Celebrating: The Red, White & Blue!

Celebrating: The Red, White & Blue!: Over the years, I have adopted the idea of decorating for the 4th! This year I saw a few patriotic ideas on Pinterest that I just HAD to do!  Of course, I found out the hard way, that the mantel decorations needed to be unbreakable.  Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the loud clang of metal hitting marble!  Thankfully it was not the crystal candle holders, that are now up there just for a photo op!  I'll just say Kris will be glad when the decorations are gone and she can have her mantle back!

Back to Pinterest...I had seen a couple of different ideas that gave me ideas on using stuff I had on hand. Love when that happens!  I had a canvas and red duck tape to make the focal point of the mantle.  All I had to get was the blue star on the middle.  Last Sunday, my niece Ava and I made Popsicle stick Flags that turned out so cute!    We had such a fun time making them! I had several tin buckets in my garage, so I just added a little red, white and blue bling for a great Flag holder. A red painted mayonnaise jar with a ribbon makes a perfect non-breakable vase for the daisies!  Everything else was from my own collection of decorations. 

Popsicle Flag

Blank Canvas & Duct Tape

Holiday Mantle

And the now best new addition!  Mom and I were at an Estate sale a couple of weeks ago where most of the stuff was a little over priced, so when I spied this set, I figured it would be much more than I would be willing to spend, especially when I picked a piece over and it said "Pottery Barn."     Much to my delight, they were labeled $1.00 for each piece, and just $2.00 for 4 napkins.  Needless to say, they came home with me! Gotta love a bargain!

Mug & Snack Plate

Let's hear it for The Red, White and Blue!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them Celebrate! Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted  July 3, 2012

Celebrating: My Own Little Oasis

Celebrating: My Own Little Oasis: What is my own little oasis...my deck!  When I bought my house 10 years ago, I had the standard postage size concrete slab, that was a sorry excuse for a "patio" in my opinion! However, I did have an awfully small backyard, so I couldn't expect much.  So, one of my 1st major home improvements was to build a deck, so that I could enjoy my little backyard.  My friend Chris designed and built the deck and he created just what I needed.  Since my "lawn" is taken up by deck, now, I have potted flowers scattered about for color.  I also have my tomato plants in pots, as well as several herbs.  I have several green tomato's and am impatiently waiting for them to turn red.  Unfortunately a bird  enjoyed my 1st one!  I have  basil, rosemary, cilantro, parsley, dill, thyme, dill and chives.  I love having them at my disposal.  I would also like to get a mint plant, as well.   I found a great recipe for Mojoto's!

I so enjoy getting up early on Saturday mornings, go out on the deck with a cup of coffee just to sit and do absolutely nothing but soak in the goodness for a few minutes. It's impossible to look up at that periwinkle blue sky, listening to the chirp-chirp of the birds, smell the fresh air, feel the sun warm your skin, and not take a moment to thank God for our earth and the glory of nature. It is a calming, and peaceful way to start a hectic weekend! 

Often I will take my breakfast out there to continue my lazy morning! And, if I really want to linger (translate - put off doing housework), I will take along a  magazine or book.   As it gets warmer, my hot cup of coffee is replaced by iced coffee and the Pioneer Woman has the very best recipe for iced coffee that can be kept in the fridge and ready at your beck and call!  (I call it my "Suebuck" coffee - get it - Susan /Starbuck).   It was a sad day last Saturday when I realized I had forgotten to make another batch for the fridge!

And at the end of the day, I often find myself back on the deck.  The coffee mug is sometimes replaced by a wine glass and  I sit in the dusk, gazing into the darkening sky, the stars peeping out, the June bugs chirping , perhaps a gentle breeze on my arms and it is impossible not to stop and thank my God for another day on his earth.    It's a calming and peaceful way to end the day!

Pioneer Woman Iced Coffee

1 # ground coffee  

8 quarts cold water

Pour coffee in large container and cover with cold water.  Cover and let sit at least 8 hours (or longer in you like)  When time has passed, grab a separate container and place mesh strainer lined with cheese cloth over container.  Slowly pour steeped coffee through strainer. Must be patient at this point, because you will want to put this in the fridge til it is cold!  Add your favorite creamer, sugar or sweet in low.  When you really want to indulge she suggests Vietnamese coffee.  Add a spoonful (or 2)  of sweetend condensed milk to the coffee!  I use Sugar free hazelnut liquid creamer  - just as good and half the calories!     

I half this recipe! keeps in the fridge for at least 3 weeks!

Ya'll come back!


Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them Celebrate!

*Originally posted  June 20, 2012

Celebrating: Family Reunions!

