Song of the Day

Today, I just wanted to get my day started with something upbeat, something fun.  This is on one of my favorite Nancy Wilson albums.  She did this one with Cannonball Adderly.  It's a version of Happy Talk from South Pacific.  A great rendition.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week - Broccoli Corn Bread

This is another new recipe that I tried this week that turned out to be delicious!  It's not a from scratch corn bread, but it's still pretty great!  Michael and I both enjoyed this and will definitely be making this one again!

Broccoli Corn Bread

1 8.5 oz box of corn bread mix

1 med onion, chopped

1 tsp salt

3 eggs, beaten

6 oz cottage cheese

10 oz frozen chopped broccoli

1/2 cup butter, melted

Preaheat oven to 350.  In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.  Spray your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Pour batter into dish.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

* I used an 8" square pyrex, so my baking time ended up being between 45-50 minutes.

A Quiet Moment

This morning, I got up and made my coffee....my normal routine.  Gotta have my coffee! It was around 7 a.m. and the sun was up, but not full blast yet.  So, I took my first cup of coffee and sat out on the porch.  It was so peaceful.  With life having quieted down in so many ways, I just sat and enjoyed the stillness of it all.  Of course, there was movement.  Birds at the birdfeeder.  The breeze blowing through the trees.  Squirrels out on the hunt for breakfast.  No cars yet, no people out yet.  None of the neighbors were up and moving that I could see.  It was just a peaceful moment for me to enjoy my morning beverage.

In my mind, I began singing a song that we once sang in youth choir at FBC Monroe.  I didn't remember all of the words but I remember the melody.  It was called God's Gifts.  I don't remember who wrote the anthem and have not had much luck finding it online, but I do remember the first verse:

Fresh springs, mountain air

Birds singing, beauty everywhere

All of life, so rich and free

God did this because He loves me

And somehow it just fit perfectly this morning.  I sat and thanked God for what was before me.  All of the life going on in nature.  While the world is mostly crazy right now, I am so thankful that He gave me this small gift, this moment of just being one with the world.  Of being an observer and a participate in the same moment.  We are all of one world and this morning I got to see the goodness in just being in His presence.  For that I am very thankful!

My 10 Favorite Musicals from the 80's

The 80's was a great time for musicals.  It was the beginning of the British invasion.  Both Sondheim and Jerry Herman continued adding to their library.  These are my favorites from then.  There are many other great shows that came along as well.  Enjoy!

1.  42nd Street

2.  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

3.  Into The Woods

4.  Dreamgirls

5.  Big River

6.  Les Miserables

7.  Romance/Romance

8.  La Cage Aux Folles

9.  The Phantom of the Opera

10. Me and My Girl

Song of the Day

I'm just really needing this one today.  I need that sense of unity that does not seem to exist in this country anymore.  I need the hope that one day things will get better.  I need there to be good in this world that goes recognized.  I need people to understand that we should help each other, a factor in life that should not be as hard as it is right now in America.  Before all hope in my heart dies completely, I need this.

That is all

Recipe of the Week - Delicious Potatoes

I was looking for a new potato recipe to go with a new meatloaf recipe that I was making and luckily I found this one in the same cookbook.  It is basically baked loaded mashed potatoes, but I'd honestly never made it before.  We both enjoyed it and I will definitely be adding it to my recipe cycle!

Delicious Potatoes

6 medium potatoes

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1 16oz container sour cream

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 300.  Peel, slice and boil the potatoes; drain.  In a large mixing bowl, mash the potatoes with the butter.  Stir in the onion, sour cream and cheese.  Pour into a greased 3 quart casserole dish and smooth top.  Bake, uncovered for 1 hour.  

This is a great recipe to make ahead and then just cook off later.  I also cooked it at 350 for about 30-40 minutes because I was cooking the meatloaf at the same time.  Turned out just fine!  Enjoy!

Song of the day

With the pandemic restrictions going on these days, I don't see many people I know outside of work.  They are on my mind a lot lately.  This song keeps popping into my head and wanted to share.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week - Corn and Bacon Dip

Well, if you like corn and bacon, you will enjoy this dip!  It's pretty easy and very tasty.  I made it for the first time yesterday and will definitely make it again!

Corn and Bacon Dip

1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened

1 8oz container of sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

1 15oz can whole kernal corn, drained

8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, garlic and hot sauce.  Stir in bacon and corn.  Chill before serving.  Serve with veggies or crackers.

