Ladybug Creek

Happy Birthday, Carmen!!

2012-01-24T01:38:00.000-06:00

Our precious Carmen was born

January 27, 2004.

She has always been such a ray of sunshine

and has given us so much joy.

Carmen is our first grandchild, but she is

also the first girl in our family.

Her love of fashion...

Her love of sports...

Her energy and sweet beauty

has been such a gift to my husband and me.

Carmen's grades are excellent and she is fluent

in English and Spanish.

She is active in her church.

She loves to help in the kitchen.

Having Celiac Disease is not easy, however,

Carmen has mastered the diet and is careful to follow it.

I love this picture. Carmen is in my kitchen and is wearing

an apron that my grandmother made for me.

We will travel to Mexico on Thursday where

our son and his family live

so that we can celebrate Carmen's eighth birthday.

We can't wait to see our girl!

Love you, Carmen!!

"Abuela"

Colonial Corn Bake - Talaquepaque, Mexico

2012-01-19T07:29:00.004-06:00

As we plan to make a trip to Mexico for our granddaughter's birthday I have been reflecting on previous

trips as well as when we lived about 30 miles, down the coast from Manzanillo. So many great memories...

which of course includes food.

Colonial Fresh Corn Cake

is absolutely one of my favorites.

I blogged about it a couple of years ago,

but I'm bringing it back.

You can get a good look at it in the lower left-hand portion of my collage above. It is worth every step... and every bite!

Colonial Fresh Corn Cake

8-10 side dish servings

SAUCE
4 c. water
1 fresh poblano chile (about 3 oz.) stemmed, seeded and cut into thick strips
1 small green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into thick strips
1 ½ c. (loosely packed) baby spinach leaves
¼ c. chopped white onion
3 whole cloves
2 garlic cloves, flattened
2 bay leaves
¼ c. (1/2 stick) butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 c. whole milk
2 teaspoons powdered chicken bouillon

CORN CAKE
4 c. fresh corn kernels (cut from 4 ears) – I used frozen corn
4 large eggs
1 c. whole milk
9 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

SAUCE
Bring 4 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Add poblano chile and next 6 ingredients; boil until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Transfer vegetables and ½ c reserved cooking liquid to blender. Blend chile mixture until smooth.
Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add flour, whisk in milk, then blended chile mixture. Whisk sauce constantly over medium heat until it boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Whisk in bouillon powder. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before using.)

CORN CAKE
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13x9x2 inch baking dish with foil. Butter and flour foil. Working in 2 batches, puree all ingredients in blender until almost smooth. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake until baked golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean… about 1 hour.

Invert cake onto platter. Cut into squares and serve warm with sauce.

Also pictured in this collage: Guacomole with tostados, tropical fruit compote with yogurt, tamarind margarita, shrimp bisque, fresh bread with butter wrapped in corn husk.
Restaurant - Casa Fuerte, Tlaquepaque, Mexico, a "town" within Guadalajara.

Friday you will find me joining in with other "Foodies"

for Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Don't miss out on some major mouth-watering recipes!!

"Juan Wayne" - it's what's for breakfast

2012-01-15T19:57:00.002-06:00

"John Wayne"

If you were a kid at the ranch your dad, along with other dads, prepared "John Wayne" for breakfast.
This meant that all of the left over grilled meats prepared throughout the weekend were diced and cooked along with onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, maybe some left over baked potato... And the way the kids would eat it was to tell them,
"John Wayne eats this every morning for breakfast!"
It worked!!

So now along come the Petersons who cannot leave anything alone.. including the food.

I fried

bacon

I sauteed

red onion

red and green bell pepper

(Serrano chili would have been good, but didn't have any.)

I diced up the left-over meats

rib-eye steak

Polish sausage

buffalo sirloin

I then cut

4 corn tortillas

in almost 2" squares

and fried them in canola oil

until crisp. I drained them and sprinkled

sea salt over them. (No nibbling!)

Then the part I think is fun!

I buy raw flour tortillas... sometimes located where you

would find canned biscuits in your grocery store.

In a teflon pan heated to medium-high place a

raw tortilla

and allow it to puff up.

Flip.

Toast.

Place in a folded tea-towel.

(My opinon about tortilla warmers - the flour tortillas lose their delicate crispiness)

I didn't include a picture of beaten eggs but you know whata that looks like anyway.

Beat a

dozen eggs

Add a little milk and season with S&P.

Now...

Combine all of the sauteed veggies,

meats,

and fried corn tortillas

in a skillet.

Add beaten eggs.

Cook until done.

Scoop a serving of this delicious mixture

and place it in the warm flour tortilla.

Now, add a spoonful of salsa

and sprinkle with grated cheese.

There you go... with the Mexican twist to this,

it is now

"Juan Wayne"

Enjoy!

I'm linking to

Little Red House for

Mosaic Monday
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

So sorry! Still having problems with Blogger.

When I try to comment on someone's post,

it freezes my computer!

I'm open to suggestions.

:-(

Also just found out it's only certain blogs

that I cannot post on.

????

Blogger Problem!!!! Grrrrr!!!

2012-01-13T07:07:00.000-06:00

I hate having blogging problems!

Who doesn't??

Everytime I try to comment on someone's

post it freezes my computer.

I have tried emptying the cache as

someone recommended but that did

not help.

Any suggestions??

Turkey Scrapple - It's what's for breakfast!!

2012-01-09T06:55:00.010-06:00

Christmas Dinner - 1960

A typical holiday dinner with my grandmother, Ruby Boykin (we called her "Mother 'B'") where we could count on a delicious meal always. My family is made up of wonderful

cooks. L-R are my sister, Aunt Jo Anne (I've blogged about her before), my father, my younger brother, yours truly and then my grandmother.

Below is the recipe for "Turkey Scrapple"...

a delicious after-holiday dinner treat!

I posted this recipe in 2009.

Scrapple

Have you ever heard of scrapple? Well, I know you Easterners have, but I'm referring to turkey scrapple that is just part of our after-Thanksgiving menu. This was a concoction made by my father's mother, Ruby Opal Heath Boykin, absolutely one of THE best Texas cooks I've ever known. Mother "B" is what we called her in our adult years, "Bum "B"', in our younger years. This is how you make Scrapple - Mother "B"'s style:

•Pick the leftover turkey meat from the bones and cut into smaller than bite-size pieces and place in a Dutch oven

•Add leftover dressing (I wouldn't add the nuts, if there are any in the dressing) and add about an equal amount to the turkey

•Pour some leftover gravy so that it sort of becomes a dry mush (Isn't this sounding delicious?)

•Cook a big pot of grits and add it to the turkey mixture. I keep enough out to pour about 1/4" in the bottom of a "Pam'd" loaf pan. The point is to make the grits your binder. If there is too much dressing then the mixture will crumble after chilling.

•Pour the turkey, dressing, gravy, grits mixture into the loaf pan(s)

•Cover with foil and chill overnight or all day.

•When chilled, turn out onto a cutting board and cut into thick slices (an inch or a little more).

•Dredge in flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper, dip in beaten egg, dredge in flour again.

•Fry in oil in a frying pan until crisp. (I love using a cast iron skillet for this)

•Serve for breakfast or a quick lunch.

