Monday, April 28, 2014

HELLO

Life, at times can be very complicated. It isn't always easy to navigate through life without coming to a roadblock or two in our way. (I know that I have mentioned that topic of conversation before). Complete satisfaction in everything that is going on in our lives at the same time is not always obtainable. So, we do the best we can under circumstances out of our control. At the moment I am trying to "snap out of" the "woe is me" stage I am in. Believe you me I count my blessings and thank God for the wonderful progress I have made. But, I am writing this with a brace on my thumb and the pain of carpal tunnel and arthritis making me uncomfortable. But, as you can read I am doing the best I can. Thank goodness for the delete tab! I know that in the not too distant future I will have to make a decision to have surgery. Not a pleasant decision! But, it will also depend on what the doctors' decide. Time will tell. Stay tuned!

On a happy note we had a delightful weekend joining some friends for our monthly get together. The men tell jokes, talk about sports and politics. The women gab about all sorts of topics. We do try and not focus on medical conditions and we all get gussed up. It's fun and it also makes us realize how many wonderful friends we have here. I brought my peach surprise dessert from an earlier blog and it seemed to be a hit.

Laura and Joe spent the weekend in Charleston with their best friends, Kate and Alec. They went fishing and much to their dismay Laura and Kate caught stingrays. UGH! The men caught fish but released them. They had such a terrific visit. They are home "safe and sound". That makes Mama happy!

Up in New York my great nephew, Jack celebrated his first birthday (with Grandma Centre in attendance) with a crowd of children and adults at a restaurant catering to childrens' parties in Riverdale. The food was supplied from a restaurant on Arthur Ave. (Little Italy) in N.Y.C. They all had a blast! Jack was all dressed up complete with a bow tie and just smiled away. He has a doting family and as a result is a VERY happy child.

I just got back from a walk (7:30p.m.) What perfect weather; a slight breeze and no sun beating down on me. The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are abloom and a hint of a floral scent wafted through the air from the budding shrubs. All of a sudden, all was right with the world and my little troubles floated up, up and away, I guess getting a little exercise mentally makes me feel better. I must get in the habit of taking a walk, weather permitting every evening.

We are looking forward to Greg's visit this week. He's been great taking me out to do errands when necessary. Which reminds me how anxious I am to drive again so that I can reciprocate the kindness of all who take me here and there. Thanks all!

I am reading "THE TARGET" by David Baldacci and truly enjoying it.

I'm too lazy to go back through all of my old recipes so I am hoping that this is not a repeat.
HAWAIIAN NUT SANDWICHES (makes 12 dozen party sandwiches
1/4 cup evaporated milk
2 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained well
1/4 chopped pecans
Blend milk and cheese together. Add pineapple and nuts. Blend well. Good on orange or raisin bread as well as thin white bread.  I think this is a great recipe for a ladies' tea.

Have a great week and stay happy and healthy. There are many of you in my prayers. Love, Arlene


Monday, April 21, 2014

CARING

We are constantly getting emails which we, for the most part dutifully read. Some make us laugh, others provoke anger at what is happening to our country and some touch our hearts and put everything that is happening in our lives, in perspective. Leland and I read about a young man who lost both arms and both legs fighting for our country. He came home to his girlfriend who remained by his side during his recovery. She remained faithful while he coped with the reality of his situation. Obviously, he was not the same young man when he came home.  His girlfriend would carry him on her back up the staircase and whenever it was appropriate. This couple got married, he with his new prosthetics and she a picture in white. They approached the future with enthusiasm. How brave! Their's is not the only story. Have we forgotten our wounded warriors and their families? Are enough thoughts, prayers and help going their way. Remember how ill-treated our Vietnam veterans were treated. Remember Jane Fonda? How can anyone give her "the time of day". She is and always will be a traitor in my eyes.

Reading that email put so much in perspective for me personally. That young man and others like him make my situation seem trivial in comparison. Let's make a decision to thank these young man and woman in uniform and to keep them in our daily prayers. Let's thank the doctor' and caretakers who help them. Let's hope that they get the help and counseling they need to rejoin society and let's let them know we are proud of their service to our Country and we love each and everyone of them. God Bless them! And finally I hope our government treats them with dignity and makes our armed force the strongest in the world -  whatever it takes!

