Yummy Chicken

                                                         I hate cooking for one!

But, then I get this brilliant urge.....
                                     to try out a new recipe!
                                                So, to the store I went and I got what
                                                               I needed.

And, ta da.....

A dinner fit for a king... 
                well, maybe I am being a little over-exuberant....
                                 but I liked it. 

                            My recipe for Garlic-Brown Sugar Chicken

                                              one serving
                    
                                              1 chicken breast
                                              2 tsps. butter
                                              1/4 clove garlic
                                              1 tsp. brown sugar

Melt butter in an iron skillet. Brown garlic. Add chicken breast. Cook thoroughly. (I put a lid on mine until it was done). Take lid off . Turn burner off. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of chicken and let it melt while the skillet cools down. 
                                     

Easter Greetings

The daylight of Good Friday is fading, the day is almost gone. It's been a busy day for me but perhaps it isn't too late to join in with my Willy Nilly Friday and Five On Friday.

1. My daughter, Shirley, had held a Good Friday Easter Sale for more years than I want to think about. 

(here's Shirley with pre-orders ready for pickup)

She has an in-home bakery and customers flock from near and far to pick up their orders of cookies, cakes, fudge and much more. I went up today to check out the 'goings on'.

2. Everyone loves the chick cookies. They have been a favorite since day one! 

(Here are chick cookies bagged by the dozen and by packages of four.)

3. Here is one of many carrot cakes. The sides are covered in chopped pecans and the 'carrots' on the top taste like orange dreamscicles.

4. Texas-sized cupcakes all decorated in the Easter theme. And, they taste good, too!

5. Here's wishing each of you a very Happy Easter.

Cucumber Pickles For Summer Eating

What do you do when a neighbor gives you cucumbers an arm  long? Well, maybe not quite that long, but long nevertheless. It does measure from my hand to my elbow!! and hardly any seeds.

This guy has been a farmer all his life. That's all he knows. So, when he had to give up his farming because of health issues, he started gardening. Here at The Commons, residents can have a small plot to plant veggies in and he has several plots. 

And, he's generous with his friends. You can't beat that.

So, back to what to do with these cucumbers!! I got on the internet and found a recipe for refrigerator pickles. That's just what I wanted. Something easy! 

We have been eating helpings of pickles every night just like they were a side dish. Oh yum. I really am going to hate when those cucumbers stop bearing. 

What have you done with fresh vegetables this summer? Anything exciting? 

Five Things

Where have I been? Oh, somewhere... anywhere... getting lost.... getting busy....

But, here I am again. Watching and waiting for friends to call or write or comment. 

first of all I'd like to share a wintery picture from Virginia. Nope, it has not snowed... been too warm.... but this was from a previous winter and I am linking to My Town Shoot Out. 

It's Friday and I am ready to share my week with you. I am joining in Willy Nilly Friday Five and Five On Friday. Won't you join me?

1. Our Christmas party here at the Commons was the other night. I hadn't baked a cake in FOREVER but I baked one to take to the party. When I moved into this small apartment I had given my mixer to my grandson. But, I got it back and it is making a world of difference in how I view myself in the kitchen these days.

2. I recently ran across a journal I had written back in 1991 about a trip our daughter Susan took me and my hubby on to Europe. Oh my, what memories and what fun I had typing it into a word program so I can keep it on my computer. A small snippet of one day of our journey can be found HERE.

3. I was delighted to find out my son, Michael, will be joining us for Christmas. He lives over 900 miles away. There's nothing quite like having family around for the holidays.

4. Do you think it was all in my head? My son-in-law jokingly suggested that it was. I was sure that it wasn't .....but once I had decided I had a sliver of glass in my foot and I let said SIL look at it (that's when he said he couldn't see a thing perhaps it was all in my head) that all of a sudden I could walk on that foot just fine. Was it in my head? The Shadow knows. 

5. Do you remember the radio program 'The Shadow'? Naw, probably not. You all aren't as old as me. It started in 1930 and was one of the most popular radio shows ever. It began when the announcer asked 'What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows'. Spooky stuff. 
                                                                       till next time..............
                                                                                             

Thanksgiving Five

I trust that all of you had a wonderful, fun-filled holiday yesterday. Many of us got to spend it with some family, many may have been alone. But, however you spent Thanksgiving I hope you had a good meal, some reflection on what's important in life and just how blessed we truly are. 

Now, with that said, I will proceed with my Willy Nilly Friday and Five on Friday.

1. I was going to do a meme My Town Shoot Out today but with all the preparation for Thanksgiving going on, I never got a chance to drive downtown to get a picture of the 'tallest building'. I need to stay ahead of the game if I am going to play!! I did find out that the tallest building here is 8 stories high. We are so big-time!!

2. Yesterday was my third Thanksgiving meal!! I was about turkeyed out and didn't even eat any turkey but I really enjoyed the sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese etc, etc. 
Gee, that's a lot of carbs. 