I know that this probably looks like just a homemade, thought-up recipe... and it probably is because I have never found anyone who has a recipe that even slightly resembles this. But I promise you... it is fantastic with fried eggs, fried bacon, fried sausage, biscuits, toast, butter, homemade plum preserves (my grandmother's of course with two pits left in to make it tart!) or honey, milk, coffee, juice. For sure I know what we're eating for breakfast tomorrow!!

Scrapple at the ranch this past weekend.

P.S. -- Just realized that I inherited all of the milk glass in this picture!

Today I am posting to

All the Small Stuff
http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/
Check out Cole's

Pesto Chicken Salad

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

Blessed with Grace by Lisa

Check out Lisa's
Baked Spaghetti

***
Check out "Northern Nesting"
for a fantastic give-away.
It's an amazing wire cloche!
http://northernnesting.blogspot.com/

Meet Lynne of Butterfly Creek Pottery

2012-01-08T08:44:00.004-06:00

I want to introduce you to a dear friend of mine,

Lynne Brown. I think you'll find her blog,

Butterfly Creek Pottery,

http://www.butterflycreekpottery.com/

absolutely wonderful!

I met Lynne through Jan Karon (the Mitford book series)

message board. I actually flew from Mexico to North Carolina to meet Lynn as well as other Mitford fans

for a reunion of readers.

We knew we would remain life-long friends!

If you notice a similarity in our blog names...

now you who inspired me.

Lynne makes beautiful pottery and a visit

to her blog is not only for inspiration but

an opportunity to view her amazing creations!

So hop on over and be follower.

My Vintage Thingy for Thursday - Recipes!

2012-01-04T21:51:00.001-06:00

Ruby, my paternal grandmother,

married a man who was in the hotel business

for many years. Mother "B" was a wonderful

cook and many of her recipes were written on sheets

of hotel stationery.

I love vintage recipes.

These recipes for Chow-Chow and Cherry Pie

were two of her favorites.

My late mother wrote in a cookbook she compiled with my grandmother's recipes, "I suppose that living in Midland (Texas) at the Circle CB was the closest "Mother B" ever came to living on a farm where she had the opportuniity of "puttin' up" fruits and vegetables. I can still remember the wonderful pungent smells coming from her kitchen when "chow-chow" was being made. Hardly readable now, her recipe for "chow-chow" has been passed among family and friends and will always carry lovely memories with it."

Chow-Chow

1 gallon ripe tomatoes

1 gallon green tomatoes

1 gallon cabbage

1 dozen sweet peppers (red bell peppers)

1 dozen hot peppers (chilies), or to taste

1 dozen large onions

3/4 cup salt

6 cups sugar

2 tablespoons powdered ginger

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1 tablespoon each: turmeric, cloves, cinnamon

1/2 gallon vinegar

Chop first five ingredients into small pieces and mix. Pour salt over mixture and let stand for 2 hours. Squeeze with hands removing the vegetables from the brine. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook a few minutes until thoroughly hot - 2 to 3 minutes. Seal in sterilized jars while hot. Makes 9 quarts.

Cherry Pie

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 tablespoons flour

5 egg yolks or 3 whole eggs (beaten)

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup cherries (Fort Collins brand)

Melt butter in top of double boiler, add sugar, stir and then add flour. Cook until smooth; then add eggs a little at a time. Slowly add milk and blend well. Add cherries and cook a few more minutes. Serve with whipped cream.

No mention is made of a pie crust, but I imagine this is the filling and should be poured into a baked pie shell.

Today I am linking to

Vintage Thingy Thursday

at Colorado Lady

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Come check it out!

Remembering my mother, Rosemary

2012-01-02T20:18:00.000-06:00

Rosemary Elizabeth DePasquale Boykin

Mother was born to Jean and D.V. DePasquale of Dickinson, Texas on January 3, 1926.

Her mother, young and an immigrant from Italy at the age of nine, and her father, well-educated and of Sicilian descent from Texas, were parents who insisted that their children

"leave their mark".

My mother, on the right, was a good student, played the piano, was proud of being a gymnast. She went off to SMU at the age of 16.

She married my father, a WW II veteran upon her graduation from college... her father insisting there would be no wedding unless there was a college diploma!

Their courtship was only three months, but their

love lasted 62 years when their passing was but four months

apart from each other.

This is my favorite picture of my mother.

She had done an amazing job of

"leaving her mark"

by 2008.

*She was mother to four children

*She worked throughout most of her married life

at several universities, primarily at Texas A&M University.

*She traveled and lived abroad with my father in Syria, Iran and even eight years in Africa.

*She published two books pertaining to Italian history and genealogy.

*She wrote and illustrated cookbooks for fundraisers as well as for her family.

She had so many more accomplishments.

Most of all she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

I truly miss her.

She would have been 86 years old January 3rd.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T06:58:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year

from Deep South Texas

My Chocolate Lab, Simon, and I went for a walk

at our deer lease. Above are a few of the beautiful

sights we saw.

Yes, man's best friend enjoys the fog, brush, and cactus

at Las Islas Ranch as much as I do.

One morning we were fortunate to see a beautiful

deer. I'll have to remember the sight from memory as

I wasn't quick enough with my camera.

Wishing you good health and good fortune in

2012!

Christmas 2012 Resolutions!

2011-12-26T19:36:00.011-06:00

It was a great Christmas....

We were blessed to have at least part of

our family with us.

BUT

Christmas 2012 will be very different.

I sent myself a note on October 1st that I would

start pulling out Christmas boxes and deciding

what I would need for decorating.

DID NOT HAPPEN

I actually took down my fall decorations

before Thanksgiving... even assembling my

new pewter-colored Christmas tree.

WASTE OF TIME

The results:

The most unorganized Christmas I can remember

in years!

My Christmas 2012 Resolutions

Cut back on decorating
Store only the decorations I plan to use next year
Reduce the 17 bins (this is true confession here!) to 5 .. ok, 7 bins!
Allow only 2 3 days for decorating... period!
Plan menu and cook ahead AND

don't cook for an Army!

Signed,

And if you belive this will truly happen... then "I have some ocean front proptery in Arizona" to sell you! ;-)

My Favorite Christmas Recipe this Year

Cranberry Sauce with Bourbon

1 lb. (about 4 c.) fresh cranberries

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 c. bourbon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cranberries, sugars, and cinnamon in 9x13" baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour, stirring after 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in bourbon.

Refrigerate cranberry sauce until well chilled. This can be prepared a week in advance.

Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Today I am linking to

A Stroll Thru Life

for

Tabletop Tuesday
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

2011-12-22T21:49:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from

my home to yours!

Three Bloggers Enjoy a Christmas Party!

2011-12-11T18:40:00.005-06:00

There are great parties.

Then there is great food at great parties

Then there is great music, great food at great parties.

But the BEST is GREAT friends at great parties!!

In case you do not recognize these three women:

Left: Moi! Ladybug Creek

Center: Laura of White Spray Paint

http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/

Right: Nancy of Nancy's Notes

http://nancyozema.blogspot.com/

Here are just some of the refreshments served

at our Christmas Dance.

