For Today ... Jan 6, 2016

 

For Today ... Jan 6, 2016
Howdy....
It's just after mid-day and I'm barley through half of my daily cleaning list I'm just going slower and slower these days. I know I should be getting more done but don't know how to get to that.  I've been doing some checking up on Thyroid abd the more I read the more I think that is my over-all problem and want to be able to correct it as soon as we get some insurance. Jerry is still looking into that for us. I've let him know it's got to be sooner  rather than later.  At least with the camper not being  full sized house I don't have a lot of rooms to clean up. I've cleaned the Kitchen and Bathroom so far and next is the dinning area which is simply clearing off and wiping off the table and straightening off the benches around the table and taking care of the floor under the table.

 

 

Outside my door ...
It's about 44 outside. A bit cold but not button up your coat and put on a hat cold. The Sun is shining enough to keep the camper warm and the heater has come on only a few times. I have a box heater pointed at me at the corner of the table I keep my laptop at.  This morning I had to fix the neckline of a nightgown that Donna gave me the first time I went to her house. I haven't heard how she's doing in the past couple of days. I do hope to hear back soon. I'll call her sister this evening, if I remember, and see how Sister and family are doing.

The Dogs ...
Barney had a blast during his turn outside this morning. After potty, he was jumping and running and looked like he was dancing as well.  He was just so full of energy that I let him stay outside until he was ready to come to the door on his own to come back inside.  Now he's sleeping at my feet.

 

Rocky has had an upset tummy and has thrown up a couple of times. (on the carpet) He has a habit of licking on the other dogs and he had a hair ball that had to come back up. I am constantly looking for something to spray on Macon, who Rocky licks the most, that will make Rocky stop licking his back. Anyway... Rocky is now okay and has returned to his usual routine.

Macon got in trouble by pushing some things off the couch to make room for him to lay on it. I really do need to put that stuff away, but I will need Jerry to help me with it.  Macon is now sleeping on the floor and is snoring from time to time.

 

 

From the kitchen...
 Well, we ended up eating out last night after filling our propane tanks. I had  small cheese and shared some of Jerry's nacho's. Jerry ate a large burger, Tater Babies and the rest of the nacho's.
Today I'm going to make the spaghetti I had planned on yesterday.  I will brown the burger here in a bit and add it to the crock pot along with the pasta sauce to simmer this afternoon.

I am hearing...
The heater fan. The TV. and Macon snoring.

I am wearing...
Black sweat pants and a light tan T-shirt. Teal Earrings

 

 

I am reading...
I downloaded a few books but haven't started reading any of them yet.

I am thankful for...
That Jerry is working.

I'm also thankful tha he can take care of the heavy things like taking care of putting in the propane tanks. 
The sunshine that helps keep the camper warm during the day
The dogs and the company that they are for me.

I am hoping...
That we both pass our class on Friday.  That Rocky feels better soon.

I am creating...
I'm going to work on a paper craft this afternoon

One of my favorite things...
Talking to our daughters

A few plans for today...
Finish up the basics and make a couple of cards or start on that dress for Bailey I keep writing about.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Cooking, Cleaning, Watching TV. taking a class on Friday with Jerry and Heather.

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love.
May you find joy in the small things of the day
May you find something to smile about today.

Billie C.

English Country Casserole

English Country Casserole

4 large potatoes
2 Tablespoons butter
14 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 large onions, sliced
2 Tablespoon salad oil
1 cup cooked ham, diced
10 ounces Cheddar cheese

 

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F.
Pare and quarter potatoes.
Cook until tender in large saucepan. Drain potatoes and return to pan.
Toss pan gently over heat to fluff-dry potatoes.
Add butter and milk to saucepan. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat.
Mash and then beat potatoes until very smooth, season with salt and pepper.
In a skillet, saute onion rings in oil until soft.
Add ham and saute several minutes.
Cut cheese into thin slices.
In a 6 -cup baking dish, spread half of potato mixture in bottom.
Spoon onion and ham mixture over potato mixture.
Layer with half cheese slices.
Top with remaining mashed potatoes.
Arrange remaining cheese sliced on top.
Bake for 20 minutes or until piping hot.