3. What fun it was to watch the younger set playing in the yard yesterday. 

The temp was nearly 70, sunny, perfect for all sorts of games. The great-grands that I spent Thanksgiving with are from the age of 2  to 5. My oldest great-grandson is in Arizona. He's 14.

                                             Even the grown grandchildren were 
                                                                   swinging,

                                                                     climbing trees,

                                                                     skateboarding. 

I sat in the safety of my lawn chair and watched. But, even then, I got hit in the head with a football... a Nerf football. But, it hurt just the same. I'm getting to be such a woose. 

4. It's time to take down my Thanksgiving decorations and begin dragging out some Christmas. I'm ready. 

5. I am finally seeing some bird activity on the pond. FINALLY. The geese come and go. The Hooded Merganser ducks are keeping me entertained. They will dive underwater and don't come up, don't come up, don't come up and then suddenly they reappear. 

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

It's been ages since I had 'company' over for dinner! I had even slowed down, and I mean slowed way down on invitations that I extended even toward my family. During Elbert's illness it became a way of life for me to just do what had to be done and nothing extra.

After he was gone, I stayed in that mind-set. I'd tell myself, I am just getting older and can't cook for a bunch of people. "My back would hurt", I'd say. Or, since I moved into my apartment "I don't have room".

I let myself get into a real rut. It was some CORN that brought me to my senses!

Yep, I said, CORN. The kind you eat. Good ole Silver Queen white corn, fresh from the field. Yum.

The Stephensons Farm in Wakefield always have a trailer of corn sitting out on Hwy. 460 along about the last of June, first part of July. 

So, I got this big idea, drove up and bought 24 ears.

I had invited some friends that I have here at the Commons apartment complex to an early 4th of July apartment picnic of sorts.

All of a sudden I got excited and full of energy. I decorated some (don't have a lot of stuff to decorate with here). 

Three of the gals offered to contribute to the menu and we were in business.

It was so much fun. And, now, we are talking about doing it on a regular basis.

The point... growing old should not limit our social contact with family and friends. Being with friends, enjoying good fellowship and eating good food (and corn) lifts our spirits, makes us feel useful, needed and yes, younger. Try it. It works.

                                                                             Stay happy, stay young,
                                                                                         

The day after Christmas

Well, it's December 26th, the day after Christmas

and here I sit, 'down in the mouth' as they often say in the South about people in a weird/sad mood.

For all the angst I had trying to get ready for the big day I am now sad that it is over.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have the elves come down from the North Pole and do all our shopping, baking, cleaning house, going to events, wrapping gifts, all that stuff that just is WAY TOO MUCH in the month of December?

Yep, I think that is the answer. And, then we could just sit around and enjoy all the fun stuff... you know, laughing and carrying on with friends and family, opening presents and then taking a long nap after we've eating all that good food. Boy, what a holiday that would be. I really don't think Santa would agree to letting those little guys shirk their duty though, do you? It was a nice thought.

We've turned Christmas into a COMMERCIAL luge. Once you are on the track, there is no way to get off. I wish we could slow down, remember what Christmas really stands for and just feel blessed that we have another day to enjoy.

So, I've said my piece about Christmas.. I won't say another word until this time next year.

Oh, heck, wait a minute. I have pictures to share. What was I thinking? DUH....

So, enjoy the photos and then I will shut my mouth. I promise. I really do.

Our tree this year.

 

It's weird to walk into my daughter's house and see things I cherished for years. When I downsized, a lot of my things went to other members of the family for them to enjoy. Such is the ice skating pond that I had for years and years. It still works too and is enjoyed by my great-grands now.

 

my youngest great-grand just turned one.

 

Everyone gets into the act. Even the youngsters. Here's one of my great-grands glazing a ham.

 

And, a gift from my 'gentleman friend'. Wasn't he just the sweetest thing? I love it.

 

Some of my gifts piled on the end of my couch. Yep, it was a wonderful Christmas.

 

 

 

 

Brrr, it's cold outside and other things.

This post is linked to Willy-Nilly Friday and Friday Fragments

Yep, it's Friday, the end of the week and time for a bunch of random thoughts about life and living and other such nonsense.

1. Where in the world did this cold air come from? It's way too early for this kind of weather here in coastal Virginia. Just yesterday I took gorgeous pictures from my balcony and now with a freeze due for tonight I can kiss those beautiful scenes goodbye. Bring out the coat and mittens!!

2. The doc says she STRONGLY SUSPECTS that I have celiac. We'll know for sure when test results come back. I am discovering that eating gluten-free is gonna change my life in more ways than one. First meal.... salad and corn spaghetti with meat balls. No bread...

