CollectIn Texas Gal

Waste Not-Want Not...Back In The Day

2012-01-27T10:46:00.001-06:00

Good Mornin' Ya'll,
I just refilled my 'Cuppa' and of course dumped in an extra swoosh of French Vanilla/Hazelnut/Amaretto Creamer....that's my own blend ya know. It's called 'ScrapCreamer'. It's somethin' I do so as to Waste Not Want Not!

I don't know where that 'waste not want not' thing comes from. Mama didn't make a point of pointing that out...at least not in so many words...more so in actions.

Her kitchen was a Waste Not...PayDay's a Week Away kinda kitchen.

She could stretch a 'Fryer' farther than the road from here to Dallas...and that was a long way from Mama's kitchen. Fried Chicken was a Sunday Special with mashed potatoes and cream gravy, corn bread and banana pudding. Every item on that menu was a result of some part of that Stretched Fryer...except for the pudding.

If you are from that era of 'Waste Not...Want Not' then you know what I'm talkin' about.

For instance...The Fryer...it was the Whole Chicken...bagged with skin, layers of globby fat and guts...pretty much everything but the head, feet and feathers. I know you are dying to know how I know so much about Fryers.

Let's just say, I was the butcher! I can still hear Mama sayin', "Sue, you are butcherin' that Fryer. Pick it up off the floor and hold onto the leg. It's a knife, not a saw...here's a bandaid!"

My other Fryer related skill was 'Stirin' the Gravy! We....Mama and I fried chicken in a huge Cast Iron Skillet that lived in the bottom pullout drawer of the stove where no other pan dare go! It was black, it was crusty, it was heavy, and it was known as 'The Monster Skillet'! Once it was wenched up on the stove, loaded with Crisco then with the battered...my butcherin'-mama's eggNmilk...and floured pieces, I became the official Chicken Fryer Turner. A title and job I did not relish! The Monster Skillet did not approve of my 'Fryer Turner' skills and invariably Spit Hot Crisco on my already injured hand...so now I have a glob of medicinal butter to go with the bandaid.

That was in the late 1950's...I can remember it like it was yesterday!

What lessons did I learn while standin' over a hot 'Crisco Spittin' Monster Skillet?

How has Mama's Bagged Fryer choice changed my shoppin' for Fryers?

How do I Fry Chicken and make Gravy like Mama did Back In The Day without Crisco and Wheat Flour?

It is a simple matter of making a few changes and the differences between

Back In The Day and Today's Choices

Skillets, Oil, Flour, Utensils and Hand Protectors!

Jumbo Teflon Coated Skillet with Glass Lid...replaces...Monster Cast Iron Skillet

Liquid Cannola Oil.....Goodbye Crisco

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour....Hello Battered Chicken and Creamy Gravy!

Quilted Hand Mitt and Pot Holders....So long Spittin' Hot Crisco and Medicinal Butter!

Pilgrims Pride 100% Natural Heart Healthy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

No More Whole Fryers with globby fat, bloody guts, and slippery legs!

And best of all...so long Saws and Bandaids!

I am My Mama's Daughter....A Waste Not - Want Not Chicken Fryer!
I Stretch those Chicken Parts nearly as far as Mama did.
To show you just how far that is...I'm going to reveal the
Secret to
Mama's Waste Not Want Not Creamy Gravy!

It's not the drippings and crispy batter chunks left from frying!

It's not the flour, salt, pepper or the milk!

It's definately not the 'Monster Skillet'!

It's not the slow constant stirrin'...of which I am an expert!

It is

The Holey Spoon!

Gluten Free...Gourmet Pineapple UpsideDown Cake

2012-01-26T12:00:00.001-06:00

Have you been wishing for Cakes and Desserts like Mama made or You Baked

before having to empty your canister of All-Purpose Wheat Flour?

If so...Gluten Free and Wheat Free Gourmet Desserts...Grants Wishes!

I wished for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe!

My wish was granted!

I wished for a better understanding of Gluten Free Baking.

My wish was granted!

I wished for recipes and ingredients that my Cupboard and Fridge could meet!

My wish was granted!

This Cook/Baking/Dessert Book is the Fairy Godmother of Baking Gluten Free....and you are the Wand Waving Baker!

Well...there's a little more to it than waving a wand and saying AbraCaDabRa!

You can check this Magical Baking Book out...a Link is provided for you at the end of this post!

Now...Let's Bake A Cake....

Here's the Stuff

Bob's Red Mill Tapioca and White Rice Flours

ARGO Corn Starch...Clabber Girl Baking Powder...Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Daisy Sour Cream...UnSalted Butter...Eggs

McCormick Vanilla....Brown Sugar

Maraschino Cherries and Pineapple Slices in Juice.

Spring Pan and Parchment Paper...This is great stuff!

Following the Recipe on page 40....

Cream the sugar and eggs...I Love my Sunbeam Mixer!

Add the Softened Butter!

2 cups of Daisy Sour Cream....makes the Mix so creamy...and a pretty picture, too!

Now that's 'Artistic'....Vanilla and Cherry Juice....Who Knew!

Batter Up...I mean...Batter is Ready!

I added about a half cup of pineapple juice to thin the batter a bit!

Make the Glaze and Plunk the Pineapple Rings....thicken with a teaspoon of cornstarch...if needed!

Line the Spring Pan with Parchment Paper and Foil wrap the Pan...Glaze catcher...
Load the Pineapple and Cherries and get ready for the Batter Pourin'!

My Spring Pan runneth over! Yay!!! More for Muffins!

My Spring Pan is the size smaller than the recipe suggests....worked out...just enough for muffins!

Place Spring Pan and Muffin Pan side by side in 350 degree pre-heated oven.

Set the timer to suggested time...80 minutes...bake muffins for about 25-30....tops will be light brown.

Move the Spring Pan to center of rack and continue baking....It does take the full 80 minutes!

Happy Gluten Free Baking and Eating!

PhotoTips...TOT with FAV TOY & BLANKEE

2012-01-25T11:31:00.000-06:00

~Take your Camera everywhere!
An impromptu PhotoOp can happen when one least expects it...like going home from Nana and Papas!
~Take 'What You See Is What You Get'!
Don't stage it! Don't say..."Look here and SMILE"!
~Take Lots of Shots!
The beauty of Digital Photography....you can never have too many pictures. Gives you so many more choices than the old Develop and Hope you have a good shot or two.
~Talk To Your Tot!
"Jackson, do you love MeeMo?" OMy you will be rewarded with a special PhotoOp Moment! Be ready!
~Treasure These Times!
It's a Once In A Lifetime Time! Download these Photos. Save them ALL. BACK them up. You'll be glad you did....even the out of focus and not so perfect shots.
~Take Notes...Add Captions and Dates!
Jackson says the cutest things about his favorite belongings! He obviously takes them everywhere and keeps them close. Elmo is his favorite toy...he's soft and cuddly, brightly colored and funny. Jackson calls him 'MeeMo'...and so do we! He's a Blankee Boy...he calls his blankee TeTe...and so do we. You think you can remember that forever...but add a caption to your photos anyway. Most photo editors have that option. I use Windows7 Live Photo Gallery.

