Trick or Treat - Happy Halloween!

I just love Halloween! All the cute costumes the kids wear when they trick or treat or attend a Halloween party. In my first photo is my granddaughter. Note that she was not much taller than the door knob. I just went and measured. The knob was 49 inches high, so she was between 52 and 53 inches tall. She is now taller than I am. Whew, thinking of this makes my eyes water! OK...back to Halloween. I made the "Dorothy" jumper she is wearing. She already had a blouse to put under it. We bought a little pair of inexpensive shoes and glued red glitter all over them.  She was proud of her outfit and wore it to school and out to trick or treat. I also made her Mother a matching outfit that she wore to her job at the school. Our schools have decided to have story book day rather than Halloween. The kids are suppose to dress up as story book characters.

This next photo is one of my husband, who always dresses up for Halloween, our granddaughter is in the middle with two of the neighborhood children. The little "Tigger" costume belonged to my granddaughter when she was that size. Since it was a good quality costume I have saved it to be worn over and over. We gave the Tigger some cat features on her face with make up. The boy on the right side of the photo is wearing a black sweat suit. Since the sweat suit was old an quite worn we painted glow in the dark paint around the legs so he could be seen. We just used the Halloween makeup and painted his face and he was good to go. I do not like Halloween masks. If at all possible it is better to use face paint.

For my granddaughter's costume we went to the local thrift store and found a formal dress for a couple dollars. It was really cold that night so she had to wear her windbreaker and was not happy about that. Then we went to one of the dollar stores and picked up a cute little crown to complete her Princess costume. She loved wearing it to school and to trick or treat. She also wore it many times when she and her friends were at the house just playing dress up.

There are so many ways to dress up for Halloween, without buying one of those costumes that barely last through the one wearing. Check your thrift stores and think ahead as you shop.

This photo is "Granny's Love," my six year old grandson, his mask is a soft hood and so much better than the old plastic ones. He is not as easy to please as his sister was at that age. Doesn't he look like a real crime fighter??? He makes me laugh!

Here is Logan as Spongebob! Logan is my friend Pat's grandson. Logan was born one year after my grandson on his birthday. So both our grandson's have the same birthday. Both boys love Spongebob Squarepants. I have watched more than my share of Spongebob on TV.

And last but not least is my GREAT Granddaughter, my grandson Daniel's daughter. Ava is a little mini Daniel, because she looks just like him!

Happy Halloween! Be safe and have fun.

The Rink Gallery/Magic Show OKC

Rockwell and 32nd street in Oklahoma City you will find a great afternoon of entertainment.

We enjoyed a FREE Magic Show, FREE Live Music, FREE Food and a great time looking at all of the neat stuff at the Rink Gallery. It is a huge building filled to the brim with all sorts of things. There was furniture, antiques, collectors items, decorator items, clothing, you name it!

Bill Crawford performed his wonderful feats of magic,  told funny stories and just totally entertained us! Bill is a certified master magician, motivational and after-dinner speaker. He is the minister of the First Christian Church in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.  Bill also has a new book out, MYSTERIES OF ILLUSION that is a fun and entertaining collection of five short stories centering around a cigar-smoking magician who finds himself doubling as a detective in a wide variety of puzzling events. You can check on line at Barnes and Noble to find a copy of the book.

After the show Bill entertained us some more, with stories about when he and our State Representative Harold Wright were younger! I could truly envision Harold and Bill learning to eat fire.  Harold also performed magic acts, he and Bill did some shows together, now Harold works magic at the state capitol...lol.

I was having a hard time taking photos and trying to clap at the same time. Bill is only there at 3:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month. Try to mark your calendar and check out the Rink Gallery and the Free Magic Show, Free Live Music, and Free Food.

Bill Crawford was the Counselor at the School for the Blind when my husband was 14 years old in high school. They have known each other for nearly 48 years! That is pretty magic too!

Emergency Plan

Does your family have an Emergency Plan? Our State Office sent out an e-mail from Homeland Security outlining what every family should do to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies. When watching the news it seems that there are more natural disasters than ever before. Of course, it could be that we just have more media coverage and are more aware of these disasters.

The information said that every family should get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur. It said that all Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days.

The following is a list of basic items that every emergency supply kit should include:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

Battery-powered or hand crank radion and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.

Flashlight and extra batteries.

First aid kit.

Whistle to signal for help.

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).

Local maps.

Additional items to consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses.

