Have you felt a difference in the climate of our fellow humans personality wise? 

I am not a shopper and hubby definitely is not, however today we both wanted to go looking.  There is nothing special, we were window shopping. Our little town has moved from downtown to the outskirts mainly northward toward the metropolis known as Atlanta. We don't have "shops" downtown so window shopping is a thing of the past. One doesn't get the feeling of warmth and stability from a strip mall and there is definitely no windows to shop. So I suppose we browse shopped.  

The many many people we encountered were friendly, courteous and accommodating - no pushing, shoving, ugly looks, or nasty comments.  At Hobby Lobby, the shopper behind me reminded me to use my 40% off coupon and offered hers as she already had it up on her phone! Pleasant - the whole shopping experience was just pleasant! 

I don't think it is just because of the season as in years past I have avoided shopping during the holidays.  Is it the idea of change in the government and promises of better governance from our political choices?  Is it the fact that after 40+ days with no rain and no cold weather we received both in the same week? 

I like it! More shopping may be in my future if the pleasantness continues. 

Another Father's Day

I know the title sounds rather cynical which I guess I must have intended as it just seemed to type itself.  I don't mean any disrespect to any Father out there in the netherworld.  It seems to me that we are always celebrating some special day on a continuous basis.  I recently received an email that attributed all the special occasions to the "greeting card" companies to boost lagging sales.  Secretaries Day, Administrative Assistants Day, Armed Forces Day, Civic Holiday, all have a need to be celebrated and acknowledged.

I want to ask - who needs a special day to honor their father. or their mother, or their grandparents?  My grandparents are dead, but I certainly didn't need a special day to let them know I loved and treasured them.  My parents are still alive and though not in good health are able to get around a bit.  I talk to them every week, but only see them once in a while.  My relationship with my children is much like mine with my parents.  We all have life to live and goodness, don't you think your parents know how you feel about them and whether or not they were good parents?

Anyway, a good father is hard to find and I do appreciate the fact that my father was a hardworking, church going man.  I admire the fathers of my grandchildren and thank God for providing good stable men to raise these little ones. 

This is a big Thank You to all the Dad's who are struggling to make a good home and provide for the little ones.  May your day be blessed with smiles and much love!

Homeless

Homeless!  Does that word bring to mind a person with no home, no warm fire to come home to, no hot meal waiting at the end of a long day?  It is definitely that, but one can be homeless emotionally when they have left the home or town they have called home.  Many years ago, my husband (who was in the Air Force) was stationed in Charleston, SC.  It was so exciting to be moving to a new town, home, area and I was looking forward to the adventure.  It took a few weeks to get settled in and take care of all the essentials.  My first unsettling experience was at the post office.  Our house was in a little community called Ladson.  I stepped into the post office to the jabber of the employees and low, I couldn't understand a word being said.  The nice gentleman looked at me and said "What?".  Not may I help you or what do you need, just "What?".  That was the only thing I understood during my first visit to this lovely little building.  The rest I wrote down and somehow managed to get my address recorded and my mail started.

I left feeling so frustrated.  I didn't know the people in this area spoke a different language.  I came to really not like that post office.  The people seem to be nice but we just did not communicate.  I also had my first major accident turning into this same post office. 

As the days drifted by, the loneliness drifted in.  I was doing a lot of sewing and that kept me busy, but I had no one to talk to.  It wasn't long until I went to work at a day care center in our neighborhood.  The communication in itself was not a problem, but the attitude of these people were strange.  One infants parents wanted the child to sleep all day so they could play with him all night.  Another was fed so much and he was so large his fingers looked ready to pop.  I had the infants - all 8 of them - alone!  Two were ready to move up to another class, but there was no room, so I had two toddlers in with the 6 infants.  I loved the babies, but went home exhausted everyday, knowing the same was waiting the next day.  I didn't last long, 6 months was all I could handle, before I went looking for something else.  Sears saved my sanity! 

The friend problem had not been solved.  As much as I talked to those precious infants, not one of them talked back.  The other workers were nice as could be, but they were as busy as I was and there was no time for chatting. 

