Marinated Roma Tomatoes

Since Amy and I are busy doing paperwork today, here is the recipe for something that is mighty tasty. I don't really like jalapenos nor spicy hot foods, but these have the seeds removed so this is a tad spicy, but not too hot. If you try it, let me know what you think...

Marinated Roma Tomatoes

Mix everything together and marinate overnight in a glass container (not plastic--it will stain big time!). Add chopped scallions to the top when served.

20 plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
5 jalapeno peppers, chopped fine
3/4 c white vinegar
3/4 c olive oil
1/4 c light brown sugar
1 tsp fresh ginger (I used powdered)
1 Tbs mustard seeds
1 Tbs black pepper
1 Tbs salt
1 tsp turmeric
2 Tbs chopped garlic
1 Tbs cumin

We will finish up the last of these babies tonight. They are good chilled or at room temperature. Yummm...

T minus 4 and counting...

T is for THURSDAY...departure day. Another *new* adventure is about to begin very soon. Friends Jim and Janet join us on Thursday to fly overnight to Rio, by way of a plane change in Miami. Long flight, but it's a long way down there!

We'll spend one night in Rio then board a cruise ship. I think I posted that earlier, but there you have it one more time. I am busy setting up future posts and will add to them LIVE as I am able, so come along with us and learn a little about South America.

Life is short...make fun of it! Go cruising...

Gingerbread houses

Beautiful to look at, but don't touch. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Four little turkeys...

The Thanksgiving feast was fabulous...we had enough food to feed a small army...
...so they all came back tonight (minus Dan and Joan) to clean up the leftovers. Now these little turkeys have gone to their homes and it is bedtime all around here in Mayberry. So I'll say good night and sweet dreams on this Black Friday.

Oh yes, sister Nan has a new granddaughter, as of about 4p today. Autumn made her appearance in South Georgia. Welcome! I have a pink surprise waiting for you.

Did anyone go out shopping today, besides Barb? Not me!

May your stuffing be tasty...

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE.
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

The smoker got fired up at 6a, so now all it needs is to be checked periodically to refill the water pans. Check. That will be my job. Dick is off mowing. That is his job until it is time to carve. Check.

Count your blessings today. They are abundant! And remember our troops who are not home with their families. God bless them all!!!

Thanksgiving feast with friends and family...

So what is on the menu? Well, Dick will be smoking the turkey and ham. He discovered quite by coincidence that putting the ham above the turkey and having all those juices drip on the bird makes for the bestest turkey you have ever tasted! Trust me on this one.

We expect 14 here all total, and this is what is arriving:
appetizer
dressing & gravy
corn pudding
green bean casserole
green beans
yams
cauliflower with cheese topping
yeast rolls
pecan pie
pumpkin pie
cake

Notice I said ARRIVING. We could quit right there with all that food, but there are still a couple of things missing.

I will of course have cranberry sauce. It isn't Thanksgiving without that, but I am making two of my own T'giving staples: Marinated Roma Tomatoes and Glazed Carrots and Parsnips. And I plan to make some cranberry bread this afternoon after I put on a big pot of chili for tonight's dinner.

And that turkey carcass will go in the crock pot on Friday to make a big pot of soup. My mouth is watering already. Come join us!

Life is (VERY) good! That's the news from sunny Mayberry.

Thought for the day...

Live today because tomorrow is not promised...

So what happened at the meeting yesterday, you are wondering. I know you are. Did the votive stand get approved or not? Yes, but with conditions...that have to be first approved (or not) by the vestry. Nothing is ever SIMPLE, but it will work out as it should work out.

Today is hair cut day; go to the grocery store; clean house...and get ready for the feast on Thursday. There are just a FEW folks coming for dinner, but everyone is bringing something, so there will be many cooks involved.

We have a few Thanksgiving food traditions that I'll reveal tomorrow. Now that you are thinking about your own (aren't you?), please share some of them...and maybe a favorite Thanksgiving memory.

Our kids even remember the many times we had Thanksgiving dinner at the 'hunt camp' in central Florida with all the clan, dogs included. It was always a grand celebration, ending with everyone sitting around the fire roasting marshmallows...........and smelling of smoke! Good memories of happy times. And of so many family members no longer with us.

Make the most of today. That's all that we have. Life is good!

Gentle thought for the day...

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.



OK, so I need to remember the above at a church committee meeting this morning. To approve a votive stand or not approve it...That is the question. Some folks are in favor and some are against it. Some want a wooden stand; some want metal.