 

May your day be blessed and full of love.
May you find joy in the small things of the day
May you find something to smile about today.

Billie C.

Jan 5

For Today ... 01 05 16

(7am)
Good Morning From a cold Tennessee Morning. The sun is still hiding behind the hill so it's going to be a while before I see it and it starts to warm up the camper. Living by a lake is beautiful but the wind blowing across the water makes it a cold wind, as well.But even though it's winter, the grass is still mostly green and still trying to grow. The Sun finally made it over the top of the hill about 8:15 and started to warm up the camper. We ran out of propane at 9. I texted Jerry that we are out and I hope to hear from him to find out when he plans to refill the tanks.

 

Mike came over and asked to borrow our large light to thaw his waterlines under the camper he's in. Worked well because he brought it back in less that 15 minutes

The dogs don't much care for this colder weather at all. Unless I'm tossing a ball for Barney, even he just wants to get out, potty then run back inside. They all forget that I need to take the lead off before they can leave the doorway, but they are getting much better at jumping into the camper, turning around and letting me get it off.  They don't want to lay on the floor.  I know it's colder on the floor but I really don't want them on the bench or the couch either. I will have to lay some blankets on both and take them off for company or everyone will be covered in dog hair. The grand kids love the dogs but don't like all the left over dog hair that gets on their clothes.

Today, I'm going to cook in the crock pot. I'll brown some burger and add a jar of Pasta Sauce to it and let it simmer for a couple of hours before Jerry gets home tonight. Dessert will be Chocolate covered Peanut Butter Crackers. It's been a while since I made those and it's a special treat to have from time to time. Well, So much for planning out dinner... Ran out of Propane so I can't cook the noodles.  I may still do the burger in a foreman grill, and put it in a crock pot with pasta sauce, but I don't know how I'm going to get noodles cooked.

 

 

I am hearing... CBS Morning news, the blower for the heater and the dogs snoring.Soon as it gets light enough, the dogs will get even noisier because I'll be putting on my coat and taking each out for their first morning potty. I need to check in the storage space for a couple of heavy coats for Jerry. He said that the long range forecast is calling for colder weather next week.

 

Well, I did look while I was looking for the light for Mike, they are not there so they have to be in the storage in Dunlap.

 

I am wearing... Sweats this morning. Black Sweat pants and a Maroon sweat top.  If I stay cold(ish) I'll go find a cap to put on. I'll get either a knitted one or one I made years ago to  wear while we were doing Re-enacting events. I want to make a couple more of them.

 

I am reading... Hum... instructions on how to reset the pass code for my IPad.  I'm bummed in that I will have to reload everything because I can't recall the  four number code for it. I've been trying to load ITunes but even that is not working as it should and keeps saying I need to download the one for 64 bit. When I do that, nothing happens. I'll have to have Jerry try it cause I'm sure it's some small stupid thing that I'm missing.

 

I am thinking... about what I need to get done today.  I need to find Jerry's coats if they are here with us. I need to take the trash to the bin and I need to put away the rest of Christmas

 

*** update ***

Coats are not in the storage

All of Christmas has been put in a box

Still need to take the trash to the bin. A walk later.

 

I am thankful for... The good weather we have had so far. Not having to walk through snow or on ice is a blessing.

 

I am hoping... That Jerry gets at least one day off this weekend.

I am creating...  I want to work on Bailey's Dress some time today. I may have to get the small table out of the basement (back storage of the camper)

 

One of my favorite things... Staying here by the lake in the off season where it's nice and quiet. I hardly see anyone, but yet I know there are people close by if I need help.

 

A few plans for today... house chores,Take down and put away the rest of Christmas decorations and  sewing or at least cutting out the dress.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Keeping the camper cleaned, cooking dinners and on Friday, enjoying the day with Jerry and Heather.

 

I painted my fingernails yesterday late afternoon. I used the magnifier I bought after Christmas so I could see what I was doing. I do need to paint earlier in the day so I have better light to see by. I painted them Black and put a sparkly silver glitter coat on top of that. It looks like the night sky with stars.

 

 

I have lots and lots of errings. I am trying to wear a different pair each day.