Infant formula and diapers.

Pet food and extra water for your pet.

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.

Cash or traveler's checks and change.

Emergency reference material such as first aid book or information from http://www.ready.gov/

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in cold-weather climate.

Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not used scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Fire Extinguisher.

Matches in a waterproof container.

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.

Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.

Paper and pencil.

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

The information also said to write down the Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, Important Medical Information and telephone numbers for each member of the family. Other important information such as doctors, pharmacist, medical insurance, homeowners insurance and other numbers that might be needed.

Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family members and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

Agri-Tourism Western OK

The other day I was heading west on I-40 and passed the P-Bar Farm site. There were 5 school buses and lots of cars. P-Bar Farm started with a corn maze and has expanded to a complete farm fun destination. My grandson has gone there at least once a year for several years and loves it. I am just impressed with all the things they have now including a working flour mill. Next time you are looking for inexpensive family fun try P-Bar Farm at Hydro, Oklahoma on Historic Route 66.

Eggs Benedict

My husband loves EGGS BENEDICT and has fun making them. I do not like poached eggs or Hollandaise sauce. My husband use to make Hollandaise sauce from scratch and then he found this neat Hollandaise sauce mix!

Packaged sauce mix directions: Whisk sauce mix and 1 cup milk in small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup margarine or butter and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently until thickened, about 1 minute.

Hollandaise sauce from scratch: 1/2 cup (one stick) butter, 3 egg yoks, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and let stand at room temperature until the butter is soft (45 to 60 minutes). Five minutes before serving time, place the saucepan over low heat, and stir constantly until the sauce thickens.



EGGS BENEDICT

2 English muffins, split and toasted

4 slices Canadian bacon, cooked

4 eggs, poached

1 package Knorr Hollandaise sauce mix, prepared to package directions

or

Hollandaise sauce made from scratch

Top each muffin half with a slice of Canadian bacon, an egg and a spoonful or two of the Hollandaise sauce of your choice.

Poaching eggs: My husband puts water in a 12 inch skillet and brings to a boil. Then add two tablespoons vinegar. Break each egg into its own shallow bowl. Quickly pour eggs out of bowl into the boiling water. Try to get the egg in the water as quick as possible so it stays together.

Toast English muffins and Canadian bacon.

OK after all this information about EGGS BENEDICT he decides to skip the Hollandaise sauce and just add a slice of American cheese! Still a good breakfast treat.



JULIE I DID IT!!!

THIS IS THE FIRST SCAN I DID ON MY SCANNER BY MYSELF!!!

For those of you who can operate all the features of your computer and printer this will not seem like a big deal, BUT for me this is awesome!!! Julie has taught me so many things over the years, about how to do things on the computer. She taught me how to blog, how to save files, how to take photos off my camera to put on the computer and oh so many many other things.

I tell her thank you, but that is not nearly enough for every thing she teaches me! Julie is the brightest and kindest young lady in the world. I know there are many times she thinks, if I ask her how to do something she has already shown me a million times, she is going to scream. Thank goodness she once worked at a nursing home, and was aware how the minds of old people work or don't work as is my case.

I tried this scan thing before and all I could get the three in one printer, copier, scanner to do was to copy my item. Today I learned to go to the start button, click on all programs, find Lexmark on the menu and then start the scanning process.

OMG it worked...JULIE I DID IT!!!

I was at the ACE Home Center Grand Opening - Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting which was the reason for scanning the photo out of the newspaper.

Baby Gifts

My favorite thing in the world is to give someone a gift. I prefer to be able to plan ahead and look for special things for the special event. Last week I received an invitation to a baby shower that is being helt this week. I had to do some quick shopping to find some neat things for this shower. The mother-to-be is a very special young lady with the cutest little boy ever!

This is the gift packet I put together for the baby girl shower. Note at the top I found some pink child size hangers. I was just walking by this end cap at the store and they practically jumped in my basket, because I certainly never thought about giving child size hangers before! It makes lots of sense though because this new little girl will need to have enough clothes in her closet to be a diva! I know she will be as beautiful as her big brother.

This is one of the neatest things ever for the baby shower, especially if the older child is in attendance. I found this at my pharmacy that is mostly a huge gift shop, with a pharmacy in the middle. It is a tin can with a t-shirt inside that says "World's Best Big Brother" on the t-shirt. I just knew this little boy was going to need a gift too. After all he has been the "baby" for four years and I remember well what it felt like to be "dethroned" when my sister was born!

