Week in Review

I did more subbing this week at an elementary school. It was a sweet gig!. The Book Babes met on Wednesday night to talk about the book Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Sandy was the hostess, and all I'm saying is she really got into the circus theme. (I have pictures this time, but not permission to post them) I had arrived late because of another meeting, so the other Babes informed me that this book is currently being made into a movie. I asked if George Clooney might be playing the part of Jacob Jankowski, the almost-veterinarian/circus animal caretaker. Stormy thought that role should go to Toby McGuire because she was sure there was some famous circus performer named Toby. I told her she was probably thinking of Topo Gigo, the Italian mouse who used to ask Ed Sullivan to kiss him goodnight.

Lindsey and Brent went to a Halloween party on Friday night as Dwight and Angela from The Office. Brent gave out Schrute Bucks.

On Friday Bob and I went to Effingham to watch the undefeated Flaming Hearts take on Charleston in their first playoff game. Here's a picture of my 8-year old niece, Baleigh, and me in our Heart-wear before the big game. We took my mom (hereafter referred to in this blog as Maw-Maw) It was a real family affair because my sister Lori (mentioned in the first posting) is a high school counselor and videotapes the games. Her husband, Dan, coaches the offense, and my cousin has a son who plays on the team.

At the game, Baleigh bought a cup of hot cocoa that looked like motor oil. She took the to-go lid off to blow on it. Sitting right in front of her was a player's mom who was wearing her son's letterman's jacket. (At one point in the game, someone sitting behind me, who shall go un-named referred to that boy as a "little twerp" who could not possibly score a touchdown without the help of the offensive line) Baleigh was balancing the cup of cocoa precariously on her knee. I was worried because I knew that one great pass or critical tackle and we might end up dumping motor oil all over that little twerp's jacket.

During the second half of the game Baleigh got really tired and started leaning on our shoulders. The field was muddy and the game was exciting, but Effingham had already beaten Charleston once this season and the moon was full, and the game did not end up the way we would have liked. In the parking lot, Baleigh consoled herself by announcing that now her Friday nights are free.

For the last three summers, Baleigh has spent a week with us so she can participate in our One Room Schoolhouse Summer Camp. This past summer, we co-wrote a song called "Would you Care to see my Mutilated Toe?" (sung to the tune of "She'll be Comin' Around the Mountain when She Comes) This song came about after a toe that was damaged in a last-day-of-school flip-flop incident was re-injured in Target. There's another verse - something about having bloody tissues in my purse. To help her get to sleep at night, I would sing her a lullaby. She just loved it when I sang "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." She's going to be Hannah Montana for Halloween.

Sunday Night Candlelight Supper

We did not host the Sunday Night Supper this week. Instead, we were guests of Nick and Stormy. They served a delicious supper of spinach-stuffed beef tenderloin, horseradish mashed potatoes, carrot souffle, bread sticks, and for dessert, lovely apple tarts and chocolates.

We had a great time. We listened to some old Randy Newman music and some really old Simon and Garfunkel. Stormy broke a wine glass. I'm going to have to replace it because it was my funny joke that made her break the stem right off.

I don't have the recipe for the spinach stuffed beef tenderloin, but I will share a great recipe that I got from my friend, Julia. These green bean bundles first appeared at a church dinner. Julia got the recipe and served them to us a couple of years ago. I took them to a Common Grace potluck dinner where they somehow turned into Presbyterian Green Bean Bundles. So, here's the recipe:

Julia's Presbyterian Green Bean Bundles

3 -14.5 ounce cans whole green beans

1 pound bacon - cut in half

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

2 dashes soy sauce

salt and pepper

Wrap a half-slice of bacon around 7 green beans. Place in glass baking dish. You can crowd them close together, but do not layer. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour over green bean bundles. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Yummy.

Week in Review:

I put the witch's hat on our squirrel this week - a sure sign that Halloween is just around the corner. I did some more subbing at the middle school and went to the dentist. At one point during the visit, my dentist said to his assistant, "Hand me the Explorer." When I got the opportunity to speak, I told them both that they needn't try to protect me by calling it "The Explorer." I saw it, after all, and it was clearly an ice pick.

