Weight --- Plus or Minus

The temperature was a wonderful 82 degrees. Sun was shining wonderfully. Yes, the wind was blowing hard - but then again we always have wind in Oklahoma....sometimes more, sometimes less.

Had some yard work I wanted to do...so decided good time to put on shorts...start working on getting rid of those lily white legs...not that I get very dark - but more than what I have now.

Went to the closet...attempted to try on a pair of shorts...no way, Jose, did they fit. Tried on a second pair - finally got them fastened..wore them about three minutes and decided there was no way I could lean over to do any work in them...they were standing shorts only.

Put on a third pair...some better - much better if I did not fasten the button.

Well, I suppose this means either dieting (which I hate) or buying some new shorts. Probably purchasing new ones will be the easiest...just hate the thought I have to go a larger size - and I mean larger. Never was one of those dainty little women - weighed 9 1/2 pounds when I was born and have always been a bit on the hefty (yet curvy) side.

In discussing this with sweet husband he calmly said. "Well, no more stops by Sonic on the way home from church."

Do you suppose he means I had better diet instead of buying new shorts?

"Snowed In?"

Well, it is not all snow on the ground.

There are three layers of "stuff" out there.

First: ice

Second: sleet

Third: snow

So what is a homemaker to do when the weather has one locked in the house? Cook, cook, and cook! Of course, that means lots of dishes to do also. Thankfully I have a dish washer...no, not Leon...but a built in kind with a motor...you know what I mean.

We won't discuss what I cooked for meals - all I can say lots of comfort food. Not ones with sugar but good tasting anyway.

My dear sweet husband has been asking for a chocolate pie for ages...I have been dragging my feet I suppose. I believe pies of this nature are a three step process. First the crust, then the filling, and finally the meringue. Takes so long...and I suppose they are not my favorite pies to begin with. Give me a peach cobbler or apple pie anytime and you see see a very contented blonde.

With the thought in mind of making it today... yesterday I got the pie crust out of the deep freeze to thaw. Yes, I do make my own crust and it is flaky and absolutely the best tasting...even if I do say so myself.Because of Leon's diabetes and my ever growing waist/hip measurement I used a sugar substitute in both the pie and the meringue. Not as good as the real stuff - but certainly not bad either. You can bet your last dollar (if you are a betting person) all of it will be eaten.

More Christmas Decorations

This past Saturday night started off the Christmas celebrations. Our Sunday School class had a get together at one of our members home. We all brought different things to eat...and eat we did ...but up big. You know us Baptist women can cook - just take a look at our Baptist men. We ate and watched the University of Oklahoma beat up on the Missouri team big time. GO SOONERS! We came home at half time and finished watching the game. This is sitting on our coffee table.

This collection of white Christmas items is the only arrangement I did not add a lot of different items. Just left it simple . Nothing I had seemed to go with it. Enlarge the picture to see the swan sleigh...I found it this summer at a yard sale and just loved it. It seems so regal!

Close up of the tree...the picture does not really show the velvet, beads, etc on the gold balls. Some of the red ones have glitter all over them.

All rolled into one picture - gives you the idea as to how it looks in the living room.

More to follow in a few days.

Beginning of a new week...lots of do ...several people in hospital now. In fact, Leon is at hospital now visiting a couple...then going to get new tires on the pick up (our Christmas present to that vehicle). On Wednesday our best friend is having knee replacement surgery - so we will be with him and his wife during the operation. Throw in doing laundry, cooking, shopping, sewing and of course quilting I will be a busy lady.

Have a wonderful week...count your blessings!


Amelia

Count Down Has Started!

A few days until Thanksgiving...


and

several more days and Christmas will be here.

Baking has begun in the Watkins kitchen. Not a lot - but some. Made Banana Bread - used sugar substitute so my sweet husband can eat it.

Decided to make a cheese cake also. It has been several years since I have made one. Just made a plain one...we can add our own extra sweet to it - such as cherry pie filling, caramel or chocolate syrup. Leon doesn't like cheese cake so it is made with the real stuff.


