Thursday photos

We are on the way out the door to meet up with Jason for dinner and thought I'd post these photos from today. Again, the dove is out my kitchen window, and the Cardinal is from the door of my screen porch...the yellow lily speaks for itself...I love my pond.

recipes

I mentioned Haystacks in an earlier post and Bev asked for the recipe. I know, through the years at pool parties or birthday get togethers, you have had these. They are chewy and quick and most everyone loves them. Here is the recipe:

1 cup white corn syrup

1 cup white sugar

Put in heavy sauce pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly with spoon.

Remove from heat and add: 2 Tablespoons butter (add this first), 1 cup peanut butter, 1 teas. vanilla and stir until smooth. Put 6 1/2 cups cornflakes in a large bowl. Pour mixture over cornflakes and mix thoroughly. With spoon make into cookies. Makes about 24...yummy. It always makes more than 24, but that is what my friend originally wrote in her recipe to me. These are ready to eat quickly, but I don't think they "keep" that well. That's my personal opinion. They are best eaten in a couple of days.

Note: My friend Susan makes these a lot and uses Rice Krispie ceral in place of the cornflakes. At Easter, she made them into small bird nests and added "Robin eggs" from small jelly beans or m & m's.....I did the same and the added candy was "sweet".

Each day I get a small bowl full of blackberries from the vine in our backyard. They are pretty sweet but sugar sure helps them be extra good. Here is a "quick bread" recipe for a cobbler that is good. It wouldn't replace the one grandma made, but for an "on hand" ingredients one, this is quite good!
Blackberry Cobbler
2-4 cups blackberries (I use about 2 to 3 cups)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 T. margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold water
Spread blackberries in a single layer in a 9 x 9 baking dish. Dot with 2 tablespoons margarine. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add remaining margarine (I soften or melt this, although that is not stated in original recipe) and milk and mix well. Pour (I have to spread, mine is too thick to pour) over top of blackberries. Sprinkle the 1 cup sugar on and then pour the cold water over the top. Bake at 400 degrees 30 to 40 minutes. *I serve with vanilla ice cream or cool whip. This is from my moms church cookbook and I really love it. So quick and easy. Hope you enjoy it as well.

birds and bees

I don't have the camera with the powerful zoom that both my sisters have, so this is far from good. However, you can see the Cardinal on the feeder and the coneflowers are prettier this year than ever. From year to year, it seems one thing does well and another not so well. This year is the coneflowers time to shine.

I thank God for the summer. I realize that everyone is not off of work for a few months so I always try to consider that when I speak. Of course our paychecks quickly confirm the hours we do or don't work...in my case NO paycheck in the summer. However, I truly love sitting outside as I am now with no time commitments. Although this particular morning isn't "perfect" weather, it is enjoyable. I love listening to the waterfall as I blog. I just refilled the bird feeders, something I can't brag about doing....most of the time they are empty or Clyde fills them.

Another fun summer evening is spending time with friends. We got in the red convertible (very windblown!) and headed for Darlin' Jeans in Midway...only to find it closed!!! So, on to Versailles and a place that was called "Railheads" now it is Ricardos I think it was. We all had nice sirloin steaks and Michelle had a chicken dish. Each of us commented on the good steaks and salads. The night was perfect for a cruise...although the backseat was windy...thanks Michelle for being such a good sport and friend!

This day is cloudy and humid, but again I like sitting out for "alone time" with God and nature. I will post a few random shots I have but not too many. Becky and family are in Florida so I don't have the kids here to enjoy. I sure love having them. What a blessing God gave us "upper middle agers" at the time in life.

I am thankful that Jason Allen stays in touch and I believe he is happy with his job keeping him busy. We plan to see him tonight, so I look forward to that big hug. His birthday is very soon and I always thank God when my kids are able to enjoy another one. I have been doubly blessed.

This is a photo of dad and Frank Morgan. Frank is an amazing Christian gentleman. He is about the same age as dad and still goes out each Monday to visit friends. He stops by to see dad and mom treats him with a bowl of icecream or a sweet she has on hand. I have known this fine family for many years and consider them among the best memories I have of "growing" up at Eastland Church of God. It is where we were married, where we both were saved and Baptised and where I went to many youth events throughout my life. I will never be anything but thankful for the wonderful leaders there. Some have already gone to Heaven, many are still going to Eastland and enjoying their "golden" years.