They then proceeded to to tell me other benign terms they used in an effort to keep the patient relaxed (and off-guard). A tooth is "wiggled" out - never pulled or yanked, and instead of being numbed, the tooth is now "soaked." It's very thoughtful of them to use these more palatable words that keep us calm in the chair. However, FYI, dear readers, any time your dentist starts asking for instruments that sound like they're used to hunt for stuff, like "The Seeker," or "The Voyager," or "The Big Stainless Steel Inspector," - trust me, you're going to be on the receiving end of something pointy.

And...

Glitter on the Highway

Glitter around Bixler Lake

Love Walk, Baby, Love Walk

'Talkin' about the Love Walk

Yes, the week ended with the annual Common Grace Love Walk. Here is a picture of the group before the walk began. Our bagpiper did, indeed, add some zest to the event. The weather was wonderful and we were able to raise some much-needed funds to help the needy.

Sunday Night Candlelight Supper

There wasn't one. I know, big disappointment, but Bob was working in Wisconsin, and I can't do it without him because, after all, he is part of the dream. The recipe of the week is for the carrot cake (pictured here) that I took for our post-Love Walk refreshment table. I got this recipe from my good friend, Jana, in 1986, when we both lived in Mt. Vernon, IL. We sang together in the church choir and in a ladies gospel quartet that was called, um, I think all they ever called us was "Our Little Ladies Gospel Quartet." She has a great big soprano voice, and boy, can she cook. Lindsey stayed with her and her family on the night Rob was born. Lindsey got sick and threw up on her bedspread. She was a good friend. I miss her.

Anyway, I've made hundreds, really, hundreds of these carrot cakes. I don't have to look at the recipe, although it's good to have it written down, because, I know that one of these days, I'm going to be standing over the mixing bowl with a box of baking soda in my hand and I'm not going to remember how many teaspoons go into the mix. Scary.

Jana's Carrot Cake

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda (whew, I still got it)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 cups grated carrots

1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three, nine-inch round baking pans with Baker's Joy. Combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla, and mix well. In separate bowl, combine dry ingrediants. Add to the first mixture and blend. Add carrots and pecans. Pour mixture into pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes (I don't really know how long - until it's done)

Remove cakes from pans onto cooling rack. Frost and refrigerate.

Frosting

1 stick butter

1 8-ounce package cream cheese

1 pound powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Brett and the boys had the week off.

What a win for the Bears!

Effingham Flaming Hearts - the perfect season!

Week in Review


I did a lot of subbing this week - 3rd grade and middle school health. I went to my Common Grace meeting on Monday night. We're planning our annual fundraiser, "The Love Walk." I was asked to contact our local bagpiper to see if he would lead the Walk. He's going to. That should add some zest to the event. We constructed our pumpkin topiaries this week. I'm posting a picture of one of them. Bob made two trips to Wisconsin. Duck hunting season opened on Saturday. yippee.








Memories of Trick or Treat






Living on Diamond Street for 8 years almost made me lose my fondness for Trick or Treat. There used to be so many Trick or Treaters at our house, I couldn't even go inside. I just stood out on the porch and handed out candy until I ran out, and I always ran out. Diamond Street is one of those "dump your kids out here" Trick or Treat streets. I'm talking 300 plus kids and assorted other characters every year.

Back when I was tricking and treating in the early to mid 1960's, things were sure different. We didn't go to a house unless we knew the people who lived there, and because we lived in the country, we had to be driven around. Our trick or treat bags were grocery sacks, and the candy wasn't just handed out at the door. Oh, no. We had to go inside and work for it.


First, they would make a big production out of guessing who we were. Then they quizzed us about how we were doing in school - wanted to know recent test scores- wanted to know if we were being nice to each other and not fighting and what-not. My Great Uncle Press and Aunt Blanche liked to hear us sing a church hymn before they handed out the goodies. Our mom's father lived at the end of a road, and the only light in his house at night came from the TV. We would fumble our way up to his door (this was extra tricky the year my brother Jeff and I were a three-legged monster) hoping he might have some caramels or some of those peppermints with the x's on them in his refrigerator. (we also hoped he'd leave the refrigerator door open long enough to help us get back out to the car) Our dad's mother would make us come in and visit. She'd throw loose handfuls of of stuff into our grocery sacks - popcorn, apples, candy corn, fried egg sandwiches. She'd break open a jar of canned strawberries for us to enjoy. Our grandma canned everything. Have you ever eaten canned strawberries? Believe me they're no Treat.



