German Pancake

When Sunday morning rolled around I decided to try a new recipe. "German Pancakes". These are also called baked pancakes or bubbly pancakes. Did you know my maiden last name is German? Of course not, you don't even know my Maiden name. But yes, its was originated in Germany, but I'm not German.

My daughter came home so she could go to church. We listened to the Christmas cantata with a following covered dish dinner. I think I ate a little dab of everything. Its always so good. There are a lot of good cooks in my church family.

Every morning that my daughter is here, I always make her breakfast. I do not think she has ever waken up at home without a breakfast from the day she was born. Usually its a cooked breakfast because Its my favorite meal to fix and its also the most important meal of the day.

This recipe was really delicious and easy. While cooking, it begins to look weird and then started to bubble in the middle and the sides start to come over the edge of the dish as they stop just in time with a golden brown trim.  

Ok, when I just said that it bubbled in the middle, I could not help but think about Stymies surprise cake from the little rascals.

Once the pancake is finished, you cut and dish it out like pie and add your favorite toppings. I used powdered sugar. I tried it with syrup also and it was still a win.

 

Today I am going to share this recipe with you. It will be perfect to fix on Christmas morning for the family. I may make this again along with my sausage balls.

German Pound Cake

• 6 Eggs
• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup all purpose Flour
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter

Mix well in blender and pour into a buttered 9x13 pan.
Bake 400 degrees for 25 minutes.
Cut and serve warm with powder sugar, syrup, cinnamon your other favorite topping. 

Enjoy



 

Shopping Complete

Finally. I think I have my all my Christmas shopping finished. "I think", "No, really I'm done". "Pretty much".

Me and my husband would venture out to the shops. Then we would separate. I'd go my way and he'd get his exercise in by walking laps around the mall while I shopped. Walking into the mall one day I noticed a little old man sleeping in the car next to us. I knew he was just waiting on his wife while she shopped. I nudge my husband, did a little giggle and said, "That's going to be you one of these days. needless to say, he agreed then jokingly said "no, that will probably be you."

I like to start my shopping early. The last family birthday of the year is my husbands which is the middle of October. After that date, Its time for me to start thinking about Christmas shopping. Yea, just thinking about it ,not actually doing it. But then by the first of November I'm ready to hit the stores. I have my daughter send me her Christmas wish list and I begin looking. Without a lot of success in getting all the things she mentions on her list, I think I do pretty good to accomplish a couple of them. There are things I cant find or afford and have to put them off. But she has always been a grateful person and accepts what she gets without complaining.


Our family, between my brothers, sisters, in-laws, aunts and uncles, we have decided to skip gift giving to each other for the simple fact that everyone has everything they need and it ends up just being a big money swap. We made an agreement to just buy for our parents and the smaller kids in the family and enjoy Christmas without the hassle of adult gift buying.


Me and My Husband have even agreed not to buy for each other. Instead, we do something special together or buy something for our home to enjoy together. ...Ok honestly, we just want it to hurry up and get by so we can move on to summer! We like to save our money to enjoy on our beach trips during the spring and summer. I'm ok with that!


So yes, my shopping is now complete. There is always that one more thing I would like to get my daughter but I have to throw in the towel some time or ill over do it. I have to finally hault.


Now I can just tidy up the house, relax and enjoy the sweet things in life such as Christmas baking and sharing my goodies with friends and neighbors. This year, I plan to make Crostoli, Italian Wedding cookies, and biscotti.

Do you procrastinate? Do your shopping last minute? or do you get ahead of the game and knock it out early?

Nutrisystem Cookie Sandwich

If you have been following me, you know I have been on Nutrisystem. Its been almost a year now and I still receive food shipments. Why? Because I like it. I lost below my goal weight and lost a total of 47 lbs. Im trying to loose three more just to claim a 50lbs loss but either way, Im at a size I like of 121 lbs. Nutrisystem helps me stay on track. While I eat a lot of regular foods now, I like to have the Nutrisystem meals to fall back on or for the simple fact of convenience.

Anyway, I do get bored of the foods at times and always looking for new ways to eat them. I discovered a delicious way to revive the Nutrisystem White Chocolate Chuck Cookies.
Here goes.