I prepared the Paula Deen's

Shrimp Butter

2 sticks butter, room temperature

1 Tbsp. sherry

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. House Seasoning (1 c. salt, 1/4 c. black pepper, 1/4 c. garlic powder)

cayenne pepper to taste

2 (3 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp. onion, chopped (I used green onion)

1 lb. shrimp, shelled, deveined and cooked

Paprika for garnish

Put all ingredients except shrimp and paprika into a food processor. Process until well mixed. Drop in shrimp and process until pureed or chopped to desired consistency.

Garnish with paprika. Serve with crackers as an appetizer.

I added a few drops of Tabasco sauce.

I'm sharing my post with

Little Red House

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

for Mosaic Monday

I'm also linking to

All the Small Stuff for

Tuesdays at the Table

http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/

Christmas Dance Sneak Peak!

2011-12-02T06:09:00.001-06:00

Here is a sneak peak at just a few

of the tables decorated for our

Christmas Dance.

Mind you there will be candles and

tiny lights that will add to the glow.

We'll be rockin' and rollin'

TONIGHT!

Hosting a Christmas Dance! - Turn your sound down!! :-)

2011-11-30T19:53:00.004-06:00

1985

If you read White Spray Paint

and I certainly hope you do...

You will already know that we are

in the throws of planning a

Christmas dance.

Not just any dance...

It's a recreation of a Christmas dance

we hosted in 1985.

Now rarely does anyone like looking back at

old photos where we see ourselves in goofy

hairdos and clothes (mother told us we'd be sorry

and after all these years... I will admit she was RIGHT!)

But this dance was totally the "bomb" so

over a Mexican dinner which included a few margaritas

we decided to host the dance again... same hosts.

Laura has reviewed the refreshments we are each

bringing, but we also have to come up with

a sweet as well as a savory "surprise".

Mine will be muffin paper cups of

bread pudding topped with bourbon sauce

and also I will prepare

shrimp butter served with crackers.

We'll dance to tunes from the '60's, '7o's and '80's.

Our aging joints will scream out in pain.

Our bunions will holler "stop"!

Our ears will be ringing throughout the night...

and possibly the next day.

All I can say is...

Bring it on!!

I know you're wondering... I am fifth from the left, middle row... black sparkly top and dig those false eyelashes! Miss Laura is on the far right. Now don't tell her I spilled the beans!!

I'm linking to

Colorado Lady's

Vintage Thingy Thursday.

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

After all... the folks in the picture are pretty vintage now!

Chorizo Con Huevos - Buen Provecho!

2011-11-27T22:27:00.007-06:00

Chorizo con Huevos

at Las Islas Ranch

We spent Thanksgiving at our deer lease in deep south Texas. Breakfast is always delicious and filling as it is

enjoyed after a morning in the brush.

This morning it was chorizo con huevos...

sausage and eggs, Mexican style!

It has long been a family favorite.

I must admit.. I cannot make flour tortillas.

So I do the next best thing..

I buy them!

Exquisita brand is our favorite.

I place them in a hot skillet and cook them until

they are lightly browned and puffy.

I keep them warm nestled in a linen tea towel.

This is the ONLY chorizo I use.

Chorizo de San Manuel...

pork sausage with wonderful spices.

Remove the chorizo from the casing and cook slowly in

a skillet. A conscientious cook would carefully drain off the

juices to cut back on the fat, however, with that you will

lose a great deal of flavor.

Cook for about 15 minutes or so.

Crack a dozen eggs on top of the chorizo.

Let the white form a little and then stir the eggs into

the chorizo.

Add extra cracked pepper.

Now these are the additions that some people

like to add:

1 - pico de gallo or in Mexico - Salsa Mexicana

(chopped onion, tomato, cilantro and serrano chili)

2 - grated cheese

3 - onion

Place about three serving spoons full of

chorizo con huevos in each warm tortilla.

Serve this with fresh fruit and hot coffee or cocoa and

you have the breakfast of champions!

"Buen provecho!!"

I'm linking to Little Red House for

Mosaic Monday

Be sure to visit to see beautiful collages!

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

I'm also linking to

Blessed with Grace for

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays

Check this out for some scrumptious recipes!

Today it's Brown Sugar Fudge...

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

Reached My Limit!

2011-11-21T17:01:00.003-06:00

This is the tree that I absolutely-had-to-have-or-I-would-never-make-it-through-the-decorating-saga-known-as...

Decorating for the holidays!

Disclaimer: I resist using the "C" word in decorating as I am very aware that Christmas would not lose it's meaning one bit if for some reason I had no tree at all... nor decorations.

I am in a major dither of frustration...

?How to decorate a pewter-colored tree?

In my mind I thought I had the color scheme figured out, but

that did not mean it WAS.

Notice the Persian rug on the floor of the room?

I figure the colors should at least blend with it.

Am I correct?

I am counting on your opinion...

so here is your chance.

I have reached my limit of imagination.

I'm linking to Little Red House

for Mosaic Monday

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

P.S. I should add that I have always had a traditional green tree.. although artificial. Lesson I have learned here... when making a drastic change as I have done.. have a plan! ;-)

Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys & Girls - Republished!!

2011-11-03T10:15:00.011-05:00

Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys and Girls

The book was published in 1957. My sister and I had already prepared many of the recipes in this book by the time my youngest brother was born.. and that was in 1962. This cookbook was used so often (and still is!) and is now stored in a plastic bag (a no-no for vintage items) because it is in pieces.

I love to look at the page where my mother had made a list of meals and the order of preparation for my sister and me so that when my mother was in the hospital having my brother, our family would still have meals on the table.

Heaven forbid that we have to eat out. In my childhood eating out was a rarity.

I still use the gingerbread recipe in this book and my brothers and even my sons all consider Saucy Hamburger Crumble to be the ultimate in comfort food.

Time passes... and life goes on... Sunday, October 23rd I had my parents on my mind. It had been three years since my father had passed away and my mother just four months before him.

I was with my friend, Sherry, and we were having so much fun shopping in Wimberly, Texas. We wandered through Kiss the Cook, a fabulous store loaded with cooking all sorts of cooking utensils and cookbooks. So much fun!!

paraphernalia

It had been laying heavy on my heart that I had not received a "sign" from my parents in some time. On that particular day it was actually nagging at me. Some little something that would only be understood by my parents and me.

As I enjoyed looking through the cookbooks I looked up and suddenly saw THE cookbook. It was the Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys and Girls! One single copy and on a little stand. No way to miss it. It's been republished.. is that a word??

It was the sign!!

My new cookbook!!

I whipped that cookbook off the shelf and there could not be any purchase that I will make for a very long time that will hold a candle to this cookbook.

... and, yes, that is a picture of my parents in my collage.

Gingerbread

"Little girls in hoop skirts and boys in ruffled collars ate gingerbread, too."

Heat oven to 325 degrees

Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.

Mix thoroughly:

1/2 cup soft shortening

2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg

Blend in:

1 cup dark molasses

1 cup boiling water

Stir in:

2 1/4 cups sifted Gold Medal Flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes.

Saucy Hamburger Crumble

Melt in frying pan:

1 tablespoon fat

Add and brown lightly:

1 small onion, chopped

Then add and brown:

1 pound ground beef

Break the meat into small pieces.

Stir in:

1/4 cup Gold Medal Flour

Then stir in:

2 cups water or milk (I use milk)

Heat until gravy bubbles. Serve over mashed potatoes. 4 servings

I am linking to:

http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

The Devil and the Ghost! - Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T14:04:00.000-05:00

This lasted about five minutes!

