The Last House Before the Bridge

Food Tip of the Day: Baked Potatoes

2012-01-18T19:03:00.002-05:00

When baking potatoes I found that the best way is to poke a lot of holes in it with a fork, rub a little oil on it and set it in a shallow pan on a bed of salt. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about an hour (for a large baking potato). The salt will draw out the moisture and you will end up with a fluffy potato with a crispy skin. Yummy!

A really cute starfish wreath and a giveaway....

2011-09-28T10:21:00.002-04:00

Wow, I just realized it's been six months since I've written anything for my blog. I don't know why...I guess I just needed a break. When I opened Google Reader this morning I saw this post by Completely Coastal about an awesome giveaway. I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into the swing of things. Also, since I'm wanting to buy a house in Florida soon, I could make this adorable wreath for my front door...if I win, of course.

Head over to Completely Coastal's site and try your luck at winning two dozen beautiful white starfish.

This great prize is being offered on CC's site by the very talented Shari of Beach Grass Cottage. Keeping my fingers crossed....

Coconut Oil: Experiment #2, Hair

2011-03-06T09:12:00.001-05:00

This morning I decided to try the coconut oil as a deep conditioner for my hair. I color my hair and am very careful about preventing it from drying out and getting split ends. The method I used was to first melt about 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil in the microwave, being careful not to let it get too hot. Just warm is perfect. After about 15 seconds in the microwave it was almost completely melted so I just mashed up the lumps with a fork and they melted right in.

I then saturated my hair, still dirty, and put a plastic bag over my hair to hold in my body heat. Then you just pray that no one comes to the door! After an hour I rinsed my hair very thoroughly, then shampooed twice. If your hair is extremely dry and/or damaged leave it in longer, even overnight. I didn't use my usual conditioner after shampooing and had no tangles in my hair. Then I styled it as usual using mousse and a blow dryer. WOW! I had shine, body and volume...all the things I love for my hair. I also noticed that it was easier and faster to style. This will definitely be my go to weekly deep conditioning treatment from now on.

Just be sure you use virgin oil and not refined. Refining the oil removes a lot of what makes it so good for you. Here's a good article with more information about using coconut oil as a hair conditioner -->Ehow.com

Coconut Oil: Experiment #1, Body Moisturizer

2011-03-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

In my post HERE I noted that coconut oil is supposed to be good for your skin so yesterday after my shower I patted myself with a towel and applied the coconut oil while my skin was still slightly damp. Applying lotions to damp skin seals in the moisture and keeps your skin hydrated longer. Coconut oil is solid and looks a lot like Crisco. But as soon as it hits your skin your body heat begins to melt it and it will completely melt just by rubbing it between your hands for a few seconds.. You can see in the picture that it is already melting just sitting in my hand.

I used about a teaspoon at a time. When I was finished my skin felt a little oily, which I didn't like.

So, today I didn't even dry off after my shower...I just applied the oil right in the shower and then patted myself dry. I liked this method much better. Not so oily feeling and my skin felt very soft. But honestly, I prefer my Philosophy lotions...they're easier to use and not as messy.

Stay tuned for experiment #2...hair.

Coconut Oil: No Longer a Villian

2011-03-03T20:19:00.001-05:00

I just read an interesting article in the NY Times about cooking with coconut oil. I recently bought a jar because I read something about how good coconut oil is for your skin and hair. Lately I've been using the oil cleansing method on my face several nights a week, using a combination of sunflower seed oil and castor oil. If you're not familiar with this method here is a good link -->OCM. I know, you're thinking, putting oil my face? Are you crazy? That's exactly what it thought when I first heard about it, but it really works. I have oily skin but I swear it doesn't make your face oilier. The castor oil is the key. After about 5 minutes of massaging the oils into my skin I could actually feel the gunk under my fingers as it came out of my pores. One recommendation...massage very gently to avoid breaking any capillaries. I noticed after a few times of using this method, I had one on my chin. I lightened up and so far there aren't any more.

According to this article HERE, the oil is supposed to do wonders for your hair also. I color my hair so I'm always looking for products that will keep it hydrated, shiny and healthy. I'm thinking that using a natural ingredient instead of products full of chemicals can't be all bad. And a lot cheaper too. I can pick up a 14 oz. jar at my local market for about $9...a comparable size of a good quality conditioner would cost a lot more.

