Broccoli and Green Beans

Broccoli and Green Beans

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

 

8 cups Broccoli florets (about 1 1/2 lbs)
1/2 Lb Green Beans
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed Red Pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

 

 In a large pot, bring 6  quarts of salted water to a boil. Have ready a large bowl of ice water. Place Broccoli into the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Remove broccoli from pot and shock it in the bowl of ice water. When completely cooled, place in a colander and allow to drain. Replace the cold water. Bring the same pot of water back to a boil. Cook the green beans for 4 minutes. Like the broccoli, shock the beans with cold water and drain.
 In a large skillet, add olive oil. When almost smoking, add the garlic and saute for about 45 seconds. Do not cook any longer or it will give the dish a bitter taste. when garlic starts to brown, remove immeditaely and discard. Add the red pepper flakes, broccoli and green beans to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper. Serve immediately.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"A man's life always starts today. Every morning is a beginning, a fresh start, and a man needn't be hog-tied to the past. Whatever went before, a man's life can begin now, today." --Louis L'Amour

June 30

Good Morning... Not a lot going on right now.  The loose dog is outside and my dogs are Oof-ing at it. The cats are running window to door and back again watching that dog, as well. Also two of the cats have found a cricket. They are watching it, jumping when it jumps and then looking for the dog. Of course then the cricket will move and they turn their attention back to it. I take the dogs out while Jerry is finishing up his breakfast. He'll then take out the trash I've bagged up and will drive over to the trash bin. Stopping near where I walk the dogs for his kiss.  today the dogs were faster and he was slower and so we kissed before he started the van. The dogs thought they were going to go for a ride. (Ah) the men with the dog, just left. Not sure if they took him with them, or left him in one of their campers. The cats are still lined up at a window, looking for it.
The sun was just above the horizon when I took the dogs out and still in the hazy parts of the sky, turning it all oranges and pinks and a bit of purple before clearing the last of the clouds along the horizon. Soon enough, I'll be out before the sun comes up, and I'll miss that part of mornings. Already the sun is up enough that everything I see outside had that touch of Morning gold to it. Expecally the leaves high on in the trees at the edge of the property along the roadway. Yesterday was grass mowing day around here. Not that the grass has much time to grow because I think it's moved each week, wether or not it grew that week.. anyway. While walking the dogs last night, through the fresh mowed grass, Macon just could not resist and rolledd and rolled, and rolled yet again, Before we even got to a place he could potty. On our way back, he was rolling again and again. I'm guessing he loves the smell of the grass as well. Then, he had to tackle Rocky.  Rocky was ready for him, though and they have a good time with running as wild as being on leads will let them, then tackeling each other and doing other Dog Play stuff on our way back to the camper.
Today is payday, do we will be eating out. I asked Jerry if he knew where he wanted to eat and he didn't know. We ate at "The Rocking Chair" which is just across the 72 Highway from the road to the R.V. park.  I had their pork chops the other day and they are very good. Jerry had the pulled Pork BBQ and said it was good. We had breakfast there on Sunday morning and we both had a platefull of good food.
I hand washed out a couple of things yesterday so that I could put of doing laundry until tomorrow. I just washed out two white t-shirts, one for each of us, and some socks for Jerry. I hope to pick up a package of socks for him this weekend.  I still to change my clothes for the day, I'm wearing yesterdays shorts and top that I tossed on this morning to walk the dogs.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"A man's life always starts today. Every morning is a beginning, a fresh start, and a man needn't be hog-tied to the past. Whatever went before, a man's life can begin now, today." --Louis L'Amour

June 28

Good Morning , or what's left of it anyway.  I was going to do the laundry yesterday evening. Well that didn't happen. As one person was finishing up, another was starting their laundry. I went back to the van and told Jerry, I'll do it tomorrow. I'll meet him at the washhouse, and let him come on home to the camper and get some rest before dinner. which is going to be easy. Opps. I'll be right back, got to start it. I cooked two hamburger patties in the foreman grill this morning. I'll cut them into small pieces and add to some tomato sauce in the crockpot or a few hours.  Not sure if I'll fix shells or noodles to go with it. Will deal with that choice later.

 

We are getting rain today. Lots of rain. According to the T.V.  we have over 4 inches of rain so far.
I was lucky to have walked the dogs just before it started casue Rocky really, really does not like getting wet. Not at all.  The Cats are back in Kitty jail. The last straw was one of them spilling the keys to the kennel all over the floor. They had made a really nasty mess in both last night and I had to wash both out. Got one done, had to put two in the kennel, but I  Let them out and cleaned the other kennel, was letting it dry when they thought they needed to be into everything in the living room area. Argh.. what a mess.
Last night, I had my arm jerked by the dogs, trying to "Meet" the loose dog next door.  I told the men that I didn't know what our dogs would do if they met another dog. Most of the time they are ok, but Macon had a problem with one of Beth's dogs so I have to take extra care when he meets another dog. I'll admit though, Beth's dog was the one that started it. Sam just didn't like Macon at all and would try to attack him any time we took him out. 
Do you have any plans or the 4th yet?  The only plan is maybe finding a local firesworks display. Jerry may have to work both next Monday and the Friday after that. Over time, yes.. holiday time, nooo.  Ah well, we are together and that is all that really truly matters for us.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Zesty Skillet Spaghetti

Zesty Skillet Spaghetti

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

(Serves 4 -8)
1/2 lb Mild, Italian Sausage, sliced
1/2 lb Ground Meat
1 chopped Green Pepper
8 oz uncooked Spaghetti Noodles, broken into thirds
1 (26 1/2 oz) can Spaghetti Sauce
2 cups water

 

Brown sausage in skillet, Add ground beef. Cook until beef is browned, drain.
Add green peppers, noodles, 2 cups water and spaghetti sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 14 to 16 minutes or until spaghetti is cooked. Top with Parmesan Cheese and serve with Garlic Bread.