"Jackson, do you love MeeMo?"

Hi! My name is Jackson. This is MeeMo!

He is my Buddy!

I learned the color Red from MeeMo and the color Green from my 'TeTe'!

My face is kinda dirty! Nana made me pancakes for breakfast!

MeeMo said he'd clean my face later.

My Nana takes lots of pictures of MeeMo and TeTe.

She says she does it so I'll never forget them....even when I'm all grown up!

Wanna see some more?

Hi! My name is MeeMo!

I love Jackson...he's my Best Buddy!

Jackson and I are featured in a Tutorial on Touching Up Blemishes!

Jackson and I have Splotchy Thingys on our cheeks!

You can't see them now. Nana fixed them!

Here is the Tutorial...Try it...You'll Like It!

ReTouch Tool Tutorial...Win7 Live Photo Gallery

Photos by CollectInTexas Gal

ReTouch Tool Tutorial...Win7 Live Photo Gallery

2012-01-24T07:39:00.000-06:00

See the Guy with the Red Splotchy Cheeks?

The one with the Blue Eyes and Teeth!

He has Baby Eczema which appeared around 3 months. He's now 28 months old and the Eczema comes and goes with the weather, sun exposure and we suspect some food allergies. Every cream, lotion and ointment known to mankind has been tried....some help...some make it worse....and sometimes leaving it alone works best.

Dr. Nana Sue has found a Digital Topical that wipes it out....on Photos!

The RETOUCH Tool.....

Steps to Retouch

1. Open photo in Win7Gallery....Click on Edit Tab to open Edit Tool Bar.

2. Use Zoom to enlarge photo and Hand Tool to reposition photo to area to be Retouched.

3. Click on RETOUCH Tool. A Crosshair Tool + will appear. Move the + over the Blemish.

4. Left Click-Hold and move mouse to form a white box over the Blemish...release Left Click-Hold.

5. Wait a second and the Blemish will be replaced with a smooth skin color and texture that matches the area around the Blemish.

6. If the area is large, it should be worked in small sections repeating the white box until the Blemish area is blended into the skin color surrounding the now smoothed area.

7. Repeat until all Blemishes are smoothed and removed.

8. Zoom Out ...back to photo's original size. Your Retouches will stay during the Zoom Out.

9. Click on PROPERTIES icon and Select RESIZE. From the PopUp Window Select from Smallest...Small...Medium...Large...Custom. Then click on RESIZE and SAVE. Your Retouched Photo is now saved in the same file as the original...you may Rename it and move it to another File.

10. If you want to return the worked on photo back to it's original condition...click on the REVERT to Original button. Be sure to SAVE your retouched photo BEFORE doing this.

There Ya Go!

BTW...Best Wrinkle Remover Cream I've come across!

Try It...You'll Like It!!!

Gluten Free Coffee Cake by Pamela's Products

2012-01-23T12:57:00.001-06:00

Can you believe this flakey texture...like cake flakey not brain flakey...is Gluten Free?

Come to think of it maybe brain flakey isn't so far off afterall....afterall my Brain is Gluten Free, too!

It's a recipe I make often...and a GF NoBrainer....that's cause Pamela's done all the ~~footwork handwork~~ ~~work~~ Gluten Free Flour Mixing!

I first discovered Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix at a local Health Food Store. I was sooooo hungry for pancakes smeared with butter and drenched in syrup...lite syrup of course!

My first batch of pancakes from Pam's mix was like...like...better than...so good I can't come up with just the right words without getting in trouble!

This is one Bag of Goodies I did NOT SHARE! HiHoney got nada! The Grands got nada! I hid the bag in my cupboard and never left the house without setting the Alarm System....never mind that it doesn't work.

I became a Hoarder! I saved every bit of this magic flour for ME! For MY Pancakes! MINE MINE MINE!

Then low and behold it began appearing on the shelves of HEB for a little less than at the Speciality Health Food Store. Same small bag, but that was okay....I could make it last cause it was for ONLY ME!

Please don't judge me for being Selfish!
I have overcome my 'It's All About MeMeMe' ways......
.......I found a BIGGER Bag of Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix.

Now, you can call me Selfless Sharing Sue!

With so much more of this Magical Flour Mix, I was willing to use 2 whole cups to make

Pamel's Sour Cream Coffee Cake!

Here's the Stuff....

Pamela's All Natural-Wheat Free-Gluten Free Mix

Sour Cream...I like Daisy's Brand...it's all Natural

Sun-Maid Raisins...so good baked....so good for you!

Pecans...Butter...Cinnamon...Vanilla....Brown Sugar...Eggs

Have you baked in a Spring Pan?

It's a new Thingy for me...I bought one that is Teflon Coated.

In my early years of Betty Crocker Box Mix Baking in Non-Coated Cake Pans

I was famous for the Birthday Cakes made for family members.

"Sue, you make the best frosting and there's always so MUCH of it...why is that?"

I will never tell....but since using the Spring Pan with Teflon...I don't have to

fill in the chunks that stuck in the pan!

In fact...I didn't even use Pam's suggested drizzled frosting mix on this coffe cake!

One, I didn't have any holes to fill and Two, I'm watching HiHoney's weight!

Yes, I'm SHARING!

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Motivation Monday...Annie GetchEr Gun

2012-01-22T18:01:00.000-06:00

That Outta DoIt!!!!

I am NOT a drinker of hard liquor, a smoker of cigars or a poker player!

I wanted to be! But everytime I thought about it I heard voices!

"Sue, nice girls do not smoke cigars"...sweet voice of my Mama!

"Sue, remember your first slugs of Cold Duck"?...POed voice of my Senior Prom Date!

(he had to buy the rented tux jacket...they said the puke would not come out)

"Sue, I was bluffing"... snickering voice of the poker player in my first and last game of Strip Poker!

One thing I AM is a Highly Self-Motivated Gal!

Give me an assignment, a project or a clue and I'm all over it like a duck on a JuneBug!

(I don't really say that...but...it's nicer than the other I'm all over it saying...not that I say that either)

Anyway I think you get the picture...and that's why I can't figure out Why!

Why what? Glad you asked!

Why I can't get Motivated to Get Back to My Texas Ancestors!

There is Still So Much To Tell.

Like when my 4th Great Uncle Buckner Pittman shot....

....a Tory Raider dead in the streets of Nashville.

