A Season Ends

 

 

 

 

A number of memories have passed through my mind

especially of late.

 

Black Rose and 'little' Dave (he was about 4)

as he took her hand to walk up to a music evening.

 

Black Rose years later,

walking up the same 'road' with another holding her hand.

 

The sound of the waves as they crash against the shore. 

The sun rising over the tide. 

 

Searching for beach glass

and finding a bird's skull.

 

Tea on the hill.

Watching the storm over the sea.

 

We have been seasonal campers for 13 years,

this was our last.

 

We have made some wonderful friends,

had some wonderful times.

 

This year appears to be the year of

change.

 

Why is it that we sometimes

resist change so much? 

 

 

 

Lord, please give us strength. 



~HOMEMADE TUB & SHOWER CLEANER~

What You'll Need:...

 

 

1/2 Cup White Vinegar
1/2 Cup Original Blue Dawn Dish Soap
4 Tablespoons Baking Soda
Empty Spray Bottle

 

Directions:

Heat vinegar in microwave for 90 seconds.

Allow to cool slightly.

Pour into spray bottle.

Add Baking Soda & Original Blue Dawn dish soap.

Shake gently to mix.

Spray on surface,

 let it sit 1-2 hours.

 

Just wipe it away & then rinse with water.

Will also take soap scum off shower walls/tile & doors!

 

So it says - I am going to try it! 

ONE HOUR YEAST ROLLS

 

 

ONE HOUR YEAST ROLLS

 

 

1 cup of warm water ...
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup oil
2 tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3 1/3 cup flour

 

 

1.) In a large bowl, mix together warm water, sugar, oil and yeast. Let stand for 15 minutes until yeast mixture is bubbly.

 

2.) Stir in salt and beaten egg to yeast mixture.

 

3.) Gradually add flour. Dough will be kind of sticky, but add enough flour until it's manageable.

Let dough rest in the bowl for 10 minutes. Cover  with a towel. This allows the dough to rise more.

 

4.) Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray (such as Pam) and form dough into balls.

Place balls so they don't touch on cookie sheet.

 Let rise for 20 more minutes.

 

5.) Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.

 

6.) Mix 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter with honey (to taste) and brush the top of hot rolls with the honey butter.

 

7.) Enjoy!

In my own little world

 

 

Last evening I decided to move the furniture in the 'Rec' Room.

Otherwise known as the family room.

  

Picture this, it's been crappy weather for a few days...

you could feel it in your bones.

 

Here I am moving couches,

and all the other stuff that's in a family room.

Vacuuming away in the basement.

For 2 hours I worked to move

things around and vacuum it all.

And, doing laundry,

which as you know isn't quiet either

with the washer and dryer going. 

 

Feeling bad for me yet? 

Don't because there's more.

 

So, I get that done

and figure eh why not...

I'll continue on upstairs and vacuum the bedrooms

and such.
 

So off I go dragging the vacuum up the stairs.

Remember, I can feel it in my bones (specific my knees).

 

So I get up here and the dog is so glad to see me!

How nice.

 

I plug in the Vacuum cleaner

and just as I start to vacuum, phffth  it quits.

So, I figure I pulled out the plug right?

Just as I am headed to the hallway

to check.............

(insert music here)

the lights go out!!

 

The dog comes RUNNING into me

just as a CRACK of Thunder hits.
At this point, I realize why the dog was so glad to see me.
It's been doing this for awhile now and I just couldn't hear it over the vacuum.

 

So, I go around unplugging the 'important' things

just in case it goes out for real

(as it just flashed off and on again).

 

Finally, it peters off as you can hear the rolling thunder.

(An hour plus this goes on).

 

Black Rose reports that she thought she was in the eye of a storm.

(here's a photo taken by someone else in the same area).

 

Okay we get the thunder and lightening into the early hours.

The dog doesn't appreciate God's humor in Thunder and lightening. 

 

He's a Wreck!

 

Now,  finally feel yourself falling asleep.

A nice deep sleep.

The dog is calm and Black Rose is safely 'home' in bed too.

 

It's now 5 a.m. and the thunder is right overhead!

