We'll be gone on Saturday...

We're heading up near Round Top, Texas on Saturday. It's time once again for the Round Top Antique Show, but I don't go to that one. I prefer to traipse through the free ones held in the surrounding area in empty cow pastures. Lots of good junk. Way too much to see in one day. I would have gone up for a day earlier this week, but my eyes no longer cooperate and I just can't drive on the freeways in the dark anymore. In order to have a full day I'd have to either leave in the dark or come home in the dark. So, my husband will drive tomorrow while it's dark and I'll take over when it's light enough for me to see (that way they'll be no arguments about where to stop...I'll be making the decisions). :)

We usually take I-10 out of Houston and get off at Sealy so we can stop at the bakery in Bellville, Texas. The only bakeries we have near us here are in the grocery stores, so stopping in Bellville is a must for us. Besides, by Bellville we need a pit stop. Then we head towards Shelby and make a couple of stops there and then over to SH 237. I've got all my favorite stops marked on the map.

I try and go dehydrated since I hate those Port-a-Potties. If we're lucky we'll find a place for lunch that has restrooms...primitive as they may be.

Anyway, for me it's always a fun trip down memory lane even if I don't buy much. And I'll probably be very selective since I've been on a mission lately to declutter this house. Wish me luck!

Pictures to follow in the next few days.

SEE WHY I WORRY?

Do you think I should worry? Yesterday, I read my E-mail and then tried to shut down AOL by pointing the TV remote control at the monitor and clicking. After three or four clicks I regained my sanity and put down the remote. I went back to doing it the old fashion way with the mouse. I hope someone will leave a comment saying they do this all the time.





I've been busy the last couple of weeks. My Dad's brother, sister, and nephew came for a visit. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well while they were here and had to stay away most of the time so no one else would get sick. My Dad lives nearby in assisted living with round the clock aides. Unfortunately, his Alzheimer's is getting worse and at times he doesn't know us. It's very sad and depressing. My Dad was a very smart man who loved politics and the Chicago White Sox. I showed him a picture of the President wearing a Chicago White Sox cap. A year or so ago he would have been thrilled beyond belief. Now I get no reaction. I miss the conversations we used to have, but speaking is very difficult for him now.





Here's a picture taken last week.

My dad is seated at the table and his brother is next to him. In the second row is Cindy (my cousin's friend), my dad's sister and me. My cousin is in the back. My Dad is 90, his brother is 87 and his sister is 84. My Dad is actually smiling in this picture. He used to smile all the time, but now he usually has a blank look on his face. It's good to see him smiling.

HAPPY SPRING!

I thought I'd share this picture with you today. I took it a couple of weeks ago on one of my walks around town. It kind of says, "Happy Spring!"

OH DEAR...

Oh dear, I feel bad that I didn't visit but a few blogs last Saturday on Pink Saturday. I do enjoy the opportunity to see all the pretty pink things and visit some new blogs, but I haven't felt well since the weekend. I'll have to skip Pink Saturday this week, but I'll be back next week.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER PINK SATURDAY!

Gosh...it's been a busy week. My Dad's brother and sister came in on Wednesday to visit. Dad is 90 and has Alzheimer's, but his face lit up when he saw them. They're 84 and 87, so it's really nice that the three siblings can get together.

I had to quickly come up with something for this week's Pink Saturday and decided to share this little bear with you that I bought at Tuesday Morning a month or so ago. I thought she was sweet in her pink hat and glasses and I liked what was written on the pink heart she was holding. I just had to buy her and bring her home.

And then as I was looking around the house for something else to share I spotted this gourd. I used to weave baskets and during a basket swap I was given this gourd. The top of the gourd is decorated with some cording that is sewn on. Yes, I know it's not a basket, but some basket weavers also enjoying decorating gourds. I was thrilled to receive it since I didn't work with gourds myself. She painted magnolias on the sides and they have a pink tint. I wish I could remember the lady's name, but I've long since forgotten. I wish I could tell her how much I've enjoyed her work over the years.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Pink Saturday!

A PINK RECIPE FOR PINK SATURDAY

I thought I'd post a pink recipe for today's Pink Saturday.

