Blueberry Pancakes

My husband makes the best pancakes in the world. Before he started making these pancakes I could not eat pancakes without getting terrible heartburn. I have no idea why I can enjoy these, but they are wonderful.

BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

 

2 cups self rising flour

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons sugar

Mix these together then take

3 eggs and beat with mixer for 2 minutes

add to rest of the mixture

frozen blueberries

 amount depends on how many you want on each pancake, but at least 1/2 to 3/4 cup

He uses an electric griddle set at 350 degrees to cook the pancakes. He pours the batter out on the grill until it is between 3 and 4 inches across. Then he puts frozen blueberries on the top of the pancake batter. The blueberries thaw as the pancake cooks and makes them taste like fresh blueberries. Watch the top until the batter starts to bubble and the pancake should be ready to flip over. This should make approximately 20 pancakes.

Once we fill up on pancakes he cools the rest and then lays them on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet in the freezer until they are frozen. He takes the frozen pancakes and puts them in a ziplock freezer bag. Next time someone wants a pancake just take out three or four, put on a microwave safe plate and cook on high for approximately 1 minute 30 seconds, give or take depending on your microwave. They are just as good as fresh pancakes!

Scott MacIntyre

I received this press release in my e-mail the other day, and wanted to share it with you. I am excited for Scott MacIntyre! He has done so well after being on the American Idol show.

 

American Idol Finalist Signs Book Deal with Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scott MacIntyre to Release Autobiography

By Faith, Not By Sight in May 2012

(Nashville, Tenn.) – Thomas Nelson, Inc., is pleased to announce the acquisition of American Idol finalist and accomplished singer/songwriter Scott MacIntyre. MacIntyre has signed a one-book publishing agreement for his literary debut, By Faith, Not By Sight – an autobiography chronicling his journey as a musical prodigy, blind from birth, and the medical miracle that helped save his life in 2007. The book will be in stores May 2012.

Though only 26 years old, MacIntyre has lived a story worth telling. He has achieved more as a blind twenty-something than most do in a lifetime without physical impairments. His tale begins at the age of three when he first played the piano by ear and includes an impressive education, graduating college at age 19 and receiving his master’s in music overseas.

“Scott MacIntyre continues to inspire people all over the world with his remarkable commitment to perseverance in times of adversity and overcoming what many would consider a disability,” says Matt Baugher, Senior Vice President and Publisher at Thomas Nelson. “His appearance on American Idol is just one small part of this amazing young man’s life. I can’t wait for others to experience his character and passion. We’re thrilled to be partnering with him on this important book.”

While MacIntyre’s list of accolades is impressive—honored guest at the White House, played with musicians such as Alice Cooper and Jason Mraz, headlined concerts in the U.S. and abroad—he attributes glory and success to his Christian faith which remains central to his message.

Baugher believes in the life-changing potential of MacIntyre’s written story: “For Scott, his blindness is merely part of who he is and his much broader story will astound, challenge, and most of all inspire.”

Scott MacIntyre is represented by Frank Breeden, Managing Partner of Premiere Authors Literary Agency (Nashville & Washington, DC).

You can learn more about Scott MacIntyre online at www.scottmacintyre.com, and follow him on Twitter @ScottDMacIntyre.

SCOTT MACINTYRE AND MATT BAUGHER ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

                                                                                   ###

Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com

For more information, please contact: Stephanie Newton Publicity Manager tel: (615)902-2320

email: snewton@thomasnelson.com

Gotebo, Oklahoma

Gotebo, Oklahoma is located in Western Oklahoma at the intersections of Highway 54 and Highway 9. It was incorporated in 1904. The main street of Gotebo has a nice little park on Highway 54, but most of the business section is deserted. The building shells that are still standing creak in the wind. One can see what beautiful designs were created to build the town. The brick work is awesome. The school closed in 1990. Gotebo also was home to American Legion Post 190 as noted on one of the downtown buildings.

The top of this building is still beautiful. In my research I saw a photo of the opening of the H.H. Wedel Big Department Store indicating that it opened March 26, 1909. On the building itself you can see the date 1908.