I really suffer with dry skin during the winter and always use my favorite Philosophy lotions because they hydrate all day long. But they can be pricey. I'm thinking if I massage a little coconut oil on my skin while it's still damp from the shower, I'll be just as soft and sweet smelling, and have a little more money in my purse. It's a no-brainer.

Anyway, this jar of coconut oil has been sitting now in my cabinet for several months unopened because I keep forgetting it's there. Now I'm really intrigued by what I'm reading about using it for baking, especially pie crust. So now that I know I can cook with it, condition my hair with it and remove my make-up with it, I have no excuse for not using it. Add to this the claims that it revs your metabolism to help you lose weight, I have to ask myself, what are you waiting for?! I'll be reporting back to you how it's worked out for me.

I'd love to hear if you've used it and your opinion about it. I'd especially love to have your favorite recipes, if you don't mind.

New Name

2011-01-07T18:42:00.000-05:00

No, you're not in the wrong place. I never really liked Plum Bush Cottage as a name for my blog so I've changed it. I really do live in the last house before the bridge, so the new name fits better.

Awesome Giveaway!

2010-11-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

If you follow Cynthia's Cottage Design you already know about her fabulous giveaway. But just in case you don't, she is giving away a $100 gift certificate to French Garden House, one of the most gorgeous sites I've seen lately. Whether you live in a tiny cottage or a grand mansion, you'll find something that will make your lifestyle just a little more exciting and beautiful.

You can enter the giveaway just by clicking on the picture here -->

Whether you're a rhinestone cowgirl ...

or a French tart ...

Whether you are passionate about tea parties ...

or picnics ...

I have no doubt that you'll find something you just have to have! Here's some more eye candy ...

Yet another favorite handbag!

2010-11-04T17:08:00.001-04:00

If you’re a handbag junkie like me, head over to Simply Bags and do a little window shopping. Simply Bags is a specialty monogram and embroidery shop offering personalized tote bags, unique laptop totes for women, couples wine tote, fashionable travel totes, monogrammed boat totes for the beach and so much more. They come in a variety of fabrics and colors and would be great as a holiday gift. Of course, you will want to give yourself a gift of a bag also.

Here’s mine…red velvet monogrammed in black…the perfect holiday bag. It includes a small snap in velvet bag that is perfect to hold a few cosmetics or your cell phone. And you can see how roomy it is. These photos don't really do justice to the color. It is such a beautiful rich red.

Here’s a little feature I like. There are snaps at each side that you can fasten and the whole silhouette changes. Perfect for the woman who prefers a smaller bag.

I was especially pleased with the fast shipping but if you are planning to buy bags for Christmas gifts, I wouldn’t wait too long. I have a feeling that this company will be very popular.

The Simple Woman's Daybook: October 19

2010-10-19T17:07:00.002-04:00

Would you like to linger on the simple things? Then join me and many others in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity...the beauty of everyday moments. Join The Simple Woman and submit your own daybook entry, then visit others who also enjoy lingering on the simple things. You can find the guidelines HERE.

For Today September 21

Outside my window...the leaves are blazing with color.

I am thinking...what needs to be done before I leave tomorrow to visit my mother.

I am thankful for...my mother's long life...she's 90.

From the kitchen...penne pasta with fresh tomato pesto and sweet Italian sausage

I am wearing...my favorite jeans and a navy blue sweater

I am creating...a family cookbook

I am going...to Kansas City tomorrow

I am reading...The Redemption of Holly Dobson by C. Lynn Barton

I am hoping...for good weather during my trip.

I am hearing...If it's Over by Mariah Carey

Around the house...are my new autumn decorations.

One of my favorite things...warm days and cool nights

A few plans for the rest of the week: just visiting my mother but not much else because she's not able to do much anymore. We'll just talk and maybe play some cards.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The Plain and Simple Life and a Recipe

2010-10-05T17:51:00.013-04:00

We recently spent a long week-end in one of my favorite places, Lancaster County, PA. Known for the Amish community, it is an absolutely beautiful place. Huge Amish farms, the charm of the Amish horse and buggies, amazing produce and hand crafted items, from jams and jellies to furniture and iron work. Everything they do is done with pride and excellence...if you've ever seen an Amish quilt you know what I mean. Beautiful patterns done all by hand, with stitches all perfectly the same size.

