§ Flash Back to the 60s & My Addiction...

After I married Bud, I went straight!! I want to get this out in the open. I want to talk candidly and honestly about my teen-aged addiction.

While in high school, I had all my credits that would enable me to graduate a year earlier than my class. I opted to gain extra credit toward college by continuing my education through the work force, and in my senior year, the only class that was required to take was an English class...but, as an elective. I could choose which class I thought would interest me the most. I chose English Lit...mainly Shakespeare. My teacher and may I add my favorite teacher in the whole school...Mrs Sanderson, taught the class. We enacted Shakespeare plays, read his writings, even took several field trips to Denver and the surrorunding areas for theatrical shows and movies.

But this is not confessing my addiction at all, I'm skirting the issue...

You see, I had the class at 7:30 a.m. for an hour. I had then 30 minutes to walk from school to where my job was. As I walked, I took it upon myself to do my addiction before reaching the workplace. Sometimes when my supply was low, I'd stop and get them refilled over my lunch hour from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Depending on how my funds were from one pay day to the next, I would replenish them as much as my cash flow would allow. Then, I was a happy camper for days, maybe weeks until my supply began to run short once again...

I have to be honest, I was so "into" this addiction, nothing much else kept me happy as when I had it in my posession. Now, as my years are waning into the twighlight years, I oftentimes think of those days way back when, when I thought I couldn't live without it. Until recently I couldn't even remember what it was called. But all of a sudden, out of the blue, it came to me!! And I quickly got online to research it and maybe think that if I DID find it again, I'd buy some....

IT'S IMPORTED CANDY!!

It's called Regal Crown, and I used to buy it at a restaurant as I paid for my lunch. It was the 'sourest' of sour cherry hard drop candy. It was so sour, that literally as you unwrapped one [about 10 drops to a roll], your mouth would pucker. Have you ever eaten a raw tart pie cherry right off the tree? If you have, then you'd know the tartness!!!! So, good. Funny thing is, Bud, who lived in the same town I did, used to buy the same brand, imported, but his preference was the lemon. Okay. Years have gone by, we talk about the good ol' days, and sometimes they would frequently come up in our conversation. Once I remembered the brand name, I went online and typed in Regal Crown Cherry. All kinds of websites. Some are out of stock...this is a brand of yesteryear remember. The company, in England, has sold all the rights, and some reviews say the candy itself isn't like it used to be in the 60s and 70s. I'll be the judge. I ordered some. And I anticipate the arrival from England. I just may feel that "high" again, real soon.

 

Image courtesy of Google Search Engine

§ Sit, Fetch, BARK!!

Since my heart condition triggers SVT when I consume real chocolate [or anything with caffeine], I try to find something made of white chocolate which contains no caffeine when my sweet tooth says I 'gotta have something' to break the craving. Long ago, I used to make chocolate bark [candy] for the holidays. And everyone loved it. It is so easy even a child can make this and be proud to accomplish participating in preparing for Christmas. [Maybe even a Santa treat or a boxed gift for your letter carrier perhaps?]. Now-a-days there are so many flavors of baking chips. This time around, for Bud and me, I used a small bag of Nestle's White Chips [no cocoa, so no caffeine]. And for a salty sweet treat, I added lightly salted almonds to the bark.  This is our New Year's Day goodness this year. I'll have a couple of pieces, Bud will have the rest...he can eat anything.

It only takes about 5 minutes from start to finish.

You can just melt the chips in the microwave as they come out of the bag, but I always use a tsp of oil [or shortening] to keep the chips from seizing. The oil keeps the sugars from seizing...the oil is keeping it smooth while melting the chips. If you don't add the oil, the bark will be grainy textured. At least that is what happens to me....

Okay. First, line a cookie sheet with waxed paper... In a medium to large bowl pour in:

A small bag of chips [7.2 oz.?]

add:

i tsp. oil or shortening

Melt at high for 30 seconds...take out and stir.

Put the bowl back in the microwave and cook for another minute [depending on your microwave, it could be less time or longer time] Do not overcook.

Take out, stir until creamy and lump-free.

Pour onto papered cookie sheet, spread the mixture evenly.