Now this once beautiful main street is a dump for old appliances, and I am sure well guarded by snakes. I only got as close as the windows of the fallen in structures.

On the other side of the street is the current Gotebo City Hall which was referred to as a bank in some of the history. Note the way the building has the entrance on one corner. A lot of older structures I've seen were built with this angle type entrance.

Apparently Gotebo was originally called Harrison in honor of President Benjamin Harrison. It was changed after the railroad named their station after a well respected Kiowa Indian. I think this would be a great town for masonary students to study the way the brick was laid to create such wonderful designs.



Kid's Cereal Craft

Do you need something fun for the kids to do? Here it is...give them a styrofoam cup, chenille stem, cereal and glue. Let them glue the cereal on to the cup in any pattern they like then add the chenille stem for a handle. This can be used to plant seeds and watch them grow or put a tiny plant in the cup to give to someone. It can be used to put party favors in to give at parties or anything you might use a little basket to hold. It would be a good craft for vacation bible school or daycare. Just make sure the kids do not eat the cereal after it has had the glue put on.

Healthy Foods for less than $1.00

The following ten foods are good for you and good for your pocketbook. They make excellent snacks for children and are much better for them than many of the prepackaged snacks.

Apples

Great for: Snacks, green salads, main dish salads, and fruit salads.
What's a serving? 1 large apple.
Price per serving: About $1. Apples sell for about $1.99 per pound, and an extra large crisp apple weighs about 1/2 pound.
Nutrition Info per serving: 117 calories, 5 grams fiber, 17% Daily Value for vitamin C, and 7% Daily Value for potassium.


Bananas
Great for: Snacks and fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, and smoothies.
What's a serving? 1 banana.
Price per serving: About 45 cents. Bananas sell for about $0.89 per pound, and a large banana weighs about 1/2 pound
Nutrition Info per serving: 121 calories, 3.5 grams fiber, 14% Daily Value for potassium (487 mg), 20% Daily Value for vitamin C.


Baby Carrots (in bags)
Great for: Snacks, casseroles, stews, veggie platters, and side dishes.
What's a serving? About 1/2 cup or 2 ounces raw.
Price per serving: 19 cents. A 16-ounce bag costs about $1 on sale and contains about 8 servings (2 ounces each).
Nutrition Info per serving: 27 calories, 2 grams of fiber, 200% Daily Value for vitamin A, and 7% Daily Value for vitamin C.


Canned Beans
Great for: Green salads, casseroles, stews, and chili. Types of beans range from 50% less sodium kidney beans and black beans to white beans and garbanzo beans.
What's a serving? Each can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings.
Price per serving: About 28 cents. You can buy a 15-ounce can for about $1 on sale.
Nutrition Info per serving: About 120 calories (for kidney beans), 7 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, and 6% Daily Value for calcium, and 10% Daily Value for iron.


Canned Tomatoes
Great for: Italian and Mexican recipes, chili, stew, and casseroles. Flavor options range from no-salt-added sliced stewed tomatoes to diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil.
What's a serving? One can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings.
Price per serving: About 28 cents. You can buy a 14.5-ounce can for about $1 on sale (often less for store brands).
Nutrition Info per serving: About 25 calories, 1 gram fiber, 10% Daily Value of vitamin A, and 15% Daily Value of vitamin C.


Oranges (extra large navel oranges)
Great for: Snacks, green salads, and fruit salads.
What's a serving? 1 large or extra large orange.
Price per serving: 40 cents for a large orange and 79 cents for an extra large orange. Oranges sell for around $0.79 per pound, and a large orange is about 1/2 pound, whereas an extra large orange is about 1 pound.
Nutrition Info per serving: (for an 8 ounce orange): 106 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 10% Daily Value for vitamin A, 200% Daily Value vitamin C, 17% Daily Value for folate, 9% Daily Value for calcium, and 12% potassium.


