Fun at Thanksgiving

Oh, I'm so behind in my posting.....how are you out there? I'm sure you may be like me....running as fast as you can to get things done and feeling at the end of the day as if you haven't accomplished a thing. That's me. I'm not very fond of days that end with me wondering what I did all day, with nothing that 'shows.' Do you know that feeling? It's very similar to days when you grocery shop, spend a vast amount of money, haul it all into the house and realize that you don't have much to show for the amount you've spent and the energy it took to get it all home. So similar.

So....I've been very busy, but have nothing of interest to tell you about. I have spent the last hour or so looking at photos I took over the Thanksgiving weekend, choosing these to show you. When I am worn out and feel the need for something to make me smile....I think some cute guys always do the trick! How about these two?

As you may remember, my son Scott came for several days over Thanksgiving week. One of the things he enjoys doing is making bread and he did that at least twice during that week. YUM! A couple of days after Thanksgiving, in his sister's kitchen, he was making some bread and my great nephew, John Carter, was invited to 'help' him. (John Carter is six years old.) So, he made a small loaf of his own....doesn't he look cute in these photos? Well, they both do, actually. John Carter was so proud and pronounced his bread 'fun to make and good to eat.' And, Scott enjoyed having his little second cousin join in the bread making. Adorable.

Are you smiling now? Me, too. Time has passed and they are both back home now. If you will remember, I always dread taking my son to the airport to return to California. I made myself do better this time, but his sister boo-hooed like crazy. She and I may go see him next year....oh, what fun that would be! And, I'm sure more bread would be involved....well, I should lose weight before then...oh dear!

Hope you are all well.......and taking time to smile and enjoy the cute guys in your family....of course, the cute girls too!!!!! pat

Angel Food Cake from a Friend

Here's a little corner of my kitchen. These photos were taken yesterday (Monday, 1-10-11). It was COLD outside...I wasn't going anywhere as it SNOWED! Now, for those of you who live where it snows a lot....I'm sure you know by now that people who live in my area do not know how to navigate their cars in snow and ice. I certainly don't, nor do I even want to leave the house when we do have snow and/or ice. To be honest, I don't like to drive. I only do it to get from Point A to Point B and back again. I'm sure my dislike of driving is partially because I have crummy vision. (My son says my car has hands that feel the road!) So, this kind of weather just allows me to have a legitimate reason for staying in the house.

Monday, I decided that since I was not going ANYWHERE....it would be a good day to bake something. Normally, I would bake something chocolate, as that old navy man LOVES his chocolate. Do you remember me saying that I am allergic to chocolate? Oh, so true. And, really, I'm not much on sweets, so it doesn't bother me to make chocolate cakes, brownies, etc. But, once in a great while, I'd like a little tidbit of some kind. Knowing this, my friend, Kelley, gave me an Angel Food Cake pan and a cake mix for my birthday back in October. Once, when our little Knot group was at her house, she made us an Angel Food Cake and I had a 'fit' over her cake pan. She promised that if she ever ran across another one, she'd get it for me. That was a long time ago, but on my last birthday....sure enough, she presented me with this cake pan. It's so cool. It only took me three months to actually use it!!

According to the instructions that came with the pan, you can use it for Angel Food Cake, breads and any number of things. I love that it has a little tab on each corner that allows you to
cool the cake upside down. It's a Wilton pan.....and I now have plans for using it to make other things also. Cute, huh? As I said, Kelley also gave me an Angel Food Cake Mix. She said she had tried homemade, then bought a mix and thought it worked just fine. Who am I to argue with her...well, you wouldn't argue with Kelley....she's nearly always right. And, I mean that.
So, I made the cake and as you can see here...it turned out well. I like that I can slice it like bread rather than in wedges as you would with a regular shaped Angel Food Cake.

That old navy man even liked it...although it isn't chocolate...he thought it was good. Would have been better, he said, if it did have some chocolate smeared on it! This morning, he took some to my father-in-law. I happen to know that Angel Food Cake is one of his favorites. I think a guy over 90 years old ought to have one of his favorite cakes once in a while, so I hope he enjoys it.

You can see that 'little corner' of my kitchen....it's a very small kitchen....not meaning to be crude, or anything, but I actually call it a 'one butt' kitchen because it's so small. There's no way I can have anyone help me cook! I have some of those flea market finds in the kitchen, too, and that tin tray and the green glass items...well, they came from the flea market...my favorite place to shop.