It took some time, but as the new neighborhood filled up we met new people.  It made things much easier, but it still wasn't home.  My point is that a house doesn't make a home.  Family and friends are the foundation of a home and happiness.  During this Holiday season I commiserate with those away from their home.  Remember your friends and families are anticipating your return visits and the days are not quite as full as they would be if you were at home with them. 

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Unusual

My grandson and great nephew have a most unusual relationship.  They are about a year apart in age and have some of the same interests.  They have never lived close to each other or seen each other on a regular basis, yet during the twice a year visits they mesh totally. There is not doubt they are friends and it is uncanny how they fall into their "play" with such ease.  Is this what is meant by the phrase "blood is thicker than water"? 

Wouldn't it be nice if all relationships were as comforting and easy?

The past week of celebrating Independence Day was filled with eating, visiting, and remembering.  Filled with love and laughter we all had a great time.  Hubby even got the grill and the smoker filled up and we enjoyed a bit of everything.  I liked the smoked salmon and talapia best, but the ribs, wings, roast, burgers, chops, and hot dogs were not to be ignored.  Of course, I had to sample it all and the flavors were greatly enhance by brother-in-law's barbecue sauce.   

I have to put in a plug here for the best marinate and basting sauce I have found.  "Moore's" has both a buffalo wing sauce that is out of this world and also a steak sauce that enhances the flavor of fish, steak, and chicken without overpowering the meat's flavor.  I don't precook (boil or fry) anything.  Anytime you boil meat, you cook out the natural flavors stored in the bone and fat.  If the meat is cooked slowly and thoroughly and kept moist (we use a spray bottled filled with olive oil, water, and vinegar) it is tender, flavorful and juicy.  Then the meat is placed in a roasting pan and covered in the barbecue sauce of your choosing and return to the grill to simmer, allowing the sauce and the meat juices to mesh.  It makes me hungry all over again!

I think the next big cookout will be a low country boil and I have already started gathering ingredients.  This is Hubby's 50th birthday!  We will try to fix him up a good pot of soup!  Blast the oil spill - the cost of shrimp and crab legs are already climbing so he may be stuck with corn, potatoes, onions, and sausage.  He won't mind though, it is the good company and spending time with family and friends that are important!

I hope your holiday was filled with joy.  Thanks for visiting and until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Contentment

What a wonderful Christmas season! Get togethers are so much fun when egos are left at home. For our family the focus was on the little ones and they really put on a show! Each of the children were not only excited by their own gifts, they were excited for their brothers, sisters, and cousins. They laughed, shared, and played - gleeful as wished for and each brought a smile to our faces.

We are a female dominate family with five girls and four boys, but on Christmas Eve there were four girls and one boy and he quickly learned he was definitely outnumbered. However, with the grace and charm of a true gentleman, he fell right in with the girls, depending on Dad and uncles when he needed support.

Mom and Dad did not get too tired but were more than ready for us to clear out and give them their quiet. Dad got a real laugh over the suspenders that Mom gave him and there was a gleam in his eye when he opened box after box of his favorite candy - peanut brittle. Mom seemed a little confused as her gift pile mounted, but did so with a smile on her face. My Mother has always been the big giver in the family and a much appreciated one at that. This year with her limited mobility and lack of stamina, she assured that all had a gift, but could not manage to shop as diligently as she once could. Ah-h-h! The benefits of getting older. I am not a shopper!

The older boys were told they had to get under the piano to open their presents as through the years, that is where they would hide, knowing that Mom had purchased them all underwear and socks. Getting under the piano to open a present has become a favorite joke that the little ones still don't understand.

As the little ones got tired and fussy still thinking of Santa to come, as the big ones dreamed of pajamas and bed, we all quietly slipped away so Nanny and Pa could rest. I am so blessed to have such a loving and compassionate family. God has blessed us with his love and given us the joy of living along with the contentment gained from both.

As we look forward to the coming year, I wish for peace, joy and contentment for everyone. May God bless each heart with forgiveness, understanding, and compassion for our fellow man.

Happy reading!

