Homemade Gift Idea - Gift In A Jar

Peach Crumb Cake Mix

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup quick oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Layer the ingredients in the order given into a wide mouth 1-quart canning jar.
Pack each layer into place before adding the next ingredient.

Attach a gift tag with the following instructions:

Peach Crumb Cake:
Contents of Peach Crumb Cake Mix jar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 (29 ounce) can peach pie filling

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Empty contents of jar into a mixing bowl, stirring to combine.
Melt butter and stir into dry ingredients to form a crumbly mixture.
Press half of the crumbs into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan and top with
Peach pie filling. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over filling.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

An even more thoughtful gift would be to add a can of peach pie filling and a 9 x 13 inch
baking pan.  This would be gorgeous packed in a pretty basket tied with a colorful
ribbon.  It is never too early to begin collecting ideas for homemade Christmas gifts. Last year I
had planned to share lots of goodies I had saved over the years, but the "best laid plans of mice and men
go awry" so this year I will try to make up for it and have many great homemade gift ideas in mind.
Handmade and homemade are always so much nicer than any store bought gift for a little piece of you goes into each present.  I feel special when someone cares enough to take the time to make something just for me.  It gives a warm fuzzy glow and immediately the thoughtfulness of a homemade gift becomes one which you know has come straight from the heart!!
Be sweet!

Second Set - Ten Simple Sayings

Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them
.- Richard L. Evans -

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

 ...the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.
- The Lion King

When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.
- Barbara J. Winter -

The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.
- Voltaire -

Many people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.
- unknown -

You don't drown by falling in water. You drown by staying there.
- unknown -


If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
- Will Rogers -

According to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumblebee can't fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know anything about the laws of aerodynamics, so it goes ahead and flies anyway.
- Igor Sikorsky -

It is not what you do that matters it is what you don't do that really matters at the end of the day.
- unknown -

I hope you enjoy reading these quotes.  I think a good inspirational or motivational quote gives that extra push sometimes and I always  think "boy, I wish I'd said that!".
Be sweet!!!!

Angel Images

I do hope you have a great and fun weekend!  Whatever you do, be sweet and be nice. You have angels that hover nearby.

The Way It Was

The south is known for the unusual names of some of its quaint little towns ... Gourdneck,  Bald Knob, Weiner, Possum Grape, Hogeye ... all are in Arkansas, with those as just a beginning.
I remember when some friends of our family were on a well known game show and the host poked fun of the name, Weiner. He immediately began calling it Hot Dog Town USA.
If he thought Weiner was funny, he would probably have rolled in the floor to hear the names of some of the neighboring towns!!
We never thought anything about it. That's just how it was, how we were ... how I still am!!  The old saying "you can take a girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl" is very true!  I absolutely adore going barefoot, would give anything to know where a good patch of wild blackberries grew berries as big as a thumb, dusty and begging to be picked for a cobbler or pie or maybe a bit of that delicious blackberry preserves! Nothing in a supermarket comes close.
I am forever reading something about "going green", making your own cleaning supplies, cooking from scratch, etc. This is supposedly the new way.  Actually the new way is the old way which has come full circle, into its own again!  With eyes closed  I see my sweet little mama bringing her sliced apples to the back porch to protect them from the morning dew, slowing their drying process.  Those dried apples made the best fried apple pies you could imagine, with a crust so flaky it practically melted in your mouth and the sweetness of the apples with a hint of cinnamon make those with ingredients you find hard pressed even to pronounce, seem tasteless!
Make do or do without. That's how it was, how it should be.  Life was sweet.  We rarely saw a doctor as mama and my grandmas knew exactly what was best for every ailment.  I remember once when my brother and I ate a whole card of buttons, staples and all, you better believe my mama lost no time getting us to see old Dr. Hickman then.  It scared her to pieces.  Her mouth dropped open, her eyes widened, as round as saucers.  This was cause for alarm and sent her scurrying, preparing us for the trip to the doctor!!!

Treat others as you would like to be treated and, remember, in all you do be kind and be sweet!!

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost -

I love poetry and have always especially liked this poem by Robert Frost.  We probably all wonder at one time or another during the course of our lives, what would be different if we had traveled "The Road Not Taken".
Be sweet!

No Twinkies Treats Today

Today I was playing around with my digital image program and made this.  I  like it and hope you do as well.  I love angels and I usually am making scrapbook pages of my family, especially grandparents and my own little great grandchildren. I just decided to try something different and I was pleased, so am sharing it with you.  I changed everything to sepia as I love the look and also do a lot of my scrapbook pages in sepia as well.
Big surprise ... no Twinkies for me today! I will tell you I was tempted, but since my legs are beginning to look like thunder thighs and my behind like two giant Twinkies, I thought I had better hold off for awhile. May not have too much will power though as I found a new delicious sounding Twinkie treat just today and even if my knees are dimpled when I put on a pair of shorts and I am beginning to think I waddle instead of walk, I just might have to give it a try!! You will be the first to know.
Just stay sweet and I'll try to stay away from Twinkies ... notice I said TRY, because I never make a promise I may not be able to keep!

Obsessed With Twinkies - Could Be (and probably has been) Worse!!

Oh gosh, now I am obsessed with Twinkie desserts!!!  Guess that's better than other obsessions I could think of, huh? Anyway, here is another great, easy to prepare, melt in your mouth delicious, yummy Twinkie treat for you to try!!! All I can say is keep on buying those Twinkies, 'cause there will probably be more goodies to follow this one. Gotta' keep those great grand kids happy and wanting to come back to Grammy's house, now don't I?        Remember - be sweet!!!

Twinkie Toffee Temptation 

1 small box vanilla instant pudding
2 C. milk
10 single Twinkies
8 oz. Heath bars, crushed or 6 oz. bag of toffee bits
4 oz. Cool Whip

Prepare pudding with milk. Set aside.

Slice Twinkies in halves lengthwise. Line a 13 x 9-inch dish with 
bottom halves of Twinkies, filling side up. Sprinkle on 1/2 cup crushed candy. Pour in pudding. Spread Cool Whip over the top. Top with remaining candy. Cover and refrigerate.

