The Brenda Photo Challenge (Emotion)

GEEZ! This was TOUGH!!! But! The kids pulled my fanny out of the fire at the Last minute!!LOL......Throughout All her sad years, Crystal has the Emotion of Happiness...The Babies are Happy, Tim is Happy and even Peppy, the dog, is happy....This makes Mom and Dad Very happy....Thanks Cindra for hosting this Challenge! On my way to see all of Your Emotions!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Pumpkin Soup

Adapted; Scott Peacock & Edna Lewis-The Gift of Southern Cooking

2 small pumpkin (about 4 lbs) or canned pumpkin
6 slices bacon
1 large sweet onion
2 small shallots
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
6 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup sherry
1 1/2 cup heavy cream

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Split the pumpkins in half and remove the seeds and fiber from them. Place them on a parchment lined roasting side, cut side down and add 1 cup water to pan.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until the skin is a nice deep color and the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife.
Remove from the oven and let cool enough to handle.
Peel off the skin, or alternately scoop out the flesh and set aside in a bowl.
While the pumpkin is baking prepare your other ingredients.
Cut bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and cook in a heavy soup pot over medium-low heat till nice and brown. When done, remove bacon pieces and set aside.
Keeping the bacon fat in the pot add your onions, shallots, leeks and garlic and saute over medium-high heat, stirring often so that the mixture doesn’t burn, for about 5 minutes.
Add your thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, nutmeg and pumpkin. Stir the pumpkin well with the other ingredients and saute for about 5 minutes longer. Be careful that your vegetables do not burn.
Add your chicken stock, bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes longer.
Remove the bay leaf from the pot, and carefully pour the mixture into a food processor or blender in batches and puree till smooth.
Return the mixture to the soup pot or dutch oven and bring the soup to a simmer again.
Add the sherry, and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes. Add the cream if desired and taste for seasoning as you might need more salt, pepper and or nutmeg.
Serve with fresh grated nutmeg and the browned bacon bits on top.

Hope you All have a Safe and fun Halloween!!!

Don't Forget 2 Things!!

Hi Guys! A quick post here....Crystal has been sick all week with an upper respiratory infection...Doc said Severe....I could just Beat her for not going to the Dr sooner...but now she's got the wonder drugs to help her get better.

As the post title says, there's 2 things to Not forget to Do this week!

1. Get your pictures ready for the Brenda Photo Challenge! It's for this Saturday, Nov. 1st!! If you haven't gone over there and left your comment, get on Over there!!!Hahaaa.....

2. Don't forget to set your clocks BACK one hour this Saturday night before you go to sleep! (USA)

Well, that's pretty much it for now....Ya'll have a Restful night and STOP STRESSING!!!Hahaa....

What a Day! Happy 83rd Birthday Gerald! And What Did You Say??

Roses were Everywhere!!

Well Hey! We Are a family of plumbers!!!LOL......

See the Bee?

Buddies forever! Aaron & Kathleen's...Babies!

The Birthday Guy, Gerald

The Expectant Father....Aaron

Kathleen...(The Trickster)LOLHahaa.............

Well it is Hubby's Dad's Birthday today! Happy Birthday Gerald!! He's 83. Hubby's brother Ken and wife Deb invited everyone over for a great lunch....I took Tons of pictures. Deb has the prettiest yard so while I was there, I ran all around their house snapping pics...LOL...GEEZ! Roses were Still blooming, Lantana, clyclamen in a pot...you name it, she has it. Her Dad is a Master Gardener so she has learned a lot. Their Son Aaron and his cutie wife, Kathleen along with their Other son, Kurtis were there....Aaron and Kathleen have been married for several years now and live near San Antonio. Hubby and I have Often asked just When they were going to get pregnant...Aaron's Mom and Dad (Ken & Deb) have been "pawing the ground", waiting.LOL....So, since we all figured it was a lost cause...we quit warting. At the lunch table everyone gathers around for the prayer and then the question was asked of Gerald (birthday boy...stay with me now!) by Aaron, if he would feel "greater"(as in Great Great Grandfather) in 8 months than he did today??? I'm just standing there trying to figure out what the heck That meant....I look at Hubby(who is grinning ear to ear), then Aaron(Innocent look on face)...and I STILL don't get it!!Hahahaaa.......Then I see Kathleen's Face!! Good Lord! That little Tart!LOLHahaaa.....She had me Going earlier because I Swear...I had Just asked the...when-will-baby-be-coming questions and She answered them like a flipping PRO! Big Innocent eyes..."Oh no, Not yet...not ready....." lines....Hahahaa....Tart!! It was just a FUN day....We're SO happy for them all!! There's Nothing like a new life blessing this old world. They bring So much love when they come. SO, Congratulations again little loves.... SO, that was Our Sunday...I've already got "shopping" plans being plotted in my mind....A Big old Drum set 'ya say????Hahaaaa.....Night All!

