. Her blood pressure was sky-high, she is anemic, had and has been having terrible headaches, and was unable to move due to the staples then the butterfly stitches to her abdomen.

Brian's fracture to his elbow healed and he no longer has to wear the splint. If it didn't heal then the doctor was going to put a cast on him.

Nicky is doing good and trying his best not to get into trouble. Hopefully, someday it will all finally click why he can't do what he is not suppose to do.

Elizabeth is also doing good. She had her first doctor's visit today. When she first came home from the hospital she weghed 4 lbs. 9 oz. Now she is up to 6 lbs. 13 oz. Her little clothes fit her better now. Carrie and I went out last Friday and bought all the kids some new clothes. Saturday, Grampy bought the boys new sneakers. As they say, they are growing like weeds.

All ready for her first doctor's visit. She is sitting in her car seat.

Our Thanksgiving was filled with noise and good food. We had a good day. We made turkey soup on Saturday. I, for one, am glad to see the last of the turkey and the fixings.

I have had little time for my blog. I seem to be spending what little time I do have, on Facebook. My sister and Carrie and most of my blog buddies are now on Facebook. It seem that blogging is slowly being a thing of the past. That is so sad to me. But, I also must admit, rather reluctantly, that I am playing Farmville.

Farmville will suck the blogger right out of yah!

Liz Woodward

Open House

2009-12-01T16:35:00.000-05:00

Carrie, Nicky and Elizabeth have been staying with us until Carrie recovers from the C-section she had when Elizabeth was born. Her hubby works during the day and I was not able to be with her during the day to help her out with the kids. Carrie could hardly walk as her feet had swollen three times their size from all the water she was retaining. Her blood pressure was sky-high, she is anemic, had and has been having terrible headaches, and was unable to move due to the staples then the butterfly stitches to her abdomen.

Brian's fracture to his elbow healed and he no longer has to wear the splint. If it didn't heal then the doctor was going to put a cast on him.

Nicky is doing good and trying his best not to get into trouble. Hopefully, someday it will all finally click why he can't do what he is not suppose to do.

Elizabeth is also doing good. She had her first doctor's visit today. When she first came home from the hospital she weghed 4 lbs. 9 oz. Now she is up to 6 lbs. 13 oz. Her little clothes fit her better now. Carrie and I went out last Friday and bought all the kids some new clothes. Saturday, Grampy bought the boys new sneakers. As they say, they are growing like weeds.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="346" caption="Elizabeth Ann-November 30, 2009. All ready for her first doctor's visit. She is sitting in her car seat. "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="162" caption="All Gussied-up in her little pink headband."][/caption]

Liz Woodward

Counting My Blessings

2009-11-17T07:44:00.000-05:00

Brian and Nicky are doing good and are excited about their new sister. Brian still has to be in an arm splint. The doctor wanted to put a cast on him, but decided to wait three more weeks. He had more x-ray and these x-rays showed a clearer picture of the crack to his elbow. OUCH!

Carrie is moving a little slow. When she went into labor, the baby was in the breech position. Therefore, she had to deliver by C-section.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Elizabeth Ann-Three days old"][/caption]

Bless your precious little heart
You still don't know as yet
How happy and excited
Grown-up folks can get

But soon you will discover
The pride and gladness too
That started on the happy day
Our lives were blessed with you.

She's Here!

2009-11-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

Introducing my granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann. She is named after me. I am so honored.

Carrie delivered a beautiful little girl Thursday morning and is doing well. Although Elizabeth is two weeks early she is doing fine. She is a tiny little thing and so sweet.

Elizabeth Ann
Born: November 12, 2009
weight: 5lbs. 1 oz.
length: 19 inches.

True Faith And Allegiance

2009-11-11T14:47:00.000-05:00

In honor of our men and woman, past and present, who-

"...support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."

Thank You.

What The X-rays Revealed

2009-11-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

Brian went the the orthepedic doctor yesterday armed-pardon the pun-with his x-rays. The doctor found a chip/fracture on his elbow. He has to wear a splint until he sees the doctor again next week. He also should be using the sling the doctor gave him but he says he hurts his neck. The splint is very heavy. I don't know how he can stand the weight when his arm is at rest without the sling.

I didn't mention that Brian is left-handed and that is the arm he injured.

With nothing else to post, I will end it here. :)

Bogged Down

2009-11-03T18:08:00.000-05:00

At one time, Tom and I used to buy Boggs cranberry liqueur for the holiday season. The company that made it closed down many years ago.

Years ago, before the internet, I came across a recipe for the stuff. For over twenty years, I have been making it yearly for Christmas.

Every year, around Halloween, I start making my cranberry liqueur.

It takes approximately seven to eight weeks to set up before consumption.

After four weeks I bottle the liqueur and then I let it sit for another 3 to 4 weeks and by Christmas Eve it is ready to pour.

The long wait is well worth waiting. It is so very very close to the taste of Boggs.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Brian injured his arm during the weekend end. Tom and I had been treated it as a sprain but to be sure Tom took him to see his doctor Monday. He ordered x-rays and we waited all day, until 6:30 that night to find out the results. The doctor said that he didn't see any fracture to his arm, but may have a hairline fracture in his elbow and that we should call an orthopedic doctor that Brian's doctors recommended. I called first thing this morning. The only time the orthopedic doctor can see Brian is this Thursday. That is when we will, hopefully, find out to what extent his arm is injured.

Happy Halloween 2009

2009-10-30T19:17:00.000-04:00

Everything is ready for the little ghouls tomorrow night. Brian and Nicky are looking forward to tomorrow. Tom decorated the outside and I cleaned today and did some more decorating for Halloween. Their costumes are ready and so are they. Tom bought them some flashlights and a couple of little wind up trinkets.

Now they are saying that candy that is given out can spread the H1N1. It comes to a point that one doesn't know what to do. Do we all stay home and cower in the house or do we go on with our lives. It is all very confusing.

