The Needle in a Haystack

A Date with One of My Daughter in Loves

This morning was so beautiful here in central NC. I love when our iris bloom.. this is just one small patch, we have over 100 at least scattered about the property. These iris are original to the farmstead circa early 1900's... it gives us a connection with the folks who have lived here before us.

 we have small groups of these little flowers too, at first I thought they were tick seed, but after googling I don't think they are.

I think they might actually be buttercups, I always thought a butter cup was more like a daffodil... but they make me smile what ever they are..

 So today I was invited to my daughter in laws OB appt . I was so happy and excited to be part of it, I forgot where I parked my  car... oh well...

  Here is the Bean's heart rate ( yes I WAS that grandparent...humor me...its my first..)

 

Kathy being brave with blood draws

Then because everything was so great, I had Kathy drive us to the local Ben &Jerry's for an ice cream fix...I am not sure when they started these chocolate dipped waffle bowls... but Oh HONEY.... the best!

I tried two SNL  40th anniversary flavors, Wayne's Swirled and Lazy Sunday

  A stop by the Dollar Tree on the way home to pick up some center piece containers, this was the 2nd store I had tried and I was so happy to find them... the wedding is fast approaching!

   On another happy note, my mom had her final reconstructive surgery today. She came through very very well, I am so thankful she is surrounded by loving caring and capable folks !

  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  Eph 1:3

Daniel, Hosea & Blueberry Graham cracker Yougurt

 Wednesday, a full day of work for me... and oh how busy I was... 5 folks waiting at one time ( and our shoppe is TINY) , much needed hair cut ( which I love) ...and a couple visits from Josh through the day... I came home TIRED... BUT... its also Chris's day off.. which means I come home to our Wednesday tradition of baked potato dinner... complete with bacon... and a new flavor Ben and Jerry's for dessert..

  Can't really say this is going on the favorites list.  The two flavors of vanilla and blueberry are Ok, and while the added graham cracker bits are Ok... it gives it a weird texture...this is number 40 of the flavors we have tried...

  The past 3 days I have read the Book of Daniel and the Book of Hosea.

 Hosea is one of my favorites and I have been able to speak to a few women's groups on the topic and love share the meassage of grace embedded in this book.

  Daniel gave me ( us really) much more pause.  There are so many prophecies in this book, and I am really in a mind set that Old Testament and New Testament need to fit like puzzle pieces, but I couldn't connect these prophecies with Revelation....

   so after reading, rereading,searching.. I pulled out Matthew Henry and had a wonderful read on how these prophecies came true with in the time frame of Alexander the Great , not those I was trying to connect in Revelation

   amazing that over my 56 years I can not count the times I have  read the book of Daniel, and this is the first time I have been challenged so much... I enjoyed it!

   Time to crush a little candy and maybe read a bit before bed... I was goign to take tomorrow off but it looks like business this week isn't going to allow it tomorrow... not complaining!

  Challenge yourself...and have a fine day ... all day long!

The 3 Bs.. Bible Study, BBQ & Ben and Jerry's

 Drove to Raleigh today  to be with the ladies from Church of the Apostles for a great study ont eh 12th chater of Hebrews... all about running the race and where our focus needs to be.   Great group of ladies , all contributing things in such a good way.

     After the study MIL and I went out for lunch at Red, Hot and Blue.  While the BBQ is delicious, I LOVE their potato salad.  I need to make it a goal to replicate it this summer.  We had a nice visit, not as long as we usually do at lunch but she had to deliver meals to one of our members that has cancer.  I contributed Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spagheti,

and  chocolate / chocolate chip muffins with several of my favorite teas included.

..and since our lunch was a bit short.... and since I didn't need to be back at the shop to cover for Chris until 3:00...and since I was right there....( almost)

  I checked out hte local Ben and Jerry's...  I had a sample of White Russian, and ordered a medium cup of Candy Bar Pie, and  Coconut 7 Layer.... really not the best combo but it was still a nice treat.  I felt like when I came home I should have walked the dog a few more laps just to burn off some of those calories....

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  Hebrews 12:1

....and have a fine day... all day long!

That's My Jam, 2&3 John and Jude....and Cornbread Cake

  Wednesdays are long days for me. Usually I work all day and then do a grocery run on the way home. Fortunately it is Chris's day off from the shoppe so he has our usual Wed night fare prepared... potatoes and bacon...

    For dessert:

.. we were both disappointed.. the raspberry /chocolate part was good... the jam part... not so much..