Saturday Sale

Just got back from town...Don't 'ja just Love shopping on Saturdays?? Linens & Things is going out of business.....a bunch of people losing their jobs. Good sale though and the economist Highly suggest that if there's Anything you Want (not really Need), now's the time to go get it. SO, off to the sale to get a new coffee maker. We'll store the old one just in Case...geez! We Also just HAD to get a Cold mocha latte...Hahaa...And it was Good! Well, hope your Saturday is a productive one...Hubby's out in the wood shop building shelves for the spice cabinet so I guess I'll go find something to do...you know...to Look productive!!LOL....Happy day Guys!

What Now???

Well...Wouldn't cha know!!! We get up yesterday morning and the Flipping range computer keypad was going crazy...Now how much do you think THIS is 'gonna cost?!!! Right before the holidays as well...And I CAN NOT find my receipt!!!GADS!!! I keep them ALL....it's NOT in its folder...I'm a crazy woman....Hahahaa.......It's under warranty...IF I have my RECEIPT.....send prayers while I tear up the house looking for it!!
Well, that's about it for today. Really!!Hahaaa....I need a beach...I kid you Not! Happy day though to All of you...I Am smiling.....REALLY!!hahahaa........

Same-o-Same-o and Voting

Nothing new here...same old stuff. We're still working on getting to know QuickBooks. I don't know who's winning! Cindra posted her new theme and date for the next Brenda Photo Challange! Go check it out! And sign up while you're there!!hahaa.....
Got the house sprayed by the Bug Lady yesterday...She said mice and rats were Really showing up Everywhere...didn't know why. I said it was..."early voting"....I think it went right over her head!...hahaa......Oh Well..Hope things are popping where You're at! It's Finally a little slower here today. Hope you all have a Fun and restful night or day. Hubby and I went and voted early this morning...Yes, I Care about Who you vote for, but I care even MORE that you just VOTE!! Happy day all!!

That Was Fun!

Well, "Old" turned out to be another fun challenge! I appreciate all your pictures and the time you put in, taking them! Thank You! Now we're off onto another fun Challenge! Cindra at Knits & Pics has kindly consented to hosting the Next Brenda Photo Challenge! Thanks Cindra! Just as Soon as I know her theme and date, I'll post it for you.

Nothing really new here. We kept William Saturday night...had lots of fun doing the movie marathon thing! Avatar was the cartoon series...little brat got Me hooked!Hahaaa....We also watched Indiana Jones newest movie, and an H.G.Wells movie called First Men in the Moon...then Men in Black and Men in Black 2....He loved Every minute and I ended up bleary eyed...hahahaaa.....Oh well, the things Gammas do for their sweeties!

So, it's now Monday and time to get moving. I'm still at home waiting for The Bug Lady again...it rained to hard last week to get our quarterly spraying so we're trying again this morning. Hope you all have a Happy and productive day!!

Brenda Photo Challenge (10/18/08) "Old"

Three old Royal Doulton milk jugs my Mom got from Her mom in the 1930's.
Two old Cupie dolls that were my mother's when she was a little girl.
Hubby's Grandmothers old bread bowl.

Well, that's mine.....Will be heading over to check out Yours! Hope you all had fun doing "old" with me!!! Go check 'em out at The Brenda Photo Challenge Blog!

Are You Ready for the Brenda Photo Challenge???

Now Come On!! Get on over there and leave your comment so we can all come by and see your pictures!! TOO Busy?? No Way!! Everyone must have Something "Old" laying around and a camera!! Go for it!!

Well, we're Slowly getting QuickBooks whipped into line. There's So many tiny little spots you have to look at or check off...Grief!! Finally got the reports going that we need....maybe not All of them, but it's a start.

So between QB's and....Geez! Where AM I??Hahaaaa......Think I'll go throw my feet up for a while...rest a little then do a little Much missed, blog reading!! Ya'll have a Wonderful and safe night!!

Wordless Wednesday

My daughter Crystal in 1981....she was eight yrs old....The hair-do was called a Wedge and she was writing me a love letter...I still have it.....Notice the Tupperware glass...hahaaa...I loved those tumblers! Happy Day everyone!

Happy Birthday Hubby!!

Hope we surprised you! We've shared quite a few birthdays together honey....Here's to quite a few more...May all your wishes...come true. I love you.....

PS- What? Oh Yeah...Italian Creme Cake....and it was pretty good! Night Everyone...

Thank You Lille!

This is what I found in my mailbox!! I won the prize over at Lille Meg's!! How Wonderful! The candle smells like mimosa and the cup towels are Great!! The little polar bear is a tiny notebook...How FUN was THIS?!!! Thanks so much Lille!! This was so much Fun!!! When you visit her site, and Only speak English, just click on the translator!

