Oyster Stew
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 Pint Oysters (do not drain)
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 tsp Celery Salt
1 tsp. Paprika
Salt to taste
4 cups WHOLE milk (I often use 2% milk)
Check oysters and remove any shell pieces.
Melt butter or margarine. Add oysters - water, salt, celery salt and paprika
Cook until oysters curl at edges then slowly add milk.
When mixture just reaches boiling point - quickly remove from heat.
NOTE: I often dice onions, celery, green pepper and mushrooms, sauté them in the butter and cook with the oysters.
Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya
1 1/2 pounds Andouille or smoked sausage
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large chopped onion
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBSP Creole seasoning
2 cups chicken stock
2 TBSP minced pimiento
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 1/2 cups cooked black eyed peas
1/4 cup chopped green onion, both white and green parts for garnish
Brown the sausage in the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and Creole seasoning. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the stock, pimiento, rice and black-eyed peas, bringing the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed, 20 - 25 minutes.
Friday, December 31, 2010
December 16 - 31
December 16 Thursday Laundry or go naked day! Sure miss the nice Laundromat in Marshalltown! Woke up to 66 degrees; the low last night was 63 degrees! Cold front coming thru this evening - going back into the 40's at night. Oh, well, take the warm sunny days when I can! LinCare delivered an oxygen concentrator. My, they sure don’t waste any time around here!
I had planned on going to the potluck 'friendship supper' but I've still not re-covered from my CPAP-less nite! I bought some olive, pickles, etc to make a relish tray but they will keep until next week. Besides, don't want to get over-tired -- ladies lunch coming up on Friday!
When the cold front blew thru, all of a sudden it was cloudy and the winds from the north. There was not doubt it was cold from the north!
Woke up to 53 degrees on December 17th! Must be winter! Ladies lunch Friday at Key Allegro. Windy down on the harbor -- white caps on the water -- even the cranes and pelicans are huddled together! Had grilled flounder and rice pilaf! Now wasn't that healthy! AND --HOT TEA!
The local weatherman has been lying to me -- told me that it was going to be in the low 40s Saturday nite and in the 30s Sunday nite -- well, it's been in the 60s both nights, maybe I need a new weatherman! At least I have had plenty of practice moving my plants in and out!
Sunday I put my last piece of Iowa pork in the crock pot with some mushroom onion gravy -- made spaetzel with my potato ricer! Just like going to the Amanas -- well, not quite but close! I even fixed some cottage cheese with chives. Didn't fix any saurkraut or mashed tators!
Li'lBit and I spent about an hour at the picnic table -- she loves to lay there and get brushed.
Woke up to 63 degrees Monday AM - some fog, but with a little breeze, the fog doesn’t stay around long. Sure do like that oxygen at night -- don't want to get out of bed in the AM! Only one problem...I'm not as tired during the day and not taking as many naps -- and Li'lBit doesn't like that at all!
Li'lBit and I took a run to the fish market to get our oysters for oyster stew for Christmas Eve.
I started thinking about doing steak & lobster for Christmas dinner. I had a small ham, but can eat that anytime....they had a good price on fresh lobster tails at the market....except steaks down here are so high and it isn’t Iowa beef!
Highs in the 70s, lows in the 60s all week, then a chilly Christmas - highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s-40s thru the weekend. Bummer! Still a lot of empty spaces in the park. Wonder if they will fill up after Christmas or if folks just aren't traveling.
I missed the eclipse on the first day of winter, saw the first part of it – went to bed, when I got up a couple of hours later it was too overcast. Guess I'll just have to plan on seeing the next one - someone said the next total eclipse to coincide with the winter solstice will be in 2095. Not sure I'll be around then!
Picked up my tamales. That's the TX Christmas Eve tradition -- yummy -- oyster stew & tamales! WHEW! Some traditions probably shouldn’t be merged!
Maybe I should have avoided the coffee Tuesday AM - got myself into baking cookies and nut bread for the New Years Eve 'finger-food' get-together and the New Years Day breakfast! Sure wish my oven worked better - or was bigger -- nothing seems to cook even.
December 22 Wednesday AM Weather alert for fog. 61 degrees! Air is heavy but at least I can still breathe. Ran some errands (can you believe the grocery store did not have cranberries!) As much as I hated it, I braved the crowds at Walmart to get some cranberries and then met Deryl & Elke for dinner at Pepitos.
Terry was by and started working on the roof. While up there he noticed a vent cover missing so he picked one up the later. He has the patch on. I certainly like this “home repair” and not having to take it in to the service department for repair. That’s such a hassle.
December 23 Thursday Christmas is really exciting in the ol' folk's RV Park -- had pot luck supper in the acitivities building, Christmas Eve was 'finger foods' and a white elephant gift exchange, and Christmas day after church, Christmas dinner. Since I Went to Deryl & Elke's for Christmas dinner, I fixed my steak (which ended up being a small standing rib roast – cheaper than the steaks – for Christmas Eve dinner. Rib roast complete with Yorkshire pudding! Yummy – saved the lobsters for New Years.
Christmas Day Deryl & Elke had all the trimmings and smoked turkey. Ate entirely too much and sure I'm gonna hear from it from the doc next appointment.
On Monday Li'lBit and I headed out to the grocery - forget CAT food - Holly was POd this AM when she had to eat DOG food! Now I have one happy kitty! She will probably puke on my floor now 'cuz she will gorge herself. I only put a little down – thankfully she took the hint!
Can't say the temps have varied much here -- yesterday low was 44, high was
48, last nite low was 45 so far today only up to 47!!! Guess I didn't go
far enough south!
Have a pot of "buffalo hunters stew" going in the crock pot. No, I don't have any buffalo meat, I use sausage! Maybe I should change the name to 'pig hunters stew.'
Knock on wood - I haven't been down and out like usual with the respiratory crud I always get when I move. Have had some stuffiness that lasted a few days and slowed me down some, but nothing that resembles pneumonia!
Tuesday Dec 28 Busy, Busy day! Ladies coffee at 9AM, propane truck is in the park and I had an tank! AND, get to see Doc at 2PM! YIPPEE! Lab work OK -- EXCEPT -- she thinks my fasting blood sugar was too high - 128. So Jan 11 we draw it again along with the A1C and then a follow up appt Jan 13. Oh, and she told me I should be more "diligent" about loosing some weight - I'd feel better! After the appointment, I headed off to Hammerheads for some alligator bites! Tinga and I love alligator bites. I’ll work on getting ‘diligent’ tomorrow!
Li'l Bit fell down the steps when we went out and I heard her head crack on the concrete. She's been kinda listless that evening, but did get up and move around. Spent time in the recliner and her bed most of the time. Watched her closely during the night.
Wednesday the 29th Raining! Started the night before - 61 degrees and humid in the AM. Li'lBit was back to being her own self again. I think I woke up a dozen times to check her. We will probably both need a nap this afternoon, 'cuz every time I checked her, if she was in a deep sleep, I woke her up.
Finally got my nails done – been since before Thanksgiving when Chevi did them – boy, did they need some work! Because of the dark red glittery stuff I had on (it wasn't polish, it was in the acrylic), she had to put on a really dark red -- almost a vampire blood red! In two weeks most of the glittery stuff should be gone.
Picked up some Cajun sausage for Jambalaya for New Years Day. Need my black eyed peas. Gotta keep that TX tradition going!
December was drawing to a close. Spent the 30th taking down the Christmas tree, packing it away – even left the decorations on it when I stuffed it the box! So, that job is done – all shades of Christmas have been packed away in the under compartment. Well, all shades of Christmas except some gifts from my sister. She is doing the 12 days of Christmas so I have a gift for the 12 days starting with Christmas, Day One. She is so clever! And I get to enjoy it!
Kathy and Donna both pulled in today – quite a bit of wind so I’m sure it was a tiring drive for both.
Cookies and breads baked for the New Years Eve get-together and New Years morning breakfast. Even made a pan of gingerbread (for me!) while I had the oven going. So I just kicked back watched December go by the wayside.
December 31 – New Years Eve – Happy Hogmanay! A trip to the laundry – at least I’ll start 2011 with clean clothes! Had a nice visit with Kathy and with Donna. Bonnie and Cleo brought me some scalloped ham and potatoes. They had much left from the potluck last nite. It was really good. Even Tinga let out with a "mmmm...good"
Used the last of my oysters for oyster stew – it’s not a New Year’s tradition – until now! Started the crock pot with the Jambalaya – now to kick back and watch 2010 wind down and hope that 2011 will be a year of promise!
Haste ye back, we loue you dearly,
Call again you're welcome here.
May your days be free from sorrow,
And your friends be ever near.
May the paths o'er which you wander,
Be to you a joy each day.
Haste ye back we loue you dearly,
Haste ye back on friendship's way.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - HAPPY HOGMANAY
I had planned on going to the potluck 'friendship supper' but I've still not re-covered from my CPAP-less nite! I bought some olive, pickles, etc to make a relish tray but they will keep until next week. Besides, don't want to get over-tired -- ladies lunch coming up on Friday!
When the cold front blew thru, all of a sudden it was cloudy and the winds from the north. There was not doubt it was cold from the north!
Woke up to 53 degrees on December 17th! Must be winter! Ladies lunch Friday at Key Allegro. Windy down on the harbor -- white caps on the water -- even the cranes and pelicans are huddled together! Had grilled flounder and rice pilaf! Now wasn't that healthy! AND --HOT TEA!
The local weatherman has been lying to me -- told me that it was going to be in the low 40s Saturday nite and in the 30s Sunday nite -- well, it's been in the 60s both nights, maybe I need a new weatherman! At least I have had plenty of practice moving my plants in and out!
Sunday I put my last piece of Iowa pork in the crock pot with some mushroom onion gravy -- made spaetzel with my potato ricer! Just like going to the Amanas -- well, not quite but close! I even fixed some cottage cheese with chives. Didn't fix any saurkraut or mashed tators!
Li'lBit and I spent about an hour at the picnic table -- she loves to lay there and get brushed.
Woke up to 63 degrees Monday AM - some fog, but with a little breeze, the fog doesn’t stay around long. Sure do like that oxygen at night -- don't want to get out of bed in the AM! Only one problem...I'm not as tired during the day and not taking as many naps -- and Li'lBit doesn't like that at all!
Li'lBit and I took a run to the fish market to get our oysters for oyster stew for Christmas Eve.
I started thinking about doing steak & lobster for Christmas dinner. I had a small ham, but can eat that anytime....they had a good price on fresh lobster tails at the market....except steaks down here are so high and it isn’t Iowa beef!
Highs in the 70s, lows in the 60s all week, then a chilly Christmas - highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s-40s thru the weekend. Bummer! Still a lot of empty spaces in the park. Wonder if they will fill up after Christmas or if folks just aren't traveling.
I missed the eclipse on the first day of winter, saw the first part of it – went to bed, when I got up a couple of hours later it was too overcast. Guess I'll just have to plan on seeing the next one - someone said the next total eclipse to coincide with the winter solstice will be in 2095. Not sure I'll be around then!
Picked up my tamales. That's the TX Christmas Eve tradition -- yummy -- oyster stew & tamales! WHEW! Some traditions probably shouldn’t be merged!
Maybe I should have avoided the coffee Tuesday AM - got myself into baking cookies and nut bread for the New Years Eve 'finger-food' get-together and the New Years Day breakfast! Sure wish my oven worked better - or was bigger -- nothing seems to cook even.
December 22 Wednesday AM Weather alert for fog. 61 degrees! Air is heavy but at least I can still breathe. Ran some errands (can you believe the grocery store did not have cranberries!) As much as I hated it, I braved the crowds at Walmart to get some cranberries and then met Deryl & Elke for dinner at Pepitos.
Terry was by and started working on the roof. While up there he noticed a vent cover missing so he picked one up the later. He has the patch on. I certainly like this “home repair” and not having to take it in to the service department for repair. That’s such a hassle.
December 23 Thursday Christmas is really exciting in the ol' folk's RV Park -- had pot luck supper in the acitivities building, Christmas Eve was 'finger foods' and a white elephant gift exchange, and Christmas day after church, Christmas dinner. Since I Went to Deryl & Elke's for Christmas dinner, I fixed my steak (which ended up being a small standing rib roast – cheaper than the steaks – for Christmas Eve dinner. Rib roast complete with Yorkshire pudding! Yummy – saved the lobsters for New Years.
Christmas Day Deryl & Elke had all the trimmings and smoked turkey. Ate entirely too much and sure I'm gonna hear from it from the doc next appointment.
On Monday Li'lBit and I headed out to the grocery - forget CAT food - Holly was POd this AM when she had to eat DOG food! Now I have one happy kitty! She will probably puke on my floor now 'cuz she will gorge herself. I only put a little down – thankfully she took the hint!
Can't say the temps have varied much here -- yesterday low was 44, high was
48, last nite low was 45 so far today only up to 47!!! Guess I didn't go
far enough south!
Have a pot of "buffalo hunters stew" going in the crock pot. No, I don't have any buffalo meat, I use sausage! Maybe I should change the name to 'pig hunters stew.'
Knock on wood - I haven't been down and out like usual with the respiratory crud I always get when I move. Have had some stuffiness that lasted a few days and slowed me down some, but nothing that resembles pneumonia!
Tuesday Dec 28 Busy, Busy day! Ladies coffee at 9AM, propane truck is in the park and I had an tank! AND, get to see Doc at 2PM! YIPPEE! Lab work OK -- EXCEPT -- she thinks my fasting blood sugar was too high - 128. So Jan 11 we draw it again along with the A1C and then a follow up appt Jan 13. Oh, and she told me I should be more "diligent" about loosing some weight - I'd feel better! After the appointment, I headed off to Hammerheads for some alligator bites! Tinga and I love alligator bites. I’ll work on getting ‘diligent’ tomorrow!
Li'l Bit fell down the steps when we went out and I heard her head crack on the concrete. She's been kinda listless that evening, but did get up and move around. Spent time in the recliner and her bed most of the time. Watched her closely during the night.
Wednesday the 29th Raining! Started the night before - 61 degrees and humid in the AM. Li'lBit was back to being her own self again. I think I woke up a dozen times to check her. We will probably both need a nap this afternoon, 'cuz every time I checked her, if she was in a deep sleep, I woke her up.
Finally got my nails done – been since before Thanksgiving when Chevi did them – boy, did they need some work! Because of the dark red glittery stuff I had on (it wasn't polish, it was in the acrylic), she had to put on a really dark red -- almost a vampire blood red! In two weeks most of the glittery stuff should be gone.
Picked up some Cajun sausage for Jambalaya for New Years Day. Need my black eyed peas. Gotta keep that TX tradition going!
December was drawing to a close. Spent the 30th taking down the Christmas tree, packing it away – even left the decorations on it when I stuffed it the box! So, that job is done – all shades of Christmas have been packed away in the under compartment. Well, all shades of Christmas except some gifts from my sister. She is doing the 12 days of Christmas so I have a gift for the 12 days starting with Christmas, Day One. She is so clever! And I get to enjoy it!
Kathy and Donna both pulled in today – quite a bit of wind so I’m sure it was a tiring drive for both.
Cookies and breads baked for the New Years Eve get-together and New Years morning breakfast. Even made a pan of gingerbread (for me!) while I had the oven going. So I just kicked back watched December go by the wayside.
December 31 – New Years Eve – Happy Hogmanay! A trip to the laundry – at least I’ll start 2011 with clean clothes! Had a nice visit with Kathy and with Donna. Bonnie and Cleo brought me some scalloped ham and potatoes. They had much left from the potluck last nite. It was really good. Even Tinga let out with a "mmmm...good"
Used the last of my oysters for oyster stew – it’s not a New Year’s tradition – until now! Started the crock pot with the Jambalaya – now to kick back and watch 2010 wind down and hope that 2011 will be a year of promise!
Haste ye back, we loue you dearly,
Call again you're welcome here.
May your days be free from sorrow,
And your friends be ever near.
May the paths o'er which you wander,
Be to you a joy each day.
Haste ye back we loue you dearly,
Haste ye back on friendship's way.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - HAPPY HOGMANAY
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December Recipes
Shrimp Fried Rice ala Golden Dragon
1 small onion
1 cup peas
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 or 4 tablespoons cooking oil
1 egg beaten in a cup (half teaspoon salt added)
1 cup shrimps
1 -2 slices of bacon (diced) or any ham
Prepare the boiled rice according to package directions. Use a large cup (or mug) of long grain rice.
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up into small pieces and stir.
Turn up the heat and add the shrimps. Fry for 2 minutes.
Add the peas and fry for 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cooled boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly.
NOTE: Other vegetables can be added. I frequently used grated carrots, broccoli, diced summer squash.
Marinade for Flank Steak
1/2 cup dry fruity red wine
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Coarsely-ground black pepper, to taste
Fried Apples (Cracker Barrel Clone)
6 Tart Apples, sliced
1 tsp. Lemon juice
1/4 cup Bacon drippings
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Dash of Nutmeg.
In a large skillet, melt bacon drippings. Pour apples evenly over skillet bottom. Sprinkle lemon juice over them, then brown sugar, then salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Betty Crocker CAKE COOKIES
1 pkg. any Betty Crocker cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 c. nuts, raisins or chocolate chips (or some of each)
Add nuts, raisins or chocolate chips to cake mix. Beat 2 eggs with 1/3 cup oil and add to dry cake mix. Dough will be thick.
Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet or make freezer cookies and bake later. Bake at 350-400 degrees for 5-6 min
Pumpkin Cookies
1 box spice cake mix
1 15 oz can of real pumpkin
Mix together and drop rounded spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until firm. Frost if you want, cream cheese frosting.
Lemon Cookies
1 box lemon cake mix
1 carton cool whip
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix and cool whip together.
Try to smooth out any dry cake mix crumbles, until well blended.
Form into balls, and roll in powdered sugar.