Like Butterfinger? Like Twinkies? You'll Love This!!

Butterfinger and Twinkies have long been favorites of mine.  I absolutely LOVE them.  Even though I am keenly aware too much sweets are definitely not good for either your health or your figure ( as if I even had a figure any more) I simply can't resist a good old crunchy Butterfinger or a gooey Twinkie once in a while.  Pair the two along with chocolate and whipped topping and you have a dessert that is guaranteed to melt in your mouth and tickle your innards!!
This yummy recipe will have little kids and big kids alike coming back for more!

Butterfinger Twinkle

1 small pkg. chocolate instant pudding mix
1 15 oz. pkg. Twinkies
6 Butterfinger bars, finely chopped
1 8 oz. Cool Whip

Prepare pudding mix. Set aside and tear each Twinkie into 3 or 4 pieces.  Place pieces in 13 x 9 inch pan. Spread pudding over Twinkie pieces and top with half of chopped Butterfingers.  Cover with whipped topping and sprinkle remaining chopped Butterfingers over top.  Chill 3 or 4 hours before serving. Makes about 16 servings.
As it chills, sit back, relax and be sweet!!

Put Me Back! Put Me Back!

How could I forget to post this picture of Morgan taken immediately after she was born?!  Just look at that baby ... she was all nice and warm and protected in her little cocoon and now, here she is out in the cold and blaring lights!! She is sure telling the world how she feels about it right now!!!  She was probably thinking, "Put me back!  Put me back!!"  It wasn't long though till she was snuggled up close to Brittany, her mommy, and was she ever happy then.  Her little mouth that had been screaming bloody murder a few minutes before began to look a little like a soft pink rosebud and she curled right up and went back to sleep, hoping they would just leave her alone for a while.  It takes a girl a little while to get over such a traumatic experience and she was surely going to try to sleep and forget about it!!!!

Be sweet all!

Just One Happy, Silly Old Lady

I am posting this little picture and prayer as it is funny and I don't ever want for a minute for my readers to be saddened by something I have written.  I know the previous post is indeed sad, but I would ask you to be happy for me and for my family.  We have known our share of sadness but we have also known more than our share of joy.  We have been so blessed and are ever so grateful for all the lovely years spent with our loved ones who have gone on before us.  They have added a measure of happiness to our lives we would never have had otherwise.
Life is short and I don't always make the most of it, but I laugh more than I cry at the antics of my son and grandson who are the most precious of angels now and I am sure they must be the funniest of all, playing pranks as they once did with us.
Be happy for me that I was lucky enough to have them to love for as long as I did, for I am keenly aware that there are others who are not so lucky.
I look at my 5 great grand children today and wonder what in the world I have ever done to deserve such happiness!!!! I have been SO blessed.  I am SO very thankful that I was raised and taught by the most loving, wonderful parents anyone could imagine!  I am SO very thankful that I have had 6 of the most beautiful and best children in all of the world!  I am SO thankful for my precious grand children and my sweet little great grand children!
As I have said, life is short and life is what we make it to be ... now I just want the weeds out of my veggies planted in the flower beds, my prayer above to be answered and I will be about the happiest, silliest old lady on the face of this earth!!
Remember to always be sweet and whatever you do, be nice!!!

Our Own Sweet Angel

This is our Logan, who we always call "Logie".  My daughter, Debye, is his mom and Brittany is his sweet sister.  God needed our boy in Heaven, so called him to come home just 3 short years ago.  How we miss him and love him, but how grateful we are to have had such a gift as he was for the 18 years God let him stay with us on this earth.  I know he surely is the delight of all the angels and they must smile continually for he is one of them now.  He was an angel on earth and now is an angel in Heaven.  We feel his presence in every moment of our lives, in every breath we take, he is there.  We love you forever, Logie and someday, when God sees fit, we will join you, once again to hold you close, listen to that laugh that is not quite like any other.

Reese's Peanut Butter Twins

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

2 cups milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
30 mini (1 3/4 by 1 1/4 inch) paper cups

In 1-quart saucepan combine chocolate chips and shortening. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth (3 to 5 minutes).
Loosen top paper cup from stack, but leave in stack for greater stability while being coated. With small paint brush, coat inside top cup evenly with about 1 teaspoon melted chocolate to about 1/8-inch thickness, bringing coating almost to top of cup but not over edge. Repeat until 30 cups are coated; refrigerate cups.
In 2-quart saucepan combine butter or margarine and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring ocassionally, until melted (4 to 6 minutes). Stir in confectioners' sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Press about 1/2 tablespoon filling into each chocolate cup.
Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate on top of filling; spread to cover. Freeze until firm (about 2 hours) carefully peel off paper cups. Store refrigerated.

_________________________________

 

Every little boy and girl I know loves Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  In face, every big girl and boy I know does as well.  It is a favorite of almost everyone.  There is something about the taste of peanut butter and chocolate that is unmatched.  Thes are not difficult at all to make and will be well worth the effort to watch small faces light up and little hands reaching for this delicious homemade treat.  These are great for gift giving a homemade treat in a pretty container tied with ribbon, holding a tag with the recipe and instructions.  I hope you enjoy this just half as much as I do and remember, whatever you do, always be sweet!!!

Nino Envuelto (Bundled Up Baby)

This is a Mexican recipe that could easily be called a Mexican jelly roll.  It is fun to make and a bit different from the norm.  I love the name, which means Bundled Up Baby. I have quite a lot of Mexican and Tex Mex recipes and this is definitely one of my favorites to fill that craving for "something a bit sweet".  This little dessert is the perfect ending after a meal of a hot and spicy main dish.
I do hope you will give it a try and let me know how it turns out.  You may also use any flavor of jam that you like instead of the peach,  Happy cooking and enjoy!!!

Nino Envuelto

1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled

5 eggs, divided

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

peach jam

confectioner's sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat egg yolks and whites separately, until whites are stiff.
Combine and, still beating, slowly add sugar, flour and butter.  Place wax paper on baking sheet and butter the paper.  Spread dough 1/2 inch thick over the paper and bake from 50 minutes to 1 hour.