Celebrating: Family Reunions!: This past weekend was spent in Collierville, TN a small quaint little town in the suburbs of Memphis.  The reason - our annual Griffin Family reunion, commonly referred to as "The Get Together." So on Saturday the masses (unfortunatetly not all of us) gathered for a day of great food, great stories and great fellowship.  My Aunt Ouida hosted all of us this year in her beautiful home in Collierville.  My cousins Al & Ann welcomed me into their home in Collierville to spend Friday evening.  My cousin Alvin has made some very original furniture and other really unique items that are just amazing.  Ann has a love of "collecting" and it was fun looking over her grand collections and seeing the displays Al had made for them.

The "Griffin" clan (my Mom's family), grew up in a small, small town in Mississippi, where the days were long, the chores were tough, the money sometimes scarce, but the love was fierce!  There were 5 sisters and 1 brother. There are 4 remaining sisters today, but the memory of their brother, sister, Mother and Daddy remains even after all these years.  For the "Griffin" girls love to tell familiar old tales of their childhood and keep the memories alive for all of us! Such fun we had reminising about the lazy (for us kids, that is!) days of summer spent on the Farm in Calhoun City.

Each of my aunts have inspired me in many ways. All of them have shown me a love for God, a generous spirit, a helping hand and passion for life.  I am so proud of all the "Griffin" girls and am glad they have been a part of my life.  They have shown me courage, faith and love and I feel honored to have them as my family.

Aunt Ruby, Aunt Niece, Aunt Oiuda and Mom (Liz)

And, as usual, a great feast was put on the table!  All four of them love to cook, so you can just imagine the "spread" we had!  Of course, there are a few foods that HAVE to be present (in my humble opinion!)...fried okra, field peas, green beans and stewed corn.  Honestly, you would have had to have 2 plates just to get a little bite of everything!   Plus, we had enough home made desserts to choose from that would rival the finest restaurant!

this is just a sample of the feast before us!

Another item that could not be absent from the table is Molasses Candy.  Growing up on the farm was often hard, but as I understand it, this candy was a special treat! Peanuts were plentiful, as was molasses and making this candy was often  a great winter past time. They would go out to the barn and pick off the peanuts and then parch (roast in wood burning oven) They would then use a sausage grinder to grind the peanuts. To this day, their eyes still  light up recalling the memory of making Molasses candy!  So, I would be remiss in not posting this favorite childhood treat!

Molasses Candy

1 cup Molasses

1 cup sugar

2 cups ground parched peanuts 

1 TBS butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

Cook sugar and molasses to the soft boil stage.  Add butter, vanilla and baking soda.  Stir thoroughly.  Add peanuts.  Mix well.  Pour into a greased platter.

It was also great to see Uncle George, Jerry, Bobby, Carmen, Collin, Griffin,  Amy and Jessica and to meet the newest addition to our family, adorable little Gaston, who kept us entertained all day!
you all made my day special!  We did miss the ones who were unable to attend this year - but next year  will be here before we know it!

Ya'll come back!

Susan

May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them celebrate!  Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted  June 1, 2012

Celebrating: One "Greyt" Lady!

Celebrating: One "Greyt" Lady!: I am very sad today.  For today I learned of a cyber friend's passing.  I have been out of town, so just read the news this morning on the cooking board we both loved.  Although I never formally "met" Carolea, I have known her for several years.  We shared a mutual love of cooking.  She was funny, spunky, quirky, and a down right nice person.  She was a great volunteer.  She was very involved in Greyhound rescue groups and owned many herself over the years.  When she moved into her "schoolhouse" dogs were not allowed, so she had to give up  her beloved "greys."  But that did not stop her from volunteering for the group, she continued until they recently disbanded their group.  Carolea also volunteered every Monday at the Newton Medical Center, a job about which she spoke fondly.  She was a driving force in planning each Class reunion and was well on her way to planning the next one scheduled!  She loved her "Newton Red  Hat" ladies and spoke frequently of their monthly meetings.  She also loved her new home - "The Schoolhouse".  It was her childhood schoolhouse which had been converted into apartments.  I will miss hearing about the monthly "tea fights," which is what she called the monthly potluck.  She was always stirring the pot, trying think of some unusual and clever dish to serve.  And it was always the first thing to go!

And how she loved cookbooks!  She had quite a collection and could be very content holed up reading and re-reading a cookbook! She was also a great lover of books and spent many hours pouring over her books!  Her love and curiosity of cookbooks and food were contagious!  She often posted a recipe on our board from an old cookbook that would make us all laugh and create quite the hub-bub!
 We spoke on the phone every once in a while and she was quite the character! I loved hearing her old stories of growing up in Newton as the Butcher's daughter and then branching out and becoming a young career woman in the 50's/60's!  She had some great stories to tell!