Pears
Great for: Snacks, as an appetizer with cheese, green salads, and fruit salads.
What's a serving? 1 large pear
Price per serving: about 45 cents for a large pear. Pears sell for about $0.90 per pound, and a large pear weighs about 1/2 pound.
Nutrition Info per serving: 133 calories, 7 grams of fiber, 16% Daily Value for vitamin C, and 8% for potassium.


Lentils (dry)
Great for: Soups and stews, cold bean salads, and casseroles.
What's a serving? 2 ounces (dry)
Price per serving: 14 cents. A 16 ounce bag sells for $1.12 (on sale) and contains eight servings.
Nutrition Info per serving: 195 calories, 14 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, 24% Daily Value for Iron, 10% Daily Value for magnesium and potassium.


Pearl Barley (dry)
Great for: Soups and stews, cold salads, and casseroles.
What's a serving? 2 ounces (dry)
Price per serving: About 12 cents. A 16 ounce bag of dry pearl barley sells for about $0.94 and contains about 8 servings.
Nutrition Info per serving: 199 calories, 9 grams fiber, 2.5 grams soluble fiber, 6 grams protein, 8% Daily Value for iron, and 11% Daily Value for magnesium.


Yogurt (plain, low fat, or fat-free)
Great for: Smoothies, yogurt parfait, dips, and dressings.
What's a serving? An 8-ounce or 6-ounce container is usually a serving.
Price per serving: 60 cents. This is usually the price for an 8-ounce container of plain yogurt.
Nutrition Info per serving: (for 8 ounces of fat-free plain yogurt): 130 calories, 13 grams of protein, 45% Daily Value for calcium, plus active cultures such as acidophilus and bifidus.

Do you have any other ideas for easy on the budget and good for you foods. One of my favorite good for you foods is blueberries, but they are not so easy on the pocketbook!

Wire Coat Hanger

If you have been reading my blog, you have learned that strange things pop into my head to write about. One day while sending my brother-in-law an e-mail, requesting some of the hangers he gets with his uniforms...I thought mmmm....who invented the coat hanger? I found out that like so many other things in life the guy who actually did the "work" did not get the credit.

In 1903, Albert J. Parkhouse arrived at the place where he worked, Timberlake Wire and Novelty Company in Jackson, Michigan. The company specialized in making lampshade frames and other wire items. When Albert started to hang his coat on the hooks provided for the workers, they were already full. This inspired Parkhouse to pick up a piece of wire and bend it into two oblong hoops and then twist both ends at the center into a hook. He hung his coat on this newly twisted piece of wire and went to work. The company thought it was a good idea and took out a patent on his hanger. In those days, companies were allowed to take out patents on any of their employees' inventions. The patent was applied for on January 25, 1904. It was granted as assigned to John B. Timberlake. Attorney Charles Patterson who applied for Timberlake's company had put his own name on the line where it ask for the name of inventor! The company made a fortune; Parkhouse never got a penny.

Here's Your Sign

I just love old signs and things that remind me of my childhood.....mmm guess that means I am old! These signs are in Erick, Oklahoma. I watch the television show American Pickers where these two guys drive the countryside looking for old things to buy. They would have loved these old signs, because that is one of the items they get the most excited about finding.

Look around and don't just think of that rusty old sign as being worn out and ready for the dump....instead think of a piece of history that might be worth a lot of money to the right person!

Win a Trip for Two

Better Homes and Gardens is sponsoring a trip for two and inviting you to enter for a chance to win.

"The Help" a #1 New York Times best-seller, has been made into a movie which will be released in theaters nationwide on August 12, 2011.

It is a provocative and inspiring story about what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship. Author of the Novel, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel turned movie filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, "The Help" is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

To celebrate the movie release, BHG  is offering a chance to win a trip for two to the town that inspired it all, The City with Soul, Jackson, Mississippi! Go to   www. BHG.com/thehelp  to enter.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Subject to Official Rules and entry at www.BHG.com/thehelp "The Help" Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m., ET on July 19, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m., ET on September 20, 2011. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, 21 years or older. One entry per person with a valid e-mail address. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Meredith Corporation.

This is a DreamWorks movie, so it should be a good one to enjoy. The movie stars Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron Howard). Don't miss the deadline to enter September 20, 2011.

Condiments...to frige or not to frige?

What do you do with your ketchup?

Its pretty obvious when your tomatoes have turned, but how can you tell if your ketchup's gone bad? Yes, Ms. K it does go bad! Take a tour of the refrigerator to find out just how long your mustard and mayo can stay on the shelf? Read the labels. Some condiments can make you sick if they go bad.

My daughter keeps her ketchup ON TOP of her refrigerator and it makes me crazy. I keep my ketchup IN the refrigerator where it belongs! We have a never ending battle about should it be refrigerated or not...I tell her to read the label. Now I ask where did she get the idea the ketchup can stay out when she was raised in a house where the ketchup was kept in the refrigerator? Where did I go wrong? Then I found the following information, but I still am not going to eat ketchup at her house!

Ketchup:

Unopened: 1 year

Opened: 1 month in the pantry, longer in the fridge.

I e-mailed this to her, and needless to say she probably did not read it. So, where do you keep your ketchup? In the refrigerator or on the shelf? Leave a comment and tell me where and why?

Laughing Lindsay Red Baron Giveaway

Laughing Lindsay is a blog I follow and subscribe to by e-mail. She is giving away a Red Baron Pizza package on her blog. I recommend signing up to follow Laughing Lindsay, because she has a great blog! Note her blog button is on the right side of my blog.

Red Baron Pizza Giveaway

Posted: 20 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT

As a college student, I know how many times we order out for pizza. I mean it’s quick and easy, the perfect combo for a college student’s meal. Plus, it tastes good. However, sometimes it’s not that cheap. Now, with Red Baron pizza, you can get the same satisfaction without having to make a phone call or tip anyone. Haha!

Red Baron and Howie Mandel have teamed-up for the “Real Deal” online video series to fight against delivery pizza that charges too much for pizza

You can view the six video web series for the Red Baron Pizza Real Deal on the Red Baron Youtube site. Here is one of the fun videos with people who appear to be about my age ordering pizza and baking a Red Baron pizza for comparison

I have tried Red Baron pizza and really like it. I like the varieties they provide. I also like that I can have one in the freezer and then just heat it up when I need it. Additionally, I don’t know if you know this about college students or not, but we are awake (and hungry) at odd times of the day. This often means I may have a craving for pizza at 2 am or even 3 am. However, pizza joints are closed then. With a Red Baron pizza in the freezer, I can satisfy my craving without having to leave the comfort of my house/dorm/pajamas. What a wonderful solution!

WIN!
5 readers will win a Red Baron Pizza Night Prize Package (pictured above) consisting of a coupon for a free Red Baron pizza plus:
• Red Baron pizza cutter
• Red Baron plates and napkins
• Red Baron oven mitt and
• Red Baron pizza knife
To enter: Tell me why you would like to win this package from Red Baron.

This entry is mandatory, if you do not do #1, you cannot do the “extra” entries. Comments like “enter me” will not be eligible!

Extra Entries
For each extra entry please post an additional comment!
1. Follow me on Twitter (let me know your handle in a comment).
2. Tell others about this giveaway (Tweet, Digg, Stumble, email, forum, meme, blog it, Google Buzz, etc). You get one extra entry for each thing done.
3. Follow my blog and tell me (or tell me if you already are).
4. Subscribe to my blog’s feed and tell me (or tell me if you already do).
5. Add my blog button to your blog (leave blog link).
6. Comment on a non-giveaway post. (Come back and tell me which one.)

Giveaway ends on August 3rd at 11:59 pm EST.

The winner will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. If I don’t hear back from the winner within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I’ll pick another.

GOOD LUCK!



*Open to US residents only

Black Walnut Cross

This cross is made from a Black Walnut being cut across in quarter inch slices. The holes are where the nut meat was taken out of the shell. Carefully slice off the ends, that will form the cross, to make them flat and then glue together. It is coated with clear varnish to preserve the finish.

As a young child we picked up black walnuts every fall and took them to the sheller to earn spending money. We picked them up in buckets and then dumped them into huge burlap sacks. Depending on the price of walnuts that year and the weight of our bags was the process that determined how much we were paid.

When black walnuts fall from the trees they have a green/brown outer shell that stains your hands and anything else it touches. We also brought some home and dumped them out in the drive way to drive over and remove the outer shell. Then we would pick them up again and crack the nut with a hammer and pick out the nut meats to use in cooking.

My Aunt Beulah makes the best black walnut brittle you ever put in your mouth. People normally think of peanut brittle, but let me tell you the black walnut brittle is by far the best. She and her husband still pick up black walnuts.

Cooperton Bank

What is left of Cooperton is located just north of the intersection of State Highways 19 and 54 in Southwest Oklahoma. You can see the Wichita Mountains to the south of Cooperton and everything else surrounding the town is farm land. There are maybe a dozen houses left in the town area today.

This 1927 bank building was something to see. The round rocks so carefully lined up to make the exterior of the building are amazing. It is covered by a tin roof. Note how the door was put in the corner of the building at an angle.

As you can see I took these photos in the spring when the Iris were just beginning to sprout up in the front of the bank. I would NOT go poking around down there now for fear of snakes in all the brush being allowed to grow. Behind the bank is a shop type building and a house where people are living.

This bank sits about two blocks off the main highway at the intersection of two gravel streets. I was glad we made the long drive down there to see this neat old building. I wonder where they got all those rocks to build it and how many rocks are in the walls. I always have so many questions when I see old buildings like this one.

Postage Stamps for a Cause

When I go to the post office, to buy postage stamps, I always ask to see the notebook with the new stamps. I am tired of the standard postage stamps. On my last trip as I thumbed through the book I found these two postage stamps for a cause that I thought was neat. The first was ANIMAL RESCUE ADOPT A SHELTER PET and they feature animals adoped from shelters. Note that the cat on the right corner looks like our Lizzie Tu.

The next ones I found were GO GREEN reduce our environmental footprint usa. There were only 16 stamps instead of 20 on this page of stamps. Each stamp gives a tip about little things we can do to help our planet.

On the back of the GO GREEN it tells a little about the little things, for example it says "Recycling just one aluminum can reduces waste--and saves enough energy to run a computer for three hours." WOW that is impressive.

Next time you go to the post office ask them to see the new stamps. It always makes me smile when I find cool new stamps to use.

Heat...Serious Danger!

Heat...Serious Danger! The current days and days and days of over 100 degree temperatures is seriously dangerous for everyone. It can kill older people and children in extremely short periods of time. There have been two children found dead in vehicles in the past couple weeks in Oklahoma. Older people will not turn on their air conditioning units for fear of not being able to pay the electric bill and end up dead! The entire western half of Oklahoma is under a burn ban issued by the Governor! Anyone starting a fire accidentally or otherwise faces jail time and fines. All news media continues to warn of the dangers of heat...people need to pay attention!

My daughter, the Special Education Teacher, came out of the school a few days ago and sent me this photo of the temperature showing on her car thermometer. 123 degrees and she said when she first got in it was 127, but went down before she remembered to take a photo for me. She has worked every day for the past week at the school working on scheduling for the upcoming school year. The school did not have the air conditioning on, so it was very hot.

For those who think teachers get the entire summer off, think again! Teachers DO NOT get the entire summer off....they have to attend workshops, continuing education requirements, prepare for the next school year, and many other things during the summer. Also, teachers DO NOT just work from 8am to 4pm! They spend hours and hours preparing lesson plans, grading papers, attending after school meetings, and so many things I would be here all day listing them. It just ticks me off when people say that teachers have easy jobs....OMG OMG....those dip sticks should be tied in a classroom for a day to observe how hard it is to be a teacher. Don't even get me started on how little the  classroom teacher gets paid! OH OH OH I guess HEAT IS SERIOUS DANGER for making people's tempers flare too!

What do you do to keep cool in the heat? Leave a comment and share with the rest of us.

BHG Recipe Contest

All you awesome cooks out there need to check out this recipe contest. Enter your original (never before published) recipe to win $500 in the Better Homes and Gardens Recipe Contest. Winning recipes will be eligible to win the 2012 Grand Prize which is a selection of appliances from Frigidaire worth up to $10,000.

There will be three $500 winners, one for each of the following categories: CREATIVE CORN BREADS, SLOW COOKER BEEF AND MAIN DISH SALADS.

Subject to Official Rules at:      BHG.com/recipe/memberRecipes   No purchase necessary. Open to legal U.S. residents, 18 years or older. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Meridith Corp., Des Moines, IA.

ENTRY: The March 2012 Contest begins 7/01/2011 and ends 8/24/2011. Online: Enter at BHG.com/ptrcontest or submit the entry information in an e-mail to PTR@meredith.com Online and e-mail entries must be received by 11:59 P.M. C.T. on 8/24/2011. By mail, send entries by postal mail to: 0312 Food Dept., Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023. Mail entries must be postmarked on or before 8/24/2011 and received by 8/31/2011.

ENTRY INFORMATION: For each category entered, create your original recipe. Multiple entries are allowed, but each recipe must be submitted as a separate entry and each entry must meet the following requirements:

A recipe may be submitted for any of the monthly categories. Write or type on each entry the category you wish to enter. Each recipe may be submitted for judging in only one category. Multiple entries may be submitted in the same envelope or e-mail.

Recipe entries must be created by entrant and cannot have been previously published, have won another competition or contest, or have been used for advertising or promotional purposes. Entry must: (1) include recipe name and the number of servings that the recipe yields; (2) use ingredients available in most grocery stores; (3) list ingredients with measurements in order of use; (4) include step-by-step preparation and cooking directions; (5) include entrant's name, age, complete address with zip code, and telephone number with an area code; e-mail address is optional.

Do you have a recipe to submit that fits into one of these categories?  Don't miss out the deadline to enter is 8-24-11. Good luck!

Banana Nut Muffins

My husband makes the best BANANA NUT MUFFINS!

(preheat oven to 350 degrees)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 large eggs, beaten

1/3 cup of buttermilk

1 1/2 cups of chopped nuts (pecans)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the shortening and sugar together, sift in dry ingredients, and add the rest of the stuff. Use 12 hole muffin tins with paper liners. Fill each paper liner about 2/3 full and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Recipe yields 24 muffins with a nut in every bite. Or you can make a banana nut loaf using a loaf pan and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

This is my husband showing his finished product. These muffins are good to have in the morning with your coffee or for a bedtime snack with a glass of milk. They are good warm or cold. My husband stores the cold ones in a air tight container.

Spoiled Cats?

Some people think our cats are spoiled. Those same people think our children and grandchildren are spoiled too. I think what is the good of having them if you can't spoil them? I will be honest with you though, my husband is the one who does the most of the spoiling of cats, kids and grandkids!

Our cats are so loving and give us lots of entertainment. When I picked up their feeding dish and put it on the love seat to take a photo they both jumped up there and stuck their heads in one of the dishes like it was going to be their last meal....they are so funny! (sorry bout that sentence Ms.Bixtoria) Lizzie Tu is the gray on the left and Callie Ann is the calico on the right.

My friend Pat got me this ROYAL CAT FEEDING BUFFET for my birthday one year. She knows how spoiled our cats are and how much I would love love love this ROYAL feeding dish. I don't know where she found it, but it is the cats meow! The girls love it as much as I do!

I love the bright colors of this afagahn I found brand new for $5.00 at the local thrift store. So I flipped it up on the love seat to have a colorful background to photograph the ROYAL CAT FEEDING BUFFET. I really need another one, because our cats have four dishes of different kinds of food. I feel they need to have a choice of what they are hungry for on different days.

We have always let our cats "self feed" by leaving bowls of cat food and two bowls of water out for them at all times. I hear people that only feed their cats a couple times a day and then complain about how fat their cat has become. Well I think you have seen enough photos of our cats to see they are not fat. I think it is because they walk by and take a tiny bite or two when they want and do not feel the pressure to gobble up a one time serving of food.