When done, remove from the oven and roll up quickly, paper and all.  Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Unwrap, carefully loosening paper, but leaving it under cake.  Spread cake with jam.  Re-roll, discarding the wax paper. 

Roll entire cake in confectioner's sugar.  Cut off each end for a neat appearance.  Slice 1 inch thick to serve.

I just know this will be a big hit and I can hardly wait for you to try this little jewel!!!!

Be sweet!!!

Heart Gifts

It's not the things that can be bought that are life's richest treasure, it's just the little "heart gifts" that money cannot measure...

A cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod

Are priceless little treasures from the storehouse of our God...

They are the things that can't be bought with silver or with gold, for thoughtfulness and kindness and love are never sold...

They are priceless things in life for which no one can pay, and the giver finds rich recompense in giving them away.



                                                                           Helen Steiner Rice


I love the poems written by Helen Steiner Rice.  They all hold such insight and wisdom, yet are very earthy.  I hope you enjoy this little one as much as I do.

Update:  My vegetables are looking a little forlorn.  I had so hoped they would take off and grow big and heavy with squash and tomatoes, etc.  It looks now as if that will definitely not be the case.  A storm with some hail knocked my tiny squash off the plants and made the other plants look pretty pitiful!  I am not ready to give up just yet though.  I think if I apply Miracle Grow and baby them, they just might make it.  I do have a small green tomato and a few peppers, so maybe they will all suddenly have a burst of growth and overnight become the healthy plants I had dreamed of!!!
So much for that ... be sweet everyone!

A Tiny Pink Angel & Herbs In The Flower Bed

This is Morgan Lynn, my newest great grand baby.  She is my FIFTH great grandchild!  I can hardly believe I am that lucky.  I count my blessings, not just daily, but many more times in a day.  How can I look at the sweet little angels in my life and not feel such gratitude!
Brittany is Morgan's mom and, my daughter Debye, her nana.  Her dad is Nathan and he is so proud of her I thought we would have to buy him a hat a couple of sizes larger!!

Debye and I have been planting vegetables in the flower beds!  It is such fun, I go out on the deck at the first morning light just to look at them and see if they have grown any during the night!  The squash actually have tiny squash and blooms on them, the tomato plants and peppers are blooming!  I am as excited as a child on Christmas morning! 
I always had a garden big enough to feed the state's National Guard when my kids were growing up. I canned and froze vegetables and fruit, made pickles.  I haven't done anything of the sort in years, since they are all grown up, but decided to put those flower beds to work!  I still have plenty of room for flowers, but am afraid all the space will go to veggies!  My neighbor came over one afternoon as we dug in the beds and I believe I am the only one on my block to have vegetables in the front yard, but the neighbors will eat their hearts out when they see me picking cucumbers!
I have a big, fenced back yard, but thought this is such a great idea I could not keep myself from doing it.  I also think I will put herbs in big pots on the deck.  It is very large and runs the length of the house.  We will see if I still have a green thumb. 
I remember when my mom grew sage and other herbs, picked and dried the leaves ... how good they were in the dishes she prepared, much better than store bought, the flavor was something I simply am unable to describe. My mom did a lot of things "the old way" as that is what she knew to do and I believe most of the time "the old way" is the best way!!!!
As always, Loveys, be sweet!!!

Hugs and "Hi, Miss Puff!"

No, Christian, Great Grammy Polly has NOT had her hug today!! 
Somehow the day never goes quite the way it needs to without a good hug.  A hug from anyone will do, but that hug from someone special just puts an oomph in your day that nothing else quite does!!!  My grandchildren give the best hugs in the world, at least it seems to me they do. 
I am positive it IS just me and that every grandma thinks her grandchildren have hugs as sweet as honey, but I swear when I get those big bear hugs from the boys, I just feel like asking, "Okay, now, Lord, what can I do for you today?" 
Michael is a teenager now and has always squeezed me so tight I could barely breathe, and I always tell him how I miss those big bear hugs when I don't get to see him for a while!!!
How I got from 'hugs' to this is a mystery to me as well as you, but I am thinking of the time Michael told me once when he was quite small that I reminded him of Miss Puff.  He had to go into a long explanation of how Miss Puff was on Sponge Bob!!  I thought it was so sweet ... Miss Puff!! 
AS I walked through the living room one day where he was sprawled watching cartoons he said, "Wait, Grandma, Miss Puff is going to be on here."  I was so excited and sat with him till my namesake made her entrance into Sponge Bob's watery world. 
I was shocked speechless when I saw Miss Puff was a big fat blow fish!!!!  I had envisioned her as an angelic little creature with such a sweet little name!  I was not about to let my little guy see my disappointed face as I exclaimed cheerfully how cute Miss Puff was and anyone worth their salt should be honored that their grandson was reminded of her when he saw Miss Puff!!
We still laugh about that and just a few days ago, I had a Facebook message from him that said simply,
"Hi, Miss Puff."

Be sweet!

Sunshine Award

Mary Anne Gruen of the Starlight Blog gave me the sunshine award!!!  I love this award!!  It is so colorful and to me also full of meaning.  I am happy to receive this award and feel very honored that Mary Anne chose me as one of her recipients.  If you have not been to visit her blog, I hope you will and I can guarantee you will find a gorgeous blog loaded with great pictures.  I have to tell you this ... Mary Anne has a dog named "Virginia".  Don't you just love that?  She has posted a picture of Virginia sitting beside a branch that had fallen from a white pine.  I just love the story in that post and now I love her dog as well!!  My name is(are you ready for this?) Virginia Paulette!! 

Now, most people wonder how in the world anyone ever got "Polly" from that!  My mom told me that my grandpa started calling me "Polly" when I was only a few days old and soon everybody followed suit.  I have lifelong friends who don't know my name is not actually Polly.

When I was a child, my dad would call. "Polly" and if I didn't answer or come right away, he said in a voice that could not be ignored, "Paulette!"  You better believe when my dad called me Paulette, I knew for sure I had best get moving!! 

