Carol's Heirloom Collection: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dining Room Light . . .

Our dining room isn't used very often, but I still like to enjoy the view of that space.

The morning & afternoon light is nice.

afternoon . . .

morning . . .

Last night I lit the candles and turned on the lights.

table centerpiece

hutch

side table & my little rocker

I think it's time to start eating in the dining room more often instead of waiting for special occasions and company.

I'm linking with . . .
Table Top Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesdays
Bunny Hop Party
It's A Party At A Creative Princess
Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Share Your Creations

Monday, January 30, 2012

Everybody's Nuts . . .

Yesterday while shopping at Sam's I was looking for Pistachios.

I didn't want to buy the $15.00 bag so I put it back on the shelf.

A few minutes later I found this . . .

Oh my goodness!

Salt & Pepper Pistachios!

They are so delicious!

tasty

all natural

cholesterol free

trans fat free

low carbs

1/2 cup per serving (without shells)

160 calories

When I searched the web for info about the company I
discovered they also have chili & lime as well as garlic & onion.
Yum!

Here is a link to information on the health benefits of Pistachios.

Yep, Everybody's Nuts . . . including me!

I'm addicted!

I'm linking to . . .
Your Cozy Home Party

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Weekly Words To Live By #86 . . .

This old hymn was first published by John Newton in 1779.

It offers a powerful message of forgiveness & redemption.

Take the time to read each verse & take to heart the meaning of the message.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far

and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

Wishing you a Sunday filled with the assurance of His amazing grace . . .

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Saturday Snapshots . . .

Today I'm sharing some recent pictures of my family.

Ethan likes to have his picture taken.

Say cheese!

He was so silly this day!

What a ham!

Emma & Mommy joined in on the silly fun.

Cute little pig-tails.

Ethan wanted to take some pictures so I let him use the camera.

Daddy acting silly!

Papaw & Mommy

Not bad for a 2 1/2 years old photographer!

Thanks for visiting today!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Pinterest Inspired . . .

My addiction with Pinterest continues!

Raise your hand if you're addicted too!

One of my goals for 2012 is to try new recipes.

Yesterday I made Crock Pot Meatloaf
for our dinner.

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground round

1 c. ketchup, divided

1 1/2 oz. package meat loaf seasoning

3/4 c. fine, dry bread crumbs (store-bought)

2 eggs, large

1 c. (4 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

2 tsp. prepared mustard

1. Combine beef, 1/2 cup ketchup, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; shape mixture in a 5-inch by 7-1/2-inch loaf. Place loaf in a lightly greased 3-quart oval crock pot.

2. Cover. Cook on High for 1 hour. Reduce heat to Low, and cook 3 hours.

3. Remove crock from cooker, and carefully pour grease off meat loaf; return crock to cooker.

4. Stir together remaining 1/2 cup ketchup and the mustard in a small bowl; spread over meat loaf.

5. Cover. Continue to cook on Low for 45 more minutes or until thermometer inserted into meat loaf registers 160 degrees.

6. Remove meat loaf from crock pot, and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

I made a few substitutions and changes to the recipe

using what I had on hand.

Lipton onion soup mix instead of meatloaf seasoning

oatmeal instead of bread crumbs

also added a little flax

Colby & Monterrey Jack instead of cheddar

I made two small loaves instead of one large.

Now for the review . . .

Delicious!

Thanks for the inspiration, Pinterest!

I'm linking with . . .
Flaunt It Friday
Metamorphosis Monday
Your Cozy Home Party
Taste This Thursday

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Snowy Thoughts . . .

I love snow!

My love of the white, cold, fluffy stuff began long ago.

Here I am as a toddler playing in the snow.

I love everything about these pictures.

The little wagon, my snow clothes & the cute snowman standing beside our old Christmas tree.

I love 'snow days'!

You know, the days when school is cancelled.

I don't remember too many 'snow days' from my school years.

One time in high school classes we were out of class because of a big snow. Most of it melted away before the end of the day.

My favorite 'snow day' memories are those from my 30 years of teaching. During the winter of 1979 I think the ground stayed white from January to March. We missed many days in the classroom that year.

Throughout the years I have to admit I was just as excited as the students were when it was announced that school was closed. Of course, the reality of those days having to be made up were pushed aside.

