Thursday

Remember when my friend Diane gifted me with the two beautiful bundt pans?
Well, she also shared her recipe for Bananaberry Bread, which I have made many times since.

Today, I had some bananas that were getting too ripe, but was fresh out of blueberries.
I did have about 3/4 cup of maraschino cherries in the fridge and about 2/3 cup of chocolate chips in the pantry....so, how about some Cherry Chip Banana Bread?


Today is a doctor appointment for my mom. I'm ahead of the game....Mom's had a shower and a good breakfast. I think we'll have a little hot tea and banana bread in an hour or so, and then a short rest and out the door at 4:00.


Happily I report the first item to cross off the list is done......the tea towel for my neighbor, Angel.


Angel had a five-vessel coronary bypass last Tuesday. She is only 45. Two weeks ago today she went to the hospital with chest pains and they told her she'd need a triple bypass. Apparently once they began surgery it was determined that two more arteries were blocked. Please keep Angel in your prayers.

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Tomorrow I'll spend the day with Emily and Leah.....and the evening with the sewing girls. Our friend, Jan, is back here from Las Vegas for the weekend, so we've planned an impromptu get together at Panera Bread.
Until next time......love you bunches!

Just Peachy, Thanks

It's been just peachy here at the 'Acre this past week.

I can honestly say I've done a lot of baking in my life....but somehow never
made a peach pie. Some peaches came my way from the Romeo, Michigan Peach Festival,
so I gave it a whorl.

I tried a new pie crust recipe.....one that uses butter instead of shortening.
It was delicious....a little more like a "cookie" crust.

The finished pie......even though it looks too brown here and there, it was very good.
Apple is still my favorite, but it's good to try new things, right?
Check out Emily's blog....she tried her hand at peach freezer jam and did a super job.

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I unintentionally mentioned the concept of "planning" in both of my last posts. Apparently that is more of an issue with me than even I realized :) Maybe the fact that I carry a palm pilot in my purse and a planner in my tote should have clued me in. Just so you know, I'm planning to loosen up a bit.

In craft news, there really isn't any. I'm putting myself on a "crafting diet" and only working with projects that need to be completed or with the materials I already have on hand. That should keep me going a year or two.

Here's my to-do list.

* The tea towel I'm embroidering for my neighbor.....about 80% or more done.
* Finish the socks that have been on the needles for...oh I don't know...a long time
* The green and brown summer top that I'm making to go with brown capris
* The pink and white baby entrelac afghan
* The pink toddler sweater....which will wind up in the gift stash since the original recipient kept on growing
* Two pair of knitted slippers that were intended Valentine gifts
* So much sewing...that can actually wait for me...until my life is more my own (I'll look forward to working on these projects someday)

I'll let you know when I finish something....and you let me know what you'd like to finish up (or start). Until next time........hope you're feeling "peachy."

Sweet Treats & Tidbits

Let them eat cake......

or this case, organic doggie treats.

Here's the recipe...

• 2 cups plain (all purpose) flour - I used full grain flour
• 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
  
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• 2 cups rolled oats (I used old-fashioned and ground them finer in the food processor)
  
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk powder
• 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
• Warm water as needed for consistency

Mix all ingredients together and turn onto a floured surface. Knead several times and roll to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes as desired. Bake at 350 about 15-20 minutes or until golden.

I tweaked Rhonda's recipe, which I found here. The biscuits came out good and little Pumpkin just loves 'em! I am keeping these in the freezer and taking a few out every couple of days to make them last. I called the vet to ask what they thought of homemade treats, and they were all for it.

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My sweet friend, Yaya has presented me with a blog award. As usual, I am a day late and dollar short recognizing her generosity. I am ever grateful for your friendship, Idalia. Many thanks for thinking of me.

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I have so much nothingness to report that I fear I'd bore you all to death with the daily reports. So instead I will share my view from the porch.

Here's my favorite spot.....the loveseat rocker. I can't tell you how nice it was today to sit outside and spend a few quiet moments.

My sweet pink begonias....I never tire of them.

Impatiens.......and the pretty lacy shadow from the porch rail.

A view over the rooftops........a beautiful blue sky with cotton candy clouds.

There was a good breeze today and the temps were finally a little cooler with less humidity. I did some embroidery and knitting while outside.

Emily and I enjoyed an evening of shopping at a new outdoor mall near us. It's so nice to spend some "girl time" together.......thank's for a nice evening, Honey.

Well, tomorrow is another day......and who know's what I'll be doing. My best made plans never pan out as I expect, so I'm just rolling with it and haven't really made any for this weekend. Other than my usual homemaking........I'm keeping a positive thought and an open mind. Hope your weekend is just what you had in mind......and if not.......that it turns out better than you could have imagined.

"Plans are nothing......planning is everything. "
~Dwight D. Eisenhower

Sunday Sweetness

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."
~ Marion C. Garretty



Today my aunt and cousin came over for lunch and to visit with my mom.
On the menu:
Chicken Pot Pie
Cole Slaw
Fruit Salad, and

Carrot Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting and Vanilla Ice Cream

No pictures of the other menu items.......I guess I was too busy to snap any. Glen took a picture of my mascot, though.


Auntie Frances is my mom's younger sister, by all of 19 months. They've been the best of friends for 87 years.
Here they are about 70 years ago, standing outside my grandparents house. My mom is on the right.

And here they are today, standing on the same sides. My mom on the right, Auntie Frances on the left.

Both girls suffer from arthritis and various other ailments. I think my mom looks so good after her latest ordeal though, don't you?

I don't have a sister, and I can only imagine how lovely it is to share such a special bond. My cousin Cindy is the only girl, too, so we try to share as sisters would. Somehow I think it's not quite the same. If you are lucky enough to have a sister, give her a big hug for me....and I'll pray that you and her are able to share lunch together when you're 89 : )

Here's to a new week.........make the most of it!

Merriment, Change, A Giveaway

"An ounce of mirth is worth a pound of sorrow."

The trick is to not lose sight of the present while planning for the future....and not to give up planning the future when you can't see past the present.

I'm a girl that likes a good plan. Sometimes life just doesn't cooperate and allow one to plan too far ahead. What to do? For me, it's keeping some merriment in each day.

I'm finding joy in little, spur of the moment things these days....a new blog post, a late evening walk with the hubby, time in the garden, at the sewing machine or with the needles, and just yesterday the beginning of a new book. My daydreams are filled with the merriment of making all kinds of plans.... future trips, new furniture and some home projects, to name a few.

Now that my mom is home, our life here has changed yet again.....Mom needs 24 hour care. At first I planned to take a leave at work, but then an angel spoke to me and said, "Mom, I'll take care of Grandma on the days you work." Another blessing....thank you Emily for your help and love....I am so appreciative and Gram just loves having you for a "nurse."

Prom, May 2006

For those of you interested in vintage items, Emily is having her first giveaway and there's still time to enter. Visit Livin'Vintage and leave a comment for a chance to win.

I am heading down to the sewing room while all is quiet to snap up a few moments of that joy I was just talking about. If all goes well, I plan to alter a pair of pants for a friend, cut out a couple of clothespin bags and, well, just putter in one of my favorite places.

"I know there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live."
Ecclesiastes 3:12