Sunday, May 22, 2011

On Sunday Decisions and Promised Pictures

It's Sunday afternoon going towards evening....sigh...
 It's been a great day - I love Sundays.It's always the toss up of do we do something FUN,
or, do we relax the whole day as in napping,watching TV,browsing  stalking other people's face book profile pages....you know spend the day with the nothingness that on a week day, makes you feel like 
you are 
wasting 
time.
When it's a rainy Sunday a part of me is so happy that the decision is made for me...No question of doing anything outdoors.


I remember....


....... Before I was married and still living at home Sunday afternoon was nap time!We would hurry eat lunch and clean up the kitchen than off to ZZZZZ land...the whole house was quiet. About 3 or 4 o'clock Dad would get out the Stir Crazy and pop corn, we would all gather at the table/kitchen , than we would pull out  leftovers from lunch and invariably ice cream was for dessert. This was Sunday supper.
HMMM ..Fond memories.
To this day I often crave a  snack at about 4ish O'clock on Sundays.I love the smell of popcorn on Sunday afternoons. 


  Today, Grant was our "only child" all afternoon. Poor guy- he fell victim to my plan to get some exercise and enjoy Island Park . Of course,this took convincing! It was beautiful but REALLY hot on our walk.

We did take a break and sat by a little beach on the other side of the bridge to rest a bit.The breeze felt so cool under the bridge

"under the boardwalk bridge,we'll be fallin in love!":) (Not a country music fan at all -but couldn't resist :)





GOOFY  as can be! I told him today if I wrote all the funny things he said I would have a book and be rich! So witty!

Than...R.E.L.A.X.A.T.I.O.N.~ Island park ...I LOVE this place! 

I wonder...How do you like to spend your Sundays? Leave me a comment!


I promised pictures of our time on the east coast.So here they are...



Inside the car I enjoyed a good read.....
Outside ,the love bugs  covered our car. At one point we had to stop and clean off our windshield...Sorry for this gross-ness but it was part of the trip!

Grant and Courtney's band made 3rd place at State(I couldn't see Courtney :(   )
What was left at Cheeburger Cheeburger ...it was DELICIOUS!
Shelbey and Courtney who knows what the conversation is! These girls  are like sisters.
Grant and Garrett

Outside the restaurant ...wow Ritzy City!


Grant performed his solo on Friday morning....lots of prayer and practice! HE got first place!
A neat side story....20 minutes or so  before Grant's time was to perform his nerves got the best of him.We prayed with him and he went to walk it off a little.I got on my cell phone and text a bunch of friends asking them to pray.....they prayed.BUT some didn't get the text right away and hours after I received responses saying, "We are praying".The verse where we are told that God knows what we are going to say even before it leaves our lips brought new meaning to me that day! In our human minds it seemed as though it was too late to pray ...God knew and used those prayers! 


Saturday, May 21, 2011

Sandwich Recipe(you ask for)

When I make food I often use the recipe as  "template" and make my own version,or mix a few recipe ideas together to make a new one.Recently I was frying up some sausage rounds and ended up with what I called "Corn Dog Casserole"
Everybody liked it but...
  Courtney-incidentally she doesn't like corn dogs!.
  Ask my kids and they will tell you.there are lots of times I tell them to enjoy something at the moment because I may never make it like this again! My family is very easy to cook for, which makes this nice.
  In this particular sandwich (pictured in the previous post) I opted to use a lrg loaf of bread but the recipe calls for dinner rolls....You can use whatever combo of  meat and cheese you prefer


Sticky Bun Sandwiches...Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
1- 12 pk dinner or sandwich rolls(Martin's Potato rolls work great!)
1/2- lb. Ham
1/2 -lb.Sliced Farmers cheese
1/2 -C. butter
1- tsp. Mustard
1-tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1- tsp. Poppy seeds
1-tsp. Onion Flakes
Place bottom half of rolls in 9x13 pan. Layer ham and cheese on rolls.Mix together rest of ingredients and drizzle over rolls (saving a little to brush over tops).Place tops and brush on reserved sauce.Cover,bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.


ENJOY!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Friends,Wisdom and Summertime

My day off...
It's been a good day although it started out a little rough.I met with a friend  she asked a very common question-"So, how are you?" My response came out all jerky and teary because I was trying to be strong and not cry but you know how it is when a good friend asks that question....! Needless to say I fell apart and the truth of how I was came out.We had a healing conversation about what was troubling me, it was so good to just get it off my chest ,she had encouraging words.We moved on to other subjects enjoying our coffee....friends are wonderful!
Most importantly,
Before I met with her I had met with another friend and HE reminded me of this ;
Proverbs2:1-11

1. "My son,(Caroline) "if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
   and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you."


 .God is real -HE met me there at Pastry Art in that comfy chair...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rest of the day went MUCH better!

  • A  stop at GOODWILL, (makes any day fun!)
  • Grocery store(savings,savings,savings=satisfaction!)
  • Put make ahead suppers in the freezer
  • Baked home-made Granola
  • A walk/run with my boys on the man made hill close to our house


Summer is here?
I question that.
Because,
1.It's Florida and
2. It's May (actually,the middle if May)
This weather is UNBELIEVABLE! This evening sitting around a fire on the patio would not have been too warm. A beautiful breeze and wonderful lighting made sitting outside perfect.(I guess June 21st id the OFFICIAL first day of summer)



Even with the previous questioning of whether summer is actually here , I have tried a few "summer-y" recipes already ...