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Good Morning, June 27, 2011

Good Morning,, Everyone

We had an intresting weekend and we are looking forward to a quiet week.

The Air conditioner in the window fell in, twice. Jerry has used a couple of bungee cords to keep that from happening again. He's still thinking on how to stop the rain from coming in aruond the sides of it. We had an unusual storm yesterday.. It came in from the North and was the cause of the air conditioner falling in one time. He still hasn't figured out how to keep the rain out, though. So any day that looks like rain, I'll put my mattrise on his bed, to keep it dry.

We have a "new" neighbor for the week. There is a bass fishing tournament I think next weekend and he's here, scouting out the best areas to fish for that. He's buddy's with the man across the way. That man across the way, has his dog with him, and apprently does not believe that his dog should be on a lead. Why of why do people do that. The posted Rules state that all dogs need to be on a lead when outside. Mine are. I would like to let my dog go outside withouth a lead but I don't. I don't want to be responsibel if there is a dog fight. I also keep my dogs inside if I see someone else is walking their dog, Just so we both don't have to have issues with our dogs. I know my dogs. They want to play, Their dog may not know that. They may be terratorial, for all I know. I don't want to have to take my dogs to a vets and then have to sue someone else because they didn't follow the rules. It just irkes me no end that people will not follow the dog leash rule.

Todays' plans are ... clean the camper, wash out the kennels, sort the laundry and do that tonight after Jerry gets off work. It's a bit too far for me to carry a basket to the laundry room. so I'll have Jerry drive it over there, drop it off for me, let him come back to the camper and I'll do the laundyr while he's watching tv. I'll call him to come get me when it's done. shouldn't take me too long since there are 4 washers and dryers there and I can stagger starte time enough that just as I finish folding one load the next is done and ready to be folded as well.

Geo Cache Weekend findings

We had a nice, wet weekend. Rain late enough in the day to cool things off and not just make things misserably humid.
I "know" I was in the right area for this one but I just could not see it. I tried and tried to find it. Jerry found it on his second look in the area and even pointed it out to me and I still could not see it in the much around the bushes here. We got hot just before we stopped for the day at this last stop at the top of the bluffs over looking the river. Got home, got the dogs a walk, then back in before the bottom fell out of the clouds in the sky.

going backwards. This was the last one we found, today June 26. It is at a river over-look.. A great view off the bluffs over the Tennessee river

next to last cache. The only clue was "rectangle" and the title of Printer's alley. Jerry looked and looked. I "played" tourest and took a picture of the local history sign. (will post later) we moved the van, and I said I'd go look for it. I walked down the side of a building, and along the ground are 4 rectangle sized blocks. Don't know their puprose. But when the GPS showed me right on top of it, No block on the ground. I looked up.. and there it was. Jerry said he walked right past it, twice. There was a small piece of gum in the conatiner and I tossed it out. Not suppose to put in anything that will attract bugs and mint gum is good for attracting ants.

S.S. minnow is the title of the one above. Jerry and I had to work as a team to get this one out. Someone had pushed it into the boat and out of reach. we could see it, but we couldn't reach it. We found a couple of fallen tree sticks on the ground and used them together, Him over the top, me though the hole to work it out to where we could reach it. We didn't push it back as far when we put it back in place.

Our next looking was a bust. There are three around the Hellen Keller Hospital but we only found two of them. We will check on the third one again later, when we've both had time to review all the clues again.

This is the second of three around the hospital. It's on the underneith side of one of the signs. Jerry was looking and I was looking and I spotted it first. Getting it out, that was fun.. those magnets are really strong.

Ah, this was the first of the three around the Hellen Keller Hospital. It was place in honor of the birth of a child back in 04 (If I recall right).. It's under the metal skirt on a lamp post. I was able to find this one before Jerry got out of the van. A lucky guess on my part as much as anything.


These next finds are from yesterday, June 25. It was a hot day, and we only looked for a few. We started around 8 am and were finished by 11 as we were both getting hot.

This is called "Juniper" and is in the middle of some Juniper trees along a power line right of way. I found some intresting wine or burbone bottles that, if I come up with a craft, I may go back and get them. This was suppose to be up in the tree but was found by Jerry on the ground. He put it back in the tree before we left. I took pictures of the wild flowers around this site and will post them in another post.

This one has the wrong title to it, I think.. it's over my head and out of my reach. Jerry is 5ft 10in and it was almost out of his reach as well. I'm pointing to it, can you see it? The title is "Just hanging Around". the clue stated along the fence.. no fence just pole left from one.

Subway Lights. Behind a local Subway is a long driveway with three light poles. This one was under the first pole. It's on the other side of the building that "Just Hanging Around" is on. Jerry beat me to the find on this one.