We'll see what the committee says. Oy...and this isn't the only issue to be discussed. There's no business like church business!

Oh boy, it is Monday in Mayberry and a new week begins! Lord, please watch over my head, my heart, and my mouth. Amen.

Religious truths...

Show and Tell

A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment. Each student was instructed to bring in an object to share with the class that represented their religion. The first student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is a Star of David."



The second student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Mary. I'm a Catholic and this is a Rosary."



The third student got in up front of the class and said, "My name is Tommy. I am Baptist, and this is a casserole."



The Best Way To Pray



A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray," the priest said.



"No," said the minister. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven."



"You're both wrong," the guru said. "The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor." The repairman could contain himself no longer.



"Hey, fellas," he interrupted. "The best prayin' I ever did was when I was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole!"


~~So yesterday was a busy day. Joy, Joan and I shopped at the local Christmas market in the morning, which was fun...then Joy and I spent the afternoon at Haley's house with 3 other gals making two scrapbook layouts and six (count'em--6!) cards. Of course there was food and laughter involved. Haley is a great instructor.

Then Dick and I were having two wee boys for the evening, so Haley and her girls joined us for dinner and cousin time. I think today will be a day of REST! May your Sunday be filled with only good things.

Too true bumper sticker...

Something to ponder.

Life is good in Mayberry, y'all! Enjoy your Friday, whatever you do...

Thursday travel...

No, this isn't an exciting trip. We just have to go to the Brazilian Embassy in Atlanta to apply for a visa to their country (and it took FOREVER to get this appointment). All they want is money, but we have to present our passports, driver's licenses, visa forms...whatever. This is for our upcoming trip...VERY soon. Yikes--two weeks from today! Stay tuned for those details.

And Dick needs to pick up some parts to repair some of his equipment, so we'll get lots of things accomplished today.

It will be a long day, but that is OK. Enjoy your Thursday. If you see someone today who doesn't have a smile, give them one of yours.

Life is good!

Greek Chicken...that's what's for dinner!

Amy requested this for dinner tonight, so I thought I would go ahead and post the recipe. Thanks to all the tasty comments yesterday:

Greek Chicken with Onions, Oregano, Olives and Feta

3 T olive oil
1/3 c. flour, seasoned w/S&P
1 (3 ½ or 4 1/4 lb.) chicken, cut into 8 parts
2 L yellow onions, cut into L chunks
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbs. oregano
1 c. chicken broth
Grated zest and 4 T fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons
1 (28 oz.) can of chopped tomatoes w/juice
½ c. kalamata olives, pitted (I use more)
Kosher S&P to taste
½ c. feta cheese, crumbled (I use more)

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Dredge the chicken in the flour, using a resealable plastic bag. Brown the chicken in the oil for about 5 minutes per side. Add the onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth, lemon zest and juice, tomatoes and juice, and oregano. Bring to a boil, add the olives, reduce heat to low and cover. Allow to simmer on the stove for 45-50 minutes til the chicken is very tender. Adjust the seasoning w/S&P as desired. Serve from the pot or in a shallow bowl with crumbled feta on top.

It cooks up within about an hour, and is even better if made a day ahead. Serve w/orzo, rice or a loaf of country bread and a bottle of red wine. Serves 4

My mouth is watering already. Happy hump day, y'all! If you try this, let me know what you think, OK?

What's for dinner?

The young couple invited their elderly pastor for Sunday dinner. While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having.

"Goat," the little boy replied.

"Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about that?"

"Yep," said the youngster. "I heard Dad say to Mom, 'Today is just as good as any to have that old goat for dinner."

Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth.

Happy Tuesday, y'all! What's cooking?

Joseph's Coat of Colors...

At long last, the first of 16 stained glass panels went up at church this afternoon...

I filled in at the church office today while Maureen had jury duty, so it has been rather busy all day. The stained glass artist and the blacksmith arrived after lunch to install this panel. The afternoon sun doesn't do it justice, so I'll have to take a morning photo of it, but I couldn't resist posting my 'baby.' No, I didn't make it, but I have been shepherding this project now for a few months. We have six panels sold to date, and I think I'll be taking more orders when parishioners see this very first, fine piece of work.