So, there you are....how I spent part of my 'snow day.' And, celebrated my October birthday at the same time. Thanks, Kelley, you are such a dear friend....and hugs to you and Doodle!!!
Y'all take care out there....stay safe and warm....pat

A Screen Door and a Pantry

This is a little story about a screen door and how it came to my house. You've all heard me talk about things given to me by my son-in-law when he sold the building his family owned. It was a clothing store, in business for many years, and I've shown you the sewing machine he gave me from the alterations department, the ceiling tin (which I recently hung on the wall in my backyard studio), ledgers, a gorgeous green porcelain heater (which I will show you another day), a wonderful door I have in the living room, and two screen doors, amongst other, smaller things.

For this story, I am focusing on the screen doors. Well, one of them. I have plans for the other and you will see it sometime later. They are old...he doesn't remember why they were on the third floor of their downtown business, but I asked for them and Rick even helped me get them to my house. (He really IS dear!). Truthfully, though, he does think I'm kind of weird, I know he does, but he keeps it to himself.

So, I had this screen door, which I LOVED, and there was only one thing left to do....and that was to figure out what I was going to do with it. Somewhere along the way....I decided that the screen door should hang in my kitchen....in the doorway to my pantry. Now, let's remember, the door is pretty old and let's say...not in great shape. But, me being me, I think it is gorgeous and I like the idea of hanging it there. My brother-in-law, Rick (yes, another Rick) is a carpenter. He and my sister recently came to visit and I talked him into hanging this door for me. He just grinned and said, "Where do you want it?" (I actually have another screen door.....of all places - going into the garage. No way I'm showing that garage!!!! Maybe someday after it's been decluttered. Someday.) Oh, back to the pantry......So, Rick put the door up for me. Now, I KNEW I'd just love it....and my sister did too. Everyone else...well....let's say they didn't say much about it.

Here you are....the screen door into the pantry. My pantry is also my laundry room. I prefer to call it the Pantry....and leave off the laundry title. I don't think laundry is much fun, however, I do love to see things "in a row," so love the pantry part of this room. Last week I got in here and straightened it up, as over the holidays it had become one big mess and I like things sort of organized. Once straight...or as straightened as I intended to get it (without a major overhaul)....I figured you should see it. You know....as a homemaker, when we do some work we'd like people to acknowledge it....and the old navy man certainly wouldn't notice as he rarely goes in there! So....you're it!

You can see it going in...then, you see it on the way out.....that Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt is a vintage baby quilt....LOVE it! What you can't see is that the quilt hides our electric breaker box. Lots of flea market finds in this room....there are shelves all around the ceiling which I can't manage to show very well in a photo....it's a great room. Someone said I'd get really tired opening and shutting that door each time I needed something from the pantry or had to put another load in the washer. Maybe I really AM weird....as everytime I open it....it takes me back to years ago when I would go in and out of my grandmother's screen door, so I'm actually ENJOYING it!

What do you think? Do you love it too, or do you think I'm just one weird blogger? (I'm smiling!!!) take care out there, pat

"Beads, Cake, Pets and Carol Ann"

Well, I've survived the last week with the two Richards...or, maybe they survived the week with me. At any rate, we are all tired, but wanting to get back to our normal routines. The brother-in-law is home safe, the old navy man has his tv back and I am back in the Nest. We're set.

Last Thursday, I did manage to escape from town and go to my friend, Carol Ann's house in North Little Rock. It was the August meeting day for our little group of beaders, quilters, knitters, etc. There are eleven of us.

I hadn't been in the house ten minutes when I spotted one of Carol Ann's latest creations. It's this pincushion, or pillow, or whatever she wants to call it. The pincushion/pillow/whatever it is, is about six inches square, the beaded fringe varies in length from about 1 inch long to five or six inches long. The fringe is thick with beading and it's heavy.....and gorgeous....and very tactile. I couldn't put it down. I LOVE IT!!! I lust after it!!! I am inspired to start one of my own.....just to add a few beads to every once in a while in between other projects. Thanks, Carol Ann, for letting me hold it nearly the whole time we were there...

Amongst her other talents, Carol Ann is a really good cook! She made a pound cake for us which you see here. I went into the kitchen before everyone knew there was a cake in there and snapped this photo. It was a beautiful cake!!! Bear in mind that I am not a 'sweets' person. So, if I tell you this cake was irresistible....then you must know it really was. Beautiful and irresistible....double whammy! She also made homemade chicken pot pie...a huge one....another 'over the top' item. Thank you, Carol Ann!