We had to take a bit of a walk in the woods for this find. At a local park, which is beside a creek. Behind the tennis court, that no longer has any nets in it. Up a steep but short hill. down the other side, up another one and across a bit of a ridge,, under a small tree. I walked right past it toward a differnt small tree when Jerry spotted this one.

Belle Mont. It was up inside the pole behind the sign. Jerry had to chase out a bee that was trying to make a nest before he could sign our names to it. I'll post the sign in another post, soon.

Our first find of the day. "Pump It Up". I was thinking it would be in town near either a health club or an car radip place. Nope, it's out in the middle of now where on the back corner of the fence. Jerry found it right off.

Check out delia creates: Scripture Cover

delia creates: Scripture Cover

 

what a great gift idea for a friend. You could put them name on it.

 

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

For Today... June 22, 2011

 

Hello.  I hope you slept well last night. I dreamed I was running in some sort of race, through a school. At least my mind gets excerzis. (ha ha) We have already had one storm and looks like we may get more rain this afternoon.  I have moved my mattrise over to Jerry's bed, since there isn't any way to stop the rain from coming in around the air conditioner on my side of the bedroom. I asked Jerry to think of a way to fix that.I have placed the coverlet off my bed on a pole to hang up and dry out. I had the door open but the wind closed it and then it was raining so hard, I may open it again here in a bit. I though about removing the shields out of the windows but not sure if I'm going to do that or not since I'll just have to put them back in, in a couple of days. Rocky did not like the thunder and came running to find me when it got really loud.  We had two people leave yesterday, and now, the rig next to us has out as well. I had to quickly unplug the laptops and my phone during the storm. Now they are all plugged back in.

 

Outside my door ... We woke up to cloudy skies but have already had a thunderstorm by 7:30. 

 

The Dogs And Cats ... Are trying to look out the door, when I'll let them. I don't want the cats climbing on the screens so I have a spray bottle ready and the dogs end up sprayed as well, since the cat have learned to hide behind them.

 

From the kitchen... pork chops,  rice.   Cake or Pudding w Banana
Pork Chops
Since I don't have any oil and vinegar dressing, I'm going to try something I saw on T.V. last week and use Ranch Dressing mix to season them with, and cook in a skillet or in the Foreman Grill.

 

Easy One Egg Cake
1 1/4 cup flour
2/3 c milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 c shortening
2 tsp Baking Powder
 1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp Salt
1 egg

 

heat oven to 350°. Grese and flour bottom of a 8 to 9 inch round cake pan, or 8 inch square pan. Blend all the ingredients at low speed on the mixer until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a pick come out clean. Bake cupcakes for 18 minutes, or pick come out clean.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Jun 21

 

June 21,
Summer Soltice. First Day of Summer (Offical)

 

Hello. I do hope you have had a great day.  I've gotten most of my camper cleaned. Only, I had to take my mattries off My bed because we have rain and that window leaks onto my bed. I'm going to have to figure out a way keep that from happening.
I did get as much of the house work done as I had planned on and also made a couple of "crafty" items as well. I did them while Y%R was on.  I'll post them down below.

 

With all this rain, I'm surprised that Jerry isn't home early. We had lightening and thnuder and that will usually stop a job. Will find out why not, when he gets home, tonight

 

The family behind us moved out. I know he was looking for a job, but I didn't find out where they have gone. I didn't even know they were leaving until I took the dogs out at 2 and they were gone. The Pop-up beside us also left. I kinda figured it was going to leave when I saw it all folded up at 10 am when I took the dogs out. It was so hot then that the dogs just wanted to go pee then come back in. when we went out at 4:30 they both wanted to play. Read about that below, as well as what the cats have been up to.

 

It's almost 5:30 and I turned off the air and opened the door. Man that feels soo good. I'm cooking with my rice cooker and Foreman Grill so wanted to reduce the electrialcal load. I may even take all the shades out from between the windows and inside screens and let in some natural light. the Cats are in a kennel until Jerry gets home and inside. I'll let them out once he's in.

 

Outside my door ... This Morning it was HOT an HUMID.. it started to get a bit cloudy at 10 am but was still very hot. We had lots more clouds at 12, but that sure didn't seem to help make things cooler. We started getting some Thunder at 2 and by 3 we had rain. I walked the Dogs at 4:30 and all the lighting and thunder had stopped so the dogs got to play in the wet grass. It was nice to be out with my large hat on, and letting the dogs play in the wet grass. They had so much fun. Looks like we will have rain all night long and another system is to bring in more rain tomorrow along with cooler temps. Instead of being in the 90's we will be in the mid to upper 80's for a couple of days. I will open up the windows and let this place "air" out.

 

The Dogs ... Macon has a "New" trick. I thought he would love to walk in the water, seeing as how he's 1/2 Yellow Lab.. Nooo.. he likes to jump large water puddles. The longer the jump, the better for him.  He jumped over one 5 or 6 times before he figured out Rocky wasn't jumping with him and then he tried to pull Rocky into via his lead. Rocky was not going to have any thing to do with a water puddle, NO WAY.  Brakes, growl and a snarl let Macon know Rocky does not like to play in water at all. That's ok, cause Macon then decided to jump back and forth at least 4 more times. Rocky walked as quickly as he could through it, once each way to a potty area.