 

Thunder boomers, I thought I was going to let a boomer go in my jammies!!

 

The dog jumps onto me (he's not allowed on the bed) and starts pawing me.

Panting and spinning!

 

Guess I might as well get up now. 

 

This was taken about 20 minutes away at the same time!

 

 

Everyone was talking about it at work.
No one was exempt from the crashing.
One fellow commented that he thought there was a strove light in his bedroom.

I sure hope tonight is quieter. 

 

NO DOUGH PIZZA!!!!!!! This one is a WINNER!!!!🍕

Gluten Free, Low Carb, Diabetic Friendly!!!!!!
For when you absolutely want pizza but not all the carbs!!!!!!!

Preheat oven to 350.

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
...
Crust
1 (8 oz) package of full fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

With a handheld mixer, mix cream cheese, eggs, pepper, garlic powder and parmesan cheese until combined.

Spread into baking dish.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, our until golden brown.

Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes.

 Topping
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
top with pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, peppers
Garlic powder

 Spread pizza sauce on crust. Top with cheese and toppings.

Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder.

 

 Bake 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

QUICK DINNER -- Create Your Own Signature Mini Pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUICK DINNER -- Create Your Own Signature Mini Pie (and an easy way to get rid of leftovers!)

"Bisquick Mixer":

  1/2 cup of Bisquick,

1/2 Cup of Milk

2 eggs together for a base.

 (put about 1 tablespoon in each muffin cup)

...

Top with about 1/4 cup of any "fillings" you want. - Cheeseburger, Pizza, BLT, Chicken and Veggies, etc....

You can mix it up in the pan (any meat should already be cooked)

Then top with one more tablespoon of the "Bisquick Mixture"

 

Bake:

 375 for 25-30.

 

It's a great way to get rid of your leftovers!

These can also be frozen!

Just pop them into the microwave for a quick meal on the go!

Crock Pot goodies and a bit

 

 

 

 

I have heard of this before,

but had lost the 'instructions'.

 

I just found them again on Facebook.

 

Must try it soon.

 

 

Hillbilly Recipes - Carmel Sauce

 

 Unopened can of sweetened condensed milk + 3 hours on low (completely submerged in water) in the crock pot + cool down in the fridge = Caramel!

It's so easy! Need to try this!

 

 

******************

 

Crockpot Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Serves 6-8
Prep time 5 minutes...
Cook time 4 hours
Total time 4 hours, 5 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Snack, Starter


Ingredients
•10oz chili sauce (one jar)
•16oz grape jelly (one jar)
•2lb frozen meatballs

Directions

1. In a crockpot, add chili sauce and grape jelly. Whisk to combine ingredients and make sauce smooth.
2. Add in meatballs. Stir to coat all meatballs with the sauce.

Cover and  cook on low for 4 - 6 hours. Serve with toothpicks.

 

*******************

 

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Ingredients...
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
4 thick cut boneless pork chops
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, chicken broth, garlic, paprika, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, oregano, and basil. Pour into the slow cooker. Cut small slits in each pork chop with the tip of a knife, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place pork chops into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on High for 4 hours.

 Baste periodically with the sauce.



Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning..'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the

Plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!
Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.

The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

 

1.  Disregard

2. Share

May your day, be a Shay Day.
MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO
DECIDES TO PASS THIS ON IN

MEMORY OF SHAY..............

Crock Pot Lasagna

Crock Pot Lasagna


You will need:
1 pound Ground Beef
Lasagna noodles
1 jar spaghetti sauce...
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

 Directions:
Brown ground beef and drain.
Spoon 1 C. spaghetti sauce in bottom of 4 quart crock pot. Mix remaining sauce with beef.
Place 2 uncooked lasagna noodles on sauce in crock pot. Spread 1/3 meat mixture on top of noodles. Spread 3/4 C. cottage cheese over meat. Sprinkle 1/2 C. mozzarella cheese over cottage cheese.
Add another layer of uncooked noodles, 1/3 meat mixture, the remaining cottage cheese and 1/2 C. mozzarella cheese. Place another layer of uncooked noodles, meat mixture, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
 Cook on low for 4 hours.


 If cooked much longer, it gets a bit well done.