Zen Garden

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend

A year ago my father was selected with some other men to travel to Washington DC for the WWII Memorial
While there children were handing the veterans cards. The one above was from a very sweet 4th grader.My father had to show me the card and I got a little choked up.... How beautiful.

The men in the photo below were the ones that accompanied him on the trip.

Happy Memorial Weekend

My Gardens

My tomatoes are growing so fast. The weather has been so beautiful.

African Parrot Gladiola

Clicking on image is a must in my yard today

Graduation

Clicking image will make larger

My Grandson graduated from kindergarten today.
Grandma Kitty Kat is so proud of you!

Dance in the Clouds

My Gardens

Just one of my gardens..

Iris, Salvia, Confederate Rose, YellowDay lilies, Floribunda, Spirea,
Old fashion Climbing Rose, Lantana,Asiatic Lily

Grandmother's Hydrangea

My Grandmother McQueen used to have a Hydrangea on the same side of her house in the same spot in Mishawaka Indiana.I am pretty sure this is also the same variety of Hydrangea.I think of her every time I look at it.

Spicy Chicken

Clicking image is a must today
Spicy Chicken

1 lb. diced boneless chicken breast
5 Tb. spicy brown mustard
1 Tsp. ground Cayenne pepper
2 cups all purpose flour
cooking oil for frying

In a medium bowl coat diced chicken breast in mustard and Cayenne pepper and let stand for 30 minutes in refrigerator. Heat skillet with cooking oil. Dredge coated chicken in flour , and put in skillet to fry till golden brown.
You can also do this with any poultry and pork chops are just awesome with this idea also.

Rest and Relaxation

My blog will be on hold for a week for some much needed R&R
Thank You EVERYONE that came out to the sale Saturday.

Now for a week escape!

Have A GREAT week!!!

Coral Peach Daylily

Click image today it is a must
Spring time in my gardens this year are just so vibrant

No card.. just flowers

What a beautiful surprise just delivered!

Hiking

My family loves to hike.This happens to be at Tannehill State Park.

Just like your mother

(Butterfly in my back yard)

It seems like I've tried
to find myself
in so many different ways...
And my journey has always
led me back to you, Mom...
That's why whenever
Someone says to me,
"Girl, you are just like your mother!"
I stand a little straighter
and walk a little bit taller-
because then I know for sure
I have finally
and fabulously arrived.
Because of the woman you are,
I have become the woman I am.

Thank you for that amazing gift.

The relationship between a mother and daughter is dynamic; it evolves every moment with circumstance and time. As a child, a daughter always tries to copy mom in every way. But as soon as the girl steps into adolescence, she has arguments and fights with the same mother who taught her to walk, talk and eat. And as this rebel turns into a lady and learns the ways of life, she realizes it’s none but her mom who is her best friend and guide not for a day, a month, a year but for her lifetime. These very complexities make this relation even more intimate and beautiful. Even without speaking a word, a mother can understand the millions of things going in her daughter’s mind and heart; this is the uniqueness of this relationship. She remains a silent pillar of her daughter’s strength, always praying that she achieves the very best. Even if her relations had been sour for some reason at some time with her mother a girl can’t deny that her mother remains the most special woman in her life. A mother always influences a girl. The way her mother shows her the world to be, she perceives it to be that way only. And the way a mother portrays herself to be, the daughter always subconsciously tries to emulate her.

Be it a mother’s perception about life, day-to-day mannerisms or way of living, it will always reflect in her daughter’s lifestyle. A mother will always be her role model. Don’t forget someone is following you at all times and that someone is the most precious treasure of your life.

Someone sent me this last week in a forward e-mail and I thought it was beautiful. I look at my own mother and think about my Grandmother and see all the wonderful qualities that have been passed down to mom and so on....

I Love My Family of Women
I am Blessed

Friends

The above letter was found this morning while searching for a photo in a drawer that I save special things . My search came to a stop and tears came to my eyes.I believe that God puts people in your path for a reason and we should glean from each and every relationship that we have. I have been blessed to have many beautiful friends in my life so far.
This note was from a dear friend of mine that has passed on a few years ago.. Barbara Thomas.I am sitting here reflecting at some of the hours spent with her and things we talked about.. current affairs of the day, her family, my family,where she came from and her youth and life. Ms. Barbara was an artist with her stories and would carry me right there and the stories of her youth were just awesome. The laughter and tears during her time with me will be forever treasured.
Thank You God For ALL my Friends
I am BLESSED

Mother's Day 2011

A Beautiful Mother's Day

Corky's Night Out

I have posted this painting that I did once before and planing on making this a series "Corky's Adventures"
Where could Corky go next.
Give me some ideas!
Just a thanks for all the inspiration through Facebook and Twitter you all have given me.
Have a GREAT weekend.

Kenan's Mill

Beautiful Morning

The kind of morning where the honeysuckle fills the air and the birds a singing

Happy Wednesday!

Italian Meatloaf

As I was growing up I was surrounded by some awesome cooks that promoted my creativity in cooking.Mom and Dad were always putting something together different for the restaurant..Leone's Del Rio Tampa Florida.
Last week was one of those days where I thought outside the box and came up with a twist on Meatloaf and it came after my son-in-law asked me when I was going to make meatballs again.

Italian Meatloaf

1/2 lb. ground chuck
1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage
(take out of casing and crumble)
1 TB. fresh basil (chopped)
1 TB. fresh oregano (chopped)
1 med. onion (diced)
1 small bell pepper (diced)
2 garlic clove (diced)
1 egg
1 cup Panko or bread crumbs (Panko is my choice)
1 small carton of mushrooms (sliced)
1 15 oz. can of diced tomato's (drained)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup provolone cheese
2 cups of Kathleen's Pasta Sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven
375°
In a very large bowl combine all the above (except the cheese and pasta sauce) and incorporate in a kneading motion with your hands till thoroughly blended.Carefully turn out on a piece of wax paper making a rectangle shape Once flat spread the cheese over top. Begin to roll at one end to the other. Very carefully put on 9x12 baking pan.Make sure the ends are covered with meat or cheese will run out ends.

Bake for 30 minutes without the pasta sauce. After 30 minutes. add the sauce.If you put the sauce on at the beginning of the baking it will burn. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes. keeping an eye not to burn.Any side dish would do. I like diced potatoes covered in Italian seasoning and Olive oil and baked while my Meatloaf is baking.

Blue Skies

Clicking on image is a must today

Plantersville Heritage Day Coming Soon!

Plantersville Heritage Day May 14, 2011

9:00am-5:00pm

As part of Plantersville Heritage Day
Art Antique Glassware and Collectibles Sale
(Gail Hobson & Kathleen Wright)

at

The Little/Wright Home

111 5th Ave.

Plantersville Alabama

Portions of the home will be on display

With many countless hours of research on my home it has been narrowed down to be constructed in a time frame between 1890-1910.

It being one of the first homes built on 5th Ave. and have heard from some of the oldest citizens here in Plantersville that it was.
I would like to thank all that have helped me in my searching and some of the most colorful stories that add to it's character.
My dear friend Billy Levens that was born in this home shared so much with me.
If you click HERE I am sure you will enjoy the story