 

The Cats ... Had discovered that my mattress is on the floor, at an angle and have been jumping on it, running under it, jumping on the wood of my bed. Which, by the way, makes lots of neat noise. They love jumping in such a way that they slide across it as well. Jumping off of it Ninja style, running an bouncing off it like a sideways spring board. And, in all being happy with a new toy.

 

From the kitchen... Ham, Butter Noodles cooked in the rice cooker, salad, Strawberry Jell-o with pears in it.

 

I am hearing... The news is on. mostly for background noise. When I'm outside I don't mind the quiet but I dodn't like it quiet while I'm inside.

 

I am wearing... Jean shorts and my Eyor top.

 

I am reading... emails

 

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Not sure we have any plans, just yet. Keeping the camper picked up, cooking meals, doing the laundry over the weekend. Maybe go find a few Geocaches. Last week we looked for 4 and only found one of them.

 

I was a little busy this morning. Bored and didn't want to do the housework just yet.

I read about coating a jar with tinted Modge Podge a few days and wanted to try it. The directions called for outdoor Modge Podge but I didn't have any. I have only the Matt Finished. That's ok though, since I don't "have" to put this outside. I don't have the solar lights yet, anyway for that other project..any ways I started off with all this "stuff".

Almost looks like I'm going to cook something, right?

A clean small glass jar. (dill pickle relish jar)

A paper Plate (to put under the jar)

A couple of toothpicks, to mix the color into the Modge Podge

Modge Podge

Food Color

a toss away lid to mix Modge Podge and color on.

A foam brush

I poured out a large puddle of the MP and then added 4 drops blue and 4 drops red and mixed. then I added 2 more drops blue and swirled that in, as well.

Using the foam brush, coat all the glass with the MP. Don't do where the lid goes though. I held the glass by the lid and when I put it down only had to touch up a couple of small spots.

then set it aside to dry

Place a candle in it. I'm using a battery tea light in this one.

I took several pictures and this is the only one that came out looking nice. The rest had a glare from the flash on it.

Well... yuck. I mixed up way, way too much purple MP. and I had been thinking of doing this other project as well. It was a bit mess, though. Good thing I don't mind my fingers being a bit sticky at times.

I was smearing MP and holding the twine as I wound it around and around the Nut Can. Most likely I'll use it for our laundry Change, now.

The MP isn't dry on it, yet.

Check out Recipes - Oatmeal - Mr Breakfast.com

Recipes - Oatmeal - Mr Breakfast.com

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Turkey Cacciatore

Turkey Cacciatore

 

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene
2004

3 cups Turkey, cooked and chopped
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/2 Onion. chopped
1-2 cloves Garlic, mashed
1 can tomatoes
1/2 dry white wine (optional)
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Bay leaf (remove after cooking)
1/8 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon Marjoram
cooked spaghetti

 

Brown turkey lighly in oil. Add remaining ingredients except spaghetti. Simmer, covered for 1 hour. Remove cover, cook until thickened. Serve over spaghetti.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Weekly Menu for Jun 19 - 26

Chili Mac, Salad, pudding
steak, Baked potato, Salad, Cake
Ham, Mashed potatoes, salad, Jello
pork chops,  rice.   Cake or Pudding w Banana
Chili Cheese Fries, Salad, Graham Crackers
steak, Baked Potato, Salad, Jello

 

 

Salad

As you can see, I have salad listed for each day. Salad's are easy to make. I make each one fresh after starting the rest of the meal. It's more of habit than anything. First, after cleaning a head of lettuce and letting the water drain back out of it. I fill about the bottom 1/3rd of the bowl with that. I'll then clean and cut in 1/2 a Green Pepper and a large Cucumber. I'll place 1/2 back into a plastic bag for tomorrows' meal then cut each in 1/2 again and then slice across and add to each bowl so we each get 1/4th of the pepper and cucumber. I don't peel the cucumber often. I'll clean and trim up 8 radishes and we each get 4 in our bowl, usually I'll cut each into 4th's.  I'll then rinse off a tomato, remove the stem area, and cut in 1/2. I'll slice each into 4 or 5 slices and add to the bowl. That's our salad.  if I have any Carrots or celery, I'll add those to my salad. Hubby may get some Carrots but he's not fond of much else in the basic Salad. Oh, If I have grapes or an apple I'll add some to each salad but we don't do that too often. I'll cut up some broccolie if I have it and add to my salad.

 

Seems like a long explanation about how to make  a simple salad, right?

 

Chili Mac
I'll make Mac and Cheese the easiest way.  I'll fix a box of Mac and Cheese, as per the directions on the box. I'll keep the mac in the pan and mix everything in it. After the Mac and Cheese is done, I'll open and add a can of Chili (No beans) to the pan and stir in it well with a low flame under it.

Pudding
Follow the instructions on the back of the box. I'll add a splash of vanilla to the milk before adding it to the mix and or I'll add some Chocolate chips to each dish.

Steak
We don't have a grill. I'll season each side of the steak with some Cajun Seasoning (Thank you, Vickie, we love it) then place in a very lighted oiled iron skillet over a medium heat. Jerry likes his steaks well done and I like mine medium rare. turning them over only once.