Just a note: Our Easter dinner was fabulous! and several of our Husbands' in attendance served in Vietnam and/or the armed services. They too, have our thanks.

Have a wonderful week, Arlene

Thanks to Bonnie Rossner this recipe is the VERY best dessert I have ever had.

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL DESSERT
2 cups of finely crushed pretzel sticks
3/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 of an 8oz package cream cheese softened
4T, plus 1 t of strawberry gelatin (out of a 3 oz pkg
2 cups whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together first three ingredients, firmly press on bottom , up sides and
onto lip of lightly greased 10 inch pie plate. Bake about 10 minutes. Remove from oven onto a wire rack and cool completely (about 30 min).  Process strawberries in a food processor or chop by hand. Beat condensed milk and next two ingredients at medium speed with a electric mixer  until smooth. Add strawberries, beat at low speed until blended. Transfer to a large bowl. Beat 3/4 cup of the whipping cream at high speed until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into strawberry mixture. Spoon into prepared crust and spread evenly. Cover and freeze for 8 to 12 hours.  Beat remaining  1 1/4 cups whipping cream at high speed until foamy; gradually add sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over pie. Freeze 1 hour until whipping cream is frozen. Keep in freezer until 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Southern Living - June 2012.  Thanks again Bonnie!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

EASTER AND PASSOVER

I want to take a moment to wish all of our family and friends a very Happy Easter and a very Happy Passover. Today we will be going over to our dear friends, Pat and Tommy Demetriou for Easter supper along with some additional neighbors. We are most thankful to be able to celebrate this joyous holiday and we truly do appreciate the meaning of Easter. It also evokes fond memories from my childhood. I would wake up Easter morning to find a basket full of goodies next to my bed. Yummy. After breakfast I would embark on a hunt for beautifully colored eggs. After putting on my  lovely new dress and bonnet, the family would go to church. And perhaps we would visit with relatives later in the day.

The visit with Victoria and Preston passed all too quickly but a a lot was packed into  the three and a half days. Victoria and Preston and Leland went to see " "Heaven is For Real" (they all loved it) on Wednesday while I played bridge ( and won!)  We then went to the Redeemer Church for dinner and as always enjoyed the food and chatting with our neighbors. Thursday Vikki and I galavanted and Preston and Grandpa went shooting with Tommy D.  Greg joined us for dinner that evening. We had such a good visit and loved hearing Preston and Vikki play the keyboard. Grandpa and Grammy are quite the proud Grandparents! We appreciated the fact that they took the time to drive down from Virginia. They spent Friday evening at Laura's and Joe's and the four of them had a terrific time. Now, we are so excited that our wonderful friends June and John will be coming toward the end of May.

It's so incredible that April is going by so quickly. I know it sounds ridiculous but summer is almost upon us. I am not  big fan of hot weather or sleeveless clothes. Who likes to see ones arms flapping! And, I always have to lather up with sunscreen before venturing out. I am a shade and breeze seeker. As a teenager I loved being tan but as an adult I strive to stay out of the blazing sun. Hats, here I come again.

I have been walking and find that I have more energy. That is a very good thing. But, I do recognize when I get tired and take the time to rest. Pills are the culprit for my tiredness. A side effect that I will just have to live with. I am happy to do that if they help keeping me well and seizure free.

As I have mentioned on numerous occasions I am quite content spending the day with Leland. Thank goodness we have each other. I just adore being with him!

Going to read "Tempting Fate" by Jane Green.

Victoria brought a dip that she made and it is so delicious I am sharing her recipe with y'all.