I'm fascinated by the Amish people. It amazes me that they have maintained their simple life style over the years, living and working with the modern world all around them. It's like going back in time to drive through the back roads and see farmers in their fields using horses and what we consider antique equipment, tilling the soil and harvesting their crops. I would lay in bed in the morning listening to the traffic going by and then suddenly you hear only the clop, clop of horses hooves.

I have no pictures of the Amish because they don't believe in having photographs taken. They consider humility to be a highly cherished value and view pride as a threat to community harmony. Because personal photographs can accentuate individuality and call attention to one's self, they are prohibited from their homes. They also believe that photographs in which they can be recognized violate the Biblical commandment, "Thou shalt not make unto thyself a graven immage." They want to be remembered by the lives they live, not how they look.

From padutchcountry.com:
"Just as the Amish do not carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they do not want others to take photographs of them. Many visitors to Lancaster County, find it difficult not to do so. Yet, if there is one that appears to frustrate the Amish, it is tourists attempting to take their picture. Please follow our lead in taking no photographs in which faces are recognizable. Refraining from taking photos is more than just a courtesy; it's a respect for our Amish neighbors and their way of life."

Believe me, when you see those adorable children in their cute little dresses and bonnets and little straw hats, it's not easy to refrain from taking their picture. But I wanted to respect their beliefs so I refrained. It's apparent that a lot of people ignore their wishes because you can find a lot of pictures of them on the internet.

If you're lucky enough to visit this area you must eat at the Good 'N Plenty Restaurant. It's served family style at long tables and the food doesn't stop coming until you just can't eat another bite. Then they bring out several desserts you just have to have. This is not restaurant food; it's they kind of food you would find in your grandmother's kitchen. Old fashioned, home-cooked and delicious.

One of the most fun things about this area are the unique names of some of the towns. And the funny thing is, even in this area where religion is so important and the lifestyle so pure, many of them appear to have a sexual undertone, when in fact, they have nothing to do with sex at all. There's Intercourse, Virginville, Paradise, Bareville and Blue Ball. Blue Ball was actually named after the Blue Ball Hotel, not a sexual thing at all.

And as for Intercourse, There are several explanations concerning the origin of the name of Intercourse, but none can really be substantiated. The first centers around an old race track which existed just east of town along the Old Philadelphia Pike. The entrance to the race course was known as "Entercourse". Some suggest that "Entercourse" gradually evolved into "Intercourse".

Another theory concerns two major roads that crossed here: the Old King's Highway, which ran from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (now called the Old Philadelphia Pike), and the road from Wilmington, Delaware to Erie, Pennsylvania. The intersection of these two roads was thought to be the basis for the town of "Cross Keys" or, eventually, "Intercourse".

A final idea comes from the "old english" language which was is use in the early 1800's. It refers to the "fellowship" or social interaction and friendship which was so much a part of an agricultural village and culture at that time. These roots mark the community of faith to this day, and the many evidences of it are experienced by those who care to dig a bit more deeply while visiting this area.Of course, the local merchants take advantage of this to sell souvenirs.

We stayed in a beautiful, huge Victorian bed and breakfast inn called Greystone Manor in the village of Bird-in-Hand. Don't you love the name of this town? The inn is one of those places that is decorated in period furniture with beds so large you need a step stool to get in them. The gardens were gorgeous. The entire lawn is nothing but beautiful flowers and trees, ponds, paths and scattered around are iron bistro tables to sit at and admire your surroundings. Everywhere you look there's something beautiful to take a picture of.

Here's an Amish recipe from a cookbook I bought from an Amish farmer's wife. It's something the Amish are known for...

Whoopie Pies

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Whoopie Pie Filling (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and egg. In another bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a small bowl, stir the vanilla extract into the milk. Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk mixture; beating until smooth.

Drop batter by the 1/4 cup (to make 18 cakes) onto prepared baking sheets. With the back of a spoon spread batter into 4-inch circles, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cake.

