Week 44, 10-23-2016

Thoughts and Quotes: Move at your own pace and remember...a single tiny step you actually take is better than any big plan left undone.  Princess Sassy Pants (?)

I have no idea who Princess Sassy Pants might be, but I found this on Linda's Peaceful Place blog here.  You might want to take a look - lots of memorable quotes. And if you're reading this, Linda, Happy Birthday next Thursday. I'm having lunch that day with my cooking buddies, and we'll toast your birthday. If Canada were closer, we'd invite you to join us.

I love this quote and will print it out and scatter it around the house to keep me moving. And I shall add to the quote: "Our time here is short - get a move on!".

Tidying: Remembering Alexandra Stoddard's book from last week, I have been "loving up" my house this week. Windows are getting washed before it's too cold because I always end up drenching myself as well as the screens and windows.

Thread: I'm almost ashamed to show this, when I think of all the beautiful crocheted, knitted, embroidered, etc. items I see created by the Five on Friday ladies. But I can't keep my pants from sliding off their hangers any other way than these:

You need only a wire coat hanger and a bit of rug yarn. You roll the yarn into little balls about the size of a golf ball. Tie two balls together, making a rather large knot and leaving some tails about 2" long. Center the knot on the end of the hook part of the hanger. With a ball in each hand, alternate sides by crossing the right hand ball over to the left side of the hanger and draw it back through the loop you just created (working in the tails as you go). Repeat with the ball on the left. When you get to the end, you tie it, cut tails long enough to tie a little bow. My mother made lots of these for me when she visited, and I still use them after all these years. They don't wear out - I just keep buying clothes, so I need more.

Make these when you're wearing pants, because the easiest way to hold the hanger is between your knees - not that easy if you're wearing a pencil skirt.

Tales: I've had this book sitting on my bookshelves for years. Maybe because the assassination anniversary is next month, it caught my attention. The book starts with Jackie's childhood and ends right after the death of Aristotle Onassis. I learned things I'd never read before, and I applaud the author because he didn't try to portray Jackie any way except the real woman. She wasn't put on a pedestal, she wasn't treated as "poor thing - all that tragedy", and she wasn't scorned as a gold digger. I have a gazillion books about the presidents and the first ladies which I plan to read before I'm gone. (Note to self: See Thoughts and Quotes).

Tidbits: Neighbors Martha and Clark belong to a Dinners at Eight group and this week was their turn to host. Martha is a master decorator and loves autumn. Her fall decorating gets as much attention as Christmas - it even includes the tree. I though you might enjoy seeing her work.

Outside

The Entry

The Living Room

The Family Room

The Breakfast Area

The Dining Room

Even the Music Room

And the Powder Room

Give the lady a big hand!  Good Job!

Tasting: Sometime back I started to make up a list of menus so I could just go to the file to see "What's for dinner?". As usual, I got sidetracked, but decided to give it another try. Here's what's for dinner today.

Cucumber-Tomato Salad

Not Your Mama's Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Buttered Carrots

Harvard Beets

Southern Corn Bread

Andes Mint-Chip Cookies/Vanilla Ice Cream

Since I was having tomato salad, I didn't sprinkle chopped tomatoes over the casserole.

CUCUMBER-TOMATO SALAD

Marinate chopped fresh tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced celery in your favorite vinaigrette.

            NOT YOUR MAMA’S TUNA-NOODLE CASSEROLE

12 oz. white tuna in water

6 oz (3 cups) uncooked noodles

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 to 2/3 cup sour cream

2 tsps prepared mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves

1/2 tsp salt

1 small zucchini

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 medium tomato, chopped

Cook noodles, drain and rinse in hot water.

Heat oven to 350°.

Drain and flake tuna and mix with noodles, celery and green onions.

Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, thyme, and salt. Stir into noodles.

Spoon half the noodles mixture into a buttered 13 X 9 baking dish or 2-qt. casserole dish.

Wash and thinly slice the zucchini and spread half over the noodles.

Repeat layers and scatter cheese over the top.

Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Sprinkle with chopped tomato before serving.

HARVARD BEETS

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tbs cornstarch

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup vinegar

3 cups cubed beets (canned)

2 Tbs butter

Mix together the sugar, cornstarch and salt.

Add vinegar and water and stir until smooth.

Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.

Add beets and let stand 30 minutes.

Before serving, heat to boiling and add butter.

CORNBREAD – SOUTHERN

Clabber Girl Baking Powder

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups white (or yellow) cornmeal

2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups buttermilk

1 egg

Heat oven to 450°.

Melt shortening in a 9” iron skillet or 9” baking pan in the oven, brushing sides of pan with hot shortening.

Sift dry ingredients together in mixing bowl.

Combine egg and buttermilk and stir into dry ingredients, along with melted shortening.

Pour batter into hot pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned.

ANDES® MINT-CHIP COOKIES

(Andes® Package) (48 cookies)

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsps vanilla

2 eggs

1 pkg (10 oz) Andes® Mint baking chips

2-2/3 cups sifted flour

Beat together butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and baking powder.

Stir in mint chips, then flour.

Chill in refrigerator about an hour.

Heat oven to 350°.

Roll about 1 oz dough into a ball, flatten slightly and put on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes.  Leave on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before removing.

Tidbits: National Days this week:

October 24 - National Bologna Day: Easy-peasy, just eat a bologna sandwich

October 25 - National Greasy Food Day: Cheeseburgers and fries, here we come.

October 26 - National Pumpkin Day: If you haven't put one on your porch yet, do it now.

October 27 - National Navy or Beer Day: Since I don't drink beer, I'll have to thank a sailor.

October 28 - National Chocolate Day: Goody-goody!

October 29 - National Cat or Oatmeal Day: Everyday is cat day here, so guess what's for breakfast?!

October 30 - National Candy Corn Day: Yuck!

Togs: Remember - this isn't a fashion show. It's just my closet reorganization. Some of these outfits are just run-to-the-market clothes.

Day 127

Day 128 (notice that I had help choosing this and he matches)

Day 129

Day 130

Day 131

Day 132

Day 133

GET THE KIDS' COSTUMES READY

TAKE A LONG WALK BEFORE IT'S COLD

HOW ABOUT SOME APPLE CIDER?

EAT LOTS OF GREENS

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE