Social Networking (Or Not)

Is my brain in there somewhere?

Okay, I know.  I belong to that "other" generation now.  You know that baby boomer generation that is a product of the post WWII boom.  I've heard it said "how old would you be if you didn't know your age"?  Yes, I dig it and I get it, but what I don't get are these social networking sites on the world wide web that are supposed to be so user friendly.  I think when that web was being spun my brain got caught up with the bugs and was devoured!

I joined Tweeter (oops, it's Twitter and tweet is what you do on Twitter),  I joined Facebook and, obviously, I joined this blog site.  However when I try to tweek my profile information on Twitter and face-off the information I get on Facebook, I cannot follow or get what in the world wide web what they want!

I have tried several times to post my profile picture on Twitter but it does not like the size of my photos.  I have tried to edit the information I get on Facebook but they keep coming back like that damn spot in the Poe story.   It is a conspiracy I tell you.  They don't want us B.B.'s here.  Push like if you agree with me!
 



I wouldn't feel so stupid if I hadn't been a part of this computer boom.  Back when I was a professional in the world,  I worked with the newest and best office equipment that was available.  I was sent to numerous training classes at places like IBM and the IT departments where I worked.  I learned many new software programs that made our jobs easier.  It was exciting days back then.  Kind of like "look Pa there's land in them thar computers".   Well, not quite like that but kinda, sorta.

If your pulling one these stay in the
slow lane so we don't make them mad!



I like blogging and I like seeing what's going on in the world.  I also think it is very sweet that these sites are offered to us for free.  However, I really think it is a plot to get rid of us "others".  You know, us other than the 20 and 30 somethings.  Maybe we are driving too slow on the information highway and are getting in their way. 





So to appease the ones behind the flasing cursors, I suggest we hang in there, muddle along and act like we know what we are doing.  Stay in the right lane, take power naps and hit like on everything you read.  That way they will think we know what we are doing and maybe, just maybe, they will stop sending those stupid "error" messages all the time.

Love and peace to you all.

SBL

Share with God's people who are in need.

  Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13





It's A Small World

Our past has a way at coming back to us.  I don't mean this in a negative or sarcastic way.  Nor do I mean you sow what you reap or what goes around comes around.  Alright, I know, enough with the cliches!

This is not our home. 
Wouldn't mind if it was.

Several years ago my husband and I were in the market for a larger home when my mother came to live with us.  We had  some very specific needs for our new house and we looked at a lot of houses.  Thankfully we had the most patient real estate agent on the face of this earth.  The day finally came when we found the house with the best fit for us.

I was so excited as I described the house to my mother.  When I told her where it was, she said we had some friends who used to live in that town.  When I told her it had a Florida room she said her friend's house had a Florida room.  Well, you guessed it.  The original owners of this house were some long time friends of my family.  Not only that, they hosted my parents 25th wedding anniversary in this house and I was at that party.  I don't know why I do not remember that party or this house.   Sounds like something I need to address some other time.

Another time I experienced the small world phenomenon was in 1977 when I was stationed in South Korea while serving in the Army.  I met a young man at a party I was attending who went to the same high school as me.  He had been a couple of years behind me and knew me, but I didn't know him.  However, here we were, two Oklahomans several thousands of miles away from home and bumping in to each other in South Korea!

Pretty boots.

Last week I found out my horseback instructor is from the same town in Texas where I have relatives and she knows my great niece.   I could go on and on with stories like this.  I'm sure all of you have had these same experiences and every time one occurs we always say "what a small world".

I find this very exciting.  It's like "life reruns" or "second chances".  Or maybe it's a way to connect us to the big wide world.  Sometimes as we go through our daily routines life becomes mundane.  We can start to feel like ants in a colony going through our tasks and doing what we need to do to   get through another day. 

When we have a small world occurrence it gives us a whole new outlook on life.  It brings our past back to us.  It's a way of reminding us that we are truly connected with everyone and that everything that happens is not always just a coincidence.  It is truly a purposeful event.