I have the same idea about children and sugar. People talk about how their children get hyper if they have sugar. (OK I am refraining from writing a couple bad words...LOL) The reason their kids get hyper is because they only let them have it once in a while....duh....if the children have it all the time, in small amounts it is not a big deal, and they are use to havng it in their systems. I know, I know get off the soap box..... 

Do you give your pets the royal treatment?

Ringling Road Station - Ardmore, OK

Above the three windows on the top floor of this neat old building, etched in stone it reads - 19 RINGLING ROAD STATION 15 - This New Mexico and Pacific Railroad Depot was built in 1915 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. It is at the corner of Washington and Northeast 3rd Street.

It is now the home of the American Legion George R. Anderson Post 65. My sister-in-law said her mother loved to play bingo at this historical location. It was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1982.

Ninety-six years later it is still a beautiful landmark. Ardmore, Oklahoma has so many great old buildings and things to see that one weekend trip did not allow for all of the sight seeing I wanted to do. These photos were made in the rain which also dampened my photo experience. If you ever get down I-35 south to Ardmore take some time and drive around this beautiful old community.

Just Kidding!

I watched these clouds as I traveled down the interstate on my way home. I finally took the camera out and took their photo. It seems like they are floating along, on their way OVER Western Oklahoma, taunting us with their promise and yelling JUST KIDDING!

I don't know if you read my 5-18-11 post Western Oklahoma Needs Rain....well, here it is in July after weeks and weeks of temperatures over 100 and we still need rain. We are baking here!

As beautiful as these clouds might be, it makes me crazy to know they traveled east seventy more miles, straight down I-40 and dumped three inches of rain in Oklahoma City. 

It is as if they were holding their breath, so not to spill a drop of their moisture. As if they are floating along with their signs of hope and telling us...JUST KIDDING!

Cuckle Burr Craft

Cuckle Burr.........pain in the ____ to farmers!

What is it that we say? Make lemonade when life gives you lemons or one man's trash is another's treasure. This blog might be a good example of these type sayings.

I saw these Cuckle Burr Poodles at my Mother's that I know have to be over 40 years old or more! They are made out of spray painted Cuckle Burrs glued together, felt accessories with glitter, and google craft eyes. They are creative to say the least.

This craft is way too much work for me. I took these various views of the poodles in case you find yourself in the middle of a Cuckle Burr patch, with the desire to turn them into something. These should have been with the Antique Crafts I blogged about 8-14-10! Younger folks do not understand that there were not places like Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's and Michael's to be able to obtain crafting supplies so many years ago. Crafts were created out of people's minds with materials they had on hand.

2 Birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GRANDSONS!!!

Grandsons are wonderful! My friend Pat and I both have Grandsons with the same birthday. My friend Pat and I both think that our Grandsons are the best thing that ever happened. We are always telling each other something that one of our Grandsons said, or did that just delighted us or made us laugh. Before we had grandsons we talked about our children. Seems like our children never did anything quite as great, as these grandchildren...don't get me wrong, our children were the light of our lives and then they really gave us something great! Grandsons!!

Granny and Granny's Love

JW and Lizzie Tu

Nee Nee and her best Buddy

Logan and Dallas

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR GRANDSONS!!

Callie Ann

Callie Ann

Callie Ann loves to sit and look out the door

When she wants her belly rubbed she rolls over on the floor

If stangers come she runs and hides under the bed

She sits and meows when she wants to be fed

Callie Ann enters the room with her tail in the air

Gives a "go away" look if you want her out of your chair

She thinks she's the QUEEN and rules the house

Never ever would think of catching a mouse

Callie Ann leaps to get on the window shelf

Sitting in the sunlight and bathing herself

She bops Lizzie Tu on the head with her paw

Learning from Lizzie Miranda the example she saw

Callie Ann came from a barn to our house in town

She makes us laugh with her tricks like a clown

She knows when it is midnight time to go to sleep

Lights out she checks us then curls up on the sheet

by BKWilliams 2011