3. Imagine how excited I was on Thursday to actually see my book "Springtime in Magnolia" listed on Amazon.com. Years of writing finished.... It's like sending your little one off to first grade. Lot of nerves, lot of anxiety, lot of pride. Gee, I hope my 'baby' does well out in the world.

4. My new shopping cart is making life so much easier when I have to bring groceries from the car up to my third floor apartment. Of course, we have an elevator but to just pull this along behind me with all my groceries in it at one time.... now, that's priceless.

5. So much going on that I feel like I am caught up in a whirlwind.  We are trying to sell my house, trying to sell my book (got a book signing coming up Dec. 7th) and getting ready for the holidays. I swear, it's just about more than this old lady can take.

                                            So, cross your fingers, say a prayer and wish me well.
      

                                                                                                                        

Please take time to visit this blog http://springtimeinmagnolia.blogspot.com  I would appreciate it so much.

Five Thoughts for Willy-Nilly Friday

Hey there,

It's Willy-Nilly Friday  Thanks Tanya for keeping the Random Five alive!!

Now, for my Random Five!

1. You know, I really miss paper dolls. I do. It's been probably 75 years since I played with any but I do believe if I had some now I would cut them out and dress them and just have fun. Are you too young to know what paper dolls are? Aw... you really missed out.

 

2. I still don't have that book ready to get on the market! Writing the description for the back book cover has been a daunting task. Much harder than you think. There's a pile of wadded up paper beside my desk.. all rejects. I'm getting closer though. Oh, did I show you this cute tote my daughter and son-in-law gave me for Christmas. Perfect.

 

3. I mentioned in my last post that I was going to Dover Downs. Well, didn't win much there but on the bus trip up there, the tour director collected a dollar from every passenger and then had a drawing. And... it was my name drawn out of the hat!

 

4. I didn't bring my 4 slice toaster down to the apartment when I moved. And, I really like toast made with a toaster oven. So, after making my toast for 4 months in my stove, I got me a new toaster oven. Yummy.

 

5. The osprey are gone now. I miss them. I've spent all summer watching those two babies grow and be fed and grow some more and finally take test fights out of that nest high up on top of that cell tower. Well, maybe next spring one of them will come back to start another family there and I can watch them again.

 

You all have a wonderful weekend. I hope the weather is great where you are and that you are blessed with feeling your best.

                                                                                                 Hugs

                                                                                                                                     

Things On The Move

Things are so hectic around here we all are in a constant state of confusion. First of all, my granddaughter and great-grandson, who had been with her parents (next door to me) for a short period of time, found an apartment. She will be moving out around the 10th.

I found me an apartment and can move in on the 7th. But, I am trying hard to slow my move down so as to not involve the kids next door right now because.... on top of my granddaughter's move and my move, it's the busiest time of the year for my daughter with Easter baking for her customers. The oven's are hot and chick cookies are hatching outta there constantly.

 

And, my son (who has moved to Alabama) had his 27 ft. sailboat stored in my daughter's yard.

 He arranged for a transport come to haul the boat to a slip at Wheeler State Park near his new home. And, the guy with the huge transport truck got stuck in said daughter's yard. It took a tow truck to pull him out.

We got word today that the Stargazer is safely at a marina in Alabama. Yippee.

So, if I seem a bit scatter-brained I think you will understand why. Now, to get this move over with and me get settled into my new place. Life will be grand!

Gingerbread Construction Ahead

Daughter Shirley (over at Shirley Anne's Bake Shoppe) had some small gingerbread house pieces left from her massive gingerbread production before Christmas. What to do!!!

There's little boys and big boys and even a sister who was having a creative 'urge'. Let's see what happened.

The pieces were all laid out.... decorative candies piled about.... icing bags filled.....

And, here they are at work!

 How fun was that!

I think Shirley should make that an annual event! What do you think?

Shirley Anne's Bake Shoppe

Many of you know that my daughter, who lives next door to me, has an in-home bakery. Christmas time is the busiest time of the year for her. The aroma in her house is heavenly. I thought you might like to see a small portion of what she's been up to since Thanksgiving.

620 snowflake cookies. Each one is hand decorated.

My granddaughter with the boxes that will hold 600 elf hat cupcakes.

 

There is what the cupcakes looked like.

This is part of the gingerbread orders. She made 55 large ones (pictured above) and is in the process of making 150 smaller ones.

Shirley making Christmas cookies in Martha Stewart's Omni-Media test kitchens in New York City. The cookies were featured in Stewart's Dec. magazine last year.

                  Next week the bakery will crank out 2,000 of these Christmas sugar cookies.

 

Canon Enterprises ordered the elf cupcakes and 620 of these etch-a-sketch cookies. I wondered what an etch-a-sketch had to do with elves but was told it was in the 'Elf' movie. I didn't know!

                                                            820 brownie squares

How does she do it, you might ask. She has a husband who does numerous chores to help out and two very capable assistants............
                                                         her daughter and son

                                                                                        Merry Christmas