While living in Virginia Beach, Virginia in the 1970's my friend, Elaine Monn gave me this recipe for Congealed Salad. I've always used raspberry Jello and my family has always called this Pink Salad. We love this stuff! When my kids were little I omitted the nuts because they didn't care for them, but now I use chopped pecans all the time. I also use sugar free Jello and fat free Cool Whip.

I've been watching too many cooking shows on TV lately and garnished the Pink Salad with strawberries and blueberries for the picture. (My family won't recognize it.)

It's actually much pinker than it appears in this photo. I used my trusty old Tupperware mold that I've had since the 1970's. This makes quite a bit, so the overflow is in a small bowl.

Congealed Salad (Our family calls it Pink Salad)

1 small can crushed pineapple
1 6 oz. Jello (any flavor…I like raspberry)
1 12 oz. Carton Cool Whip
2 c. buttermilk
½ - 1 cup chopped nuts

Combine undrained pineapple and Jello in small saucepan. Heat until Jello dissolves. Mix Cool Whip and buttermilk; add nuts. Stir in gelatin mixture, mixing thoroughly. Put in mold or long rectangular pan. Let set for 4 hours. (I do it overnight.) I find it helpful to spray the mold lightly with Pam…it comes out of the mold a lot easier. Serves: 12.

I always use a wire whip for mixing the ingredients together.

I hope you'll enjoy Pink Salad as much as we do!

If you'd like more information on Beverly's Pink Saturday just head over to her blog to see a list of this week's participants and information on joining in the fun. Just click on the Pink Saturday logo on my sidebar. Thank you Beverly for organizing this event each week.

Have a Happy Pink Saturday!

IT'S TIME

It's hard to believe, but my friend Annette has been gone six years today. I first met Annette in 1991 when I began walking at the mall early in the morning. She was also a new walker and we quickly became friends. We joined in with a group of other mall walkers that met daily in the food court for coffee and conversation after walking.

Another one of the walkers we met was Jean. Annette and I lived in the same town and Jean lived close by in the next town. Jean mostly walked outside, but about once or twice a week she'd come to the mall. I would occasionally walk outside in the afternoon at a local park with Jean. Soon Annette, Jean, and I started meeting for coffee or frozen yogurt about one afternoon a week. We'd have a good time solving all the world's problems and exchanging stories about our husbands and kids.

Sadly, in a really bizarre coincidence my two friends were both diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as ALS) within a few weeks of each other. Both had started exhibiting problems with walking and muscle weakness. I think most people probably go their entire lives and never know anyone with this horrible disease. It is relatively rare and there is no treatment or cure. In fact, they still don't even know what causes it. A diagnosis of ALS is a death sentence.

ALS is a cruel disease. Muscles become weaker and walking becomes extremely difficult. Eventually a wheel chair becomes a necessity. Swallowing becomes difficult and after a while eating is almost impossible. Drooling is a problem too. Many lose the ability to speak. You wouldn't wish this disease on your worst enemy.

The last time Annette, Jean, and I met for coffee we went to a new Starbucks that had just opened. At that time Annette was using a walker and Jean had a leg brace. I believe that might have been one of the last times Jean drove. I helped them both into the store and then went up and ordered their drinks and brought them to the table. I was the waitress that day since my friends could no longer easily get up.

To this day I have trouble going into that particular Starbucks. I've done it a few times over the years, but I've had trouble every time. I order my drink and then leave as quickly as possible before I make a fool of myself by bursting into tears.

I think it's time I focused on the good times we had together. All the times we shared stories and laughed. I need to focus on all the good years my friends had and not the time after their ALS diagnosis. After all, there were many, many good years.

This week I'm going to pay a visit to that Starbucks. I'm going to remember my friends and smile. It's time.

Annette

Jean

IT'S PINK TIME AGAIN!

Welcome once again to Pink Saturday at my blog.





This week I decided to post a picture of my great aunt, Margaret Morris. Aunt Margaret was a Ziegfeld Girl and performed in many of Florenz Ziegfeld productions. She also did modeling work and that was when this photograph was taken. It was colorized and has some pink tones in addition to the pink bowl that you can see on the left hand side. I have many of Margaret's old photographs and was pleased to be able to share this "pink" one with you.

Family members claimed that Margaret was discovered by Ziegfeld dancing on a street corner in New York City. She performed in numerous Ziegfeld productions from 1910-1920.