Belle

Chocolate Refrigerator Pie

4 Hershey Almond bars
1/4 cup milk
20 lg Marshmallows
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup whipped cream
1 baked pie shell

Melt hershey bars, milk, marshmallows and salt in double boiler. When chocolate mixter has cooled, fold in whipped cream. Pour into baked pie shell. Refrigerate for several hours. Garnish with additional whipped cream and almond slivers.

Olive Cheese Nuggets

Shred 1/4 lb of cheddar cheese into a large mixing bowl, blend in 1/4 cup of soft butter (not melted), 3/4 cup of sifted flour, 1/8 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp paprika. Blend thoroughly.

Break off globe of dough and shape around a stuffed olive. Bake on and ungreased cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Nuggets can be refrigerated or frozen to be cooked later, but allow to warm to room temperature before baking.

This recipe came from Martha in Rockford, Illinois as part of a recipe exchange back in the 70s.

A great hors d'oeuvre and something out of the ordinary for us Southern cooks.

Pound Cake

I have 3 recipes for old fashioned pound cake. Nothing beats a good pound cake and it can be fancied up for any occasion.
Only one of these recipes call for vanilla extract. The third one calls for lemon extract, making this one a lemon pound cake. Any of the extract flavors can be used to vary the taste of the cake. Almond and vanilla are a good blend and makes a big difference in the taste of the cake - I would use 1 tsp of each. All of these cakes make a large tube cake.

Ms. Bell's Pound Cake

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs
1 cup crisco or your favorite shortening
1 stick oleo, margarine or butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup whole milk

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar, continue mixing adding 1 egg at a time, thoroughly mixing it into the batter. Add flour and milk alternately. Mix on medium until well blended. Pour batter into a large greased and floured tube pan. Bake 1 1/2 hours in a preheated 300 degree oven.

Note - this makes a large tube cake.

Unknown author - Pound Cake

3 sticks whipped butter
1/2 cup crisco
2 1/2 cup sugar
5 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk

In a large bowl, cream butter, crisco, sugar. Once creamed, add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the creamed mixture continually beating to blend.

Pour batter into a large greased tube pan and bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Lemon Pound Cake

2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp lemon extract
2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp double acting baking powder
3 eggs

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk and extract, blend well. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each. Beat entire mixture well before pouring into well grease loaf pan or tube pan. (Makes a smaller tube cake.) Bake for 1 hour 25 minutes - t 1/2 hours in a preheated 300 degree oven.

Quick Apple Pie

Mrs. Harris' Quick Apple Pie recipe is a deep dish pie with no base crust but a crusty top. Mrs. Harris was known more for sewing than her cooking, but she performed extremely well in both arenas.

In a pie plate or pan sprinkle 5 cups sliced apples with 1/2 cup of sugar and a small amount of spice (she didn't say which spice, but with apples I would say cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice) and 3/4 cup of water.

Top with a crust of 3/4 cup of flour, 3/4 cup of sugar and 2/3 stick of butter all of which has been mashed together until it has a consistency of corn meal.

Bake in a slow oven (around 325 degrees) until crust is golden brown.

This recipe is right up my alley as I don't enjoy pie crust but love the crust topping. Quick and easy!

Peanut Butter Pecan Cookies

This recipe came out of a Valdosta newspaper back in the 1970s. Makes 8 dozen delicious cookies and will not only fill your cookie jar up, but will fill you up and put a smile on your face. Looks like a lot of ingredients, but is easy to bake.


1 1/3 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 beaten eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt (omit the salt if oleo is used) told you it was old
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup crunchy peanut butter


Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs, beat well. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Add flavoring, pecans and peanut butter. Mix well. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Place cookies one inch apart. Bake in preheated 300 - 325 degree oven until lightly browned. Let set a few minutes, then remove to a sheet of brown paper until cool.

Potato Peanut Butter Candy

Okay Stacie, this one's for you!



Peel and boil a medium Irish Potato. Cool, then mash. Into the potato, work in 1 to 1 1/2 box of powdered sugar - add sugar until mixture is stiff. Turn out onto wax paper sprinkled with powdered sugar. Press flat to 1/4 to 3/8 inch, then smear with peanut butter. Roll and chill. When set, cut into slices.