I topped my melted chips with lightly salted almonds [crushed with a rolling pin]. Press almonds into the mixture [I use a slightly dampened hand to keep the nuts from sticking to my hand]. Chill until well set. Break into pieces.

Oh, I think I'll do a taste test for y'all to see if this is worthy of posting about it...

Yep, sure 'nough, it is. Sweet, a bit salty, smooth in texture...delicious. Enjoy. And Happy New Year.

§ Constant Cravings...

The song that goes with this title is by K. D. Lang...remember her?  I know it has nothing to do with a food craving, but the song still was on my mind none-the-less...

Anyway, for several weeks now I've been craving something I really shouldn't have. The heart meds I have to take are all named in the vast list of Rx medications that increase blood sugar levels. For this, I am now pre-diabetic. Which means I must watch my sugar intake. For women it's 26 grams per day, but prediabetes cuts that number to 22 grams!! And with the constant craving of something sweet had me torn. Should I? Shouldn't I? Then, to top it off my craving could not be satisfied!! Pearson's Peanut Rolls were NOT to be found in town/stores here and in three other nearby towns.  Everywhere I went/stopped, I checked out the candy aisles.  No go.  I didn't want chocolate, [tho Peter Paul Mounds is my favorite], I wanted the salty sweetness of peanuts and caramel.  As a kid, I ate the peanut rolls for a bedtime snack with a glass of milk.  Who'd know, as a youngster, they were bad for you --- the bar has 37mg of sugar!!!

After so long of a constant craving, I decided, 'What the heck, I'll make my own....can't be THAT difficult!'

Wrong.  Tho, not difficult...a very long, finger scalding adventure I'll probably not do again.  Oh, and searching for the bar to purchase online, I read that the Nut Rolls have had a nation-wide recall.  Something which I can't remember the 'cause for the company to take them off the store shelves.

Over the weekend, I made my own.

Begin with the ingredients:  Salted Peanuts, Caramel squares, Marshmallow Creme, and Confectioner's Sugar.  Take the creme and sugar and knead together...

Form into bite-sized 'bars' of nougat and place on wax paper and freeze 'til set.  In the meantime, microwave the caramel squares.  Dip the frozen nougat into melted caramel...

...roll into crushed salted peanuts.  And refreeze 'til set again.  Work fast, and after two scalded fingers I finally sprayed my candy tongs with 'non-stick' spray...Duh!!  Worked like a charm.

The taste test...perfect! Exactly LIKE the store bought. But, again, way too much work involved. My cravings have been satisfied tho! And the salt intake from the peanuts is not all that good for me either. Now, Bud gets to clean up the leftovers. He can eat anything and blood sugar levels stay 'normal' for him. Lucky guy.

Online Recipe

§ Hee haw...fences, farm critters and a bit o' ha, ha

GOOD FENCES & CRITTERS


Cattle & Cattle Egrets in Flour Bluff Texas


SKYWATCH

A section of the Botanical Gardens consists of arid/desert plants. Jutting up into the cloudless blue sky these dominated the skyline.





WILLY NILLY FIVE

1]  I can't remember who it was but on their post a while ago, there was a link to this IQ Test Did you test your IQ? This was my result...a screenshot of my number--the top 1% of scores? Whoa!!!


2]  With that IQ, you'd think I'd know better than to try this confection. Yep, absolutely divine!! Mouth watering, sweet, ooey-gooey, exploding with pecans in every bite. The praline caramel is 'to die for' delicious and creamy. No better around! Even the ones I had in New Orleans do not outshine this brand. And it's store brand at that! But oh my goodness. At approximately 400 calories per praline. Yep, I know it's not all that healthy to divulge in such fattening, butter-filled, treat...well, heck...you only live one time around in this life. Enjoy it to the max. At least every once in a while.




3a]  Since I'm on a self-ego trip, wanna know what Hootin' Anni's blog is worth? In excess of $6 million smackaroonies!! Another screen shot:



What is yours worth?


3b]  Now wait just a gosh darned minute...this site states Hootin' Anni is worth $2,492?!! What a low blow!!  Heck, I might as well admit it...it's not worth much afterall.