My sweet little daddy stayed with me the last 2 years of his life, because he was so lonely and almost grieved himself to death when my mom died of a massive heart attack.  They not only were husband and wife, but best friends.   He came to my door one day, knocked (which he never did) and I asked what was he doing out there knocking, to get in here!!  He said, "Sis, can I stay with you for a couple of days?  Every where I look I see 'my buddy' and my doctor says I have to be out of the house a few days, because all I can do when I am home is cry and think of your mama."  I said , "Why are you asking?  I love you and you will stay as long as you want or need to." 

He could not even go back to get his clothes.  Bless his sweet little heart.  I went to get his clothes and whatever else he needed and he never went home again!!!  He stayed with me until he went to Heaven to be with 'his buddy'. 

I said all that to say this ... even when I grew into an adult with children of my own, when my daddy said "Paulette!"  I got moving!!  When he became very sick and needed something, he would call me and if I didn't hear him or respond the first few times he called me, I will never, ever forget, he would say in that voice that simply could not be ignored, "Paulette!" and you better believe I went running!!!

All this because Mary Anne has a dog named Virginia!!  Now I know why I tell my kids I haven't lost my marbles, but they are pretty well scattered now!

Thank you for the Sunshine Award.  That has quite a ring to it ... a Sunshine Award from the Starlight Blog.

Be sweet, all!

Mama's Gonna' Be Grandma

This is my youngest, Brent ... our little "surprise", and what a pleasant one he was!!  He is the youngest of 6, so there's no need to go into all the details of how his older brothers and sisters had him walking and talking at such a young age even they were amazed!!! 
The fun really began when I learned not only was I going to be a mom again, but also a grandmother for the very first time!!  Yes, my daughter in law, Carol, and I were pregnant at the same time!!!  I was both happy and embarrassed.
I found my oldest daughter giving me sideways looks, laughing, looking away, back again and saying, "You ARE kidding, aren't you?".  I will never forget the first time I wore maternity clothes!!  The kids and their dad were going to a ball game and one of them asked, giving me "that look", "Mom, are YOU going?".  It was such a wonderful, delightful time looking forward to a new baby and so excited that I was going to be a grandma too!!  I had stopped coloring my hair, but told my doctor the first thing I was going to do after leaving his office was go buy some hair color!!  My baby wasn't gonna' have a gray haired mama!! (Actually I started getting gray at age 16, by the time I was in my 30's I had salt and pepper hair!!)
After I learned I was going to also be a grandma, I couldn't decide what to do about the hair color, but the vanity won and I put that color on my hair and always told everyone my color came straight out of a bottle and as long as I could bend over to wash it out, that is how it will stay, no bones about it.
Brent is still my baby, just like the rest of them ... they are all my babies, he is just the youngest .
The happiest days of my life was when I was raising my children, I thought I would fall off the face of the earth when they started growing up and leaving home, one by one they grew up and made lives of their own, which is the way it is supposed to be.
Debye, my oldest daughter, had moved to Texas and we would talk on the phone till the wee hours of the morning.  Once, I was still on the phone with her when the first light of day began coming through the window. She told me, "Mama, you've got the 'empty nest syndrome' baaad, Honey!"
I cherish those days, treasure the memories that I am ever so grateful to have.
Be sweet!!! 
 

Easter Belles

 

I think of the garden after the rain;

And hope to my heart comes singing,

At morn, the cherry blooms will be white

And the Easter bells will be ringing!

-Edna Dean Proctor-

I love this vintage graphic.  I like to call it "Easter Friends", though I do not know if it even has a title or name.  It is such a sweet picture with the girls peeping at each other around the egg and the old fashioned bunny hopping merrily away!!  I hope you enjoy it as I do and remember, it is Easter, so be sweet!!

                                                  

How to Bake a Cough Syrup Cake

Okay, there is a contest going on at Mayhem & Moxie to give away a great mixer they have named Bertie!! I want (and, let's face it, NEED) that mixer so much I can hardly bear it!!
It is bad enough that, despite all my recipes for cakes that should melt in your mouth, my cakes have disgraced every grandmother in America!!! I have not one cake wreck to post about, but enough to publish quite a large volume. I have wasted the entire morning deciding which one deserves a spot on my little ole' blog. I can cook anything except cakes and I just know that mixer holds the magic key to baking the perfect cake!! Besides, I have never owned anything other than a hand mixer in my life!!!
More years ago than I care to think about, my oldest son had a number of his best buddies invited for birthday cake and ice cream and a night of staying up late watching scary movies and eating popcorn since the weekend started the next day and the little party goers could sleep in as late as they liked.
I had to make a run to the store for cold medicine for my daughter, so I picked up a few special ingredients for what I hoped would be a birthday cake the kids would never forget.
I set my few purchases on the kitchen counter, grabbed the flour, sugar, eggs, butter and whatever else goes into baking the perfect cake.
I retrieved my trusty hand mixer from its spot in a kitchen drawer, my large mixing bowl and began what I knew would be an award winning cake if it were to be in a contest!! I had everything mixed, lastly adding vanilla and melted butter. I was always in a hurry, considering I had 6 little ones, a husband to feed and never knew how many kids I would find here and there each morning!! I swear, they would be in sleeping bags, on the couch and any other place a tired child could curl up comfortably and sleep. I never minded. I loved it, wish I could bring back those days, but ... oh, well, enough of that!! Back to the cake!! After the pans were safely in the oven, bowl and beaters properly licked and put into soapy water, I set about putting everything away. To my great shock I discovered in my rush to get the cake baked, I had poured in cough syrup instead of vanilla!!! I was absolutely horrified!! Another perfect cake, destroyed again!!!
As I sat quietly, confused about what I should do, I heard sniffles and then ... yes, there it was again!! Coughs!! Most of them had colds anyway and I knew a little cough syrup never hurt anyone. With all the extra special ingredients, plus the fluffy frosting I had planned, they would never know the difference, in fact it would do them good!! And so it did, not a cough was heard for hours after our feast of cake and ice cream!!! I don't think I ever told anyone ... no need to. Now, after all these years, I've told everyone!! So good to get that off my chest, guys!!
Be sweet!!!