I forgot to mention that Carrie is doing well. She isn't having any more labor pains. And, in case she does, she has some medication to stop the contractions. Boy, it can get scary when the baby wants to come too early. I am sorry that I didn't mention it. I know that a few of you have asked about her.

Earlier this evening, Brian tried to do a balancing act around the edge of my above ground planter, fell off and hurt his arm. He complained a little this evening of it hurting him. It is swollen or anything. If he still complains tomorrow and we see any changes then we will call his doctor. Geesh!

Food Meme

2009-10-29T10:49:00.000-04:00

Connie, over at Connie's Sandstone Haven and CC, recommended to me a delightful blog- Mermaid's Treasures. There she has many recipes and ideas. Also, on her blog, she has a food meme that I was anxious to do.

Food Meme

1. What’s your #1 comfort food?
Pasta

2. If you were on a deserted island, what one food would you want to have with you?
Potato Chips. I am addicted to the things. Yet, I haven't eaten on in over a year. I have a tendency to eat a whole large bag in one sitting.

3. What is/are your signature dishes? (What dishes are you ‘known’ for?)
Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna.

4. It’s Friday night, you don’t know what to cook. You opt for…
Haddock. Fried or baked stuffed.

5. What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to food?
Bread.

6. What food can you absolutely not eat?
Anchovies

7. You need a drink. You grab a….
water or coffee.
Both. I only drink water, coffee or diet coke.

8. What’s the most decadent dish you’ve had?
Pollo alla Firènze (Florence style chicken)

9. What’s your favorite type of food?
Italian

10. Favorite dish?
A seafood platter with fried clams, fried scallops, fried haddock and fried shrimp.

11. If your partner could take you to any restaurant you wanted, which one would it be?
The Dinner Horn in my hometown of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I would get the seafood platter and a couple of Ward 8’s

12. Are you a soup or salad person?
Soup. I love all kinds of soups.

13. Buffet, take-out or sit-down restaurant?
Sit-down restaurant. It would be nice to have some one wait on me for a change. We rarely go out to eat.

14. What’s the most impressive dinner you’ve ever made?
Umm! I've made a few. I can't think right now.

15. Do you consider yourself a good cook?
At times.

16. Do you know what vichyssoise is?
Yes

17. Who’s your favorite TV cook?
I like Ina Garten, Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and of course Julia Child. Julia is who most of us remember as our first experience with cooking after our mothers and grandmothers.

18. Can you name at least three TV cooking personalities?
Yes. Ina Garten, The Galloping Gourmet, Julia Child. There are so many more. Can anyone else remember the Galloping Gourmet?

19. Homemade or homemade from a box?
Homemade.

20. Name 3 or more other foodies you are going to tag. Anyone can feel free to tag themselves for this!
If I were going to tag three they would be Connie...all of my blog buddies.

Life's Curves And Blessings

2009-10-19T17:36:00.000-04:00

Carrie had to go the hospital yesterday. She went into labor at five in the morning. She is 33½ weeks pregnant. The hospital was able to stop the contractions after four hours and them sent here home. She is on Terbutaline. She is on bed rest for the next 2 weeks until she is at least I 36 weeks along.

We are keeping Nicky for the two weeks that Carrie is on bed rest. This morning, after we saw Brian off on the bus, Nicky drew some pictures for most of the day on big sheets of paper that I have. He drew Sponge Bob's pineapple house, Mr. Krabbs, Patrick and Plankton. He also scribbled out two pools-one for me and him. He wanted me to write Grammy and Nicky over the pools. Of course his pool was bigger. *smile*

I pray that everything is going to be all right for Carrie and the baby.

Brian got his report card and made the honor roll.

Go, Brian! We are so proud of you.

Last Thursday I made half of a recipe of Butter Cupcakes. The full recipe calls for five eggs. Not being able to half five eggs, I just used two extra-large eggs. They came out delicious. These cupcakes have a hint of almond flavor. I decorated them keeping Halloween in mind. I topped them off with a marshmallow creme frosting

I find that my presence is getting less and less here on my blog. I have been over on Face Book. My sister and Carrie are on Face Book and I go there often to interact with them. I do miss my blog and feel like I have neglected an old friend. Also, on the other hand, I haven't had much to write about.

I am still working on the baby's afghan for my soon to be granddaughter. I am doing a little on it each day.

Go, Tom Go!

2009-10-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

It is the end of the long weekend. These past three days were wonderful in that we didn't have to get up in the wee hours of the morning and Tom did many of the choirs that needed to get done.

Saturday we cleaned the garage and yesterday Tom finished-off the garage by vacuuming and putting down new door mats and then he finished off the laundry. Today, Tom cleaned the garage refrigerator (inside and out) and used bleach and water to clean the seals. He took all the garbage cans outside and washed them then and that evening he cooked burgers on the grill and then did the dishes. And what did I do while Tom was toiling away?

I made a Halloween Digital Quick Page/Scrap Page. I am sharing it and if you want it you can click onto it and save it to your hard drive for your personal use. The original is 705 x 913 pixels. I draw all the graphic using my computer mouse and my Paint Shop Pro.

I did a little crocheting on the baby blanket that I am making for my new granddaughter-to-be. Carrie doesn't know about it yet. But she will as soon as she reads this.

Hi, Carrie.

I very much appreciate all that Tom did around here these past few day.

Thank you, Tom.

Whoopie Pies

2009-10-07T18:18:00.000-04:00

In my previous post, I said that I was going to bring down the ol’ jar of fluff and get to cooking. This afternoon that is just what I did. I made Whoopie Pies.

The recipe says to drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheets. I used about two tablespoons for each pie and it was just the right size. One of my scoops that I use for cookie dough holds two tablespoon. I am not sure of the size but here is a comparison.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560" caption="The middle scoop, in the photo on the left, is the size I used."][/caption]

I stacked them on a cake pedestal just to take a photo, but I don't suggest to keep them stacked as they have a tendency to stick together. I used waxed paper to separate them and then stored them in a closed container in the refrigerator.

Keep a napkin handy, as they will stick right to your fingers.