4]  Our little ol' Persian went to the vet emergency this past week. An abscess in his jaw. Poor li'l ol' Winnie the Pooper!! He got a shot and now dealing with Ms. Anni giving him a dose of meds twice a day! For ten days. He's looking better out of the eyes already. The vet checked his teeth without Winnie being sedated...as far as he could see his teeth are aged, but still in good shape for a 14 year old. We're thinking he may have been bitten by a spider or something. He's on the mend!!!

5]  And last but not least....are you KIDDING me? Check this out. It's been all over the online tabloids. I'm thinkin' maybe a future flick that will be an O BOMB ah?

§ ...She Gave Her Father 41 !

[1]
Seeing this is always a reminder to me that so many family pets are lost, mistreated, or neglected!! We are proud to claim two resident kitties that were adopted....

2] Tahoe and Winston. Tahoe was adopted in Tucson and she came with us to Texas. When we were settled in Texas, we adopted Winston to keep her company. They're like Yin and Yang!! But, they're buddies.

3] We have a long standing tradition of having Candy Corn and Salty Peanuts mix this time of year. I love the combination. And when the dish is on the hutch, it's a bit difficult to not stop, open the dish, and snack away. It's an October thing for us!

4] Okay, so after finishing THIS book, I promised I'd critique it. The letter "G" comes to mind. Gory, Gruesome, Gross, Grim, and perhaps a bit Ghoulish!! But yet....stick around. The other "G" words are Good and very Gripping! Surprise to me too people!! The two authors, Wayne Williams and Darren Allan, really put the reader sitting atop a powder keg. It took me on a ride into an historically recorded event with a flourish of imagination beyond any Biblical way of thinking, exploding in turmoil and intrigue. At least it was a twist of the wrench that kept me up tight until I HAD to put it down for an hour or two...or to try and get some sleep.  Nearly impossible...my mind was gnarled [another 'g' word?] so rigid and tense sometimes I had visions of the deserts of Judea and the stealthy revelations of the characters within the chapters.   I was continually wanting to turn the page and read, read, read.  I might add with an eagerness that I wouldn't have believed myself if I told me so! Seriously, the pages kept flipping by, with me wanting more....wanting conclusive evidence from start to finish. By the way, after the novel ends, the authors added some Biblical proverbs that pertain to Judas.  I was totally immersed in this.  I was totally surprised that a figure in the Bible like Judas, a betrayer, would actually get me feeling sorry for him...what agony he had caused with those around him and for himself.  It's a mystery beyond the realm of some Christianity beliefs and teachings; yet so very possible with an open mind.  From beginning to the way the authors concluded the novel...it was quite "G"ratifying.  Not that the history itself is gratifying...but the way they novelized the story and concluded it without leaving you hanging; there was closure....I recommend this book for those that are not the faint of heart and can take a bit of gore along with suspense.  To some, it's probably not 'politically correctness' through and through, but it's an entertaining read, not to mention highly thought provoking.
I went into Barnes and Noble with Bud the other day, so he could find one of his favorite magazines of the old west [what I call his outlaw gunfire and madness fetish], and since I finished I Know What You Did Last Supper, I perused the newly released fiction section. Found another subject that's always been of interest to me...Lizzie Borden. Actually, the title, "Maplecroft" is what caught my eye. Maplecroft is the 'mansion' [considered a Victorian mansion in the late 1800s] Ms. Borden and her sickly sister purchased after Lizzie being found innocent of killing the parents in Fall River, Massachusetts. I flipped the book to the back cover and read this: "This evil cannot hide from me. No matter what guise it assumes, I will be waiting for it. With an axe.". Whoa Nelly! I was hooked....I'm ready and primed for another good-curl-your-toes kinda suspense reading. At least, I hope so. By the way, I continue to believe she got away with cold-blooded murder. IMHO


5] Just for fun...



Yes, they're muddy footprints. But from what bird? Take a guess....










If you guessed Great Blue Heron footprints, you were correct. [there are actually three blue herons in the image]

§ Melts in your mouth....

Join by clicking on Book Blurb Button




BOOK BLURB

This is the 'book cover' from the week's posted photo. Upon viewing this, the challenge for this meme is to write a blurb [the inside cover flap] that will entice the reader to drop down their VISA on the counter and purchase the book and enjoying it. It's to be either fiction or non-fiction. For all the rules, just click the button above; then, participate!!