Cook at 350 degrees (on greased cookie sheet) for 10 min, or until the bottoms are just turning light brown. Take out, remove from pan and let cool before eating.
Fruit-Infused Honey Vinegars
Use as dipping oil for French bread; on salad greens; makes nice gifts in decorated bottle. (Save your attractive wine bottles!)
2 cups white wine vinegar
2/3 cup honey
Combine vinegar and honey in medium saucepan, then stir in one of the
flavor additions below:
Apricot: 2/3 cup apricot jam (Makes 2 1/2 cups)
Pear: 2 (15 ounce) cans pears, drained and diced (Makes 2 cups)
Raspberry: 1 (6 ounce) basket fresh raspberries, mashed (Makes 1 3/4
cups)
Fig: 2 cups quartered, dried Mission figs (Makes 1 cup)
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool.
Pour through a fine mesh sieve or strainer to remove any solids.
Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Chocolate Drop Fudge
1 bag of Chocolate Drops (chocolate cone shaped candies with white filling inside)
1 C peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter
Handful of chocolate chips
Place in microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes (microwaves vary). Mix together making sure to stir in any of the white center that may clump a little. Pour into 8x8 pan and let cool at room temperature.
Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
2 pounds (2 - 16 ounce jars) dry roasted peanuts, salted
48 ounces almond bark white chocolate
4 ounces sweet German chocolate
10 - 12 ounces dark chocolate
Place all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 3 hours. Don't touch. Turn pot off and let rest for 20 minutes. Cover a large surface (about 3 square feet) with waxed or parchment paper. Stir mixture completely. Drop by teaspoons full onto wax paper. Let harden and store in airtight containers.
PEANUT BRITTLE
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 cup raw Spanish peanuts
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 Greased cookie sheets
In heavy 3 quart saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and water.
Cook until 234 degrees is reached on candy thermometer.
Add peanuts and salt, stirring constantly up to 305 degrees.
Quickly stir in butter and baking soda.
Pour at once onto cookie sheet. Spread with spatula.
Break up when cool.
HOT COCOA MIX
1 pound box Nestle Quik
1 8 quart box of dry milk powder
1 6 oz. jar instant coffee creamer
1 cup powdered sugar
Add 1/3 cup of mix to cup of hot water.
Frosting Fudge
1 12 oz package chips (2 cups)
1 can frosting (NOT WHIPPED!)
Nuts, if desired
Line 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges.
Place chips in bowl and microwave on high for 90 seconds. Ovens vary; do not allow to burn. Stir until smooth.
Add frosting to melted chips. Mix well. Microwave 90 seconds. Mix well. Add nuts.
Spread in foil-lined pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Remove fudge from pan by lifting foil. Remove foil; cut into squares.
Make up your own combinations:
Chocolate chips with chocolate frosting
Butterscotch chips with vanilla frosting
Peanut butter chips with chocolate frosting
Chocolate mint chips with chocolate frosting
White chocolate chips with lemon or strawberry frosting
Dark chocolate chips with coconut-pecan frosting
Add any kind of nuts, marshmallows, crushed cookies, pretzels.
Add any kind of flavorings that are complimentary.
So many combinations, so easy, so much fun!
1 small onion
1 cup peas
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 or 4 tablespoons cooking oil
1 egg beaten in a cup (half teaspoon salt added)
1 cup shrimps
1 -2 slices of bacon (diced) or any ham
Prepare the boiled rice according to package directions. Use a large cup (or mug) of long grain rice.
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up into small pieces and stir.
Turn up the heat and add the shrimps. Fry for 2 minutes.
Add the peas and fry for 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cooled boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly.
NOTE: Other vegetables can be added. I frequently used grated carrots, broccoli, diced summer squash.
Marinade for Flank Steak
1/2 cup dry fruity red wine
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Coarsely-ground black pepper, to taste
Fried Apples (Cracker Barrel Clone)
6 Tart Apples, sliced
1 tsp. Lemon juice
1/4 cup Bacon drippings
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Dash of Nutmeg.
In a large skillet, melt bacon drippings. Pour apples evenly over skillet bottom. Sprinkle lemon juice over them, then brown sugar, then salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Betty Crocker CAKE COOKIES
1 pkg. any Betty Crocker cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 c. nuts, raisins or chocolate chips (or some of each)
Add nuts, raisins or chocolate chips to cake mix. Beat 2 eggs with 1/3 cup oil and add to dry cake mix. Dough will be thick.
Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet or make freezer cookies and bake later. Bake at 350-400 degrees for 5-6 min
Pumpkin Cookies
1 box spice cake mix
1 15 oz can of real pumpkin
Mix together and drop rounded spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until firm. Frost if you want, cream cheese frosting.
Lemon Cookies
1 box lemon cake mix
1 carton cool whip
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix and cool whip together.
Try to smooth out any dry cake mix crumbles, until well blended.
Form into balls, and roll in powdered sugar.
Cook at 350 degrees (on greased cookie sheet) for 10 min, or until the bottoms are just turning light brown. Take out, remove from pan and let cool before eating.
Fruit-Infused Honey Vinegars
Use as dipping oil for French bread; on salad greens; makes nice gifts in decorated bottle. (Save your attractive wine bottles!)
2 cups white wine vinegar
2/3 cup honey
Combine vinegar and honey in medium saucepan, then stir in one of the
flavor additions below:
Apricot: 2/3 cup apricot jam (Makes 2 1/2 cups)
Pear: 2 (15 ounce) cans pears, drained and diced (Makes 2 cups)
Raspberry: 1 (6 ounce) basket fresh raspberries, mashed (Makes 1 3/4
cups)
Fig: 2 cups quartered, dried Mission figs (Makes 1 cup)
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool.
Pour through a fine mesh sieve or strainer to remove any solids.
Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Chocolate Drop Fudge
1 bag of Chocolate Drops (chocolate cone shaped candies with white filling inside)
1 C peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter
Handful of chocolate chips
Place in microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes (microwaves vary). Mix together making sure to stir in any of the white center that may clump a little. Pour into 8x8 pan and let cool at room temperature.
Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
2 pounds (2 - 16 ounce jars) dry roasted peanuts, salted
48 ounces almond bark white chocolate
4 ounces sweet German chocolate
10 - 12 ounces dark chocolate
Place all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 3 hours. Don't touch. Turn pot off and let rest for 20 minutes. Cover a large surface (about 3 square feet) with waxed or parchment paper. Stir mixture completely. Drop by teaspoons full onto wax paper. Let harden and store in airtight containers.
PEANUT BRITTLE
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 cup raw Spanish peanuts
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 Greased cookie sheets
In heavy 3 quart saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and water.
Cook until 234 degrees is reached on candy thermometer.
Add peanuts and salt, stirring constantly up to 305 degrees.
Quickly stir in butter and baking soda.
Pour at once onto cookie sheet. Spread with spatula.
Break up when cool.
HOT COCOA MIX
1 pound box Nestle Quik
1 8 quart box of dry milk powder
1 6 oz. jar instant coffee creamer
1 cup powdered sugar
Add 1/3 cup of mix to cup of hot water.
Frosting Fudge
1 12 oz package chips (2 cups)
1 can frosting (NOT WHIPPED!)
Nuts, if desired
Line 8 or 9-inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges.
Place chips in bowl and microwave on high for 90 seconds. Ovens vary; do not allow to burn. Stir until smooth.
Add frosting to melted chips. Mix well. Microwave 90 seconds. Mix well. Add nuts.
Spread in foil-lined pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Remove fudge from pan by lifting foil. Remove foil; cut into squares.
Make up your own combinations:
Chocolate chips with chocolate frosting
Butterscotch chips with vanilla frosting
Peanut butter chips with chocolate frosting
Chocolate mint chips with chocolate frosting
White chocolate chips with lemon or strawberry frosting
Dark chocolate chips with coconut-pecan frosting
Add any kind of nuts, marshmallows, crushed cookies, pretzels.
Add any kind of flavorings that are complimentary.
So many combinations, so easy, so much fun!
December 1-15: Settling In
Wednesday, Dec 1 woke to 42 degrees -- at least we didn't get down to the 32 predicted! Li'lBit and I went into town first thing -- WalMart, HEB and Walgreens and the Dollar Store -- all right there on the same corner. Picked up the paper to check the sales and decided there wasn’t anything worth running around for so we came home after picking up the ‘essentials’ (milk, bread, eggs, paper towels, cat and dog food)at WalMart. Li'lBit finished her sausage biscuit in the truck -- too cold to go to the beach for breakfast!
Hooked up the cable, the TV is working, picture fuzzy - not bad. When will I remember to shut down the antenna booster when I plug in the cable -- GEEZ! You'd think I've never lived in an RV before! Rockport is the only place where I actually have cable TV – in Iowa and Gatesville, I have to use the converter box.
I took the rug cleaner to spot clean my rug. Have a grease streak (or some dark streak)in my carpeting I can't get out -- straight line -- must be from when the slide was in. Will continue to work on it. Hopefully it will go away one of these days. It will either go away or I’ll have a hole worn in the rug!
The flags needed to be moved from the front of the RV -- too windy, so I have them on the side of the slide by the door.
Went out to get the Christmas decorations from the under compartment,could only reach the Hanukkah Menorah. I parked my truck to close to the RV and couldn’t get the under compartment door open enough to get out the boxes with the decorations! There’s always tomorrow!
Li'lBit and I are enjoying the picnic table and warm afternoons. She's happy! She has a picnic table! That's why we couldn't stay long in Gatesville - -no picnic tables
Stayed close to home - trying to get stuff done -- takes me quite awhile to accomplish anything -- I work for 10 minutes and rest for 20 minutes! I've decided it is best for me to just stay "locked up" for a few days and get used to the new pollen and dust before I wander out.
December 2nd was another 70 degree day. Perfect outside weather for me and the pup!
Went over to the laundry, forgot to take the rugs - guess I can do that next time! In the meantime, they will remain outside under the RV -- they are the ones I use under the kitty litter while we are traveling.
Also need to sweep down my parking pad -- full of acorns -- not the big ones like at Shady Oaks, but little obnoxious crappy things that crunch when you walk on them and slip and slide under your feet. And make a mess all over! The first year I was here I picked up a 'leaf blower' so I can blow the damn things away and not have to sweep the whole thing!
Li'lBit and I have steps -- we are both too old and crippled to be using these little RV steps anymore! A nice sunny afternoon -- good day for doing stuff -- but putting them together took just about all my air for awhile -- will have to catch my breath before I hit the pad with the leaf blower and broom! Can't find my picnic table cloth - I know I have 3 or 4 of them. I'll look later -- one thing at a time when you are old, fat and don't have any lung power!
Finally got into the under compartment to get the Christmas box. Have my Santa with the jingle bells hanging on my door and my candy cane made of bells hanging on the side of the slide by the door. WalMart had a "special" on really nice size poinsettias -- Under $5! I picked up a one red, one pink and one white -- I have the pink and white in the basket of my walker and the red one setting on the little aluminum table by the door! Ain't THAT quaint!
Bonnie and Cleo, from Minnesota, made it in about 5:30 PM. Glad it's not me having to back in with it being almost DARK!! Since Ruth & Walter are in Florida this winter, only Jeanetta and Gayle (Nebraska) are missing from "the 2nd St" group. Kathy & Bob got here last week.
Friday December 3rd was "lunch date" day with the “in town” gang. There were 10 of us at The Beach House – love their sandwiches! Went by Deryl & Elke's for a visit after lunch. Of course I had to stop at Castaways and see what they had there that I couldn’t live without! On the way home, stopped by Whataburger for my free onion rings! Naturally, I had to buy a hamburger to get them, guess what I had for supper! Whataburger had email coupons for the "12 days of Whataburger" and everyday something is free - doubt I'll be taking advantage of ALL of them! But they do have good onion rings!
I will never understand where folks got the idea that the 12 days of Christmas was the 12 days BEFORE Christmas. It's the 12 days AFTER Christmas - from Christmas to the Feast of the Epiphany. Oh, well -- one of those tedious things I just have to put up with!
Called the repair man that makes “house calls” to check my furnace. WOW! Am I embarrassed! A blown fuse! Another one of those, when will I learn deals – furnaces in RVs run on 12 Volts – that means fuses! When Bobby asked me about fuses when he looked at it in November, I told him I'd checked the breakers! I have a working furnace just in time for some predicted ‘cold fronts’ moving into the area.
Sunday Dec 6 I woke up with the "you moved again" crud. Cough, plugged, icky! Sure glad my furnace is working -- and it's so nice to hear it kick on all by itself! I've stayed in most of the day - it's damp, windy, chilly -- never did get over 54 degrees and I don't think the wind ever stopped until the sun went down! I fixed plenty of rice and made shrimp fried rice so don't have to worry about starving - like I EVER worry about starving. Guess I'm back in Rockport -- shrimp on the menu!
Sure is nice to wake up and put my feet on a warm floor Monday morning!
I called the Live Oak Family Clinic --its just about a mile or two from here and several of the RVers go there -- Elke also mentioned her. I had to go in, fill out the paperwork, let them copy my insurance (the only question they asked when I called was "what's your insurance?") Then, they will set up an appointment! YIPPEE! Maybe I won't be Yippeeing so loud after I see her!
Finally, the Christmas tree was up on the table at the back window....moved the Menorah over -- that can be put away Dec 9th this year! Hanukkah came early this year. Under the tree I have my black lab figurines that are decked out in holiday stuff and my snowman figurines. The Hanukkah candy dish can be put away, too. My Nativity scene is only 2 pieces. Always thought I would buy the extra pieces but can’t remember where I bought the ones I have!
Li'lBit, Holly and Tinga have their socks hanging waiting for Santa to fill them.
Went to the doc's first thing Tuesday morning-- easy to get there - the office gal handed me a packet of 8-10 pages and told me I could take it home to fill it out! Good thing! I think it asks everything including when I pooped last!
When I pulled back into the park, since it was Tuesday AM, everyone was going to ladies coffee so I went up for that. Coming out of the coffee, Jeanetta and Gayle (Nebraska) were pulling in -- good to see them -- they are on the same street I'm on -- just a couple spaces up. So the Gang's All Here! Really miss Ruth and Walter and their dog Molly.
Started candy and cooking making. Cookie tasting at the activity building is the
8th. It was nice with the oven going -- only problem was I was making spice cookies and they smelled so good I wanted to eat them rather than save them for today!!! But the recipe makes so few, I didn't have a single one!
Cookie sampling/tasting is a nice little social get-together. Everybody brings cookies to share --(or candy)- then we set around and visit, drink coffee, eat cookies and get a sugar high! There were three of those long pot-luck supper tables FULL of SUGAR -- the entire park was on a sugar high that night! Stuff left over gets put in the fridge for the folks playing cards and parlor games up there to munch on and one night will be a hot cocoa and cookie nite for the park choir after they go carolling in the park. Ain't life grand in the RV park
Ran the paperwork back to the doc’s office on Wednesday. Must have taken me over an hour to fill out the packet! Would have been a good day to stay in – windy, 47 degrees! By noon, the office called with an appointment for 2:30 Monday 13th. She won't do anything with my oxygen until I either get medical records from VA or go thru all the pulmonary testing again. I told her office gal to tell Doc I'll go thru the testing, it will be quicker than trying to get records from VA. Have no idea what it will cost, but insurance will pick up a chunk of it.
Came home and started working on getting the candy made and stuff put away. Tinga keeps getting into my boxes of ingredients. Now why would I think a parrot would be interested in a box full of nuts and dried fruits!
December 9th, 54 degrees and I finally used a tank of propane -- haven't bought any propane since June -- needed one tank when I was in Iowa. Can't complain about using a few tanks down here, I guess, considering December 10th I bought my first tank since summer! New guy on the propane truck and he doesn't set it in for me -- just leaves it on the drive -- Oh, Well! Price is the same $22/tank.
I think I'm finished making candy and cookies-- so I can pack the baking stuff away and get my table back. I don't cook or bake often, but when I do, I really miss the counter space.
The local fish market makes salmon pinwheels – some are stuffed with a lobster dressing and some with spinach and ricotta cheese. I like the dressing better -- but my belly is full of salmon -- one pinwheel isn't enough, two are too many.
Thursday evening I started working on Christmas cards. The boxes that needed to be mailed were wrapped and ready to go. I wanted to have my cards finished when I went to the post office, but you know what they say, “The best laid schemes of mice and men, Go oft awry!”
FRIDAY it was 60 degrees and not too windy. Had to go out and empty my holding tanks – you remember me – the one that never lived in an RV before – GEEZ! How could I NOT open my gray tanks when I got set up! Today my sink started backing up!
I talked to Marvin and Terry about washing my RV -- I need to get a 'permission slip' from Allison and then they would try to get it done next week if the weather cooperates. The weather did cooperate and by December 15, I had a clean RV. Terry checked out my roof and said I did put a slice in the roof when I hit that tree. He would pick up some patch and fix it later.
Went into the post office to mail boxes – the line was so long, I decided to see what was happening at the UPS store! Nice lady, easy in – easy out! No fuss, no hassle. UPS has my business from now on!
Went to WallyWorld to pick up some fruit to make a small basket - Li'lBit wandered across the way while I was switching propane tanks -- Bonnie and Cleo brought her home -- she went to their yard to poop! Cleo cleaned that up! She likes their Chihuahua, Bucky, and constantly wanders over there to visit if I don't have her on a leash!
Have flank steak marinating in the refrig for the weekend -- and a pot of mushroom barley soup in the crock pot. Back to eating healthy -- well, kinda healthy!
Friday it was nearly 70 degrees; Monday I woke to 44 degrees!
