Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I'm back from a trip north to Metropolis, IL to visit my youngest daughter, Sherry and her family.   Metropolis is the official home of Superman and there is the rather large stature in the middle of the city.  Now, nothing against Superman, but once you’ve seen the stature you have seen all Metropolis has to offer. 

 

 

We did spend some time in Paducah, Ky., which is only 7-8 miles from where she lives.  There is a Quilt museum in Paducah and a very large company that fixes locomotives.

Black birds by the hundreds flew constantly, around the area.  I have not seen this in years around where I live.

Here is one of the Black Bird watchers Lucky.

 



Another bird watcher Sake

We had a white Christmas, actually a white day after Christmas 6-8 inches of snow fell on the area.

 

It was a nice visit but I am glad to be home.

 

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day.  Remember to count your blessings, even the small ones and give thanks to God.  Special blessings go out to those who cannot be with family or friends for this day. 

Have a good one ya'll and don't eat too, much!

It beginning to feel a lot like......

This morning was a bit chilly, 38⁰ F outside and 52⁰ F inside.  I don’t turn on the central heating unless we get down in the 20’s.   It was time, however, to think about a cozy fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of tea. 

It may not be cold for some of you but for down here it’s a little frosty.   We don’t get too, many days of real cold so I decided to make the most of it this morning. 

I might just get my Christmas decorations down out the attic and spruced up, just that kind of day.

Here is my first fire of the year.

 

 

If you listen closely, you can hear "Louie", my Cockatiel, whistling in the backround.

 



Have a wonderful day!

Breakfast in a Hurry!!!



Best High Protien 8g Low Fat 4.5g Muffin

Breakfast Microwave Muffin

Ingredients:

Brown Sugar, .25 cup, packed

Quinoa Flour, 0.25 cup

Raisins, 0.25 cup

Old Fashion Oatmeal Raw, 0.25 cup

Egg, fresh, 1 large/ or egg beaters

Butternut Squash Baked, .25 cup

Ginger, ground, .25 tbsp

Baking Soda, .25 tsp

Cream Of Tartar, 0.25 tsp

Nutmeg, ground, .25 tsp

Vanilla Extract, .25 tsp

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together until just combined, do not over mix.  Divide mixture between two large mugs or 2 small one cup glass bowls.  Cook on high in microwave for 2.5 minutes.  Serving Size: Makes two large muffins.   Number of Servings: 2

Add or subtract any ingredients to your taste.

Wednesday was not a good day!!

Heading out from home for a meeting, my friend and I were just a block or so from my house, minding our business driving down the road and this big old nasty dump truck decides to BACK through the STOP sign just as we were crossing that intersection. BOOM!!

He plowed into to us and just kept going, dragging us with him under his truck bed.  He didn't know he had hit us and was still backing up.  I managed to break free from his grip and get further down the street. He finally stopped about 5 feet in back of us.

 Needless to say, we took a mighty slam to the right side.   Both of us were not doing so well.  My friend was dizzy and her neck was hurting.  My chest was killing me and I couldn't breathe well.   My left hand was swelling big and my right knee was somewhere under the dash area hurting bad.   

All sorts of first responders showed up and we were taken to the hospital.   Both of us were x-rayed in multiple areas of our bodies and no breaks, thank God.  We are still very sore but it is getting better each day.   That was too, close for comfort, if we had been a few inches more into the intersection, I shudder to think what would have happened.  

 

Remember to give gratitude for each day our lives are so fragile.

 



 

Be Safe out there and have a great Thanksgiving!!

Re-Construction of this site has been completed. 

No plant, animals or people were injured in this process even though you might not see them any longer in their orginal form, they are alive and well.

The other day, I accidently deleted my blog photos in Picasa, Ugh!!!!

I put back the photos but they might be in videos, now.  It was too, labor intensive to go photo by photo.  Please understand my dilemma and thank you for your patience.

I now have a new word etched in my vocabulary,

BACK-UP, BACK-UP, BACK-UP.

I, of all people, who preach this on a regular basic should have followed my own advice.  Why do we think it will never happen to us?