Until tomorrow dear friends.  Have a blessed evening.

SCL

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a
manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27

Economics 101 - Supply or Demand

When I took economics in college our professor asked the class what drove the economy.  Was it supply or demand?  A very interesting discussion ensued and I said it was supply.  Apparently I was wrong, but I still stand by my decision.

Just yesterday while I was browsing in a thrift store I overheard a mother telling her son who was looking at toys to hurry up and pick something out.  He said  "I know I want something, I just don't know what".  So there you have it.  The boy wanted to buy something but he wasn't seeing anything that interested him.

Which brings me to today's topic.  Consumerism.  My husband and I love to visit antique stores, thrift stores and flea markets.  I guess you can consider it a hobby.  However, because of this we have a lot of stuff.  I am positive that we wouldn't have all this stuff if it wasn't out there.

In the process of this looking around we starting collecting things.  Many, many things.  And I know we are not the only people who do this.  Just look at the many books and magazines that offer prices on collectibles and look at the numerous websites and television programs about pickers, auctions and appraising items.



I collect milk glass, gravy boats, small creamers, egg coddlers, egg holders, mid-century glass pitchers, vintage tablecloths, napkins and fabric, spice holders and the list goes on and on.  Now don't misunderstand me, I am not a hoarder.  I have a nice, clean home with my collections displayed artfully.  In fact I had to stop collecting some things because I have run out of room.






 I love most any mid-century kitchen and dining items.  I am constantly amazed at the clever inventions that were made to make life easier in the kitchen.  It is like a walk through history.




My husband collects old glass insulators, Lionel trains, vintage gumball machines, and other manly kinds of stuff.  He would have more but the things he likes are old cash registers, gas pumps, juke boxes, pinball machines, cars,  you get the picture, things we really cannot afford!



So there you have it folks.  What you see here is just a fraction of our collections.  I am convinced that it is supply that drives us to be crazy collectors.  As you can see, if these things were not made we would not have bought them.  Don't you agree?  After all, why was I in that thrift store yesterday?  I didn't need anything, I was "just looking".  By the way, I bought an excellent crock pot carrier that I really needed!

Go in peace dear friends.

SCL

Let us not love with words or tongue

 but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18





Cooking with your roasted tomatoes

Good day dear neighbors.  I hope everyone had a good weekend.  We had a weekend full of fun and fellowship with wonderful friends.

Today I want to continue with Friday's post about putting up your summer harvests.  I basically talked about freezing and drying your harvests.  I use these methods primarily when I do not have a large harvest.  If I have an abundance of tomatoes or other vegetables I prefer to can them.  Canning requires special equipment and detailed instructions that I will not cover on my blog.  If you are interested in this method of preserving your foods I would suggest you buy books on canning, call your county extension office or look on the world wide web.  There is an abundance of information out there to help you learn how to can.

The beauty of putting up all of your wonderful vegetables is, of course, enjoying them over the winter when you want the flavor of your sun kissed bounties. 

The roasted tomatoes and other vegetables can be tossed in stews, soups, and casseroles.  You can also add the roasted tomatoes to some cooked pasta or create a gourmet tasting pizza with them.

Now I want to share my recipe for an easy basic marinara sauce using your roasted tomatoes.  If you do not have roasted tomatoes you can use two cans of tomatoes from the store.

You will need:

1 minced onion
2-3 chopped carrots
2-3 minced garlic cloves
Pinch of dried hot pepper flakes
1 small can tomato paste
1 small can tomato sauce
3-4 cups roasted tomatoes
1-2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil and thyme

Saute the onions and carrots in olive oil until soft, add the garlic and hot pepper flakes and cook until you start smelling the garlic.  Garlic burns easily and turns bitter.  Then add the rest of your ingredients.   You can add vegetable broth or water if it is too thick.  Simmer for about 30 minutes to an hour.  If you like your sauce chunky, serve it as is.  If you prefer a smooth sauce you can run it in a food processor but be careful if it is hot.  I use a hand-held immersion blender.  If you have fresh herbs, add them the last few minutes of cooking. 