The Tories Raid on John Pittman Homestead

While John Pittman and his sons, Buckner, John, James, Phillip and Timothy were away fighting in the American Revolution the Tories raided their home. The house was ransacked and Mary Polly Rowe Pittman, wife and mother, was thrown off the porch while trying to defend her home. She suffered a broken hip which left her crippled for the rest of her life. The Pittman men returned home and learned the identities of the raiders. Only one had survived the war and he was found in Nashville, Tennessee where Buckner Pittman shot him dead in the street.

I was hoping that with the coming of the New Year I'd get over this 'All About Me' Attitude!

Not happening!

Guess it's time for an 'Intervention'

Annie GetchEr Gun!!!!

Gluten Free Breakfast PizzaPie...More Amore'

2012-01-22T12:22:00.001-06:00

Yep...I promise this is More Amore'...and you will LOVE how EZeeee and Quick it is to make.

How could it not be the EZest and Quickest Breakfast you ever put on the table?

I'll tell you why!

The PIZZA DOUGH BALL!

Ya know...the one from

Gluten Free Pizza Pie...That's Amore'

Here's the Stuff

Gluten Free Pizza Dough Ball

4 eggs

Jimmy Dean Sausage

Pam Spray

Mrs. Dash or other Salt Free Seasonings

Pepper and Onion Mix

~The Dough Ball....outta the fridge...into the microwave for 20-30 seconds (just enough to soften).

~Press in Pie Plate...fancy it up with a ruffled edge!
~Four eggs makes a Pie for Two!

Besides being a Sausage King...did you know Jimmy Ray Dean was a good ol Texas Boy and a Country Western Singer?

Big Bad John! Does that ring a bell?

It was one of his Greatest Hits!

Jimmy Ray was born in Olton, Texas on August 10, 1928 and grew up singing in a Baptist Church. View Jimmy Ray Dean Memorial on Find A Grave Website. Thanks Jimmy Ray for so many great songs and great sausage!

Now Back To Breakfast!!!

Pop your Pressed PizzaPie in a Preheated Oven....400 degrees...8-10 minutes.
Cook up some of Jimmy Ray's Sausage...I microwave a enough for two, drain and set aside.
Spray Pam on a microwave safe glass bowl.
Crack those eggs, add the pepper and onion mix and scramble and microwave for about 2 minutes.

Remove PizzaPie Shell from oven and carefully press the bottom down...it will be puffy out of the oven.
Stir the eggs....the mix will be a little runny...
we just wanted to cook them a bit so as not to have the mixture soak into the pie shell.
(I prefer not to have raw dough and raw eggs cooking together...besides it takes longer to bake)

Stir in the Sausage and pour in PizzaPie Shell.
Now for the Cheese....

OMy this is the PieceDaResistNot!
If you haven't tried HEB's Queso Blanco con Jalapeno Easy Melt Cheese...You Gotta!
Slice off and layer on top!
Now you are ready to bake...400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes...with the last little bit under the broiler
for a Bubbly-Crispy Top...watch carefully...it doesn't take long!

I slice up a tomato, pour myself a shot of Calcium Rich plus Vitamin D Orange Juice
fill a bowl with my favorite Salsa and see if I can finish HiHoney's Crossword.
Mmmmm...46 Across...Casablanca co-star Peter!
I know this...I'm thinkin'...really HiHoney, I know this...don't tell me.
I mean it...
Eat your Breakfast...Peter Lorre!

KINDLE and VERA BRADLEY Bag...BDay Gifts

2012-01-21T04:54:00.001-06:00

I MADE IT...through another Birthday...Yay!

It seems like I spent most of my 64th year gearing up for being 65.

Telling my age...I know we use to not even whisper that info in public...

much less shout it out to the WholeWideWeb.

You know though, now that I'm 65 years, 1 day, 5 hours and 30 minutes older and wiser,

I'm OKAY with telling my age.

I mean afterall, I'm on every Senior Citizen Mailing List from

AARP to Dairy Queens Senior Discount Coupon List.

I know for sure I'm the proud owner of a Turquoise Paisley Print Vera Bradley Bag.

With lots of pockets..inside and out...a top zipper closure, two straps and a handle!

It's a Back Pack!

Thanks LilSis....you know me so well...Perfect Birthday Gift!

HiHoney knows me very well, too!

He knew I'd need ... The Help!

The folks at Amazon.com knew I'd need

The New Oxford American Dictionary. It comes built in to the Kindle Touch.

Isn't that amazing.

I mean, my 1965 Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary
...that was a Birthday Gift on my 18th BDay from my Mama and Daddy...
is 8x11x2 and weighs 5 pounds.

All that knowledge in a 5x7xl Magical Thingy that weighs less than l pound.

And It's PINK...well, the cover is...and IT FITS in my VERA BACK PACK!

Thanks HiHoney...you really do know me so well...Perfect BDay Gift!

Another Amazing Thingy...Pink Saturday!!!

Hello, Beverly....just wanted to let you know that...

I MADE IT!!!

Pink Saturday January 21, 2012

Thanks

Beverly at How Sweet The Sound

for

Always Making Saturdays Pink!

Please visit my new Pinkie Friend

Francie at The Scented Cottage

Makeup Issues at Sixty-Five

2012-01-20T18:47:00.001-06:00

Warning !

Thirty to Forty Somethin Gals may not want to read this or view the photos. Ya'll have a few years before this is an issue...I don't want to burst any bubbles or have you flippin through the phone book for Dr. McMakeover!

And really, you gals that are my age, you know what I'm talkin' about, but hang around...it might be good for a few laughs. I always say...Let's Laugh It Up before we have a Major Cryin' Jag!

Here's the Issue...My 8X Magnifying Mirror!
Seriously...8X's...that's 8 times BIGGER than your normal everyday mirror...lighted like a spotlight and perched on an adjustable stand. I can get reeeeaaaallllly close.

It's not Close Enough!

What 's with these eyes? Am I gonna have to own up to the 'Age Factor' and buy a 20X-5000 Watted-Satellite Dish Makeup Telescope? I can't see HiHoney cutting a hole in the roof so I can have access through the attic. And last I checked the Hubble is busy.

Besides, it may not All Be about the Mirror! Yep, I have to admit that in retirement...getting up and putting on makeup EVERY day has not been a TOP Priority! Who and What for?

Certainly not for HiHoney and Dolly! He's always said I don't need that stuff and I'm beautiful without it! Boy, does he need to get his prescription upped...and not just the bifocals. He probably should have his Rose Colored lenses cleaned, too.

Okay, I'm going to spill my 'Vain Guts' here. It's not really the mirror. It's not really who see's me AuNatural! Why I can go to ChinaMart or anywhere else in town and not worry that I'll see anyone I know! Like the 'Bad Hair...Adolescent Pimple Breakout...Smelly Sweats and Spaghetti Dribble Day. That's the day I walked into the China Mart, during a sandstorm with visablity at nilch, and it was 2 AM. I know a handful of folks here, and you guessed it...they were ALL there! Everyone of them had on an Osha Mask and Goggles, Sweaty WarmUps and Dribbled Shirts. I could have kicked myself for forgetting my Darth Vadar Mask!