My kitchen cabinet contained two cheese cake pans...one in 9 inch and the other is a 10 inch. So the recipe called for a 9 inch -so I thought no problem. Well, when I got ready to loosen it so the bottom plate would fall through - nothing happened. It was stuck and no amount of twisting was going to work. To make a long story short, I got the cheese cake out and put on a pretty platter without tearing it up. That pan went to the trash - and next time I am in Wal-Mart I will purchase a new 9 inch pan. True I may only use it one time a year but I want one that will work. Put the cake in the freezer for the time being

Got to have chocolate candy at this time of the year too. So I made chocolate peanut clusters with small marshmallows in them. I goofed though ~ -the chocolate was too warm and it melted the marshmallows some - so now instead of little round balls of fluff - we have swirls of it. But you know what - it sure does taste good!

Have not decided what else I am going to create in the kitchen for the Holidays just yet. Oh, I know my hips don't need anything else - but I sure do like the taste of sweets - be it candy, cookies, pie or anything else.

So if you are in the area, stop by and we will taste test the goodies!

Red Ribbon Entries - ?

In our part of the country we are having county fairs. The state fair is just around the corner too.

I have never been inclined to enter anything in the fair. I appreciate the fact that some people take the time to grow, raise or create something and then go through the process of entering the competition.

However, in the past few days some things have come across my path that could have been entered - they were not worthy of the "Grand Prize" ribbon or a "Blue Ribbon" - but if there were not a lot of entries - then perhaps a "Red Ribbon".

Anyway, I wanted to show you my fair (as in not the best) fair items.

Quilting - Wall Hanging Division

This wall hanging - remember I created it a couple of months ago - first thing I ever machine quilted.











Baking Division

Doesn't this look tasty - and it was....only problem I don't think there is a division for bread made in a bread machine. I know I have the time for making bread the old fashioned way - not that I am lazy - I just spend my time in a different way





Quilting - Wall Hanging Division

Leon wanted me to make a wall hanging of our new church logo. All I had was a business card and you know how small that is...couldn't get the right combination between printer and computer to get it any larger than about 3 inches. So went to next best thing...paper and pencil. After completing on paper I used the paper pattern on cloth...machine appliqued it down and then machine quilted it. It is now hanging in our Sunday School class rooom.

Horti-
culture Division

Red Beauties - even if they have a crack around the top - which was caused by too much rain. Yes, I know that is almost an unheard of thing in Oklahoma during the summer. You know what though...that crack certainly did not affect the taste of them whatsoever.






Pastry division

Apple pie... I always try to keep pie dough in the freezer and my supply was down to practically nothing - so this morning got out my old trusty pie dough recipe and whipped up a double batch of dough. Froze all but enough to make this single crust apple pie. Used the apples that had fallen from our tree in the back yard.

So there are my "would have", "could have", "but didn't" entries for the 2008 fairs in Pottawatomie county and surrounding areas.

Spring ...nearly

Spring has not officially arrived - according to the calendar. The weather in the past week does not indicate Spring.

Shhh, don't tell my jonquils - they think Spring is here and they are raising up their gorgeous yellow heads for everyone to see.


One thing I noticed about them is they are all facing the South. I suppose we have had such strong winds from the North they have just turned away from the force.

See this tiny green thing growing in the lower right corner...that is a day lily peeking through the ground and mulch.

Vegetable Garden note: we planted 20 bunches of green onions several days ago. That is a total of 1,000 onions. I know that seems like too much - but not really, we love them green. Of course, if left in the ground long enough (and cared for) they will get large. We always share our garden bounty with family and friends so some will be dispersed that way. So if you happen our way later on, we will give you some onions and what ever else is available in the garden at that time.

Happenings

Not much going on at our house during the last few days.

Watched the Super Bowl (and quilted) on Sunday night. Voted on Tuesday and helped with a funeral dinner at church today. I made a large bowl of potato salad to take for my food donation.