 

 

Baked Potatoes

I'll use my crockpot and my vegetable steamer. I'll place some water in the bottom of the crock, put two large potatoes on it, then let "cook" for 4 to 6 hours.

 

Cake
"If" I make the cake it will be early in the morning, before the heat of the day starts. I'll make a one egg cake since it's small and just the right size for the two of us. I'll bake in in the tabletop oven we bought last Thanksgiving.

Easy One Egg Cake
1 1/4 cup flour
2/3 c milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 c shortening
2 tsp Baking Powder
 1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp Salt
1 egg

 

heat oven to 350°. Grese and flour bottom of a 8 to 9 inch round cake pan, or 8 inch square pan. Blend all the ingredients at low speed on the mixer until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a pick come out clean. Bake cupcakes for 18 minutes, or pick come out clean.

 

Ham

Since it's a pre cooked slice, I'll cut it in half and warm in a cast iron skillet with a bit of water to keep it from drying out. no glaze or seasonings needed.

 

Mashed Potatoes

From a box. I'm going to use evaporated milk instead of 2% and see if it makes a difference.

 

Jello,

as per directions on the back of the box. I'll add either canned Pineapple or slice up a banana between two ramikins for the two of us. I have some applesauce that I may try adding to see if Jerry would like it.

 

Pork Chops

Since I don't have any oil and vinegar dressing, I'm going to try something I saw on T.V. last week and use Ranch Dressing mix to season them with, and cook in a skillet.

Rice

Put 1 cup of water and 1/2 a cup of rice in my rice maker, add a bit of salt or beef boullion or season salt and set to cook.

 

Pudding with Banana.

 My version of individual puddings. I'll crush up a sleeve of honey Grahams and place a couple of tablespoons worth in the bottom of two Ramakins. A bit of Butter and pressed to the bottom and sides. Mix up the Pudding mix as per directions on the package. I'll then slice up a banana between the two dishes, and then spoon the pudding on top of them. Sprinkle some more Graham Crackers on top.

 

Chili Cheese Fries.

Deep Fry some French Fries or cut your own from Fresh Potatoes, Place in bowl, Warm up chili on the stove, Spoon a couple of spoonfuls over Fries then add some cheese. Either jar cheese that's been warmed up, or some shredded cheese and let it melt.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

a few photos to share

I had my camera out this week. Nothing fancy. just things that I thought intresting. Like this first picture. It was taken just before we started packing up to move the camper from Jackson Alabama to Tuscumbia Alabama. a 5 1/2 hour trip, in a hot van with cats in kennels.. They were not happy and they were telling us about it the whole way here.




I like "Queen Anne's Lace" it's always so airy and lacy looking. What I never paid attention to before. Was that there is alway one dark spot in the center of each one. That is NOT a bug, although I thought it was at first. Someone else said it's a purple dot, I'm not saying it is and I'm not saying it isn't cause I didn't get close enough to really examin it that closely.




These are "Just Weeds" Not Dandielions though. But just field flowers. Keeping the dogs away from any flower I'm going to take a picture of is always intresting. How they can read my mind that I'm going to take a picture of "that" flower, I don't know. But if I have my camera with me, they will end up trying to pee on it before I can take the picture.




And White field Daisy's. I had Daisy's for my wedding flowers the year we got married.

Oyster Soup

Oyster Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
Women First Breast Cancer Support Group

 

1 pint Oysters
3 bunches Green Onions
3 Tablespoons Parsley
2 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 1/2 Can Water
1 Onion, chopped
3 Garlic Cloves
2 stalks Celery
1/2 cup Butter
3 Tablespoon Flour

 

Melt Butter, saute Onions, Green Onions, garlic, clelery and parsley until tender.  In a large saucepan add Oysters, soup and water. Bring to a boil; add onion mixture. Brown flour in butter, add to oysters, Reduce heat to medium, cook for 15 to 20 minutes

In Memory of Andra Bishop

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

O'Hanlons Duck Soup

O'Hanlons Duck Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group

 

3 or 4 pork chops, trim off fat and slice into strips
1 cup Cabbage, shredded
6 mushrooms, sliced
3 carrots, shredded
6 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ginger root, grated, or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
12 oz bag large egg noodles
Soy Sauce to taste.

 

Brown chops in a small amount of either peanut or live oil. Place chops in large boiling pan with chicken broth and bring to a slow boil. Add cabbage, mushrooms, ginger, and carrots. Slow cook until tender. Add noodles and cook for 15 minutes. Add soy sauce before serving

 

In honor of Margaret Castro

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

8 Can Soup

8 Can Soup

 

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group

 

1 pound Ground Chuck
1 can whole Kernel Corn
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can diced Tomatoes
1 can Veg-All
1 can Vegetable Soup
1 can Tomato Soup
1 can Hot Chili Beans
1 can Green Beans
Brown and drain ground Chuck, In a Crockpot, mix beef with all 8 cans (do not drain vegetables) Siimmer about 3 hours or over night in Crockpot.
Note: Add chili powder, salt, pepper and Worceshershire Sauce to taste. This recipe make a crockpot full and is wonderful left overs.

 

In Honor of Judy Counce.

