1st Anniversary Giveaway

I knew the competition would be hot and heavy! ;o) We are coming down to the wire. Friday, when we return from the drive across the Talimena Drive - yeah!!! - I will check back and have the names ready for Sam to do the drawing. Thanks for the compliments on my blog. I told "Your Son" about being called "fascinating." He laughed and said he had another word in mind. I know...he's not to far off from getting cut out of the will.

To celebrate the first birthday of my blog, I've decided to have a blog giveaway. For a chance at a machine embroidered patch for your motorcycle vest, just leave a comment. For a second chance, mention this on your blog (let me know so that I can come take a look). This is one of only four that I've made. While I 'designed' the layout, the embroidery designs were from http://www.annthegran.com/ .

I know that this will be a heavily sought after prize (LOL) and that the competition will be hot and heavy. I will do my best to keep up with your comments. Last date to enter will be Friday, November 7.

This is Sam's sewn on his vest.

Beautiful Day

What an absolutely beautiful fall day! We woke to temps in the mid-50s and it just got better - no higher than 77. After lunch, Sam and I took a ride and rode about a hundred miles. Before hitting the main roads, I told Sam I wanted to stop in the 'bottom' before getting to the farm-to-market road and 'shoot landings.' Well, the landings aren't the problem, it's the take-offs I'm having trouble with. I am so tired of stuttering, stumbling, burping, and killing the engine when I get started. Sure enough. First time I stopped and tried to start, I killed the bike three times. THEN, I realized that I wasn't in first gear. Sigh. Finally got going and was able to repeat several good starts until we got to the stop sign and the main road. I even did decent there! On the whole trip, I didn't have but two bad starts. Improving by baby steps - one at a time. Most importantly - I haven't dropped my bike since the first outing!

The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. So many trees are changing colors. Sam and I want to take a day car trip to Mena AR, drive across the Talimena Drive and then back home. We better hurry and do it before the color is gone. I don't think I could hold up to riding my bike that far right now...just one hour does me in. I also need to get something to exercise my clutch hand. It gets so tired; especially on winding farm-to-market roads like we were on today.

We stopped at a Sonic in Atlanta (TX not GA!). While we were sitting at one of the tables, one of the 'courtesy' employees asked if we needed napkins, mints, anything. Then she looked at me and asked if I road my own bike. I told her, "Yes." She smiled and said, "You go, girl!"

Oh, before I forget and I should've already posted this...friends in our H.O.G. chapter...their 17-year old son was killed in an auto accident earlier this week. Such a tragic loss. Please be praying for this family.

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

Delicious! No photo today, just too lazy to get the camera out. My first mother-in-law, Dorothy Jordan, taught me to make bread pudding with leftover biscuits...the cheap-o kind in the whampum cans in the dairy case at the grocery store. You need about a dozen of them. After breakfast, IF you have any left, just put them in a bag in the freezer until you have enough. If you don't have leftover biscuits, or if you are like me and make homemade biscuits, then just bake a can full. Wait until they are a day old before making the pudding.

BREAD PUDDING
12 buttered biscuits, day old
2 lightly beaten eggs
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch or two of salt
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
cinnamon sugar

Tear the biscuits into several pieces and place in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon, salt, milk, and water and pour over biscuits. Let stand for 20 minutes. Add more milk if it's not mushy enough. (Mushy is a technical terms we domestic goddesses use.) Add vanilla and stir. Sprinkle with a good covering of cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

RUM SAUCE
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cream
2 tablespoons rum
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Stir sugar and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add cream, rum, and cinnamon and bring to a simmer. Simmer until sauce thickens and is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 5 minutes. Serve warm. Can be prepared a couple of days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Warm before serving.

Sam also like this over two scoops of Blue Bell's homemade vanilla flavored ice cream.

Happy Birthday to My Blog!

I can't believe I forgot to throw a party! My blog was one year old on October 28.

How about a "Happy Birthday" in the languages of my ancestry?!

Gaelic (Irish and Scottish): La-breithe mhaith agat!

Dutch (I had several choices here!): Ne gelukkege verjoardach!

German (Prussian): Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

French: Joyeux Anniversaire!

Huh! Navajo listed, but not Cherokee...oh well.

And in the Queen's English! Parrrrtttteeeee!

Invitation to Supper

I worked at the library today while Earlene took her mother to a scheduled doctor's visit. About 4:30 I received a call from my sister-in-law inviting me to a supper of homemade beef stew. Well, yes! Sam was already there helping his brother, Elton, stub out the plumbing for a new metal building. (We are getting one built too, smaller and less plumbing. Sam already has his plumbing done, and the foundation people will be working the concrete for us tomorrow.)

When I got there and saw dessert, I asked for half a bowl of stew and half a slice of cornbread so that I could have a whole slice of brownie! Ah! Chocolate! One of the top necessary food categories! ;o)

Remodeled T-Shirt

Lately I have seen several women with so cute t-shirts that have buttons, beads, tiny shells, etc. sewn on them. I decided to do the same with a new long sleeved t-shirt I purchased at Wal-Mart for 7 or 8 dollars.

After sorting through my button stash, I positioned and repositioned the buttons until I had them where I wanted them. Then, using a washable glue stick, I glued them down. This morning (just because I didn't want to mess with it last night) I took a needle and thread and sewed the buttons down. I'm rather pleased with the results.

Speaking of things red...Sam and I were eating pizza last night. When a white-bearded gentleman with ample girth sat down, he caused quite a stir with two small little boys. Yes, he was really Santa Claus passing through on his way to the North Pole! He gave the parents his business card. When he receives letters from children, he writes back! Have your little ones send letters to:

Santa Clause

2371 CR 4660

Mt. Pleasant TX 75455