Our country church is not fancy, so we didn't want 'cathedral' pieces...just simple glass depicting various Biblical stories, and light enough that it wouldn't darken our worship space. And with the option to remove the panels and take them over to a newer and larger sanctuary...that our great-grandchildren will build some day, long after Dick and I are gone...these panels have portabililty as well as beauty. Good planning, right? Next up is the Noah's Ark window. I wonder how long that will take to get completed...

Sheryl does good, beautiful work, so I know it'll be worth the wait. That's what I tell myself!

Religious truths...

Since it is Sunday, you'll get a little church humor...

The Picnic
A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter. "This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia Baked Ham. Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?"

The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your wedding."

The Usher
An elderly woman walked into the local country church. The friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps, "Where would you like to sit?" he asked politely.

"The front row please," she answered.

"You really don't want to do that," the usher said. "The pastor is really boring."

"Do you happen to know who I am?" the woman inquired.

"No." he said.

"I'm the pastor's mother," she replied indignantly.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"No." she said.

"Good," he answered.

Enjoy your Sunday, y'all. Make it a good one!

Friday the 13th...

And all is well in the GA Alps. No superstitions to be concerned about in this No Worry Zone.

Check out this view looking next door. This was two weeks ago, and it is now pretty much bare of leaves...actually ON the trees. They are now on the ground...where they'll stay.
With all the rain Ida brought us, the water rushing into the lake was singing loudly yesterday and making its presence known as it began its long journey toward the Gulf. Miss Ida has not been a genteel lady to residents up the coast, however.

Today is the monthly birthday celebration lunch with my BSP sistas, and I am one of the four honorees. My lone December birthday will be combined today with the November celebrants. That's fine with me to begin celebrating early. Heck, any excuse to have lunch with friends is a great idea! Let the good times roll...

Enjoy your Friday. The sun is now shining. Life is good!

Veteran's Day 2009

Miss Macey called her Grumps (Coast Guard) the other night to invite him to her school for a special ceremony. The kids were encouraged to invite a vet, and Macey got two! Her Uncle Joe (Army) is a member of the local Honor Guard. The Honor Guard showed the kids how to properly fold our flag, explaining in the process just what the flag and each fold means. Afterward, everyone went outside to witness a seven-gun salute, ending with Taps. I get chills every time I hear that.

My dad served in the Army during WWII. This is perhaps the only photo I have of him in his uniform. He would be mighty proud of this smiling g/granddaughter.

Thank you, thank you to each and every veteran. Because of you, we live in a free nation. God bless our troops and their families everywhere, especially Dr. John. All of you are making a sacrifice, just for the folks here and for the folks where you are. Be careful.

Public service announcement!

In case we run out of masks during this H1N1 flu season, here is a homemade mask you can make yourself.

It is even compatible with eye glasses.



I would first suggest that they be new.

Also remember to wash your hands often, cough into your elbow area, and keep your hands away from your face.

This mask will insure your isolation from others, thereby protecting you from this nasty virus.

End of announcement.

Good luck...stay well, y'all!

Life is good!!!

Saturday chores...

Just about every leaf you see in this photo is now either on the ground or is brown and barely hanging on. Dick got out the blower (not the super sucker) and got the driveway and back deck cleared off, thank you very much!
And really good news: Dick, Brian and Jason got the mower *unstuck* yesterday! Woohoo...and only one slightly smashed finger in the casualty department. So Dick is off mowing today, and I am doing a few household chores. BORING.

When I was a kid, my chore on Saturday was to polish the furniture and polish shoes. I thought about this as I was applying black polish to my black leather clogs a few minutes ago. And of course every day stuff had to be done: help with cooking, washing dishes (no dishwasher back in those days), drying dishes (my older brother and I took turns washing/drying). Our three younger sisters weren't much help at that time. And a room of my very own? Not until said older brother married and moved out did I get one. And we only had one bathroom for this family of seven, and three bedrooms. Kids today have it made...But they don't think so.

But, even though we had only ONE bathroom, it was indoors, and we had electricity and running water. I guess we were pretty blessed after all, although it didn't always seem so at the time!

It helps to keep things in perspective...and I do. So I am thankful for the gas dryer that is about to receive Dick's now clean work clothes. And for the furniture that is about to be relieved of its protective dust covering...under this solid house roof...as I pray for the safety of our troops, who often sleep outdoors under the stars or sun overhead...and often on an empty stomach.

Just some Saturday random thoughts. Count your blessings, y'all!

Friday, wearing red!