First I crushed the cookies as fine as I could get them without using a food processor. You can do this with a nut chopper or rolling pin, your choice. I just think its a waste of mess to pull out the food processors for a cup of cookies.

Spray the crushed cookies with spray butter. Zero Fat, Zero Calories. This is so they will stick together to form a crust.

Put half of the crushed cookies in a small ramekin, mug or shallow cup. A measuring cup would even work just fine. Press the buttered crumbs to the bottom.

Add a layer of sugar free cool whip, Reddi Wip or other whip cream.

Add the remaining other half of cookie crumbs to the top and lightly press, then place in the freezer for about 45 minutes.

Pop it out, and there you have it. A delicious cookie sandwich.

You can use ice cream if you wish but I love love love whip cream of any kind.

This counts as a Nutrisystem dessert plus one extra.
If your not on Nutrisystem, you can do the same thing with any of your favorite cookies.

Enjoy.

That Cookie Contest

So I hear there is a cookie contest held by the towns local newspaper. I have never entered anything ive made into a contest. Who me? Naw! I'm not that good at anything to be in a competition.

After giving it some thought, I grabbed one of my favoite cookie recipes and started baking. I thought, "why not, its just cookies, nobody can mess up a cookie even if its not prize material. It will at least make me happy to bake something sweet for a change and I dont even have to eat them"....  

OK, there were several broke ones that I just could not put on a plate to be judged so I ate a few of those and put the rest of the ugly ones in a bowl right beside the coffee pot. Why? Because I made an Italian cookie, Cranberry Almond  Biscotti. The word Biscotti means twice baked and that's why they are hard and crunchy, perfect for dipping in coffee. 

This morning the judging begins. I called into work to let them know I'd be a few minutes late and drove my cookies to the destination. As I made my way across the parking lot, I noticed more mature ladies making there way to the door.

"Oh no, I cant compete with that!" I somewhat felt guilty knowing these ladies had a lot more flour on their hands than I ever had!

I made it to the lobby and was greeted by some very happy, peppy employees. I mean, Id be nice and peppy too if I knew Id be eating cookies all day at work.

There ended up being 34 entries! 

The day is coming to an end as I sit here at work wondering if I won or not. I don't mind either way because it was all out of  fun, but I still wonder.....{waiting}

While I wait. Here are a couple Tweets I've seen so far....

"I want to taste that one again." Cookie judge Ken Lemon from WSOC-TV. Gazette Cookie Contest. #GazetteLife.

Gazette Cookie Contest Judge Heidi Flick: "It feels like a hug from your mama." #GazetteLife.

{still waiting}

I just learned that the winners and their recipes will be announced in the food section of Wednesdays newspaper so I'm out to get the paper.....

Wait for it....

Wait for it.....

The verdict is in......Drum roll ...............
....
....
....
....

I did NOT win.

BUT.....My recipe DID make it in the paper as one of the 5 superlatives. My cookies were voted "Most Unique"

(source)

It was fun to have the chance to share some of my baking talent with others. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for the judges. These Biscotti are still a winner in my kitchen and I plan to share a fresh batch with my family and neighbors soon.

Click HERE for the recipe to my cookies plus the other wonderful recipes.
Click HERE to see the three winners and their recipes.

Banana Bread in a Mug

I was craving some nice warm banana bread but since Im still watching what I eat, I didn't want to make a whole one. I've not baked any kind of cake or bread since January! WOW. Knowing if I would have made a big banana bread, I would have eaten the whole thing in a day or two. I still doughnut trust my willpower....Wait did I just say "doughnut?" Just another thing I've stayed away from. Ha.

Anyway, I found a recipe for a banana bread in a mug. Single serve, one cup sweet treat. Made right in the microwave in less than 3 minutes!

 

I caved. I had to make one. In fact, It actually made two. I shared one with my husband which gave it a snarl but ended up eating it. It was not to bad. Surly not as good as my mommas banana bread but it did the trick to cure my sweet tooth at the moment.

 

Now I will share the recipe with you. So grab your favorite mug or ramekin, spray it with cooking spray, and go at it.