Some time back I was surprised to stumble upon a website, Historical Ziegfeld. Since then Jane has set up a photograph album on her site devoted to Margaret. Many of the photographs are from Margaret's personal collection and show other Ziegfeld Girls and the costumes they wore.

For additional photographs and information on the Ziegfeld Follies I would recommend Jazz Age Beauties, The Lost Collection of Ziegfeld Photographer Alfred Cheney Johnson by Robert Hudovernik. Be warned that there is some nudity in this book. Below is a small sampling from the book (no nudity):

Another book I'd recommend is The Ziegfeld Touch by Richard and Paulette Ziegfeld.

Thank you for letting me share a little bit of Aunt Margaret's life with you today. For information on how you can participate in Pink Saturday head over to Beverly's blog by clicking on the Pink Saturday icon located on my side bar. Thank you Beverly for all your hard work organizing this event every week.

Happy Pink Saturday!

IS IT JUST ME?

Is it just me or do the rest of you have trouble opening packages too? I'm sure you know the kind. Your purchase comes in that hard, clear plastic that you have to stab, cut, smash, etc. in order to open. Then you get it open and the item is secured to cardboard with a million twist ties. It can take forever and I just don't have that kind of patience anymore.

I saw this thing at Target a while back and thought it might be the answer to my prayers.

It's called a Zibra Open It! It helps a little, but only a little. It still takes considerable time and I still end up with broken finger nails. Why do they have to package stuff like that?

I probably shouldn't be complaining since my husband works for a plastics company. It's kind of like biting the hand that feeds us, but I just get so frustrated. Do the manufacturers ever have to open their own product? Isn't that kind of packaging labor intensive for them? Doesn't it add quite a bit to the cost of the product?

And don't get me going on the child proof caps on cleaning products. I've started calling the manufacturers on their toll free numbers when I can't get the product open. I think I should be able to request a regular cap since I don't have children or grandchildren. You can do it at the pharmacy. Don't get me wrong, I think child proof caps are a great idea if there are children around, but there probably hasn't been a child in this house for a couple of years. Anyway, they tell me you can't get a regular cap because of Federal law. So, I have to wait for my husband to get home and open it for me. That's not very convenient. Then I end up putting it in the cabinet with the cap loosely on top. I don't think that's very safe, but the product is useless to me if I can't open it when I need it.

The manufacturers always pay me lip service. "We'll pass your suggestions on to the people that design the caps." Yea...sure. I've even asked if I could speak directly to the cap designers, but of course I can't. I'd like to tell them that I'm an able bodied person, but just not strong enough to turn their stupid cap. I don't have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I hate to think how difficult it must be for someone with a disability. The customer service people are always very polite and then at the end of the conversation they ask for my name and address so they can send me free coupons. It's like they never heard a word I said. Why would I want coupons for something that I can't even get open?

Thanks for letting me vent. :)

BUTTONS? CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

OK...I'm fascinated with this picture. Those aren't real buttons...it's candy! Amanda at Fresh Vintage showed them on her blog. They're made with button molds and candy melts. She's having a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Bake It Pretty...the company that sells the molds. The drawing is on Sunday at 8:00 PM. So, head over to her blog and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. If you post the information about the drawing on your blog you get entered a second time. (See...I'll be entered twice now.) :)

WELCOME TO PINK SATURDAY AT MY BLOG!

EEEH-AH-KEY!

Do you remember? If so, you must be old enough to have watched Lassie during the 1950's. Whenever Porky would ride his bike into the barnyard he'd announce his presense by shouting, "EEEH-AH-KEY!" As I recall, Timmy would shout it back.

So, here's my EEEH-AH-KEY to you!

And I even chewed some bubble gum so I could blow a pink bubble just for you.

This week I was trying to dream up something for Pink Saturday and couldn't think of a thing. Then I remembered my pink bike. I've had it for a few years and enjoy riding it around the neighborhood. It just never occured to me to use it for this before. So, I put on my pink "Jersey Girl" shirt (I was born in Hackensack) and my pink and black leopard socks and convinced my son to take a couple of pictures.

And here for your viewing enjoyment is a clip from Lassie with Timmy and Porky...and of course, Lassie.