Monday the 13th I had my initial appointment with the new Doc. She isn't too bad (yet!). In fact, she went out of her way to try to keep me from having to go into Corpus Christi to have lab work. Tried a pulse-ox reading in the office - of course I have fake nails on and so they tried the toe, but didn't work. She sent an order to LinCare (oxygen provider) to come out to do a night pulse-oxymeter test. And, I left the office with an appointment for lab and return follow/up. No bitching about the weight -- she thought I either had my respiratory status controlled by my own method (doing nothing!) or I was in terrible denial I think she thinks I'm a nurse "heal thyself" kinda person! And, actually for a "lunger" I'm not in the hospital a lot -- could be that I don't go to ERs or the docs a lot!
Tuesday the 14th, I woke up at 4:30 and went out and watched the meteor shower! Between the lites in the park and the lites from the Airport, I didn't see a Hellofalot! After Ladies coffee Tuesday AM, I went to Walgreens to get my flu shot. I’ll probably be so healthy I won’t be able to stand myself.
The respiratory folks came out to set me up with a pulse-ox for the night. That was quick! Wednesday, the 15th, was a horrible nite without my CPAP. I woke up gasping for air and coughing about 5 times between 10PM & 4AM. At 4 AM I woke up vomiting and decided it wasn’t worth it! I took the pulse-ox off; I needed SOME sleep. Put the CPAP on about 4:30 and slept like a log until 7AM!
The interesting thing will be what they will do since I still have oxygen from VA -- That may be the stick in the mud. I'll drive back to Waco and leave the tanks on their doorstep, if I have to! I will (spend the nite at Johnnie's and come back!) I still have my portable concentrator that runs on the truck cigarette lighter or batteries -- except the batteries are only 2 hours at best (I have 2 batteries) but the damn thing is so noisy. I guess for walking it would be OK -- I'd just have to shut it down when I set around to visit and drink coffee -- which I do with my tanks anyway.
I called Mid-Cities oxygen to tell them I would be canceling their oxygen and what did I need to do -- had to call a contact at VA -- met the winner of the bitch of the week award! I told her I was in Rockport and Mid-Cities didn't supply down here -- she said "they have offices all over the Dallas area" -- I think she is geographically challenged. Not sure the company is going to pay someone to drive 7 hours one way to get 4 ‘D” cylinders! She said she couldn't hear me on my cell phone and just kept saying I needed to go to a land line. So, that afternoon I went to town and called from the Wal Mart parking lot -- that's the best place! Don’t know why my Verizon service is so icky here in the park. I can foresee a few weeks of confusion over all of this!
By 11 AM Thursday, December 16th, I had an oxygen concentrator! YIPPEE!
Hooked up the cable, the TV is working, picture fuzzy - not bad. When will I remember to shut down the antenna booster when I plug in the cable -- GEEZ! You'd think I've never lived in an RV before! Rockport is the only place where I actually have cable TV – in Iowa and Gatesville, I have to use the converter box.
I took the rug cleaner to spot clean my rug. Have a grease streak (or some dark streak)in my carpeting I can't get out -- straight line -- must be from when the slide was in. Will continue to work on it. Hopefully it will go away one of these days. It will either go away or I’ll have a hole worn in the rug!
The flags needed to be moved from the front of the RV -- too windy, so I have them on the side of the slide by the door.
Went out to get the Christmas decorations from the under compartment,could only reach the Hanukkah Menorah. I parked my truck to close to the RV and couldn’t get the under compartment door open enough to get out the boxes with the decorations! There’s always tomorrow!
Li'lBit and I are enjoying the picnic table and warm afternoons. She's happy! She has a picnic table! That's why we couldn't stay long in Gatesville - -no picnic tables
Stayed close to home - trying to get stuff done -- takes me quite awhile to accomplish anything -- I work for 10 minutes and rest for 20 minutes! I've decided it is best for me to just stay "locked up" for a few days and get used to the new pollen and dust before I wander out.
December 2nd was another 70 degree day. Perfect outside weather for me and the pup!
Went over to the laundry, forgot to take the rugs - guess I can do that next time! In the meantime, they will remain outside under the RV -- they are the ones I use under the kitty litter while we are traveling.
Also need to sweep down my parking pad -- full of acorns -- not the big ones like at Shady Oaks, but little obnoxious crappy things that crunch when you walk on them and slip and slide under your feet. And make a mess all over! The first year I was here I picked up a 'leaf blower' so I can blow the damn things away and not have to sweep the whole thing!
Li'lBit and I have steps -- we are both too old and crippled to be using these little RV steps anymore! A nice sunny afternoon -- good day for doing stuff -- but putting them together took just about all my air for awhile -- will have to catch my breath before I hit the pad with the leaf blower and broom! Can't find my picnic table cloth - I know I have 3 or 4 of them. I'll look later -- one thing at a time when you are old, fat and don't have any lung power!
Finally got into the under compartment to get the Christmas box. Have my Santa with the jingle bells hanging on my door and my candy cane made of bells hanging on the side of the slide by the door. WalMart had a "special" on really nice size poinsettias -- Under $5! I picked up a one red, one pink and one white -- I have the pink and white in the basket of my walker and the red one setting on the little aluminum table by the door! Ain't THAT quaint!
Bonnie and Cleo, from Minnesota, made it in about 5:30 PM. Glad it's not me having to back in with it being almost DARK!! Since Ruth & Walter are in Florida this winter, only Jeanetta and Gayle (Nebraska) are missing from "the 2nd St" group. Kathy & Bob got here last week.
Friday December 3rd was "lunch date" day with the “in town” gang. There were 10 of us at The Beach House – love their sandwiches! Went by Deryl & Elke's for a visit after lunch. Of course I had to stop at Castaways and see what they had there that I couldn’t live without! On the way home, stopped by Whataburger for my free onion rings! Naturally, I had to buy a hamburger to get them, guess what I had for supper! Whataburger had email coupons for the "12 days of Whataburger" and everyday something is free - doubt I'll be taking advantage of ALL of them! But they do have good onion rings!
I will never understand where folks got the idea that the 12 days of Christmas was the 12 days BEFORE Christmas. It's the 12 days AFTER Christmas - from Christmas to the Feast of the Epiphany. Oh, well -- one of those tedious things I just have to put up with!
Called the repair man that makes “house calls” to check my furnace. WOW! Am I embarrassed! A blown fuse! Another one of those, when will I learn deals – furnaces in RVs run on 12 Volts – that means fuses! When Bobby asked me about fuses when he looked at it in November, I told him I'd checked the breakers! I have a working furnace just in time for some predicted ‘cold fronts’ moving into the area.
Sunday Dec 6 I woke up with the "you moved again" crud. Cough, plugged, icky! Sure glad my furnace is working -- and it's so nice to hear it kick on all by itself! I've stayed in most of the day - it's damp, windy, chilly -- never did get over 54 degrees and I don't think the wind ever stopped until the sun went down! I fixed plenty of rice and made shrimp fried rice so don't have to worry about starving - like I EVER worry about starving. Guess I'm back in Rockport -- shrimp on the menu!
Sure is nice to wake up and put my feet on a warm floor Monday morning!
I called the Live Oak Family Clinic --its just about a mile or two from here and several of the RVers go there -- Elke also mentioned her. I had to go in, fill out the paperwork, let them copy my insurance (the only question they asked when I called was "what's your insurance?") Then, they will set up an appointment! YIPPEE! Maybe I won't be Yippeeing so loud after I see her!
Finally, the Christmas tree was up on the table at the back window....moved the Menorah over -- that can be put away Dec 9th this year! Hanukkah came early this year. Under the tree I have my black lab figurines that are decked out in holiday stuff and my snowman figurines. The Hanukkah candy dish can be put away, too. My Nativity scene is only 2 pieces. Always thought I would buy the extra pieces but can’t remember where I bought the ones I have!
Li'lBit, Holly and Tinga have their socks hanging waiting for Santa to fill them.
Went to the doc's first thing Tuesday morning-- easy to get there - the office gal handed me a packet of 8-10 pages and told me I could take it home to fill it out! Good thing! I think it asks everything including when I pooped last!
When I pulled back into the park, since it was Tuesday AM, everyone was going to ladies coffee so I went up for that. Coming out of the coffee, Jeanetta and Gayle (Nebraska) were pulling in -- good to see them -- they are on the same street I'm on -- just a couple spaces up. So the Gang's All Here! Really miss Ruth and Walter and their dog Molly.
Started candy and cooking making. Cookie tasting at the activity building is the
8th. It was nice with the oven going -- only problem was I was making spice cookies and they smelled so good I wanted to eat them rather than save them for today!!! But the recipe makes so few, I didn't have a single one!
Cookie sampling/tasting is a nice little social get-together. Everybody brings cookies to share --(or candy)- then we set around and visit, drink coffee, eat cookies and get a sugar high! There were three of those long pot-luck supper tables FULL of SUGAR -- the entire park was on a sugar high that night! Stuff left over gets put in the fridge for the folks playing cards and parlor games up there to munch on and one night will be a hot cocoa and cookie nite for the park choir after they go carolling in the park. Ain't life grand in the RV park
Ran the paperwork back to the doc’s office on Wednesday. Must have taken me over an hour to fill out the packet! Would have been a good day to stay in – windy, 47 degrees! By noon, the office called with an appointment for 2:30 Monday 13th. She won't do anything with my oxygen until I either get medical records from VA or go thru all the pulmonary testing again. I told her office gal to tell Doc I'll go thru the testing, it will be quicker than trying to get records from VA. Have no idea what it will cost, but insurance will pick up a chunk of it.
Came home and started working on getting the candy made and stuff put away. Tinga keeps getting into my boxes of ingredients. Now why would I think a parrot would be interested in a box full of nuts and dried fruits!
December 9th, 54 degrees and I finally used a tank of propane -- haven't bought any propane since June -- needed one tank when I was in Iowa. Can't complain about using a few tanks down here, I guess, considering December 10th I bought my first tank since summer! New guy on the propane truck and he doesn't set it in for me -- just leaves it on the drive -- Oh, Well! Price is the same $22/tank.
I think I'm finished making candy and cookies-- so I can pack the baking stuff away and get my table back. I don't cook or bake often, but when I do, I really miss the counter space.
The local fish market makes salmon pinwheels – some are stuffed with a lobster dressing and some with spinach and ricotta cheese. I like the dressing better -- but my belly is full of salmon -- one pinwheel isn't enough, two are too many.
Thursday evening I started working on Christmas cards. The boxes that needed to be mailed were wrapped and ready to go. I wanted to have my cards finished when I went to the post office, but you know what they say, “The best laid schemes of mice and men, Go oft awry!”
FRIDAY it was 60 degrees and not too windy. Had to go out and empty my holding tanks – you remember me – the one that never lived in an RV before – GEEZ! How could I NOT open my gray tanks when I got set up! Today my sink started backing up!
I talked to Marvin and Terry about washing my RV -- I need to get a 'permission slip' from Allison and then they would try to get it done next week if the weather cooperates. The weather did cooperate and by December 15, I had a clean RV. Terry checked out my roof and said I did put a slice in the roof when I hit that tree. He would pick up some patch and fix it later.
Went into the post office to mail boxes – the line was so long, I decided to see what was happening at the UPS store! Nice lady, easy in – easy out! No fuss, no hassle. UPS has my business from now on!
Went to WallyWorld to pick up some fruit to make a small basket - Li'lBit wandered across the way while I was switching propane tanks -- Bonnie and Cleo brought her home -- she went to their yard to poop! Cleo cleaned that up! She likes their Chihuahua, Bucky, and constantly wanders over there to visit if I don't have her on a leash!
Have flank steak marinating in the refrig for the weekend -- and a pot of mushroom barley soup in the crock pot. Back to eating healthy -- well, kinda healthy!
Friday it was nearly 70 degrees; Monday I woke to 44 degrees!
Monday the 13th I had my initial appointment with the new Doc. She isn't too bad (yet!). In fact, she went out of her way to try to keep me from having to go into Corpus Christi to have lab work. Tried a pulse-ox reading in the office - of course I have fake nails on and so they tried the toe, but didn't work. She sent an order to LinCare (oxygen provider) to come out to do a night pulse-oxymeter test. And, I left the office with an appointment for lab and return follow/up. No bitching about the weight -- she thought I either had my respiratory status controlled by my own method (doing nothing!) or I was in terrible denial I think she thinks I'm a nurse "heal thyself" kinda person! And, actually for a "lunger" I'm not in the hospital a lot -- could be that I don't go to ERs or the docs a lot!
Tuesday the 14th, I woke up at 4:30 and went out and watched the meteor shower! Between the lites in the park and the lites from the Airport, I didn't see a Hellofalot! After Ladies coffee Tuesday AM, I went to Walgreens to get my flu shot. I’ll probably be so healthy I won’t be able to stand myself.
The respiratory folks came out to set me up with a pulse-ox for the night. That was quick! Wednesday, the 15th, was a horrible nite without my CPAP. I woke up gasping for air and coughing about 5 times between 10PM & 4AM. At 4 AM I woke up vomiting and decided it wasn’t worth it! I took the pulse-ox off; I needed SOME sleep. Put the CPAP on about 4:30 and slept like a log until 7AM!
The interesting thing will be what they will do since I still have oxygen from VA -- That may be the stick in the mud. I'll drive back to Waco and leave the tanks on their doorstep, if I have to! I will (spend the nite at Johnnie's and come back!) I still have my portable concentrator that runs on the truck cigarette lighter or batteries -- except the batteries are only 2 hours at best (I have 2 batteries) but the damn thing is so noisy. I guess for walking it would be OK -- I'd just have to shut it down when I set around to visit and drink coffee -- which I do with my tanks anyway.
I called Mid-Cities oxygen to tell them I would be canceling their oxygen and what did I need to do -- had to call a contact at VA -- met the winner of the bitch of the week award! I told her I was in Rockport and Mid-Cities didn't supply down here -- she said "they have offices all over the Dallas area" -- I think she is geographically challenged. Not sure the company is going to pay someone to drive 7 hours one way to get 4 ‘D” cylinders! She said she couldn't hear me on my cell phone and just kept saying I needed to go to a land line. So, that afternoon I went to town and called from the Wal Mart parking lot -- that's the best place! Don’t know why my Verizon service is so icky here in the park. I can foresee a few weeks of confusion over all of this!
By 11 AM Thursday, December 16th, I had an oxygen concentrator! YIPPEE!
Monday, December 27, 2010
November Recipes
Banana Nut Bread Diabetic
1 c. white sugar twin (like Equal)
1/2 c. margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda in 1 tbsp. sour milk
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 1/4 c. flour, sifted with 1 tsp.baking powder
Mix in order given. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Mexican Pick Up Stix (makes 2 quarts)
2 cans (3 ox) French fried onions
1 can (7 oz) potato stix
2 cups Spanish peanuts
1/3 cup melted butter
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
Combine onions, potato sticks and peanuts. Place in 9 x 13 baking dish.
Drizzle with melted butter and stir. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Mix well. Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Cinnamon Cider A "Southern Living" Recipe
Makes approx 3 quarts
1-1/2 quarts apple cider
1 quart cranberry-apple drink
2 cups pineapple juice
3/4 cup red cinnamon candies
2 teaspoons whole cloves
Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Pour first 3 ingredients into an electric percolator. Place cinnamon candies and cloves in percolator basket. Perk through complete cycle of percolator. Serve hot with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.
Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie
1 (9") pie crust (made from polyunsaturated fats), baked
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 sm. (4 serving) pkg. Jello sugar free vanilla pudding & pie filling
2 c. skim milk
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pour milk into a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in pudding and pumpkin pie spice until dissolved. Add pumpkin and blend until well combined. Heat mixture on medium heat until it boils. Gently boil for 1 minute, stirring to prevent burning. Pour into cooled 9" crust. Chill. Mixture will thicken as it cools.
Honey Roasted Munchies
6 c. popcorn
1 (5 oz.) can wide chow mien noodles
1 c. honey roasted peanuts
5 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
In large roasting pan, mix popcorn and chow mien noodles.
Melt butter and sugar together, stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour over popcorn, toss to coat. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Add nuts, spread on paper towels to cool. Store airtight.
Cranberry Jalapeno Relish
12 ounces fresh cranberries
Juice of 1 orange
Zest if 1 orange finely grated
2 teaspoons tequila
1/2 cup sugar
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (Use gloves to protect hands)
Add enough water to the orange juice to make one cup of liquid.
Combine cranberries, orange zest, juice and water, tequila, and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally.
When the cranberries begin to pop, add the chopped jalapeno cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
If the sauce seems a too thick, add a bit more water.
Chill before serving.
1 c. white sugar twin (like Equal)
1/2 c. margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda in 1 tbsp. sour milk
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 1/4 c. flour, sifted with 1 tsp.baking powder
Mix in order given. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
Mexican Pick Up Stix (makes 2 quarts)
2 cans (3 ox) French fried onions
1 can (7 oz) potato stix
2 cups Spanish peanuts
1/3 cup melted butter
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
Combine onions, potato sticks and peanuts. Place in 9 x 13 baking dish.
Drizzle with melted butter and stir. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Mix well. Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Cinnamon Cider A "Southern Living" Recipe
Makes approx 3 quarts
1-1/2 quarts apple cider
1 quart cranberry-apple drink
2 cups pineapple juice
3/4 cup red cinnamon candies
2 teaspoons whole cloves
Cinnamon sticks (optional)
Pour first 3 ingredients into an electric percolator. Place cinnamon candies and cloves in percolator basket. Perk through complete cycle of percolator. Serve hot with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.
Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie
1 (9") pie crust (made from polyunsaturated fats), baked
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 sm. (4 serving) pkg. Jello sugar free vanilla pudding & pie filling
2 c. skim milk
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Pour milk into a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in pudding and pumpkin pie spice until dissolved. Add pumpkin and blend until well combined. Heat mixture on medium heat until it boils. Gently boil for 1 minute, stirring to prevent burning. Pour into cooled 9" crust. Chill. Mixture will thicken as it cools.
Honey Roasted Munchies
6 c. popcorn
1 (5 oz.) can wide chow mien noodles
1 c. honey roasted peanuts
5 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
In large roasting pan, mix popcorn and chow mien noodles.