Fluffernutter

2009-10-05T06:20:00.000-04:00

Nicky spent the weekend with us. Friday, after Tom and I took him shopping, we gave him a peanut butter and fluff sandwich aka A Fluffernutter sandwich. As you can see, he enjoyed his fluffernutter.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that we were able to buy marshmallow fluff here. It was something we New Englanders remember fondly.

Marshmallow Fluff also makes 'wicked good' Whoopie Pies-another New England childhood memory.

I also remember my father making my favorite fudge-Peanut Butter Fudge-using marshmallow fluff. Even when I got older and married, I used to ask him to whip up a batch. I was never a good fudge maker. But my sister is good at making fudge. I am going to try to make a batch of fudge and see if I can do it. I have a microwave recipe, but it is not as good as the kind made on the stove.

This post is a walk down memory lane for me. Also, it has inspired me to bring down the ol' jar of fluff and get to cooking...er...maybe not. :)

Wheat Skeets

2009-10-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I made honey wheat hamburger buns. My idea was to make meat loaf burgers on homemade buns.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption=" "][/caption]

The dough on the left and the final product on the right.

They look pretty good in the picture but they tasted terrible and were too heavy and dense. While the dough was rising I wasn't getting the yeasty dough smell...if you know what I mean. While they were baking I still wasn't getting that smell of fresh bread baking.

When I took them out of the oven I noted how heavy they were. After I cooled them down, I tasted a smaller one that I made (I always make a sampler) and it had a metallic/chemical taste and smell to it.

I don't know if it was the flour or the honey. I know that the flour isn't expired. I keep wheat flour in the freezer in a container as it will go rancid quickly if not.

I just don't know what went wrong.

"Hi, Tom?"

"On your way home from work can you stop and pick up some hamburger buns?"

Do You Know The Muffin Lady?

2009-09-29T17:34:00.000-04:00

I have been fixed on muffins lately.

Last Saturday I made corn muffins with blueberries. They are just a basic corn muffin recipe (I used some buttermilk). Basic in the sense that mine are a little sweeter than the ones served down here. My only complaint was that the corn meal wasn't coarse enough. It was too finely ground. Carrie said that they weren't sweet enough.

"Hi Carrie" :)

Today I made apple cinnamon muffins also using some buttermilk.

I caution that using just buttermilk in a recipe that calls for milk will make the batter very thick. If you are going to use some buttermilk in your recipes you will have to have a feeling for have to have a feel for know how the batter should be. Did that make sense?

Yesterday, on 'The Barefoot Contessa' I saw her make Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins. Now, I have just got to make those. They looked so good.

More Shed Finds

2009-09-23T17:21:00.000-04:00

I also found these in the shed the other day. I painted these prints, years ago, using watercolors. I got the idea from some magazine. I can't remember the name of the mag. It was so very long ago. I wanted to redo my bathroom in a beach cottage theme and hang these prints there.

Again, the last print shows up as a dark gold, but the original is more of a light golden color. The other two are exactly same colors.

I never did get to redo my bathroom. I really wanted to know how these would look in a frame. So, yesterday, after scanning them, I brought them over to Paint Shop Pro and made these frames just to see how they would look framed.

Maybe someday I will get to buy some frames and hang them.

For now they are back in storage, in a closet, in the house.

Maybe Somewhere In Italy

2009-09-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

With not having much to post about...

I found another painting I did in oils. It was stored away in the shed.

After I scanned the picture, the buildings look orange. In the painting, the building are more golden then they are orange.

I just couldn't get the angles right on the buildings. Maybe I should have taken some art classes or geometry classes somewhere along the way throughout my life. *smile*

English Muffins

2009-09-21T17:34:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I watched Alton Brown make English muffins. During that episode, I remembered that I had some muffin rings. Years ago I made some and didn't quite like them. Alton Brown's recipe looked and sounded so much better. So today I made a batch of his English muffins.

His recipe said to use a #20 ice cream scoop and place 2 scoops into each ring. That was too much batter to add to each ring. They came out too high and took too long to toast.

Tom tried one this evening and said they were too heavy and dense.

Oh, well. The rings go back in hiding until I come across a better recipe.

A Disastrous Success?

2009-09-20T17:36:00.000-04:00

After two attempts, using two different recipes, at trying to make a caramel dipping sauce, my caramel sauce turned into a caramel nougat.

After much frustration, I finally gave up with trying to make a dipping sauce.

With the unintentional nougat, I made a few chocolate covered caramels and took a few sliced apple, wrapped nougat around them then drizzled some chocolate over them.

I still have some nougat leftover.

Although my intentions weren't to make a nougat, the nougat came out rather good. It had the caramel flavor I was looking for.

I have yet to find a good caramel dipping sauce recipe.

The Ugly Pie

2009-09-10T17:26:00.000-04:00

Aah, where are the peak?

I made a lemon meringue pie today. After putting the meringue on top and baking it, I realized I should have put peaks on top of the meringue. It would have made for a better presentation.

After beating the egg whites until soft peaks formed, I added about ¼ cup of marshmallow creme and beat that into the meringue.

With peaks or without peaks, it still tasted good.

An Ink Sketch

2009-09-09T15:53:00.000-04:00

Many years ago I used to sketch, draw and paint with different mediums. I wasn't very good but I kept practicing. The other day I found a sketch that I did using The Pigma® Micron .005 pen which is a fine point pen. These pens are waterproof, permanent, with India Ink.

Close up of the sketch-

I know it could be better but I was somewhat pleased with this drawing. I was thinking of framing it with a white matting and black frame.

I have been finding all sorts of stuff that I had forgotten about. I can't imagine what I'll find when I do some weeding out of our attic.

Labor Day Weekend 2009

2009-09-08T19:36:00.000-04:00

Every year here, during the labor day weekend, our city has its annual Catfish Festival. It is just down the road from my house.

Yesterday we decided to take a walk down to the festival. There is the usual festival festivities of foods, crafts, music, carnival rides, etc. Of course, it was just too hot for me and with me having bronchitis, I was having a hard time breathing. I only stayed for a short while and left Tom and Brian there and I walked back home. It is still hot and humid here and will be well into the beginning of December.