I see the cardinals are coming to get that seed I just filled, so I will try to get a picture and be back to blogging later. Blessings.

garden & friends update

Thanks again to Susan for organizing and making reservations (when possible) for our "patio experience". This keeps us all "connected" and the best way to keep in touch. We all can't make it each month, but we try. At this dinner (Harry's), the Scotts were at a wedding. However, I hear they are "on" for Regatta's in August. See you all then!

This is a photo of one of the nicest ladies I know. Jean is Susan's mom and she is priceless. She has always loved my family and been so good to Becky as a child. I will never forget that, or her!

The above photo is at Susan's house for dessert. I wish I had a picture of them! She made chocolate and butterscotch meringue pies...delicious and an ice cream snicker's pie. Also, she made haystacks that came from a recipe I got years ago from a former teacher at Clays Mill. If anyone out there wants a 10 min. peanut butter, corn flake cookie for your kids...let me know. I will post it! So good. Thanks Susan for everything. Your home is beautiful and inviting!

This has been quite a production. The new memory card we bought on vacation, does not "work" on our PC. The new laptop we bought on vacation (the very one I'm using) did not "go wireless" until today...thanks Becky & Jason and Jason Allen for the gift of a router on Father's Day. Took me awhile to get around to plugging it in. So, hopefully now the photos will download.

The summer is going too fast, as usual. At this posting, Becky's family is in Florida with the Keith family. If you follow her blog, you will see great photos and the fun they are having. The newest entry show the kids all in balloon hats that are amazing.

Jason Allen is working late most days getting use to Green's new body shop. They have all new offices and I believe a new computer system. He has been learning it this week (I think he said!) He has also been out with Aunt Martha (realtor) looking at houses this week. Hopefully we'll hook up this Wednesday for our weekly (bi weekly) dinner to catch up.

Speaking of Martha, congratulations on the closing of Coach Billy G's house! Way to go. We are happy for you. With all the time and work you put in on our family alone, you deserve a BIG one.

This is the view we see the garden from the most...our back porch. This was taken Sat. morning by Clyde.

If you're not familar with Cleome (the pink and white flower above), it's a great annual. It actually reseeds very easily so it comes back from year to year, quite often, and never where you expect it. It grows so quickly from seed, so buy a little package and throw it out! I love it.
Daylillies are blooming at this time, as you can see from any spot in town or the highway, and this is one that I love. Thanks to my friend, Michelle, for sharing her bounty with me. I now have a whole hedge full of these georgous blooms. They require little to no attention. Although they bloom briefly (maybe a month?), they are sure worth the wait.

Summertime!!

Well, the 4th just passed so that means summer for me is about half over! It has been a fun one so far. To celebrate the 4th, we start with a great time on the 3rd at Transylvania for the Lexington Singers and Lex. Philharmonic Orchestra concert. Thanks to Susan Walton for being the "hostess" for this event. She gets us all PUMPED up as this is her FAVORITE holiday! Her spirit covers our crowd, we have about 25 in our circle, and gets us all in the USA mood. Here are a few photos from the event.

The picture of Maggie at home is her getting "ready" for our picnic at Transy! She made a red, white, and blue bracelet. Becky and her family and Jennifer (Meenach) Wright and her family are our next generation of 3rd followers!

Austin and Matthew says "thanks" to whoever brought the chips! Well, I have been waiting for granny to finish with an appt. so the time is up! My next post (soon) will be the update on Lantern's garden! The coneflowers are blooming in all their glory. I have a good close up of a large "bee" on one!

Happy 4th of July!!

Today was a cloudy day in Carrolton, but I kept busy reading, making a new CD for our west trip and eating out with CB for lunch....at a new Mexican restaurant...and dinner at Our Best! Here's a photo of us with that awesome chocolate pie! It's about 30 miles from General Butler, but the pie is well worth the drive!

Here's some photos from daddy's birthday. I wrote about the party in a previous entry. Daddy has been the dad that all little girls, big girls and I'm sure all boys want. We could not have asked for a better one. We all love him dearly. He and mom have been the model parents, married to one another for 62 years and we are blessed beyond mere words.

I kept the kids last weekend while Becky and Jason spent the night at a B & B in Harrodsburg. This was taken of MJ on Sat. afternoon. Loved her suit!