Texas Hash

Texas Hash

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene
2004

 

1 Lb Ground Beef
2 Large Onions, chopped
1 Large Green Pepper, chopped
1 16 oz can Tomatoes
1/2 cup Cooked Rice
2 teaspoon Salt
1-2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/8 teaspoon Pepper

 

Heat oven to 350F. In a large skillet, brown meat with onion and green pepper. Drain off fat. Stir in tomatoes, rice, salt, chili powder and pepper. Heat through. Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Cover and bake for 1 hour. makes 4 to 6 servings.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

For Today... June 14, 2011. Flag Day

This "coin" was in one of the Geo Caches we found in Jackson Alabama. We didn't keep it, but I wanted a picture of it.

Macon, watching Jerry walking and looking for a Geo Cache

　

Hello. Happy Flag Day.. do you put a flag out? I have a flag but don't have it out today. Usually I have a flag out but I don't have a flag holder. I was going to "Paint" one as a window cling, but the paint is over $3 a bottle and that was $9 to $12 I just didn't want to spend while Jerry was not working (blue, red, white and Gold)

I hope to have the stuff to make one by July 4th. Jerry should have 4 days off, since it falls on a Monday this year. But will have to work the following Friday. We can deal with that. When I went to take the dogs out on first potty this morning. A man in one of the pull through sites had his dog out, without a lead on it.. I saw him before I let my dogs out, and told him I was about to bring out my two dogs. He picked up his poodle mix and took it inside. they were out of here by the time I walked the dogs at 10am. Some people just don't get it that, when you are in an R.V. park or Motel that you really need your dogs on a lead. It's as much to protect their dog as any thing else. I never "assume" that all dogs have been vacinated, and or "fixed" Mine have the basic shots, but only since I got them fixed. The cats all have had their shots as well. But it's as much to control your animal in a strange enviroment as anything.. Where is that nice cute pet going to run if it's suddenly frightened? If it's not use to the R.V. being "Home" it may run off across a field or toward a busy road. (off my soap box)

After doing "busness" Macon did his usual and found a wet spot in the grass to roll. He loves to roll in the grass. Rocky just sits there and watches him do it. After his roll, though, Macon wanted to play and get a bit rough this time with Rocky. Rocky put him back in his place quickly. while we were out and it was still relitivly cool, I walked around the outer edge of the park. I need to take my camer with me when I go out. Weeds to be sure, but they are still pretty.

It's hot here today but not as hot as it was over the weekend. Jerry finally "heard" me and plugged the window unit into the box outside. I had to go out and reset the breaker twice yesterday. I turned off the hot water tank and no more haveing to go do that. 30 amps verses 50. I hope that, one of these days we can afford a camper that the power system can handle everything.

　

Outside my door ... We woke up to fog this morning. a low fog, but still. now it's sunny and hot outside. I have both air's working hard right now. and it's comfortable inside. The dogs and I will have to take another walk here in a little bit.

　

The Dogs ... after their morning romp, are sleeping on the beds. It was so warm yesterday, that when I would ask them to "sit" Rocky would sit, then pop back up.. It's hot on the ground Mom.. He forgot to turn around and put his bottom on my shoe, I guess.

　

The Cats ... are in kitty jail today. They were running rampant and just would not settle down. Every time I get up to clean, they are right in my way or getting into things I just put away.

　

From the kitchen... Chicken, Rice, Salad, Pudding

　

I am hearing... got the T.V. on but am thinking of turning it off and turning on a radio for a bit. After "The Talk" went off yesterday, I didn't find anything of intrest to watch.

　

I am wearing... Maroon shorts and a white tshirt top.

I am reading... emails today.

"Chunky Chip Cookies"

"Chunky Chip Cookies" A "Southern Living" Recipe 1 cup shortening 1 cup butter OR margarine, softened 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups regular oats, uncooked 2 cups cornflakes cereal 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup flaked coconut 1. Beat shortening and butter in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla, mixing well. 2. Combine flour, baking powder and soda; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Gradually stir in oats and remaining ingredients. 3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls, 2" apart, onto ungreased baking sheets. 4. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 9-1/2 dozen.   Billie C. http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

(no subject)

For Today... June 13, 2011

 

Good Morning. I hope you slept well. I had three night mares last night. woke up at 1 am.. again at 3 am and last one was just befor we were to wake up anyway. Good thing on that last one, cause the alarm on Jerry's phone didn't go off. Wait, it did go off... At 5:30 when he though he had it set for 5:30.  (ha ha) He still would not have been late.  I forgot just how hard it is to slice frozen sausage. I need to get up from here and see if it's soft enough to slice. (Back in a few)
There, That's done. I'll have to make some Jello for our dinner soon. Don't want to heat up the camper to much later in the morning if I don't have to.
That first nightmare I mentioned, I had to go pee anyways but strang thing is, I ended up with a nose bleed as well. That's not good. I've been haveing a nose bleed a few days a week. Not big ones, just enough to be noticed, most of the time.
The trip here was un-eventful for the most part. The cats got a bit too hot but recovered well once we got the air turned on. they always complain when we travel. Rocky had to "Insist" before Jerry would pull off so they could walk and that was a very quick stop. out, pee, back in, back on the road.