Dear husband has a bad cold - so he has been taking it pretty easy the past couple of days.

Still sewing on the "Cherry Limeade" quilt as time allows. With each block containing 29 cut pieces it is a slow process. I am shooting for 72 blocks - but will have to wait and see if I have enough fabric for that many.

Made a double batch of banana nut small loves of bread yesterday. I used the make believe sugar in it - but I can not tell the difference. I try to keep some of them in the deep freeze for a quick dessert for us. Cookies are my favorite dessert - but the make believe sugar does not do as well in them.

Will be going to town tomorrow for the usual Thursday stops: Wal-Mart, bank, grocery store, and beauty shop.

Christmas Dinner

This year was our year to have Holly, Tony and Max at our house for Christmas dinner. As with many families they rotate from year to year as to where they will spend the actual day of Christmas. Wanda, Craig and Kevin also joined us for the food and fun. I like to fix up the table to look nice. Probably no one else really cares as much as I do...but it given me a sense of pleasure and pride. This year I fixed name tags - this way I made the choice to where every one went. Of course, I placed Max between me and Leon. The center piece was removed when we started putting the food on the table. The meal was pretty typical - turkey, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, corn casserole, brocolli-rice-cheese casserole, hot rolls, iced tea, cranberry salad, and cornbread dessing. Dessert included pecan pie, some fancy brownies, pumpkin bread, cranberry bread, key lime pie on a chocolate crust, spice cookies, peanut clusters and fudge (both candies were home made). Also Holly made a new dessert. I don't know the name- but it was a pudding like mixture made in a ramekin and served with a chocolate sauce. Very smooth and rich!

Holly is just about through with her meal.
Max is wanting everyone to hurry and finish...then he can open presents.
Kevin, Wanda and Craig.


Question of the day! "Why does all good tasting food always contain so many calories?

I know all of us consumed enough calories to really last us for several days.

"I tried..."

Cakes and pies - I like
Cookies - I love.

Over the years I have made many, many dozens of cookies to share (and to eat some myself). Most times there are cookies in the deep freeze to nibble on if the urge should arise.

However, cutout cookies (i.e. sugar cookies) have never been a favorite of mine. Most of the ones I have eaten were prettily decorated but they were tasteless. Daughter Holly has a recipe that she raves about that has flavor because of the added spices. Grandson Max and she make these from time to time. I figured if they could make them I could also.

So yesterday afternoon (after my nap) I rolled them out and cut - using several different cookie cutters. Not bad so far...or at least I thought.

Got out the stuff needed to make the "royal frosting" and made it. I set up little bowls of colored frosting - started loading up one of the cake decorators. Now this is where the lack of talent came in...I could no more draw a straight line with the frosting than I can fly an airplane. Of course, I can't draw a straight line with a pencil either. Tried several different tips...same results...a royal mess! To top it all off - I tasted the frosting and it was somewhere between tasting like wall paper paste and Elmer's glue.

Called Daughter and asked her what frosting recipe she used...her comment was just regular butter frosting with a pinch of powdered meringue. She says this works every time for her. Sure wish I had known that before I created these.

In spite of their looks, the cookie part is very tasty.

I do believe when I make them again I will not use frosting at all. Perhaps, use some colored sugars or a colored egg wash.


Just goes to show even old cooks can still learn a lesson or two.

Cake of the Day

This past Thursday - November 15th-was designated as "National Bundt Cake" day. Have you ever wondered who makes the decision to set aside a day to pay homage to different things? Well, I have.

Making the cake on Thursday was not convenient (plus I did not know about it then) so Friday was the day. With the holiday season right here on our door step I wanted something to blend in with the other flavors that spin around in my head as being seasonal. Ah, pumpkin was the one. I went thru my pumpkin cake recipes looking for one that would work. I found this one and knew it was good as there were batter splashes from previous baking times on the recipe card.