Black Bean Salsa

2 cans black beans
2 cans Rotel chunky
1 can shoe peg corn
1 red onion, chopped
3 tomatilla tomatoes (skin removed) chopped
6 T lime juice
1 T cumin
1 T chopped garlic
chopped cilantro to taste (can use cilantro paste in a tube)
1 T olive oil
Mix together and chill. Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips

God Bless you one and all.  Love, Arlene



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

FICKLE

Leland is at poker (Reagan is sitting by the front door waiting for his return) and I am "doing a little, sitting a little". You remember my Mother's adage.  It is chilly out today so I am snuggled up. Victoria, our eldest and Preston are driving down from Virginia and are expected around 5:30 pm. It has been well over a year since we last saw them so we expect to see quite a change in our teenage Grandson. They, of course, will see quite a change in me, post surgery. Except for getting tired very easily, a consequence of all my medications, I am doing quite well.

Someone mentioned to me that meditation is very theraputic. I have tried it and found that when I try to close my mind off, things continually pop into my head: i.e. we need bread, I really need to do this or that, it's so and sos' birthday etc. Maybe I should pick up a book at the library on chanting! Perhaps that will put me in a concentrated frame of mind. But then, I would realize that my chanting is not on key and that will spoil everything.

I have a variety of faults but my most blatant one is that is I go from doing one chore to another before completing the first task. At the moment the living room rug is half vacuumed. I decided I needed to update my blog. Clothes that need to be folded and put away are folded but then I run (make that waddle) to do another thing that pops into my mind. I suddenly need to clean the inside of the micro-wave.  And, y'all know about my decorating habits and that I go back and forth on Ebay (I'm back!)  A psychologist would  consider me a gold mine. "Honey, you know that screen porch you have always wanted, please call the builder". Obviously, I am a fickle task doer and sometimes that puts me in a pickle when guests are arriving. I need to focus on one thing at a time. But at 74 years of age I truly think I am hopeless. For all my life I have been this way and for me it is definitely too late to change. I eventually get things done, but I do them at my own speed called a snail's pace.

The only reason I don't leave my blog and go put on nail polish (which I really need to do) is because I am not quite sure how to save the blog and don't want to publish it half done. This I stick to out of fear!

I am reading M.C. Beaton's latest book: "Death of a Policeman". I am halfway through it - of course! There were things that needed doing in between. But, it's a great book. And, oh yes, I had a lovely chat with my wonderful and caring Cousin, Joan today. She always checks up on me. Thank you!

Coconut Shrimp Dip
Honestly I have never made this recipes but I came across it in my Recipe box and it sounds intriguing. I adore curry so I am going to take a chance on it. Good luck!

1/2 cup cooked baby shrimp
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut
dash pepper
1 cup sour cream
l teaspoon curry powder (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients and served chilled with crackers or thinly sliced french bread. Or, maybe you have a better serving idea?

Have a lovely week, Love, Arlene


Friday, April 11, 2014

BLOOMIN!


When we moved to Georgia over twenty years ago I remember someone saying to me, "if you have never had allergies you will get them eventually". Well, eventually is NOW! Leland took me to Dr. Bozof again yesterday (I hope he doesn't think I have a crush on him!) because I have been coughing etc. for over two weeks. Well, I am now on medication for allergies! My medicine takes up an entire shelf in the kitchen and I need to have all my faculties to figure out the timing of everything. Well, it could be worse - I truly thought I had bronchitis. Now, getting back to my allergies: the beautiful trees that are in bloom that I have been oohing over are now the bane of my existence and the yellow pollen hasn't even made an appearance yet  - phooey!

We are looking forward to our eldest Daughter, Victoria and her Son, Preston's visit. They will arrive late Tuesday afternoon. Preston is on spring break and Grandpa and I are flattered that he wants to spend the time with us. We are proud of this young man, now a teenager. 

I am over my blue and white buying phase because quite frankly, I have run out of space to put another objet d' art. I am glad that Leland hasn't gotten a hernia from carrying up all the boxes from our mailbox kiosk.  But, I must say I am enjoying all of my purchases.

For awhile (maybe a minute or two) my appetite decreased and I actually had them pack up half of my lunch at our last luncheon. Truly, a first for me. But, lo and behold it has come back and I actually ate an entire pizza last night. I said to Leland, "please never let me do that again!".  I am really trying to cut down on sugary things which I dearly love. What's the difference between pudgy and chubby? I guess they both mean FAT! I am thinking that putting on a bathing suit this summer is not an option. 