I will miss her, that is for sure!  But I will smile and think fondly of her when I have a glass of Iced Coffee, a plate of shrimp scampi or a fried egg sandwich!  And when I open a cookbook,  I will think of Carolea and remember how she enriched my life with her great spirit!

Rest in Peace my sweet friend with your beloved greys curled up with you!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them celebrate.  Psalm 64;10.

*Originally posted  May 29, 2012

Celebrating: Mothers!

Celebrating: Mothers!: Mother's Day, a time to celebrate "Mother's" and thank them for the love they pour out for us daily!   This past Mother's Day, I was pleased to celebrate with three Mothers. My mom, my sister Charlene  and my sister-in-law, Niki. Now I am a "mom", too - only to the 4 legged variety, but I still consider them my babies...I know - call me crazy!  I'll tell you a little about my favorite "moms"...

My mom is my hero.  Pure and simple.  My goal in life is to emulate her actions.  Her love of Christ, her love of family, her love of friends and her love of giving.  What a goal I have set for myself!  She sets an example for me daily with her encouragement, kindness and zest for living. Have you ever heard the saying  "walks the walk and talks the talk" - well she does just that.  She sets a precedent with Christian values, a generous spirit  and love.  She inspires me to be a better person and a better Christian.  She baffles me with her "Bible" knowledge and memory of scripture.  I am so proud to be her daughter!  I think she is a great example to follow!

My sister, Charlene, is another great inspiration.  There was a time in our lives when we were just "siblings,"
but I can honestly say that we are now  "sisters."  Charlene was instrumental in guiding me back to Church and for that I will be eternally grateful.  She is such a great mother to my nieces Laurel and Emily.  A real "hands on" mom in a way that doesn't interfere with the lifestyle of two teenage girls.  Laurkel and Emmy are so lucky to have her as a Mom!  She is generous in allowing me to be a part of their lives and I am as proud of them as a mom could be!  They are beautiful, sweet, funny and and just over-all 'well rounded" girls much to Charlene's credit!

My sister-in-law Niki, what a great addition to our family!  Thanks Chuck!  The very first time we met her we knew she was the "one!"  She is mom to our little Ava. What a wonderful pair they are - seeing them together is so much fun to watch.  I know she will teach Ava to be a strong faith based woman as well. Ava is on the same road as Laurel and Emily to becoming super stars (in this Auntie's book!)! Niki is such a great influence to me, as she is the one who inspired me to create this blog and helped me get started.  I thank her for starting this journey!

On Mother's Day we gathered around the table to celebrate the mom's.  Oh, another thing my mama taught me - how to cook and entertain! The Gray clan loves to eat and she taught me well, I think!    We had a great night of fun, fellowship and food to honor the moms in our life!  A great thing to "celebrate" in my opinion!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them CELEBRATE!

 *Originally posted May 16, 2012

Celebrating: Meadowcreek Elementary!

Celebrating: Meadowcreek Elementary!: As stated in my previous post - I love to read!  So a match was "made in heaven" when I had the opportunity to volunteer at a local school library. Several years ago I volunteered at another local elementary school as a teachers aid, which turned into surrogate Room Mother and loved the experience.
However "life" seemed to just get the way (as it always seems to do) and I quit doing it.  But, last Fall, I felt a "tug" to restart my volunteer efforts.  I knew my Sunday School friend, Judith was an Administrator at another local elementary school, so I asked her about the volunteer opportunities at her school. As luck would have it, the Media Center at Meadowcreek Elementary said they could use a volunteer.  Meadowcreek has a very high Latino population and it has been quite a "culture shock" for this lifelong southern girl.  I am quite amazed at the way these kids have adapted to their new surroundings.  New country, new language and they all seem so eager to learn new things!  Judith's job is to work as a "liaison" between the parents, students and staff.  Much of the time the child is the interpreter for the parents, which shows their tenacity for learning!  I would not be good at this job (my patience would just not allow me) so I am grateful for the "Judith's" of this world who take on this task!

So in September 2011, I went back to school!  I walked into the Media Center (we called it a Library when I was in school) and was enthusiastically greeted by Mrs.Thames and Mrs. Moore , the school Media Specialists. I had to make a real effort not to holler 'Kim" or "Holly" when I needed one of them and also to get used to answering to Miss Gray!  And my, my have things changed since I was going to the library! No more card catalog and never even heard the words "Dewey decimal system."  I have such a respect for these women and the dedication they have to each student that walks through the door.  They ALWAYS have a smile on their face and an eagerness to help everyone . And, I've learned a thing or two listening to Mrs. Thames stories! They have both made Thursday mornings a pleasant experience!

