Source: Cheesy Potato Casserole
These sound so yummy!
Does anyone recognize this?
It is absoutely necessary for a stove to work. Don’t ask me for a technical name, but this odd looking contraption plugs in somewhere inside the gas stove, and the flints mysteriously spark and make the gas stove click on. That would be the gas stove that cooks our meals. Not the gas insert that heats a home.
Notice the flint is broken.
Which means the stove is broken.
This piece is only about 1/8 of an inch wide and about 2 inches long. Despite that tiny size, if it doesn’t work, the stove doesn’t work.
Let’s say the flint plug (oh, I like that name) is the bridle that controls the Clydesdale stove.
It’s time for a new flint plug. Day 3 without and counting.
On the other hand, I have successfully poached my first ever chicken breasts for Thai salad and it was wonderful. Much faster than roasting.
Moving on to more stove top experiments.
Source: Memory Box
I love memory boxes!
Source: How to Beat the January Blues
Some good tips for turning those blue skies to beautiful skies! Thanks, Susie.
Today as I began 2016 by working on a deadline, I had plenty of help.
Too much help, in fact.
This one, Mabel, jumped up right after sister, Monet, left.
I sense a new year trend in my office.
What work? You are doing that?
Move? You want me to move?
Fine. I will sit over here. I’ll just watch my sister.
Mom, what is in the basket? Can I get in the basket? Let me chew on some things in the basket.
What book? You need this book? I’m sitting on it . . .
And so went the day. There have been times when my mind was so focused, I didn’t even see or hear the approaching kitty until she leapt in the middle of work. This was especially troublesome when her paws were wet and a touch muddy.
We have new S.O.P.
(standard operating procedures)
1. Be prepared at any moment to quickly and calmly gather all ready-to-mail papers in a pile and remove them from work counter.
2. Try very hard to hear the tiniest pitter patter of kitty claws on the wood floor. This will give warning of impending assistance on the work desk.
3. Give loves. This allows kitties to purr, shed fur, and roll around on paperwork. This also encourages kitties to vacate the project zone in a timely manner.
Paws up to 2016!
May your year be fulfilling, joyful, and overflowing with peace.
And may your clothes always bear fur from the administrations of 4-legged children. For that means you have provided a home to loving pets.
Happy New Year!
Reblogged on WordPress.com
Source: Yep
I adore trees. I love trees. I want to have my own personal Hundred Acre Wood.
Our first summer in our new home, we planted 6 new trees. We’ve since added 2 more very large trees.
Our tree selection and planting usually occurs in early spring or late fall.
It has NEVER taken place in December. When there is several feet of snow on the ground. And said ground is frozen. Shoveled drifts stand all along the perimeter of our yard.
There. Is. No. Access. To. Dirt.
So tell me Tree Experts, aka Arbor Day Foundation, why would you ship my new baby trees to me (in Washington state, in winter, in December, in a very snowy year) right now?
Sure, I would love to plant them. I would have fun heeling them in to grow for a few years before transplanting them to their new location in the yard.
But that is not going to happen right now. In fact, it won’t happen for several months. I’m pretty sure the snow will not melt within the 2-3 days of approved wait time to plant. I’m actually confident that even if the snow melts in January, the ground will still stay cold enough to be undiggable. That is also true about February as well.
So here we go. What to do with my lovely little sad baby trees. And such nice varieties, too.
I am fortunate that I never got around to putting away a large clay pot. Dirt is a different matter. Come on honey, bring me those dead poinsettias so I can steal the dirt.
We are all going to be cozy baby trees and snuggle up in the same pot until the ground is actually ready for planting. What, maybe 3-4-5 months?
I hope they like each other.
Wrapped in Love was a cozy success.
Project stats:
~ 9 adults (including 1 teen) traveled to Landmark Care Facility
~ over 150 items were made or purchased and given to Wrapped in Love
~ 2 utility carts + 1 red wagon hauled goodies up and down the hallways, in and out of rooms
~ between 80-85 residents accepted a warm cozy item; a few were convinced to take matching items, ornaments, or bookmarks
~ 1.5 hours spent visiting residents and distributing gifts
~ at least 1 case of joyful tears from a resident who had no one to visit her, accompanied by the tears of volunteers
~ one 67th anniversary celebrated with family members of a husband and wife sharing a room
~ too-many-to-count hugs and Christmas greetings
~ 3 = number of volunteers who missed the photo op
~ buckets of smiles
~ 1 grouchy guy who didn’t want more stuff (at least he was honest)
~ several residents who already had gifts and visits from family urged us to give the goods to others who had nothing
~ 30 minutes to set-up conference table with donations before loading carts
~ 3 = # of times teen willingly gave up own hat (and replacement) to residents
~ many treat sacks and bags of carmel corn were given to staff members
~ remaining gifts were left for staff members to choose from and to be put in a storage closet for new residents who arrive with nothing
~ numerous volunteers donating supplies and completed projects
~ hours, days, and weeks spent knitting, crocheting, and creating items
~ joy > hours sacrificed on Christmas Day
Thank you, volunteers! All of you who helped in any way were a part of our Christmas Day visit to senior residents at Landmark.
Thank you!
break the fast mouthful
lemon yellow saucy bite
egg and ham divine
~ Angie Quantrell
My first EVER attempt to make Eggs Benedict. This was a treat for my honey, who loves this dish. Too lemony was the hollandaise sauce, so back to adjusting the recipe I go. But there were no curdled eggs and a nice rich sauce covered the poached eggs and ham. I consider my maiden voyage on the ship named Hollandaise & Poached Eggs a success.
For me, this was Boxing Day – cooking outside our usual breakfast rut.
Happy Boxing Day to those who celebrate in more traditional ways!
Love, Laughter, and Life 