Before I left, I got some pictures of some of the classic cars on display. Cars are one of Brian's favorite things. He is in some of the pictures with the blue shirt and black shorts. Tom was carrying my backpack.

Sunday we had a cookout. I made pumpernickel bread earlier that morning.

The 'mystery chef' grilled a London broil that I let marinade overnight.

We enjoyed a couple of cold beers out on the patio while the meat was grilling.

It was a good day. Even Shadow enjoyed himself.

I was sorry to see the weekend end.

Rubber Stamped Note Cards

2009-09-06T18:57:00.000-04:00

There was a time when I was into rubber stamping. Could it have possibly been over 15 years ago.

Yah! I guess it was.

Carrie and I invested quite a bit of money in that endeavor. A few days ago I found some note cards that I had made. I had tucked them away and had forgotten all about them. My favorite one was the sunflower.

I used Le Plume II Dual-Tipped Markers for coloring. It was a very relaxing hobby at the time.

Scrapping and Hacking

2009-09-03T18:52:00.000-04:00

Where have I been?

I am having another bout of bronchitis. I get it at least twice a year. I should see a doctor for antibiotics.

Brian was sick last weekend and had to go to the doctor's Monday. I knew before he went to sleep at his friend's house Friday, that he wasn't feeling up to par. When he got home Saturday he spent all that day and Sunday in bed.

Yesterday was Tom's birthday and Monday was our wedding anniversary. We didn't do much of anything to celebrate. Yesterday morning I made a cake for Tom's birthday.

I made three more quick scrap pages.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3347363&w=425&h=350&fv=]

I will be by tomorrow to visit with my dear friends.

Layered Quick 'Scrap' Pages

2009-08-28T18:24:00.000-04:00

I have added two new Quick Pages to my Digital Scrapbooking pages for download.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3304428&w=425&h=350&fv=]

All I ask is a small link back here "http://nonnaluna.wordpress.com" you use any of my digital scrap pages. Thanks.

Brian is sleeping over his friends house this evening. This is the first time that he has been away from us. It is a little unsettling for me. I know that the parents of his friend, will watch him, still I am feeling a little apprehensive. I know that as time goes on it will become a little easier for me to let go. And, Maybe not.

An All Day Project

2009-08-27T18:58:00.000-04:00

I saw some scrap pages with a layered looked while surfing the net and decided to try my hand at making one. This scrap page took me all day to make. I had some of the backgrounds and a couple I made today. I kept walking away from it and changing things as I didn't like the outcome. At 10:45 this evening I gave up and decided that it was finished.

I may put this on my Digital Scapbooking page tomorrow for download.

I guess it is OK. I am just trying to keep myself occupied. I was going to bake today but didn't get to as I was missing a few marbles ingredients.

Well, it is time to shut this dog and pony show down. Five a.m. comes awfull early.

One Red Rose

2009-08-26T17:14:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it is hard to find the beauty in one's surroundings. But even in times of grayness there is some hope of color.

In Need Of A Creative Outlet

2009-08-25T17:20:00.000-04:00

Last May, during one of my more productive days, I came up with the idea of using some of my websets and blogger layouts to design some sticky notes and note pads.

I thought they came out OK. I gave Carrie a set for her birthday in June and I still have a few left. Truth be told, I don't want to use them if I can't replace them.

I have more ideas for note pads and sticky notes that I would like to design. I am still looking for a company that will do them for less money than what I paid for the ones pictured above. Those were quite expensive.

I am trying to find productive and creative things to do during the day while cooped up in the house.

B's 9th Birthday

2009-08-23T16:31:00.000-04:00

Brian had a fantastic birthday. He invited one of his classmates. His classmate and his parents showed up and stayed for a while to visit with all of us so we could get to know each other before we let the boys stay over each other's house.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="386" caption="Brian's 9th Birthday"][/caption]

Today his friend called and asked if Brian could come over to his house for a couple of hours. His buddy's parents came and picked Brian up to spend time at their house and Tom picked him up to bring him home.

Tom and I were so busy with the food that I didn't get to take many pictures. I missed the cake shot and the food shot. It is hard to be the hostess, the photographer, the cook, and the party planner all at once while entertaining guests.

As they say, "you only have one shot to make a good first impression." Well, something to that effect.

Tomorrow We Will Celebrate

2009-08-21T16:24:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Brian's ninth birthday. We are going to celebrate here. Carrie, Ron and Nicky are coming down. If it doesn't rain we are going to fry chicken wings outside. If it does rain, than we will fry them in the house. I dread the greasy mess that always happens when we fry. I am also going to braise pork ribs in the oven and make a cheesy potato casserole. We are also having corn on the cob, Italian bean salad, macaroni salad, bruschetta, and of course, cake. Tom purchased an ice cream cake. I wasn't in the mood to make one. I was busy today with cleaning the house and making the salads and the pork rub then rubbing the ribs down.

Last night at 9 0'clock, Brian said that his teacher said that it was OK if he brought cupcakes into school today to celebrate his birthday. Well, that was a nice time to tell me. I wasn't about to bake cupcakes at nine at night. At 6 o'clock this morning, Tom went to Wal-mart and picked up 24 cupcakes for the class.

Tomorrow would also have been my mother's birthday.

Sleepy Time All The Time

2009-08-19T17:22:00.000-04:00

Geesh! Could it get anymore boring than it was today? Why, yes! Of course it can. It was boring yesterday and tomorrow will probably be even more boring.

Yesterday, after Brian got on the bus, I did laundry, cleaned the dryer vent from the outside and pulled a couple of weeds. Then at 9:00 a.m. I was ready for a nap. I lay down and then Tom called and then after Tom, my sister called. I got up to talk to my sister for a while. After talking to her, I laid down again.

Today, after Brian got on the bus, I washed towels, took a nap and got up at 11:30 a.m. I pottered around for a while, cooked supper and around 6:00 p.m. I took a nap until 8:00 this evening.

I have just felt blah lately.