Carol Ann is quite creative and always busy. I don't think she sleeps. You can see her here showing me her fabric closet. The latest tip she gave...using large salad containers from Sam's Club to house her fabric pieces. A really neat idea. Rest assured, there is fabric in a few other places too. She makes things that require MANY beads, MANY yards of fabric, MANY yards of thread, etc. Like me, she likes some things that are tedious. She thinks they are simple...so 'no problem'...others think her work is too tedious for them to do...until she shows them they are wrong. I identify with her in that regard. Of course, they won't all have her drive to finish so many things, but they can do a version of some of it. She does all her quiltmaking on a longarm. That's where we differ. I admire her work very much though and wish I had her energy. You can check out Carol Ann's blog HERE.

There are pets in the house at Carol Ann's.....Mac, the huge dog....my friend. I don't know how big Mac really is, but I'm guessing he weighs in around 125 pounds or so. He's really big. And sweet. And he loves to be petted. So, he comes to me. I like him a lot. You can see us here.
Me and Mac....friends. There is another dog, Thelma. I didn't get a photo of her and she is more aloof, not so interactive, but she is a nice dog too.

There is a beautiful cat living in this house. At this very moment, I can't think of it's name...I always call it 'kitty.' Isn't this a beautiful cat? I love petting 'kitty' as lots of cats won't let you, but this one does. It's fun to be an 'animal person.' Well, ok, I don't think I would pet a snake or something like that...but dogs and cats...yes!

Thank you, Carol Ann, for a lovely day shared with our friends in your home! A good time was had by all......next month we meet at Brenda's......can't wait!!! take care out there...pat

Lemon Blossoms

I intended to post before now and thought I'd have something neat to show you....but of all things that could happen....I've LOST my camera! As it turns out, I rarely lose anything that important. Well, I lose patterns, a certain set of buttons, stuff like that, but never do I lose my keys, my camera, my wallet. Yesterday I lost my car keys AND the camera. Found the keys. (Actually, they were right in my purse, I just didn't see them.) There were people here overnight for two nights, with things going on. Guess I just lost my concentration. I am the person the family comes to when something is missing, so it's shocking about the camera. And, you know what that means.....I can't take photos for the blog! I'm sick about it. (Yes, we've looked high and low and everywhere else!)

Until I find it, posting something interesting on my blog might be a big challenge. So, today you get to see the mini-cupcakes I love to make which I photographed a couple of weeks ago. I made these for an event at my daughter's real estate office. They disappeared almost immediately. And, if I do say.....they are scrumptious! (And, most importantly, for your info, they are not my recipe....but rather, a recipe from Paula Deen of Food Network fame. This recipe was in an issue of her magazine.) I've made them MANY times.

LEMON BlOSSOMS
(makes 5 dozen or so)

1 (18 1/2 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat miniature muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend with an electric mixer for two minutes. Spoon one tablespoon into each muffin cup. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn onto a tea towel.

GLAZE:

4 cups confectioner's sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of one lemon
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water

To prepare the glaze, sift confectioner's sugar into a bowl. Add lemon juice, zest, oil and water and mix until smooth. Dip cupcakes into glaze while cupcakes are still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible. Place cakes on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch drips.
Let glaze set thoroughly before storing in container with tight fitting lid.

Let me tell you....storage is not a problem with these, as they will disappear before your very eyes if anyone is near!

A few words about the vintage tablecloth shown on my kitchen table. It is a purchase from the local flea market...quite nice with lovely flowers.....and a black embroidered flourish all around and nicely made, not really big enough for my 48" kitchen table, but I use it anyway! As you know, I love this type of thing and 'hunt' for them all the time.

So, friends out there....have a good 'rest of your week' and I'll post again soon...hopefully with some photos! take care...pat

"Three Cakes in a Week"

Imagine this....I've baked! Well, ok, I've baked before, but I don't bake as much as I used to because that 'old navy man' can eat those sweets as fast as I can make them, so I don't do as much of it as I used to. Until now.

One of my favorite activities these days is reading the blogs of other people. It's amazing what you can LEARN by doing so. On one of my favorite blogs, my new friend, Tina, has been baking and sharing the recipes. I found her blog by chance...and it has become not only one of my favorite blogs, but I feel I've found a new friend, too. I love seeing what she is doing to decorate her home and craft, but to my amazement, I am excited to see what she is cooking! You can read 'all about it' if you visit Tina at her blog, Cherry Hill Cottage. You will certainly enjoy any time spent there.