BANANA BREAD IN A MUG

 

4Tablespoons- Self Rising Flour

2 teaspoons -sugar

2 Tablespoons -brown sugar

Pinch.- baking soda

1 egg

1/4  teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon milk

half a ripe banana, mashed

 

Blend flour, sugars, salt, baking powder & baking soda.

Add egg & mix until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Stir in vanilla, oil & milk, then mashed banana.  

Microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave.

 

I was able to get two ramekin size cakes out of this recipe for some reason. It may rise over the top of the mug as it's heating, don't worry, its goes back down a little when you take it out. Use a tooth pick to check center. If it's still runny it's not done yet.  But be careful not to overcook!  

 

 

It taste better cooled.

You can also add some nuts or cinnamon to the batter (optional).

 

Enjoy

 

Christmas Card Time

Tis the season I take time out of my busy schedule to sit a write out my Christmas cards. 

This somehow became my job. Every year I question if I should send them out or not. I mean, do people really care? Do they just toss them in the trash or do they display them? I used to mail out about fifty but my list has dwindled down to about thirty. 

See my rule is, if I dont get a card in return after two years I mark those people off the list unless its imediate family, they will get one as long as Im welling. Then of course there are former work employees and church members that are no longer in the picture. There is also the ones that have passed away. Some of those are the ones I enjoyed writing too the most. 

My husband and I enjoy getting cards in the mail and pick on each other on who gets to open the next one. I display them all on a hallway door and occasionally stop and read them over and over. We judge which one is the prettiest and which one is the ugliest etc. sometimes it makes us talk about the sender and how grateful we are for friends. So, yes we enjoy every one of them.

Its nice to get a real letter instead of emails or text which is what everything seems to be going to. It lets you know that someone took some time to think about you.

Do you send Christmas cards? How do you display the ones you receive?

Little Vintage Tree

I can hardly wait til Thanksgiving night to put up the tree. My husband will climb to the attic and take down the boxes of decorations which seems a box is added every year.

This year I decided not to put up our big tree and just use a small tree on a table. Unfortunately, we never have visitors and I live on a dead end road where only about 6 neighbors will ever see my tree in the window. My daughter has her own place and therefore, its just me and Nick left to enjoy the lights. This does sadden me. I miss Christmas with a child in the house. A lot of joy leaves when they leave.

We first purchased a small white 4 ft. tree to use. We got it at a 2nd hand store for nearly nothing. As I sat sorta saddened about such a small tree, I was determined to make it look 6 ft. tall from the window. That's when my husband said "Well, I do have an old  6.5 ft. aluminum tree in the attic Dad gave us a few years ago. I can bring it out and we can take a look at it". Woohooo! I was so excited. I can make it work! Whites and silvers were the look I was going for this year anyway. Each branch was delicately wrapped to keep it in mint condition as we carefully put the tree together. It took us like 3 minutes. ha.

Anyone older than 50 may have just had one of these in there home at one time or another. This was the tree used when my husband was a child. I'm sure it brought back some memories. My grandmother used one but I'm to young to remember [smile].

You cannot put lights on these trees for they are made of aluminum which is a fire hazard to electricity and the branches are as fragile as aluminum foil so you have to add light weight ornaments to them. That's why they had "color wheels" to use to illuminate the trees.

Unfortunately, we didn't have that part, but no worries. Nick found a light that changes colors and applied it above the tree to give it the same effect as the color wheel would do. I added a few plastic dollar store balls. Its now PERFECT as the tree changes colors for a fantastic light show of sevral color changes. I tried to add a video of the effects but I just couldn't get it to work for me.

In case your wondering what I did with the little white tree, It sits on the nightstand of my daughters bedroom. This will eventually be our Christmas tree when we move to a little house on the beach one day. [smile].

"No matter how small a Christmas tree is, 

they are all 8 feet tall in the eyes of a child"

 

Thrifty Christmas Stockings

I'm excited to share with you my latest craft, DIY, recycled project. You see, I really really like those cozy looking knitted Christmas stockings hanging in the Christmas shops. I just can't find reason in spending so much money on them. They can cost you around 35.00 each! That's when I got the bright idea to just make my own and it only cost me some pocket change.

I went to the local Goodwill store,  I love thrift stores. I found just the right sweater in white. I chose white  because I plan to do mostly white colors this Christmas. I think it will ad some light on the dreary days we have been experiencing lately. 