Here a little something to bright your day.

It worked for me. One day last spring, I was driving through the French Quarter with some friends and we came across this mini, impromptu,  parade with Mardi Gras Indians and all.  We stoped the car in the middle of the street, like everyone else, to join in the fun.  Gosh, I love this city!!  Enjoy.

 

 

Fall has come to the South--at least for this week!!!

I’ve been having a dry spell blogging, just not enough time in the day.  Funny how we get ourselves so busy with this and that, rabbit trails, and such, with the Fall weather coming it seems like the list are endless.  I believe I am making headway, though. 

Grandsons Austin and Addison

The new crispness in the air makes me think about making soup.  I love to make soup and have many favorites and a few I have tampered with to come up with some tasty dishes.  In the next few weeks I will be posting some of these recipes.

The only thing I love buying more than electronic gadgets is buying kitchen gadgets.  Here are a couple items I ran across that looked so handy dandy I couldn’t resist.



My grandson, Emery was deployed to Afghanistan on September 9.  This is so scary; he is only 19 years old!  I have been on a mission to see that he receives packages from home.  With the help of his brothers, sister and cousins we are trying to make sure he gets something from home every week, a hand written letter or a package of goodies.   We have communicated with him through Facebook and text messages and he says he is doing fine.  He is in God’s hands all we can do is pray for him and all those young people who are overseas serving their country and protecting us.

Emery on Right

 

That's all for now.  Thanks for coming. 

 

Sorry for the long delay in posting. It's been a little crazy down here.

Many are still trying to get back to some normalcy after Isaac, but it hasn’t been easy.  A couple of my friends were flooded out and the clean-up is devastatingly hard for seniors trying to go it alone.  A friend and I helped but I can tell you in this heat it is a killer.

One friend in Bush, La has a beautiful view of a river and a raised house.  She was lucky the water did not enter the house only the garages, laundry room and under the house.  About 5 feet of water came and left much, sand, snakes and lots of ruined appliances.  All the things you store in a garage, you can just imagine, had to be thrown out.  She had trees down, but they miss hitting any of the structures.

 

 



Laundry Room water line.

 





 

Magnolia Tree with some of limbs cut off.

Another friend’s house in Lacombe, La. was completely flooded, she is 81 and he is 80.  This job is way too big for them; they need young people who can tackle this job.  (They are not the folks in the article below).

Just for information, neither of these houses flooded in Katrina and that storm was a Category 3, Isaac was only a Category 1, go figure!  I have heard some thoughtless comments made on the news and internet saying, why don’t these people move from these storm areas?  My answer is, why do people live in Tornado Alley, or on a Fault line in California or at the foot of a Volcano, or in Forest Fire areas?   No matter where you live there is going to be weather or some other calamity that could befall you that is out of your control.  Home is home!

 

Here is an excerpt from my friend Mandy off the EFCA Touch Global Blog. She and her family came down from Wisconsin after Katrina and stayed two years. They lived in my house while I was working out of state. She came down alone for Isaac’s clean-up. She and her husband, Jon are missionaries with EFCA Touch Global.

 

Touch Global helped me after Katrina, one day I will tell the story, it was like a miracle. I too was a victim of fraud after Katrina, checking credentials and references were no guarantee of an honest contractor. They were slick in their dealings. A $3500 pill is still hard to swallow. Since, retiring I volunteer with Touch Global doing computer input for them.  Special caring people, a mission started in the aftermath of Katrina and now helping worldwide.

 From the EFCA'S Touch Global Blog by Mandy, it couldn't had been said better:

← CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Touching Lives Eternally…in Slidell

14Sep

 

 

 

Jerry St. Pierre prayed with the family alongside team members

 



Imagine this. The only home you’ve ever known is flooded by Hurricane Katrina. After the tremendous stress, overwhelming cost, and attempt to restore life as it once was you finally decide to hire a licensed contractor to raise your home. The decision seems like a sound one because this is, and always will be, home. The contractor brings out the equipment and prepares to raise your home providing you that sense of security you longed for just in case the unthinkable happens…your home is once more in the path of a storm. Soon after, you realize he is not coming back. After numerous calls you start to panic then you learn that an employee working under the licensed contractor has run with what little finances you had. Such was the story of Diane and Leo. Oh, and by the way, they’re approaching 80 years old.