A couple of weeks ago, she made, then posted photos of a chocolate cake and gave the recipe for the frosting. It was a beautiful cake and since the navy guy loves chocolate, I thought I'd surprise him with one. (Well, listen, it was really not a surprise because he is retired, has no hobbies and has become very interested in every little thing I do, so he was watching!) Then, too, his little tv/computer room is practically right in my kitchen, making it difficult for me to do anything remotely resembling a surprise.

So I made the cake. He and everyone who had a slice, thought it was divine. As I've mentioned before, I am allergic to chocolate, so all I can tell you for sure is making the cake and frosting was easy and smelled divine! I forgot to take a photo though, so the one you see here is the one I made TODAY to take to my group meeting tomorrow. The first cake turned out prettier because I wasn't taking it anywhere (you know how that goes). Today's cake doesn't look exactly perfect...but he says the frosting is wonderful...he always gets to scrape the bowl and spoon! A side note: I bought that antique cake plate at the Flea Market last week for $6....it's really pretty. (For some weird reason, I think a pretty cake plate makes cakes taste even better!)

Tina also made a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Beautiful and delicious looking. I haven't made one of those for years. She baked hers in an iron skillet. I have one, so thought it would be a good time to bake that cake myself, after all, I can eat that kind of cake and he likes them too. Needless to say...I baked one. It was delicious and disappeared quickly. I remembered to take a photo of that one...looks good, doesn't it.

So, I've set some kind of baking record in this house - except for the holidays...three cakes in a week. I enjoyed baking them too...so thank you, Tina, for sharing your recipes and letting me visit your home via the blog. It's a delightful place and I can't wait to see more. The old navy man says THANK YOU, too. Take care, everyone. pat

"Chocolates, Anyone?"

"SAVE THE EARTH....it's the only planet with CHOCOLATE!"

"Put EAT CHOCOLATE at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least, you'll get ONE thing done."

Let me begin by saying that I am allergic to chocolate. To those of you who happen to know me...this explains why I am a somewhat difficult person to live with. To those of you who don't, well, suffice it to say that I have substituted chocolate therapy with flea market therapy, thus avoiding those bothersome allergic reactions!

The last two Mondays, I have taken a chocolate-making class at the local chocolate shop. While I knew there was a chocolate shop in town, I had never ventured into it, but a friend of mine mentioned that she was taking a class there, and thinking it sounded like FUN, I decided to attend classes with her. And, YES, I did say I was allergic. I just never touch the stuff, but can still enjoy the smell of it...aroma therapy....and besides, that old navy man LOVES chocolate, so why not make him some?

The little shop is called "Pearley May's Chocolate Shop" where you can purchase various chocolates, cakes, cookies, etc. The owner's name is Diana. I would give you all the shop info, but she doesn't ship. Being a one person operation, I'm sure she has her hands full filling all her orders during the holidays anyway. There isn't another operation like it around here that I know of.

In the first class, we learned to paint the molds with chocolate, rolled the centers, etc. The first box of chocolates shown here, I made in the first class. Not perfect ones, mind you, but I did manage to make enough to give every person at our family Thanksgiving dinner one, plus a small box of eight to send home with the favorite son and a box of six home to Texas with the cousins. These folks said the chocolates were very good, so I'm assuming they were. I know I had fun making them.

One thing I learned is if you overpour the final layer of chocolate, you must later trim them to make each one really "neat and pretty." And, also, we cut one from each batch in half so we could see how well we filled the chocolate shell. You know how OCD I am, so naturally, I was better at doing the trimming than the filling!

In the second class, we learned to make truffles....piping in the filling. I really enjoyed the piping....reminded me of decorating cakes. The second little box contains some of the truffles I made.....I even enjoyed putting the box together and think doing some artwork on the boxes would be fun...well, if you are presenting them as a gift, why not go all out?

The classes were fun...I had never taken a class involving food before. I wanted to take the class on 'ganache' but missed it...darn it...that old navy man would love a chocolate cake with that luscious, shiny, chocolate on top and there are no more classes til some time next year. Heck, maybe I'll just research that and make him one on my own. How hard can it be? Famous last words?

It's cold here....and it probably is where you are too...so stay warm and happy and take care til we visit again. pat

PS. By the way, did I mention the navy man eats all this chocolate and never gains an ounce?
Aggravating, isn't it?