Oh Yeah...the Real Problem...

It's the Time Factor! What I once could accomplish...when I was in the Younger Somethin's...before Retirement...now takes Longer and Longer and Longer to do. And I find myself not doing that much before noon. BTW this post is also an exercise in the Art of Blurry and Out of Focus Photography...are you takin' notes?

So, after hours and hours and hours in front of the 8X Mirror, smearing Windex
on the dresser mirror and setting NeatONikon to Blurry,
I accomplished this.

After a couple of more hours in PhotoShop, propping up my chin, and jickin' with Focus...
I'm finally ready for...

My Sixty-fifth Birthday Photograph!

Whew....I need a nap!

It Took Me 65 Years To.....

2012-01-20T09:04:00.001-06:00

Get from

Here

To Here

And Thankfully To Here

Gluten Free Pizza Pie...That's Amore

2012-01-19T08:13:00.000-06:00

That's AhWhatta I say...

That's AhWhatta HiHoney said, too...and he's not EVEN Italian...but he does 'Sing' like DeanO!

(that's ahwhatta he thinks, but he really can't hear over the shower sprayer)

As You can see it's really a PIE! A Gluten Free PIZZA PIE!

Here's the Dry Stuff and Crust Makin'....

My Favorite GF Cookbook - The Gluten-Free Gourmet

(available on amazon.com...see Link...bottom of post)

Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour or EnerG Tapioca Flour

Bobs Red Mill Rice Flour...in Apple Canister

Clabber Girl Baking Powder

ARGO Corn Starch

Hodgson Mill Xanthan Gum**

Carnation Powdered Milk

Salt and Sugar

PYREX Mixing Bow

Sifter...optional...I just like to sift!

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Oh! I forgot...It's YEAST Free, too! Bette Hagman...author...says...

For a thicker pizza crust, try this easy recipe, which requires no rising but tastes like a yeast bread crust.

I followed this recipe pretty closely just added a couple of things...sugar and Xanthan Gum.

**Xanthan Gum...This is my first time to use Hodgson Mill's individual packets. I found them at

The Natural Foods Market

Midland, Texas

They are convenient and pre-measured. I usually buy and keep in the Fridge a larger bag of Xanthan Gum. It too is available in many Health Food Stores and some grocery stores Gluten Free Sections. I order mine (available on amazon.com...see Link...bottom of post).

Now... LET'S DO THIS...

read more....to the left...just click on it...there's more to this post...lots more...recipe...Fillin' Fixin'...baking...serving...and...EATING!

Follow Bette's measurements and instructions...with Sue's additions of...

1/4 teaspoon of Xanthan Gum and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Subsitute her 2 tablespoons of shortening for 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter....it's a Julia Thingy!

Didn't you just LOVE Meryl Streep as Julia in Julie and Julia? I've been an unsalted butter user ever since!

Cut the butter in with a pastry cutter or a fork or your hands. I like to feel all Chefy and start out with the pastry cutter...always end up as Sue Crocker with dough all over the place.

I also UPed the water measurement...just add as needed to make the dough stick together better...if you get it too sticky sprinkle with one of the flours...you'll know when it's just right!

This recipe makes enough dough for TWO Pizza Pies!

Spray your PIE Plate then shape ONE of your Dough Balls to fit with a lip around the plate rim.

Sprinkle with with Italian Spices and even some parmesan cheese if you like.

Set aside and get ready for Fixin' the Fillin'.

Mmmmm...the Sauces, the Pepperoni and the Cheese!

Here's some of the products I use! I've checked them out as Gluten Free!

Be sure and Read the Labels on pre-made Sauces...some use Wheat and preservatives like MSG.

This goes for Soups, too!

Now... Let's MakeAhDa Pizza Pie!

Now... Let's Cut Serve and Enjoy!

About the Other Pizza Dough Ball...

Bette suggests to Make Up a second Pizza Pie...just like the first one and put it in the freezer!

I love this idea....but....

I'm going to use the Other Dough in the morning for a Breakfast Pizza!

About the Left Overs...

There Weren't Any!!!

Thanks Ya'll,

HumpDay of The GetErDone Week

2012-01-18T12:16:00.001-06:00

I get it...sorta! Why Wednesday is called Hump Day!

But, I wanted to know more...so I Googled it!

This is what I found!

"DITTO"

Moving On.....

These Banners are NEW Additions to CollectInTexas Gal...located right under the NEW Header

It's ALL part of CollectIn Texas Gals 2012 MAKEOVER!

The THREE BANNERS are LINKS to Bloggers Pages!

They usually look like this when Gadgetted under the Header....

Cooking-Baking and Serving Focus on Photography Back In The Day

NOW FOR ANOTHER NEW FEATURE...at least for CollectInTexas Gal!

THE JUMP BREAK

With Jump Breaks you can show just a snippet of your post on your blog's index page.

Blogger will insert a "READ MORE" link to the full post page where you can keep reading.
< < < < < < < < < < read more....to the left...just click on it...there's more to this post!

I really think Bloggers Pages are a great addition, however, without changing my Template...which I don't plan on doing...there is no other options for 'Eye Catching' page labels!

Solution....Make your own Tab/Banner and Gadget them under your header or on your SideBar.

Like these Pages Ads on CollectInTexas Gal.

I've been Blogging since August 2009. Blogger has gone through many CHANGES and UPGRADES...that's Technology....ever CHANGING!

Some of us say....

"If IT ain't BROKE...Don't FIX IT"!

Even in my NEWLY acquired 'Senior Citizen Status'...I'm willing to

'Try Anything...ONCE'!

And guess what? I Like Bloggers New Updated Interface...Dashboard Design!

It took awhile to wrap my 'If It Ain't Broke' mentality around it, but...I Like It!

I haven't Gone Mobile yet...maybe later!

About Wednesday......

See Ya Tomorrow...Thursday January 19, 2012.

It's Dolly Parton and Robert E. Lee's Birthday

and

The Day Before...Mine!

Oh...one more thing...HiHoney just got Shipping Notification from

Amazon.com about my Birthday Gift!

KINDLE and PINK COVER

will be here in time for my

PINK SATURDAY Post on FRIDAY!

FUELing My Blog...Day 2 of GetErDone Week

2012-01-17T10:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday Ya'll...January 17, 2012.

Normally I let Blogger Post the Date on My Posts, but this is not a Normal Month-Week-Day!

Watch It Now...I know what your thinkin'!

'What's NORMAL for Sue...makes SyFy look like Disney!

Anyway...I really do have Some Really Normal Stuff to discuss with Ya'll.

Starting with...