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/

Be sure to make a visit to "Wordless Wednesday"!!

Farewell, my children!

2011-11-02T06:06:00.000-05:00

Aren't grandchildren just the BEST?

My "grands" live in Mexico. I don't see them often

so when my son sends pictures... my heart skips a beat.

Carmen is so sweet and gentle. An excellent student she

is top in her second grade class.

David ... named after my husband, well... just look at that

expression on his face. He is just as sweet as his big sister, but has a look of mischief in all of his pictures.

They are preparing to leave for a trip to California to

visit relatives so for them.. it's a day of adventure.

"Que le vaya bien, mi niños !"

Dump Cake at Las Islas Ranch

2011-10-29T17:56:00.001-05:00

Las Islas Ranch is our retreat

These are just a few pictures that we've taken over the past

few years.

You'll see deer, turkey, javelina, wildflowers,

bluebonnets (our state flower), blooming cactus, my husband with friends chatting by the firepit,

and my husband and me.

We go here to refresh and "replenish".

Today while we are here I have made

Dump Cake... a ranch favorite.

Photography-challenged I am even tested further

due to just being at the ranch (poor lighting and only

serviceable dishes)

Oh well...

This recipe is from my friend, Beverly Moody, who is

a wonderful cook!

Beverly with her husband, Pat

and friend, "Dobie".

Beverly's Dump Cake

1 can cherry pie filling

1 can crushed pineapple, drained (save juice!)

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick butter, melted and pineapple juice mixed with it

1 c. coconut

1 c. chopped pecans

In a large pyrex dish layer:

Pie filling and crushed pineapple, mixed

Sprinkle cake mix over mixture

Drizzle melted butter and pineapple juice over cake mix

Top with coconut and pecans

Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees

Enjoy!

I am linking to two of my favs!!

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Pecan-crusted Tilapia, Royal Star Papaya, Okra - A Winner!

2011-10-24T21:02:00.005-05:00

Supper was a hit!

We spent part of the day shopping in

Wimberly, Texas yesterday.

I came home with a little cookbook...

Cordon Bubba

by Barry Shlachter

Pecan-crusted Catfish sounded so good,

but, alas, no catfish in the freezer.

So... I thawed out a package of tilapia fillets.

There was..

No dry wine in the house.

Barely enough Dijon mustard

and so I followed the recipe... somewhat.

The following is my recipe inspired by this cute cookbook

that shares part of their earnings with

Habitat for Humanity.

Pecan-crusted Tilapia

1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard

1/4 cup cooking sherry

1 cup coarsley ground, lightly toasted pecans

2 large cloves garlic, finely minced

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 pound of tilapia fillets

Lightly toast pecans. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Thoroughly mix mustard, sherry and garlic in a

small bowl. Set aside

Mix bread crumbs and pecans together in a deep

dish pie plate.

Pat fillets dry on paper towels. Sprinkle the tiniest bit of

sea salt on the fish... not much!

Dip each fillet in the mustard mixture and press into the pecan/bread crumb

mixture, creating a heavy crust.

Spray Pam on jelly roll pan and lay fish fillets in the pan. Sprinkle any leftover

crumb mixture of the fish.

Bake 30 minutes... maybe a little longer depending on thickness of fillets.

As with most of our meals, I served fresh

Royal Star Papaya..

this time with fresh blueberries.

(A moment to brag a bit: My husband and our oldest son grow these magnificant

papayas in Mexico. We ship all over the U.S. and soon in Canada.)

The okra is salted and broiled on a "Pam'd" cookie

sheet... no oil! We love it!!

I'm joining the fun at All the Small Stuff for
Tuesdays at the Table
http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/
Come join the party!

Cestohowa, Texas

2011-10-24T07:29:00.000-05:00

Nativity of the Blessed Blessed Mary Virgin Church

My husband and I were returning to our home from a wedding in Wimberly, Texas when we decided to make a visit to this church in Cestohowa (the "w" is pronounced as a "v"). Close friends of ours have their famil roots well-established in this church and had spoken of it many times.

It is truly a beautiful church and so rich in history!

Cestohowa, Texas

The second Polish colony in Karnes County, the village in this area grew out of a small settlement known as St. Joe and was formally established in 1873. At times the priest at Panna Maria would conduct services at St. Joseph School in what would become Czestochowa. The Mother Colony church at Panna Maria was destroyed by lightning in 1877; Czestochowa settlers decided to build their own church. This was the subject of much controversy among the Polish pioneers of Karnes County. Anton Jarzombek (1836-1922) and Frank Mutz (1814-1891) each donated land for the church. Area residents contributed their labor to build the eighty-five by forty foot church with Gervase Gabrysch (1830-1904) as contractor. Bishop Anthony D. Pellicer blessed the church on February 10, 1878. Father W. Pelczar was assigned as the first pastor that September. As a sign of their reconciliation, the parishioners from the newly rebuilt Panna Maria church presented the new parish a large painting of the Virgin Mary of Czestochowa, the Patroness of Poland. The two congregations often shared leadership in the ensuing years. The Cestohowa church (adopting the Americanized spelling of the community) thrived into the 20th century. In the 1930s the church underwent intensive additions and remodeling. Though the original walls remained, the roof was completely removed and the ceiling raised. The north and south wings were added and the steeple was increased in height. In 1998, the church celebrated its 125th anniversary. At that time, the parish consisted of 380 members. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church continues in the traditions of its founders. (2000)

Today I am linking to Little Red House

for Mosaic Monday

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Little Red Riding Hood for Rednesday

2011-10-18T18:58:00.013-05:00

Little Red Riding Hood for

Rednesday

My daughter-in-law and granddaughter
Mexico - 2006

Family and friends come to their first

Halloween party

The "fortune teller" was a huge hit with the
older children.

This time of year I enjoy looking back when we lived in

Mexico. We hosted three Halloween parties for

our granddaughter, Carmen, on the right.

She is sitting with her little friend,

Yoda-lay... (isn't that cute?)

This was so much fun and we enjoyed seeing the

children get dressed up.

We had crafts, food, fishing booth, the fortune teller,

and best of all.. the "scary story". I wrote it but my daughter-in-law told the story... with amazing gestures and drama. We loved seeing how much fun she had using sound effects. You probably remember these little tricks too ... the cold, wet spaghetti, furry toy mouse and other things that are "icky" and make you scream.

Great memories in Mexico!

Visit It's a Very Cherry World

for Rednesday Wednesday

http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Papaya Proud!

2011-10-17T00:13:00.006-05:00

I'm "Papaya Proud"!!

I can't resist mentioning our new variety of papaya...

Royal Star

Actually it's my husband, our son and our two

business partners who I am really proud of.

We farm near Manzanillo, Mexico.

Our son heads up the organization down there

with two men who have been with us almost since the

beginning.

My husband oversees the arrival of the papaya from

Mexico, the sales and quality control.

Our sales staff must be commended as well.

We have an exclusive on this variety of papaya.

That means we are the only growers who can

have this seed.

Not a papaya lover?

... I wasn't either...

until this papaya came on the scene.

This past weekend roughly 18,000 attendees roamed the

exhibit hall in Atlanta at PMA...