I didn't give much planning on how I was going to accomplish making these. I just had a shape in mind and started cutting. By the way, I washed the sweater first because you just never know. I cut the stockings in a position where I only had one seam to sew up.

Then I used a sewing machine and stitched them it up. Ok, these may be a little sloppy but I'm definitely not a seamstress and barely even know how to work a sewing machine. I can do one stitch, that's it. You can also sew them by hand using yarn or thread if you wish. I actually like the imperfect homemade look about them.

I created a couple pompoms and....

wah lah! 

Now I have two high dollar, over priced looking, knitted Christmas stockings that only cost me 2.99. That's a little over 1.00 for each stocking. Win!

Oh but that's not all. I used the sleeves of the sweater and created sweater covers for the a wine bottles. 

That's right, no more hiding the wine when the preacher visits! Ha!

Now I have to go back and purchase another sweater to make a third stocking. Then they "will be hung on the mantel with care, in hopes St. Nick will soon be there."


Tis the season


I've shared this at:
cooking-crafting-j-j-link at pluckys-secondthought
two-uses-tuesday at sarahcelebrates
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
romantichome.blogspot.com/

DIY Christmas Card Coasters

Last year I decided to keep all of my Christmas cards in hopes to find something to make with them this year.

I also happened to have a box of ceramic tiles left over from some repairs we had to do years ago.

1.) I figured out something useful to make with them,

And 2.) No, I'm not a hoarder.

My daughter came to visit and I know how she likes to make things with me so I suggest we make some coasters with those Christmas cards I had been saving.

She was all for it so I grabbed some tiles, the cards, felt (for backing), scissors, glue and modpodge.

First we glued felt to the backs to protect the furniture. 

We chatted up the girl talk as we carefully chose and cut our cards then we glued them onto the tiles. 

After the pictures were in place, we painted a layer of modpodge over the whole thing to seal it. Just like if you were to seal a puzzle. 
If you don't have modpodge, I read where you can water down some Elmer's glue and it will work just as well.

Within 30 minutes we recycled those Christmas cards and tiles into little pieces of art.

I will be using these during the Christmas season and she had a set to take home for herself. I always enjoy time spent with my daughter. We laugh and talk like best friends. We share stories of our week and plans for the future. We had fun making this quick little craft together.

 

These would also make nice little gifts for the office, neighbors, friends and family.

Stay tuned, I cant wait to show you my next project I will share soon!

Ive shared this at:

comshow-and-tell-friday at romantichome

thursday-favorite-things at katherinescorner

cooking-crafting-j-j-link at pluckys-secondthought  

amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome

romantichome.blogspot.com



Can We Just Have Christmas?

Its not even Thanksgiving yet and the Christmas season seems to have already begun and with that comes people that are already finding ways to ruin Christmas for those who celebrate it. I think we should at least get through Thanksgiving first,

But any who....

Whether you believe in it or not, Christmas is a day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. No matter what religion you are, where you are from or how you believe, Christmas is Christmas.

I really don't care if the local mall makes their Santa display a glacier or a field of daisies, Its just a photo booth. Take your tot to another mall that has the look you want. Don't just stand there snapping photos and writing a journal, just go shop where you feel the joy of the season. 

I don't care if a company sells drinks using of a red cup, blue cup or a white cup featuring some creepy looking goddess, its just a cup. Its used then thrown away.

I don't care if you say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holiday", I will politely smile and say "Merry Christmas" right back. As far as I'm concerned, your saying "happy holy-day" anyway.

I don't care if you play Christmas music in your store or if you choose to play rock and roll. Its just music and if the music interferes with my shopping experience I just make it a quick one.

I get it. Even though most people say they are Christians, many are not "born again" Christians, therefore people have different views, different faiths or no faith at all. Everyone gets offended one way or another. No wonder the traditions are fading and non-believers never believe. Because everyone argues about every little thing. No one is getting the true picture. There is more problems in the world that we need to be worrying about.

Cant we just have Christmas?