Fresh peaches

Salads with strawberries and home made  Celery seed dressing

The ultimate summer food! 

Sticky bun sandwiches...simple easy and fast! I chose to use a loaf  here instead of little rolls...it was YUMMY and dripping with delicious!

 May I suggest? If you live here in Sarasota,the most "delicious-est" bread to use is our fresh breads at Detwilers Farm Market ...Freshly made every day!




Preview(without the view) of my next post: Our weekend at West Palm Beach (waiting for pictures in my inbox)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mother's Day...love it!


Mothers Day.I love this day.I salute whoever came up with the great idea. I wonder how it all started?I could maybe imagine...which I love to do.
Maybe...
It was Saturday eve. the baking was done,the house was spotless,the yard pristine,laundry folded neatly in the drawers,Sunday lunch was prepped and ready, property was bought ,servants were happy...the Perfect Proverbs 31 wife was sitting on the edge of her bed and with a sigh and said " I wish there were a day when I could be perfectly lazy and everyone would dote on me and give me cards, flowers and chocolates, when I could do as I please and not feel one bit like I need to lift a finger."  Her hubby who incidentally took hints very well, decided in his mind to create a day just like that.The very first thing Monday morning he "hooked up" his horse and carriage and drove strait -a- way(I like the old fashioned term) to the county courthouse delivering a "recommendation for a holiday" letter and sent it to the president of the US of A. The rest is history!

I do love Mother's Day. I milk it for all it's worth :) I try to have "practice for Mother's Day days" but my family doesn't fall for it!

I started this year's weekend  with taking  breakfast Friday morning to my moms...
it was a beautiful day- perfect for breakfast outdoors  and sitting near her flower beds

she has a GREEN thumb- sometimes I am GREEN with  envy

Simple.Refreshing. Tasty

Dads choice: mini wheat's :)



my parents. My dads typical silly expression!

Love my mom....

they are what  make me a mom...
 My kids and hubby know that I LOVE a day at the beach.... after church and lunch at home (which I did not help prepare) we headed out to Lido Beach for the afternoon. So Beautiful... the day did not disappoint!

Can't decide which way to go???



Grant caught a sea horse! I saw him desperately waving me into the water asking for a bucket....he didn't want to say "I got a sea hose" real loud because there are folks out there who are always worried we are gonna "kill" the ocean life.We did throw it back in after enjoying it a bit... 

My girlie and me


In the evening we had a potluck supper with our church family-the guys cooked.This pizza dip was Chip's  contribution.



PIZZA DIP
8 oz. Cream Cheese
8 oz. Sour Cream
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. Garlic powder

1/2 Small jar pizza sauce
Shredded Muenster cheese
 Sauteed green,red peppers,onions, jalapeno peppers
Cilantro to taste

Mix first 5 ingredients put in 9x9 pan.Bake at 350 for 25-20 min till hot.Sprinkle cheese,cilantro and vegetables on top return to oven till cheese is melted.serve with crackers or tortilla chips...YUMMO!  
Monday came and the rest of the week to follow...woo boy! The week overwhelms me ! But I got this encouragement on Sunday....

Christ in Me ~I in Christ.....It's the only way I can!



Sunday, May 1, 2011

Friends and Nice Weather Make a good Combo

  What a beautiful weekend! The humidity is lower and that alone calls me outside.Today after lunch I sat outback a while entertained by silly squirrels who I think are smarter than we give credit for-seriously.
   My "plans" are to get up a bit earlier tomorrow morning with my hot cup of coffee,sit on my swing or curl up on my love seat on the patio and spend some quality time with the quiet...





....sounds delicious ~ I believe I will fall asleep smiling just thinking about it :)

  Tonight we went to one of our favorite places in Sarasota; one of the parks under the John Ringling bridge.Right on the water under a gazebo...yes it's as lovely as it sounds!





Photo shoot with the parents...two cameras-where is a person to look and smile?



2 wonderfully silly,beautiful girls who call themselves BFF's! 

I think Grant was more impressed than he looks here..
We had a picnic supper of sorts

            THE MENU

Cubed Roast Beef and Cajun Turkey Breast
Cheese
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
(did you know that is the way you spell cantaloupe?-makes it look exotic or French-ish!)Can't you just hear it in a charming accent; "we refreshed our palettes with the juices of cant-a-loop and wata -melon!"  
Salsa
Caramel puff corn


(The above all from http://www.detwilersfarmmarket.com/  of course!)


Crackers
Tortilla chips
Oreos (PB filling-yum!)
Soda
Water
It was a relaxing evening, beautiful sunset and good conversation.

Looking ahead to my week I am a bit exited about several things 
  1. My first Deli Girls night out.It's Krista's birthday so we want to celebrate!
  2. Book Club,discussing "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". I read only part of it, cheated and headed for the ending. The book was so frustrating...I kept thinking it's going to get  interesting soon. There were parts that held me captive for a bit soon it got really boring again..That, my friend is why I skipped to the back!The ending? Quite frankly, I am glad I made the choice I did! Than...There are those that LOVED it ...so I can't wait for DISCUSSION !
Product Details


3.Friday night, Game Night with a few friends and more .....food !

You...have a great Monday.....I plan to!