Here goes---












book title:
*:*:Chocolaterie Confessions:*:*:

Face it...this publication is for chocolate lovers 'round the globe!! Researchers, taste tests, and volunteers have raved over certain confections from here, from there. In this book you'll relinquish your soul to chocolate. Learn how provocative chocolate can be. From homemade delicacies in small town candy shops, to the large factories of special, renowned, candies!! You'll read about the debut of Black Chocolate on the world market...critics agree...it's knock-your-socks-off ambrosial! Follow through special chapters from: how to make your own, the common myths of the decadent mixture of oils and sweetness, secret recipes revealed, using chocolate at parties. "Taste" the rich, glow of the mahogany brown sensation of superior chocolates. Treat yourself to custom-made chocolate gambling chips for special occasions; a veritable paradise for us sweet-toothed connoisseurs. Dig into recipes, ideas, clues using chocolate to your advantage. Peruse the pages allowing your senses to be tantalized.

[149 - Word Count Tool]

In its entirety, the text is copyrighted by law.
see copyright on sidebar
© 2011


"Orgasmic"!!! ~Geena Kneelie FN Cable

"Sinfully delicious." ~In A. Gartenn from FN Bearfoot Contezza

"You'll read this, and fill out orders 'round the world for MORE CHOCOLATE!" ~Rach L. Wray from Cable FN

"Reminiscent of the classic movie "Chocolat" and Comte de Reynaud!" ~Sun E. Andersen Food Netwerk




FRIDAY FODDER

This week, keeping to the 'book theme', I thought I'd mention the novel I just finished a week ago. One I totally recommend to anyone who loved "Little Women" [by Louisa May Alcott], the classic. THE LOST SUMMER OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT will have you turning the pages to see just how Louisa chooses her way of life, how she used one summer [tho fictionalized, it's so "real" you think you know her all too well] to make her final decision and life's calling to become an author and nothing else. To be honest, I'm not much of a romance reader, but this work of fiction is so filled with the author's [Kelly O'Connor McNees] imagination of a life long love for Louisa, it's nearly impossible to put down. Following the characters of Little Women, the Lost Summer...brings you back to Jo and Beth and the sisters. Laurie. All the familiar characters. And the highly anticipated ending of this book is NOT disappointing. Very well written. True to Alcott's form in every way. If you liked Little Women, you'll LOVE The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott!!!

§ A moment on the lips....

I say, a new love has come to my home; and all wrapped up in dark chocolate. Then, I ask: "Bud, who?" LOL






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...but...Now, on a more 'serious' note for the day. A few days ago, with a phone conversation between me and Erik who is now the professor of U.S. Government at a university in Houston...we started going on the subject of black. He asked me if I thought Obama was the 1st 'black' president. Of course, with knowing my son as I do, I knew this was a trick question. And my answer was..."Pro'ly not". And..."You're going to expand on this, right?". Well, of course, he did. He points out the "One drop rule" to his students on race, color. Which I read about many times while doing our families' genealogy work. You see, the one drop rule is as follows [quoted from PBS.dot.org]:

To be considered black in the United States not even half of one's ancestry must be African black. But will one-fourth do, or one-eighth, or less? The nation's answer to the question 'Who is black?" has long been that a black is any person with any known African black ancestry. This definition reflects the long experience with slavery and later with Jim Crow segregation. In the South it became known as the "one-drop rule,'' meaning that a single drop of "black blood" makes a person a black. It is also known as the "one black ancestor rule," some courts have called it the "traceable amount rule," and anthropologists call it the "hypo-descent rule," meaning that racially mixed persons are assigned the status of the subordinate group. This definition emerged from the American South to become the nation's definition, generally accepted by whites and blacks. Blacks had no other choice. As we shall see, this American cultural definition of blacks is taken for granted as readily by judges, affirmative action officers, and black protesters as it is by Ku Klux Klansmen.