My home and family will be filled with Christmas joy of giving, loving and sharing the true meaning of Christmas. We will turn off all the negativity the world is throwing at us and celebrate the birthday of our Savior.
I will go to church on Christmas Eve, 

I will have a Christmas tree and walk through Christmas lights holding hands with my husband reminiscing about the good old days. 
We will be playing Santa as we place presents under the tree for our grown daughter just so we can hang on to those childhood memories. 
I will watch all the Christmas and Hallmark movies I can watch.
My car and office radio will be playing all the Christmas music I can find whether it be "Away in a Manger" or "Jingle Bell Rock". 
So instead of finding something wrong with every little thing that has to do with Christmas, sit back and enjoy what we still have left.

Can't we just have Christmas?

Instead of arguing about everything that offends you, just ignore it. Christians have to do this every day. Let it go. 
Instead of worrying about who wants to celebrate Christmas their way, Celebrate your way. 
Instead of worrying about the music that's played, stick in your earphones and play the music you like. 
and for the love, If you don't like the color cup a coffee shop uses, take that cup and fill it up for a homeless man that will be more than grateful to have a drink.

So Can we please just have Christmas?

Now excuse me while I drink my coffee from a Dixie cup.

Crochet Ice Cream Cozy

I married into a family of former Ice Cream shop owners. It was before my time when my Husbands grandparents came over from Italy and opened up "Dimeos Ice Cream Co."

It was closed in the 70's as I was just a tot. We have lots of memorabilia that I try to hang on to . From tiny ice cream spoons to vintage milkshake machines.. I will admit however, that im not a big ice cream eater. Its not that I do not like ice cream, I just despise the cold frost on my teeth and the chill I get when holding on to the container.

Well, I had this bright idea to fix one of those problems so I headed over to Pinterest online to see if someone has already thought up the idea. The idea of an ice cream cozy. Sure enough, they were a few smart thinkers like myself. ha.

You curl up in your chair, turn on a movie, grab your blanket and container of ice cream. No more having to grab a napkin or towel to cover the container to keep your hands warm and dry as you indulge in some delicious cold yum yum .

I found a free pattern here which was fairly easy and looks great on the cup but I just didn't like the way it looked around the bottom and it required more stitches that I had in mind.
I wanted to come up with a more simple shape and form. And I did.

Here is a look at my own version of the ice cream cozy.

It didn't take me long to come up with my own pattern for this cute fuzzy sleeve to hold while scooping out the nuts and cherries from the ice cream.

This will be another item I will be selling im my Etsy shop as I try to make some Christmas money.
So, head on over and purchase one of these as I will be adding more as the weeks go by.

Facts about me and ice cream:
I don't like it plain. I want it to have something in it.
My favorite is butter pecan, rocky road or chocolate mint.
I chew ice cream ( I guess that's why it hurts my teeth).
I hate to hear people talk while they eat ice cream.
I  prefer a sugar cone over a cake cone.
Id rather have a little scoop in a big sugar cone.
and the very last bite of the cone is the best.


Ive shared this at :
cooking and crafting with jj at pluckys-secondthought.com
two-uses-tuesday at sarahcelebrates.com
inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage
the-wednesday-showcase at asavoryfeast.com
worthwhile-wednesdays at craftyallieblog.com
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet.com
thursday-favorite-things at katherinescorner
show and tell friday at romantichome 

Retirement Party

My brother has now retired from the city police department. He gave 30 years of time and service to protect and serve.

The family got together for dinner at one of our favorite BBQ restaurants to celebrate this bitter sweet time in his life.

Hes was one if the good guys. A gentle giant standing over 6 feet tall and over 200 lbs. If a criminal was put in the back of his police car, you can bet he was probably witnessed to rather than lectured. My brother had a soft heart yet strong hands and no one could get past him. He was pretty intimidating I would say.

He enjoyed working in the schools often and all the children loved him. I've seen him sit down to lunch with kids in the lunchroom and help them cross the roads before and after school. He was a hero to many. He didn't talk much about his adventures on the streets as he kept everything confidential. I was able to ride with him a couple times on a shift which I thought was exciting yet scary at times.

I can remember the first time he announced he made it on the police force. It was sorta hard to absorb at the time as I was only 16 and bit of a lead foot". "Does this mean I have to be careful?" "Will he be following me around?" "Oh no, he will have a gun". "People will be shooting at him". "He will be speeding!" Many things crossed my mind as I took it all in. Excitement, worry, and even envy as I was only a fast food worker.

