May 30, 2004
Memorial Day - Decoration Day
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves.
It was first widely observed on May 30,1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.
Meg, at Mandarin Design, has the most touching remembrance of Memorial Day I've ever seen.
May 28, 2004
My Breadmaker
About 15 years ago, when they first appeared on the market, I bought a Panasonic breadmaker for $299.00 plus tax and shipping. I love my breadmaker. It operates on a slightly different premise than the ones you can buy today, and I feel it makes a better loaf of bread.
I make ALL of our bread in that breadmaker. Well, Don has repaired it for me twice, and it’s been on its last legs for years. The last breakdown we found out that there are no longer parts available for this machine.
Our first eBay purchase happened last week. I got a Panasonic breadmaker replacement (the exact same one)for $49.00. It looks like it’s never been out of the box and has never been plugged in. I LOVE YOU eBAY
I made my first loaf of bread (with our favorite recipe) last night, and it turned out Perfect!
If you have a moment, can you please let me know if you can see the picture of my breadmaker. l think my upload problem is solved.
May 26, 2004
One Year Old Today
Today is my one-year Blogaversary. Just for old times sake, I'm repeating my first post.
NANNY MAC (OR MY MOTHER’S MACARONI & CHEESE)
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1 10 ounce package cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup flour
8 tablespoons butter
3 cups milk
---------------------------------
Butter a 2 quart casserole
make a cheese sauce with 6 Tablespoons of the butter, flour, 3 cups milk and most of the grated cheese.
Mix with hot cooked pasta, and let sit till cold. (very important)
Top with remaining cheese.
Put in well buttered casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes or until brown and bubbly.
May 24, 2004
Help
I can't upload a file in movable type. Anyone out there who can help me. I can't add any graphics to my blog.
Computer Nightmare
Not to mention any brand names, but I was updating a very important type of software - the kind that makes you feel safe on the internet - and it downloaded wrong!
I had thousands of unwanted visitors in my computer and they were driving me crazy.
Other Dave came to the rescue. He spent many hours exorcizing the beasts, and my computer seems to be working well now. I lost 2 parts of the Office package - and my address book. But all my valuable files (well, valuable to me) are in tact. Not too bad for a nightmare that has beset my computer.
I offered Other Dave my first-born son, but he didn't want him. Maybe a dinner out and a Black Russian will suffice.
Thanks so much Other Dave for all your help. It's so nice to know people who know so much.
May 20, 2004
Where does a dollar go?
Don was reading an article in a Readers Digest that we both thought was very interesting.
I went to the internet and read a little more.
Some of this guy's 20,000 dollar bills travelled to far away and unusual places.
May 18, 2004
My garden
I got home from work today, and went outside and started planting my garden. Don tilled the soil last night, so it was easy.
I planted, watered, and admired.
So far, if everything goes as planned, we'll have tomatoes, peppers (several varieties) and eggplants. There are spanish onions that came up from last year's planting and one lonely little swiss chard plant.
I wouldn't complain if you wished me luck
May 16, 2004
Smarty Party
Lots of people, and especially the people in Bucks County, PA (our home) are having a Smarty Party. That Smarty Jones is some horse!
May 14, 2004
Will Trade Passwords For Chocolate
I saw this on Dandelion Wine's blogsite a couple of weeks ago and just loved it. Thanks for the chuckle.
Mitch Wagner
Almost three quarters of office workers in an impromptu man-on-the-street survey were willing to give up their passwords when offered the bribe of a chocolate bar.
How about you? I haven't decided yet.
May 12, 2004
Oscar’s Tree
Several years ago, we befriended a beautiful big black and white cat named Oscar who lived at the end of our street. Our friendship with Oscar grew over a period of years.
In the past two years, we always brought him a treat when we walked by – one treat on our way to our walk, and another treat for our way back home. He always waited for us. Last summer, we moved up to mostly seafood, his favorite – usually 2 shrimp each night.
Oscar died this spring, and we were really very sad. During these nightly visits, we became friendly with “Oscar’s family” and unbeknownst to us, they referred to us as “Oscar’s people”.
Well tonight, Oscar’s parents came by our house and planted a beautiful Redbud tree in our yard. (Nancy) Oscar’s “mom”, got the tree for us through her business, and then they came down tonight with all this huge tree planting equipment, and planted it for us.
We have named the tree, “Oscar’s Tree”. This picture shows what the tree will look like next spring. And of course the cat is Oscar.
Funny, because of that friendly cat, we’ve met some very nice people, and now we have a tree in our yard – and all because of Oscar.
May 10, 2004
Do You Dream?
Buzz posted a dream thing not too long ago, and it got me to thinking. I don't know if I dream, but if I do, I don't remember.
I heard once that only crazy people don't dream.
And I worried for a while. But then I gave it up.
May 09, 2004
Happy Mother's Day
May 07, 2004
Bourbon Chicken, Anyone?
I had this package of chicken for dinner last Sunday, and needed inspiration.
After looking at a few uninspiring recipes, I remembered going to the Mall and having “Bourbon Chicken”. It was really good.
I figured it couldn’t be too hard, and after looking at about a dozen recipes, I came up with this one. It’s pretty good.
| Bourbon Chicken |
4 ounces soy sauce
4 ounces bourbon
4 cloves of garlic pressed (or more)
2 fingers of fresh ginger grated
2 ounces olive oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
handful of dried onions
Bourbon Chicken is a marinated grilled or broiled chicken. Marinate for about 24 hours (I marinated under pressure in foodsaver for a lot less time)
Preheat oven to 350º - 1 hour in single layer --- or grill (outdoor grilling is much better) If you grill the chicken, baste with the left over marinade.
Chicken- usually legs or thighs, however, ANY part of the chicken will do---with or without bones.
Spread the chicken in a shallow pan and cover with marinade --- turn a couple of times. The longer it marinates the stronger the flavor...
May 05, 2004
Please Pass the Mustard
Every day I get pretzels with my half sandwich in the cafeteria at work.
Last week there were 2 days when there was no “brown” mustard on the condiments table. I always use brown mustard on my pretzels (Philadelphia style, you know).
Well this morning when I went to my office, there was a bottle of brown mustard – the really good stuff - from one of my lunchmates, Matt.
Thanks Matt. I guess I should mention that I only eat a few of these pretzels and give the rest to Matt. Thanks anyway Matt.
May 03, 2004
Canada Geese
Canada Geese and their very young Goslings
I was sitting in the cafeteria at work today and saw the first of the Canada Geese with their goslings. We have a large pond on our campus, and quite a population of Canada Geese. I love seeing the babies in the spring.
A lot of people around here (SE Pennsylvania) think these geese are a nuisance. I just think they're beautiful. I have noticed in the past few years that they don’t fly south from here. They don’t really even fly in their v-formation any more. Seems like they’ve lost some of their natural instincts..
May 02, 2004
Smarty Jones
About 10 miles north of where I live is a town, Solebury Pennsylvania, which just hit the map today. Smarty Jones, (from Solebury) a 3-year old horse who has never been defeated (7 of 7), won the Kentucky Derby.
According to his owner, “ I don’t think he has ever got the respect he was due”.
Probably because his story is a doozy. He is a Pennsylvania bred horse who nearly died when he slammed his head on an iron bar, he doesn’t ave the regal bearing of a champion. He’s smallish and has goofy bangs that brush the top of his eyes. But nothing has stopped him so far.
I say – GO SMARTY! And talk about local pride, Governor Rendell has proclaimed May 1st as Smarty Jones Day in Pennsylvania