Melt butter and sugar together, stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour over popcorn, toss to coat. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Add nuts, spread on paper towels to cool. Store airtight.
Cranberry Jalapeno Relish
12 ounces fresh cranberries
Juice of 1 orange
Zest if 1 orange finely grated
2 teaspoons tequila
1/2 cup sugar
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (Use gloves to protect hands)
Add enough water to the orange juice to make one cup of liquid.
Combine cranberries, orange zest, juice and water, tequila, and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally.
When the cranberries begin to pop, add the chopped jalapeno cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
If the sauce seems a too thick, add a bit more water.
Chill before serving.
November 16-30 Settling In; Setting Up
Monday Nov 16 I started sorting and tossing; would be on the road in 2 weeks.
It was definitely getting close to winter. The temp was 41 degrees so I decided to make some "Mexican pick up stix" (munchies) - just an excuse to turn on the oven!
Bobby was here to check the furnace. He pulled a wren nest and dead bird from the furnace fan! But that didn’t seem to fix it. Refuse to pay an RV repair guy $50/hour; will wait until I get to Rockport.
This was a miserable trip back to Gatesville! Takes all the air I have to hit the grocery store -- even having coffee with Johnnie or lunch with friends tires me out. Must be my old age!
Got an email from Rain, they will soon be on the road, heading southeast. Will try to make a stop at Rockport for a couple of days on their way through TX. Would love to see them again!
Missed a chance for a visit with Sherrell, she wasn’t feeling well – take care Dear Friend! See you in the spring!
By Thursday, it was 36 degrees but no wind! Had lunch with Janis. She fixed broccoli/cheese soup, turkey deli sandwiches and cookies. YUMMY!
Have only had a few minutes to talk with Lee & Mary Jane since I’ve been back. I do wish there was more time, but MJ is helping Lee do the estimates so they are on the road a lot. Miss visiting with them.
November 19th we had some excitement in the RV park. About 8:30 or so - flashing red lights behind my truck. An ambulance was taking Ed (owner) to the ER. He had fallen yesterday. Linda called from the ER to say she wasn't sure what they would do. He had fallen a few weeks ago and had been going to physical therapy and on all the standard pain meds and muscle relaxers, etc. She's hoping it was just from the meds, but he couldn't stand by himself and was dizzy when he would get up. The transferred him to Waco and then, prior to the end of the month, to a rehab facility closer to home. I’m glad Buzz and Fred are here in the park to help her.
November 22nd back up to 71 degrees, humid, windy. Supposed to go into the 80s and be this way until Wednesday,then the cold front comes thru with rain, wind and possible freeze. Damn, I love central TX!!!
Thanksgiving Day was spent pigging out at Johnnie’s. What a houseful of family. Got to catch up with her brother and his family and hear about their trip to Ireland. Rudy had his laptop and all of the photos from the trip.
It's been a hectic 6 weeks in central TX -- too many folks to see and didn't manage to get them all seen! So....I'll have to pick up where I left off when I get back to Gatesville in April.
Sunday PM Bobby and Toby came by to hitch me up so I could leave first thing in the AM.
Monday Nov 29 Cloudy, not too windy, heavy air, rain must be on its way.
Turned off the computer, disconnected sewer, electric, water -- off to the tire place and then on the road. Arrived in Rockport about 2:30 to 75 degrees, sunny. Only one hold up coming down, evidentially a bad accident - traffic stopped both directions for over 30 minutes waiting for helicopters to arrive.
BY 4:30 PM, Marv had me backed me in, utilities hooked up, slides out. But what a mess to clean up inside from stuff that tipped over (nothing broken or major). Highway Patrol routed the traffic thru a wooded area to get around the accident, not really any roads, just ruts and trails thru the trees!
Kathy stopped by to remind me that ladies coffee it still at 9AM on Tuesday! Guess unpacking will just have to wait until after coffee!
By Tuesday morning, temps were down to 59 as I was walking up to morning coffee. Glad I wasn’t driving Tuesday, winds 15-30 MPH.
Li'lBit and I went for a short walk and sat at the picnic table for awhile. Li'lBit bounces around outside down here like she does in Iowa. She likes having a lawn and not being parked in gravel.
Park is starting to busy -- all of the "leave-after-thanksgiving" gang have started pulling in with Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota plates. Can't believe with the winds we have had that some of these folks have been towing. They must be better at it than I am! Of course, it might be different when there are two of you so you have a co-pilot!
It was definitely getting close to winter. The temp was 41 degrees so I decided to make some "Mexican pick up stix" (munchies) - just an excuse to turn on the oven!
Bobby was here to check the furnace. He pulled a wren nest and dead bird from the furnace fan! But that didn’t seem to fix it. Refuse to pay an RV repair guy $50/hour; will wait until I get to Rockport.
This was a miserable trip back to Gatesville! Takes all the air I have to hit the grocery store -- even having coffee with Johnnie or lunch with friends tires me out. Must be my old age!
Got an email from Rain, they will soon be on the road, heading southeast. Will try to make a stop at Rockport for a couple of days on their way through TX. Would love to see them again!
Missed a chance for a visit with Sherrell, she wasn’t feeling well – take care Dear Friend! See you in the spring!
By Thursday, it was 36 degrees but no wind! Had lunch with Janis. She fixed broccoli/cheese soup, turkey deli sandwiches and cookies. YUMMY!
Have only had a few minutes to talk with Lee & Mary Jane since I’ve been back. I do wish there was more time, but MJ is helping Lee do the estimates so they are on the road a lot. Miss visiting with them.
November 19th we had some excitement in the RV park. About 8:30 or so - flashing red lights behind my truck. An ambulance was taking Ed (owner) to the ER. He had fallen yesterday. Linda called from the ER to say she wasn't sure what they would do. He had fallen a few weeks ago and had been going to physical therapy and on all the standard pain meds and muscle relaxers, etc. She's hoping it was just from the meds, but he couldn't stand by himself and was dizzy when he would get up. The transferred him to Waco and then, prior to the end of the month, to a rehab facility closer to home. I’m glad Buzz and Fred are here in the park to help her.
November 22nd back up to 71 degrees, humid, windy. Supposed to go into the 80s and be this way until Wednesday,then the cold front comes thru with rain, wind and possible freeze. Damn, I love central TX!!!
Thanksgiving Day was spent pigging out at Johnnie’s. What a houseful of family. Got to catch up with her brother and his family and hear about their trip to Ireland. Rudy had his laptop and all of the photos from the trip.
It's been a hectic 6 weeks in central TX -- too many folks to see and didn't manage to get them all seen! So....I'll have to pick up where I left off when I get back to Gatesville in April.
Sunday PM Bobby and Toby came by to hitch me up so I could leave first thing in the AM.
Monday Nov 29 Cloudy, not too windy, heavy air, rain must be on its way.
Turned off the computer, disconnected sewer, electric, water -- off to the tire place and then on the road. Arrived in Rockport about 2:30 to 75 degrees, sunny. Only one hold up coming down, evidentially a bad accident - traffic stopped both directions for over 30 minutes waiting for helicopters to arrive.
BY 4:30 PM, Marv had me backed me in, utilities hooked up, slides out. But what a mess to clean up inside from stuff that tipped over (nothing broken or major). Highway Patrol routed the traffic thru a wooded area to get around the accident, not really any roads, just ruts and trails thru the trees!
Kathy stopped by to remind me that ladies coffee it still at 9AM on Tuesday! Guess unpacking will just have to wait until after coffee!
By Tuesday morning, temps were down to 59 as I was walking up to morning coffee. Glad I wasn’t driving Tuesday, winds 15-30 MPH.
Li'lBit and I went for a short walk and sat at the picnic table for awhile. Li'lBit bounces around outside down here like she does in Iowa. She likes having a lawn and not being parked in gravel.
Park is starting to busy -- all of the "leave-after-thanksgiving" gang have started pulling in with Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota plates. Can't believe with the winds we have had that some of these folks have been towing. They must be better at it than I am! Of course, it might be different when there are two of you so you have a co-pilot!
Friday, December 17, 2010
November 1- 15, Gatesville TX
By the first part of November I was in full-swing getting my fall errands run and my ‘gotta do’ list shortened. I had to have my truck re-inspected due to the window tint being too heavy (new state law). After a trip to Aloha Glass Tinting, I passed the re-inspection. Check off one more job! Oh, and the license plates for the RV are up to date – check off another job!
Tuesday November 2nd was election day – so off to Evant, TX and my polling place. Nice thing about voting in a small town, don’t have to wait in long lines. I think I was number 3 by the time I got there.
Early November temps were colder than I like (or maybe I should say colder than my lungs like!) 45 degrees and rainy – just not my thing. And, for some reason, my furnace doesn’t seem to want to kick in. Decided to wait until I got to Rockport to get it fixed. Two electric space heaters provide plenty of warmth.
As the month went on, the throat got scratchier, lungs more congested, head and sinuses plugged. I think I’m allergic to Gatesville!
Day by day I’m getting my lunch dates in. There are just some folks I really need to have to get into my schedule. And there are places that I have to eat – Ranchers, Swindalls, Pasta place, and the new restaurant in Gatesville….gotta try that out! So I met with Janis and we had their soup and salad special – terrific potato-ham soup. Good food! And I understand they are eventually going to have a meat market in there! YUMMY – hope they have some of that good pan BBQ that I like so well.
Johnnie had a yard sale the first weekend in November – I had wanted to help her with it and take a few of my own things out – but the cold/flu got in the way. Didn’t make the Temple Bird Mart either. Maybe I can get to the spring mart.
I noticed the first time I dumped my holding tanks that I had a major leak in the pipe. Johnnie’s son, Toby, came by and found the leak and repaired it for me! Can’t beat friends like that!
Well into the second week in November and I’m still down with the crud. Even missed a Sunday dinner with Johnnie and her family….and a Sunday Dairy Queen meet with Brenda and the girls. Now, you know I’m down and out when I can’t pull up a chair to Johnnie’s Sunday dinner table or make it to the DQ with Brenda! Even had to cancel a trip to Stevenville to meet with Cindy & Susan at Which Witch.
Although I missed my trip to Stephenville, Cindy dropped by with some beautiful jewelry her daughter had made. I’m going to be the spiffiest lookin’ gal in the RV park! She also brought an absolutely delicious deli sub from Which Witch with sliced turkey, avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, ranch dressing! Can't beat friends like that!
By the 15th of November, was as feeling if I didn’t die from rupturing a blood vessel in the brain from coughing, I was gonna live! If only the weather would cooperate!
Tuesday November 2nd was election day – so off to Evant, TX and my polling place. Nice thing about voting in a small town, don’t have to wait in long lines. I think I was number 3 by the time I got there.
Early November temps were colder than I like (or maybe I should say colder than my lungs like!) 45 degrees and rainy – just not my thing. And, for some reason, my furnace doesn’t seem to want to kick in. Decided to wait until I got to Rockport to get it fixed. Two electric space heaters provide plenty of warmth.
As the month went on, the throat got scratchier, lungs more congested, head and sinuses plugged. I think I’m allergic to Gatesville!
Day by day I’m getting my lunch dates in. There are just some folks I really need to have to get into my schedule. And there are places that I have to eat – Ranchers, Swindalls, Pasta place, and the new restaurant in Gatesville….gotta try that out! So I met with Janis and we had their soup and salad special – terrific potato-ham soup. Good food! And I understand they are eventually going to have a meat market in there! YUMMY – hope they have some of that good pan BBQ that I like so well.
Johnnie had a yard sale the first weekend in November – I had wanted to help her with it and take a few of my own things out – but the cold/flu got in the way. Didn’t make the Temple Bird Mart either. Maybe I can get to the spring mart.
I noticed the first time I dumped my holding tanks that I had a major leak in the pipe. Johnnie’s son, Toby, came by and found the leak and repaired it for me! Can’t beat friends like that!
Well into the second week in November and I’m still down with the crud. Even missed a Sunday dinner with Johnnie and her family….and a Sunday Dairy Queen meet with Brenda and the girls. Now, you know I’m down and out when I can’t pull up a chair to Johnnie’s Sunday dinner table or make it to the DQ with Brenda! Even had to cancel a trip to Stevenville to meet with Cindy & Susan at Which Witch.
Although I missed my trip to Stephenville, Cindy dropped by with some beautiful jewelry her daughter had made. I’m going to be the spiffiest lookin’ gal in the RV park! She also brought an absolutely delicious deli sub from Which Witch with sliced turkey, avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, ranch dressing! Can't beat friends like that!
By the 15th of November, was as feeling if I didn’t die from rupturing a blood vessel in the brain from coughing, I was gonna live! If only the weather would cooperate!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Quick & Easy Munchies
Cranberry Clusters
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup cashews or other nuts
Melt chocolate chips. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let stand until set.
Buckeye Candies
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. (I have used almond bark)
Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick.
Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes.
Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.
Pumpkin Dip
6 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
3 tsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Vanilla wafers or apple slices
Combine cream cheese, sugar and pumpkin; beat with a mixer until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon; beat until smooth. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Serve with vanilla wafers or apple slices.
Chocolate Covered Cherries
The white filling dissolves into a liquid after setting for several days.
2 (10oz) jars maraschino cherries
1/4 cup soft butter
1 tablespoon cherry juice
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 pounds chocolate candy coating
Drain cherries – save juice; let dry on paper toweling overnight. In a small bowl, combine butter, cherry juice and corn syrup. Stir in powdered sugar. Knead until smooth. Form 1/2 teaspoon of this fondant around each cherry, completely covering the cherry.. Place on sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate. Melt candy coating. Dip cherries twice. Refrigerate. Dip one more time and store at room temperature for 2 weeks to ripen.
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
4 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons butter
3 to 5 packets of Truvia – it’s easy to make them too sweet
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the pecans and cook for 2 – 3 minutes to coat the pecans. Stir often. Just as a few are starting to turn brown on the edges, remove quickly to a bowl. Add other seasonings and stir.
These will keep very well in an airtight container.
Candied Walnuts or Pecans
Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter the foil and set aside.
In a heavy 10 inch skillet combine:
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 T. butter
1 tsp water
1 c. walnuts or pecans
Cook first three ingredients over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally until sugar begins to melt. DO NOT STIR. Reduce heat to low and cook until sugar is golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Add walnuts and toss to coat. Pour onto prepared cookie sheet.
Cool completely. Break into clusters.
Crock Pot Sugared Pecans or Walnuts
16 ounces pecans or walnut halves
1/2 c. melted unsalted butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
Turn slow cooker to HIGH about 15 minutes in advance. In hot slow cooker, stir together the nuts and butter. Add the powdered sugar, stirring to blend and coat evenly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to LOW and remove lid; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the nuts are coated with a crisp glaze. Transfer the nuts to a bowl. Let cool before serving.
BBQ Pecans
2 TBS butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 TBS ketchup
1/8 tsp Tabasco® sauce
4 cups pecan halves
Combine first 4 ingredients; stir in pecans, and mix well.
Spread pecans evenly in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes,
stirring frequently. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup cashews or other nuts
Melt chocolate chips. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let stand until set.
Buckeye Candies
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. (I have used almond bark)
Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick.
Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes.
Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.
Pumpkin Dip
6 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
3 tsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Vanilla wafers or apple slices
Combine cream cheese, sugar and pumpkin; beat with a mixer until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon; beat until smooth. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Serve with vanilla wafers or apple slices.
Chocolate Covered Cherries
The white filling dissolves into a liquid after setting for several days.
2 (10oz) jars maraschino cherries
1/4 cup soft butter
1 tablespoon cherry juice
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 pounds chocolate candy coating
Drain cherries – save juice; let dry on paper toweling overnight. In a small bowl, combine butter, cherry juice and corn syrup. Stir in powdered sugar. Knead until smooth. Form 1/2 teaspoon of this fondant around each cherry, completely covering the cherry.. Place on sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate. Melt candy coating. Dip cherries twice. Refrigerate. Dip one more time and store at room temperature for 2 weeks to ripen.
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
4 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons butter
3 to 5 packets of Truvia – it’s easy to make them too sweet
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the pecans and cook for 2 – 3 minutes to coat the pecans. Stir often. Just as a few are starting to turn brown on the edges, remove quickly to a bowl. Add other seasonings and stir.
These will keep very well in an airtight container.
Candied Walnuts or Pecans
Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter the foil and set aside.
In a heavy 10 inch skillet combine:
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 T. butter
1 tsp water
1 c. walnuts or pecans
Cook first three ingredients over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally until sugar begins to melt. DO NOT STIR. Reduce heat to low and cook until sugar is golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Add walnuts and toss to coat. Pour onto prepared cookie sheet.
Cool completely. Break into clusters.
Crock Pot Sugared Pecans or Walnuts
16 ounces pecans or walnut halves
1/2 c. melted unsalted butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
Turn slow cooker to HIGH about 15 minutes in advance. In hot slow cooker, stir together the nuts and butter. Add the powdered sugar, stirring to blend and coat evenly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to LOW and remove lid; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the nuts are coated with a crisp glaze. Transfer the nuts to a bowl. Let cool before serving.
BBQ Pecans
2 TBS butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 TBS ketchup
1/8 tsp Tabasco® sauce
4 cups pecan halves
Combine first 4 ingredients; stir in pecans, and mix well.
Spread pecans evenly in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes,
stirring frequently. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.
October 15-31 -- catchin' up!
October was moving right along and my 'to do' list didn't seem to be having too much crossed off! So, Monday the 18th was make appointments day! Spring and fall in Gatesville is “housekeeping’ time – catch up on all of the important things – insurance and license plates, vehicle repair (hopefully none needed!), vet appointments, doc appoints, etc! Spent much of the day on the phone getting a ‘workable’ schedule for the appointments! Broke down and turned on the A/C on -- nice breeze but HOT and dusty. Will definitely need the A/C filter cleaned when I get someone to clean the RV this winter!