 

 

Todays' earrings are black and purple and match what I am wearing

 

 

 

I wore these owl earrings yesterday. I bought them just before Christmas

 

 

Wore these on the third. I put one my dragon earring in the afternoon but kept the matching earring in my left ear.

 

Even though my hair is still short, I feel like I need to get it cut soon.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

 

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

 

I know it's early, but I want to start planning for treats for Valentines day to share with my Hubby.

Ingredients
⦁ 24-30 strawberries, fresh
⦁ 6 ounces of white chocolate
⦁ 8 ounces of dark chocolate
Method
1 Wash and dry the strawberries, making sure the berries are fully dry as water will cause chocolate to seize up.
2 Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Follow the melting directions on the package.
3 Dip the strawberry in the white chocolate, holding onto the stem or the "shoulders" of the strawberry. Give it a quick little twist and shake with your fingers to shake off the excess and then point it at the ceiling for a second or two to ensure that the chocolate adheres. Place on a piece of wax paper to let dry.
4 Melt the dark chocolate according to the instructions on the package. Dip the strawberry in at a 45 degree angle from both sides to make the "jacket". Let the excess drip off. Place on wax paper to dry.
5 Place some melted dark chocolate into a piping bag with a very small tip, or in a ziplock bag with the little corner snipped off and pipe on buttons and bow tie.
6 Allow to dry and cool. (If drying seems to go too slowly, place them in the freezer for about 3-5 minutes.)
Best eaten the day they are made.

 

May your day be blessed and full of love.
May you find joy in the small things of the day
May you find something to smile about today.

Billie C.

Good Morning, Jan 4, 2016

 

 

 

 

Good Morning,

 

I hope your day is going well so far. Have you had to write "2016" yet? Did you first write 2015 then had to change it? I know it will take me a little while to get it right.  Our weather is great for this time of the year. We are a bit cloudy right now and our high is suppose to be close to 40F. Even with the sun out that will be coldish.  I am wearing a sweat shirt for the first time this season. I love to wear sweats when it's cool outside. This one is maroon and I have on brown sweat pants to go with it.  We should be back into the mid 50's by the end of the week.

 

The Grand kids spent two nights with us this past weekend. The dogs loved it. WE took a walk down to the lake side on Saturday and Barney went right in. He just loves to swim. Macon got wet as well but not his whole body. just his lower legs.. Rocky just got his toes wet and that was all he was going to do. Barney kept trying to get Macon to go on into the water and get more wet. On Sunday, the kids took the dogs for another walk and when they came back, Macon smelled awful. It seems that he rolled in the grass in several places and one of those places was where someone emptied their fish holding tank and Macon was very happy with himself to have found it. He wasn't so happy that I took him back outside and rinsed him off. At least I used warm water and not just tap water to get the stink off of him. Pee U did he smell bad. The girls laughed at watching him try to avoid getting his shower.

 

We are eating out tonight since I need to do some food shopping. We put it off for too long and the kids being here emptied my larder even more. I told Jerry that we can go to the Piggly wiggly instead of Wal-mart since it's closer and the prices are about the same and I only need to buy for the rest of the work week since he's going to take Friday off and I can shop again then.  

 

Anymore, I DVR the morning news so I can go through an hours worth of program and hear only the things I'm interested in. Right now is a morning story on a new diet book. The premis isn't new, just a new way to look at what is eaten and which to eat first (Proteins) and what to eat last (Carbs) Next I'll watch the first of the "700 Club" for their take on the news. Then will erase the rest of it and watch the early morning news for the stories from the weekend and over night that I may have missed.

 

I got to watch the first episode of "Downtown Abby" last night and want to watch it again here in a bit to catch what I missed last night. IThe dogs distracted me a couple of times.

 

 

Have you got all your Christmas down and put away yet? I took down our tree yesterday, It only took a few seconds because it was a sticker on the wall.  The kids got a kick out of my sticker tree and all agreed it was the perfect place to put it. Today I need to clean up the camper and take down the rest of the Christmas but leave up the "New Year" decorations until the end of the week.