Produce Marketing Association.

My husband and son were both thrilled with the

response to our new papaya.

Good job, men!

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

And here it is Mosaic Monday again and once more

I am joining in over at

Little Red House for all the fun!!

(Frankly, I'm working on perfect attendance!! lol)

Oops! Almost forgot to mention... notice the picture of the papaya cut in half? Do you see the star where the seeds are.

Yes... that's how we named this very sweet papaya.

Enjoy!

5 Amazing Women!

2011-10-15T08:58:00.006-05:00

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Have you had your mammies grammed???

These are some of the most beautiful women in my life.

Linda in the blue blouse is a high school friend, former roommate and best of all... a breast cancer survivor... twice! Linda donned her boxing gloves and fought... hard. She is one fine lady and I'm so proud to know her.

The lady in white I met through a favorite book series... The Mitford series by Jan Karon. Lynne knew her chances were high that she would be dealing with breast cancer. ALL of the women in her family had developed it. When her tests came back with the diagnosis of breast cancer, she was prepared to do battle. It has not been an easy road, but Lynne has come out on top. Her faith in God, her wonderful husband and family support and tremendous medical care were there for her. She is one amazing and dear friend.

Norma Jean is a the top left of my collage. She is my cousin. You may have seen Norma and me in previous photos as she and I do the famous "kick" in our family. Our mothers were best friends as well as aunt and niece. They invented the family kick where they would always be photographed together kicking. Well, Norma has KICKED breast cancer and I am so very grateful for that.

To the right of Norma is my aunt, Jo Anne. She is my father's younger sister. She had breast cancer over 30 years ago. Yes, indeed. Treatments were even harder on the body 30 years ago .. or so I am told. Friends, it's a trip through Hades they say. I love my Aunt Jo Anne dearly and I am so thankful she is still in my life.

My sister-in-law and dear friend, Tissa, is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Tissa is wearing green.. and, yes, I got into the picture with her. (Thank God I have not had to deal with this horrid disease!) Tissa has been a shining example of a brave woman who is tackling breast cancer. We have all been blessed to have her in our lives!

Early detection is key!! Get your mammogram.

Don't live in a "dream world"... this can happen to us!

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

I am so thrilled to link to How Sweet the Sound for
Pink Saturday!
This has given me the perfect opportunity to share with you
5 Amazing Women !!

My New Favorite Salad!

2011-10-11T23:48:00.002-05:00

Recently I had lunch at the Garden Room located about

a mile and half from me. It's new and a perfect place for my

friends and I to meet for lunch.

I ordered a wonderful salad that was full of grilled veggies.

This didn't turn out to be exactly like it (I'm terrible at grilling vegetable!), but it was my inspiration for this salad that my husband, son and I like so much, I've served it three times since last week. I've earned raves reviews too!

Saute in olive oil - coarsely chopped green onions, red bell pepper, yellow and zucchini squash, eggplant peeled or unpeeled, and minced garlic. May have to cover with a lid for awhile for veggies to cook through. Cool slightly and then place on top of romaine or red tip lettuce. I cooked shrimp, seasoned with cajun spices to add on top of the salad. I would say add a very good vinaigrette dressing

but...

true confessions

I used just a bit of good ol' Ranch Dressing!

I like the creaminess it added to this salad.

My son added feta cheese.

I can't wait for Friday as I'll be linking to

Designs by Gollum

http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

The Colors of Today

2011-10-09T20:24:00.002-05:00

When life just becomes a little too much "life"...

we head to the deer lease... or "ranch" as we call it.

It's only an hour and fifteen minutes from our home to our

"ranch home".

It's been bone dry with searing heat these past few months,

but just last week the ranch received 2 1/2" inches of the

precious wet stuff.

What a difference!

The grass was actually green.

So beautiful and so peaceful.

Then... we came home to a breath-taking

glow in the sky.

I couldn't actually see the sun as it was setting because I

was working on this 'yer blog.

I grabbed my camera and ran outside to catch

that glow. I found two fireflies who were

flying around enjoying the evening too.

I could actually see the face in the moon as well.

Such gorgeous colors.

And then I turned and saw through the window the view into our breakfast nook where I sit

to doing my blogging.

I just stood there and stared at it.

The room isn't perfect ... nothing in particular on the walls,

but the room glowed that golden orangy-yellow

that I see in so many pictures on my favorite blogs.

It truly made me feel warm inside.

And, yes...

"God's in his heaven...."

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Now for some exquisite photos of fabulous colors

visit Little Red House!

You'll find me there enjoying this blog and others.

Run Katherine Run!

2011-10-07T17:07:00.002-05:00

CHICAGO MARATHON:
A MOTHER'S REQUEST

Last fall, when Laura's (White Spray Paint) husband was diagnosed with

Parkinson's, their youngest daughter took matters into

own hands.

She entered the Chicago Marathon as a member of

Team Fox,

sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research.

She is running for a cure.

Laura writes, "I have felt humbled here and there in my lifetime, certainly, but

our daughter's selfless act of love and devotion has far surpassed anything I have

ever experienced."

She currently wakes at 4:00 a.m.,

drives from Dallas to Lovejoy,

where she teaches high school English,

and does her morning

run

before beginning her teaching day.

Laura is making a simple request, stating that she knows the power of blogland...

"Please display the button above in your sidebar to show your support

and to send Katherine prayers and good wishes."

Laura, her husband and two other daughters will be there cheering

Katherine on.

They want us all there, through our prayers, too!

For Laura's latest post regarding the Chicago Marathon and

Katherine's participation, visit her blog

http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/

Run Katherine Run!!

Congratulations, Heather!

2011-09-28T21:59:00.009-05:00

Congratulations, Heather!!

Today you have made the five year mark.

Ovarian cancer was not what we wanted to hear

May 10, 2006

(Heather with her mother)

But out of this horrible disease...

You've become

* A warrior

* An advocate for others fighting cancer

* A mom

* A newspaper columnist

* A volunteer dedicating hours to

civic causes

You're a fabulous

* follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ

*wife

*mother

*daughter

*sister

*friend... dear friend

You are amazing, Heather!

We love you,

Karen and David

To read more about Heather and ovarian cancer visit my September 8th posting.

Fall is in the air!

2011-09-25T21:08:00.001-05:00

Fall is in the air

somewhere....

At least inside my home I can safely

pretend!

(We have 86 degree weather at 9 p.m.)

I love to use antler "sheds" as it truly

represents our lifestyle.

In my dried arrangements I ~~have to~~ love to use

some sparkle. It just gives some pazzazz

and life.

These pheasants are not indicative of deep

south Texas, but they called to me so much

that I actually bought the display pair as

the others had sold.

A little more dry and a little more sparkle!

http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/

Please take a few minutes to read about Katherine,

Laura's daughter. She will be running in the

Chicago Marathon in support of

a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

Laura writes "White Spray Paint".

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

I'm so excited to link to

The House in the Roses for

"Show Off Your Cottage".

You will love the entries!

Our Chinese Trunk

2011-09-21T21:08:00.004-05:00

Our Family Heirloom

Chinese Chest

My husband's aunt gave this chest to us about thirty years ago. We were thrilled to get it. The story is amazing. A relative of her's along with her husband were missionaries in China in the 1930's.