Bake 15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Whoopie Pie Filling:

3 egg whites, room temperature
2 cups light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

In large bowl beat egg whites, corn syrup, and salt until the mixture is thick and volume has almost doubled.

Add powdered sugar and mix until well blended. Add vanilla extract just until well blended.

When the cakes are completely cool, spread the flat side (bottom) of one chocolate cake with a generous amount of filling. Top with another cake, pressing down gently to distribute the filling evenly. Repeat with all cookies to make 9 pies. Let finished whoopie pies completely cool before wrapping.

Wrap whoopie pies individually in plastic wrap, or place them in a single layer on a platter (do not stack them, as they tend to stick).

Makes 9 large whoopie pies.

Whoopie Pie photo courtesy What's Cooking America

The Simple Woman's Daybook: September 21

2010-09-21T19:24:00.003-04:00

Would you like to linger on the simple things...then join me and many others in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity...the beauty of everyday moments. Join The Simple Woman and submit your own daybook entry, then visit others who also enjoy lingering on the simple things. You can find the guidelines HERE.

For Today September 21

Outside my window...my tomatoes are coming to an end, for which I'm very sorry.

I am thinking...about our recent visit to Lancaster County PA and the simple lifestyle of the Amish people.

I am thankful for...my children

From the kitchen...chicken cutlets and roasted vegetables

I am wearing...work out clothes

I am creating...a baby afghan to donate to Project Linus.

I am going...to take the dog for a walk

I am reading...Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

I am hoping...to win the lottery ;o)

I am hearing...the dog bark. He still wants to go out.

Around the house...I've got bread dough rising.

One of my favorite things...my Kindle

A few plans for the rest of the week: fixing dinner for my son and daughter-in-law; getting a pedicure.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Something a little different - Portuguese Fish Stew

2010-09-10T21:35:00.006-04:00

Sooo, I was looking for something different to fix for dinner the other night and ran across this recipe for Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada de Peize) in Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. It accompanied a recipe for Broa which is a Portuguese Corn Bread. What distinguishes this stew from French or Italian versions is the use of orange zest and hot pepper. Cod is the typical Portuguese choice to include, but any white-fleshed fish works well. I used cod, shrimp and mussels. Just remember, if you use mussels or clams, to remove any that don't open prior to serving.

So off I went to the store to buy the ingredients. Not only did it taste good, it's pretty. The only thing I would do differently when I make it again is to add more vegetables to make it a little thicker.

You can find the recipe for Broa HERE.

Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada de Peixe)

<p>Recipe courtesy Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day</p>

See Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada de Peixe) on Key Ingredient.

Bon Appetit!

Broa (Portuguese Corn Bread)

2010-09-10T21:34:00.006-04:00

Broa is a very rustic bread that's perfect for sopping up hearty soups like Portuguese Fish Stew. Broa simply means bread in Portuguese, but it's often used specifically for this dense part-corn loaf. It bears no resemblance at all to American corn bread, which is quite sweet.

Form the loaf into a round with a flattened top and you will have a true version of the original. This will also help to prevent denseness from the corn.

You can find the recipe for the Portuguese Fish Stew HERE.

Broa (Portuguese Corn Bread)

<p>Recipe and photo courtesy Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day</p>

See Broa (Portuguese Corn Bread) on Key Ingredient.

Bon Appetit!

New York Minutes: Part II

2010-09-07T21:32:00.009-04:00

Moments of great calm,
Kneeling before an altar
Of wood in a stone church
~R.S. Thomas, Kneeling

God loved the flowers and invented soil. Man loved the flowers and invented vases. ~Variation of a saying by Jacques Deval

Maidenly lake, fathomless lake,
Stay as you were once, overgrown with rushes,
Idling with a reflected cloud, for my sake
Whom your shore no longer touches.

~ Czeslaw Milosz, Lake

The best thing about summer.....

2010-09-07T19:43:00.003-04:00

Tomatoes! I had a huge tomato crop this year. I planted heirlooms and will never plant anything else. They are luscious. This is just part of the harvest for today. So much better than last year when everything drowned in so much rain.