 

We have a 5% chance of rain today... Whoopie !!.
(I have the local morning news on)
Today, I'll do my normal daily routine with a few changes added to it. Matter of fact, It's time for me to go clean that bathroom up. Back in a few.
Today's dinner will be Ham, baked potatoes, salad, Jello w Banana in it.
I just started the Jell-o

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Smoked Sausage Jambolaya

Smoked Sausage Jambolaya
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
1 pound Smoked Sausage, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
1 pound Ground Beef
2 yellow Onions, chopped
1 28oz can Tomatoes
1 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 cup uncooked Rice
2 1/2 cups Water
6 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt

 

Brown Sausage in skillet. Remove sausage and drain off grease. Combine ground beef, onions, and garlic in skillet and cook until meat is browned. Drain off grease. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and sausage. covere and simmer for 20 minutes. Add rice and water. Cover and cook for 40 minutes.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie

 

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

 

1 Dozen Tamales (shucked)
1 3 pound Chicken, boiled, deboned and shredded
1 Onion, chopped
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 (14 oz) can Cream Corn
1/2 cup Green Peppers, chopped
Olive Oil
1 (16 oz) can Tomato Sauce
1 (4 oz) can Ripe Olives,, chopped
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1/2 lb Cheddar Cheese, grated

 

Line a 13 x 9 casserole with tamales. Cover with a layer of chicken. Saute onion, garlic and green peppers in oil. Add tomato sauce, olives, chili powder and corn. Pour sauce over chicken and top with cheese. Bake at 300F for 1 hour or until cheese is bubbly.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Impossibly Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pie

Impossibly Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pie

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 pkg, (10 oz) Frozen Chopped Broccoli, thawed and drained
1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup cooked Chicken, cut up
2 Eggs
1 medium Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Bisquit Mix
1 cup Milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper

 

Heat oven to 400F. Grease pie plate. Sprinkly Broccoli, 1 cup Cheese, the Chicken and Onion on the plate. Stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over croccoli miture. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Sprinkly with remaining cheese. Bake for 1 to 2 more minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let Stand for 15 mintues before serving.

 

(Side note. Turkey can be used for the chicken.)

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Stuffed Peppers with Beef Rice spinach and Cheese

Stuffed Peppers with Beef Rice spinach and Cheese

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene
2004

4 Long chili  Pepper, or Bell Peppers
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, plus a little for drizzling
3 cups Spanish style Rice-A-Roni, cooked
10 oz Fresh spinach, stems removed and coarsely chopped
2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese
Salt and Pepper
1 Garlic Clove, cracked
1 cup Tomato Sauce

 

Seed Peppers. Drizzle peppers with a little oil and grill over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a baking sheet, hollow side up. Add oil and garlic to skillet and heat over medium heat. Add spinach in bunches until it is wilted and giving off liquid. Season greens with Salt and pepper. Remove and drain, set aside. Add tomato sauce to rice and heat through. Pile spinach and rice mix onto peppers, mounding them up in the center of each pepper. top liberally with grated cheese and melt cheese under oven broiler 3 to 5 minutes, then serve.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Geocach finds

You can see the magnets taped to this cache that only holds a log. It was attached to a guard rail behind a store near the mall in Tupelo.



Can you see the Cache in this holly bush??
It's a plastic pill bottle wrapped in Camo Duck Tape.,
It's a mini cache. It has a log sheet in it. bring your own pen.















This cache is along the Natchez Trail. A path used when the Mississippi River was used to move many goods down to a "Free" port to ship over to Europe and Spain. Once the goods were delivered. The people had to get back home somehow. The current was too much to try to Pole a craft back up-river, so Instead. leaving their boats behind, and buying a couple of horses they would take the "Trace" back north.


Jerry and I found several neat caches while we were in Tupelo Mississippi.













This box was in the stump behind one of the indian sites along the Trace. The contents were soaked though as some animal had tried to chew it's way in to see if anything worth eating was inside.



























Can you see where the cache is in the above picture? See that dark spot near the bottom of the pole? That's the cache. It's a pill bottle covered in black tape. It holds a log where as the other cache about it held some small trinkets as well as a log.























As you can see by this cache. Many can be hiden in very public but out of sight places. This one is under a table at a park near the interstate in Tupelo. We walked past it several times before we found it. We were looking in the bushes and around the edges of the fencing for it. never reailzing it was lager than a nano. It's a Mini.




































Yep. it's a candy tin. Jerry and I enjoy Altoids and I save the tines for all sorts of uses. Mini sewing kits, One holds some char cloth for my fire-starting kit in my "possibles" bag.











I saw a neat idea of placing a couple of strong magnets inside and then placing it on the fridge for those small items you don't want to lose. or a pen and paper so it's always at hand.

For Today... June 9, 2011

For Today... June 9, 2011

 

Good Morning... Yea, I'm ready to get this move started.  I thought about doing a cleaning today, but then thought, I'd have to do it all over again tomorrow. I will do laundry tomorrow and while that's going on, I can start packing up some of this "stuff". I use the laundry tubs for the stuff in the kitchen when we move. All the over head stuff has to come down. So, I'll move a tub of out of season clothes to the van temporary, and then pack Jerry's closet into a box on that side. I'll do a through cleaning of the closet on the other side in readyness to pack that closet. I really should see if I can compact the stuff over my bed before I put that into a box. I put all the things I want to work on, up there. I think I'll make a list of everthing up there and then use that list as part of my "to do" list.  When we start the final packing on Saterday Morning, the kennels will have to be close to the door and I'll use the space that they are in for the boxes of stuff over our beds. So the order of how to pack has to change just a bit since the stuff on that side has to be packed up. Think I'll do that this afternoon. All but the printer that is. I have the directions on my computer and need to print them off.  I do empty the drawers in the kitchen as well. We have a couple of bunggy cords to keep them closed. I don't have to do as much under the sink. maybe move a few things off the shelf to the floor in there, but not have to take them out of from under that sink.