Thank you Beverly for organizing and running Pink Saturday. For information on how to join in the fun just click on the Pink Saturday logo on my sidebar. Thanks for visiting and have a Happy Pink Saturday!

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI FROM SANDI

The other day Sandi from Wayside Treasures posted a recipe she found for White Chicken Chili. It sounded like something I'd enjoy, so I made it the other night. I was forced to make a change when I discovered I only had half a cup of sour cream instead of a whole cup. I momentarily panicked and then forged ahead. I also substituted fat free half and half for the heavy cream which is what I usually do in most recipes. And since we have iron stomachs I used Ortega Fire Roasted hot chilies. I couldn't find the beans Sandi used so I used Bush's Cannellini Beans. It was very good and I've been enjoying leftovers for lunch the last couple of days.

I served it with cornbread (and I threw a can of chopped chilies into the cornbread mix too), and a salad. I also sprinkled some shredded cheese on top. Head over to Wayside Treasures for the recipe.

Thanks, Sandi.

JALAPENO CHICKEN

This is a super easy recipe and nice and spicy. In Texas we like our food with a bit of a bite. The recipe calls for jalapeno jelly and I used a red version. There's also green jalapeno jelly, but I prefer the red...more for the color than the taste. I found this recipe in a low fat cook book. It can be thrown together in minutes and is great when you're in a hurry. However, if you don't like spicy food you'd better skip this one.


JALAPENO CHICKEN

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ t. Molly McButter
1 8-10 oz. jar jalapeno jelly
1/3 c. chicken broth
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
4 cups cooked rice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken breasts in an 8 inch baking dish sprayed with Pam.

In a medium bowl, combine and stir together jalapeno jelly, chicken broth, onion soup mix and Molly McButter. Pour over chicken and bake for 45 minutes. Serve over rice. 4 servings

A HAPPY "PINK" VALENTINE'S DAY

Welcome to another Pink Saturday at my blog. If you would like to participate in Beverly's Pink Saturday just click on the Pink Saturday logo below or on my sidebar. Thanks Beverly for all you do.

Last week another person showed a picture of a quilt she'd been wanting to make for many years. Now I can't recall who it was, but for me seeing that quilt was a light bulb moment. I knew what I would show for Pink Saturday this week.

When I was pregnant with our second son in 1970 my friend taught me how to crochet squares for a baby afghan. I sat for hours making little pink and blue squares. Back then no one knew beforehand what they were having, so I made my squares in both colors so the afghan could be used for a boy or a girl. The predominant color was pink. Needless to say, I never finished. Throughout the years the unfinished afghan moved with us numerous times. It always had a place of honor on the top shelf of my closet. I had good intentions and always intended to finish. I thought I might get it done for the birth of our third son in 1976. Then I thought I might finish it someday if I ever had grandchildren (which I don't). Many years (39 to be exact) have gone by and now I don't even remember how to finish it!

And of course, little Zoom had to check things out. She was a big help while I was taking pictures.
Oops! If I ever get around to finishing it I wouldn't want to be missing a square. :)

I bought all the yarn while we were living in Sicily. That means my unfinished afghan has traveled from Sicily to NJ, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, back to Oklahoma, and finally back to Texas. If nothing else, it's well traveled.

And since it's also Valentine's Day my Chatty Cathy's had to get into the act. Here are two of them all dressed up in pink for this special day. The one on the left is wearing an adorable pink Valentine's Day sweater under her jacket. You can see the hearts peeking out. I recently won the sweater in a contest that Loretta at House of Houben ran on her blog. The one on the right is wearing a pretty Valentine's Day dress that Loretta made a few years ago. Loretta has been sick all week, so I hope she sees this and it helps to cheer her up.

Have a wonderful Pink Saturday/Valentine's Day! See you next week.

VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I thought I'd put up a picture of one of my Chatty Cathy dolls dressed for the occasion. I made this dress a few years ago. I don't have a lot of time to sew anymore and for me sewing is a chore anyway...not something that I really enjoy. Actually, I enjoy it when I finally get it done. It's just the long, drawn out process of getting something completed that I hate. :) I think my downfall is that I'm too much of a perfectionist. I'll rip out the same seam over and over again. Poor Chatty had to wait a while for this dress.

And here she is without the apron.