 

Den and Kitchen

 

Diane and Leo live in Slidell, Louisiana and following damage from Hurricane Katrina and heartbreak from contractor fraud, their home was flooded by Hurricane Isaac. An added difficulty for this elderly couple is that most of their family sustained damage as well.

As a team arrived to assist in the content removal of Diane and Leo’s flooded home, our partner church planter, Jerry St. Pierre prayed with the family alongside team members. Diane and Leo were overwhelmed by the tangible expression of Christ’s love in their lives through TouchGlobal.

At TouchGlobal, this is what makes us excited to go to work each day. Touching one life eternally for the kingdom of God is our goal and the hope that keeps us going. It is the hope and the joy of Christ that flows from our hearts onto those who have never received God’s love. To Diane and Leo, Jesus was present at their home; with your help he will continue to be seen in southern Louisiana and throughout the world.

 

Diane overcome with gratitude

 

There were 12 incredible volunteers last week, and we are so grateful for the lives that were touched through their faith and good works. They were a tangible expression of the gospel, but WE NEED YOUR HELP. There are thousands of families affected by Hurricane Issac and we need volunteers to serve in Louisiana. Are you being called?

• SERVE for a week, a month, or longer! Email tgteams@efca.org WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
• PRAY for the ministry. Pray for finances, strategic partnerships, new staff, and strength for the people of Louisiana during this difficult time
• GIVE to the ministry. Right now we are in need of gift cards for Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart to support the ministry. Also, you can give to the Hurricane Relief Fund by designating account 3969

Touch one life…eternally.

Isaac has left the area!!!!!!!!!!!!

Power back on finally, yesterday!  I have a generator (gas powered) so I was able to crank up the frig and a small TV with a DVD player so the kids could watch movies. 

 

Getting fuel for the generator was a royal pain and lots of waiting in long lines.  Seeing how many of you are on solar power I am going to look into to finding a way to go solar on that generator.  I read something on,  rvsue and her canine crew, about a man in who had a repair truck with generators and he was solar.   Any suggestion would be helpful.

 

Cable back on about an hour ago, now I have TV, Phone and INTERNET!!!!  Yea!!

 

All is well at my house and my daughter’s house in Folsom.  Small branches all over the yard but nothing too big, I will think about cleaning it up next week, need to recuperate from this stress a bit. 

 

Isaac came in Tuesday evening and it stayed until Thursday morning.  Rain, rain and more rain, and the wind relentless, it blew about 30 to 35 mph with gust about 60 to 70mph for all that time. 

We four stayed busy playing board games and cards by candlelight.  Pizza was the food of the day. I am afraid my vegan lifestyle when out the window.  It just was not possible to be particular about food at this time.  I don’t care what you were told, but cookies will calm you down in an emergency.

Did I mention there were 6, yes, six dogs in the house counting my 2.  Every time I let my dogs out the wind would pick up and I would have to walk out in the yard with them before they would go.

Although, the storm has passed this area and I am safe and sound, some areas close by, about 25 miles away are still being threating by floods because of broken and breached locks and dams.  Please keep these folks in your prayers.

Thanks for all the well wishes, it was greatly appreciated.

I’ll close now so I can read the all emails that have stacked up since my internet was out.

Be safe out there.  Blessings to all.

HURRICANE ISAAC!

It's the waiting that gets to you most!!  This photo was taken in Miami yesterday.

 



Still at home watching the weather channel for updates.   Tomorrow morning, will head for my daughter's house north about half hour from me.  She is on 3 high and dry acres with no trees around the house.  I am in a good area no flooding, but I have many trees around my place.  Not a good thing I found out during Katrina, I loss 12 trees.  

 

Looks like this storm will bring more rain than winds but you just never know.