Well, Erik enriched me by telling me that Warren G. Harding had black blood in him, tho he 'looked' white. Okay, I can live with that piece of information. But I didn't stop there. After we hung up and went about getting back to our own lifestyle...I was still thinking about this. I kept telling myself that it's highly possible being with the country's slavery issues from the beginning...it's highly possible, if not probable that many other presidents' families 'jumped the fence' so to speak. Slaves, plantation owners, presidents' ancestors...our country's history. Right? Then, I went out online after a few days with this subject still in my mind. He had piqued my interest as slavery is a great subject for me. Well, lo and behold, there was a book published in the mid 60s..."The 5 Black U S Presidents". And I quote from www.bigissueground.dot.com:

The book was published in 1965 by the noted historian J.A. Rogers. Actually only four Presidents of Afrikan ancestry are identified in the book. They are: 1) Thomas Jefferson 2) Andrew Jackson 3) Abraham Lincoln 4) Warren G. Harding

[Harding admitted to black blood with his ancestors in speeches evidently]

The 5th was not named in the book at that time. Even though the evidence was strong, at the time of the writing of the book, it was not conclusive that Eisenhower is/was the fifth one.

It is also asserted that Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin, was known to have "black blood" in him. In addition, Alexander Hamilton is said to be the son of a woman, Rachel Fawcett, who had "mixed Blood".

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The site also reflected an opinion regarding Eisenhower's mother and a photo the author found...making one wonder if Eisenhower indeed had mixed blood. So, I had to go out and find the photo in question:

D D Eisenhower's mother
Who can really tell?
It's possible...but without
further researching, I can't
say for sure if there is
signs of mixed blood? Can you?
It's now all just speculation.

And then, to top more, I've been reading here and there online that Dwight Eisenhower was actually born in Hungary? And his REAL name is Johann Adolf Eisenhauer? Wonder how legit this info is?!!!! I question the whole thing. But if you'd care to read more, go to Google and search for Eisenhower's birth certificate fraud.


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Speaking of slavery. Today is the opening of another highly anticipated movie release in the theaters. Since Corpus Christi will not have the independent film release of Atlas Shrugged...Bud and I will go see a timely movie coming out today. "The Conspirator"...about the woman connected with Abraham Lincoln's Assassination...Mary Surratt. President Lincoln was shot on April 14th and died on the following morning, April 15th....147 years ago today.

§ ...don't go for all the hype is what I say!!

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MY TASTE REVIEW:

I will normally try anything new. At least once. Especially when it comes to 'foods' experimenting. Seeing this advertised once on TV recently, and being at the grocery store the other day, I decided to toss a bag of it in the cart and do a taste test. Now, granted, I do LOVE the Twizzlers Strawberry red licorice ropes. And I can 'stomach' the black licorice made by the same company. They once came out with chocolate flavored licorice and it didn't go over well. In fact, I haven't seen it on the stores' shelves in ages. Anyway, the candy manufacturer came out with their newest 'brilliant' concoction...rainbow Twizzlers. With watermelon, lemon, orange, grape, blue raspberry and the red strawberry. I bite into the blue raspberry...."GAG"...it tasted like soap. No really, there is a residue taste that is so close to a detergent odor and even the taste, and it lingers. One bite, and no go for me!! So I move to the lemon flavored...there is a hint of lemon...but again, a soapy taste...NASTY!! The orange was a lot like the old fashioned candies from my youth, the orange slices. So far that was the closest to the advertised flavor. The green...the watermelon I guess...tasted more like apple to me. The strawberry being their original red licorice twists...wasn't even close. I tellya, they were all just downright soapy-nasty!! At least that's my opinion. And to top it off there was no sturdiness to them...when I finally got them pulled from the bag [they were all literally stuck inside to the cellophane packaging], the ropes were so floppy...not the consistency I'd expect. It was like trying to catch a tossed kernel of popcorn into you mouth...I was 'chasing' the licorice stick all over the air before finally landing into my mouth for a bite, 'cause they were like a wet rag!! CONCLUSION: I'll stick with the original and not buy the new crap licorice flavors again.

§ Rest easy....dark chocolate IS HEALTHY!!

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THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Over the last two decades, scientists, doctors and nutritionists have experimented with people - volunteering for nutritional chocolate! If only I had known. :::sigh::: People eating chocolate, my oh my. The best and most healthy of chocolates is DARK CHOCOLATE. With at least 70% cocoa.






FACTS:

1] The consumption of high-cacao-content chocolate [dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate] has been correlated with positive health benefits from flavonol antioxidants.