Enjoy!

My Sunday Lesson

Sometimes I just do not understand the extremes of the world.  Why must everything be so divisive in today's society?  There seems to be almost no room for compromise.  No room for the blending of ideas for the betterment of the human race.  It truly puzzles me.  I am not a religious extremist, but I do have my beliefs and ideals.  I have my own relationship with God. One that is between Him and me alone.  I tend not to share that with many people because it is extremely precious to me and I am not out there to influence the world.  People are old enough to make their own choices and have their own beliefs.  

Recently, I have been thinking of a story that Dad told years ago.  I'm not sure where he heard it or where he read it, but it has always stuck with me:

As a great flood approached, a man stood on his porch as he watched the waters rise.  When the waters reached his porch, a row boat came by.  "Sir, please get in the boat with us and we will row you to safety," a man in the row boat said.  The man replied "I am fine here.  God will save me!"  The waters continued to rise and the man found himself hanging out of a 2nd story window.  A motorboat passing by stopped and the driver said "Come with us and be safe!"  to which the man replied "Be on your way, good man.  God will save me!" and the boat drove on.  When the flood waters peaked, the man found himself on his rooftop knee deep in water.  A rescue helicopter flew over the man's house, dropping a rope to him.  A voice shouted down to him "Grab the rope and let us take you to dry land."  The man waved the helicopter away, shouting back "God will save me!" and the helicopter flew away.

Needless to say, the man drowned in the flood.  When he arrived at Heaven's pearly gates, St. Peter approached him.  "What are you doing here?" St. Peter asked.  "It is not your time to enter Heaven."  "Beg pardon, St. Peter," the man replied, "but please check your list again.  Surely I am meant to be here."  St. Peter checked his list again and the man was not there.  When told of this, the man pleaded with St. Peter "There must be a mistake.  There was a great flood in which I drowned.  If God had wanted me kept on Earth, He would have saved me!!"  St. Peter looked the man straight in the eye then whacked him upside his head with the list.  "You idiot!" St. Peter screamed at him.  "He sent you two boats and a helicopter!!!  What more did you want?!!"

The point of my telling this story is that I believe that God not only gives us these challenges in our lives, such as a flood or a pandemic, but He also gives us the tools to fix the problem.  It is Him who gave us science and who gives us the knowledge to be able to take care of what's going on in this world.  I just do not get the people that think simply saying "God will save me" is enough.  That makes me sad that they do not see we have these tools sitting in front of us.  They are gifts from God and people ignore them.  Makes no sense to me and it disappoints.  

I will keep my faith in my way. I just wanted to share this story.  

Be Blessed!

Setting the Table

During this pandemic, we haven't really been able to entertain any.  Of course, that is just fine since safety comes first. Safety for us and for our friends.  We did finally have Lois and her sister Ruth over for a post 4th of July dinner.  I had to work the 4th, so we did the 5th :)  Anyway, it was a fun evening and nice to have some company and share a meal.  But it made me realize how much I miss setting a table.  That may be silly to some, but I enjoy it.  Part of the fun of having a dinner party is planning what the presentation looks like.  For me it's almost as important as the menu haha!

Like most children of my generation, one of my chores growing up was helping Mom set the table each night for dinner.  Outside of this covid experience, I'm not sure many of today's kids eat at the table every night with their families so this isn't probably on their normal chore list.  That is, if they even have to do chores anymore!  Anyway, Mom would guide me through the process, showing me which side the forks went on and such.  I remember that we had a wooden napkin holder on the counter and grabbing a stack of paper napkins for the table.  I would always grab too many then have the task of trying to get the leftover ones back in the holder correctly.  I wonder whatever happen to that napkin holder.  Ah, well

After awhile, though, it stopped being a chore and was something more important.  Over time, many great conversations were had while setting the table. And at Grandmother's, setting the table was being her assistant...one didn't do it by oneself unless it was her doing it.  She would pick out  the things she wanted to use and then pass them along to me to put out.  Meals at her house were usually a big deal so everything needed to be just right.  And if it was a big occasion, like Thanksgiving, then card tables would be set up and extra chairs brought it, so more places to set.  I always enjoyed it.  I still do.

Most of you know that I have a lot of stuff.  I love it and that won't change.  I love using it and that won't change either.  I think that is one reason why I love setting the table.  It's a chance for me to relive memories and create new ones at the same time.  It makes me happy and gives me somewhat of a creative outlet which I'm learning I desperately need in my life.  So, it was great for me to at least set up the buffet for our friends last week.  One day, there will be another new normal and we will have people that we cherish around our table once again.  Until then, I might just set the table for no other reason than to make myself happy!  Cheers!

