It's Okay

Slept in today, well, slept in yesterday too.  That's okay.  I'm on vacation at home.
I skyped my new niece instead of visiting the hospital.  It's okay, I'll make a personal visit when my cough and laringytis are gone.
I published a picture of my brother in a pink tub on my Instagram.  It's okay, he laughed too.
I bought one too many postcard stamps today.  It's okay, I can leave it in my desk drawer for posterity.
I played Candy Crush almost all day today, except when I had to wait for my lives to renew.  That's okay, I'm almost caught up with my brother and former work buddy.
Between Candy Crush games I brought out the new make up I bought yesterday and played dress up.  It's okay, I still look like me.
The new clock on top of the kitchen shelf stopped working.  It's okay.  I don't care.  I'm on vacation at home!

Zucchini Carrott Bars

 
I came across a recipe that has been in my binder a long time and decided to make it with a couple of adaptations.  I remember being surprised that this cake like bar cookie was so good and healthy too. Healthy too?  Yes, if you bake in a 9 x 13 pan and cut into 36 bars; it’s only about 120 calories per bar and for the diabetics out there about 16 g. carbs and no salt.

Southern Creamy White Gravy

On a quick walk through a local resale store I found two things I was looking for.  A ceiling light fixture for a future project and a white gravy boat.  The best part?  It was green tag day and the ceiling light fixture was sporting a green tag.  My 5.49 find was 1/2 off.  That's only half of the best part... because they were having a Presidents Day Sale... I got the gravy boat free!  Wha hooo!

Peach Salsa on Pork Chops w/Baked Winter Vegies

It started with a gift of peach salsa.  Something I’ve not eaten before.  The daughter in law brought the gift from Schulenberg, Texas near Austin.  The ingredient list goes something like this: peaches, onions, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, bell peppers, vinegar, brown sugar, cane sugar, garlic, salt & spices and has only 20 calories per serving.  It has a slightly sweet flavor of peaches and the mildly hot taste of peppers that complimented the thick cut pork chops and our favorite winter vegetables. The web site on the jar is www.omaschoice.com  I get no compensation for sharing this information, but feel obligated to let my readers know where you can buy some if you want.  If you are a canner, I think this would be easy enough to create at home too.
To start the meal pre-heat the oven to 350 F and prep the vegetables.

Green Bean Bundles

Bring a pot 2/3 full of water to a rolling boil.  Set a large bowl of ice water on the counter.
Drop 6-8 fresh  whole green beans per person into the boiling water and blanch for 3 or 4 minutes.  Remove the green beans when they are bright green and place them in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.  Move the green beans to a shallow bowl and toss with a couple tablespoons Zesty Italian dressing.   Use one piece of raw bacon to wrap around each bundle of 6-8 green beans.  Place them with the bacon seam side down on an oiled cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  The bacon takes 20 minutes to fully cook and the beans will be crisp tender too.
Baked Winter Vegetables
My choice of winter vegetables for the two of us are one sweet potato, one parsnip, and three 1/2” slices off the neck of a butternut squash and sometimes a carrot or white potato.  I first learned to like parsnips after seeing the Barefoot Contesa make them on a TV show.  They have a slightly tangy flavor and really nice aroma.  Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skins of each.  Cut them into bite size pieces and place in a single layer on a oiled cookie sheet.  Olive oil is my preference, but you can use what you have.  Rub a light coating of oil on the vegetables.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake in the oven at 350 F for 20 minutes.

The thick cut pork chops are easy to make. Sprinkle the chops with salt and pepper.   I use my favorite kitchen tool…a hot cast iron skillet… with about a Tablespoon of oil to brown the chops on medium high heat.  When they are crispy brown on the outside, move them to the oven and finish cooking with the vegetables.  Spoon on some of the peach salsa before serving.  It was a delicious combination that will require me to search out a peach salsa recipe after this jar is gone, or maybe order another one!







I sometimes link up here…

Pink & Green corsages turn hair accessories…

My niece is having a baby girl!  I'm hosting a Brunch for her in a couple of weeks, therefore am crafting and hording pink things for the party.  Her nursery is hot pink and apple green polka dots everywhere.  I found these wonderful pink and green dotted Gerber daisies at Michael's. I also located some sparkly rhinestones and fancy feathers that are making these into special corsages.  I’ve glued on felt backing that holds an alligator clip so the corsages can be turned into hair accessories after…or during the party.  I know my niece will love them.  Here is a picture tutorial on how they were made.


Remove the flower centers and back, discard.  Glue each set of petals together at the center and attach a felt circle to the back.  While the glue dries for an hour or more, cut another felt circle and a small slit large enough to slip the front side of a hair clip through. Glue it on the back to the first felt circle.  Allow it to dry completely.  A third felt circle can serve as a base for a rhinestone center.  Flip the flower to the front and glue the rhinestones in the center.  Use floral tape to attach some fancy feathers to wire.  Attach to the back using the hair clip.  A hat pin from the floral department was used to pin the corsage on the mom and grandmothers during the party.  After the party mom can use a corsage on a baby head band that can be purchased in most craft stores.
Check back later for more party details.





linking up here…

Living life and sharing snippits.