As part of CollectInTexas Gals~Tracks of My Texas Ancestors 2012 MakeOver, you'll notice some NEW ~~Stuff~~ ,~~Things,~~ ~~Pics of Stuff and Things~~ ... Oh Shoot, Sue, just call a Spade a Spade...~~ADs~~, ~~Promotions~~, ~~Shopping Ops~~, ~~$$$ Makers~~....Public Service Announcements for CITexas Gals Bloggin' Family and Friends. Yep, that's the ticket!

Adding Fuel My Blog has given me an InterNet Site with Specific Resources to Blogs that 'Talk/Post' about Stuff that is Specific to Me and CollectInTexas Gal...like a Healthy LifeStyle through Cooking and Baking Gluten Free. I'm so very glad to SHARE these Sites with you...their Links are on the SideBar...Fuel My Blog Foodies. BTW...you don't have to be a GF'er...there's BooCoo's of Healthy Living Recipes and more on these Blogs....I've checked them out for Ya'll.

Watch for My 'Fuel My Blog Photographers' list...coming soon!

Here's the deal, Ya'll. I spend BooCooTickers
(that's Texas for 'lots of time sittin' on my Booty in front of the PC)
Bloggin' and Communicating with Family and Friends!
Soooo...I decided to Monetize CollectInTexas Gal.
But...in such a way that I share with you 'People-Places and Things' that
I Know....Have Researched...Have Used...Wish I Had
and so on...like The Kindle Touch!
I'm sooo excited...HiHoney ordered it for me!
It will be here on January 20th...my
BigOl 65th Birthday!

You will also notice the addition of ...

Again, added as a Public Service Announcement for Ya'll.
Just callin' A Spade A Spade!

I hope Ya'll will come on back Manana..tomorrow...January 18th!

Jan 16-21...GetErDone Week

2012-01-16T11:15:00.000-06:00

My head's a jumble of Sixty's Golden Oldie's this morning.

Like Monday Monday by the Mamas and Papas...Go ahead...listen with me while we
have our Couple of Cuppa's and I'll fill ya in on this week of Gettin'ErDone Days!

First off, besides it being Monday, it's a National Holiday...Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance Day.
Are you off work for this holiday? Are you're GrandKids out of school today?
{notice I said GrandKids....that's because if your diggin' the Mamas and Papas and thinkin' "I always loved that group"... then you're probably a SixtySomethin'Gal with Grands...like me}

I gotta say though for Sixty-Somethin' Gals we sure are WithIt!
Just look at my Desk....No Old School Sixty's Stuff here!
Except, maybe for the Calendar....I still gotta have my 'Hard Copy Calendar'!
My January 2012 Calendar, a gift from another Texas Gal who knows how
Old School I am when it comes to knowing what Month it is.
I look forward to flippin' up the Texas Photo's every month.
This month features the Rio Grande River at The Big Bend National Park.

Before I get to the Spotlight Day of this week, let's take a look at what's so special about tomorrow...Tuesday the 17th. It's Benjamin Franklin's Birthday. He was born in 1706 and if he were around today his cake would have to be Biggern' Dallas to hold 306 candles.

You can view his Find A Grave Memorial HERE. Did you know that his mother's maiden name was Folger and that he had only one sibling...older brother James? FIND A GRAVE is a FREE Website, a great Genealogist Research Site, and a place to set up and maintain your Ancestors Memorials through a Virtual Cemetery.

All my Pittman Ancestors are there...you can find their Names and FAGrave Links on my Genealogy Blog Tracks of My Texas Ancestors ... Rest In Peace page.

It's time to GetErDone!

That'd be the Big Ol' Calendar Star Date!

The Big Ol' 'I'm now a MediCare Card Carryin'Senior Citizen' Day!

The Day that makes Me the Same Age as The Year I Graduated from High School...whaaaa!

The Big Ol' 65

The Day HiHoney promises I can get my Very Own KINDLE!

I got him one for his Birthday on December 31st....he said we could share!

Share...My Foot...he's had his nose stuck in it every waking minute

and sleeps with it under his pillow!

I'm ordering mine today so it will be here for my Big Ol' 65th Birthday!

My first Books to download will be The Help and How To Do Everything Genealogy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Ya'll Have A Great GetErDone Week!

Prom Dates and Dresses....Back In The Day

2012-01-15T10:59:00.003-06:00

Nana, did they have Proms back in the Olden Days?

This question from my 13 year old GrandGal got me to remembering my First Prom, my Prom Dress, my Date, my First Champagne...I'll tell you about that later...and all the exciting stuff about one's First Prom Night!

OLDEN DAYS!!!!

OMG...outta the mouths of grandkids comes a 'Shot of Reality'. Am I really getting there...you know...to that Medi-Card carryin', varicose veined, hairy upper lipped, Clariol blue haired....Old TexasGal?

For me January is kind of a 'Shocker Month'! Yes, it's my Birthday Month. Don't get me wrong, I'm soooo glad to be still having a birthday! The alternative to not having one is counter productive to my often declared statement of "I plan to Live to Be a Hundred"!

I said that once to a lady who was 100 years old. She promptly told me, "Oh Honey, I don't recommend it." Why not, I asked. "You can't hear a damn thing and you can't see to find your teeth!"

GrandGal's Prom question sent me to my Senior Scrapbook...that's 1965 High School Senior not the 2012 MediCard Senior...to show her my Prom Dress and my Date...she was shocked to see how much HiHoney didn't look like her Papa. Sweetie, that's because he wasn't your Papa...we weren't dating Back on That Day!

Now that's some Big Hair, Nana! I see your Daddy wouldn't let you wear a Strapless Dress! What's with those gloves? She whips out her Iphone and says, "I'm posting this on Facebook...my Friends will crack up!"

She's reading the Prom announcement and says, "OMG, who does that?" What? "Decorates with crepe paper...what's crepe paper?" About the band she says, "I've never heard of the SPARKLES...are they on UTube?" I'm closing my 1965 Senior Scrapbook and saying, "Enough about my First Prom...show me your First Prom Dress."

Nana....Wow! I see your Daddy let you wear a STRAPLESS dress!

GGal...Yeah, and I got one of those Boosty Thingys...it's black!

Wanna see my shoes?

Nana....You got two pair?

GGal....Yeah, I'm kinda nervous about the tall ones?

Nana....Why's that?

GGal.... My date is shorter than me!

Nana....Mmmmm, if it were me, I'd be more nervous about breakin' my neck!

GGal....Nana, don't you just love Zebra print?

Nana....UhHuh, it'll look cute on you! You know what your Papa said about your dress?

GGal...What?

Papa....Where's the rest of it?