 

Once the laundry is done and put away, I'll have those tubs ready to use. I have a couple more cat litter tubs (I buy the largest tub I can find when I need more) Jerry used one yesterday while he was cleaning out his tool box.  Oh, after my show goes off, I'll go take a picture of his tool box. and he found a few things that need to be washed.. when he's back working. I'll have to do a couple extra loads of laundry once the paychecks start coming in again.  Anyway, back to the litter tubs.  He used one for some loose stuff in his box, and while he was getting that one out of the house I reminded him we had a empty bucket just outside the door, with my plants on it. (duh) He could use it for some of that loose stuff as well.  We will put the water hoses (yes, we have 2 hoses, one for the water to the camper and the other to wash out kennels or out outside water use) into two of the buckets and the sewer line goes into one as well. We use that bucket to make a "U" drop in the sewer line so we don't get all the smell from the sewer line.  washing out the sewer line is one of those jobs that has to wait to the last minute.  Jerry said he's also going to empty all the water from the hot water tank. all 15 gallons of it. (or is it only 10 gallons)
Because of the ants,  I have to use two buckets for the pet's dry food. I use one of the buckets for our trash can. The lid keeps the cats out of the trash.

 

I'm still thinking of taking out the upper hem from the curtain I made and re-dooing it. I should have made sure it was straight when I put it in, but didn't and the crocked hem is starting to bother me a bit. I know. Jerry don't care at all... but the fact that it isn't hanging straght bothers me, now. I did straighten out the bottom of the material when I put in the lower hem, so I know it's the upper one that needs to be redone. Then again. if I can find the right shade of fleece, or flannel, I want to make another with, that has more color to it.  I'm so tired of beige bland in here.  I'll also be on the look out for some paint for that bathroom wall I need to repaint.

 

Outside my door ...  Sunny and Hot, hight to be up in the mid 90's. If we are lucky though it will be like yesterday, and the clouds will be so thick that we don't get that afternoon swelter.

 

The Dogs ... Wantedd out while Jerry was out. He was smoking a cigar and I have no idea why he didn't want to keep an eye on them outside for a bit. They love to be outside. I let the out (on lines) while I sat with him a bit. When they started to bark at the people next door it was time to come back in. But they got some good play time in first. Now everyone but me is asleep. Rocky and the cats on my bed, Macon and Jerry on Jerry's bed.

 

The Cats ... have been haveng a time of it this morning. Running, jumping and picking on the dogs. Smokey and Fuzzy-butt were tring to get Rocky to join in the fun by bitting his leg while they were wrestling at his tail end. He just moved his leg out of their way.

 

From the kitchen... Using the last of the meat from the freezer today. Pork chops and mashed potatoes with some cut up green peppers and cucumbers. Once Lunch is done tomorrow afternoon, I'll be doing up the last of the dishes and getting ready to pack them and the stuff in the fride early in the morning. because of the lack of space I can't pack up until the last minute or we wouldn't have anyplace to sit or sleep.

 

I am hearing... I have Y&R on.  it's about half over for the day. After that will be the news. I'm sure that, once the news is off, Jerry may want to play his game some more. I may do what he's doing right now, and take a nap.

 

I am wearing... my blue shorts that doesn't have any pockets in them.  Can tell I'm getting to the last of my shorts when I wear them, because I love my pockets in my pants and shorts.  Reminds me. I need to design a new "Pocket" for my 1700 clothes.

 

I am reading... I just finished a book. I don't even remember the name of it, now. It was about two families who each lost a son to a accident and how both were dealing with the pain and guilt of what happened. Now it's between The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin or A time to love (an Amish story)  When we get to a wifi again, I'll be downloading more books to read, Jerry is having trouble down loading the free kindle reader onto his laptop.

 

I am thinking... I really do have to make time to work on some crafts each after noon. I have plenty of things to work with, and ideas to work on. just have to make the time to do it all.

 

I am creating... Watch my Blog... I'm going to try something "New" (Old) that's going to include a white tshirt, water, and mud.  Today I did a few stitches on a crayon quilt block I started 3 years ago.

 

One of my favorite things... Sitting outside with Jerry. Just watching the world go by.  I did tell him of an idea of something I want to set up. Cost around $5. total (maybe a little more but will be under $10 after I get the plants and or candles and or whnd chimes for it)

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Moveing the camper "UP North" with a quick stop in Tuscaloosa.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

Jerry found a job !!!

Hurray.. Jerry found a job on Monday and yesterday we went  back to Tupelo for him to fill out the paperwork. We will move the camper this weekend up to Muscle Shoals Alabama. He starts on Monday.  We are in the "talking" stag of packing.. the "Who is going to do what about when". 

 

Jerry will contact a campground he's found on line, and seta reservation for us.  We've been up in around that area before. But not in a camper.

 

This also puts us closer to all the kids.

 

 

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

I asked God

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.

 

 

I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.

 

I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/