I am going to email, Stuart WOODS and give him what for. His last two books slandered Fox news (my personal favorite) and he has turned Stone Barrington into a sex machine and his plots are so similar. So instead of recommending a author to read, I am recommending him as a author NOT to read. But, this is America so you make your own decision.

MARY'S CARROT SOUFFLE

1 pound fresh carrots
1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
3 T all purpose flour
1 t baking powder
2 t vanilla
Cook carrot until tender in small amount of boiling water. Put carrots and butter in a blender, blend. Add remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. Spoon into lightly greased caserole and bake at 350 degree 45 minutes or until firm.

Have a lovely weekend folks. Love, Arlene




Monday, April 7, 2014

VISIT



My Sister came to visit on March 26th Through April 2nd. It had been a year since her last visit when she came down to help me after my surgery. She also was a wonderful help this time, taking me here and there and just generally being a great comfort. She also went to Dr. Bozof with Leland and I to get the bone scan report. Laura, Joe and Greg spent quality time with her. They love their Auntie! She sensed when I needed to rest and just sat and read. We also redecorated! There is positively no one like a beloved Sister! I love her to pieces and can't wait to see her again real soon.

THE LAKE

I meandered through the pine forest breathing in the fresh scent and enjoying the warm sun shining from above.  I could hear the rustling of small creatures seeking substance. I was dressed in a lightweight floral dress that seemed to belong to a different time. Eventually I came to a crystal clear lake. It sparkled from the reflected sun and I just knew that the fish were darting back and forth beneath its surface. As I got nearer I heard the sound of laughter and joy that comes from people who are having a wonderful day. They sat in Adirondack chairs and seemed amused to see a stranger. They were my family from my youth. I recognized one and all. I went over to Aunt Vivian and Uncle Jack to say hello. They hadn't changed a bit since the last time that I had seen them but I could see the confusion in their faces when I said, "hi, it's me, Arlene." Oh, of course, I can see that it is you Dear but you are old now!  And one by one I approached my relatives to say hello  and told them how much I missed them and related the fond memories I had of our times together.  At each approach, my step got lighter, my hair darkened and my wrinkles disappeared.   My heart was filled with joy at each encounter. I saw Aunt Gertrude who had passed away the day after my family and I had visited her at the hospital, from a brain tumor. I told her,  that I too, had a brain tumor. She placed her hand on my head and said, "you will be just fine, Dearie". Uncle Alfred, was sitting next to Daddy talking about fishing until I interrupted their conversation. "Well, look who is here, Daddy said,  my Sweetie Pie. "Hi Daddy, I miss you  and Mommy so much. "We are just fine, living in a gated community surrounded by friends and family, Now go and say hello to your Mother, she is over there with Grandma and Grandpa. They will be so happy to see you." Now there you are my darling Daughter, we know all about your life, your trials and tribulations, your accomplishments and your joys and sorrows. All of us have watched over you with pride in how you have conducted your life." You and your Sister have made us proud! As usual, Aunt Edith said"I had put on a bit of weight" Her usual comment to me. We had such a delightful day sharing tales of the past.  But,  slowly the sun began to fade and just as slowly my family, one by one faded away. I reversed my steps and with a smile on my again aging face I found my way back home, holding deep in my heart the memories of the wonderful conversations I had with my beloved family. I feel so strongly that they are helping to guide me through life and when this life is over as I know it, they will be waiting for me with open arms. Isn't it wonderful that there is always something to look forward to!?  But first there is that Viking River cruise, dinners out with friends, bridge games, visits to Charlotte, etc. and a dinner party at which I will serve this easy casserole recipe.

 1-2-3 CASSEROLE
In a dutch oven in order given:
3 lbs. lean beef, cubed
2 cans golden mushroom soup, undiluted
1 envelope dry onion soup
Cook at 325 degrees in oven for 1-2 hours
Serve over rice or noodles. For company stir in a small carton of sour cream.