It all turned out for the good as I was able to get out of a few tickets, he was the first on the scene when I'd have an accident (no counting), and I knew just who to call when something was going on around my neighborhood.

With the way the world is now, I'm glad he has gotten out. Times are getting hard for authorities now days and its only going to get worst.

He will continue volunteering a few hours a month to keep his credits but no more stopping in for Holiday dinners while adjusting the vest and belt to comfort as he gulped down a meal and no more rushing away from a conversation to get to a call.

I am proud of him and wish him the best as he ventures out the rest of his life.

Congratulations!!

Are We Ever Happy With Ourselves?

Are we ever really happy with ourselves?
I ask myself this question quite often as I continue to hear others complain about themselves. Weather they are skinny or fat, sick or healthy. I give an eye roll and say under my breath, "do something about it". I'm tired of hearing the complaining and pessimistic outlook on things.

But then wait....I'm the same way. I am guilty.
When I was over weight I complained that I was fat,
My clothes were too tight,
Muffin tops were more like cans of biscuits.
I covered up at the beach when I would walk past others.
I complained my jaws were fat,
nothing I wore looked good.
Pictures were pathetic
and I felt like a sack of potatoes in bed.

I finally did something to fix it.
I went on a diet.
I lost 45 lbs. I've gone from a size 12 to a size 4.
I'm all excited with my new size,
I couldn't wait to sport that bikini,
buy some tight jeans
and smile a little more without the chubby cheeks.

Now what?
I buy those jeans in a size 4 and they are too short.
I wore that bikini at the beach but what the heck is all that loose stuff rippling and swinging back there? I may need to cover that up now.
I wave at everyone with my new fitted t-shirt on, only to find that my bat wings were waving faster than my hand and I was afraid Id take off in flight if I didn't stop.
My boobs have almost disappeared so my shirt choices are minimal.
My knee bones hurt against each other when I sleep in fetal position.
Those chubby cheeks? They are wrinkles on my neck.

So you see. Can we ever be completely pleased with ourselves?
Can we stop looking at the negative things and focus on what really matters?

Even though my appearance will never please me 100 percent,
I feel better.
I can run and walk without pain.
I can now curl my legs up in the chair and still have chair left over.
I can shop in the junior department
and I can own bathing suits in more colors than just black.
I no longer suffer from heartburn,
My skin is healthier,
The heels on my feet are no longer smashed,
I have ankles now,
and no fat hanging over my jeans.
I can now roll over in bed without actually sitting up and turning.
My arms no longer fall asleep at night due to my weight putting pressure on them.
My grocery bill is smaller due to less junk food purchases
and I have more energy,
which puts me in a better mood.

So now
Just ask yourself, "Am I ever really happy with myself?"
Work on those feelings. Why are you not happy?
We are always going to find something wrong,
but we need to find the positive in the negative and own it!

Pumpkin Painting

My Daughter spent this past weekend at home (she does this at least once a month). We spent the weekend shopping, baking some goodies, preparing candy and painting pumpkins. 

Pumpkins were not all we painted....

My husband had to get his fun in with a little paint fight. They are always at it. He'd much rather do the picking than helping. These two are more like brother and sister than daddy and daughter.

I wanted to keep my pumpkin with a fall look so I could use it throughout November. I started by painting the already white pumpkin, white. Yea, my husband didn't understand that either. Its like applying makeup, just gives it a good base.

Then I drew my initial and applied live leaves with modpodge. 

My Daughter is having a get together at her apartment for Halloween, so she wanted to go with more of a Halloween theme and created a "day of the dead" skull face.

I think it turned out great. 

We painted instead of carving them this time because its less mess and pie pumpkins are not to good for carving. 

She is gone back home now and it always leaves me a little sad. I'm usually ok by the time I get the house back in order and start a new week. 

Her next over night visit, we will be preparing for Thanksgiving and trying some new recipes.

This Bible

A few years ago, I'd say about ten years actually, I found this Bible in an old used desk drawer in an unoccupied area at work. I left it there thinking it may be used by someone.