Where we lived, Trick or Treat lasted longer than two hours. You might receive callers for two or three nights. You just left your porch light on if you were open for business. One night, around nine o'clock we opened our door and there were two big people dressed in gorilla suits. They didn't speak. They weren't collecting candy. They were handing it out. Did we eat the candy? OF COURSE WE DID. Maybe our parents knew who they were. I don't know. But I do know that two people could not go door to door distributing candy in 2007. We would never open our doors to gorillas. We'd be terrified. We'd call the police. When Bob dresses up as Santa I always say to him, "Bob, do not go into the bank in that costume - not even the drive up. You'll scare the bank people and they'll call the police."

Nosiree. Trick or Treat isn't what it used to be. The days of canned strawberries and opening your door to gorillas are gone forever.





Sunday Supper



Nick and Stormy came to supper on Sunday . We've decided to call them candlelight suppers, like Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced bouquet) always talks about having on the British comedy Keeping Up Appearances. We served Chick Buns (chicken bundles) asparagus, rosemary and garlic potatoes, carrot souffle, and apple pie.


The carrot souffle was served at Lindsey and Brent's wedding reception by Thomas Caterers of Distinction in Indianapolis. They did a wonderful job and the food was delicious. I got this recipe from their own web site.



Carrot Souffle

1 pound carrots
4 ounces butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
salt, to taste



Peel carrots. Cook in salted water until well-done. Drain well.

Melt butter. In a blender put eggs butter, sugar, flour, baking soda and vanilla. Blend well. Add carrots. Blend until mixture resembles a milkshake.

Bake in a greased glass dish at 275 degrees for 45 minutes or until just firm.



Yay! The Pack is back! Hearts keep winning.

Week in Review

Well, I went to Tuesday Club....on Tuesday, of course. The program was about Viet Nam, "And that's all I've got to say about that." (Forrest Gump)

I subbed for kindergarten on Wednesday. Kindergarten is a tough crowd because you have to spend the whole day convincing them that you are not some imbecile they found wandering aimlessly in the parking lot. "Listen you guys, I know what I'm doing. I can read and everything. And, look, I have all the instructions right here. Remain calm and we will survive this trauma together."

Field Trip

On Friday morning I played school marm to a group of second grade students at the Wayne Center One Room Schoolhouse. I had told their teacher if any of them wanted to wear old fashioned clothes it would be great. Lots of families in our area have period costumes because we have an annual pioneer apple festival. When the kids got off the bus, I was surprised and amused because almost half of them were wearing cowboy hats and some, cowboy boots. I guess they thought we were going on a cattle drive. Oh, well, it's second grade. Here is a picture of me with the group. (Many of them have left their hats inside)

By the way, fungus has attacked the schoolhouse door and it is starting to fall apart. The door is 7 feet long and 3 feet wide. If you can help us, let me know by leaving a comment on this here blog. We'd be much obliged, partner- Yee Haw.

Speaking of the annual Apple Festival. This was the weekend! Brent and Lindsey came up so they could attend. They brought back with them Maddie the Amazing Barking Dog. Lindsey was glad to have Maddie's company while Brent was in Texas. She said that she thought Maddie enjoyed her stay because there were many neighbor kitties to bark at. She also said that the visit was a kind of mini fat camp for Maddie because her snacking was restricted to graham crackers and bits of cheese. Poor dog! I went immediately to the pantry and got her a handful of Maple Frosted Mini Wheat Biscuits and a roll of Smarties. I bet she's glad to be home!

Oh, and I almost forgot, Bob came home from the west coast - with minimal dirty laundry. What a guy!!!

It was the hottest Apple Festival in history! Near 90 degrees both days. I worked both afternoons in the information booth. Here I am handing out complimentary shopping bags to the tens of thousands of visitors who come to the festival to eat our great food. Do I look hot? No, the other hot. This picture was taken early. My bloomers were soaked!

Sunday Supper

Of course, some of us were stuffed with Festival food, but since the kids were here, (Brent, Lindsey, and Rob) we thought we'd serve a nice dinner on Sunday evening, just before the Packer/Bear's game. We had spaghetti, salad, french bread, and, for dessert, apple pie. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but the spaghetti sauce is special because, well, you cook it for nine hours - six on the first day that you make it, then it goes into the refrigerator and comes out and cooks three more hours on the second day. It's delicious. and you have lots to put in the freezer for future enjoyment.