   I did some knitting on a scrapghan while listening to 2&3 John and the book of Jude.

John was such an encourager. " what is good is from God"..... pretty much sums it up...

 Jude cautioned us to be a bit more weary, and I surely agree that those of us saved by Grace should not take advantage to do whatever we please.  ..true and wise words...

Rumor has it the sun might shine tomorrow, I'll believe it when I see it... although it is one of my days off I have a doctors appt in the a.m.

  One of the highlights of today's rainy day was the factor that sweet Mary Alice brought in a " Cornbread Cake" to the shoppe and they called me over to get a piece to have with my tea this afternoon.  There is not a spec of cornbread in this recipe, however the combination of ingredients makes it look like cornbread.  Very  delicious!

Cornbread Cake:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 beaten eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups flour

1t vanilla extract

2 cups chopped pecans

Bake in a 350 degree oven  in a lightly greased 9X11 pan for 30-35 minutes..

   Give it a try  I think it would make a great picnic cake or for a pot luck.

Hope everyone has a fine day... all day long!

 

ou won't find any cornmeal in this cake! The pecans lend a cornmeal texture.

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups pecans, chopped very fine

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Stir together sugar, brown sugar, eggs and oil in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in flour and vanilla extract. Add pecans and stir until evenly mixed. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#sthash.RJFUI89T.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#C7ywywBPwkHwQrrA.99

 

You won't find any cornmeal in this cake! The pecans lend a cornmeal texture.

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups pecans, chopped very fine

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Stir together sugar, brown sugar, eggs and oil in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in flour and vanilla extract. Add pecans and stir until evenly mixed. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#sthash.RJFUI89T.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#C7ywywBPwkHwQrrA.99

 

You won't find any cornmeal in this cake! The pecans lend a cornmeal texture.

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups pecans, chopped very fine

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Stir together sugar, brown sugar, eggs and oil in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in flour and vanilla extract. Add pecans and stir until evenly mixed. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#sthash.RJFUI89T.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/fourthcake/georgia-cornbread-cake.html#C7ywywBPwkHwQrrA.99

  

Pupusas, and Peanutbutter Fudge Core

 I had so much fun today!  Chris and I went to Josh's  so they could do some target practice. I got to learn how to make pupusas , from a friend of his from El salvador. These are indiginous to El Salvador and mostly the LaPez area. 

  It took awhile for me to learn how to handle the masa

  I kept wanting to treat it like pizza dough... but this is a much more gentle process... by my 10th one I was finally getting the hang of it

  you can tell mine form Carla's!  These are stuffed with refried beans and cheese. We then mixed roma tomatoes wiht a bunch of salt and a little water, brought it to a boil and served it with the finished pupusas.

..she was such a great teacher!  After dinner we joined the fellas  for a bit of target practice. It was my first time shooting the AR.   After this year of getting my CC, shooting various guns... I don't like it... but at least I tried... and now I know!

  ..and what was for dessert after a fine meal?

.. why yes... Ben and Jerry's Peanutbutter Fudge Core.... perfect...

tener una buena noche... all night long!

Salted Caramel Core..and new Blankets

  Today was so incredibly busy for both of us. Chris stayed busy from the timne we walked in until the time we left.  He did manage a 1/2 break for a hair cut while I manned the shoppe.  I had some work outside the shoppe and then errands... to the tune of 13 places to go!  We were exhausted.

    We we got home we walked the dog, made a quick dinner of fajitas and jumped in our jammies... tonights dessert?  Ben and Jerry's Salted Caramel Core.. Chris really likes caramel and gave it 2 thumbs up, I liked it ( come on..its ice cream)  but not my favorite ... this makes our 34th one for the year. I doubt I will hit our 55 flavors by May 1 ..but its fun to try...

..our weather is a bit psycho lately... 70 one day.. 20 the next... but CVS had winter things on sale... and I had 9.00 in ECB bucks..

.. I know, I have the ability to make wonderful crocheted and knit blankets... but we really for some reason are smitten by the feel of these blankets... we have several... good to cover the tootsies when your snuggled on the sofa when its chilly out...

   Tomorrow is prepartion day, and it looks like another ice storm might be headed our way.... all the jugs of water we used last week when the power was out will not fill themselves...laundry needs to be caught up... some baking done... perhaps some chili made....

   Stay warm... and have a fine day... all day long..

A Day of Work Left me Hazed and Confused....