Since I got a large container of wipes I found this cute travel wipes container. Is this cute or what! She is going to be a little Princess.

On the little pink outfit I included with the gifts, the Princess theme continued! I added some cute litle socks with pink on them as well. I put in a medicine dropper and nose bulb, because those things always seem to get lost. My little boy like to play with them, so I couldn't find them to use with his little sister. Amazing I remember things from that long ago...LOL.

No little girl can survive without frilly headbands. Never ever get my daughter started on her hair! She swears I gave her those beautiful hair styles to torture her. At any rate she had some pretty hair things too.

Up on the top of the photo next to the hangers...look at the white box. It is a Christmas ornament. I really love giving Christmas ornaments for new babies or newly wed couples.  I also got this beautiful "Baby's First Christmas - 2010" ornament at the pharmacy, because they also carry the Hallmark collectors' Christmas ornaments. This one is shaped like a baby rattle and made out of porcelin.

In the past I have done baskets or diaper cakes for baby showers, but this time I just put together some things I liked. I put everything in a gift bag with all that wasteful tissue paper in the top to make the gift pretty. Share your neat baby shower gift ideas by leaving a comment on this post.

Blair Cabin

This cute little "pocket park" is located one block off Main Street on Custer in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The Blair Cabin was moved to this location to exhibit a piece Western Oklahoma history. To the left of the log cabin you can see the outhouse complete with moon shapes cut in the sides to look like the authentic bathrooms of yesteryear.

The landscape around the cabin contains heirloom plants and flowers. It is maintained by volunteers who are master gardeners. They added things like the wash tub and cast iron pot to the decor. Inside the cabin is old style furniture.

The side of the building next to the park was painted to add background to the prairie feel of the park. Native grasses were planted between the cabin and the painted wall to complete the illusion of being in the wild.

An old wooden wheel wagon was placed in the grassy area, to give an additional realistic touch to the park's theme. This park is directly in front of the post office so it is a highly visible feature in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Cat Nap

Cats and kids are so much alike. The minute you see them in a pose and want to take a photo they start twisting around and will not do what you want them to do! Lizzie Tu was so pretty laying on "her" bed, and the minute she saw the camera she started stretching and turning over. The bed is in our granddaughter's room, but Lizzie Tu thinks it is her bed. My husband placed the pillows so she had a corner to curl up in on the bed.

I only bothered her for a minute and then she was right back to sleep. Oh, the life of a spoiled cat! Cats and kids look so innocent when they are sleeping, but they are really dreaming up something to do to us when they wake.



Recycle Clock

Do you have one of those inexpensive clocks that has stopped keeping the correct time? Here is an easy craft project to recycle that clock. Pop off the front, remove the hands and the clock parts. Use the plastic front as a template to cut the photo to the correct size. Put the photo in the clock frame and snap the front back on the frame. Instant "unusual" photo frame!

 Used 8 x 10 photo for this clock frame

Squawkfox

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OU Makeover

The other day I was in another town and ran into Wal-Mart to pick up a tablet. On the way to the office supplies section of the store,...oh and this was NOT one of the new Super Center Stores, but bless their hearts they are building one in that town too...I walked by a couple of sale racks with OU stuff. First, my husband and I found t-shirts for $1 and a pair of flip flops with a beach towel wrapped around them for $5. I was excited because our granddaughter likes OU stuff and wears flip flops year-round. Next I turn around and see OU shower curtains for $5, so I put one in the cart. Remember I buy stuff on sale at every possible opportunity. We continued our shopping, finding a few more great buys for things we actually needed.

Lizzie Tu in the bathroom window checking out the new decor.

When we got home that afternoon I took down the frog theme shower curtain we had in the bathroom and hung up the new bright OU shower curtain. I took down the yellow bath towels I had made into curtains with the frog tie backs.  Our house is old and our bathroom is small so adding such a bright shower curtain livened it up a lot. Then I took the beach towel that was with the flip flops and turned it into a curtain for the bathroom.



Callie Ann taking her turn in the bathroom window with the new OU stuff.

First, I cut the beach towel in half lengthwise, then I measured how long I wanted the curtain to be and folded it over and stitched to make a rod pocket. Next I cut the extra length of the towel off just below the pocket on the back side of the towel. I used this part of the beach towel to make the middle part of the curtain, to hang between the other two pieces of the towel. We leave our curtains apart all the time, and just open and close the mini blinds. We have to have the space in the middle for the cats to sit when the window is open. I had never thought of doing OU decor for the bathroom, but I loved the change.