One thing you have to know about heirloom tomatoes...they aren't always pretty. They are sometimes shaped funny and the color may be unusual. Here's what I have...Mr. Stripey, Cherokee Purple, Sugary, Yellow Pear, German Pink and Celebrity. Celebrity is the only one that's not an heirloom, but it's very tasty anyway.

This one is my favorite, a Cherokee Purple. It's not a true purple, more of a dark red with darker, purplish shading. The flavor is divine!

This is Mr. Stripey...yellow with red striping. It's very pretty and the taste is more like a yellow tomato, a less acidic flavor. If you prefer yellows, this is a nice choice. Personally, I prefer the more robust flavor of a red tomato, but these make a pretty salad mixed with others varieties.

My favorite way of eating tomatoes is fresh off the vine, while still warm from the sun. Slice 'em up, plenty of salt and savor the flavor. I also like to make a couple of simple salads with them. Here's one I love, using all the varieties from my garden, my version of Rachael Ray's Crostini. You can find my recipe here.

Roast Beef

2010-07-23T14:05:00.001-04:00

Gracie Allen's Classic Recipe for Roast Beef

1 large Roast of beef
1 small Roast of beef

Take the two roasts and put them in the oven. When the little one burns, the big one is done.

WOO HOO!!!

2010-05-06T14:59:00.002-04:00

Had my first weigh in and measurements since joining Curves. I lost 4 1/2 inches, 3 pounds and 3 points off my BMI. I thought I would have lost more than 3 pounds but I've been building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. So as I was losing fat I was gaining a little muscle. I can live with it.

A new pair of shoes can change a girl's life....

2010-05-05T15:33:00.004-04:00

Lately I've been on a fitness streak and it's about time. I've gained weight since I retired and just don't get enough exercise. I've gotten lazy, not to mention my love of pasta. I haven't had my usual mountain of pasta in a couple of weeks so pretty soon I'm going to have to treat myself.

Anyway, I've joined Curves and have actually been going on a regular basis. It's time for my first weigh in and measurement so I'm a little nervous about that. It's funny, I look a little smaller but my clothes fit the same. Strange.

I was talking a few days ago with a couple of women at Curves who have the Shape Up sneakers from Skechers and they love them. So I got myself a pair and I must say I'm surprised at how comfortable they are. They feel a little strange at first because you feel like you are walking in sand but I got used to them pretty quickly. That's actually what makes them work. It's recommended that you only wear them 25 minutes a day for a while. So that's what I did and I really did feel the burn in my legs and butt. They also force you to stand up straight and improve your posture. Also the need to balance yourself works your core muscles so the belly will get a workout too. All good things.

The only down side ... they look like Herman Munster shoes.

Sunday Favorites: Credibility

2010-05-02T08:00:00.010-04:00

It's Sunday so it must be time for Sunday Favorites. This weekly blog party is hosted by Happy to Design, who has a lovely blog. You must be sure to visit her and enjoy her site.

If you want to know more about Sunday Favorites, just click HERE to learn all about it.

If you want to participate today, click HERE.

My selection today may seem like a real downer and an odd choice but when I wrote it I was expressing feelings from my heart. These feelings were the result of the betrayal by someone I thought was a real friend. Writing my feelings down went a long way in helping me begin the healing and forgiveness process. So for that reason, it is one of my favorites.

*******************************************
Credibility: Do you have it?

Fairly recently I was severely disappointed by someone who was supposed to be a loyal friend. Since then I have thought a lot about loyalty and trust and have worked through my feelings toward this woman. And although she expressed a desire to resume our friendship, I declined. There's nothing to be gained by jumping from the frying pan into the fire, other than getting burned again. Especially since I've seen no indication that she's changed or even thinks she did anything wrong.

Here are my thoughts on the matter:

Credibility - do you have it? have you lost it? how do you get it back? It's simple. You lose credibility when you lie.

I'm not sure you ever really get it back. Perhaps you could if you are apologetic and remorseful, and turn over a new leaf completely, but that usually doesn't happen. People are creatures of habit.

Basically, once you have lost the trust of others and your credibility, you can climb mountains for months…as soon as you slip, all is lost again. Once the guard is up, it never comes down completely.