The political climate of China, particularly Shanghi, was volatile.

In 1931, just as the magazine started publication, anger against the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in northern China reverberated throughout the country. In cities like Shanghai, Chinese residents organized boycotts of Japanese goods. Perhaps in retaliation for the boycotts, Japanese forces bombed Shanghai on January 28, 1932. Japanese troops withdrew by the end of May, only to return with a full-scale invasion in 1937. Around the time that Ling long magazine ceased publication in 1937, Nationalists and Communists set aside their political differences to form a united front against the Japanese. --- Ling long Women's Magazine

According to the story the relative and her husband were required to give up their post and return to the United States.

The trunk is in beautiful condition. I wish I could describe the inside of the trunk as it has the most wonderful woodsy smell. The lock and key are unique.. at least to me.

Somehow when I look at this trunk the movie,

"Inn of the Sixth Happiness" comes to mind.

I'll be linking to

My Romantic Home for

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

A Bunny and My Bunnykins

2011-09-19T21:03:00.004-05:00

I've always had a passion for Bunnykins!

While on vacation in Colorado my husband along with my cousin, Norma Jean and her husband made the rounds of some great antiques malls. I already had a few Bunnykins plates and a cup. Somewhere in the land of unpacked boxes

from a move is my first set of Bunnykins plate, bowl and cup. But we won't go there at this time...

Not familiar with Bunnykins?

The chinaware line originated with artwork by Mary Barbara Bailey, the daughter of Cuthbert Bailey, general manager of Doulton during the 1930s. Unbeknownst to the public, Mary Barbara Bailey was not a professional illustrator, but a nun in the Augustinian Canonesses of the Lateran.[1] Introduced in 1934, Bunnykins tableware depicted Mr. and Mrs. Bunnykins and other rabbits dressed in human clothing, in colourful rural and small-town English scenes, transfer-printed on white china. The earliest pieces, signed by Vernon, are quite rare and highly prized. Bunnykins china was used by Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret and thus became a popular present given as christening and birthday gifts in middle-class English homes. -- Wikipedia

I was so thrilled to find a little over half of these dishes. They were easy to spot in these malls. I do not see them often in the malls in Texas around Houston and Austin. Interesting...

The rabbit lamp just seems to want to be there with these dishes. I found him at South Padre Island this past weekend at Tuesday Morning.

There are no new babies on the horizon in our family but surely there will be some day. These dishes and lamp will set the theme for the nursery in our home or perhaps in their parents' home. It's fun to dream...

AND...

This absolutely has nothing to do with dishes or the lamp, but when I mention my cousin Norma, then I have to share with you she and I are more like sisters.

Our mothers, even though they were aunt and niece, were much like sisters. Our mothers had a tradition of laughing it up, especially in the kitchen and then seeing who could kick the highest. Yes, they did!

Well, now Norma and I are carrying on the tradition.

So here we are... it's the crack of dawn and we are

getting ready to make the early morning drive to the airport... hence the not-so-high kick.. well, that's our excuse and we're stickin' to it!!

I've had such a good time with this post and I am linking to Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

and

A Stroll Through Life for Table Top Tuesday

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Make sure you visit both of these blogs.

They're wonderful!!

Our Family Gathers for Our Traditional Hunt

2011-09-18T21:20:00.002-05:00

Our Family Gathers

A great family weekend!

Our family enjoyed a memorable Labor Day weekend recently. A rare occurance... our sons and grandchildren together. We missed the wives, but a recent move and work made it impossible for them to join us.

The Peterson family has gathered for dove hunting for decades. The redevelopment of most of our original farm land, our move to Mexico, the passing of parents and children marrying and moving away had caused a slight "skip" in tradition... however, this past Labor Day weekend hunt seems to have brought it all back.

The arrival of our two grandchildren and oldest son from Mexico started the four day weekend.

Our middle son drove in from Houston on Saturday.

Fortunately our youngest son lives nearby and helped us to

organize the fun weekend.

We gathered at a famous restaurant in Rio Grande City, Texas... Caro's, a family favorite Mexican food establishment

that the family has dined at for years.

Later in the afternoon we headed out to the hunt.

Children and guns are never a good mix but with very close

adult supervision all of our children have grown up to be

responsible hunters.

This is the best White Wing Dove Recipe I've ever tasted.

Rio Grande Whitewings

16 whitewing doves

salt and pepper

garlic powder

flour

1 lb. butter

1 small bottle Worcestershire Sauce

1 c. cream sherry

1 1/2 c. water

Season birds with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Dredge heavily with flour. Melt butter in a large skillet, preferably iron, until nearly burning. Cook birds quickly on both sides and place in ungreased baking dish. Pour butter left in skillet over birds. Mix Worcestershire sauce, sherry, water, more salt and pepper and a dash of garlic powder; pour over birds. Bake uncovered at 300 degrees for 2-3 hours, depending on desired tenderness of birds.

La Pinata Cookbook - Junior League of McAllen, Texas

Mrs. Jerry Fair

I like to serve this with brown rice with some of the liquid from the birds poured over it.

I am linking to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Never Forget

2011-09-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

Praying for the families and friends of the victims of 9/11

as well as all whose lives were impacted by this

horrific event.

Also praying for all of our men and women who are serving in our Armed Forces.

God saved us and our country.

I'm "teal toed"!

2011-09-08T21:44:00.005-05:00

I'm "Teal-Toed"....

for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

When my young friend, Heather, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the ripe "old" age of 27, life just flipped over so to speak... nothing seemed normal (whatever that is) and we all knew that life was going to be quite a ride for the next several years.

In a few weeks Heather will make her final trip as a cancer patient to MD Anderson. It will mark the end of five years of testing. She will then be turned over to another department as one who has recovered from cancer...

a "cancer survivor"!

Thank God for medical advancements... and just plain

thank GOD!

Heather's faith, her husband's, her parents', her brother's, her relative's and us plain ol' friend's faith has carried us through this journey.

Heather was still a young bride when her diagnosis came through. All hope of having her own baby was dashed.

God blessed her and her husband, Jared, with a sweet baby boy they adopted and named "Beau".

Life has come together for this family.

So many blessings...

--Symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific to the disease, and they often mimic those of many other more-common conditions, including digestive and bladder problems.

--When ovarian cancer symptoms are present, they tend to be persistent and worsen with time. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
Pelvic discomfort or pain
Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
A persistent lack of energy
Low back pain

Heather, Jared and Little Beau

"The Boxcar Children" - of Texas

2011-08-09T23:25:00.000-05:00

The Box-Car Children, based on the writings of Gertrude C. Warner, was absolutely my favorite book as a child around eight to ten years of age. It shaped my way of thinking in so many ways that as I think back on it now I wonder what might have been had I not read this wonderful series. Of course, the books I read were the "re-write" of the popular childrens' books. I never actually thought to look for the books as an adult. One day as I was checking out of a store I saw a stack of The Box-Car Children books for sale. The art work was updated. My first inclination was to snatch up the books and take them home, but then I thought.. no, I loved the way I remembered the series. A group of parent-less children living in an abandoned box car with the oldest child in charge. That was about all that I remembered. Not much to go on, but then, being the oldest child in our family I took my position seriously.