Ten Simple Sayings

1. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
2. Other people’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality. ~Les Brown
3. The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” ~Scott Hamilton
4. A true friend is someone who holds your hand in difficult times ...
5. The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art." -William Morris
6. Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.
7. All things grow with love.
8. Cherish the Simple things.
9. There's no better place than your own back yard.
10. Don't ask what the world needs- ask what makes you come ALIVE and go do it! Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -Howard Thurman

I love reading words written by others that are so simple yet so full of meaning I am taken aback!!  Such simple truths ....

Be sweet ...

Chocolate Cherry Bars and a Tiny Chubby Cherub

All children and lots of us older children have a sweet tooth, a craving for just a bit of anything that has that touch of sweetness ... we know it's not good for us , but does little harm for a child or a grandma to have an occasional "something".  Doesn't seem to matter too much what it is, just as long as it is sweet!!!  This is a perfect little recipe for just such an occasion, when we can't go another day without that special little treat so loved by grandmas and little ones!!

This is perfection at its best:

Chocolate Cherry Bars

 

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cup graham crackers crumbs

14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

12-oz. pkg. milk chocolate chips

10-oz. jar maraschino cherries,

     drained and chopped

 

Spread the melted butter evenly in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.  Stir in the graham cracker crumbs.  Press down to form a crust.  Pour the condensed milk over the top.  Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and the chopped cherries.  Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes.  Cool completely.  Slice into bars.  Makes about 2 dozen bars

 

These are wonderful as a special little treat.  The combination of the chocolate and cherries is sooo good!

 

Think I better check my pantry, hoping it doesn't look like Mother Hubbard's and maybe just whip up some of these guys!!

 

Oh, I went to see little Morgan yesterday and she is getting sweeter and prettier by the day!!  She is a perfect chubby little cherub!!!  Her mommy had put her in a tiny little red thingie with a strawberry on the front that said "I am berry sweet"..  Her little feet had white socks on them and except for the curl on top of her head, she looked like a tiny teenager ... She nuzzled around for a while making those little sounds, then settled down, became still and went fast asleep in my arms!!!  I love that little bitty girl so much!!  I can hardly wait till she is big enough to really play with me.  We will make the chocolate cherry bars, sit on the deck in the shade and eat our sweet treats.  We just will not tell her mommy because everyone knows that if grandmas let little girls have candy, great grandmas just can't be trusted!!!

 

Be sweet!!! 

That Sun Just Keeps On Shining

I tried!!  That's all I can or will say.  I was unable to help the young man and knew deep down I couldn't, but nevertheless felt I had to try.  This morning when I awoke, pillows were stretched out on the sofa and a quilt thrown over them as if someone was sleeping there and my son's X Box was missing!!! One of my boys said I had used bad judgment, to which I replied, "If there is anyone in this world who has never used bad judgment, they can tell me that!!"
Anyway, even though it hurt me to do it, I had to track him down with the help of our local police, not just to retrieve my son's X Box, but to also let him know this is not how you treat people who have helped and befriended you!!!  At least not me!!  I tried the best I could and expected the same from him and I had to let him know!!  You DO NOT treat other people like this, illness or no!!!!  There are consequences to every action, good or bad and you should choose your actions carefully..  They were unable to help him at day treatment, I was unable to help him.  I had no intention of pressing charges against him, although I was urged to by both police and day treatment staff.  The only way he will get the help he so desperately needs is for the state to take over and force him to go to a hospital for treatment.  I was trying to make the right decision when it was taken out of my hands (thank you, Lord, that I did not have to be the one).   He lied about everything and did so until the police handcuffed him and he finally admitted taking the game console.  It was hidden behind some iron gates on the university grounds and he was planning on selling it when game stores or pawn shops opened.  They had to run his ID some way and, of all things, he had a felony warrant in a neighboring state.  So, it was taken completely out of my hands.  They had to take him to jail for extradition.

The whole ordeal has been a little unsettling, but if nothing any worse than that ever happens, I guess I am in pretty good shape!  The sun will still come up in the morning shooting rays of sparkling light ... the earth will keep right on rotating ... roll with the punches ... if you should trip and fall, get right back up and keep on going, one day at a time!!  I do not feel I failed ... I do not recognize failures, only learning experiences.  I learn something new every day and have found the saying "you never get too old to learn" to be true!!!!!

You know by now I just gotta' say it ... be sweet!!!

Life Blessings

I have had a life filled with blessings!! The latest and newest blessing is little Morgan Lynne, my fifth great, great grandchild, so tiny, chubby and sweet, so perfect. She has a little curl on top of her head and makes "Miss Piggy" sounds when she nurses!! I love her so much, I wanted to pick her up and just run with her! HAH! As if I could run anywhere any more!! Lots of pictures were made and my daughter, Debye, Morgan's Nana, will email them to me. I will post them here so I can look at her and play with her in my computer until she is big enough to really play with me. She has a big sister, Abigail, who will love little Morgan so, so much. I can hardly wait to see the two of them together. Sisters have a special bond, so I am told. Brittany and Nathan are her proud parents. Brittany is my sweet grand daughter and Nathan is very sweet and good to her, for which I love him dearly. I would hate for someone to mistreat her, for they would not want to deal with me!!!

I have recently made a decision I had to consider at great length. I took in a young man who has a major mental illness, lost touch with his family when his mother died. He had wandered aimlessly. living in shelters, alone and afraid, delusions and hallucinations often tormenting him. My heart ached for him, for I have two adult children with schizophrenia and some people would say I have given up everything for them, but I have gained far more than I have given up.  I wanted them to have a home, to feel safe, to be protected and cared for, to know they were loved unconditionally.  It has not been an easy road to travel, but so many blessings were along the road side, seeming to be waiting just for me. I have two more adult children who are disabled by an anxiety so crippling it is often impossible for them to function, I lost a son at the young age of twenty.  I am very thankful my oldest is healthy with a wonderful family. I was afraid for  him when cancer was discovered in a kidney and doctors removed the kidney, but had been unable to remove all the cancer cells. He was scheduled to begin treatment with chemotherapy when the Lord saw fit to reach His loving hand down and heal my son, for the cancer had disappeared with no explanation after world reknowned doctors had seen it there!!