PS...Ya know...there's a few things I see that have changed about Proms and Prom Dresses...
#1. Thirteen year olds didn't do Proms.
#2. Strapless dresses had lots of Ruffled Net so a Boosty Thingy was not necessary....kleenex was.
#3. Zebra stripes were seen only in National Geographic.
#4. Matching Sneakers....wished I'd had a pair...HiTop Keds did not come in Red Crushed Velvet.
#5. 13 year olds can't buy Champagne...neither could 18 year olds, but that didn't stop us Back In The Day. That'd be when a couple of swigs had me spewin' Cold Duck all over that white tux. That was our First and Last date!

#6. Big Hair in Texas.
(some thangs never change)

click on HiHoney
for more
Back In The Day

I Was A Waitress...Back In The Day

2012-01-14T19:04:00.003-06:00

It was 1969...we were a long way from Texas...I needed a J O B!

Zorba...the restaurant owner asked...Do you speak Greek?

Sue...me...answered....skewze me?

Zorba....marking application...No speakada Greek!

Zorba....Do you have any waitress experience?

Sue...I sure do. Back in Texas my Daddy owned a Drive Inn and I grew up waitressin'!

Zorba....here in the state of Maryland we call that a Theater.

Sue...Huh? I never heard of a Theater Carhop! Ain't that somethin'!

Zorba...Your Hired!

I started that very NIGHT...the 4 to midnight shift! About 4:30 Zorba started seating folks in the front dining room, at the bar and in the back dining room. Soon as they were seated, I could hear him tell the patrons...in Greek...your waitress will be right with you as he nodded toward me. I was lookin' over my shoulder for the other waitress'...surely he didn't mean me... for three rooms spread out from here to Dallas!

He did! There were NO other waitresses! No wonder I got the J O B! I knew it...he was desperately seeking a Non-Greek speaking Carhop from Texas who was also an actress and a race horse! Whatever!!! So, in my best Texas/Greek accent I sashayed right up to those folks and said, "How're Ya'll? What can I get for Ya'll this evenin'? I swear, you'd think I was speakin' a foreign language right there in Maryland, America! I never saw so many slacked jawed people or eyes poppin' open in my whole life!

That first night I made $50 in tips! HiHoney said, 'Whoopee!!! You sure must of had some big bucks on the tickets!" Nope, I said, it was the weirdest thing...they all wanted me to TELL them about the Evening Special that was the cheapest thing on the menu. What was it, he asked?

Frrrriiiied Chhhiiiiicken and maaaashed potatoes!

Sure made my job easier since I couldn't begin to spell or pronounce TZATZIKI much less know what it was when I picked up the orders from the Cooks. Let me tell you about the COOKS. They wore those big white hats and I don't mean Stetsons, and when I mentioned that there sure were a bunch of cooks for there only being ONE Waitress, they informed me that they were not called COOKS! The CHEF'S didn't have a clue about mashed potatoes either. After all night of the CHEF'S making me READ off theTickets....all those orders of Frrrriiiiied Chhhiiicken and Maaassshed Potatoes they told me they didn't make maaaasssshed potatoes...they made creamed potatoes! OMG!!!

Here we are forty-three years later talkin' about being Retired and all the J O B's we've had.

HiHoney officially retired in 2010! Me?

Well, HiHoney says,

"Sue, you can't say you are retired from a job when you haven't had a job."

"How about when I was a Waitress in that Greek Restaurant in Aberdeen, Maryland?"

That was one of the funnest JOB's I ever had.

I made great TIPS...the customers always asked for my section and for some

reason wanted me to read the Menu to them...like they couldn't read!

Looking Back on The Day...I now know...

Have you ever heard a Texan pronounce Greek Food?

They hadn't either!

click on HiHoney

for more

Back In The Day

Texas Gals With Cameras

2012-01-13T17:11:00.001-06:00

It's NeatONikon Country, Ya'll!!!!!

My SILinda...."Sue, I swear you take pictures of the craziest things".

Me...."I do?"

My SILinda.... "Yes, you do! Who takes pictures of Old Junkers and Cow ~~Sh*#~~ Poo?"

Me...."I do!"

Me..."Linda, now who's takin' pictures of Old Junkers?"

My SILinda...."You Talkin'da Me?"

Ya know, it's so much fun having my SisterInLaw as a PhotoShoot Partner. She's a really talented photographer and truly does take the most beautiful photos of the birds and wildlife at Wild Kingdom.

I'm here to tell you her photos of Texas' Stormy Nights are electrifying and award winning. SILinda is a Student of Photography with her SIL Cannon and PhotoShop Editor.

I've learned alot from her and I guess maybe I've taught her a thing or two about shootin' Old Junkers and Cow ~~Sh*#~~ Poo. Not that there's really anything special you need to know about takin' photos of Cow Poo, cept maybe....don't step in it! Oh! and I guess I should mention that having a good ZoomZoomZoom is an excellent idea!

The kind of Zoom like I have on NeatONikon when I was hidin' in a CowPoo Pen, swatin' flies and tryin' to hold

Her Steady to Snap this Cardinal drinkin' from the CowPoo Pen trough!

As you can see there's a bit of a problem focusin' on the Bird here!

I swear I had NeatONikons 15X Zoom maxed out and the Focus Box right on that Birdie!

What can I say....I'm just better at Shootin' Poo!

Seriously, doesn't this Cardinal look like he felt sorry for me and thought,

"Oh alright, lady, I'll stay here for a second longer and be real still so

NeatONikon can Zoom and Focus, and you won't have to go home with only

CowPoo Shots to show for a whole day of hidin' in that nasty PooPen".

"Hurry up, will ya...It smells around here".

The Nikon Camera Gods were good to me at the end of the day!

My Camera is a Nikon COOLPIX L100.

I edit in Windows 7 Live Photo Gallery and Paint!

I knoooow...it's really rinky dink...but it works for me!

My SILinda..."Sue, how DO you do it?"

Me...."Oh, IDK, I just Point and Shoot!"

See More of NeatONikons Photos

I Gifted Myself A Flip Pal Mobile Scanner

2012-01-12T13:44:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

I love it when HiHoney says, "Get whatever you want"!

That was back in December before Christmas when I spotted the Flip Pal Mobile Scanner on one of my favorite Genealogy sites....The Armchair Genealogist. It was a Genealogists Gotta Get Gift on her list of Gotta Gets. I did some research on the Flip Pal Mobile Scanner and decided it really was one of those 'I Gotta Get Me One of Those'!

The big push for me was being able to scan photos that are forever stuck in scrapbooks...like my Mothers Scrapbook with my Baby pictures, Birth Announcement and Congratulations Cards. The scrapbook started in 1943 covers Mothers High School Graduation through my First Birthday in 1948. Like so many scrapbooks of that time, the pages are yellowed and fragile and the tape and glue has yellowed and crumbled.

Scrapbooking today has made great strides in the preservation of photos and documents, and it is such an important aspect of preserving our Family History. Several years ago, I was able to save the original pages of Moms book by backing them with acid free paper and slipping them in sheet protectors. Wanting to keep as much of the original book as possible, the cover was rebound and a ring binder insert replaced the string and gromet page holders.