2] FLAVONOL is: Flavonoids (specifically flavanoids such as the catechins) are "the most common group of polyphenolic compounds in the human diet and are found ubiquitously in plants".[4] Flavonols, the original bioflavonoids such as quercetin, are also found ubiquitously, but in lesser quantities. Both sets of compounds have evidence of health-modulating effects in animals which eat them.

3] Chocolate is plant-derived, as are the fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy heart. [stated here by Dr. Engler -PhD, RN]

4] The longest clinical trial to date to show improvement in blood vessel function from consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily over an extended period of time. [news release]

5] Consuming dark chocolate daily...Increases blood flow in the artery. Better blood flow is good for your heart.

6] Flavoniods keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels.

7] Flavoniods reduce the risk of blood clots.

8] Flavoniods slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

9] "Can't you get more and better flavoniods from other foods?" Surprisingly, the answer is "not really." Engler says that of dark chocolate.

10] THERE IS A CATCH TO THIS: Remember to EXERCISE daily if you begin a chocolate regiment in your diet intake. Chocolate IS loaded with calories.

11] The health benefits of dark chocolate may include lowering high blood pressure, German researchers report. [again, this is only beneficial with balanced diet and exercise]

12] Not all chocolate is heart healthy. White chocolate, which a Harvard researcher points out is "not really chocolate at all," and milk chocolate may expand the hips rather than help blood flow.

13] LDL (bad) cholesterol remained the same or slightly lower, and HDL (good) cholesterol increased.


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THURSDAY THUNKS

1. Have you ever performed the Heimlich Maneuver on someone or had it performed on you? Well, since you asked, it reminds me of a joke about two TEXANS:

Two Texans were having the Blue Plate Special at their favorite truck stop when they heard this awful choking sound. They turned around to see a lady, sitting a few bar stools down from them, turning blue from the Armadillo burger she ate too fast.

The first Texan said to the other, "Think we oughtta help?"
"Yep, reckon so", says the second.

The first Texan gets up, walks over to the lady and asks, "Can you breathe?"
She shakes her head, "no".

"Can you speak?" he then asks.
She shakes her head, "no", again.

With that, he helps her to her feet, lifts up her skirt, and starts to lick her on the butt.

She is so shocked, she coughs up the obstruction and begins to breathe again, with great relief.

The first Texan turns back to his friend and says with a smile, "Funny how that Hind Lick Maneuver works every time!"

2. Do you have a red room in your home? (Either painted red or red curtains etc.) Let's see....no, not since the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. [it cleaned up real nice]

3. Have you ever felt like banging your head against the wall? All the time. Haven't you ever heard of getting some sense knocked into your head? That's the only way I know how. Ask me if I bashed a few other heads against the wall!

4. Reports came out this week that Michael Jackson was gay. Are you shocked, don't believe it, don't care or felt he was all along? Who knows? Who cares? But I heard he always drove by elementary schools really slow...law abiding citizen that he was. [kidding]

5. What's the dumbest thing you have done after a breakup with a S/O? I've never had a breakup....and if you really care, I am proud of my standing in life. 42 years with one man in just 5 short days; our anniversary.

6. If Berleen and Bud are standing on the roof of a one story building and decide to throw water balloons at Kimber walking down below on the sidewalk, what color balloon hits her first? Black one...the next will be blue! Black and blue is quite logical don't you think? Afterall, we're supposed to be thunking.

7. What are the wildest, craziest pajamas you own? I don't wear 'em much --- too hot here. But, in Colorado I had some prison striped ones with feet in 'em. A real hoot 'cause I wore 'em ONLY when the kids would have sleepovers at our house, embarrassed them that their mom was fun to be around.

8. Have you ever ridden in a sidecar on a motorcycle? No...just the back seat behind the driver...the best bug shield going is the driver while you're on the back. Trust me.

9. Do/did you go party on Cinco De Mayo, and if so what color was the bartender's shirt? Let me answer this in Spanish to go with the mood of it all....No.

10. Why does a hat have a bill? You fail to mention what KIND of hat? A pimp's hat, a fisherman's hat, or the ladies with red hats...like the high society ladies in the club. Different hats for different strokes -billies.