God has been so good to me, despite the heartaches. I like to say, here I am with 6 children, those beautiful grandchildren and now, FIVE great grand children. Some people do not have any and I feel especially blessed that God saw fit to let me be a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
I do have a sense of humor, maybe not as much as I once did before I became so sick, but it is still there, just not as close to the surface.

For some weird reason I always have to end everything with these two words .... Be sweet!!!

GRAND DAUGHTERS (and daffodils in the snow?)

Aren’t’ they the spittin’ image of me?  I sure like to think so.  They are the daughters of my oldest son, Keith and his little wife, Carol.   They also have one son, Eric.  My grand daughter, Brittany is due to give birth to a new GREAT grand baby next week and I am as excited as if I were giving birth myself!!  I have to be there when the baby is born!  They will get her all settled in and come get me!!!!!!  I said half heartedly that I would wait till the baby was born and let the new mom, dad and nana have time with her before I take over, but they still said I have to be there right when she is born.
Kristi, in the scrapbook page above, has two children, Anna and Christian.  Brooke says she is not having children, but she stays busy with her little step daughter, Jordan, and her nieces and nephews.  She is like a mother hen taking care of everyone!!
Can you believe they are saying it may snow this weekend??  Spring is almost upon us and Brandon (my grandson) picked a daffodil for me today.  I put it in a glass bottle with a small neck and it looks beautiful.  Wouldn’t it be the neatest thing if he could see them peeking out from the snow by the end of the week??  They are saying “flurries” but usually when they say that, it “flurries up under the window sill!!  If it does, we will just wrap up, watch old movies and make homemade caramel popcorn.  I won't mind at all.
Be sweet!!!

Strawberries In A Cloud

It will soon be strawberry season and if you are anything like me and love the taste and appeal of a good ole' strawberry dessert any time of the year, then this one's for you!!!  Easy peasy with a melt in your mouth goodness and you will have guests or family members coming back for more!!
When fresh strawberries are available, you may use those instead of the pie filling and tuck a few in the Cool Whip and it is absolutely heavenly. Just pour a little sugar over the berries first to bring out their natural sweetness.  I can almost taste it now.  Think I will check for ingredients and if any are lacking, I'll make a quick trip to the grocery store and make this baby tonight!  Boy, it's so easy to fool everyone into thinking you are an awesome cook when all you have to do is follow a few instructions.  Give me a recipe and I can make anything!!
Here it is.  I hope you will give it a try.  I promise, you will not be sorry!!  Personally, I remove the calories from mine before refrigerating!!LOL

Strawberry Cloud

2 boxes Twinkies
1 large box strawberry gelatin
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
1 can strawberry pie filling
1 container Cool Whip
Pecans

Line a 13 x 9-inch pan with Twinkies. Mix gelatin according to package directions and pour over Twinkies.

Prepare pudding as directed and pour over gelatin. Cover with pie filling and then top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle with pecans. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. Serves 8 to 10.

Be sweet, Dearies ... with one bite of this dessert you don't have an option!!

Sunshine And Smiles

This is a little poem that I love and wanted to share with you.  It is so true, the few words of these lines.  We love our family, no matter what and, no matter what, they love us back.  Words said in anger or frustration can never be taken back, but we have to remember the words spoken are not who that person is and, more often than not, they grieve more over their hasty remarks than we do.  It is easy to forgive and forget ... it does remarkable things for us as well as those who have hurt us.  Such a toll is taken on our mind and bodies when we carry a grudge, energy that could be spent enjoying the moments of happiness in our lives.  Life is short. Kind, loving words along with a bright, sunny smile make us happy as well as those around us.  What you give will come back to you ... love and you will be loved, laugh and others will laugh with you ...


There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying East and West,
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal many a thoughtless blow

To those we love the best.

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Have a happy, peaceful, sunshiny day and ... be sweet, Lovey!!
.

One Terrific Tuesday!!!

Three awards, count 'em, three from my new blogging friend, Xmas Dolly!!  I stuck them all together because I am not as savvy as some of you about correct placement, etc. I felt a little foolish when I left a comment on her blog that I wasn't sure which one was for me to put on my little ole' blog and she (calling me baby girl in the process when no doubt I am twice her age ...  that's why I like her so much) informed me that they were all for me!!  Now, good golly, Miss Molly. I was humbled, tickled and the whole nine yards.
The first means just what it says, "you're going places, baby." Recipients of this award have to tell where you see yourself in 10 years.
In ten years, I will have met a very rich old man with poor vision and given my grand kids not only a new grandpa, but every other thing their little ole' heart desires!!!

Second award I am supposed to tell you 7 things about myself so: 1. I just love twisting the tops off Oreos and eating the inside first,  2. My favorite thing to do is make scrapbook pages of my great grand children.   3.  My daughters got me purple pajamas that I am so crazy about and sleep in them all the time. 4.  I wish I had red house shoes to wear with my purple pajamas. 5.  I have gotten into the declutter thing and declutter a few minutes every single day.  6.  I am making no progress whatsoever at my decluttering because every time I throw away 3 things, I bring in 5 more! 7.  I am going to be a great grammy for the 5th time in about 3 weeks.

Last is the Sunshine Award, which must be passed on to 12 bloggers, so I am doing what Xmas Dolly did and pass all 3 awards to these 12:
Evelyn from Evee
Rhonda Sue from Craftymumz Creations
Garden Gnome from Mom's Cafe Home Cooking
Kaye from Random WAHM Thoughts
Sara from The Breathing Post
Marilyn from Marilyn's Money
Pehpot from Bee Mommy
Tammy from frugal southern mom
Loree from Stories and Scribbles
Bill from Oregon Art Guy Blog
Kirsten from Gardenvibe
Okay, guys, get these 3 awards posted on your blog and pass them on to other bloggin' buddies!!  It is hard to stop at just 12 because there are sooo many more deserving these awards .  I read so many outstanding blogs.  Lots of creativity out there.  Just remember, whatever you do, be sweet!!!!! 