What's a gal to do?

Meet Me At Rainbow Bridge

2009-08-16T16:49:00.000-04:00

Some, in the blogging community, have formed some lasting and strong bonds with each other. We may not know each other personally. Some of us have met and some of us may correspond with each other through snail mail and telephone. Even if we have never met, we have come to know each other's family through their entries. We care for each other and share in each other's joy and sorrows. One such person that I have come to know through the blogging community had a loss the other day. Her beloved beautiful dog, Ben passed away. When I read the entry I broke down and cried. I am still heartbroken, but I cannot know how she and her husband are feeling. I only know that it hurts and it hurts deeply. That is how I felt (and still feel) when I lost one of my precious pets. But I know that we will see our precious pets at Rainbow Bridge. Knowing that gives us hope during those empty, sad times.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

What's Wrong With People!

2009-08-13T11:43:00.000-04:00

I saw this video on the news today. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't want to believe that this could happen and that any adult could possibly think that this kind of behavior is OK.

I must warn that this is very disturbing. The child is only three years old!

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3189247&w=425&h=350&fv=]

Too Hot To Do Much Else

2009-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Nicky slept over last weekend. He is doing so much better than he was the other day. He loves to come over and spend time here. He and Brian tried to play outside but it was just too hot.

The scrap page is of Brian doing some homework. Grampy and Nicky were watching the baseball game on TV when I snapped them.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="380" caption="Tom, Brian & Nicky "][/caption]

That was my weekend in a nut shell.

First Days of School

2009-08-05T17:09:00.000-04:00

Nicky is doing better today. Carrie took him to his doctor's and they put him on antibiotics. Now Carrie has a terrible cough and feels just lousy. Her doctor told her to take Robitussin which we know doesn't help. Where she is pregnant, I am worried about that H1N1 flu. My worries just never end.

Brian's first day of school was today.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="380" caption="Brian-August 5, 2009-1st Day of School"][/caption]

He said that he liked his teacher and his class. He is excited about being in the fourth grade.

To me, he has changed in two short years. He has filled out this year. I can't wait to see his first day of kindergarten.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="August 1, 2007-2nd Grade ------------------ August 5, 2009-4th grade"][/caption]

The House Is So Quiet This Evening

2009-08-04T19:07:00.000-04:00

Carrie called to tell me that Nicky isn't feeling well. He had a fever of 101° earlier this evening and a runny nose. I just called her to check on him and his fever went down to 99°. He was fine all day until Carrie picked him up at the sitters. She called his doctor and they have an appointment tomorrow morning. My concern is the H1N1 flu going around. Nicky wanted to talk to me and said, "I want to come down to your house grammy." Poor little guy! You could tell he wasn't feeling well just by how he sounded. I told him that when he feels better that he could.

Brian went to open house this evening at school. He met his teacher and found his class room. He is in bed and having a hard time sleeping now that vacation is over. Tomorrow he catches the bus at 6:40 a.m. Last year his first day of school was August 1st. I sure am going to miss not having him around during the day. It gets really lonely here when he and Tom aren't here. It seems that we were just at the fireworks on the 4th of July. My goodness, but the time goes by fast.

Today I concentrated on Brian's room. I washed his sheet and bedspread and gave it a thorough cleaning. I wanted him to be comfortable as I knew he would have a hard time sleeping.

Big And Beautiful

2009-08-03T18:27:00.003-04:00

Although my sunflowers have passed. I can always look at this photo and think how happy I was when it proudly stood among the others.

Oh, Sunflower!

Your beauty and majesty made me so happy.

What-A-Week!

2009-08-03T17:42:00.000-04:00

Tom is doing very well after his surgery. He is going back to work in a couple of days. A big thank you to those of you that prayed for him and asked about him. Tom asked me to thank you also.

Brian starts back to school in two days. I am going to miss him not being here. I also feel bad that we were unable, financially, to make this summer a fun one for him. I know, I know! Life is what you make of it and all that rhetoric and feel good drivel. My life is just endless days of laundry, cooking...blah, blah, blah. :)

My sister sent me a book today called: Emotional Intelligence-

She found it a good read and wanted to pass it along. I started it this afternoon and I am looking forward to settling down tonight and reading more. She also sent me some pictures that she took of our hometown along the harbor. She had three made into bookmarks and framed two of them. They are beautiful. I was so excited to get them in the mail today.

Just Flying Through The Days

2009-07-27T14:48:00.000-04:00

Carrie did pay for me to get my hair cut on Saturday. It is now short and feels so much better and much easier to manage. Tom watched the kids while Carrie and I went out. I know the kids had a good time with Grampy.

There are two more days until Tom's surgery and nine more days until goes back to school. Ugh! I am beside myself on all accounts. I have to get some school shopping down in between Tom's recovery and Brian's first day of school. I just don't want to think about it at all.

Friday Wrap-Up

2009-07-24T17:48:00.000-04:00

I awoken today with a backache and a headache. It took all day for my headache to finally go away.

Tomorrow Carrie wants to treat me to a hair cut. It has been close to two years since my last one-I am embarassed to say.

Tom is having surgery this Wednesday to have a hernia removed. So, that has been weighing on my mind.

Most know that Tom is partially disable due to injuring himself on the job which led to spinal surgery where they put titanium clamps to his spine. That surgery led to him having congestive heart failure, kidney failure, pulmonary embolism (blood clot to his lungs), hematoma from the intravenous needle to his right arm (they had to do surgery to relieve the pressure which left nerve damage), and having a vena cava filter inserted in to his jugular vein in his neck (while he was awake) to catch blood clots before traveling to his lungs which he will have with him for the rest of his life. This all happened within days of his spinal surgery. Thankfully the doctors saved his life more than once during those two weeks in the hospital.

With his track record with surgery, I am very concerned.

Only Two More Weeks Of Summer

2009-07-22T18:46:00.000-04:00

Today was a day of vacuuming, dusting and some laundry. Tomorrow I am going to watch Nicky as Nicky's babysitter will be unavailable. I tried to get as much done today as possible so I wouldn't have to be tied to chores tomorrow.