Regaining lost credibility requires overcoming the distrust of an individual. Whether that can happen or not depends upon a lot of variables…what caused the loss, whether trustworthiness can be verified independently, and how much the injured party is invested in the individual. The opposite, the betrayer's investment in the injured party, is probably the most crucial. She has to want to regain credibility with the person she has betrayed, wronged, disappointed, or displeased. Without that motivation, even without any further bad acts by the person, the bad feelings can become even worse.

People expect a person who has failed them to express contrition and to try to get back in their good graces. It is very hard for many people to understand that the perspective of others is just as valid and legitimate as their own. The injured party gets to do the judging. They also get to decide whether they're harmed. The betrayer doesn‘t have that right. That is a concept that seems hard for some to grasp…the betrayer may state that she doesn't perceive harm, therefore no harm has been committed. This registers as unfeeling and makes it clear that her standing with the injured party is not important to her, nor are the other person‘s feelings. That comes across as contempt, and often makes things worse.

Simple rules of right and wrong, to the regular world... well, the betrayer believes they just don't apply. In the betrayer’s mind, she is far above the rest, making her exempt from all the laws that govern everyone else. So, if she has lied, and been exposed, well, somehow it just doesn't count. In her mind, it gets tucked away, inside a closet, never to be seen. The strangest part is, they go on with business as usual, as if nothing happened. Unless of course, you're the one whose feelings were hurt.

Sunday Favorites: New York Minutes

2010-04-25T12:02:00.019-04:00

Lately I've been very lazy about my blogging...it seems I just needed a break for some reason. Now I feel a little more ambitious and like getting back into it. I ran across a lovely blog, Happy to Design, who hosts a weekly blog party called Sunday Favorites and thought it was a perfect way to get my rear in gear again.

Click on the picture to learn all about Sunday Favorites. To participate today, click HERE

Before moving to New York State 30 years ago, I was like most people who had never been there. I believed all of New York was concrete and sky scrapers, in other words, New York City. Don't get me wrong ... I love the Big Apple but I was blown away by the state when I saw the beauty that was everywhere. Trees, mountains, wildlife, beautiful lakes and streams. It was awesome!

One of my favorite posts includes a photo from each of the seasons that shows what I get to enjoy year round. The photos of the fawn and deer were taken in my yard.

****************************************************************
New York Minutes

Autumn

No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one Autumnal face.”
- John Donne (17th Century England)

Winter
"He stood still, and loved it. Its beauty was paralyzing beyond all words,
all experience, all dream."
—Conrad Aiken, "Silent Snow, Secret Snow"

Spring
The fawn was very shy and small
Who had bright white dots on its fur
When finally he could stand up tall
He could walk and stand steadily and sure
The forest awaited this newborn fawn
And welcomed it gratefully, at the first light of dawn
-unknown

Summer
Eyes of brown and tail of white,
and leaping bounds with muscles tight;
and grazing meadows mid the wind,
that blows the grass like ocean's kin.

Walking through the forest deep,
while feeding on the moss of green;
and rubbing antlers yet not weened,
and licking coat of velvet sheen.

The deer, so graceful, seldom seen.
-William Elliot, The Deer

A long winter and a spring rejuvenation...

2010-04-02T22:52:00.000-04:00

Gee, it's just been so long since I've felt like writing anything. The winter really gave me the blues this year, more than in years past. I even went to Florida for two weeks in February to get out of the cold and the temps never got out of the 40's. We didn't even get to go to the beach...spent most of our time indoors. I could have done that in New York.

So anyway, I just went back down to Florida last week to visit my daughter. She just found out she's pregnant and is having a Thanksgiving baby. It's her first so she's scared and wanted her mommy. This time the weather was beautiful, perfect actually. We had a great visit and I was able to reassure her and help her to feel better. She had her first doctor's appointment Monday and she brought me, Dave (the baby's father) and her friend Lisa with her. She insisted we all go in with her. I imagine she's the first patient to bring her entourage with her.

She's my youngest so this is really special; my baby is having a baby. But it's not my first grandchild. I have five already, four grandsons and a granddaughter. Courtney and Dave both want a boy, so I hope they get their wish. I'll be happy either way. She'll know in about four months when she has her sonogram and as soon as I know, I'll know whether to crochet a blue or pink baby afghan.