 

Car packed and everything secured at the house inside and out.  Dogs have been following me around all day long. They know something is up. 

 

God protect the people in Isaac's path who do not have the ways and means to run for cover. 

 

Well that about it for now, should be in bed by now but sleep is nowhere to be found!!

 

Peace to all!

 

 



 

Kitchen Failures and Success!

The other day, I decided to try my hand at something Mexican peasants do every day, Corn Tortillas.

It seemed so easy, and I have been looking for bread substitute, the sprouted bread is over $5.00 in the stores.  So, I proceeded to gather the things I would need to make non-fat tortillas, corn flour, water, baking soda and salt.

It went well enough, all the ingredients were mixed in the bowl, plus I threw in a little Amaranth seed, for a bit of added protein.  

I mixed it all together and made one large patty.  Then I divided the patty equally and made small balls.

Placing the ball of dough between waxed paper I rolled to 1/16” thick and put the tortilla on the grill to cook.

This is the end product.  What happened?  They were not pliable, just stiff little cakes. It would never work as a wrap. 



Although, I must say the taste was right on, maybe add a bit Jalapenos and some green onion leave in small balls fry them and call them Hush Puppies or leave them flat and call them Johnny Cakes, or Flat Corn BreadJ

And now for a pause that refreshes:

  Sweet potato, Carrot, Celery, Pineapple, Apple Juice.  Delish!!!!!!!!

Enjoy life, Juice!   Thanks for stopping by.

Cataract surgery over and done and it was a breeze.

The surgery took about 10 minutes and the doctor said it was one of the most flawless surgeries he has ever done.  I arrived at 7:30 AM and left at 9:30 AM. Yea for me!  I am still a bit cocked eyed, since that eye has not returned to pre-dilation status.  The doctor said it would be 50% better today and by the weekend it will be 100%.

This morning I work up and could see across the room.  I am nearsighted and I had a corrective lens (for distance seeing) put in that eye.  Seeing close and reading without my glasses has never been a problem for me.  The doctor told me to try and not wear my glasses so my brain can get use to one eye for distance and one eye for close up vision.  It is a bit of a challenge since the surgery eye is not at 100%, yet.  Eventually, I will need the surgery in the right eye.

For anyone who is contemplating this surgery, let me say it was painless before , during and after.  I am so happy I did this the results so far, are awesome.

Did you ever play tourist in your own town?

Most of us take the cities we live in for granted.  The other day I decided to ride around and see what my little community had to offer.  I thought you might like to see what I discovered.

 

Live Oak 100 years +

Low branches make for childhood fun

Fern growing with the Spanish Moss
 



Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss grows on the North side of trees.







I love when city planners respect the Live Oaks.



 

 

When I drive down this street my mind drifts back to the past.  I begin to wonder how it would have been to have grown-up here, say, 70, 80, 100 years ago.  It must have been wonderful to play in these yards and climb these trees. 

 

You can almost see Opie coming down the road.

The porches are a part of Southern living and who could do without a swing.  On hot nights families would sit out and enjoy the lake or river breezes.  I grew-up and lived most of my adult life in New Orleans but we still did porch sitting.  Parents would sit and talk and children would play until it was cool enough to go to bed.  Seems like back then it was not as hot but I am sure, as a child, that was not an issue for us.

 

 

Can’t you see kids running with the dog, tossing a ball back and forth in this yard while mom and dad sit back sipping sweet tea?  My Great Aunt Agnes would have a glass of Gallo, red wine every evening on the porch.  She lived to her middle nineties, just saying....  

Not my house growing-up but close enough for you to get the idea of the banquettes in front of the houses.  We lived on a wide boulevard in a district called Mid-City, in New Orleans.

For us city dwellers, with not much front yard but plenty of cement banquettes, (sidewalks) for skating, and playing hopscotch, we also, played freeze or statue.  Do you remember that game?  You run around like crazy and when the “IT” person yells, freeze !, you do, no matter what position you’re in at the time.  If you move you are out. 

 

So inviting!

 

Love the white picket fencing.