You know, I think my Mom was a 'Futuristic Thinker'. Just look at the Special Gift she has given her first born daughter in the thoughtful saving of these irreplaceable and pricless momentos. If not for them I would not have been able to confirm that I was NOT born in a conventional hospital. The story goes....

It was snowing a blizzard in Exira, Iowa on the night of my birth. My Grandfather hitched up the horse and sleigh, bundled up his youngest daughter, my Mom, and barely had time to get to Lazeta Jensen Maternity Home before I was born in a snowdrift. Isn't that a neat story?

'Like Mother...Like Daughter'

Yep, like my Mother, I am a Scrapbooker, and a preserver of photos and momentos.

I knew she would love and appreciate my Special Christmas Gift to her this past Christmas.

Thelma Irene Klemish

Your Klemish-Plate Ancestors

Memory Scrapbook

You know...history has a funny way of repeating itself.

It SNOWED on The Scrapbook Delivery Day!

In West Texas!

I'll share with Ya'll the rest of Mom's Ancestorial Memory Book in a later post!

At that time, I'll share with you the 21st Century Scrapbooking Materials I used.

Until then I'd like to introduce to you my Favorite Scrapbookers.

If you are into Scrapbooking your Family Tree like I am, you probably already know

Twilla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters.

They are another example of ...

Like Mother- Like Daughter

PS...Happy Birthday To Me via my Flip Pal Mobile Scanner! Thanks HiHoney!

Wednesdays Child....Two Lost Lambs

2012-01-11T09:35:00.001-06:00

When my Great Grandmother Emma June Howell died in 1895 at the age of 45, her daughter Mattie assumed the role of Mother to 3 year old Lizzie May and one year old Howard Grady. Mattie was 14, and the oldest daughter still living at home. Her older sisters Beulah and Lula were grown and had families of their own.

In her Journal entry, The Year of Mourning (a fictious account of the year following Emma's death) Mattie talks about Lizzy as being a sweet little girl. She relates to sister Beulah how Lizzy is coping with their Mother's death in her child like way of helping with the daily chores..."Lizzy has been helping me with the washing. She is tall enough now to hang the clothes over the fence." The letter dated August 20th three months after her Mother's death, Mattie mentions baby Grady as having fallen off the porch and suffered a cut on his baby arm.

Emma June Howell Pittman died on May 4, 1895 and was buried in the Howell Family Cemetery in Mableton, Georgia...Find a Grave Memorial. Her daughters Beulah Magnolia James and Lula Leodia White as well as son Robert Rene Pittman are buried in the Howell Family Cemetery after having lived out their lives in Cobb County Georgia. It is well documented that the rest of her children left Georgia with their father George Washington Pittman about 1899...four years after her death.

Through documented accounts, US Census and family history research, Mattie Maude, Ruth Beatrice, Columbus Chapel, Howell Cobb and Alison Lee relocated to Texas with their father. What happened to Lizzy May and Howard Grady? That is a 'Brick Wall'! So far they have not been found as having stayed in Georgia with Beaulah or Lula. They have not been found in the Howell Family Cemetery. They were not listed in George Washington Pittman's 1900 US Census along with Mattie and the others who came to Texas.

It is likely that Lizzy and Baby Grady died between 1895 and 1900.

Rest In Heavenly Peace Lizzy and Grady.

You are remembered in The Pittman Family Tree.

Genealogy Hard Drive Page

for more

GeneaBlogger Posts and Links

If I Had A Bucket List.....

2012-01-09T12:19:00.001-06:00

...this would be on it!!!

I've thought about making a Bucket List, and the New Year seems like a good time to make one.

But, I decided I didn't need a List of PEOPLE to Meet, PLACES to Go and THINGS to Do in 2012.

Nope, NoList Needed

JUST DO IT...GO WITH THE FLOW...ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES!

And I'm here to TellYa...You don't need a Bucket List to have

A New 'Never BeenThere Done That' Experience!

Thanks to my Son, I can now say

RAW...Been There-Loved It!

I have to say though...I'm a few years beyond experiencing being a Wrestling Diva!

You Go Gals!

Are Ya Ready for some RAW???!!!

The Entertainers!

The Muscles

Are you wondering...Was it Real?

I can tell you this...

It Was REAL RAW!!!

It's A Gluten Free Ham Sandwich Bread Baking Day

2012-01-07T15:31:00.003-06:00

So, you are Gluten Intolerant!

You think that means NO MORE Ham and Cheese Sandwiches!

You think that means NO MORE Toast with Plum Jelly with your NO MORE Oatmeal for breakfast!

WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!

That's right...I'm here to tell you and show you that YOU can MakeIt, BakeIt and EatIt!

That'd be Gluten Free Homemade Bread! Yep, today I slapped together a Ham Sandwich for lunch with a fresh out of the Bread Maker Loaf of Gluten Free Bread. I promise you it is better than storebought wheat bread and way better than storebought gluten free cardboard bread. Have you tried that stuff out of pure hunger for a sandwich or a piece of toast? I did....and I decided right then and there I could bake better tasting bread in a coffe can over a firepit!

I bake bread once a week and today was baking day. Here's my freshly baked loaf of gluten free bread sliced for a ham sandwich. I always use a sharp serrated bread knife. The FIRST cut is a thin slice of the end or heel, and as with any loaf of bread the heel stays with the loaf until the end...the other end!

Just look at that Ham Sandwich!

Can you believe the breads texture and crust?

The Secret to holey texture and a firm crust is in the last 10 minutes of baking!

I'll tell you about that and give you my Bread Recipe at the end of this post!

But first, I need to tell you about

How To Store and Save a Loaf of Gluten Free Bread!

After the Baking is done, cool the loaf on a cooling rack until it is kitchen temperature before slicing!

Unless of course you want a warm piece sprinkled with sugar....like my Grandmother Minnie did.

All of us kids lined up for a warm piece of her sugar coated homemade bread.

A wonderful treat and a special memory of my Grandmother.

Your homemade loaf will stay fresh and soft stored in a plastic bread bag for several days. After that it should go in the fridge. The refriged loaf will return to it's fresh softness after slicing and popping in the microwave for about 20 seconds per slice. I slice it as I use it and always cover the open end with the heel before restoring it in it's bag. It makes great toast, but requires a higher setting on the toaster than regular wheat bread. I love it smeared with my favorite Plum Jelly and Gluten Free Oatmeal....yum!!

I bet you can hardly wait to bake your first loaf of Gluten Free Bread!

Here It Is....you are welcome to Copy-Paste and Print!

My Gluten Free Bread Ingredients pictured here are:

Maseca Masa Corn Flour

Clabber Girl Corn Starch

Bobs Red Mill Brown Rice Flour

Hodgson Mill Soy Flour

OSTER 2 lb. EXPRESSBAKE Breadmaker

for the rest of the ingredients

and recipe click on

THE GLUTEN FREE BREAD BAKING ROUNDUP TUTORIAL

Oh! The Last Ten Minutes Tip!