Note - after turning out and pressing flat, cut potato/sugar "dough" into 2-3 inch strips. This makes it easier to roll up. Roll longways as you would a jello roll long side to long side. The finished candy should be between the size of a quarter to a half dollar.

Once you get the hang of it, this is one of the easiest candies to make and so delicious! Will melt in your mouth!

Cinnamon Balls

I love the recipes that are written on the back of a church program, envelope or just a scrap of paper. But sometimes the names get lost and you forget where they came from. I do believe this is from cousin Diane - but I can't be positive and she probably doesn't call them Cinnamon Balls either.


1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
+ 2 tbsp for coating
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp creme of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt. Slowly add flour mix to creamed mix a little at a time. Mix well.

Break off pieces of batter to form small 1 inch balls. Roll 1 inch balls in cinnamon and sugar mix. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 8 - 10 minutes.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a holiday favorite for both young and old. The ginger root has long been used to settle the stomach after a too hardy meal and these cookies will do the same. The aroma from cooking will brighten the whole house making use of its aromatherapy attributes. Gingerbread is the walls and roof of many a Christmas castle or gingerbread house which makes for a fun project for the kids. Enjoy the baking and discover the delights of gingerbread!

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, add sugar, molasses and eggs. Beat thoroughly. In a separate bowl, sift flour with soda, ginger, salt and cinnamon. Sift again. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture alternately with milk beating after each addition. Pour into a greased and floured 9" x 9" x 2" oven proof dish or pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

If making a gingerbread house, use a biscuit pan so the bread is not as thick and can be cut to size as needed. This recipe will also make soft cookies (not ginger snaps) if dropped on a greased cookie sheet and baked for approximately 15 minutes of until done.

Out of Pocket Part 2

I have been working in other areas this week and have ignored my readers and this post in the process! I am sorry! My creative skills are limited, but I have been diligently working on reformatting (without changing too much) and adding to my Google Site. Please check it out and tell me what you think. I would welcome some comments from my readers.

The Holiday season is fast approaching and I am far from being prepared. I will get there though and as usual it will probably be just in the nick of time. Turkey and dressing first, then tree, then on and on and on.

I am trying to remember why I needed so desperately to get my sewing machine moved. (see article ) I have managed to come up with a few ideas today, but all the great things I had planned to do has slipped away. It will come back, just had a lot on my mind today. Then hubby came in and a pair of pants needed repair. NOW I remember why it had to be moved now. I knew something was going to rip out or tear up and I would need my machine in a hurry. Stuff happens.

My garden is in limbo right now - not dead, but not doing much either. It is waiting for me to get tired of looking at the droopy flower heads (that I should have deadheaded a long time ago) or for that big frost to come that will finish them off. I have raked twice as many leaves as those that fell today and the trees are still turning loose with steady abandon. It too will wait for another day.

I am trying to decide which coupons I have printed off the web are legitimate and which are fakes. I sure don't want to get to the checkout line and some aggressive cashier handcuff me for trying to use a counterfeit coupon. Boy, life sure is getting confusing. I handed the cashier a twenty dollar bill the other day and she examined it for 3 minutes to make sure she didn't have to call the police and then explained she didn't have a "pen". Good grief I would have loaned her mine if I had known!

I normally don't cook sweets. I don't need them, but if they are here I will surely eat. I look forward to the Holiday feasts and the excuse to make yummy pies, cakes, and other goodies. Most will never see Thanksgiving Day as I will finish them off the night before the big dinner just to make room in the fridge for other stuff. I love anything with creamy chocolate, carmel and nuts - any kind - walnuts, pecans, peanuts. That combo seems to make me really smile, you know the ear to ear smile.

Have to run. I am going through all my old recipes to reminesce and then I'll something quick and easy to do. My heart is in the right place, the body is just lazy!

Happy reading!

Belle

Update: I am searching for a recipe for a Humingbird Cake. If you have said recipe I would appreciate a copy. Many thanks!