Tuesday: Truck in by 8AM. As usual, they need the truck for several hours to get everything checked and done. I fill my big thermo-mug, take a good book and wait in waiting area. They have a nice big screen TV and get cable channels. That’s a treat for me!
$450.00 later and the truck is ready for its next trip -- major expense was a storage battery -- the truck was still running on its original battery! Would rather get one here where I know folks than go 'dead' on the road somewhere and really have to pay thru the nose.
Then to the Italian place for shrimp pasta with Brenda and on to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, off to Waco to pick up oxygen tanks. A trip to Waco also means a stop at a few used books stores and Good Will! Stopped in McGregor at the feed store on the way home. They have a gift shop with some neat stuff. Kinda pricey but really unusual. Picked up a few things for Christmas.
Lee and Mary Jane stopped by for a visit on their way to town. Just love being here and visiting with these folks. They have been friends for so long. I miss them while I’m in Rockport or in Iowa.
Thursday off to Sunbelt RV in Belton for odds and ends of RV replacement stuff. My things to do list is just about complete! WHEW! 88 degrees with a dusty hot breeze. Glad the A/C works! Again lunch with Brenda and coffee with Johnnie – do you see a pattern here?!
Friday, nobody loves me today!!! Brenda bailed on lunch 'cuz her patient load was in Hamilton and Johnnie's not home -- BUMMER! Li'lBit and I will just take a nap!
Went to Copperas Cove and had a really nice lunch with Donna and her son, Robert, on Saturday. German food. I had jagerschnitzel -- great mushroom gravy -- came with red cabbage and a cucumber in sour cream salad. Next time I’m just going to get a plate of spaetzel and gravy to go!!
Meat loaf and pork chops at Johnnie’s on Sunday. She must be able to read my mind! I've had a ‘taste’ for meat loaf for so long and hadn’t made any! And how can an Iowa girl pass up a pork chop! She coated each one lightly with Ranch Salad Dressing mix (the powder) -- then put them in the oven and covered with aluminum foil. Nice flavor and not dry.
Have a new full-time RVer in the park. Single lady,younger than me (aren't most folks!?)-- lots skinnier than me, too! And a really spiffy dresser. She knows Ed & Linda that own the park and I believe she is going to be a semi-permanent resident here.
Monday was do laundry or go naked day! Under a wind warning -- never did get much rain out of the storms that blew the last couple of days. Waco got hit pretty hard and some bad winds south of Fort Worth, but nothing major here.
Tuesday is check the tires on the truck and get my vehicle inspection...didn’t pass the state safety inspection! HUH?? Just had the truck in the shop for its well-baby check up and I cannot pass a safety inspection! New state law about the darkness of the window tint. My driver’s window and front passenger window were too dark! GEEZ! Gotta have the windows stripped! Went to Aloha Glass Tinting here in Gatesville with my sad tale of woe! Truck went in on Thursday.
Received a very sad email notice that a classmate’s husband died suddenly from a stroke. It was so difficult to comprehend – had just spent a couple wonderful days visiting with Judi when I was in Iowa and I could hear her chuckles and laughs when she was talking about things that she and her husband had done.
Appointment for new fingernails on Wednesday. Haven’t seen Chevi since I hit the road – she has her work cut out for her! Nice treat being pampered and visiting with Chevi.
Made a crock pot breakfast. Wouldn't want to serve it to comany, looks kinda messy: hashbrowns, onions, peppers, sausage, cheese with an egg/milk mixture poured all over it and cooked all nite. Really tasty; really ugly in the bowl! Even garnish wouldn't help! But Tinga and I liked it and so did Holly and Li’lBit!
Thursday was window tint day. Had lunch with Brenda, dropped the truck off at Aloha Glass Tinting – Johnnie came by to pick me up – drank coffee at her place until the truck was done. They did a nice job. Tint didn’t seem any lighter to me – but another trip for an inspection would ‘approve!”
While at Johnnie's, I noticed her voters card was blue – hmmmm…mine is orange. Closer look at mine...it expired 2009! Needless to say, when I got home, I started tearing my files and cabinets apart looking for a BLUE voter card. Nothing! Made a note to call Hamilton County Voters office in the AM. Got on line for Sec of State Voters Info -- YES, it shows I was registered -- where's the damn card. Another stumbling block -- but I sure knew I wasn't going to set out this election! The missing card was found in my little strong box with all my insurance papers, birth certificate, social security card, military papers, critters rabies certificates, etc! Guess I knew that little blue card needed some safe keeping! No way a political junky like me was going to set out November 2 mid-term elections! No Way!
Friday 29th down to 39 degrees. Space heater going, hoodie on! Pack up trick or treat goodies for Johnnie’s grandkids and off I go for coffee. Don’t suppose I need to tell anyone that I tend to over-dose on caffeine while I’m here!
The weekend brought Halloween and the Boo-Zaar in Downtown Gatesville. Since the RV park is only one block from town square and one block from the park where the concert was held, it was not a quite evening! At least they break up the festivities by about 10PM. It is fun to watch the youngsters waddling down the street in their costumes. I often wonder how many of them trip over their costumes, fall, and spill their bag of goodies all over the street!
Tuesday: Truck in by 8AM. As usual, they need the truck for several hours to get everything checked and done. I fill my big thermo-mug, take a good book and wait in waiting area. They have a nice big screen TV and get cable channels. That’s a treat for me!
$450.00 later and the truck is ready for its next trip -- major expense was a storage battery -- the truck was still running on its original battery! Would rather get one here where I know folks than go 'dead' on the road somewhere and really have to pay thru the nose.
Then to the Italian place for shrimp pasta with Brenda and on to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, off to Waco to pick up oxygen tanks. A trip to Waco also means a stop at a few used books stores and Good Will! Stopped in McGregor at the feed store on the way home. They have a gift shop with some neat stuff. Kinda pricey but really unusual. Picked up a few things for Christmas.
Lee and Mary Jane stopped by for a visit on their way to town. Just love being here and visiting with these folks. They have been friends for so long. I miss them while I’m in Rockport or in Iowa.
Thursday off to Sunbelt RV in Belton for odds and ends of RV replacement stuff. My things to do list is just about complete! WHEW! 88 degrees with a dusty hot breeze. Glad the A/C works! Again lunch with Brenda and coffee with Johnnie – do you see a pattern here?!
Friday, nobody loves me today!!! Brenda bailed on lunch 'cuz her patient load was in Hamilton and Johnnie's not home -- BUMMER! Li'lBit and I will just take a nap!
Went to Copperas Cove and had a really nice lunch with Donna and her son, Robert, on Saturday. German food. I had jagerschnitzel -- great mushroom gravy -- came with red cabbage and a cucumber in sour cream salad. Next time I’m just going to get a plate of spaetzel and gravy to go!!
Meat loaf and pork chops at Johnnie’s on Sunday. She must be able to read my mind! I've had a ‘taste’ for meat loaf for so long and hadn’t made any! And how can an Iowa girl pass up a pork chop! She coated each one lightly with Ranch Salad Dressing mix (the powder) -- then put them in the oven and covered with aluminum foil. Nice flavor and not dry.
Have a new full-time RVer in the park. Single lady,younger than me (aren't most folks!?)-- lots skinnier than me, too! And a really spiffy dresser. She knows Ed & Linda that own the park and I believe she is going to be a semi-permanent resident here.
Monday was do laundry or go naked day! Under a wind warning -- never did get much rain out of the storms that blew the last couple of days. Waco got hit pretty hard and some bad winds south of Fort Worth, but nothing major here.
Tuesday is check the tires on the truck and get my vehicle inspection...didn’t pass the state safety inspection! HUH?? Just had the truck in the shop for its well-baby check up and I cannot pass a safety inspection! New state law about the darkness of the window tint. My driver’s window and front passenger window were too dark! GEEZ! Gotta have the windows stripped! Went to Aloha Glass Tinting here in Gatesville with my sad tale of woe! Truck went in on Thursday.
Received a very sad email notice that a classmate’s husband died suddenly from a stroke. It was so difficult to comprehend – had just spent a couple wonderful days visiting with Judi when I was in Iowa and I could hear her chuckles and laughs when she was talking about things that she and her husband had done.
Appointment for new fingernails on Wednesday. Haven’t seen Chevi since I hit the road – she has her work cut out for her! Nice treat being pampered and visiting with Chevi.
Made a crock pot breakfast. Wouldn't want to serve it to comany, looks kinda messy: hashbrowns, onions, peppers, sausage, cheese with an egg/milk mixture poured all over it and cooked all nite. Really tasty; really ugly in the bowl! Even garnish wouldn't help! But Tinga and I liked it and so did Holly and Li’lBit!
Thursday was window tint day. Had lunch with Brenda, dropped the truck off at Aloha Glass Tinting – Johnnie came by to pick me up – drank coffee at her place until the truck was done. They did a nice job. Tint didn’t seem any lighter to me – but another trip for an inspection would ‘approve!”
While at Johnnie's, I noticed her voters card was blue – hmmmm…mine is orange. Closer look at mine...it expired 2009! Needless to say, when I got home, I started tearing my files and cabinets apart looking for a BLUE voter card. Nothing! Made a note to call Hamilton County Voters office in the AM. Got on line for Sec of State Voters Info -- YES, it shows I was registered -- where's the damn card. Another stumbling block -- but I sure knew I wasn't going to set out this election! The missing card was found in my little strong box with all my insurance papers, birth certificate, social security card, military papers, critters rabies certificates, etc! Guess I knew that little blue card needed some safe keeping! No way a political junky like me was going to set out November 2 mid-term elections! No Way!
Friday 29th down to 39 degrees. Space heater going, hoodie on! Pack up trick or treat goodies for Johnnie’s grandkids and off I go for coffee. Don’t suppose I need to tell anyone that I tend to over-dose on caffeine while I’m here!
The weekend brought Halloween and the Boo-Zaar in Downtown Gatesville. Since the RV park is only one block from town square and one block from the park where the concert was held, it was not a quite evening! At least they break up the festivities by about 10PM. It is fun to watch the youngsters waddling down the street in their costumes. I often wonder how many of them trip over their costumes, fall, and spill their bag of goodies all over the street!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
More Recipes! Some of my favorites for the fall
Fried Apples
6 tart apples, sliced
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup bacon drippings
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
In a large skillet, melt drippings. Spread apples evenly in skillet. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples. Add brown sugar and salt. Cover, cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bratwurst, Apples and Sauerkraut Crock Pot
4 tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 (27 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained & rinsed
1 lb cooked bratwurst links, halved or cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp caraway seed
Stir all ingredients together in the crock pot. Add 1/4 c. water. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. I love this served with potato pancakes.
Harvest Bean Soup
1/2 lb great northern beans
4 oz ham or sausage, cooked
1 potato, chopped – do not peel
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sage, crushed
2 cups milk
3-1/2 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
Rinse beans. In a Dutch oven combine beans and enough water to
cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. You can also just cover the beans with water and let soak overnite.
Drain off the water, rinse and return beans to the Dutch oven.
Stir in the 3-1/2 cups water, bite-size pieces of ham or sausage,
chopped carrots, potato, onion, salt, oregano, sage and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2
hours or till beans are tender, adding more water as needed.
Stir the milk into the bean soup.(take care in adding the milk to the soup…make sure the milk is warm prior to mixing in.) Cook the soup until heated through, stirring occasionally. Salt & pepper to taste.
King Ranch Casserole Crock pot
2 or 3 cooked chicken breasts, cut up. I usually just use left over chicken or canned chicken meat.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can full of mild Rotel or picante sauce. Use one of your empty soup cans to measure
Small onion chopped fine, optional. May also add chopped green peppers or hot peppers, your preference
Tostito chips, for layering
Shredded cheddar cheese, as much or as little as you like. Velvetta cheese also melts nicely.
Saute onion in a little of the Rotel or picante sauce until tender.
Line the bottom of your crock pot with crushed chips.
Mix all of the other liquid ingredients, both soups and the Rotel or picante sauce.
Layer chips, chicken pieces, sauce mixture, cheese ending with chips on top.
Set crock pot on high if you wish to serve within several hours, if you have
time to let it cook all day, then start out on high and then go to low and serve
when you are ready for dinner. If you want to make this in the oven, use a 9x13 inch
pan and follow the same directions, 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
Molasses Baked Beans
1 pkg dried navy beans
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
Dash of salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp powdered mustard
1/2 c molasses
1 (2 to 3 oz.) piece salt pork – I use left over ham or bacon
1 medium peeled whole onion
Soak beans overnight. In AM, drain and replace water. Parboil 10 to 15 minutes (not longer). Place onion in crock pot. Drain beans and put on top of onion. Dissolve salt, pepper, powdered mustard and molasses in 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Pour over beans. Add enough hot water to just cover top of beans. Place salt pork on top. Cover and set crock pot on high. Check every few hours and add water as needed. Cook for approx 6 to 7 hours.
6 tart apples, sliced
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup bacon drippings
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
In a large skillet, melt drippings. Spread apples evenly in skillet. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples. Add brown sugar and salt. Cover, cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bratwurst, Apples and Sauerkraut Crock Pot
4 tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 (27 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained & rinsed
1 lb cooked bratwurst links, halved or cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp caraway seed
Stir all ingredients together in the crock pot. Add 1/4 c. water. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. I love this served with potato pancakes.
Harvest Bean Soup
1/2 lb great northern beans
4 oz ham or sausage, cooked
1 potato, chopped – do not peel
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sage, crushed
2 cups milk
3-1/2 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
Rinse beans. In a Dutch oven combine beans and enough water to
cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. You can also just cover the beans with water and let soak overnite.
Drain off the water, rinse and return beans to the Dutch oven.
Stir in the 3-1/2 cups water, bite-size pieces of ham or sausage,
chopped carrots, potato, onion, salt, oregano, sage and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2
hours or till beans are tender, adding more water as needed.
Stir the milk into the bean soup.(take care in adding the milk to the soup…make sure the milk is warm prior to mixing in.) Cook the soup until heated through, stirring occasionally. Salt & pepper to taste.
King Ranch Casserole Crock pot
2 or 3 cooked chicken breasts, cut up. I usually just use left over chicken or canned chicken meat.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can full of mild Rotel or picante sauce. Use one of your empty soup cans to measure
Small onion chopped fine, optional. May also add chopped green peppers or hot peppers, your preference
Tostito chips, for layering
Shredded cheddar cheese, as much or as little as you like. Velvetta cheese also melts nicely.
Saute onion in a little of the Rotel or picante sauce until tender.
Line the bottom of your crock pot with crushed chips.
Mix all of the other liquid ingredients, both soups and the Rotel or picante sauce.
Layer chips, chicken pieces, sauce mixture, cheese ending with chips on top.
Set crock pot on high if you wish to serve within several hours, if you have
time to let it cook all day, then start out on high and then go to low and serve
when you are ready for dinner. If you want to make this in the oven, use a 9x13 inch
pan and follow the same directions, 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
Molasses Baked Beans
1 pkg dried navy beans
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
Dash of salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp powdered mustard
1/2 c molasses
1 (2 to 3 oz.) piece salt pork – I use left over ham or bacon
1 medium peeled whole onion
Soak beans overnight. In AM, drain and replace water. Parboil 10 to 15 minutes (not longer). Place onion in crock pot. Drain beans and put on top of onion. Dissolve salt, pepper, powdered mustard and molasses in 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Pour over beans. Add enough hot water to just cover top of beans. Place salt pork on top. Cover and set crock pot on high. Check every few hours and add water as needed. Cook for approx 6 to 7 hours.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
October 2010 - On The Road Again!
Friday October 1 the packing and closing up business got serious! I’m trying to thin out and pack up and my sister wants to go to Kohls and Target in Des Moines. Crazy oxygen tank decided to go empty on me about ½ way thru my money-spending spree! Had a really great supper at the Okoboji Grill http://www.okobojigrill.com/
I will never know how the gas companies know when I'm going to be on the road; diesel was $2.99 That's nearly 50 cents/gal higher than a couple of weeks ago. But the truck's belly is full.
Monday, October 4, On the Road Again! Destination Homewood RV Park, Homewood KS. Arrived mid afternoon...electricity plugged in -- computer is up and running, Li'lBit watered the lawn! Arrival chores completed! Only had one 'accident' - forgot to put a jar of sweet pickles away. Jar rolled from counter to floor -- the waste basket must have stopped it from crashing to the floor! The juice escaped on the kitchen floor and into the carpet at the end of the table -- think it will probably take a good soaking of rug soap when I get to Gatesville -- not going to do anything now -- but did put down a bunch of paper towels to soak it up. Fortunately, it was a small jar -- jar didn't break -- lid just came loose -- didn't even come all the way off, but the pickle juice 'escaped'!
Tuesday I woke to 46 degrees (according to the weatherbug!) -- evidentially I didn't get far enough south! Supposed to get into the 70's in KS and OK and the 80's in TX so at least I'm heading the right direction. Li'lBit's been out to water the lawn -- critters fed; coffee made. Still smells a little like a pickle factory! But the floor in the kitchen wasn't sticky this AM so I must have gotten that part of the floor clean!
Only about 4 hrs to Guthrie.
Pioneer Park in Guthrie OK, my other regular stop. When I went to check in the lady said, "please remember to unplug the electric before you pull out." I must have had a really dumb look on my face and she told me I had pulled the electric post loose. Then I remembered, that the post was loose when I went to plug in on my stop over enroute to Iowa in the spring. I was going to go back up and tell her when the guy next to me said she knew about it and it was OK to use - he steadied the post when I plugged in -- told her that and she shook her head and said she ‘remembered them.’ I remember emailing Bea about how rowdy the crew next to me were with their booze and playing horseshoe, etc. So we talked about that for awhile, then sent me to my site with a map.