 It really wasn't such a bad day at work... a few very wonderful customers came by and my favorite are those that we know and can stop and chat awhile. I did have a ton of errands to run... the library, the drug store, the bank, the grocery, so it really was much harder AFTER work then before.

  Chris made our usual Wed night meal, potatoes scrubbed, rubbed in olive oil and sprinkled with kosher salt and baked for an hour... we usually add bacon to the potato pan and then lay a couple slices over the potato after we cut it up and add our favorite extras. 

  I had been a bit put out with our local grocery and their Ben and Jerry's collection... but when I just happened by the freezer case  this caught my eye!

One of Ben and Jerry's newest flavors and there it was on the shelf begging me to take it home.... and I did.... and while Chris and I visted with Christopher and Vika for a bit... I snarfed it down...

   Hard to believe they leave to go back to school on Friday....

Day off tomorrow! I am investigating some geocahing sights in Oxford I might like to try.....on my list of goals..

  Hug the ones you love... and have a fine day... all day long!

Birthday Wishes, Mississippi Mud Pie and Agony of the Tea Leaves

  My favorite law enforcement agent turned 28 today!  I remember the day he was born so well... a 45 minute labor from start to finish and ( including hospital drive time) he has been wide open ever since.... wouldn't have it any other way! Happy Birthday son!

  Last night Chris and I relaxed after dinner by reading and eating a bit of ice cream. The Ben and Jerry's of choice was Mississippi Mud Pie, an exclusive Walmart flavor. Very good, not one of my favorites... but its hard to find a bad ice cream in my book!

  Before I started Becky's book, I finished up Agony of the Tea Leaves, by Laura Childs. This is another of the tea shop mysteries I have been enjoying.   A nice easy read, the sort of book I just like to relax with. 

   It was 70 degrees and beautiful here today.  We did have somewhere to go this evening , but most of the afternoon was spent out of doors... tomorrow our 70 degree temps will drop to 18 with freezing rian and sleet. I wish I had time to run to the library...but of course I have my trusty Kindle!,  all charged if we lose power.

  Please everyone stay safe if Titan ( the new winter storm) is giving you a bother... check on each other and stay warm... and have a fine day ..all day long!

Happy Birthday John Steinbeck...and Peanutbutter Cup Ben and Jerry's

    According to Google, its John Steinbeck's birthday... Pick a book... Grapes of Wrath,  East of Eden, of Mice and Men.... my respect for this author who refused to back down when states were banning his books  because the truth was being revealed....  I have read all three of the listed books, they were hard to read... but well worth it. I suggest you pick one if you haven't and read...

 Today was my day off. It looked beautiful outside so I threw a load of clothes in the washing machine... brewed a cuppa tea, and  looked forward to a day outside....

   First load of clothes on the line and the wind was blowing so hard and it was so chilly I had to finish the job and scurry back int he house.  I spent the day cleaning, knitting a bit, baking some crackers and making a great dinner of bacon wrapped chicken, salad from the greens we picked up from the CSA, and broccoli... and dessert................

  I was a bit upset when  I reached in the freezer when the wrapper was off and when I opened the carton SOMEBODY had taken a bite out of it.... hmmmm...

  This was great... peanutbutter ice cream with whole pieces of peanutbutter cups.... a perfect end to a great day...

    Have a fine day...all day long!

Chocolate Peppermint Crunch, WOW Day , and the Book of Psalms...

 Wednesdays are " Women on Wednesdays" at the shoppe... This is Chris's day off from work and at the beauty shoppe it is Flemings Day off... so Wednesdays we ladies have free reign to run between the two shops when we have a moment, chitchat, pray for each other..and laugh... a lot.. Today was even better since there is a new young lady who came to work at the beauty shop and so of course we invited her to our " hen clucks" as Fleming calls them.

   Chris called as I was getting ready to close shop and asked me to run by the grocery... which meant I HAD to pick up some Ben and Jerry's... oooohhh new to me flavor on the shelf...

..be still my heart.. the Peppermint and Chocolate were gret, not so lovin on the little cookie balls... but the other taste were so winderful... I didn't care.... this makes Number 30 of the 55... I have two months to go...a couple trips to  B&J and a few taster spoons and it will all be good !

  So after eating the tasty meal my dearest fixed ( his famous baked potatoes with bacon... I slipped my ear phones on, pulled out a bit of cross stitch and listened to the rest of the book of Psalms I had been working on reading this week... the words of the day " His Love Endures Forever"... very comforting words before we tuck into bed tonight...

    Sleep well... all night long!