More years went by and the Bible never moved. I loved the size of it and how soft and gently used it felt. I noticed it had a name and address stamped on the inside covers, back and front and around the gold leaf of the pages. This made me think that the owner of this Bible didn't want it lost.

I took the Bible, as I wondered, " maybe it was given to one of our workers from a customer that thought he could use it. Maybe it was stolen or maybe an employee left it when he left the business". As all these thoughts crossed my mind, I took it anyway. I could use it. I wanted a Bible this size to keep in my car. You never know when you need to pull out some instructions while on the road. 

I ended up keeping it in my car for about five years occasionally looking up scripture when I was in question about something. Like I said "instructions".

Well recently I decided to purchase a nice larger print Bible to use. That's when I decided to use the stamped address and mail it back to the owner. I sorta always felt guilty having it anyway. It was not mine.

Here's the funny thing....

The person the Bible belonged to, lived only two blocks away from me. We even walk past his house on our daily walks. I just could not bring myself to deliver it to him personally. I though it would just be too weird that we were neighbors and its been so long since the Bible was found.

So, I wrote a short note, put the note inside the Bible and remained anonymous. I didn't even put a return address on the package.

It felt good to put it in the mail. I hope he was excited about finally getting his Bible back. Or was he? Maybe it really was suppose to be a gift and he might feel sad.

What would you have done in my case? Did I do the right thing? Maybe it was meant for me to have for a while. Maybe it all turned out the way it was suppose too. Anyhow, I've seen this neighbor out a few times and I just smile because he got his Bible back. 

October Beach

October is usually when we take our last trip to the beach for the year. My husband says "we can maybe make it down here one more time". But then I see him purchase the big bottles of pink stuff and pull out the pump to also blow out the lines. I know then, that the camper will be winterized and no way will he want to come down for a day or two just to mess that up and re winterize it again.

This trip was nice with temperatures in the 40's during the morning and warming up to the 80's by noon. We even got wet in the ocean. It was cold but we had to get a last dip.

We did a lot of walking up and down the beach as I like to look for sand dollars, sea glass, drift wood and odd sea life. I didn't find of those things and the only sea life we saw was a huge stingray reeled in by a surf fisherman. It was beautiful and probably weighed two hundred pounds or more. I didn't have my camera with me to get a photo. "I know, bloggers nightmare". 

We also spotted something cute and furry on the beach. Just laying there half alive soon to be supper for the seagulls. It was a bat! Yes a bat on the beach! Again.. No camera! 

We did more walking around the campground wishing and dreaming of having a place down there that was permanent with an address.

Later on in the afternoon we ate at our favorite joint called Hamburger Joe's. My husband had a burger while I had a fried bologna sandwich loaded with slaw onions and chili

and we never turn down getting an order of Joe's Gold Wings for an appetizer.

None of this was good for my diet but who counts calories on vacation? 

Well the beach is back two hundred miles from us again as we now prepare for the holidays and Christmas. I'm counting the days until spring so we can return and drain the pink stuff out of the lines. AKA antifreeze.

Motorcycle Apples

Motorcycle Apples- That's the response I gave when my parents came back from the mountains with a bag of apples.

After one bite of these apples I immediately text my dad and asked...
Me: "What kind of apples are these?" 

Dad: "I cant remember the name but it was something that sounded like suzuki as in motorcycle".

Me: "Well they're are really good".

Dad: "Glad you like them. Enjoy your motorcycles".

I got a little chuckle and began referring to them as motorcycle apples. 

After returning to the mountains for more, Dad found out that the correct name for these delicious apples is "SI-ZUKI". I could not find them anywhere on the internet but found "Shizuka" apples.
Shizuka Apples are a very sweet and juicy apple that deliver a pleasantly surprising, tropical flavor with hints of pineapple.
That pretty much explains these motorcycle apples which are crispy and juicy with a sweet and sour taste. Either way. They are perfect for making just about anything that requires apples. I like to eat them alone or drizzled with caramel. I think they are the best apples I've ever had.

My sister-in-law made me some homemade caramel that was out of this world. I used some to create these apple nachos that quickly disappeared. 

Just another thing I like about fall. The smell of apples. I will also boil a few with some cinnamon to make my home smell welcoming. Oh and ill eat that too.