The carrots in this recipe adds sweetness without sugar and gives you beneficial nutrients.  You can also add other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, yellow squash, or peppers.  This is just a basic marinara sauce and it is very versatile. 

Serve it over any kind of pasta or use it in any recipes that call for marinara sauce.   Enjoy!

Some beautiful basil in my garden



I hope you all will try this recipe.  It is delicious.  I welcome any comments or questions you may have about this recipe.

Have a blessed and peaceful evening.

SCL

Delight yourself in the Lord and he

will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4



Putting Up Your Harvest

I have a brother.  Yep and a pretty cool one at that.  We have a few things in common besides being related!  He, like me is a vegetarian and he likes to garden.  Unlike me he is more athletic than I am.

He is a long distance bicyclist.  He's one of those people who rides for many, many miles and does it for fun!  He just completed an annual event called Freewheel 2012.  It draws hundreds of like minded enthusiasts to ride over 100 miles and I repeat, just the fun of it!  I find this very impressive.  If you want to see some neat photos he took on his ride visit his link at:  http://midtowndepot.com/fw12.

I'm sure by now you are wondering about the title of today's post, "putting up your harvest".  My cool brother asked me to share some tips on what to do with the bountiful harvests we get from our gardens.  Especially this year since everyone is getting so many cherry tomatoes.   Here are my easy to follow tips.

Peppers

We have a lot of peppers of many varieties but mostly banana and other small peppers.  Since I am not in the mood to pickle them this year I am freezing them.  They can be frozen fresh.  There is no need to blanch them if you don't want to.  Make sure you wash and dry them thoroughly.  Cut off the stems and remove the seeds.  You can cut them up or leave them as is.  Place in freezer bags and freeze.  They should stay good for at least 12 months.

I also roast them in a 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes.  Again make sure they are washed and dried thoroughly, place them on a cookie sheet and toss them with some olive oil and salt.  After they have cooled down, place in freezer bags and freeze.

If you have large peppers like bells, anahiems or poblanos, I would suggest that you peel them after roasting.  Just roast them following the instructions above and place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Once they are cool you just take the outer skin off and freeze.

Tomatoes

To freeze cherry tomatoes I roast them first.  Roast them in a 400 degree oven for about thirty to forty minutes.  Just until they have shriveled.  Roasting intensifies the flavor of these gems and makes them doubly delicious.  Just place the washed and dried tomatoes on a cookie sheet, toss with olive oil and salt and roast.  You can also roast these with garlic cloves, peppers and/or chopped up onions.  Then you have the makings for an easy to prepare marinara sauce this winter.

You can freeze just about anything your little heart desires.  My husband and I froze a bushel of corn in their husks.  We simply stuffed them in gallon freezer bags.  They will keep in the freezer this way for several months.

Miscellaneous Veggies

Remember to wash and dry and cut them to the size you want.

Okra - you can freeze them whole or cut up.  I do not blanch them.  They freeze well.
Squash - blanch squash for about three minutes, cool, dry and freeze.
Green beans and other beans - blanch for about three minutes, cool dry and freeze.

Herbs

Herbs can be frozen or dried.  Wash and dry them thoroughly before proceeding.

To freeze them, simply cut them up, place in ice trays, fill with water and freeze.  Once frozen you can put the cubes in freezer bags and simply toss them into your soups and sauces.  They will be mushy after freezing but it does not harm their taste.

To dry herbs you can use a dehydrator, a low oven or simply hang them up for a few weeks.

I bought an inexpensive dehydrator at Wal Mart which is very easy to use.   You can also use your oven on the lowest temp it has.  Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.  The most common method is to hang them up in a cool dark place.  Simply tie the bundles with string or twine, cover with a small paper bag and hang.  Check them every few days.