This big bush that is just up the road from us is now almost bare of leaves. Sigh. Plus, we had frost this morning, so winter is seriously around the corner now. And the leaves are dropping fast.
Dick thought that mowing would one of our biggest headaches at our RV park, but he has learned over the years that the leaves are a much bigger problem. And they don't all fall at the same time either, so he has bought a super sucker that sucks them up after they have been sort of piled up here and there. Of course it has to be done over and over. Hmm, that sounds a lot like housework, except that goes on year round and is never ending!

Do I hear a big AMEN from you gals?

I'm wearing RED in support of our troops and I hope you are too! They especially need it right now. My heart goes out to all those affected by the Ft. Hood massacre.

So now I am off to finish laundry, chase a little dust around, and straighten up after two wee boys, who were here yesterday. Count your blessings!!!

Thursday thought...

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty; and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colors; but they all have to live in the same box.

Make peace with all the different colors today in your little corner of the world. Life is good!

Happy birthday, Empress Bee of the High Sea!

If you know the Empress Bee, you know that she LOVES cake! Especially Carnival Cruise Line cakes...and she loves cruising...
If you know Empress Bee, you also know that she doesn't like to celebrate her birthday. Tough patooties. All your friends love to have fun...so let the celebration begin!

Here is an un-birthday cake for all her peeps to enjoy. Stop over at Bee's blog and leave her a little love...and save a little cake for her, OK? Empress, we love ya bunches 'n bunches...get used to it!

Redneck intelligence...

The Pentagon announced TODAY the formation of a new 500-man elite fighting unit called the United States Redneck Special Forces (USRSF) from East Kentucky. These boys will be dropped off in Afghanistan and have been given only the following facts about terrorists:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are directly responsible for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Afghanistan to be over by Friday.

Now that you have a big smile on your face, share it with someone and enjoy your Tuesday! Life is good!!!

Blog award...

Thank you, Haley, for nominating me!

The rules are this: I need to pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know I left this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions in ONE word. Fun!

But first (isn't there always a 'but first'?). I am absolutely, positively AWFUL about asking folks to fill things out, pass them on etc. Plus, I enjoy so many 'Over The Top' blogs that it would be difficult to pick five, and not hurt any feelings for the rest of my peeps, so I am breaking the rule. I flunk. Right off the bat. But I will answer the questions, and anyone who wants to play along is welcome to play. How's that? And I'll list some of my faves at the bottom of the post who richly deserve this award.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? shaggy
3. Your mother? heaven
4. Your father? hopefullyheaven
5. Your favorite food? Italian
6. Your dream last night? none
7. Your favorite drink? tea
8. Your dream/goal? greatgranchildren
9. What room are you in? homeoffice
10. Your hobby? scrapbooking (Duh!)
11. Your fear? tragedy
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? unhappy
15. Muffins? Yum!
16. Wish list item? CraftCuttingSystem How's that for one word, stealing from Haley)
17. Where did you grow up? SouthGeorgia
18. Last thing you did? ate
19. What are you wearing? pjs
20. Your TV? HGTV
21. Your Pets? snoozing
22. Friends? lots
23. Your life? BUSY
24. Your mood? content
25. Missing Someone? Bee&Sarge
26. vehicle? silver
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Marshall's
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? recently
32. Your best friend? daughters
33. One place that I go to over and over? homeoffice
34. Facebook? yes
35. Favorite place to eat? out

Now I have to (should) pass this on to 5 people - so these are my suggestions, other than Haley,
because these are the blogs I visit every day (unless I am on a cruise ship and am paying by the minute!)...participate, you wonderful peeps...or not:

Bee
Sarge
Lois
Barb
Sandee
Linda

So I listed six. I can't follow directions. All of these blogs deserve the OVER THE TOP award! Have fun visiting...

Life is good. Happy Monday, y'all!

If it is Sunday, it is church day...

A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment. Each student was instructed to bring in an object to share with the class that represented their religion. The first student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is a Star of David."

The second student got up in front of the class and said, "My name is Mary. I'm a Catholic and this is a Rosary."

The third student got in up front of the class and said, "My name is Tommy. I am Baptist, and this is a casserole."

~~Well, I am not Baptist, so I am not taking a casserole today for the dinner after church. I am taking lemon cake!

Be sure to give someone a big smile today. You might even throw in a hug. Brotherly love, right?

Happy All Soul's Day...consider it a blessing if you have not lost a loved one this past year. Life is good!