11. If you were a WWE professional wrestler, what would your stage name be? Buxom Moolah, I checked!! --








link for ladies



link for gents














12. How many keys do you have on your keyring? Dunno f'sure....guessing about 7 or 8.

13. What is the oldest picture you currently have in your home? What year was it taken and who/what is the photo of? My grandmother's wedding portrait. 1896 I believe. Again, this ol' broad is too lazy to take it down off the wall...the date is written on the back. And if I was to photograph it to post here, it'd be the oldest AND newest.





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I received this lovely award from Anne yesterday. I always appreciate the blog friends that stop by to show appreciation of my blogging with recognizing me. Being that awards come from peers...it always brings so much pleasure. Thank you kindly, Anne, for thinking of me!!! You most definitely brought some sunshine into my life.









POSTED: Thursday, May 6th, 2010
12:30 A.M.

§ Hi-ho the derri-o, the toffee I'll eat.......

aka---"...and a Christmas Meme in a Pear Tree...."

I've visited so many many blogs with holiday themes this past month and quite a few have some fantastic candy recipes and wonderful looking, yummy, delicious photos of their finished sweets!! I tellya, afterward I was so inspired. I just couldn't sit idly by and allow my Bloggin' Buddies to outdo me in the candy department. Did I just say that? Well, I think they've already got a huge head start, and I will quit while they're ahead. Besides, with just two of us, it's a bit bad on the old tooth enamel and the bathroom scales if I make more than I did. Of course, without a doubt, I will make Rice Krispie Treat Squares for us....did I just say that too? It's more like I will make the squares for me. LOL Bud'll eat one or two, and the rest is mine. MINE I tellya!! And later, closer to Christmas Day, I'll make a small batch of cookies. Okay, so the inspiration was the chocolates that Pea and Mary have so beautifully made, Mary as recently as this past weekend. Which inspired me to make these:









Pecan Chocolate English Toffee Bark
And, it's ever so easy...
Not to mention Scrumptious!!


















I'd like to say it's my own recipe, but I can't.
In fact I found this on the 'net a few years back.
It's so very simple. One of the easiest I've ever found. And in less that 2 hours, you have a couple of containers filled with the sweet, chocolatey, buttery toffee.


Equal amounts of sugar and butter.
[My version I used 1 cup of butter to 1 cup granulated, white sugar]
dash of salt...[this can be eliminated if desired]
An 11 oz bag of Milk Chocolate Chocolate Chips
And finely crushed pecans [slivered almonds can be substituted]
I tbsp. vegetable oil [the original recipe doesn't have this, but since I've found this and love the results and taste of the toffee, I've been adding a small amount of oil to make the chocolate spread much smoother and easier to spread over the hot toffee]


COOKIE SHEET THAT IS COVERED WITH WAXED PAPER...you can spray this with nonstick cooking spray [I do, but not necessary]


That's it!!

Mix sugar and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly. When the mixture begins to boil...continue stirring until the sugar/butter mix turns a golden to medium amber color. Pour the hot bubbly mixture onto the cookie sheet, spreading if necessary. My kitchen is quite sufficiently set up where I can continue stirring the mixture over the stove top and microwave the chocolate chips just to my left hand....heating times will vary...1 to 2 minutes at high...add the tbsp of oil when the chips have softened. and stir 'til smooth and creamy. Pour evenly, the melted chocolate pieces, over the cooling toffee. Sprinkle the Pecans on top of chocolate. Press pecans into chocolate. Refrigerate about 1 hour. Take out, break into bite-sized pieces. COVER IN AIR TIGHT CONTAINER. Refrigerate.


My portion sized recipe above will make about a pound of candy.

RECIPE







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I had planned on doing this for my Monday Morsels post yesterday, but I'd forgotten the Blogland's Home Tour and knew it would be a long post. So, I saved the All about Christmas Meme for today as an extension of Ruby Tuesday, thinking, that maybe some visitors may want to 'join in'. I found this at Mama Bear's blog last Thursday and loved her answers and felt compelled to do it for myself. You can go to the link I provided [it'll open in a new window] and copy the list if you'd like...



About the TREE....
1. When do you put up the Christmas tree?