This summer is flying by for us here. Brian's first day of school is in two weeks. To me that is the end of summer. I am feeling rather sad about that. I can't believe that school starts so early here.

Just Curious

2009-07-21T17:11:00.000-04:00

[polldaddy poll="1801645"]

Polenta To Fry

2009-07-19T17:53:00.000-04:00

I had mentioned, on Friday, that I had made a batch of polenta for last nights supper.

Hey, Tom! 'Yah got a cuplah minutes to give me a hand ovah he-ah! My arm is about to fall off.

Polenta

5 cups water
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ¼ cup of medium grain, yellow cornmeal
1/8-¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup freshly grated Parmesano Reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons butter

In a large saucepan, place the 5 cups of water and the salt. Bring to a boil and add cornmeal gradually by handfuls stirring to avoid lumps. When the mixture starts to thicken, approximately 3 minutes, reduce heat and simmer the polenta, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring constantly, until very thick and mixture starts to pull away from the pan. Remove from heat; add the black pepper, Parmesan cheese and butter. Mix well.

Oil a 9 ½ x 5 ½ inch baking dish and fill with the warm polenta. Smooth the polenta out evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover the pan, refrigerate several hours or overnight until completely cooled, and firm.

To serve, cut polenta into large squares then cut each large square in half, horizontally, making two halves. Pan-fry the slices in olive oil until golden brown on both sides.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="Polenta"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="Crispy, Fried Polenta"][/caption]

That day I made a simple Italian sausage ragu and served it on top of the fried polenta. After cooking the sausage, I slice the sausage into 1/2 inch medallions/circles and add it to the ragu right before the ragu is finished cooking.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="Fried Polenta with Italian Sausage Ragu"][/caption]

Tropical Sponge Cake

2009-07-17T17:05:00.000-04:00

I just finished making a batch of polenta for tomorrow night's supper. My arm feels like it is about to fall off. It requires thirty minutes of constant stirring.

I remember, now, why I don't make it very often.

I had a mango, some pineapple and an orange. With those fruits on hand, I decided to make a cake. I call it 'Tropical Sponge Cake'. I used a recipe that I had for Torta di Arancia/Orange Cake and added to that recipe some pureed pineapple and pureed mango along with orange juice (to make it more of a liquid) and orange zest. Then to top it off, I made an orange liqueur and amaretto liqueur (also adding cinnamon and nutmeg) caramel sauce. After I added the liqueurs I ignited the sauce to burn off the alcohol-almost like a banana fosters recipe I keep seeing on TV as of late.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Tropical Sponge Cake"][/caption]

The caramel sauce made a nice glaze for the top.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="A slice of Tropical Sponge Cake"][/caption]

It's Those Little Things That Count

2009-07-13T17:15:00.000-04:00

I have been contemplative and lost interest in posting. I sit here, at the computer, and my mind become blank as to what to write that will make for an interesting post. Of course, we all aren't going to have the same interests as others.

Therefore, I will end this post with this saying-

Your time is the greatest gift you can give to someone.

Notice About Layouts

2009-07-09T20:40:00.017-04:00

All of my blogger layouts have been retired.

If anyone has one of my layouts hotlinked (that I previously advised against doing) you will notice that the layout on your blog will be missing.

Who Could Ask For More

2009-07-05T17:43:00.000-04:00

Instead of going to Mass today, we went last night before the fireworks since our church is in the area of all the festivities. Tom and Brian brought a change of clothing so they wouldn't have to wear their dress clothes to the fireworks.

Before the fireworks started, we sat down by the shoreline while Brian ate his funnel cake and drank his smoothie.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Brian Eating Funnel Cake"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Tom Keeping Brian's Napkin Handy"][/caption]

Then Brian wanted some fried 'gator (alligator). Let me tell you, HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO EATS IT IN THIS FAMILY. I tried it once and didn't quite acquire the taste for gator meat.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Gator on a Stick, Y'all"][/caption]

While Brian was eating his 'gator, a cute Airedale came up to him and was quite interested in Brian's food.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Can I Have Some?"][/caption]

The cloud in this picture looks like, to me, a nose. :lol:

There were many boats along the shore that docked to see the fireworks. The water you see is the St. Mary's River/Atlantic Ocean. We live on the seacoast. I have always lived on the Atlantic seacoast.

We had a great time!

And, today we went down to Carrie's. Her and her hubby had a cookout. They grilled pork and beef rib, and chicken. Carrie made an apple pie, potato salad, macaroni salad. We had corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, strawberries, cheese and crackers, and cream cheese with pepper jelly and crackers. Everything was delicious. They went all out for us. I had a fantastic time. I enjoyed myself because I didn't have to do any cooking and hang around the kitchen. Carrie and her hubby did it all.

This morning, before we went down to Carrie's, Tom did all the laundry here. When I awoke I could hear the washing a drying going. What a big help that was for me. I really appreciated that also.

I am so grateful for everything my family did for me this weekend.

Buttermilk Pie

2009-07-03T18:17:00.000-04:00

To give this pie a unique flavor I added some orange extract. Of course, it is just as delicious without the orange extract. Buttermilk pie is like a custard/pudding.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Buttermilk Pie"][/caption]

Buttermilk Pie

Preheat oven: 450°F

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1½ cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon orange extract (optional)

Add all the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and together until well mixed.

Pour into the unbaked pie shell and bake for 10 minutes at 450°F then drop the oven temperature to 325°F and continue to cook for 30-40 minutes longer or until lightly browned and the middle is set.

Cool for about 20-30 minutes (room temperature) on rack before cutting.

Serves 6-8

"Happy 4th of July!"

Boredom Is Quite Boring

2009-07-02T15:04:00.000-04:00

I have been busy being bored. :lol: Oh, yes. I am still doing household chores. However, I am doing them half-heartedly. It's the same thing day innnnnnnnnnnnn and oooooooooooooooout. Half of the summer is gone for us already. Brian starts back to school August 5th.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sunflower "][/caption]

To alleviate some boredom, I have been doing an on line search for some of my relatives whom I haven't seen in years and years. To my surprise, I discovered that one of my cousins and my uncle, from my dad's side, passed away. My cousin passed away three years ago and my uncle three months ago.