For $7.50 plus tax we now have a BRIGHT OU bathroom. I just need to find some OU rugs for the floor and maybe a couple other accessories.....BOOMER SOONER!!! 



White Cane Day 10/15

When my husband was born he weighed 1 pound 14 ounces. Not believing that he would survive they put him under a high dose of oxygen, that cost him his eye sight. He is legally blind. He only has limited vision 20/200 out of one eye, so he uses a white cane when he is in unfamiliar surroundings. 

Under Oklahoma law, only blind people may carry white canes, or white canes tipped with red, which are universally recognized as mobility aids for people with vision impairments.
Legal blindness occurs when vision is 20/200 or more in the better eye with the best possible correction, or the visual field is restricted to 20 degrees or less.

“Oklahoma law requires drivers to completely stop their vehicles 15 feet away from pedestrians who are visually impaired and identified by their use of white canes with red tips or dog guides," Rep. Pittman explained. “People who violate this law are guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three months or $100 fine or both.”

In 2002, the Oklahoma legislature lengthened the stopping distance from three to the 15 feet currently required by state law. The same law protects people who are deaf or hard of hearing using signal dogs identified by bright orange collars and those with physical disabilities using assistance dogs.

The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence; it is also a symbol of the blind citizens in our society. To honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired Americans and to recognize the white cane's significance in advancing independence, we observe October 15th of each year as “White Cane Safety Day." Today, the white cane works both, as a tool for the blind as well as a symbol, but this has not always been the case.

Throughout history, the cane, staff, and stick have existed as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired. Dating back to biblical times records show that a shepherd's staff was used as a tool for solitary travel. The blind used such tools to alert them to obstacles in their path. For centuries, the "cane" was used merely as a tool for travel and it was not until the twentieth century that the cane, as we know it today, was promoted for use by the blind as a symbol to alert others to the fact that an individual was blind.

This new role for the white cane had its origins in the decades between the two World Wars, beginning in Europe and then spreading to North America. James Biggs of Bristol claimed to have invented the white cane in 1921. After an accident claimed his sight, the artist had to readjust to his environment. Feeling threatened by increased motor vehicle traffic around his home, Biggs decided to paint his walking stick white to make himself more visible to motorists. It was not until ten years later that the white cane established its presence in society. In February, 1931, Guilly d'Herbemont launched a scheme for a national white stick movement for blind people in France. The campaign was reported in British newspapers leading to a similar scheme being sponsored by rotary clubs throughout the United Kingdom. In May 1931 the BBC suggested in its radio broadcasts that blind individuals might be provided with a white stick, which would become universally recognized as a symbol indicating that somebody was blind or visually impaired.

In North America the introduction of the white cane has been attributed to the Lion's Clubs International. In 1930, a Lion's Club member watched as a blind man attempted to make his way across a busy street using a black cane. With the realization that the black cane was barely visible to motorists, the Lion's Club decided to paint the cane white to increase its visibility to oncoming motorists. In 1931, the Lion's Club International began a national program promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, blind persons had walked with their canes held diagonally in a fixed position, and the role of the white cane took on a symbolic role as an identifier.

But when the blind veterans of World War II returned to America, the form and the use of the white cane was further altered in an attempt to help return veterans to participatory lifestyles at home. Doctor Richard Hoover developed the "long cane" or "Hoover" method of cane travel. These white canes are designed to be used as mobility devices and returned the cane to its original role as a tool for mobility, but maintained the symbolic role as an identifier of blind independence. During this period, the white cane began to make its way into government policy as a symbol for the blind.
 

The first special White Cane Ordinance was passed in December 1930 in Peoria, Illinois. It granted blind pedestrians protections and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. In 1935, Michigan began promoting the white cane as a visible symbol for the blind. On February 25, 1936, an ordinance was passed by the City of Detroit recognizing the white cane. To promote the new ordinance, a demonstration was held at City Hall where the blind and visually impaired people were presented with white canes. The following year, Donald Schuur wrote the provision of a bill and had it proposed in the Michigan State Legislature. The proposal gave the carrier of the White Cane protection while traveling on the streets of Michigan. Governor Frank Murphy signed the bill into law in March, 1937.