Daughters Are A Mom's Best Friend

This is a scrapbook page I made of my daughter, Denny.  Her name is Melinda Denise, and she was the fourth child of four, the oldest being just four, so none of them could pronounce either Melinda or Denise!!   Their dad and I tried Melinda first and none of them could master that, so after about a week we decided Denise might be a little easier for them.  Her brothers and sister tried so hard, but the name of the new little one was a bit more than they could master.  She became simply "Sissy" until one day, they were gathered around, showing their new little sister to an aunt and out of the chaos, one word stood out ... "Denny"!!!  That did it.  She has been "Denny" from that moment on.  Even her drivers license has Denny on it, I believe.  Many of our own relatives don't have a clue it isn't her real name and have wondered aloud why on earth I would give a boy's name to such a cute, sweet little girl!!  I just smile, remembering ...

Be sweet!

Save Our Rural Schools

What are the advantages of closing a school in small towns where everyone knows everyone else, where teachers are trained exactly the same as in a larger school?  They must pass the same stringent requirements as those in a larger school, they have a greater opportunity to learn that what works with this student will not work with that one and teach accordingly.  They are much more attuned to the individual students' needs.  Smaller schools are much more personal, much less intimidating to a shy or insecure child.  I remember my own experience, attending a large school in Flint, Michigan.  I was so scared, hiding under my beds at times, crying and begging to stay home!  The halls were filled with shoving, pushing kids trying to get from one class to another or, sometimes, for the pure enjoyment of it.  I am not saying all large schools are bad.  Quite the contrary.  I am saying a small school offers an education equal to that of a larger one with the added advantage of a parent teacher relationship unmatched in a school with large numbers of students.
We must fight to keep our small schools and for our rural communities, which are quickly becoming ghost towns.
Please. please don't let this happen..  It is too important for our heritage.  We have to preserve as much of the old ways as possible for the sake of our ancestors.  We can live side by side with progress, but we simply cannot disappear.  It is too important for posterity!

Be sweet

How Not To Make Homemade Noodles

Grandmothers of America, I have let you down!!  Though I delight in my culinary skills, I have NEVER made homemade noodles ... dumplings so many times I can't count, but never noodles.  Today I decided my pantry was beginning to resemble Mother Hubbard's, so I thought, "Not to fret ... I will simply add some delicious homemade noodles to whatever kind of meat I could dig out of the freezer, add a salad or green vegetable, perhaps a pan of cornbread and have a meal suitable for a king!!

Everything went as planned as I merrily dug out bowls, rolling pin, pans, waxed paper to roll out the noodles  and, well you get the idea.  Things went downhill from that moment on.  Those darn eggs would not mix up in the flour as I thought they would, so I just added some more!!  My waxed paper was heavily floured when it began to roll up and, trying to straighten it, I slid it right off in the floor,  covering most of my kitchen with a white substance resembling snow!!  Not to be outdone, I grabbed another sheet of waxed paper and started again, threatening horrible things to it if it dared to slide one inch!!!  Much to my surprise, it stayed perfectly in place as I rolled out my noodles.  Oh, they were a sight to see, paper thin, just as they were supposed to be.  I had been so distracted by the spilled flour, I had not taken the time to clean as I went and floury footprints were everywhere, along with doughy, floury bowls, spoons and an assortment of pots and pans as I had trouble finding one they would fit in.  I grated cabbage and carrots for cole slaw, with little shreds of green and orange flying everywhere (actually looking quite colorful on the flour) as my noodles were drying, cut the beef into chunks, dropped it back into the simmering broth, seasoned to perfection!!  By this time, the noodles were ready to cut.  I have always cut dumplings with a pizza cutter and it was sooo easy, but these babies had to be rolled up and then cut.  They turned out to be every conceivable width and length.  I had skinny noodles, wide noodles, some that looked like a ribbon that had been left wadded in a drawer for years, but I gritted my teeth and threw them in the pot anyway!!!

Dinner was almost on time, but as I stood in the middle of all the chaos, it looked as if the 3rd World War had been fought in there!!  I seriously considered putting in a call to the governor to ask if he perhaps had the time to fly in and take a look at my kitchen.  No doubt it would be declared a disaster area and I possibly would be eligible for federal aid to assist in hiring a cleaning lady.
I only hoped the Health Department was not out and about for they surely would condemn my kitchen!!

A lesson learned the hard way is a lesson well learned and I have certainly learned this - Betty Crocker I am not and I will NEVER, I repeat, NEVER make homemade noodles again!!!

Be sweet everyone, just don't go making any noodles!!

My Little Prince

Is this not the cutest little guy you ever saw?! I know we all think that about our babies and grand children, but, come on now ... this is a great grand child!!! Christian is my first great grand son. He has a big sister, Anna, who is all of 3 and I have 2 more great grand daughters, Abigail and Carlee. I tell you, they light up my life like you wouldn't believe. My grand daughter, Brittany will have a baby daughter in about 4 weeks. My goodness, that will make FIVE great grand children!!!! I can hardly believe it. I can barely wait till Britti's little baby makes her grand entrance into the world. When she is big enough, we will play with dolls all day and have the best tea parties. It will be so wonderful to have one who lives close enough to spend a lot of time with. When Abigail lived close we had so much fun. We did whatever she wanted. We sat on the hearth when logs were burning and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs, pretending we were on a camping trip in the middle of nowhere. We had every pot and pan I owned out pretending to cook. When she went home, I sadly put everything away. I still have little scraps of paper that she scribbled her "recipes" on. I will always have them and everything else she did, like trying to draw a star and her water color "art".
Oh, I do love those babies!!!!!!
Be sweet and good!!!