I generally work at the Check-out desk, which has been my favorite task.  I love the interaction with the students and it is gratifying to see them so excited about reading - even if it is titled "Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy."  Another favorite series is the "Magic Pickle,"  and " Diary of a Wimpy Kid".  Like I said...times have changed since I was in elementary school!  It is also nice to hear so many "please" and "thank yous" and when you hand a book to a student and he looks up to you with these big brown eyes and says "Thank you, have a Great Day," it just warms your heart!

The school year is winding down and next week will be my last volunteer Thursday for the year.  I am really going to miss my new friends "Mrs. Thames and Mrs. Moore" and all the students at Meadowcreek Elementary.  I wish them all a great summer and hope that they will squeeze a "book or two" into their busy summer!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them CELEBRATE. Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted  May 7, 2012

Celebrating: Book Club!

Celebrating: Book Club!: I love to read.  My passion for reading developed in about 3rd grade for me.  I remember having to choose a book for a book report and found a story about a Tree House in an Apple Orchard.  I do not remember the name of the book nor the author, but  for some reason that book hooked me! From that time on, reading has been one of my favorite past times.

I soon found series Bobbsey Twins, Donna Parker and Nancy Drew just to mention a few , but my all time favorite was the Trixie Beldon collection.  My friend Terri introduced me to Trixie Beldon during summer vacation of  4th grade.  One of my best childhood memories is settling down on the couch with a bologna and raw onion (with lots of mayo) sandwich and a cup of sweet hot tea and a Trixie Beldon book.   I can still imagine Terri and I camped out in her living room with our legs draped over a chair and our nose in a book! 

But when I got to high school/college, my love for reading came to a abrupt end.  The required High School/College reading list stomped that love in the ground. The Odyssey, Oedipus, Tale of Two Cities, yuck, yuck and double yuck!  Sorry to offend you English scholars - but these books made no sense to me.  It was all I could do to keep up with what I HAD to read, thus pleasure reading lots its appeal.  Maybe I can redeem myself by saying I did like To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and A Catcher in the Rye.

So when I received an e-mail from Church friend, Pepper that she and her friend Shelli were starting a book club and would I be interested in joining - I was ecstatic.  I had been wanting to join or start a book club for the longest time and this was the perfect opportunity.  Pepper and Shelli graciously open their homes on the 2nd Thursday of the month, where 15 (or so) women meet to discuss the book of the month.  What I really love is that it has forced me to go "outside the box" of my typical genre.  I tend to gravitate to Mystery/Suspense, with a little Southern Novel flair thrown in occasionally.

I have read books that I would have never chosen for myself  or imagined I would actually enjoy!  This month's selection was Sarah's Key. If you have never read this book - it is definitely one to consider adding to your list.  The book is fiction, but the "background" story is not.  Its one of those books that touch so many emotions. It will break your heart and make you smile.

And, I love my Book Club.  It a great group of ladies that I have grown quite fond.  We sometimes don't agree on liking or disliking a book  - but that just makes for lively conversation. It is truly one of my favorite days of the month!

                                                         The Sunflower Sisters!

Of course you simply cannot have a book club without food.  We generally "theme" our menu with the book.  It is our good fortune to have lots of great cooks in our group!  The setting for the book this month is in France present day/1942 and one of the main characters is Jewish.    So our menu was Jewish or French cuisine.

I have several Jewish friends from my Contessa Board, so I knew had a great source for suggestions!  My first thought was  Noodle Kugel, so I volunteered to bring that. Hilary also gave me suggestions of Matzah Crunch and apple cake (which is on my "to make" recipe pile).  Linda gave me her favorite recipe for Noodle Kugel.  I knew I could count on them!

                                                                  Matzah Crunch

                                                              see below for recipe

                                                                      Noodle Kugel

                                   http://linda-howtocookawolf.blogspot.com/search?q-kugel

                                                      go here to view recipe

Matzah Crunch

4-6 sheets matzah (can substitute saltines or graham crackers)
1cup unsalted butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
big pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

line baking pan with foil - then parchment paper (very important - I used wax paper with iffy results)

preheat oven to 375

in saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stir til butter melted and bring mixture to a boil.  Boil 3 minutes stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add salt and vanilla.  Pour over crackers and spread evenly with heat proof spatula.  Put in over - reduce to 350 .  Bake 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and immediately cover with chocolate chip.  Let stand 5 minutes, then spread with spatula.  Sprinkle top with toasted almonds or sea salt.  I put in fridge overnight just to really "set".  Break into pieces!  Enjoy!

**Hint - you CANNOT have just one piece!

And aalthough Book Club is winding down for a summer break - I will still be "hitting the books" this summer!

Ya'll come back!

Susan
May the Lord bless his people with peace and happiness and let them CELEBRATE! Psalm 64:10

*Originally posted April 25, 2012