Quote of the day

I saw this quote on one of my resident's front door a few months ago and it really stuck with me.  We are in a major storm right now in our country on so many levels.  I try very hard to maintain a positive outlook not only for myself but for others.  If ever there was a time for me to dance in the rain, it is now!  Have a blessed day!

Song of the day - Look For the Silver Lining/Tomorrow

Sometimes I just want to start my day with a positive message.  During these strange times we are living in, this is essential to me.  Staying as positive as I can is one of the things that gets me through each day.  And even though these two songs may seem cliche' as far as being positive goes, somehow they really do work together and this is a beautiful rendition by Andrea McArdle, the original Annie on Broadway.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week - Cherry Cream Cheese Dessert

This is a simple, yet delicious dessert.  Even though I've only made it once, it is definitely on my list to make again.  I found it in one of my Taste of Home Cookbooks that I had gotten for Christmas one year.  I really do enjoy their recipes...at least the ones that are comfort food and don't have 72 ingredients in them, which is the direction they are heading in lately but that's for another blog.  Anyway, as I was thumbing through the book, I found this recipe.  It caught my eye because I had some glasses that would be perfect for it.  And, as a plus, it tasted great too!  

Cherry Cream Cheese Dessert

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares)

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 21oz can cherry pie filling

In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter.  Divide among eight desert dishes, about 4 rounded teaspoonfuls in each.

IN a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Gradually add the milk until blended.  Beat in lemon juice and vanilla.  Spoon 1/4 cup into each dish. Top with pie filling, about 1/4 cup in each.  

Serves 8

I like to put them in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.  The glasses I used are the old peanut butter glasses that belonged to Grandmother.  Enjoy!

God Bless America - The Boston Pops

Today is the 4th of July and, obviously, this year's is quite different.  And that's ok.  Hopefully there will be others to celebrate in years to come.  But one of the things that I always cherish most when I think of the 4th is the music.  Growing up, we did not do much for the 4th itself.  We might cook out but that would be about it.  Mainly this was because Grandmother's birthday was the 5th and so we saved our celebrating for her day.  Still, almost always Grandmother and I would watch some 4th of July special on tv....usually on PBS...."Pops Goes the 4th" I believe it was called.  There was always such wonderful music and we both very much enjoyed it.  I don't get to listen to that kind of music with anyone anymore and that makes me sad.  But, I still have the memories.  God Bless America :)

Record Collection

The older I get, the more I appreciate actual vinyl records.  Old fashioned, I know, right!  But that's me!  Michael really got me back into collecting records and I couldn't be more grateful.  It's brought back many memories of listening to records with Mom before I even started kindergarten.  And getting a record of my own for Christmas was a big deal!  Christmas records aside, I'll save that for another blog, the vintage music that I listen to has made it easy to find records at bargain prices.  I can go into a used record store and walk away with 30 records for less than $10.  Truly. I love the thrill of the hunt.  Sometimes I will buy one just because the cover art is fantastic.  And, more often than not, I'm pleasantly surprised with the "new to me" artist I'm listening to for the first time!

I took a break from record buying, mostly, because I have run out of storage space for them.  I cannot exactly put them out in the garage...they'll warp and melt.  So, I decided that I would listen to all of my records before I bought anymore for my collection.  I inventoried them as I went along....it's something I enjoy doing LOL  Well, the grand total came to 408 record albums.....WHEW!!!!  As I inventoried, I noticed that had several artists with multiple records.  Of course, with 408 there are bound to be multiples LOL  Many are just 2 or 3 records but some go a little beyond that, while a few go a lot beyond that!  So, here are the top 11 artists that I have the most records of.  #2 and #1 should surprise no one LOL! And, by the way, my taste in music is pretty much all vintage but it's what I like.  Not sorry about that haha!  Enjoy!

11. The Living Strings - 5 Records

10. Boston Pops - 5 Records

9. Ray Conniff - 5 records

8. Johnny Mathis - 6 records

7. Lena Horne - 6 records

6. Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass - 6 records

5. Linda Ronstadt - 6 records

4. Mantovani - 7 Records

3. 101 Strings - 8 Records

2. Anne Murray - 14 Records

1. Nancy Wilson - 30 Records