Loaded Potato Salad

 We all know that I love a good potato salad.  I always have.  It's got to be in my list of top 5 foods.  I know it's not everyone's favorite but it definitely is one of mine.  I love all kinds of potato salads and I am always on the lookout to try something new.  I came across this recipe online and decided to try it awhile back.  Loved it and will keep it in my potato salad rotation now.  Enjoy!

Loaded Potato Salad

4 lbs potatoes

3 Tbsp Apple Cider vinegar

1 cup mayonnaise

3/4 cup sour cream

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

12 oz bacon crumbles*

6 green onions, chopped

1.5 cups shredded cheddar

Peel, cube and cook potatoes in boiling salted water on medium heat.  This is a very slow boil but it helps not to over cook potatoes.  Cook 15-20 minutes once boiling.  Drain and sprinkle with vinegar.  Cook bacon and let cool.  Crumble.  Mix mayonnaise, sour cream salt and pepper.  When potatoes are cooled, mix with mayonnaise mixture, onions, cheese and bacon. Season with more salt and pepper.  Chill for 3 hours or over night.  

*I often use the precooked bacon crumbles and they work just fine!

The Tang Pitcher

 Yesterday, I posted on Facebook that I started my day with a glass of Tang.  That seemed to throw some people off because they didn't know that Tang was still around.  Well, I'm here to proudly tell you that it is, in fact, still available on the grocery store shelves.  And I love it!!  And yes, I still drink it!

I always associate Tang with my Grandma Fornes.  That's where my love for the orange drink began.  If you ever spent the night at Grandma Fornes's then you were served Tang at breakfast.  Never orange juice, but Tang.  And she had the Tang pitcher as well.  It's really a must have if you drink Tang, to be honest.  Got to have the pitcher.  And it was my favorite.  I would drink it all day at Grandma's.  I loved it.

I don't know whatever became of Grandma's pitcher, but I decided that as an adult I must have one.  So, several years ago I found one on Ebay that was relatively cheap.  I paid around $15 for it.  While some may think that's a little pricey for a Tang pitcher, when you're looking for something that brings back such wonderful memories you know that price really isn't the point.  And in the long run it was not that much.  It brings me a lot of joy and I use it all the time.  Today, I had my coffee first so now it's time for me to go and have a glass of Tang.  Enjoy!!

Daily Challenge Update 1

 

Well, here we are in the 3rd week of January.  Since I started my challenge about 12 days ago, it's been hit or miss.  Remember this challenge is to make time for myself every day to do something just for me.  And the reason it has been hit or miss is because last week I got thrown off course by having strep. I was out of work 3 days last week and mostly I just laid around LOL  While, technically, I did take time to do things for myself each day, I'm not really counting that because I did not feel like doing anything else such as homework or housework.  And that is totally fine.  I was sick.  I didn't need to be doing any of that unless I wanted to.  Which I did not.  I mostly watched tv on the couch in between naps.  So, while I was doing something for myself, it wasn't because of the challenge that I set for myself.

Towards the weekend as I started to feel better, I did get up off of the couch and get things done.  The house was a wreck...still kind of is thanks to Christmas still be out LOL  And I had deadlines for my homework so that was a must.  I spent a lot of time Friday and Saturday doing both of those things to my satisfaction.  That's when I put my challenge into play.  I gave myself about an hour each night to read.  I'm reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Edition".  I gifted it to myself.  I love that kind of book and the stories are heartwarming.  So, it ended up being a good balance.  

Yesterday was my first day back at work full time.  Once I got home, I spent about 3 hours doing homework, mostly of it was reading.  I think I read about 70 pages of material.  And if you know how slow I read, you'll agree that's a miracle.   So, when my "me" time came around, reading did not interest me.  I watched some vintage tv instead.  I do love my classic shows!  BTW, the old sci-fi show "One Step Beyond" is great!  I met my challenge, and I was glad to have given myself the down time.  We'll see how that keeps up.  

That is all. 

Quote of the week

 I went out on a coffee date yesterday.  I had a wonderful time and I made a new friend.  While I am hoping this leads to a 2nd date, and I think it will even with the distance between us, I am approaching dating differently than I have in decades past.  It's been a long, long time since I'd been out on a date and I realized that it's time for me to make sure that some of the things on my list are checked off for a change.  As much as I want to be a good fit for another person, this time I want to really look and make sure that whoever I'm dating is a good fit for me.  Things in common, similar views, etc.  I want someone different enough yet still be able to share things.  We shall see, but it's a good thing to recognize in myself simply because I've always put the other person ahead of myself.  I'm going to try to put myself first this time and see where it takes me.  Good luck to me!

What to do with "leftover" antiques?

 As much as I love antiques, going to antiques stores and thrift stores and estate sales, I believe it is time for me to change some of my thinking about antiques.  By no means does that mean that I will lessen my love of them.  Quite the contrary.  What I'm thinking about is that I want to take my love of antiques and share that with others who have the same feelings.  

As I go through all of the boxes in my garage, there really is a lot of fun stuff out there.  Lots of it I want to keep but will I?  I don't necessarily have room for everything.  That is fine so it's time to pick and choose and figure out what to do with the rest.  So, what do I do with the "leftovers?" Of course, family pieces will stay as long as possible.  But if I need to get rid of stuff, I wonder what the best way for me to do that will be?

A part of me is like just donate it.  I remember the thrill of going to Goodwill with Grandmother and finding a treasure.  Maybe there's someone out there that needs a good treasure find.  Then, part of me is like sell it.  I've always wanted to have an antiques store of my own.  If I'd done it 30 years ago, it might be profitable LOL  But I'm thinking using antiques as a side hustle could be fun.  All things to think about.

I try my best to use my pieces.  That is, unless they are so fragile that I could do them harm.  I mean, why have stuff if I don't use it?  And most antiques, be they furniture or knick knacks or dishes, were made to last and they do.  That's what made them antiques in the first place!  Ah, well.  So much to think about.  We'll see what I come up with and let you all know.  I know you're just breathless with anticipation.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Eva Cassidy

Last night, I missed the chance to hear Jewel perform at UNCG with my friend Tammy.  I could not go because I'm getting over strep and would have still been contagious last night.  Anyway, she posted a video of Jewel singing Over The Rainbow and it was beautiful.  Honestly, it's one of my favorite songs and always has been.  It's very special to both Tammy and myself for a myriad of reasons.  But, since I could not be there last night it got me to thinking about my favorite version of the song that isn't Judy Garland.  She's my favorite hands down but there are several that come close.  This is at the top of my list, this version by the late, great Eva Cassidy.  This is a live performance at a jazz club.  Absolutely beautiful and I hope that you enjoy it.  

 

Mark 14:8

 This week did not go as planned.  It was my first week of class on top of a full week at work.  Getting sick threw a wrench into both of those plans.  Also, I did actually have some plans this weekend that had to be cancelled and rescheduled.  Such is life.  But I did manage to get things done and am not too far behind.  I feel like this verse pretty much sums up my week.