The older sister of a neighbor friend of mine also took her position seriously. She would gather about five or six of us together, load up a little red wagon with snacks, sandwiches, mason jars of ice water (I remember now that I wrote about this a couple of years ago!) and off we would go for the day to the park that was probably about a 15 minute walk from our neighborhood. There was a cluster of trees that had two trunks that appeared to have grown together... it made the perfect "couch". We swept the ground removing leaves, twigs, pebbles and we drew our houses in the sand . Now I pause here in my bestest childhood memory to guide you to *White Spray Paint, entry August 4, 2011, where my dear friend and neighbor, Laura, recalls a childhood memory just as dear to her. Back to the park: We placed little rocks on our lines, leaving an opening for the front door. At this point we were a blend of "The Box-Car Children" and "Ma and Pa Kettle" and all their young brood. We even had names such as "Archibald" and "Sissy". We were in the land of make-believe for hours. This escapade would occur probably every two weeks or so. We never, ever tired of this game. It's such a precious memory for me and Laura triggered those memories when she wrote about her cousins. Please be sure to visit her blog and enjoy what she has written.

Some of the girls in this picture were privileged to make the trip to the park with us. That is me in the back with the hat and the "beard" made of burned cork. ... which inspired my interest in theater makeup... but that is a story for another day!

* White Spray Paint

http://whitespraypaint.blogspot.com/

Papaya is what's for lunch!

2011-08-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

Royal Star Papaya

We love our new Royal Star Papaya and I'm constantly experimenting with it, making up new recipes.

My husband decided to come home for lunch on the spur of the moment. I quickly sliced this papaya length-wise, filled it with raspberries, blueberries and sprinkled feta cheese on top. Then I added just a teaspoon of Brianna Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing.

We are really happy with the way this new papaya is being received. You see... we grow it!

The farm is located in Colima, Mexico.

Our oldest son is in charge of the growing.

Meet Lance and his "assistant", our grandson.

Our son has been farming in partnership with my husband for fifteen years. It's been a great partnership and we are very proud of the work Lance has done.

Our new papaya is an exciting experience for us.

Want to read about Royal Star Papaya?

http://www.royalstarpapaya.com/

and

"Friend" us on Facebook

Just search for

Royal Star Papaya

You'll find pictures, recipes, information and some

fun games!

I'm linking to

"Tuesdays at the Table"

at All the Small Stuff

http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/

Ryan's Crawfish Boil

2011-08-07T19:17:00.005-05:00

Ryan's Crawfish Boil

Our youngest son turned 31 yesterday.

Hard to imagine!

Here he is moments before his first real haircut

and just days before his "signature" eye glasses were prescribed.

Fast forward 30 years and Ryan is a very successful realtor in McAllen, Texas. Equipped with a very gregarious and friendly personality that has carried him through these 31 years it has allowed him to have many, many wonderful friends. A few of the friends in the collage have celebrated his birthday with him since very early childhood.

Ryan's friend, Carlos, volunteered to host a crawfish boil for Ryan. What an experience!! It was a new one for my husband and me. So much fun. Spicy, spicy crawfish, sausage, shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob.

Our oldest son (on the left) who lives in Mexico happened to be here on business so he got to join in on the fun and help with the cooking. Chances are he will host a crawfish boil when he returns to Mexico as crawfish are very plentiful where he lives.

It was a great evening.

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Visit Little Red School House

for Mosaic Monday!

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

You'll love it!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy "B"!

2011-08-03T19:55:00.002-05:00

Happy 108th Birthday,
Daddy "B"!

My grandfather, Calvin C. Boykin, Jr. would have been 108 today. Born August 4, 1903 in Robert Lee, Coke County, Texas he decided at the age of about 15 that life behind a mule, working on a farm was not for him. He joined the

military, fudging on his age, as many young boys did in

those days. It was about a year before his true age was discovered and then he got the boot. Not discouraged by this he made his way back to Texas and met a man who made his living in the hotel business. This changed my grandfather's life. He made a successful career in the hotel business in Midland and Big Spring, Texas and Portales, New Mexico.

Marrying his school sweetheart, Ruby, he started his family and enjoyed a life of hard work and many adventures. Pictured above is a photo I have posted before. This is my grandfather and father as a little boy. I would almost think this may be part of Carlsbad Caverns where the famous Jim White, who discovered the caverns and was also a friend of my grandfather's, lowered my father into the caverns in a basket.

This photo also makes me wonder if this isn't why I loved the old movie "The Champ" with Jackie Cooper starring in it. I think my dad looks a lot like Jackie Cooper, don't you?

Jo Anne, my aunt, Daddy "B's" only daughter wrote about this picture, "Cal Boykin was a successful hotel businessman in his day. One day he walked into Bradshaw Photography Studio in Big Spring, Texas to pick up some pictures. He was asked to pose for a few shots. It was a cold, Fall day, but his smile added lots of warmth and sunshine to those he saw. "

That truly described my grandfather... his smile was so full of warmth and sunshine you just had to smile back.

I miss you, Daddy "B"!

I know you'll be enjoying your special day in grand style.

I enjoy Vintage Thingie Thursday so much so in order to share my "Daddy 'B'" story

with other VTT posters and you I pulled out the newspaper clipping and programs

from an old suitcase of my grandfather's. It's a good feeling to know that I have some of his special keepsakes.

Visit The Colorado Lady at Vintage Thingie Thursday!!

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Red in the month of July!

2011-08-02T20:15:00.000-05:00

Red is not a color that is in my life much, however, in the month of July I purchased several items which as you can see are RED.

The "tomato-ware" was found at a wonderful antiques store in Bryan, Texas. I bought three of the cups outside of Austin, Texas in an antiques mall. What fun it was to shop in these

wonderful places! Perhaps it was also who I was shopping with... my brother and sister-in-law and then my aunt.

Then Saturday morning I left for Weslaco, Texas to

Mimi's Attic where I enjoyed a little shopping excursion

where some wonderful "antiquers" from the Rio Grande Valley were going out of business. Everything in their booth was 50% off.

I bought several items, but I was thrilled to find the Santa

and the Christmas tree lights... that work! These are not for

me as I plan to put together a display of Putz Village pieces

along with the Santa and the lights... sort of a vintage Christmas look. If someone buys it... fine! If not.. that is fine too. I just want to play with it. Sort of like children and toy trains.

Later in my shopping morning, I called my husband to come join me for a little browsing about. He came! He found the Hudson Bay Blanket coat... for 20 bucks. Geezz!! Well, who wants a heavy wool jacket like that in the Rio Grande Valley?? Not sure what I will do with it, but it was fun to see my husband "antiquing"!

So, here I am all inspired after a month's absence .. partly due to a very busy schedule and partly due to being sick.

It took Rednesday and my recent purchases to get me inspired. "It's a Very Cherry World" is fun and a delight to read... so make a visit to
http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Bess' Bistro - Austin, Texas

2011-07-01T21:26:00.003-05:00

Believe me when I say I am not into movies stars

and such... even though I thoroughly enjoy bling and some pizzazz! However, the

next time you are in Austin, Texas dine at Bess's Bistro for a fine lunch.

This belongs to Sandra Bullock who now calls

Austin her hometown!

Today my aunt and I enjoyed a fabulous

lunch at Bess' which is located on the famous

"6th Street".