Have you ever heard of Wilson 'Snowflake' Bentley?

Here's my post from Jan. '09 about Wilson.

So far our winter has been mild & warmer than normal.

Only a little snow on Jan. 12th.

I'm still hoping for a beautiful snowstorm!

Only time will tell . . .

I'm linking with . . .
Time Travel Thursday
Free For All Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Fridays Unfolded
Seasonal Sundays

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Soup Review . . .

Good Wednesday morning to you all!

It's cloudy & cool here in NE Oklahoma.

It's a perfect morning for lighting a candle in the kitchen window.

This is my first attempt of a little Valentine decorating

We were blessed with a little rain over night.

It was so nice to fall asleep to the sound of rain.

Now for the review of the baked potato soup I told you about yesterday.

Hubby & I gave it two thumbs up!

Delicious!

I modified the recipe a little . . .

six large potatoes instead of 5 lbs.

4 cans of chicken broth = about 7 1/4 cups

seasoned with 1 tsp. salt & 1 tbs. Mrs. Dash original seasoning

garnished with a little shredded cheese

(I was too lazy to fry up bacon & I didn't have any green onions.)

If you like thick potato soup you may want to add a little flour/water mix to thicken it up.

I was inspired to search for a banana cake recipe on Pinterest because we had some ripe bananas.

Here's the recipe.

I changed the recipe a little.

I bought this bag of flax at Sam's recently because I want to add more fiber to our diet.

1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg

3 tbsp flax = 1 tbsp butter

Instead of dusting the top with powdered sugar I used a little dab of whipped cream.

Hubby liked it.

I thought it was okay, but a little gooey for my taste.

If I make it again I'll use egg & butter to see if that makes a difference in the texture.

If you try either of these recipes I hope you'll let me know what you think.

I'm linking with . . .
Do The Bunny Hop Party
It's A Party At Creative Princess
Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Creations
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Potpourri Friday
Inspiration Friday

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

What's For Dinner Tonight?

The crock pot has been my cooking companion lately .

Last week we dined on pinto beans then, chili.

Tonight's dinner is another crock pot creation.

I found the recipe on Pinterest.

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:

- 5lbs Russet Potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes

- 1 large yellow onion, diced

- 10 cloves of garlic (you can use whole, crushed, or minced)

- 8 cups chicken stock

- 16 oz cream cheese

- 1 TBS seasoned salt or all-purpose seasoning

Garnishes:

- Crumbled bacon

- Shredded cheddar cheese

- Green onions

Directions:

- Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning and chicken stock to slow cooker.

- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.

- Remove and puree the garlic cloves (if you used whole cloves) along with 1/2 to 1/3rd of the soup, and then reintroduce to the remainder in the crock pot.

- Stir in the cream cheese and allow to melt. Stir every 10-15 minutes until soup is well blended.

- Top with your choice of garnishes & serve!

Yields about 10-12 servings.

I'm so anxious to see how this turns out!

I'll let you know tomorrow.

I'm linking with . . .
Wow Us Wednesdays
Do The Bunny Hop Party

Monday, January 23, 2012

Random Monday Memories #23 . . .

I ran across this picture that my son scanned for me back in August.

I think this was taken in May 1985.

(Thanks, Sis Sue, for helping me get the date right.)

Wish I had taken time back then to write on the back of all pictures.

These adorable children are my nephew, Grant, niece, April, my son, Bobby and Ashley (she calls me Aunt Carol & I love it), my brother-in-law's niece. They are sitting on the bench in front of my parents' shoe store in my hometown.

We had all gathered downtown to watch the annual reunion parade.

So long ago & brings back so many memories.

Now we're making new memories with new little ones in our family.

Grant's little 8 month old Iris, April's 4 year old Elsie and Bobby's 2 children (my grandkids), 2 year old Ethan & 10 month old Emma.

April & her husband, Jason are expecting another little girl in May.

They have been trying to decide on a name for the new baby & I suggested several names which included my #1 pick, Madison.

Guess what?

They like it & have decided on the name Madison Elaine.

I'm so excited!

Thanks for letting me share my Mommy, Auntie brag book picture with you!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Weekly Words To Live By #85 . . .

Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27

Wishing you a worry free Sunday . . .