When I pulled in the hook-ups were on the 'wrong' side. I pulled into the wrong spot and barely had room to get out around a damn truck parked in front of the RV next to me. The lady from the office came to my rescue - she told me the "second" spot -- so I counted -- drive, one spot, two spots -- pulled in -- OOPS -- that wasn't a drive -- it was the first spot! She talked me thru pulling up, backing up, pulling up, straightening out etc etc etc and I made it. I'm really proud of my maneuvering and her directions -- got me out of a tight space, with a fence in front and a big dually truck parked behind, a tree on one side and a motor home on the other. Of course, when it was all over, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack! I’m sure they will be happy to see me come again! I told her next spring when I make reservations, I'll just tell her I'm her 'problem child' and she'll remember who I am!
Wanted to be on the road by 9AM on Wednesday. Woke to a little fog. It's 6 hours to Gatesville if I don't get hung up anywhere or have to make too many potty stops. Needed fuel and had planned on stopping at the Shell station just at the I-35 on ramp. Not to be…diesel pumps “out of order.” Knew I had enough fuel to make it to Paul’s Valley if I couldn’t find anything else – so On the Road Again!
Eventually found a couple more gas stations that have elevated their awnings over the fuel pumps for RVs! I like to keep a list with me of 'convenient RV friendly easy-on-easy-off' gas stations so I don't have to do a lot of turning and twisting!
However, prior to getting to Pauls Valley, I pulled off the interstate for fuel – not a good exit. Too much business, shopping center, etc. Ended up on a narrow street taking me to a ‘dead end’ parking lot that appeared to be full. Decided I could go around the Waffle house and pull back onto the highway – WRONG! Couldn’t get around the back of the Waffle House – dumpsters lined up blocking the area in the back. So, just like I knew what I was doing, with their parking lot nearly empty, I decided to pull a U-turn right there in the little side lot. About the time I was half-way thru my turn, I saw several faces peering out the front window. I continued to make my turn (thanks to the extended king-pin hitch, I can cut nearly 90 degrees). Once I realized I was going to make it, I rolled down my window, put my arm out and waved at the smiling faces….hoping all the time I wasn’t going pee my pants in the process!
Road construction sucks. Computer monitor and keyboard on the floor when I arrived in Gatesville! At least the CPU and printer were still in place! Gotta love Earthquake Putty! No damage -- everything was wrapped in blankets -- just a MESS -- one of the doors over the computer desk came open -- OOPS! lots of odds and ends to pick up. And, later, found that my trip down thru the ditch and up to the other side of the highway (road construction!!!) ‘dinged’ my sewer pipe and the line from the shower to the main line needed to be replaced. Johnnie’s son Toby came by later and tended to that! Oh, it’s so nice to have friends that can do all of this sort of thing!
I pulled in to Gatesville late afternoon so we (the guys at the park, Buzz & Fred, and the owners, Ed & Linda) decided to unhitch Thursday AM, giving me time to pick up all the mess from the cabinets and giving me time to corral Holly and get her in her carrier. If she isn’t ‘corralled’ she runs under the bed as the slides go out, then I have to ‘jailed’ in there with no way out!
Thursday AM heading to 84 degrees; my ol' body ain't used to THAT!
Ed pointed out that my 30/50 amp 'dog bone' has a 'burned' plug. Will have to watch that, fortunately, I don’t need it here.
Buzz noticed that I have some peeling on the roof -- probably from branches catching or something. Will have that checked when I get to Rockport -- don't need a leaking roof! Lee and Mary Jane stopped by and found a “ding” on the driver’s side of the RV – evidentially the ‘ding’ and the roof damage came with my fancy maneuvering around the trees in Guthrie!
Friday was a ‘do nothing’ day – a day to mess with odds and ends and catch my breath. Brenda brought my mail – that’s always a treat – she saves all of the catalogues and junk mail for when I return!
Called first thing in the AM to get a vet appointment for LI'lBit; they told me to bring her right in! How's that for service! Dr Clay took care of her -- he thinks she is doing "just fine for an old girl!" Gave her a shot and I got some antibiotic spray for where she scratches her butt.
Waco Bird Club met Saturday at Collin Street Bakery on I-35 near Waco. Nice little deli – and I do so love their apricot/pecan fruit cakes – about the only fruit cakes I like! Not cheap, but oh, soooo good! It was great seeing Don and the gang from the bird club. Get to see them and visit about twice a year. It is still a wonderful “fix” for what ails me since I don’t have all of my parrots.
Sunday lunch with Johnnie on the 10th -- frog eye salad and chicken fried steak. Brought home a doggie bag, too. Dairy Queen with Brenda and the girls Sunday afternoon. All is well with the world!
Woke to 66 degrees and humid on Monday -- 40% chance of rain but looks like we will just get the humidity and most of the rain will stay NE of us. Major plan for the day is sorting out all of the mail that Brenda brought. She brought all of the catalogs and magazines she doesn't forward so you know I have to take time to look at all of those! Had some lunch with Brenda at the Mexican restaurant.
Tuesday afternoon tea and cobbler with Sherrel Broam at Swindalls to rehash all the old TDC days! That usually lasts until we get kicked out for the supper crowd!
Wednesday was scheduled as “lunch with Cindy.” Didn’t get home until nearly supper time -- Lunch, my ass! She had planned a 'surprise welcome home' party with a bunch of officers I worked with from the prison -- we are all on Facebook together now. Carol made a really fancy pumpkin cake and her husband, Mark, was there with his camera – what a terrific photographer he is. Johnnie was there, too and she didn't say a damn thing to me -- and she knows how I hate 'surprises!!"
I didn't know I would be treated to one of Carol's fancy decorated cakes -- what a treat! And Thanks to Mark for taking so many wonderful pics of the event. Check out Mark's photography at http://countryimages.smugmug.com/
October 14th Brrrr....hoodie weather -- 47 degrees! Even Holly and Li'lBit find warmth with a friend! Awake and going at 6AM! I couldn't just lay there and smell the brisket in the crockpot cooking any longer! Had to get up and "taste test' it! YUMMY!
Lunch with Brenda and her sister Friday noon at the pasta place. I’m such a social butterfly here! Too many folks to see, too much gossip to catch up on and too many good places to eat!
I will never know how the gas companies know when I'm going to be on the road; diesel was $2.99 That's nearly 50 cents/gal higher than a couple of weeks ago. But the truck's belly is full.
Monday, October 4, On the Road Again! Destination Homewood RV Park, Homewood KS. Arrived mid afternoon...electricity plugged in -- computer is up and running, Li'lBit watered the lawn! Arrival chores completed! Only had one 'accident' - forgot to put a jar of sweet pickles away. Jar rolled from counter to floor -- the waste basket must have stopped it from crashing to the floor! The juice escaped on the kitchen floor and into the carpet at the end of the table -- think it will probably take a good soaking of rug soap when I get to Gatesville -- not going to do anything now -- but did put down a bunch of paper towels to soak it up. Fortunately, it was a small jar -- jar didn't break -- lid just came loose -- didn't even come all the way off, but the pickle juice 'escaped'!
Tuesday I woke to 46 degrees (according to the weatherbug!) -- evidentially I didn't get far enough south! Supposed to get into the 70's in KS and OK and the 80's in TX so at least I'm heading the right direction. Li'lBit's been out to water the lawn -- critters fed; coffee made. Still smells a little like a pickle factory! But the floor in the kitchen wasn't sticky this AM so I must have gotten that part of the floor clean!
Only about 4 hrs to Guthrie.
Pioneer Park in Guthrie OK, my other regular stop. When I went to check in the lady said, "please remember to unplug the electric before you pull out." I must have had a really dumb look on my face and she told me I had pulled the electric post loose. Then I remembered, that the post was loose when I went to plug in on my stop over enroute to Iowa in the spring. I was going to go back up and tell her when the guy next to me said she knew about it and it was OK to use - he steadied the post when I plugged in -- told her that and she shook her head and said she ‘remembered them.’ I remember emailing Bea about how rowdy the crew next to me were with their booze and playing horseshoe, etc. So we talked about that for awhile, then sent me to my site with a map.
When I pulled in the hook-ups were on the 'wrong' side. I pulled into the wrong spot and barely had room to get out around a damn truck parked in front of the RV next to me. The lady from the office came to my rescue - she told me the "second" spot -- so I counted -- drive, one spot, two spots -- pulled in -- OOPS -- that wasn't a drive -- it was the first spot! She talked me thru pulling up, backing up, pulling up, straightening out etc etc etc and I made it. I'm really proud of my maneuvering and her directions -- got me out of a tight space, with a fence in front and a big dually truck parked behind, a tree on one side and a motor home on the other. Of course, when it was all over, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack! I’m sure they will be happy to see me come again! I told her next spring when I make reservations, I'll just tell her I'm her 'problem child' and she'll remember who I am!
Wanted to be on the road by 9AM on Wednesday. Woke to a little fog. It's 6 hours to Gatesville if I don't get hung up anywhere or have to make too many potty stops. Needed fuel and had planned on stopping at the Shell station just at the I-35 on ramp. Not to be…diesel pumps “out of order.” Knew I had enough fuel to make it to Paul’s Valley if I couldn’t find anything else – so On the Road Again!
Eventually found a couple more gas stations that have elevated their awnings over the fuel pumps for RVs! I like to keep a list with me of 'convenient RV friendly easy-on-easy-off' gas stations so I don't have to do a lot of turning and twisting!
However, prior to getting to Pauls Valley, I pulled off the interstate for fuel – not a good exit. Too much business, shopping center, etc. Ended up on a narrow street taking me to a ‘dead end’ parking lot that appeared to be full. Decided I could go around the Waffle house and pull back onto the highway – WRONG! Couldn’t get around the back of the Waffle House – dumpsters lined up blocking the area in the back. So, just like I knew what I was doing, with their parking lot nearly empty, I decided to pull a U-turn right there in the little side lot. About the time I was half-way thru my turn, I saw several faces peering out the front window. I continued to make my turn (thanks to the extended king-pin hitch, I can cut nearly 90 degrees). Once I realized I was going to make it, I rolled down my window, put my arm out and waved at the smiling faces….hoping all the time I wasn’t going pee my pants in the process!
Road construction sucks. Computer monitor and keyboard on the floor when I arrived in Gatesville! At least the CPU and printer were still in place! Gotta love Earthquake Putty! No damage -- everything was wrapped in blankets -- just a MESS -- one of the doors over the computer desk came open -- OOPS! lots of odds and ends to pick up. And, later, found that my trip down thru the ditch and up to the other side of the highway (road construction!!!) ‘dinged’ my sewer pipe and the line from the shower to the main line needed to be replaced. Johnnie’s son Toby came by later and tended to that! Oh, it’s so nice to have friends that can do all of this sort of thing!
I pulled in to Gatesville late afternoon so we (the guys at the park, Buzz & Fred, and the owners, Ed & Linda) decided to unhitch Thursday AM, giving me time to pick up all the mess from the cabinets and giving me time to corral Holly and get her in her carrier. If she isn’t ‘corralled’ she runs under the bed as the slides go out, then I have to ‘jailed’ in there with no way out!
Thursday AM heading to 84 degrees; my ol' body ain't used to THAT!
Ed pointed out that my 30/50 amp 'dog bone' has a 'burned' plug. Will have to watch that, fortunately, I don’t need it here.
Buzz noticed that I have some peeling on the roof -- probably from branches catching or something. Will have that checked when I get to Rockport -- don't need a leaking roof! Lee and Mary Jane stopped by and found a “ding” on the driver’s side of the RV – evidentially the ‘ding’ and the roof damage came with my fancy maneuvering around the trees in Guthrie!
Friday was a ‘do nothing’ day – a day to mess with odds and ends and catch my breath. Brenda brought my mail – that’s always a treat – she saves all of the catalogues and junk mail for when I return!
Called first thing in the AM to get a vet appointment for LI'lBit; they told me to bring her right in! How's that for service! Dr Clay took care of her -- he thinks she is doing "just fine for an old girl!" Gave her a shot and I got some antibiotic spray for where she scratches her butt.
Waco Bird Club met Saturday at Collin Street Bakery on I-35 near Waco. Nice little deli – and I do so love their apricot/pecan fruit cakes – about the only fruit cakes I like! Not cheap, but oh, soooo good! It was great seeing Don and the gang from the bird club. Get to see them and visit about twice a year. It is still a wonderful “fix” for what ails me since I don’t have all of my parrots.
Sunday lunch with Johnnie on the 10th -- frog eye salad and chicken fried steak. Brought home a doggie bag, too. Dairy Queen with Brenda and the girls Sunday afternoon. All is well with the world!
Woke to 66 degrees and humid on Monday -- 40% chance of rain but looks like we will just get the humidity and most of the rain will stay NE of us. Major plan for the day is sorting out all of the mail that Brenda brought. She brought all of the catalogs and magazines she doesn't forward so you know I have to take time to look at all of those! Had some lunch with Brenda at the Mexican restaurant.
Tuesday afternoon tea and cobbler with Sherrel Broam at Swindalls to rehash all the old TDC days! That usually lasts until we get kicked out for the supper crowd!
Wednesday was scheduled as “lunch with Cindy.” Didn’t get home until nearly supper time -- Lunch, my ass! She had planned a 'surprise welcome home' party with a bunch of officers I worked with from the prison -- we are all on Facebook together now. Carol made a really fancy pumpkin cake and her husband, Mark, was there with his camera – what a terrific photographer he is. Johnnie was there, too and she didn't say a damn thing to me -- and she knows how I hate 'surprises!!"
I didn't know I would be treated to one of Carol's fancy decorated cakes -- what a treat! And Thanks to Mark for taking so many wonderful pics of the event. Check out Mark's photography at http://countryimages.smugmug.com/
October 14th Brrrr....hoodie weather -- 47 degrees! Even Holly and Li'lBit find warmth with a friend! Awake and going at 6AM! I couldn't just lay there and smell the brisket in the crockpot cooking any longer! Had to get up and "taste test' it! YUMMY!
Lunch with Brenda and her sister Friday noon at the pasta place. I’m such a social butterfly here! Too many folks to see, too much gossip to catch up on and too many good places to eat!
September Comes to an End.
By the middle of September it looked like I should be in Gatesville the 6th or 7th of October. Randy planned on coming by to hitch me up Sunday afternoon Oct 3 or after work Monday the 4th. I try desperately not to travel on weekends and if I head out too late, I run into the problem of the RV spaces being taken up with hunters. So the first of October seems like a good time to move. The temps were definitely getting cooler and the cooler mornings made excellent sleeping weather but also means it is time to head south.
It’s time to start sorting out, tossing out, packing up and getting ready to hitch up. This has to be the worse part of RVing, made worse by the fact that I'm a pack rat and I've been in one place since the end of May!
On Thursday, Sept 16, I went to the local college for the senior luncheon series. Wish I had known of that sooner! What a delightful event. Nice lunch and interesting speaker. Will definitely have to check into those earlier next summer! After seeing their adult series catalogue, there are several classes and sessions that sound quite interesting.
Friday the 17th I celebrated Constitution Day at That Place in Conrad pigging out on their prime rib – unbelievable! It was great spending time with Kathy & Jim – always enjoy their company and never seem to see them often enough.
The wheel turns, seasons pass and pass again, the circle stays unbroken. Bright Blessings for the Autumnal Equinox, September 22nd. My sister is the one to remember all of the holidays. She had an Autumnal equinox gift for me – festive fall pot holder and pot scrubber and some great candy!
Met Ingrid, Judi, and Sherri for lunch. Not quite knowing what was available as far as cafes/restaurants, we met at the McDonald’s parking lot at the I-80 exit at Williamsburg. We tried to find a 'happy medium' between Sherri in Des Moines and Judi in the Quad Cities. Decided on the restaurant across the highway. Got there at 12:30 and finally decided we needed to leave just before 5 PM! I laughed so hard my cheeks and jaw ached! Judi is funny as can be! I couldn't get over the fact that, with the exception of Ingrid and I, we really didn’t ‘hang together’ much in high school. We have all had a whole bunch of stumbling blocks along the way and we all landed on our feet! Now I can't wait to get back here next summer so we can meet more often!
Prior to leaving town, I emailed my sister with my route and expected time of retur. About the time I was leaving the restaurant, she called to see where I was (of course, I hadn’t told her I’d still be there at 5PM!) She called again about the time I was pulling into my drive. I'm soooo glad I'm here for her so she can have something to worry about!
I really need to find more time for days like this! I'll be back just before Memorial Day next year -- that gives us June, July, August, AND September! Gotta plan on more than one of these! And while making plans for next summer, I didn’t make it to the Bridges of Madison County and still haven’t taken a trip down the White Post Road. Next summer!
I became quite a coupon clipper. Coupon for $3.99 broasted chicken dinner at Haley's Deli is always a ‘clipper!’ And the weekly meat specials at Fareway’s meat market are also keeper coupons.
Little odds and ends of job get done when packing up. As I picked up my Trailer Cash bank, and the bottom fell out and coins went all over, decided it was time to roll them and cash them in. $35 in nickels, dimes and pennies. Then, after I get them rolled, I find that the bank just unrolls them to count them with their magic coin counter! I’ll remember that the next time!
Finally the shepherd hooks came down, potted plants dumped or trimmed back to save and transport and the little wren house cleaned out. I sure did enjoy my wrens. Need to get a taller hook for next year so I can see them from my window without have to stand up and look down to see them! The hooks were dumped at Bea’s house for her to store so I don’t have to cart them back and forth. They only get used in Iowa.
As September wound down and October was rapidly catching up, a professional garbage hauler was becoming a necessity! One of the tote boxes from the truck was nearly full of water so a whole bunch of unnecessary stuff had to be tossed out -- obviously didn't need the stuff anyway since I didn't know what was in there. The trash bags are accumulating both for the dumpster and for Good Will!
It’s time to start sorting out, tossing out, packing up and getting ready to hitch up. This has to be the worse part of RVing, made worse by the fact that I'm a pack rat and I've been in one place since the end of May!