 

 

 

I found where I had put my tablet and picked up where I had left off in a book I was reading from the Kindle app. Now I can't remember my pass code and will have to lose everything on it to restart it. Oh bummer... I will have to see if Jerry can retrieve the pass code before I do that.

 

After I get the major parts of the camper cleaned up, I want to start working on a new dress for Bailey. She picked out the material for this one and I want to get it done before her birthday. She picked out a material with colored zigzag stripes in it. I bought what was left on the bolt and hope to have enough to also make Little Heather a dress or skirt as well.

 

 I need to replace my tart warmer. Macon hit the able I was on and spilt some of he wax onto the Dish Receiver and some of the wax dripped around to the underside of the warmer and I don't trust it any more. They are cheap enough that I think it is safer to replace than worry about it catching fire from the wax being too close to the element. I need to change the scent anyway. I'm getting tired of the Cinnamon Candy sent nd want something new for the New Year.

 

Well, I really need to get up from this computer and get the dishes done and the kitchen cleaned up so I can get to the rest of the camper s well.   It's not "Dirt" just that there is a lot of things out of place so it's cluttered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love.
May you find joy in the small things of the day
May you find something to smile about today.

Billie C.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I do not know

His house is in the forest though

He will not see me stopping here 

To watch his woods fill up with snow

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound's the sweep

Of wispy wind and downy flake

These woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Dec 16

DIME STORE ANGEL
It was just a Christmas Angel, that my Mom put on our tree.
She bought it at a five and dime, when I was only three.
Each year we'd trim our Christmas tree, with lights and ornaments.
Then Mom would always tell me, what the Angel represents.

The Angels came to tell the shepherds, of the Christ Child's birth.
And, Angels are still here with us, to guide us here on earth.
The Angel on our Christmas tree, was made in such a way.
That if the light inside burned out, you just threw it away.

The light burned out when I was twelve, the Angel would not shine.
But, Mom would not throw it away, she said it looked just fine.
She loved that little Angel, that she put upon our tree.
She said it didn't need a light, for anyone to see.

Then I grew up, and I moved out to start my family.
And, I'd go home at Christmas time, to help her trim her tree.
My wife and children went with me, to mom's house every year.
The house was filled with love and joy, as we shared Christmas cheer.

The kids would always say to her, "The Angel is burned out."
Then, she would smile and tell them, what the Angel's all about.
She told another reason, for it's specialty.
Your daddy picked that Angel out, when he was only three.

My mother passed away this year, early in the spring.
And then I had the painful task, of going through her things.
The beautiful old house she owned, was left me in her will.
We moved back in the summertime, we feel her in it still.

Early in December, we brought out our Christmas tree.
I went up to the attic, just to see what I could see.
I saw a cardboard box, with markings, "Ornaments and stuff."
And in it was the little Angel, that she loved so much.

I brought the cardboard box downstairs, and showed the family.
Then they persuaded me to put the Angel on our tree.
We trimmed the tree that weekend, and we talked of Christmas past.
Then when the tree was finally done, the Angel went on last.

Every night till Christmas, all the lights were burning bright.
Except the little Angel, that had long burned out her light.
Then on Christmas morning, I arose before the rest.
I had to have my coffee, to be at my very best.

I walked into the living room, my coffee cup in hand.
Then what I saw, so puzzled me, I could not understand.
I just stood in silence, as, my eyes filled up with tears.
The little angel was all aglow, that had been dark for many years.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be
patient and always to be kind.
--Helen Steiner Rice

 

****************

 Cracker Pudding
 
One quart milk
2 eggs, separated
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups broken saltine crackers
1 cup grated coconut- medium shred
1 tsp. vanilla
 
While warming the milk, beat egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Add to hot milk and stir in crackers and coconut. 
Cook till thick. Remove from heat and add stiffly beaten egg whites and vanilla.  Cool.  Serves 8

****************

Christmas Breakfast in a Mug

 

Christmas coffee mug
1 packet hot cocoa mix
Individually wrapped muffin
Cellophane-wrapped candy cane
Place all of the items in the mug for a quick gift breakfast. Place in a
clear decorative plastic bag and tie with a ribbon.

****************

 

 

 

*********

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.