I thought I'd share this picture again. I normally enjoy setting up scenes with my dolls, but this past year has been hectic due to my Dad's Alzheimer's progressing. I shared this picture last year. It's the class Valentine's Day party and two of the boys have gotten into a fight over who will give GinnyFaith (sitting on the floor) a Valentine's Day card first.

See why I named my blog DayDreamn World? I sit around and daydream about doll scenes. I told you...it's my escape!

I'll be back on Valentine's Day for Pink Saturday. See you then.

CHANGES TO WORD VERIFICATION ON COMMENTS

I've decided to change the way comments are posted. I've found it time consuming on Pink Saturday to visit other blogs and leave comments when I have to type the word verification. Many times I'm unable to decipher the letters and type it wrong and have to repeat the process. So, I've removed the word verification on my blog and will moderate comments instead. I'll try it for a while and see how it goes. Thanks!

WEDDING PHOTO

This is the photo of my parent's wedding on March 27, 1943. William J. Durgin and Carolyn E. Morris were married at Zion Evengelical Lutheran Church in Westwood, NJ. Unfortunately, none of the photos from their wedding turned out very well that day. I recall my mother saying that the photographer had problems with the camera. They're all very light and lack clarity. I tried to darken this one a little, but it's still difficult to see detail in my mother's gown. This is the gown that I recently found and photographed for my previous post. I appreciate all suggestions as to what I might do with this gown. Please take a look at yesterday's photos. Thanks so much for your help.

WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO...

I've been fooling around with my blog and doing a little tweaking. Did you notice? This is an experiment and could very well be temporary. I can never make up my mind.

I need help. When I was getting my Dad's house ready for the estate sale a couple of years ago I found my mother's wedding gown hidden away in the attic. My sister and I never knew that it was there and were quite surprised to come across it. It appears to be in good condition for something that's now 66 years old. It's dirty along the bottom and discolored from age, but all things considered it isn't too bad. I can't find any holes or rips.

And here's the headpiece. The veil does have lots of holes and I didn't bother to photograph it.

I should have scanned the wedding picture. I'll try and remember to do that tomorrow and add it to my blog.

If anyone has a suggestion as to what I should do with the gown please let me know. I didn't want to throw it away or leave it in the estate sale. I'm a sentimental old fool...remember? I know I could have it preserved in a box, but that would probably be expensive and I'm not sure the old fibers would survive a cleaning. So, I'm open to suggestions. Is there a way I could discretely display it? I wouldn't want it hanging in the living room. I'm hoping some creative person will come forward with a suggestion.

WELCOME TO PINK SATURDAY AT MY PLACE

Welcome once again to PINK SATURDAY. To find out how to join in the fun click on the PINK SATURDAY logo which will take you to Beverly's blog for all the information and a list of this week's participants.

I bought this bag at a craft show this past fall. Although the bag is lime green it's accented with giant pink rick rack and the wording is all in pink. It's good advice and something I try and remember to do each day.

And I also wanted to share with you one of my Chatty Cathy dolls. I bought her pink cowgirl outfit from a lady on eBay and thought it was perfect for a Texas Chatty. She's standing near some of my dark pink impatience which survived the winter since we didn't have a frost.

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

FAVORITE THINGS FRIDAY

Welcome to my weekly (I hope) Favorite Things Friday.

These two little pottery containers sit on the bookshelf in the den. One contains cat whiskers and the other one contains our kids' baby teeth (every last one). We've managed to keep those baby teeth all these years, and I'm still adding to the cat whisker container whenever I come across one. I bought these at a craft show around 15 years ago and they quickly become favorites of mine. Just call me a sentimental old fool.

And today I have good news for those of you living with cold and snow. Today I spotted the first robins of spring while walking in the park. They have begun their migration north. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera so I took a picture with my cell phone. You're going to have to take my word for it...the two little dark things in the middle of this picture are robins.

I'm always excited when I spot my first robin each year. Please bare in mind that I'm not a bird expert, but I can tell you that we only see robins during their migration in the spring and fall. I don't know where they go for the winter, but it must be south of here and I'm thinking maybe Mexico or somewhere in Central or South America. They'll probably be around here for three to four weeks and then they'll be gone. Be watching for them as they travel north because spring can't be far behind. See why I included them in Favorite Things Friday?