On Thursday, Sept 16, I went to the local college for the senior luncheon series. Wish I had known of that sooner! What a delightful event. Nice lunch and interesting speaker. Will definitely have to check into those earlier next summer! After seeing their adult series catalogue, there are several classes and sessions that sound quite interesting.
Friday the 17th I celebrated Constitution Day at That Place in Conrad pigging out on their prime rib – unbelievable! It was great spending time with Kathy & Jim – always enjoy their company and never seem to see them often enough.
The wheel turns, seasons pass and pass again, the circle stays unbroken. Bright Blessings for the Autumnal Equinox, September 22nd. My sister is the one to remember all of the holidays. She had an Autumnal equinox gift for me – festive fall pot holder and pot scrubber and some great candy!
Met Ingrid, Judi, and Sherri for lunch. Not quite knowing what was available as far as cafes/restaurants, we met at the McDonald’s parking lot at the I-80 exit at Williamsburg. We tried to find a 'happy medium' between Sherri in Des Moines and Judi in the Quad Cities. Decided on the restaurant across the highway. Got there at 12:30 and finally decided we needed to leave just before 5 PM! I laughed so hard my cheeks and jaw ached! Judi is funny as can be! I couldn't get over the fact that, with the exception of Ingrid and I, we really didn’t ‘hang together’ much in high school. We have all had a whole bunch of stumbling blocks along the way and we all landed on our feet! Now I can't wait to get back here next summer so we can meet more often!
Prior to leaving town, I emailed my sister with my route and expected time of retur. About the time I was leaving the restaurant, she called to see where I was (of course, I hadn’t told her I’d still be there at 5PM!) She called again about the time I was pulling into my drive. I'm soooo glad I'm here for her so she can have something to worry about!
I really need to find more time for days like this! I'll be back just before Memorial Day next year -- that gives us June, July, August, AND September! Gotta plan on more than one of these! And while making plans for next summer, I didn’t make it to the Bridges of Madison County and still haven’t taken a trip down the White Post Road. Next summer!
I became quite a coupon clipper. Coupon for $3.99 broasted chicken dinner at Haley's Deli is always a ‘clipper!’ And the weekly meat specials at Fareway’s meat market are also keeper coupons.
Little odds and ends of job get done when packing up. As I picked up my Trailer Cash bank, and the bottom fell out and coins went all over, decided it was time to roll them and cash them in. $35 in nickels, dimes and pennies. Then, after I get them rolled, I find that the bank just unrolls them to count them with their magic coin counter! I’ll remember that the next time!
Finally the shepherd hooks came down, potted plants dumped or trimmed back to save and transport and the little wren house cleaned out. I sure did enjoy my wrens. Need to get a taller hook for next year so I can see them from my window without have to stand up and look down to see them! The hooks were dumped at Bea’s house for her to store so I don’t have to cart them back and forth. They only get used in Iowa.
As September wound down and October was rapidly catching up, a professional garbage hauler was becoming a necessity! One of the tote boxes from the truck was nearly full of water so a whole bunch of unnecessary stuff had to be tossed out -- obviously didn't need the stuff anyway since I didn't know what was in there. The trash bags are accumulating both for the dumpster and for Good Will!
Monday, November 8, 2010
September 1 - 15 - Catchin' Up!
Started September with my normal rounds in Marshalltown – first to get the laundry done, then to Wal Mart for a hair cut and pick up odds and ends on my shopping list, then to Good Will to see if they had anything I couldn't live without -- found a nice quiche pan…no, I don’t make quiche often but it’s a nice pan! Then off to Fareway to pick up their meat department specials. Wednesday nite was fried chicken nite at Culvers with my sister and her friend Marilyn.
The baby wrens fledged. Had 5 itsy bitsy wren-like birds in my bird feeder. I didn't think they had that many babies -- need to refill the feeder.
Friends stopped by on Saturday and visited the Big Tree House. Always love a good visit!
The vast variety of pollens in Iowa this fall (things evidentially grew quite well with all the spring rains!) have knocked me for a loop! Have spent a few days in bed thinking I was dying and almost wishing I would! Well, not QUITE that bad, but I didn't do much other than let Lil'Bit out to do her thing, feed and water the critters and crawl back to bed with my oxygen and my laptop.
I'll have to admit, I kinda 'baby' myself. I don't have to get up, get dressed and get going anywhere, so I tend to the morning chores for the critters, get the coffee pot going and head right back to bed with my bottles of pills!
Glad I stocked up on soup mixes while I was in Kalona awhile back. It is a lot easier 'just adding water' to their mixes than making my own! Planned on heading back to pick up some more before I move back to TX next month.
Sunday Sept 6th my coffee pot DIED! Oh, No! Glad I still have the old percolator for the stove! I don't quite have the energy to go into town and look for another right now. If my crock pot dies, I'm really in trouble and I'll find the energy!
I've been cleared by the eye doc. Went to WalMart to pick up the Rx. One of my eye drops is up to $85 - thank God for insurance!! Actually, when I got home and compared it to my last bottle, it's a 10 ml bottle instead of 5 ml so the price increase isn’t quite so bad!
Bea came by with some friends and took one of my recliners; I certainly didn’t need THREE! Rearranged the living area, moved the bird cage and the pub table. It’s amazing how much more ‘open’ the room feels with the bird cage out of the center!
The baby wrens fledged. Had 5 itsy bitsy wren-like birds in my bird feeder. I didn't think they had that many babies -- need to refill the feeder.
Friends stopped by on Saturday and visited the Big Tree House. Always love a good visit!
The vast variety of pollens in Iowa this fall (things evidentially grew quite well with all the spring rains!) have knocked me for a loop! Have spent a few days in bed thinking I was dying and almost wishing I would! Well, not QUITE that bad, but I didn't do much other than let Lil'Bit out to do her thing, feed and water the critters and crawl back to bed with my oxygen and my laptop.
I'll have to admit, I kinda 'baby' myself. I don't have to get up, get dressed and get going anywhere, so I tend to the morning chores for the critters, get the coffee pot going and head right back to bed with my bottles of pills!
Glad I stocked up on soup mixes while I was in Kalona awhile back. It is a lot easier 'just adding water' to their mixes than making my own! Planned on heading back to pick up some more before I move back to TX next month.
Sunday Sept 6th my coffee pot DIED! Oh, No! Glad I still have the old percolator for the stove! I don't quite have the energy to go into town and look for another right now. If my crock pot dies, I'm really in trouble and I'll find the energy!
I've been cleared by the eye doc. Went to WalMart to pick up the Rx. One of my eye drops is up to $85 - thank God for insurance!! Actually, when I got home and compared it to my last bottle, it's a 10 ml bottle instead of 5 ml so the price increase isn’t quite so bad!
Bea came by with some friends and took one of my recliners; I certainly didn’t need THREE! Rearranged the living area, moved the bird cage and the pub table. It’s amazing how much more ‘open’ the room feels with the bird cage out of the center!
September Recipes
OATMEAL CROCK POT
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dates, chopped
4 cups water
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons honey
Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except half and half and honey in the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours. Stir in half and half and honey, and serve.
If you like more texture in your oatmeal, you can toast the oats before cooking. Place them in a shallow layer on a cookie sheet and toast them at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes, stirring once during cooking time, until oats are a darker gold color. Let cool completely before you combine with the rest of the ingredients in the recipe.
Stir well before serving. 4 servings
BEEF CASSEROLE LAYERED
3 potatoes, peeled and sliced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, sliced
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 quart canned tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs brown sugar
Layer the ingredients as listed, ending with salt and pepper. If desired,
sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.
BEEF AND TOT CASSEROLE
1 pound Ground Beef, lean
1/2 small Onion, minced
1 pound Tater Tots
10 1/2 ounces Cream of anything soup (undiluted) - I prefer cream of celery or mushroom
1 pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef with minced onion in a skillet. Drain off any excess fat, and set aside to cool at least 10 minutes. Once beef is cooled, mix cream of chicken soup into mixture, and place into a greased cake pan or small casserole dish. Cover with frozen Tater Tots. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes.
EASY SUPPER
2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion
4 cups cooked rice
3 Eggs
Worchester sauce
Brown hamburger and onion until done. Drain off fat. Take cooked rice
and brown in butter until somewhat dried. Combine with hamburger. Push
ingredients to edges of pan and make a open pit in the middle. Add eggs
and scramble them, when they are done, mix all ingredients together.
Add Worchester sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until
hot.
SHRIMP FRIED RICE
Rice – 1-2 C uncooked rice (I prefer brown rice) Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside
1 small onion or several green onions
1 cup frozen peas
2 TBS soy sauce
4 TBS cooking oil
1 egg (beat in a cup and set aside)
1 cup shrimp or other seafood
2 TBS soy sauce
1-2 slices bacon diced or diced ham
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up
into small pieces and stir.
Increase heat, add the shrimps, stir-fry until shrimp are cooked. (I prepare my shrimp ahead of time and heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add peas and heat until peas are thawed and warm. Add soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cool boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly. Additional seasonings can be added, your preference.
CHOCOLATE RICE PUDDING (CROCK POT)
4 cups cooked white rice (I use a combination white and brown rice)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
3 T. butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
2 (12-oz.) cans evaporated milk
Cool Whip for topping (optional)
Combine the first 6 ingredients in greased slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours, or until the liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or chilled. Top with Cool Whip.
NOTE: I have used 1 can evaporated milk and 1 can sweetened condensed milk. Decrease sugar if using sweetened condensed milk.
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dates, chopped
4 cups water
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons honey
Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except half and half and honey in the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours. Stir in half and half and honey, and serve.
If you like more texture in your oatmeal, you can toast the oats before cooking. Place them in a shallow layer on a cookie sheet and toast them at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes, stirring once during cooking time, until oats are a darker gold color. Let cool completely before you combine with the rest of the ingredients in the recipe.
Stir well before serving. 4 servings
BEEF CASSEROLE LAYERED
3 potatoes, peeled and sliced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, sliced
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 quart canned tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs brown sugar
Layer the ingredients as listed, ending with salt and pepper. If desired,
sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.
BEEF AND TOT CASSEROLE
1 pound Ground Beef, lean
1/2 small Onion, minced
1 pound Tater Tots
10 1/2 ounces Cream of anything soup (undiluted) - I prefer cream of celery or mushroom
1 pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef with minced onion in a skillet. Drain off any excess fat, and set aside to cool at least 10 minutes. Once beef is cooled, mix cream of chicken soup into mixture, and place into a greased cake pan or small casserole dish. Cover with frozen Tater Tots. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes.
EASY SUPPER
2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion
4 cups cooked rice
3 Eggs
Worchester sauce
Brown hamburger and onion until done. Drain off fat. Take cooked rice
and brown in butter until somewhat dried. Combine with hamburger. Push
ingredients to edges of pan and make a open pit in the middle. Add eggs
and scramble them, when they are done, mix all ingredients together.
Add Worchester sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until
hot.
SHRIMP FRIED RICE
Rice – 1-2 C uncooked rice (I prefer brown rice) Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside
1 small onion or several green onions
1 cup frozen peas
2 TBS soy sauce
4 TBS cooking oil
1 egg (beat in a cup and set aside)
1 cup shrimp or other seafood
2 TBS soy sauce
1-2 slices bacon diced or diced ham
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up
into small pieces and stir.
Increase heat, add the shrimps, stir-fry until shrimp are cooked. (I prepare my shrimp ahead of time and heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add peas and heat until peas are thawed and warm. Add soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cool boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly. Additional seasonings can be added, your preference.
CHOCOLATE RICE PUDDING (CROCK POT)
4 cups cooked white rice (I use a combination white and brown rice)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
3 T. butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
2 (12-oz.) cans evaporated milk
Cool Whip for topping (optional)
Combine the first 6 ingredients in greased slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours, or until the liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or chilled. Top with Cool Whip.
NOTE: I have used 1 can evaporated milk and 1 can sweetened condensed milk. Decrease sugar if using sweetened condensed milk.
WOW! Have I been BAD!
Way behind – so here’s the “Cliff Note” version of the end of August.
The truck went in to get the dings taken out – the body shop in Marshalltown did a terrific job! They had the vehicle less than a week, so I can’t complain about a thing! In fact, I asked them, while they were buffing and painting, the take out the scrapes I put in trying to go through a drive thru too narrow for my dually (my expense, not the insurance co’s!) They did a terrific job.
The weather in Iowa wasn’t too bad – ‘hoodie’ weather in the AM, warmer in the afternoon, but still had to battle the skeeters! Judy was fogging and/or spraying every couple of days and the skeeters still seemed to win – seemed like skeeters on steroids! It was really nice, however, that she came by, when trying a new spray, to show me the ingredients and warnings to see if it would bother Tinga. Don’t get service like that everywhere!
Did manage to fall coming out of the RV on morning – steps were damp from dew and I really ‘torqued’ my knee. Guess I’ll try anything to have an excuse to be lazy.
Why can't RVs have anything NORMAL size! Needed to get new sheets for the bed -- well, it isn't queen size and it isn't king size -- it is king-size WIDE and queen size LONG...GEEZ! Spent a couple of days running about trying to find a fitted sheet for the RV mattress. Finally bought a king size and made it fit!! Really didn’t need to be crawling about on the bed on my knees trying to get that crazy sheet on – still hadn’t recovered from the not-so-graceful move going down the steps – set the knee back a couple of days!
My coffee pot says "4 cups" right on the pot. Why can I only get TWO cups of coffee out of it? One of life's great mysteries!!
The very worse part of living in an RV park -- when the weather is nice, the windows are open and people down the way are grilling STEAKS!
Most things went on as usual: Sunday Brunch with Bea; yummy fish from the "over 55' menut at Perkins and fried chicken nite at Culvers!
August ended with a thunder boomer and winds that made me think spring was coming back! Need to start thinking about packing up and heading south!
The truck went in to get the dings taken out – the body shop in Marshalltown did a terrific job! They had the vehicle less than a week, so I can’t complain about a thing! In fact, I asked them, while they were buffing and painting, the take out the scrapes I put in trying to go through a drive thru too narrow for my dually (my expense, not the insurance co’s!) They did a terrific job.
The weather in Iowa wasn’t too bad – ‘hoodie’ weather in the AM, warmer in the afternoon, but still had to battle the skeeters! Judy was fogging and/or spraying every couple of days and the skeeters still seemed to win – seemed like skeeters on steroids! It was really nice, however, that she came by, when trying a new spray, to show me the ingredients and warnings to see if it would bother Tinga. Don’t get service like that everywhere!
Did manage to fall coming out of the RV on morning – steps were damp from dew and I really ‘torqued’ my knee. Guess I’ll try anything to have an excuse to be lazy.
Why can't RVs have anything NORMAL size! Needed to get new sheets for the bed -- well, it isn't queen size and it isn't king size -- it is king-size WIDE and queen size LONG...GEEZ! Spent a couple of days running about trying to find a fitted sheet for the RV mattress. Finally bought a king size and made it fit!! Really didn’t need to be crawling about on the bed on my knees trying to get that crazy sheet on – still hadn’t recovered from the not-so-graceful move going down the steps – set the knee back a couple of days!
My coffee pot says "4 cups" right on the pot. Why can I only get TWO cups of coffee out of it? One of life's great mysteries!!
The very worse part of living in an RV park -- when the weather is nice, the windows are open and people down the way are grilling STEAKS!
Most things went on as usual: Sunday Brunch with Bea; yummy fish from the "over 55' menut at Perkins and fried chicken nite at Culvers!
August ended with a thunder boomer and winds that made me think spring was coming back! Need to start thinking about packing up and heading south!
Monday, August 23, 2010
August Recipes
CAMPFIRE DINNER
1 lb (or more) ground beef (can use ground pork, ground ham, ground turkey!)
1/4 c milk
1 large onion, sliced
1 can cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
salt and pepper to taste
3 potatoes sliced
4 slices cheese
Optional: Any other vegetables you want to dump into the mix!
Put meat in bottom of crock pot, add salt and pepper and milk. Slice potatoes and onions over beef. Lay cheese on top. Pour a can of cream of mushrooms soup over top, and add 1/4 can of water. Cook overnight, low setting.
CUCUMBERS WITH SOUR CREAM AND DILL
2 to 3 cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
Optional: Sliced sweet onions
Slice cucumbers in a bowl, sprink layers with salt. Place a saucer or other weight on cucumbers to weigh down. Cover and let stand for several hours. Pour off cucumber juices. Combine sour cream, vinegar, pepper to taste, and chopped dill; add to cucumbers. Sliced onions may be added at this time.
CHERRY FLUFF PINK STUFF
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping (Cool Whip)
1 can crushed pineapple, drained well (8 oz or 20 oz – your preference)
1 (20 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk - OR
2 cups cottage cheese (drain off as much liquid as you can)
1 small box red Jello powder
1/2 cup soft flaked coconut (optional)
chopped pecans to your taste
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well. Chill overnight before serving.
1 lb (or more) ground beef (can use ground pork, ground ham, ground turkey!)
1/4 c milk
1 large onion, sliced
1 can cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
salt and pepper to taste
3 potatoes sliced
4 slices cheese
Optional: Any other vegetables you want to dump into the mix!
Put meat in bottom of crock pot, add salt and pepper and milk. Slice potatoes and onions over beef. Lay cheese on top. Pour a can of cream of mushrooms soup over top, and add 1/4 can of water. Cook overnight, low setting.
CUCUMBERS WITH SOUR CREAM AND DILL
2 to 3 cucumbers, thinly sliced
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
Optional: Sliced sweet onions
Slice cucumbers in a bowl, sprink layers with salt. Place a saucer or other weight on cucumbers to weigh down. Cover and let stand for several hours. Pour off cucumber juices. Combine sour cream, vinegar, pepper to taste, and chopped dill; add to cucumbers. Sliced onions may be added at this time.