During the early 1960's, several state organizations and rehabilitation agencies serving the blind and visually impaired citizens of the United States urged Congress to proclaim October 15th of each year to be White Cane Safety Day in all fifty states. This event marked a climatic moment in the long campaign of the organized blind movement to gain state as well as national recognition for the white cane. On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress, HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of The United States of America to proclaim October 15th of each year as "White Cane Safety Day." The resolution read, "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that the President is hereby authorized to issue annually a proclamation designating October 15th as White Cane Safety Day and calling upon the people of the United States of America to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and activities." Within hours of passage of the congressional resolution, President Lyndon B. Johnson went down in history as the first to proclaim October 15th as White Cane Safety Day.

The Presidential proclamation emphasized the significance of the use of the white cane as both a tool and as a visible symbol. In the first White Cane Proclamation President Johnson commended blind people for the growing spirit of independence and the increased determination to be self-reliant and dignified. He said in part: "A white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person's ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and opportunity for mobility of the blind on our streets and highways."

During most years since 1964, the President has proclaimed October 15th as White Cane Safety Day. On October 15, 2000, President Bill Clinton again reminded us of the history of the white cane as a tool, and its purpose as a symbol of blindness: "With proper training, people using the white cane can enjoy greater mobility and safety by determining the location of curbs, steps, uneven pavement, and other physical obstacles in their path. The white cane has given them the freedom to travel independently to their schools and workplaces and to participate more fully in the life of their communities. It reminds us that the only barriers against people with disabilities are discriminatory attitudes and practices that our society has too often placed in their way. As we observe White Cane Safety Day, 2010, let us recall the history of the white cane, its emergence as a tool and a symbol through history; a staff of independence. Let us also recall the events that have permitted us to celebrate October 15th as White Cane Safety Day.

History of White Cane Safety Day by Philip Strong was obtained on the American Council of the Blind web site.

Birthday Centerpiece

Today October 13 is the birthday of an awesome man Ray Jefferson. Ray was my boss for many years. I went to work for him when I was 21 years old and he was there through the birth of my daughter, my divorce, crazy life, my remarriage, my divorce, crazy life and  my final marriage. I know there were times when I disappointed him and for that I am sorry. No matter what I was going through he stood beside me. He was like a second dad to me. Today I am thinking about how lucky I was to have him in my life. That is why I want to share a birthday centerpiece blog today.

This birthday party centerpiece is a little over two feet tall and makes the tables look very festive. This is especially good if you have a huge room to decorate. First thing is to determine how many centerpieces you might need. Purchase that many birthday sacks. The sacks do not all have to be alike. Next purchase foam board. It is poster board on each side with foam in the middle. I used foam board to make the number sturdy. You can make a pattern of any number for the birthday year you are celebrating. I made one cut out and then used it for a pattern to cut the rest.

Since foam board was difficult for me to get the edges smooth, my husband and I took a bright lime green ribbon and "stitched" the edges. We were doing it to cover up the not so perfect edges, and then decided it was a great idea, because it added so much to the 75. Next I took several bright colored sharpie markers and wrote happy birthday all over both sides of the foam board number.

When we were ready to assembly the centerpieces we put crumpled newspaper in the sack to make it full enough to stand up. We stuck a wooden skewer up in the bottom of the 75 and then put the skewer down in the newpaper. We used bright colored Easter grass, purchased at the end of the season sale, to cover up the newpaper and make the centerpiece brighter. 

Making the number of the birthday year you are celebrating is time consuming, so make them plenty ahead of time! And then fold everything up and save it until the next person turns that age. We used these centerpieces at three different parties for three different families so it was great! Again, my daughter said what are you going to keep those for...again, I reused them! LOL

SWOSU

Southwestern Oklahoma State University will celebrate homecoming this week. Daylong activities will be held on Saturday, with a parade down Main street and end with the Bulldogs football game. Western Oklahoma is proud to have SWOSU, one of the leading pharmacy schools in the nation. SWOSU also produces some of Oklahoma's outstanding teachers, nurses and other professionals with SWOSU degrees. Students come to Western Oklahoma from all around the world to study at SWOSU.

2010 marked the 100th year for the Old Science Building on the university campus. The oldest building remaining on the campus, has also been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Science Building, located on top of the "hill", has Grecian style columns that distinguish the three story structure. It is also a safe haven for the community, when the tornado sirens are sounded, people gather in the basement.