It's not a particularly large place, however, it's

just right for a cozy, fine dining. This picture

shows a third of the restaurant.

I ordered a spinach salad with goat cheese that

was topped with an egg cooked with a Panko crust.

I am definitely going to see if I can duplicate this!!

My aunt enjoyed crepes filled with spinach, chicken

and cheese. She said is was excellent!

We had heard the fried potatoes were "to die for",

so of course we had to have some.

Oh-yes.... a wonderful Southwest seasoning was sprinkled over them. (Lip-smacking good!)

Oh my these fried green tomatoes in a creamy chipotle sauce

and topped with fresh, fresh mild-tasting arugula

was out of this world.

I would go back and order this meal all over again!

***

Pop on over to Designs by Gollum

for Foodie Friday.

You'll see some mouth-watering treats for sure!

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Brown transferware -- New and Old

2011-06-21T06:22:00.008-05:00

I am not a "student" of brown transferware.

I just know what I like.

The pieces above were collected slowly...

one by one.

This set was purchased in a crazy

"gotta have it" moment.

... and the rest of it.

The pieces in the top two pictures are my cherished pieces. They represent many antique shopping trips

that were spaced by months... punctuated by years of memorable excursions and adventures.

So now, I am thinking ... well, what was

I thinking?? Why did I buy the set in the third and fourth pictures? One of life's lessons, right?

Too spontaneous!

That's me.

***

Today I want to introduce you to a young mother

who is facing a serious challenge with the

pregnancy of her fifth yet-to-be born daughter, Meagan.

Her name is "Molly" and she is my husband's

cousin... probably distant but in this family

a cousin, is a cousin.

Please take a few minutes and visit Molly's

blog. She could use some prayer too while

you are at it. Thank you.

http://www.pricelesslittlepearl.blogspot.com/

***

Today I linking to

Three or More

The Gypsy's Corner

http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/

I am also linking to

Faded Charm for

White Wednesday

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Papaya Margarita - Spur of the moment Father's Day treat!

2011-06-19T20:10:00.002-05:00

Royal Star Papaya Margarita

1 medium size papaya, preferrably Royal Star Papaya (they're sweeter and

have a better flavor)

1/2 c. Jose Cuervo Tequila

1/4 c. Controy

1/4 c. lemon or lime juice

Ice

Blend and serve in chilled glasses

***

Happy Father's Day

to all of the important men

in my life...

My wonderful husband who is

father to our three sons

and grandfather to our two grandchildren,

They call him "Pops"!

My awesome father who was the

"Indiana Jones" in my life.

Agriculture economist, WW II vet,

world traveler (not always in the safest places),

writer, historian and a man with

high ideals and standards.

My maternal grandfather (on the left) who rose from raising and picking cotton to

a man with a master's degree from Cornell, returning to Galveston County, Texas

and led the extension of the seawall project.

My maternal great-grandfather from Italy who brought his family to the U.S.

He worked for the transit system in Ithaca, N.Y.

My paternal grandfather who was successful in the hotel business

with only a high school diploma. He taught his family it was

important to have a dream, work hard and be good to people.

My paternal great-grandfather who believed it was important

to look your best at all times and work hard.

He died young, but dearly loved my grandmother, his only child.

I'm sorry!

I haven't had a minute for blogland in the past two weeks.

I'm working very hard on my husband's family tree, history book and

family reunion which is coming up in mid-July.

Also worked on our church's (very successful!) garage sale.

Thank you all for your kind remarks and congrats for our

41st wedding anniversary!!

Our 41st!!

2011-06-06T23:31:00.005-05:00

The Engagement

The Wedding

The Marriage

The Gift

We celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary today.

I can barely remember NOT being married,

but that is just fine... so fine!

My husband always treats me to yellow roses... my all-time favorite!

I thank the good Lord for bringing this wonderful man

into my life.

It's been a ride, but there are miles and miles still

to cover.

Get "Wow'd" at Quinta Don Jose!

2011-05-31T21:49:00.004-05:00

More of Quinta Don Jose

Tlaquepaque, Mexico

Wonderful art is everywhere!

This one particular painting I love.

The name of it is "Juanita" and the artist is Arturo Cuevas

and it sells for about $1,400.00.

The ceiling below is to me a work of art as well.

This sort of artisanship is just not seen often.

It is almost all throughout Quinta Don Jose.

The little nooks below are so wonderful. Each little "window" showcases Mexican pottery and small statues.

***

This slab of tiles rest over a small fireplace.

The figures painted on them depict daily life in Mexico.

Another beautiful and colorful painting showing a woman

with a basket of flowers in a basket that is being carried on her head. The arrangements of pots and greenery are

so pleasant to sit next to in the restaurant area.

I've featured a picture of this before but can't resist sharing it. It is the ceiling in the women's restroom in the lobby.

There is a combination of tiny painted figures as well as "milagros" nailed to the ceiling.

Catrina is the name of the popular Mexican skeleten character that is so popular during Dia de los Muertos. The mirror and then the piece of art above the hook were both in the restroom. The "happy" Catrina with the purple background was in the lobby.

A quick look at our bedroom shows the beautiful carved headboard that was attached to a very comfortable king-size bed.

Taking a picture of the restroom area without catching myself in the mirror was impossible... but at least you

see what beautiful tile work there is.

The modern part of Quinta Don Jose is a very large swimming pool, television with a few channels in English and internet.

I hope that I have "Wow'd" you this Wednesday.

Be sure to visit Savvy Southern Style to see the other

entries.

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

A little added note -- Tlaquepaque is sort of a "suburb" of Guadalajara.

"Mi Casa Es Tu Casa"

2011-05-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

"Home Sweet Home"

Quinta Don Jose - Tlaquepaque, Mexico

Our favorite bed and breakfast has become our

"Home Sweet Home"

as this is about our twentieth stay there.

I wonder if that beats any world record?!

When we were living in Tecoman we would make a trip to Guadalajara just for a little R&R at our B&B.

Tlaquepaque is sort of a "suburb" of Guadalajara.

The shopping is wonderful.

After a day of shopping though it is a treat to end the day

with a cool drink and a chat with Charlie at the bar.

Often times there are other couples who enjoy visiting with

other guests at Quinta Don Jose. It's fun to find out where

everyone is from and what brought them to Mexico.

This particular evening... which was just this past Tuesday evening, we enjoyed listening to the beauitful sounds of the harp. You can see the picture of the young, very accomplished harpist in the collage.

We enjoyed a meal of grilled lamb and also red snapper.

The meal was delicious. It always is.

I've written about Quinta Don Jose several times and I will again soon as I will want to show you what one of their bedrooms looks like.

I wanted to make sure that I featured the mirror in this collage as it is a work of art. The artist who constructed the frame also has his work at the Vatican.

Come back soon for more pictures of

this home and away from home for us where we are always made to feel like this is

"Home Sweet Home"!

I am linking to

The Charm of Home

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday at the Quinceañera

2011-05-24T11:05:00.002-05:00

Tabletop Tuesday at
the Quinceañera

I just have to highlight again the beautiful tablesettings

and decor at the Quinceañera we just attended in Mexico.

I was really taken by the tiny lights used in the

centerpieces and the flowers. I have never seen battery

operated lights inside of water. Have you?

What an effect!

This is the perfect post for
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/