It's always been the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

2. Real or fake?

It's been an artificial tree for years!

3. Lights? What color?

For about a decade now the lights have been miniature ones with Santa-faces- 'covering the lightbulbs'

4. Garland?

No, but I have before

5. Theme or no theme?

Santas and "family" ornaments telling the story of our lives.

6. What kind of topper?

Animated Santa

7. What's your favorite ornament?

I don't have a favorite.

8. What does your tree skirt look like?

Green felt with red trim and gold braid...with a quilted Santa on top of the green.

9. Where do you put your tree?

Always in the living room. This year it's by the front window.

10. Who decorates the tree?

Now, it's me...used to have our kids helping years ago.

11. What's "under" the tree?

The tree skirt, packages, a huge ceramic Santa by the chimney.

12 Do you put candy canes on your tree?

No

About the FOODS....
1. What's your favorite Christmas cookie?

Mexican Wedding Cakes [almond cookie dough with pecan pieces...baked...covered with confectioner's sugar].

2. Do you bake cookies and give them away?

I have, but not recently.

3. Any "special" foods or candy that you only have at Christmas time?

Popcorn balls, Rice Krispie Treats, Sugar Cookies...all homemade.

4. What do you eat Christmas EVE?

Whatever I feel like cooking.

5. What do you eat on Christmas day?

With just the two of us, nothing special like it used to be.

6. Do you like Eggnog??

Love it!!!!!

7. Do you like candy canes?

They're okay, but not crazy 'bout 'em.

About the DECORATIONS...
1. Where do you hang your stockings?

We have four furry ones...One big one for Bud, one medium for me...one each for our furbabies.

2. Do you put lights on your house?

Only once here in Texas.

3. Got any outside lawn decorations?

Have 'em, but put them in OUR backyard...for reason both for this ? and #2...they get stolen!!

4. Do you put up a nativity (creche)?

I have several, but I don't put them out these days.

5. Do you hang mistletoe over the door?

No

6. Got a wreath on your front door?

Actually, it's to the side of the door, on the brick, encircling our house light.

7. How long does it take you to decorate?

Entirely? About four days.

About the MOVIES/SHOWS...
1 .Favorite Children's Xmas TV show/cartoon?

The Drummer Boy narrated by Greer Garson.

2. Favorite Christmas movie?

It has become an all time favorite...POLAR EXPRESS!!

4. Have you ever seen the Nutcracker Suite Ballet live?

Once

5. Ever been to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show?

No

6. Ever gone to the movies on Xmas Day?

Yes

OTHER Christmas things...
1. Favorite Christmas book or story?

The Christmas Carol -Dickens

2. Do you stuff your stockings with any types of food?

Don't stuff 'em with anything these days except for our cats...they get a toy.

3. Do you go to church on Christmas or Christmas Eve?

Haven't for a long time...it's usually during the week...in December --all December with the special choirs.

4. Have you ever gone Caroling?

When younger, and single.

5. Favorite Christmas Carol?

Oh Holy Night and I'll be Home for Christmas and Christmas Eve in Sarajevo --in THAT order!

6. Do you believe in Santa?

I BELIEVE with all my heart!

7. Do you leave Santa cookies?

No

8. What about Rudolph...

What about Rudolph?

9. What was your best Christmas gift?

Materialistic? Heart shaped diamond and ruby necklace. Heartfelt? Having Irene and Erik home one year...she had moved to Florida & didn't work out, she came home...Erik was on Holiday Leave from USMC Okinawa!!

10. What was the worst/most odd gift?

I've never had an 'odd' or worst...I like 'em all.

11. Do you go to a "work" Christmas party?

Retired ---used to go tho.

12. Do you hate going?

To some, yes...others, they were downright fun.

13. Do you send Christmas cards?

I have, this year...I'm not gonna send many.

14. Do you make a "list"?

List of what?

15. Do you check it twice? & thrice & etc.

It depends on what list...there's shopping, groceries, 'to do lists', baking.

16.When do you start shopping?

All Year Long

17.Do you shop on Black Friday?

Once...never EVER again.

20. ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS?

Yep...always ready for the big guy in red!!!

Christmas gift suggestions: "To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
~ Oren Arnold





POSTED: Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
4:15 A.M.