Awards and Gift in a Jar

I am posting these awards which should have been done as they were received by my good friends and blogging pals. I am the world's worst at this!! Forgive?
The awards were given to me by Sara of The Breathing Post and Loree of Stories and Scribbles. I loved receiving them and am so very honored. Loree and Sara have been there since the very beginning of my little ole' blog and I love and appreciate them and so much. Everyone needs an "atta boy" and a pat on the back now and then!! It lifts our spirits, encourages us to do more and better. I have so many sweet blogging buddies it is too difficult to choose some to pass these awards to, so I choose to pass them to all. If you are reading this, please post these awards on your blog, for they are for you.
Both Sara and Loree are amazing!! I love reading their blogs. It is like a visit with an old friend and I leave with a renewed zest for living and giving. If you have not stopped by, please do. You will be happy you did and I am sure you will drop in often as I do.

Now I want to give you another wonderful gift in a jar idea. These make great gifts, especially in a pinch. We usually have everything necessary already on hand, especially if we keep a few pretty jars or even some plain mason canning jars. Home made gifts are special anyway and most appreciate the thoughtfulness more than an expensive gift that they probably didn't need anyway. Keep a stash of pretty ribbon, cords, tags etc. You can decorate the jar and attach the directions any way you like. Make it your own. The recipient will adore you for such a special gift made just for them!

Cobbler Mix in a Jar

1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1 cup sugar

Blend ingredients in a small bowl and place in an airtight container.

ATTACH THIS TO THE JAR:

Berry Cobbler

4 cups blueberries or strawberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 jar Cobbler Mix
1 cup melted butter
1 egg

Mix together together berries with orange juice and sugar. Pour this
mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In a separate bowl combine Cobbler
Mix with melted butter and egg. Mix till everything sticks together and
drop by spoonfuls over the top of the berry mixture. Bake at 375 degrees
for 35 - 45 minutes. Cool about 15 minutes, This will serve 8 to 10.

There we have it!!! An absolutely lovely delicious homemade cobbler.
Comfort food at its best, a lingering aroma throughout the whole house
and all from a little decorated container given by a friend!!!
Be sweet, loveys!!

I Can Live Without Sex But Not My Glasses

My little daughter in law's sister (who is like one of my own daughters) sent this to me and it is just hilarious. It happens to be true, but when you actually put it into words, it is funnier somehow. No matter what your age, I think you will get a kick out of reading this!!!

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70!

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02.. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run--anywhere...

04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won't wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14.. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off..

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list.

And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.

AND TRY TO ALWAYS REMEMBER ...

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Now, is that not just funny?!! Laughter is good for the soul, so I hope this has made you laugh and, remember to be sweet!!!!!

Gift in a Jar, a Gift From the Heart

Almond Joy Brownie Gift Mix in a Jar

2-1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1-1/4 cups flaked coconut, sprinkled

With 1 tsp. Almond extract and tossed to blend

3/4 cup coarsely chopped whole almonds

1-1/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. Baking powder and 1 tsp. Salt

Layer ingredients in order given in a 1-qt. Wide mouth jar.

Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Be sure to use a wide mouth jar because it is a very tight fit

to get all ingredients into jar.

Attach recipe to the jar:

Almond Joy Brownies

1. Empty jar of brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Use your hands

To thoroughly blend mix.

Add: 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, not diet,

Mix until completely blended. Spread batter in a

Sprayed 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30

Minutes. Cool completely in pan. Cut into 2-inch squares.

Makes 2 dozen brownies.

A great way to attach instructions is to write them on a brown paper bag, cut with shaped scissors or pinking shears, fold and punch a hole large enough for a length of cord or fiber to fit around neck of jar. Also, jar may be decorated in numerous ways, including cutting a round piece of country print fabric to fit under lid and jar ring. Ideas are endless for this type of gift that comes straight from the heart! It is one we took time to make and put together ourselves and that is the very best, for in so doing, we give of ourselves.

Be sweet!!!

Ugly Shoes and Clothes That Don't Match

Though growing old ain't what it's cracked up to be, it does have its perks. I can wear ugly shoes and clothes that don't match and no one gives it a second thought! I no longer try to impress anyone, nor am I easily impressed by others. I wrap up in a horrible leopard print coat that once was very stylish!! I LOVE that coat!! It is sooo warm and I could never part with it. When I get out in the snow, it looks like a leopard has escaped from the zoo, but I am so warm and snug, then people get a good look at me and just silently say, "Oh, that explains it." How happy I am that I no longer have to explain anything to anyone. "Oh, she's just old".
I can watch the Soap Opera channel, sit in my rocking chair and eat chocolates all day long if I choose! I can even be fat and shop in the Big Mama section of a store without feeling one bit conspicuous!!
If I don't want to answer a question, I can pretend I didn't hear it and no one is the wiser!! People hurry to open doors for me and help me cross the street.
Young boys carry my groceries to the car, smiling like they have just won the lottery. "Where do you want this, Maam, in the trunk or the back seat?"
I guess the greatest perk would be learning to accept yourself and realize it is okay to be exactly who you are.
Be sweet!!

How To Make A Ziplock Omelet

This was sent to me by a friend and it seems almost too simple to be true or good!!  Trust me, it is both.  I would just add a little bit of butter with the eggs.  It is really amazing what we women can concoct to help us along in our daily busy lives!  I urge you to give this one a try and promise it will be a keeper!!                                                                                                                               (This works great !!! Good for when all your family is together. The best part is that no one has to wait for their special omelet !!!)

Have guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.
Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.
Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.
Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.

Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes [we did 15 minutes]. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.
Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and a great

Now it doesn't get much simpler than that!  And what fun to put what you want into a plastic bag and see a delicious homemade omelet roll out!!   

You know the rest ---- be sweet!!!

I have so many goodies to share with you over the holidays I can barely sleep at night, wondering which to do next.  Do you like desserts, gift presentation, gifts in a jar?  Please let me know as this is your blog as much as mine.  We are in this together and no sense in writing something no one is interested in.  I have some gift tags that can be downloaded, printed and cut out, etc.  What do you say?  Anyone who would like to share an idea or recipe would be welcome to write a post on "Angels".  Love you all!!        Once more, be sweet and SMILE.