Mutiny?

Thought I'd better check in before you think I ran off to somewhere exotic....Hahahaa....right. It's been one heck of a week! SIL said last week.."Quit being computer phobic!"....LOL...Well, I Am that! But, I suppose, if you make a mistake it can be fixed and you move on. I must say, QuickBooks isn't my favorite program but I'm learning it's wicked ways. The report section is Not wonderful and especially in payroll it looks like I'll have to create the ones I need in Excel...Ugggg. Never heard of a program that Didn't give you Balances!!!...or at least the ones I Need!! Oh well, enough of the tirade...Hope you all are being Good!! I'm hearing reports about some of you! Seems Donna (Tn) is holding Marty hostage...Brenda is thinking of running for Mayor...Dawn has run off with the computer man...Sally, it seems, is the Only one of you that's behaving! Joan won't let Gord out of the house...Geez! The list is growing!!Hahaa...Jules has gone Native? Dancing around the volcano?? Hahaaa......Gads! I'll soon be back to end your wicked ways!! Happy day or night Guys!!

Still At IT!!!!

I REALLY am not ignoring you!!!LOLHahaaa......I'm REALLY working here!! You KNOW I'd be posting if I could!!! This QuickBooks is kicking our butts but it's getting tamed!! I Swear! Nothing else has been happening Except living and breathing, getting this program going...Hang in there and Behave! Just as Soon as it's back to normal....Hahahaaa.....I'll be Back!! Happy day Ya'll!!

See What I Found?

GoodNess what a Week I'm having!!LOLHahaaa.......We are Still in the process of converting QuickBooks. Shouldn't be long now though...I've got a stack of stuff to enter...Crystal has a stack...We ran reports today and tried to clean up the office a bit from all the neglect. I met Deb at the office both Saturday and Sunday trying to get things done. Saturday, after I left the office, I ran to Lowes....and see what I found? It's almost Christmas!!!....WHAT?Hahaa....well, sort of...kinda....I wasn't Really too impressed with their tree offerings either. Oh well, I've got plenty of time to deal with it later. They still have petunias for sale as well. Well, I'm one pooped people....think I'll go stretch out and stare at the ceiling for awhile....Happy night or day where Ever you are!!

Are You Ready?

Hello Everyone! How much fun was "Yellow"!! All the pictures were wonderful and told a Very Yellow story! Thanks Tabitha for hosting for us! It was great fun! Tabitha has now asked Me to host the next challenge...SO...here it is...Ready?

A) The Theme will be "Old".......Hahaaa!

B) The date will be......October 18th

The rules for the next hostess are as follows:

1. If you are chosen to host the next challenge, and you accept the mission, you must pick a topic for the next challenge.

2. It can be anything that floats your boat, but keep it clean.

3. Set the date (usually 2 weeks ahead to allow everyone to gather their pictures together). 4.Post the rules and the name of the next hostess on your blog (with links to their site) and the next hostess has to do the same!!

I'll let you know who will be the next Challenge hostess after I ask her....In the mean time, Enjoy hunting for "Old".......I can't Wait to see what you all come up with!!

And lastly....Just have Fun with it...

The Brenda Photo Challenge (10/04/08) YELLOW

Trust me...It's Yellow after I put all that Butter on it!!Hahahaaa.......
Oh Come On!! You Knew there'd be Something about QuickBooks!! And it Is Yellow!
Yellow flowers in front of my desk......I didn't have to go far!

Well these are my "Yellow" entries. I want to thank Tabitha of Twinkle Twinkle for hosting this bi-monthly challenge for us! It's always fun...So, I'm now on my way over to see all the other entries!! Tabitha has also asked ME to host the next round...so let me think a bit and I'll post when I've come up with something!!

Looking Studious Here....Hahaaa.....

I'm just sitting here Trying to look studious....WHAT?!!Hahaaa......and no, that's not me...well, Maybe it was me in another life....But...my mind is frazzled. Trying to remember Everything I need to remember before the closing and conversion of computer programs. Deb's coming up tomorrow to help in the conversion. We talked about having the "advisor" back to do it, but at $50.00 an hr to push buttons...well, we've decided, if there's a problem, we'll just call Intuit (QB's developer). And if That doesn't work...you will be able to find me in Switzerland...on an Alp....sounds good to me!

Also Don't forget The Brenda Photo Challenge for this Saturday!! The theme is YELLOW and it's hosted by Tabitha. GO SIGN UP!!! Tabitha's theme reminds me of Sally, when we were suppose to take photos of ORANGE and she took all Yellow ones!!Hahaaaa....Sweet Love!!!

Well, guess I'll go Purge something....Ya'll be happy and kind to each other!!!

PS- 'Gonna watch the Palin/Biden debate tonight at 8:00pm (central time)??? These last 2wks have been a wild ride.......