CHERRY FLUFF PINK STUFF
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping (Cool Whip)
1 can crushed pineapple, drained well (8 oz or 20 oz – your preference)
1 (20 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk - OR
2 cups cottage cheese (drain off as much liquid as you can)
1 small box red Jello powder
1/2 cup soft flaked coconut (optional)
chopped pecans to your taste
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well. Chill overnight before serving.
August 14 - 22 Iowa's Tropical Rainforest and Skeeters on Steroids!
Got word from Deryl and Elke on Saturday they made it back to Texas just in time to mow grass “as high as an elephant’s eye!” (Or was that the corn in OKLAHOMA) They left just in time. My sister made a trip into Des Moines and said that many low spots and roads were still under water and detours abound.
Heat and humidity remain high and thankfully, my air conditioner remains ‘healthy’ and working. Spent most of the day playing with the computer, trying to get my recipes all in one place and researching some future day trips. I find doing that sort of stuff a lot of fun and time goes rapidly, however, just setting pounding a keyboard doesn't help the lungs and the joints! Need to get movin'!
HALLELUJAH! The sun was out Sunday morning! Nice breeze, humidity and dew point down, A/C OFF, windows and door open and vent fan humming away! Terrific Sunday Morning!
Bea called about 8:30 AM to say she would pick me up at noon, we'd go to the Pow Wow. I really needed to get out and get the 'stink blown off' as Mom used to say! I find the longer the weather keeps me cooped up, the harder it is for me to get out and about and active again. I just HATE that feeling.
According to the paper, the Pow Wow started at 1PM. Found out at the gate the start time was 1:30; we were in plenty of time. No problem getting around, I was prepared, walker, oxygen and thanks to Ingrid’s reminder, an umbrella for the sun. I finally told Bea, after a little over 2 hours in the arena, that I was ready to leave! I don't know how they manage all that dancing in that regalia on that hot asphalt! WHEW! More energy than this ol' lady has! After weeks of being cooped up in the RV because of the weather, this was an 'overwhelming' first day out for any length of time. I didn't, however, leave without some yummy fry bread!
After a couple of hours at home, cooling off in the A/C, my sister calls – let’s go back to Tama to the casino for buffet. So, off we go! I was in hog heaven – seafood nite! In the meantime, my crock pot was simmering with a beef roast. After 24 hours, it was going to fall apart and make some great shredded beef sandwiches!
A little red-headed wood pecker (actually, I think it is a flicker) has been frequenting my bird feeder. There must be baby wrens 'cuz mom and dad are at the feeder all of the time. The little nuthatch characters are there, too. Other than sparrows and robins, that's all I've seen at the feeders. No hummingbirds or orioles, even though the hummingbird and oriole feeders empty, I’ve never seen who/what is sucking out that syrupy liquid!
Woke up Monday morning thinking, “OK, TEXAS! Eat your heart out!” 57 degrees, zilch on the humidity, nice breeze! Almost sweater weather! Sun was shining - birds were singing – coffee was fresh and hot!
When I started downloading from the camera, I realized I had taken 96 pics at the Pow Wow! Actually, I had no idea what I was getting a picture of since I couldn't see in that darn LCD viewer (or whatever it is that goes BLACK when the sun hits it!) Anyway, I just pointed the camera where I THOUGHT the picture would be and then took two or three of the same thing by moving the camera a little in both directions - hoping to get something! So, I may have 96 pictures, but only about 1/3 of them were worth anything!
Rained on Tuesday - what's new, huh? Think I did a little too much walking and had a little too much sun on Sunday at the Pow Wow. I parked myself at the computer, edited pictures and did some on line research for some more day trips. While in Tama, I picked up a CD on the history of the Mesqwaki people. Gave me a really good excuse for setting on my butt! Not wanting to make any historical or cultural blunders while working on the narrative for the blog, I sent my drafts to a friend much more in tune with the Native culture for critique! Thanks Ingrid!
I've been blessed (or maybe cursed!) with a substantial stock of zucchini and cucumbers. I cannot believe I did this, but I made pickles on Tuesday. I thought I was finished with all that canning stuff when I moved into the RV!
Heard from Rain and Sid, they made it to their destination – always concerned when RVing friends hit the road.
Wednesday, I met Ingrid at the Kalona Bakery for a sandwich – just a quick visit. Great day lunching and chatting! Two things I'm good at -- eating and talking!
I wanted to hit the Stringtown Grocery one more time before I head back to TX. Storing dehydrated stuff is so much easier than putting up with cans and always needing to run to the store for fresh produce when I only need a little bit for the crock pot. It's taking me awhile to get used to working with the dehydrated vegetables, but it sure does save pantry space and weight. Also, RV refrigerators aren’t the best at keeping produce fresh.
Stopped by Brooklyn on the way home. I’ve seen the sign along the interstate “Community of Flags” and decided it was time to drive thru and just see what that’s all about.
Wednesday evening Tinga was on my shoulder trying to chew my off my lips. I bought some roasted/salted green peas at Stringtown (I can eat the entire bag of those things) but Tinga thought she needed some; would not eat her own! Guess she thought I was going to chew them for her! WRONG!
Have no idea what woke me up about 3:30 AM Thursday, but whatever it was, I couldn't get back to sleep! Went to town to wash off the truck. Birds had a pooping convention in the tree over my truck; white truck was shades of green, brown & a runny creamy color! Car wash -- $1 for TWO MINUTES! Took $3 and I still didn't get it clean! But at least most of the left overs from the bird convention were gone!
Errands and the 'funnest' RV job of all - emptying the sewer tank! Doesn't get any 'funner' than that! Truck will be at the body shop all next week - wanted to get stuff done since I'll be 'truckless' for about a week. Humidity and dew point started inching up before noon.
Allergies have really kicked in. Spent the rest of the day hibernating here in the A/C.
I have been craving dill! Of course, it could be that it's summer! While at Stringtown, I picked up a loaf of dill bread. Been chowing down on BLTs on toasted dill bread but didn’t invite my sister – she’s not a tomato person! And you can’t have BLTs without the T! If I hadn't used all of my 'free' cukes, I'd make some dill pickles but they found their way into a salad with sliced onions, sour cream, vinegar and DILL weed!
Friday was laundry day, then met my sister for lunch. Dropped the keys to the truck off at the body shop. They need the truck first thing Monday AM and my sister has meetings – school starts – hectic time for her.
Branches down in the park, my flower pots that were under the RV (empty ones) were blown to the other side of my RV into the space next to me and the table cloth and the lawn chair were blown down and up by the steps. Must have had a lot more wind in the park than I noticed while I was in town. Once home, my weather radio was working overtime weather alerts all over the place, luckily nothing too close to me!
Saturday was a ‘nothing day.’ Spent the day fighting allergies and cloistered away with the A/C going. I’m beginning to wonder if I came to Iowa for the summer or if I took the wrong turn and ended up in a Tropical Rain Forest!
Took a pass on Brunch with Bea on Sunday – decided we’d do supper instead. I dropped the truck at the body shop, we grabbed supper from the “old folks menu” at Perkins. I stopped at the grocery to get a few things I may need during the week like eggs, milk, bread! YES, I know, I’m in Iowa and I’m still eating EGGS! Cholesterol and Salmonella be damned! I’m gonna eat my EGGS!
Heat and humidity remain high and thankfully, my air conditioner remains ‘healthy’ and working. Spent most of the day playing with the computer, trying to get my recipes all in one place and researching some future day trips. I find doing that sort of stuff a lot of fun and time goes rapidly, however, just setting pounding a keyboard doesn't help the lungs and the joints! Need to get movin'!
HALLELUJAH! The sun was out Sunday morning! Nice breeze, humidity and dew point down, A/C OFF, windows and door open and vent fan humming away! Terrific Sunday Morning!
Bea called about 8:30 AM to say she would pick me up at noon, we'd go to the Pow Wow. I really needed to get out and get the 'stink blown off' as Mom used to say! I find the longer the weather keeps me cooped up, the harder it is for me to get out and about and active again. I just HATE that feeling.
According to the paper, the Pow Wow started at 1PM. Found out at the gate the start time was 1:30; we were in plenty of time. No problem getting around, I was prepared, walker, oxygen and thanks to Ingrid’s reminder, an umbrella for the sun. I finally told Bea, after a little over 2 hours in the arena, that I was ready to leave! I don't know how they manage all that dancing in that regalia on that hot asphalt! WHEW! More energy than this ol' lady has! After weeks of being cooped up in the RV because of the weather, this was an 'overwhelming' first day out for any length of time. I didn't, however, leave without some yummy fry bread!
After a couple of hours at home, cooling off in the A/C, my sister calls – let’s go back to Tama to the casino for buffet. So, off we go! I was in hog heaven – seafood nite! In the meantime, my crock pot was simmering with a beef roast. After 24 hours, it was going to fall apart and make some great shredded beef sandwiches!
A little red-headed wood pecker (actually, I think it is a flicker) has been frequenting my bird feeder. There must be baby wrens 'cuz mom and dad are at the feeder all of the time. The little nuthatch characters are there, too. Other than sparrows and robins, that's all I've seen at the feeders. No hummingbirds or orioles, even though the hummingbird and oriole feeders empty, I’ve never seen who/what is sucking out that syrupy liquid!
Woke up Monday morning thinking, “OK, TEXAS! Eat your heart out!” 57 degrees, zilch on the humidity, nice breeze! Almost sweater weather! Sun was shining - birds were singing – coffee was fresh and hot!
When I started downloading from the camera, I realized I had taken 96 pics at the Pow Wow! Actually, I had no idea what I was getting a picture of since I couldn't see in that darn LCD viewer (or whatever it is that goes BLACK when the sun hits it!) Anyway, I just pointed the camera where I THOUGHT the picture would be and then took two or three of the same thing by moving the camera a little in both directions - hoping to get something! So, I may have 96 pictures, but only about 1/3 of them were worth anything!
Rained on Tuesday - what's new, huh? Think I did a little too much walking and had a little too much sun on Sunday at the Pow Wow. I parked myself at the computer, edited pictures and did some on line research for some more day trips. While in Tama, I picked up a CD on the history of the Mesqwaki people. Gave me a really good excuse for setting on my butt! Not wanting to make any historical or cultural blunders while working on the narrative for the blog, I sent my drafts to a friend much more in tune with the Native culture for critique! Thanks Ingrid!
I've been blessed (or maybe cursed!) with a substantial stock of zucchini and cucumbers. I cannot believe I did this, but I made pickles on Tuesday. I thought I was finished with all that canning stuff when I moved into the RV!
Heard from Rain and Sid, they made it to their destination – always concerned when RVing friends hit the road.
Wednesday, I met Ingrid at the Kalona Bakery for a sandwich – just a quick visit. Great day lunching and chatting! Two things I'm good at -- eating and talking!
I wanted to hit the Stringtown Grocery one more time before I head back to TX. Storing dehydrated stuff is so much easier than putting up with cans and always needing to run to the store for fresh produce when I only need a little bit for the crock pot. It's taking me awhile to get used to working with the dehydrated vegetables, but it sure does save pantry space and weight. Also, RV refrigerators aren’t the best at keeping produce fresh.
Stopped by Brooklyn on the way home. I’ve seen the sign along the interstate “Community of Flags” and decided it was time to drive thru and just see what that’s all about.
Wednesday evening Tinga was on my shoulder trying to chew my off my lips. I bought some roasted/salted green peas at Stringtown (I can eat the entire bag of those things) but Tinga thought she needed some; would not eat her own! Guess she thought I was going to chew them for her! WRONG!
Have no idea what woke me up about 3:30 AM Thursday, but whatever it was, I couldn't get back to sleep! Went to town to wash off the truck. Birds had a pooping convention in the tree over my truck; white truck was shades of green, brown & a runny creamy color! Car wash -- $1 for TWO MINUTES! Took $3 and I still didn't get it clean! But at least most of the left overs from the bird convention were gone!
Errands and the 'funnest' RV job of all - emptying the sewer tank! Doesn't get any 'funner' than that! Truck will be at the body shop all next week - wanted to get stuff done since I'll be 'truckless' for about a week. Humidity and dew point started inching up before noon.
Allergies have really kicked in. Spent the rest of the day hibernating here in the A/C.
I have been craving dill! Of course, it could be that it's summer! While at Stringtown, I picked up a loaf of dill bread. Been chowing down on BLTs on toasted dill bread but didn’t invite my sister – she’s not a tomato person! And you can’t have BLTs without the T! If I hadn't used all of my 'free' cukes, I'd make some dill pickles but they found their way into a salad with sliced onions, sour cream, vinegar and DILL weed!
Friday was laundry day, then met my sister for lunch. Dropped the keys to the truck off at the body shop. They need the truck first thing Monday AM and my sister has meetings – school starts – hectic time for her.
Branches down in the park, my flower pots that were under the RV (empty ones) were blown to the other side of my RV into the space next to me and the table cloth and the lawn chair were blown down and up by the steps. Must have had a lot more wind in the park than I noticed while I was in town. Once home, my weather radio was working overtime weather alerts all over the place, luckily nothing too close to me!
Saturday was a ‘nothing day.’ Spent the day fighting allergies and cloistered away with the A/C going. I’m beginning to wonder if I came to Iowa for the summer or if I took the wrong turn and ended up in a Tropical Rain Forest!
Took a pass on Brunch with Bea on Sunday – decided we’d do supper instead. I dropped the truck at the body shop, we grabbed supper from the “old folks menu” at Perkins. I stopped at the grocery to get a few things I may need during the week like eggs, milk, bread! YES, I know, I’m in Iowa and I’m still eating EGGS! Cholesterol and Salmonella be damned! I’m gonna eat my EGGS!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
COMMUNITY OF FLAGS
About an hour from where I spend the summer in Marshalltown, sets a picturesque small rural community, Brooklyn, IA, population 1288 (2009).
In March 1848, two years after Iowa became a state, William Manatt, from Pennsylvania, followed his brother, Robert, west and purchased land in Poweshiek County for $1.25 per acre from the US Government. The following year his brother James plotted 32 lots and the town of Greenville was established with 5 homes. In 1850 the town name was changed to Brooklyn. Situated on the rolling hills between Big Bear Creek and Little Bear Creek, the young town of Brooklyn was the home of one of the earliest manufacturers of barbed wire. Today it remains predominately agricultural.
Brooklyn has earned its banner as the “Community of Flags.” In the early 1990’s, the small community was on the route of the Des Moines Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (an annual Missouri River to Mississippi River bike ride sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper). Most towns along the route spruce themselves up for the event, however Brooklyn produced a welcome like no other....an Avenue of Flags.
Situated on a hill overlooking Main Street is the permanently lighted display. All 50 states are represented along with the flags of the Armed Services and special interests such as the POW flag. A 20’ x 38’ US Flag flying atop an 80’ pole is the center-point of the display. Standing on the hill near the flags, turn and look down Main Street. International flags from 35 countries fly in front of the businesses. Turn back around toward the flags and you see the Manatt Mansion, a gift to the city in l963 from Coe Manatt, son of William. It is now home to the Brooklyn Historical Museum.
AND...Look what I found on my way back from Brooklyn....
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
THE DANCERS
Little Grass Dancer; Big Fancy Dancer; Traditional Dancers
MEN'S GRASS DANCE
The grass dance is said to reflect the need for balance in life; each movement danced on one side of the body must be repeated by the other side. Some people talk of the grass dance as a gift from the Creator to celebrate joy. The regalia for the dance is comprised of long strands of yarn, ribbon or fabric to represent grass. A headdress (roach) includes two feathers attached in such a way that they rock or twirl as the dancer moves.
MEN'S TRADITIONAL DANCE
This is the oldest form of dance. The regalia is a very personal expression. Elements might reflect items worn by early warriors: a breast plate made of animal bones or shell for protection against arrows; a neck choker for protection against knives; ankle bells or jingling hooves; or a shield made of hide and decorated with important tribal symbols. Often a traditional dancer will wear a single bustle containing eagle feathers, which are considered sacred.
MEN'S FANCY DANCE
This is the most strenuous and athletic. It is fast and features jumps and twirling. The regalia consists of bright colors and flying feathers and ribbons. The dancer typically wears two bustles of bright colored feathers with added ribbon, feather or horse hair hackles and bright arm and head bands repeating the colors and patterns. A headdress roach is trimmed in colored horsehair and featuring two eagle feathers. Dancers also carry highly decorated coup sticks. The coup stick was originally a small stick carried into battle by a warrior. This is the newest of the dances added to the contests dances.
WOMEN'S TRADITIONAL DANCE
Women move their feet in time with the drum keeping them close to the ground. As the drum plays "honor beats," (three accented beats that occur in between the choruses) women raise their fans to honor the drum and their male relatives. Traditional regalia usually includes a fringed shawl folded over one arm, an awl and knife case on the belt and a feather fan. Beadwork patterns and colors will reflect tribal and family affiliation.
WOMEN'S JINGLE DRESS
This dance has its origins in northern Minnesota. According to lore, a medicine man's granddaughter was very ill. He had a dream in which a spirit wearing the jingle dress came to him and told him to make one of these dresses and put it on his daughter and take her to the dance to cure her. When he awoke, he assembled the dress as described by the spirit of his dream. It is made of a cloth, velvet or leather base adorned with 400 – 700 shiny metal jingles needed for the adult dress. Early jingles were made from the lids of snuff cans. These are bent and molded into triangular bell shapes and attached to the dress with ribbon or fabric in a pattern designed by the dancer. The Jingle Dress dancer also raises her fan when the "honor beats" are played on the drum.
WOMEN'S FANCY SHAWL DANCE
Originally called the blanket dance, women danced with a blanket or shawl covering their heads. This is an extremely athletic and strenuous dance involving kicks and twirls and fast movement, resembling the fluttering and flight of the butterfly. Women dance with beautifully decorated shawls often with long ribbon or fabric fringe. The symbols and colors beaded on the high moccasins have tribal and personal significance.
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