The clock tower is a more recent addition to the campus. The university officials decided to build it on the street between the Student Union and the Al Harris Library. In order to do this, they had to take out several parking spaces on both sides of the street. I still do not think the clock tower was more important than parking, but here is a photo of the finished project. 

This is one of the blocks below the clock tower area. My husband and daughter both proudly graduated from SWOSU and their block is on the Al Harris Library (west) side of the tower.

This bronze statute is of Duke the SWOSU mascot. For as long as anyone I know can remember the SWOSU mascot was Brandy the Bulldog. Now Brandy has turned into Duke. So, I guess SWOSU has a transgender mascot?

This is my favorite building on the SWOSU campus. My husband told me it use to be a chapel. But, I just think it is neat with the wood shingle roof and rock exterior. It just looks so neat being surrounded by all the more modern structures on the SWOSU campus.

Breakfast at Supper Time

Since my husband and I both work and do not take time in the morning to fix breakfast. We often have breakfast foods for supper. One of our favorite is a Cook's ham steak browned on both sides in a skillet. This brings out the wonderful flavor of the ham in the photo below.

He will take red potatoes, cut them in fairly large chunks, and cooks them with big slices of onion. He uses as little cooking oil as possible during the cooking process to make them tender. He does not take off all the potato skins because it adds to the taste of the potatoes.

Next he puts the eggs on his griddle.

He likes his eggs with a more "runny" yoke and I prefer a yoke that is a bit more firm. Again he uses a little oil on the grill as possible just to keep the eggs from sticking. He has found that if he puts the cooking oil in a squirt bottle he does not pour out as much oil.

The eggs do not always turn out perfect which makes him crazy.

On the other end of the grill he places buttered bread and toasts it on both sides while the eggs are cooking. Ham, fried potatoes, onions, eggs and toast make the perfect supper. We might also have sausage, biscuits and gravy or bacon, eggs and toast.

What is your non traditional supper favorites? Leave a comment at the end of this post.

Signs of Fall

SIGNS OF FALL

The magical signs of fall are beginning to show,

Familiar seasonal sights and smells we all know.

Leaves start turning yellow, orange and brown,

Turning loose then gently floating to the ground.

Bales of straw and hay being displayed everywhere,

Corn stalks leaning up to decorate here and there.

The scorching heat of summer is slowly going away,

Autumn is a welcome relief, with each cool crisp day.

Pumpkins lined up in rows like an annual audition,

Waiting to be taken and carved in the fall tradition.

Scarecrows in overalls and straw hats with funny faces,

Propped up in yards or sitting in all kinds of places.

Youngsters talking excitedly about costume wear,

School carnivals, parties and bags of candy to share.

Weekend football games watching the favorite team,

Cheering the touchdown score, fans jump up and scream.

Pots of mums in purple, orange, yellow and white,

Sit on walkways, steps and porches such a pretty site.

Look around and see fall is such a beautiful season,

Cooler temperatures being the number one reason!

poem by BKW-2010

These awesome fall displays were at the local grocery store.



Date Night

My husband just knows when I need to have my "fix"...when I am just generally out of sorts and NEED to eat Chinese food. Chinese food is my "drug of choice" to cure what ever is wrong. Chinese food cures the common cold, clears sinus, soothes an upset tummy, calms down nerves, and is a medicinal fix for lots of other ailments! (Disclaimer - check with your doctor before trying any of these "cures," but they work for me!) Caution: Chinese food will raise your blood sugar levels...but it is worth it in moderation. So, last night my husband took me on a DATE NIGHT!



We went to our favorite Chinese food buffet. My husband was smart enough to change from his work clothes to his "buffet pants," you know the kind with the elastic waist! This is a photo of my plate. I try to get a bite or two of everything I love!!! OMG it was extra good last night.

Most people like egg rolls, but I prefer spring rolls. I took these off my plate and put them to the side so I could take this photo of just the spring rolls. They are so light and crisp on the outside and the filling is awesome!

This egg drop soup is the TRUE MEDICINAL CHINESE FOOD! I should have taken a photo before I put soy sauce in it, but this is what it looks like with the soy sauce. Anytime I have a cold, sore throat or any other ailment I can run by and grab an order of egg drop soup to go! When my daughter has had surgery, that required her to have only soft foods, we ran by the Chinese Food place in her area and picked up egg drop soup. It is a good source of protein when you do not feel like eating other things. Remember egg drop soup this winter when the cold season is attacking you!