Nick and Stormy got this recipe from their son's in-laws. It was not handed over to them until after the wedding reception, when everything was official so let's call this recipe.......

Second Son in Marriage - Spaghetti Sauce Recipe Exchange

2 lbs ground beef

2 medium onions diced

6 cloves garlic, pressed

1 cup Romano cheese, grated

128 ounces tomato sauce

18 ounces tomato paste

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

2 tsps. fennel

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried tarragon

1/4 tsp heaping, dried oregano

2 large bay leaves

1 tsp., heaping, dried rosemary

2 dashes each; marjoram, mace, and thyme

3 dashes ground oregano

Brown and mash ground beef in large pot (potato masher works well) Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are clear. Add spices, stirring thoroughly. Add tomato sauce and paste mixing thoroughly.

When mixture begins to bubble, add Romano cheese and mix. Cover the pot and turn down the heat and simmer for at least six hours. Cool and refrigerate overnight. Reheat and let simmer for 2 to 4 more hours before serving. Enjoy!

OH NO! Packers lose! Brett, what the heck happened??

Yays for the Colts and the Flaming Hearts keep on burnin'- Only two more games to achieve the perfect season!

Words of wisdom from The Office - Nothing will bring back your clients quicker than a nice gift basket. WE WANT OUR TURTLES!

Week in Review

Well, I mailed back my summons for jury service form - there's some potential excitement there....so, I got that goin' for me. I subbed for six grade language arts on Tuesday, and the middle school band on Thursday. I was a little anxious about the band gig. As I drove to the school, I thought about how one goes about directing a band. I decided on a lot of arm-flailing and some occasional head nodding toward the woodwinds. I also thought it might be funny if I yelled at them "More cowbell! I need more cowbell!" Fortunately, for everyone, I did not have to do any directing.

The Book Babes met on Wednesday night to discuss the book, An Inconvenient Wife, by Megan Chance. We all liked the book and thought it should be made into a movie. Then, we thought maybe it had already been made into a movie. We're not sure, but we don't think so. I suggested that George Clooney could play the role of the doctor, ( I often suggest George Clooney) but the other Babes thought George looked too perfect to play the part. That night we also celebrated the engagement of our dear friend, Sandy. I forgot to take my camera along or I would post a pic. Maybe next month.
Bob was out on the west coast most of the week, so I've been livin' the dream without him. I did get some new photos of, probably, the most adorable little pumpkin in the state of Illinois, my great-nephew, Landon.










Doggone
Yes, Maddie, the Amazing Barking Dog is visiting Lindsey and Brent for a few days. I loaded her up ( along with some vegetable soup I made) and met Lindsey at the Upland/Gas City exit Starbucks. Lindsey had a pumpkin frappacino. She said that if you pulled the straw up and then sucked through the whipped cream and cinnamon, it tasted just like pumpkin pie. Yum. I had the cinnamon dolce latte.

Pictured here are Lindsey with vegetable soup in autumnal Rubbermaid, and Maddie, the Amazing Barking Dog. See them driving away from Starbucks? Enjoy, Lindsey!





Sunday Dinner

Since Bob was away, we had to postpone our dinner with Rick and Cathy, so for the recipe of the week, I'll refer back to the Labor Day Weekend dinner we had on Sunday evening, the 2nd of September. Lindsey and Brent were here, and Lindsey's delightful friends, Becca, Laura, and Ashley.

Before dinner we served this delicious dip as an appetizer. This dip is so good, you could serve it with cardboard circles instead of crackers and nobody would even care. This dip is so good, we wanted to lick the baking dish clean. (wait, we might have really done that) It's actually called Warm Swiss Cheese and Bacon Dip and the recipe came from the Vera Bradley Cookbook, but I think, for this blog, we'll call it.......


Dip Good Enough to Serve with Cardboard ( And Nobody Will Care)

8 ounces softened cream cheese
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 cup grated Swiss Cheese
1/2 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Combine the cream cheese, Swiss cheese, mayo, and green onions in a bowl and mix well. Spoon into baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon bits and almonds. Serve warm on crackers (or cardboard).

You may substitute 1/2 cup of butter cracker crumbs for the almonds.




More yays for the Packers and Brett Favre!
Some yays for the Colts!
And, for you, Lori, big 'ol yays for the Effingham Flaming Hearts - 6 and 0!