It look and sounds like we are going to have a thunder and lightning storm. Therefore, I am going to have to close down the computer and visit after this storm passes.

Enough of these daily storms already!

My Mother

2009-06-27T14:05:00.000-04:00

Years ago I gave Carrie my mother's wedding picture. Last night while I was down Carrie's I took a picture of the picture.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="380" caption="My Mother-October 10, 1953"][/caption]

She looks so happy and beautiful. When I look at this picture I see someone who had such hopes for the future. I only hope that she found some happiness for herself in her adult life. Her childhood was full of physical and mental abuse by her mother. She had a miserable childhood.

She passed away on May 10, 1984 from pancreatic cancer at the age of fifty-five. I am a few months shy of fifty-five. I guess that weighs heavy on my mind lately.

Much Appreciative and Happy

2009-06-25T20:05:00.000-04:00

First the good news. Carrie's ultra sound came back normal. She has to go back in six weeks to do another one. But, they did say that the baby was OK. She also found out that she is going to have a girl. I am so very happy. Thank you to those that prayed and for your concerns. I appreciate that very much.

It hasn't been a very good day for the entertainment world. First the passing of Farrah Fawcett and not to long after Micheal Jackson.

Tomorrow Tom and Brian are going to the water park. I am staying home to potter around.

To Carrie

2009-06-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Carrie!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carrie's 35th Birthday-Ice Cream Cake"][/caption]

We love you♥

Keeping An Eye On The Storm

2009-06-22T16:56:00.000-04:00

I hope all fathers had a wonderful Father's Day. Tom got a new drill and some tools and a giant TV remote control. One can't miss the buttons and numbers on that device.

We just had a severe thunder and lightning storm along with hail. We are still under the severe weather warning for a couple of hours more. Tom got the inner closet in our house ready just in case these storms generate tornadoes, we will be ready.

I sure hope we don't have any more storms. It has been hot here and those temps. are perfect for an electrical storm.

Our crape myrtle trees are in blossom-

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Crape Myrtle"][/caption]

Garden Fresh

2009-06-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

What can one do with a bunch of vine ripened tomatoes from the garden, some extra virgin olive oil, a clove of garlic, basil, mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a narrow loaf of Italian/French bread?

Umm!

Bruschetta?

Actually Tom put it in my head when he showed me a picture in the King Arthur magazine of something similar to bruschetta.

OK! OK!

I get the hint.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Bruschetta"][/caption]

These delectable morsels hit the spot over a couple of ice colds.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Bruschetta"][/caption]

I was happy to see that my sunflowers are coming along.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sunflowers"][/caption]

And, very happy to see that soon I will have a big beautiful flower to admire.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sunflower (Bud?)"][/caption]

We are doing better since yesterday's news. Thank you.

Lord, Hear My Prayer

2009-06-19T10:08:00.000-04:00

Lord God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen

My daughter Carrie is four months pregnant. I mentioned her pregnancy in one of my previous post. She had a Alpha-Feto Protein Assessment done last week. This morning she got a phone call from her doctor's office informing her that the AFP test showed the levels were low.

AFP levels can be abnormally low which may indicate:

The pregnancy is inaccurately dated.

Trisomy-21 (Down syndrome).

Carrie will be thirty-five this Wednesday. As most of us know, a person of that age has a 1 in 400 chance of having a Down syndrome child.

Carrie is going to have another ultra sound this Thursday to determine if her child has Down Syndrome, etc. Maybe the gestation period is wrong and she isn't as far along as her last ultra sound showed.

My cousin, Judy gave gave birth to a Down syndrome child when she was 18 years old. His name was Barry. That was 54 years ago. Judy passed away last year and not too long after her passing, her son, Barry left this world. I think he died from a broken heart. I can't stress enough how wonderful Barry was. We knew as children that Barry was different but not so different. He was one of us. I don't know if I am explaining it well enough. I do know that any child is a blessing. I do know that if Carrie's child, my grandchild, has Down Syndrome that it won't change the love we will all have for him/her.

Of course I pray that these tests are wrong and if they show that she is carrying a Down syndrome child I humbly ask that you pray for Carrie and our family asking the Lord to give us the fortitude that we may need. I pray that whatever we have to do, we will do with a happy heart.

I do not want to appear selfish. I just don't want the child to have to endure all the complication that one has with Down syndrome. I don't want him/her to suffer. I can't stand to see a child suffer and that includes my daughter Carrie.

Dear Lord, during this trial,
I offer up to you my confusion
Give me clarity
I offer up to you my despair
Give me hope
I offer up to you my weakness
Give me strength
I offer up to you my pettiness
Give me generosity of spirit.
I offer up to you all my
Negative thoughts from Satan
So that when he asks ‘Where is Your God now?”
I may respond “Right here with me, giving me His grace
As a Heavenly beam of light penetrating your darkness!"

These six days are going to seem like six years.

A Poll To Rate

2009-06-18T17:10:00.000-04:00

I was awoken early this morning by the crashing and flashing of thunder and lightning. It rained and stormed on and off all morning. Tomorrow the heat index here is going to be 110°.

I didn't make the berry sorbet like I planned to do yesterday. I just wasn't in the mood. Maybe tomorrow. I did bake oatmeal and butterscotch cookies today. That was after I cleaned the living room and kitchen and did three loads of laundry.

As you can tell by this post I don't have anything interesting to write about. Therefore, I will do a poll.

[polldaddy poll="1718284"]

[polldaddy rating="432"]

Fruits Of Love

2009-06-16T18:18:00.000-04:00

We picked our first two vined ripened tomatoes on Sunday. They weren't as big as they should have been but they were delicious. We were fortunate to have any tomatoes after all the rain we had. We still have quite a few ripening on the vines. They should be ready in a couple of day.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Homegrown Tomatoes"][/caption]

Tom and I were excited to see the fruits of our labor. It is hard to believe that two grown people could get so excited about tomatoes. I had forgotten how good a homegrown tomato tastes. The last time we had them was 22 years ago from my father's garden. He grew the best beefsteak tomatoes every years. It is going to be hard to go back to buying tomatoes from a store.