The recipe called for a yellow cake mix (which I had) but I decided to use an orange cake mix instead. The recipe called for the usual pumpkin pie spices, eggs, sugar, and one can of pumpkin. I really like recipes that use the whole can of pumpkin...who likes to have a partial can of anything left over. In stead of using regular sugar - I used the make believe kind-I knew my dear husband would want to eat it. Of course, there is some sugar in the cake mix - so it is not completely sugar free.

I looked in the deep freeze for some cool whip to go over it..but came up empty handed. In the past I have served this warm with cool whip. Certainly reminds you of eating pumpkin pie-but with a cake texture.

Fall Season - Apple Time

When I got up this morning the weather was cool - in the mid 50's. Weatherman said we would reach the 80's this afternoon. Just my kind of day. I like all the seasons - each one has their own speciality.

We have only one apple tree in our yard. I don't have any idea as to what kind it is. I have tried to compare it to pictures of apples to determine its name so I would know the best use for them...but to no avail. This year, due to a late freeze we did not have many apples. If I would take a guess on the quantity it would be about 50 to 60.

I am not a big fresh apple eater - can not stand the peeling. Anyway, these apples make a good apple pie. Since apples freeze so well I decided I would make one apple pie and put the rest in the deep freeze.

In the past I have used my peeling, coring, and slicing machine for this task. I think it makes the slices too thin...could not find out how to make an adjustment for thicker slices. (Don't think there is one) So just used it to peel them and then I did the cutting into quarters and removing the core. At that time I sliced them to the thickness I liked. This was more work but the results were what I wanted.


This is a very large bowl and it was filled to the brim...well, there is a small amount of lemon water in the bottom (to keep them from turning brown).

Not a perfect looking pie - but one that tasted absolutely first class! Since my sweet husband is a diabetic I made it with a sugar substitute just special for him. He had a big slice with sugar free vanilla ice cream on it shortly after it came out of the oven.

I know these pictures are somewhat on the fuzzy side today. Guess I was more interested in the apple preserving process than the optics of picture taking.

Watkins's Garden

The rains have gone away...hopefully they come back to visit from time to time. Now the sun is shining and the temperature is reaching upward. For the most part the garden is loving this weather. The squash may overcome all the rain and produce a lot...but for now the "pickins" are slim for this vegetable. The one cucumber hill is doing quite well. Have probably got 10-12 cukes from the vines so far. I have really been enjoying them sliced with onion soaking in a vinegar/water bath (plus a pinch of sugar). The okra is really getting with the program now and producing like crazy. Of course, okra loves hot and dry weather. Have given some away - but since I have used all that was in the deep freeze I will be putting up many bags for winter consumption.

The tomatoes are great...both in taste and production. We have been eating them practically every meal.

Yesterday Leon set up the various soaker hoses for each row in the garden. Now, with the turning of one knob all of the garden (including the strawberries) will be getting a drink of well water. He also has it fixed where he can turn off one row if need be and water the rest.

Harvest Time

The peaches are ripe! I have put 32 pints in the deep freeze. I have quite a few pints left from previous years, so I will not be putting up any more. Or at least, right now I say I won't. Most people would not mess with them as they are small ones and take alot of work to process. But the taste of the cobbler (with or without ice cream) makes it all worth the labor. This year 's crop did not have any worms at all...which is good. Did have something that I have never experienced before though. The peaches would split along their line - starting at the top and slowly coming down. This may have been from so much rain...just don't know.


Leon picked these squash this morning and said there would be more ready in the next day or so. He also has harvested okra and cucumbers. Only one tomato has been ready for picking now. Won't be long for more as the bushes are loaded and still blooming.

I still have some blackberries in the deep freeze from last year. However, there are some ready to be picked now. I hate to see things go to waste so will probably go pick them in the morning.

Wilted Lettuce

Talk about Southern Comfort food! This wilted lettuce salad I fixed for lunch was absolutely out of this world good. The lettuce and onion was from our garden. Leon likes some salads some times - but this is not one he enjoys. So, I got to eat the whole thing all by myself. Enjoyed each mouthful.