The herbs are ready when you are able to crumble them easily.  Then store them in plastic bags or small glass containers.  I prefer glass containers because I think these keep them fresh longer.  Dried herbs will keep for about a year.

There you go folks.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.  I welcome any feedback.  Please just be nice, I don't take criticism too well!

I will share recipes using all these wonderful ingredients in the future.

Thank you dear brother for today's blog idea. I love you.

SCL

Today is truly a day that I do not know what I want to talk about.  I didn't do much today.  I guess you can say I kind of took a day off.  Now yesterday, that was different.

I picked some  vegetables from our gardens and I  had a lot of tomatoes that a friend gave us including a bunch of cherry tomatoes.  From our gardens I had sweet banana peppers, eggplants and some blackberries.  The last time I harvested a bunch of the peppers I chopped them up and froze them.  This time I decided to roast them and then freeze them.  I also roasted the cherry tomatoes and froze them for future use in sauces and soups.

Ah Ha!  Whaddya have here?

Now comes the fun part.  We have a thieving, vegetable loving cat named Annabelle Lee.  We cannot leave any fresh vegetables on the counter or she will abscomb with them and chew them up.  This time I caught her in the act as I was taking pictures of my day's pickings.  She is obviously not afraid of me or she wouldn't have been doing this with me standing right there! 

Hmmm, now let's see what I want.

 As you can see in the photos she calmly approaches her target, scopes it out and makes her decision on what to take.  All this, of course while I am standing there with my camera.  All the while she thinks if she doesn't make eye contact with me, I won't see what she is doing.

Here it is.

Now you have to admit it, this is just down right cute.  She is one of our adoptees from the feral cat colony that lives in our area.  She was a baby when we brought her into our home along with her mother.  She has a unique personality.  She is very sweet and loving when it suits her, but if she is in "one of her moods" just leave her alone!  Well she is a female after all!



I'm out of here.

Needless to say I rescued the the errant tomato and put it up in our tomato safe place above the kitchen sink.  Afterward I spent the rest of the afternoon making six pints of peach butter. 


That is primarily the way my day went yesterday.  But, today was pretty much uneventual.  Except that I had my third horseback riding lesson today.   Even that went off without a hitch.  (Pun intended).

Have a good evening dear friends.  Until tomorrow.

SCL

Remembering Loved Ones

Good evening neighbors.  Tonight's post is a little difficult to write.  My husband lost a beloved aunt who passed away last night.  She and her late husband had a significant impact on his life because he lived with them when he was in high school.  Now she is reunited with the husband she loved dearly.

While we were on a visit to them a couple of years ago they decided to give us some of their things they no longer used or needed.  We went home with a carload of items that were near and dear to their hearts. Among these items, his aunt gave me her china dishes that her husband bought for her when they were engaged.

They met in Japan in the 1960's where they were both serving in the military.  He was in the Air Force and she was a nurse in the Army.  She told me when he asked her what kind of china she wanted she asked him what his favorite color was and he told her black.  So she decided on the black rose pattern.  As a person who collects almost anything that has to do with kitchen and dining items I was thrilled to be given this china.  It will always have a very special place in my heart. 

My husband's uncle gave him his model train collection.  This is not a small set that you set up around your Christmas tree once a year.  This is a set that we need to build an extra room on to our house to set it up.  He also gave him a 1970's pick-up truck that is my husband's work truck.  What a legacy to give to a person who was the closest to a child they could have.  Since they were childless, my husband was the son they never had.  

He has many fond memories of camping and fishing trips with them and how they rooted him on at his high school football games.

We were floating on clouds after that visit.  Not only were we given beloved items from these loved ones, we received these things from them.  We experienced the extent of their pride as they handed these things over to us.  We saw the pride in their eyes, the smiles on their faces and the love that they had for him.  This is what will remain in our memories forever

Until tomorrow friends. 

Have a wonderful evening.

SCL