Sigh!

But if God willing, we will always have next year to grow more. That will be something to look forward to. We are hoping to add more raised beds this years.

I picked four cups of blueberries this afternoon from our bush. Tomorrow I am planning to make a berry sorbet tomorrow using red raspberries and blueberries.

Brian surprised me yesterday with these weeds flowers that he picked yesterday from our front yard.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="362" caption="Flowers From Brian"][/caption]

What more could a person ask for than to have a child bring them flowers that they picked themselves. One of lifes beautiful moments.

Child's Play

2009-06-15T06:41:00.000-04:00

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="A Way To Keep Cool"][/caption]

I'd give all wealth that years have piled,
The slow result of Life's decay,
To be once more a little child
For one bright summer day.
~Lewis Carroll, "Solitude"

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Lunch Time"][/caption]

We all had a wonderful few days together. At First the boys keep cool with the sprinkler and all I saw was dollar signs instead of water spiraling out of the those tiny holes from the sprinkler. So instead, I had Carrie bring Nicky's pool down.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Splash!"][/caption]

Even in the pajamas, they are both happy to pose for a photo.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The PJ Boys"][/caption]

Who Will Tire Out First?

2009-06-09T16:43:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow Nicky is coming down to spend a few days with us. Carrie has a doctor's appointment in the morning.

Umm! You must be a glutteon for punishment.

I am hoping to bake some cookies tomorrow for the boys. It all depends on how rambunctious they get and how much of a baking mess I want to clean up.

Grampy and I are going to cook hamburgers on the grill tomorrow and have a little cookout for the boys.

Today was a really quiet and just seemed to have sped by.

That is about all there is to report.

Not Another Pizza?

2009-06-08T18:08:00.000-04:00

Armed with a box of "Pepperidge Farm" puff pastry, a can of cherry filling, some sliced almonds and some almond flavoring, I made a rustic looking cherry tart. I guess that is what it could be called.

Ready for the oven.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Puff Pastry Cherry Tart"][/caption]

I must still have pizza on the brain because I managed to make this dessert look like a pizza.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Cherry and Almond Tart "][/caption]

I added a teaspoon of almond extract to the cherry filling, I brushed egg white around the crust, sprinkled some sugar around the crust and then I added the almonds.

Next time I make this I will only use one sheet for the center and cut the other sheet into strips and use the strips to form a crust. Using two sheets on top of one another didn't allow for the center to cook as well as it should have.

Just the same, the flavor of the almond extract and the cherries was delicious.

Calzoni and Pizza Weekend

2009-06-07T16:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we did make pizza.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="398" caption="Pizza Dough"][/caption]

I made the pizza dough in the bread machine that Carrie bought for me. Instead of keeping in the machine for the hour and thirty minutes that it takes on the dough setting, I took it out of the machine after and hour and continued to let it rise in a bowl

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Artichoke Heart Pizza"][/caption]

We each rolled out our own dough and added which ingredients we each wanted on our pizza. This is my pizza before it was baked. I love artichokes and onions on my pizza. I know it doesn't look good, but it was delicious. I used a pizza stone to cook the pizza and a peel to put the pizza onto the stone. I put corn meal on the peel first. It make it easy to slid the pizza off of the peel and onto the hot stone.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="The Beginning of a Calzone"][/caption]

Since I had more sauce leftover and some ricotta cheese, Tom suggested that I make calzoni today. After Mass I made another batch of pizza dough in my bread machine and got busy making calzone. Actually from start to finish, it took four hours to make.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Calzoni Before Baking"][/caption]

I made enough dough to make six calzoni. These are the first three.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Calzone"][/caption]

This one is Brian's. I don't put much ingredients into his as he has a tendency to be...Oh, how shall I say this? FUSSY!!!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Calzone"][/caption]

I precooked Tom's and mine so that they could be heated up to eat later.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Dough With Honey Butter Spread & Cinnamon"][/caption]

But, after making five in a row. I gave up and made a roll-up with the last ball of dough. I spread honey butter on top and generously sprinkled it with cinnamon.

That is it for the sauce I made the other day. We got quite a few meals from that pot of sauce.

Nap Time For Grammy

2009-06-05T19:12:00.000-04:00

I had most of the day to myself. Tom took Brain out to eat lunch and then they went to see the movie "Up". They said it was fantastic. They saw it in 3D. While they were out, I read for a while and then took a nap. It was the first time in a while that I really enjoyed that nap.

Tomorrow I decided to make pizza with the leftover sauce. It is suppose to rain tomorrow and all into next week. We did have rain today with thunder and lightning in the distance. What could be better than hanging around the kitchen cooking and baking on a rainy Saturday?

Mmm!

Maybe a nap?

It seems inevitable that tomorrow we will probably fit a nap in somewhere.

Isn't Wednesday "Prince" Spaghetti Day?

2009-06-04T17:07:00.000-04:00

It was a dreary day weather wise. It rained, thundered and lightning off and on all day. It looks and feels as though this summer is going to be a rainy summer.

Today I made marinara sauce, meatballs with Italian sausages.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Spaghetti Dinner"][/caption]

Maybe Saturday I will won't will make pizza with the leftover sauce. I will add more oregano to it to give it that pizza flavor. Then again, maybe I won't. I just know that that is what my hubby is thinking about with the leftover sauce.

Hi Tom.

I can see you on the other end.

Mwah!

Only Shadow Knows

2009-06-03T18:00:00.000-04:00

It was a slow day around here today. So as not go completely out of my mind, I snapped pictures of our cat, Shadow.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Shadow"][/caption]

I used an oil painting effect to soften the picture.

I will be by tomorrow to visit. Right now I am struggling to find the words to end this post.

Therefore, I will just say...

...Goodnight.