At the end of your Bread Machine's Express Baking time...set your kitchen stove timer for 10 minutes and move your Bread Machine's Bake Options from Express to Bake and Re-Start.

Be sure and unplug your Bread Machine when your Stove Timer goes off.

Remove loaf pan from Bread Machine immediately and remove loaf from pan!

Take out the Bread Machine Paddle and cool loaf on a rack.!

That's All Folks!

Happy Gluten Free Bread Making and Eating!!!!

Here's more....

Two Texas Gals...BFF's In The Country

2012-01-06T20:24:00.003-06:00

Howdy Ya'll....It's the First Pink Saturday of 2012!

Like the title said....Here's Two Texas Gals showing off their Pinks and definately from the Country!

I asked them if they were Best Friends Forever and they said,

"Oink Oink Oink!!!

translation...You Betcha...at least until the Stock Show next weekend!

How about You Two Texas Gals?

"You Betcha"!!! We have been BFF's for nearly 50 years!

Meet my Lifetime BFF, Beverly. She's an original and unique Texas Country Gal.

Beverly lives and works on a West Texas Farm/Ranch, raising pigs, cattle, cotton and grain.

She's a Camp Cook, a Wrangler, a Tractor driving Cotton Picker and an accomplished Artist.

Friends since High School and College, we share a love for Junk and Old Buildings and,

we are avid Rockhounds and Arrowhead hunters.

Lucky us...lots of Old Buildings, Junk and Rocks on Beverly's West Texas Ranch/Farm.

Even though we are Country Gals, we gotta have our Pinks, and I was sure glad I had my

Pink Android Smart Phone with me out in the middle of NOWHERE when I received

Beverly's Pink Saturday Reminder Message!

Yep, I've got Two Beverly's as BFF's!

One in Texas and One in Blogland!

Be sure and visit My BFF Beverly at

How Sweet The Sound!

And as Always....Thanks Beverly for Making Saturday's Pink!

Texas Farm and Ranch Life Photo Album

HERE

Sherwood...In Texas...Not Nottingham

2012-01-06T10:27:00.000-06:00

Talk about 'Off The Beaten Path'

That's where you will find Sherwood, Texas and it's Historical Courthouse!

Here are Links to Sherwood, Texas and it's history....it's another interesting Texas Town.

Sherwood, Texas on Texas Escapes.com

Sherwood, Texas Ghost Town

HiHoney and I started off our 2012 'Off The Beaten Path PhotoShoots' with a return trip to Sherwood, Texas which is about 25 miles...give or take...from San Angelo. Much to my surprise and PhotOp Delight, the Old Courthouse doors were OPEN!

In the gate we drove and up the stone steps I climbed to find a cowboy on a ladder welding a paint brush rather than a lariat. After introductions...Texans always say their Howdys, tell their historic backgrounds, share their Texas connections and BS a bit before getting down to business...which was 'I sure would appreciate takin' some pictures of this great old building'.

"You betcha", said Cowboy painter, who is in the process of restoring the still Rock Solid building to it's former glory for the citizens of Sherwood and surrounding area to use as a Community Center. It's booked for upcoming weddings and other events starting in April 2012. "We've got a ways to go, but we'll have it ready", said the Tin Ceiling Restore-rator. "Make yourself at home and take all the pictures you like", he said. So, Ya'll, let's head up the stairs to the second floor .

As I said earlier, it's still a 'Rock Solid' Building and a testament to

'They don't MakeEm like this anymore'.

From my first post of 2012...'Imagine That',

you will recognize the Pews and interior shots of the Courthouse Chambers.

I imagine in the past, the Court Room served as a place of

'Here Comes DaJudge' and a place of 'Here Comes DaJudgement Day!

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that 'DaJudge' was a fan of BINGO!

Since the Courthouse Clock never was meant to Chime,

I was not surprised to see this

Alternate Chiming Device!

This magnificent Courthouse, built in 1901 is surmounted with a tower bearing a

False Clock

with it's hands set at the supposed time of

Abraham Lincoln's death.

Imagine That!!!

2012-01-01T09:41:00.003-06:00

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

R. Waldo...I bet not many folks called him Waldo, but I like it...his quotes seem to hit the nail on the head...at least on my head! I've been scratching my head the last few days trying to come up with some profound words about 2011 ending and 2012 beginning. I must admit, I've been at a loss for words....Imagine That!

However, it was Temporary!

As I see it, every New Year is a continuation of the Old Year

with some adjustments....there ya go...profoundness!

This year rather than make best intention resolutions or challenges that I run through with extreme focus, get bored with and cast aside as 'Been there...Done that', I'm going to simply 'Make some Adjustments!

Imagine That!

With that said, I'll point out some of the Adjustments made in 'The Makeover' of CollectInTexas Gal.

New Header...Last year I added my Genealogy Blog Tracks of My Texas Ancestors to CollectInTexas Gal, and as things happen with me, an Old Interest was Renewed to the Maximus!

One thing lead to another and before I knew it, I had a Collection of Ancestors, Stories, Photos, Family Trees, Virtual Cemeteries, and Data Collections dating back to Colonial America.

You'll notice in the Header, my Great Grandmother Martha Jane's Six Brothers. The photo was in Martha Jane's Photo Album...unidentified and unknown until last year. Doors opened and Brick Walls came tumbling down with the discovery of my Marley Great Uncles.

Then there is Great Aunt Mattie Maude. Her Photo a rare find and her life's history a revelation of Family Roots farmed deep in Georgia and transplanted to Texas. The first to leave Georgia for Texas was Mattie's father George Washington Pittman, also shown on the header. Tracking his life has been a study in the Civil War, the Reconstruction of the South, and Pioneer Days in Texas.

So, my Family and Friends, I've saved you a seat on the Front Row Pew in hopes that you will continue

'The Old Year' into 'The New Year' with CollectInTexas Gal and Tracks of My Texas Ancestors.

Browse around and you'll see some Adjustments and Additions to the Sidebar.

You know though, somethings never change or need adjusting....that'd be Ya'll...my Blogland Friends.
Imagine That!

UhOh!!! Time for A Change!

2011-12-26T07:08:00.000-06:00

I get like this once in awhile...okay...pretty often!

You know....that unexplainable urge to:

Rearrange the furniture

Clean out closets

Decluttter

ReDo

Fix

It is a fact of life and a womans prerogative...right? RIGHT!!!

So now I'm applying it to CollectInTexas Gal!

OMGosh...you say...What's SHE gonna DO?

And I say....I Dunno!

But

I'll Figure It Out

And

Be Back

Soon!

Ya'll have a Happy New Year!!!