I'll see her again in July when they come to NY for a family reunion. I can't wait to see her pregnant. She's a tiny little thing, barely weighing a hundred pounds. Tall and skinny. I imagine she'll look like she swallowed a basketball.

Until then, I'll entertain myself buying baby things. Such fun....

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2010-01-19T16:17:00.005-05:00

It was Wayback Week on Facebook recently and you were supposed to post a picture of yourself when you were young. That got me looking through old photos to see what I could post. What fun it was looking through all those old family photos.

Here's a couple of me a "few" years ago. My father built that house by himself when he left the Army after World War II. He had never built a house before so it was quite an accomplishment. Actually, it was probably built a lot better than the way houses are built now. My father was not educated and had never had a break in his life, so when he left the Army, he really didn't know how he was going to support a family. I guess he thought farming was an option but it didn't really turn out that well. We had a horse, a cow and some chickens and I don't know what crops he tried to raise; I only remember strawberries. I wonder if the house is still standing. Someday I'm going to research public records and try to find it.

He also made this little wooden basket for me to use when we picked strawberries. Isn't that hat a fashion statement? I'm sure my mother must have made that dress herself. As long as I can remember, she made clothes for me and my brother. To bad this one isn't in color; it would have been very pretty with the wildflowers and the barn peeking out on one side.

This one is my all time favorite. This was taken after we moved from the farm. A man went around the neighborhood with this pony taking pictures of the children. Giddy up!

Food Tip of the Day: Cooking with Blueberries

2010-01-16T12:09:00.000-05:00

When using blueberries in muffins or pancakes, dust the berries with a little flour before adding them to the batter. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the pan and insure they stay evenly distributed.

Food Tip of the Day: Vegetables

2010-01-11T13:25:00.004-05:00

When making dishes that include vegetables as a main ingredient such as Pasta Primavera, roast the vegetables instead of blanching them. You will get soooo much delicious, sweet, caramelized flavor.

A good recipe for Pasta Primavera is HERE. It's one of my favorites from Giada De Laurentiis.

Food Tip of the Day: Making Stock

2010-01-10T13:12:00.005-05:00

When making stock I like to make sure the meat and vegetables are always completely submerged in the liquid to insure I get the maximum flavor. I do this by bringing the water to a simmer, then setting a steamer insert right on top and pressing it down until everything is submerged. The steamer will fill with water and hold everything down and the holes allow the steam to escape so the liquid can concentrate to get that rich full flavor.

Just make sure when you press the steamer down you do it slowly so the hot liquid doesn't splash. We don't want any burns.

The Last House Before the Bridge

Food Tip of the Day: Baked Potatoes

A really cute starfish wreath and a giveaway....

Coconut Oil: Experiment #2, Hair

Coconut Oil: Experiment #1, Body Moisturizer

Coconut Oil: No Longer a Villian

New Name

Awesome Giveaway!

Yet another favorite handbag!

The Simple Woman's Daybook: October 19

The Plain and Simple Life and a Recipe

The Simple Woman's Daybook: September 21

Something a little different - Portuguese Fish Stew

Portuguese Fish Stew (Caldeirada de Peixe)

Broa (Portuguese Corn Bread)

Broa (Portuguese Corn Bread)

New York Minutes: Part II

The best thing about summer.....

Roast Beef

WOO HOO!!!

A new pair of shoes can change a girl's life....

Sunday Favorites: Credibility

It's Sunday so it must be time for Sunday Favorites. This weekly blog party is hosted by Happy to Design, who has a lovely blog. You must be sure to visit her and enjoy her site.

If you want to know more about Sunday Favorites, just click HERE to learn all about it.

If you want to participate today, click HERE.

Sunday Favorites: New York Minutes

Click on the picture to learn all about Sunday Favorites. To participate today, click HERE

One of my favorite posts includes a photo from each of the seasons that shows what I get to enjoy year round. The photos of the fawn and deer were taken in my yard.

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A long winter and a spring rejuvenation...

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Food Tip of the Day: Cooking with Blueberries

Food Tip of the Day: Vegetables

Food Tip of the Day: Making Stock

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New York Minutes