It's okay not to celebrate my first blog anniversary the typical way.

Life is as short  as a cliche... I'm trying to make the best of it.  A year ago in February I started this blog.  I have seen lots of bloggers celebrating their anniversary with give aways and special participation that involve sponsors.  I felt a little guilty for a short time... and a do mean a short time...that I haven't taken on sponsors to make money with my blog.  At present, I don't need to.  The purpose behind my blog is enjoyment and sharing some things I enjoy with you in my retirement years.  I am still enjoying my blogging life and have avoided making it a "job".  So forgive me for not offering a give away, and instead (hopefully) giving you a short, easy to read, glimpse into my life.

I'm ok with my regular life.  Here is a glimpse into today.  One day in my life that is like many other days, full of sunshine, nature, family, friends, cooking, shopping, crafting, blogging and relaxing.

• Rise & shine.  I've been away from home for a couple of months so today I'm cleaning up the left over holiday stuff, starting with the Rosemary Wreaths I made.  Because it has dried out nicely, it was easy to lay the wreath on the counter and apply a little pressure with my hands to get the aromatic leaves off.  I simply gathered up the dry leaves and put them in a zip lock bag.  This will be yummy in spagetti or Rosemary Chicken.

• A walk in one of our city parks carrying my camera was a good way to start today.  It's still wintry and sparse but I managed to see some pretty images. I'm so inspired by the Wooly Moss Roots blog and Our Neck of the Woods  blog, I wish I could spend some days romping in their woods.

• Time for a mini make over with some fresh hair color and a trip to get it trimmed. Oh, and I need gas in my car.
• A quick stop at a local resale shop where I found a white gravy boat and a light fixture I think I can turn into a bird bath.  That doesn't read quite right, the gravy boat will hold gravy; the fixture will make a cool bird bath.
• I'm in the mood to cook something divine so a trip to the grocery store (Walmart) is necessary.  Of course I didn't restrict myself to the grocery section...
• Visited with an old friend in the Walmart isles.  I have not seen her in at least 10 years.  That was a really nice surprise.
• Back at home I cleaned out the fridge and folded laundry before putting together a pork chop dinner that included green bean bundles, baked winter vegetables and a peach salsa from the daughter in law. for me and hubs.  The recipes will be tomorrow's blog.
• Called mom, my children and e-mailed a couple of other friends & relatives because I love my family and friends... and some blogging cause I luv you guys too!
• Watching sunsets are my favorite end to any day.  I have lots of sunset captures on my Instagram feed.  

• Today was a good day, I can't wait to start tomorrow.

Hey, if you have a day in your life to share or even part of it, please leave a comment with your blog link.

This moment

A simple bulb

and a promise of spring.

A flash of color 

and a breath of new air.

A moment in time

caught on film.

To share and remember.

with Soulemama

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

Linking up here...

Raspberry/Hazelnut/Chocolate Pastry

Last valentines I made this delicious Pinterest find for hubs.  We both loved it so much, it's become part of our dessert favorites.  Link to the original post for the recipe here.

This valentines, I'm thinking a scoop of Bluebell Home Made Vanilla ice cream on the side while we warm next to the fireplace.

Mine came out a little less than than perfect like the photo above, but the taste was totally worth it.

Post script:  A reader reported difficulty linking back to the original Pinterest recipe from Pillsburry, I changed the link to go directly to the recipe, but also included the recipe as I wrote it down in my style here.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

• 1 can Pillsburry seamless crescent dough, cut into 8 squares, placed on aparchment lined cookie sheet.
• Spoon 2 teaspoons hazelnut spread on each square.
• Top with 3 fresh raspberries and
• 4 chocolate chips
• Fold the dough over and press edges to seal.  Form into heart by pressing indention in top center (for the heart top) while rounding the edges with your hands and ending with the heart point at the bottom.
• Brush with a beaten egg.
• Bake 13-17 minutes and cool 
• Dust with powdered sugar. 
• Microwave 1 Tablespoon hazelnut spread and 1 Tablespoon chocolate chips 45-60 seconds.  Stir smooth.  Drizzle over baked pastry and serve to your sweetheart.

... when I made mine I made 4 larger squares and doubled the filling for each square.  

Happy Valentines!

It's OK


To eat my Valentine chocolates before "the day" got here!

To stand still on the back porch with a cup of hot tea

breath deep

and relish the love of family.

It's OK, really, it is okay.

Steeple of faith.

A beautiful symbol of faith

against the early morning sky,

Atop a steeple in need of repair.

The building below holding seats in rows,

A place on earth where families gathered as witnesses,

of promises to be faithful till death do them part,

souls committed to the hope of something more,

and the mourning of loved ones gone on.

Babes, children, parents, the aged

living life’s cycle and in need of repair.

A beautiful symbol that faith will be rewarded

still stands against the early morning sky.

Party links listed here

Angel wings in the sky

After a particularly difficult two days at the hospital last week, this sky scape unfolded in front of us on our drive home.

I’m exceedingly grateful to those professionals that dedicate themselves to helping others.

Dandelion seeds

Synchronized

Tiny ballerinas

in perfect alignment

Timeless art

Beautiful