Most of these houses are well over 100.  Although, some newer ones have been built they are in keeping with the period. I have been coming “across the lake” for the last 25 years but I have only been living here since 2000.

What a find!

Glass all around.

 

I love this Greenhouse or Summer house whatever it purpose.

Much has change in the last twenty-five years and of course Katrina severely damaged many of the old places on the lake front but back along the Bogue Falaya River things have remained much the same.

Rediscover your town and show it to us, would love to see it through your eyes.  I will continue to seek out gems of my town and share them with you. This has been a quiet respite for me.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Rain, Rain you can stay! I think I’m going to bake today.

This is how this day started and it kept up most of the day.

 

The temperature dropped to the low eighties not that cool but better than the nighties.  Looks like the perfect time to crank up the oven.

The secret to staying on any new way of eating is variety. 

I love to cook and come up with new and exciting things.  Since I have begun this new way of eating I find my creative juices are stirring.  I have some ideas and I decided this would be the perfect day to test out some of those recipes.

This is what I made today,

Pulp Crackers and Pulp Muffins both quite tasty.  They were easy and quick to make.  I do not use salt so you might want to add a pinch to the cracker and muffin recipes.  If you are eating butter and jams I am sure that will taste great on the muffins but I am off sugar.

Recipes will be at the end.  Let's get started!

This is what I used for the Pulp Crackers

 

 

Pulp from Carrots, Celery, Brussels Sprouts, Parsley, Beet and Beet Greens, Ginger, Radish, Orange, Pineapple, and Red Grapes.

 





     Place chia seeds, coriander, curry, five spice, red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in fry pan and toast for about 30 seconds.

Spread out evenly, about 1/4 inch and cut to desired size.

 

 

TaDa Pulp Crackers

Pulp Mini Muffins

 

 Muffins sitting on my Limoge', I feel so, Out of Africa!

 

 

Soft and Chewy and full good things.

 

Another view of the crackers.

 

 

Mighty good with a cup of Rooibos Provence Herbal Tea !

 

 

Help Yourself

Recipes:

My Pulp Crackers

Ingredients:
2 cups juice pulp, tightly packed

1/2 cup chia seed

2 tsps. ground coriander

1 tsps. Curry powder

1 tsps. Five spice powder

1 tsps. Red pepper flakes

2 tsps. Paprika

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

2 tbsps. Flax seeds

Black pepper to taste

2 tbsps.  Soy Sauce

1/3-1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1.      Place chia seeds, coriander, curry, five spice, red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in fry pan and toast for about 30 seconds

2.      In a food processor add the pulp and the toasted spices. Pulse to combine well.

3.      Add the soy sauce then and a little water at a time until it is combined into a smooth paste like mixture. You want your mixture to be thick and sticky, but spreadable.  How much water will depend on the wetness of the pulp.

4.      Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture onto it evenly.  I put a big dollop of mixture in the center of the baking sheet and smooth it down with a spachelor.  Next, I cover the sheet with a piece of aluminum fold and use something to roll it out evenly, about 1/4 inch.  Bake at 350 degrees until crispy. It takes about an hour.  I needed to sheet pans.  Makes about 24-30 depending how you cut them.

Pulp Muffins

Ingredients:

2 C Juicer Pulp

½ C. Unsweetened Applesauce

1 ½ C. Quinoa Flour Gluten Free

2 Tsps. Baking Soda

½ C Nuts chopped (your choice)

¼ Raisins

Instructions:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray of lightly grease muffin pan.  I used a mini muffin pan.

2.     In a food processor add the pulp and applesauce.  Pulse to combine.

3.     Add in flour, baking soda.  Pulse until just combined,  The batter will be very thick.  Add nuts and raisins and stir by hand to combine.

4.     Transfer the batter to the mini muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.  A knife inserted in the center should some out clean when they’re done.

These muffins do not rise much, so fill to the top.  They are very most and chewy.  Delicious!!

Hope you enjoyed the rainy day project.  I had a wonderful day.  Maybe tomorrow I get to the housework!

 

Juice and Be Well!