EASTER 'S ON IT' S WAY............

THIS WEEK WILL BE FILLED WITH BAKING
AND COLORING EGGS; GETTING READY
FOR SUNDAY SERVICES AND SUNDAY
DINNER............
I MADE AN APPLE /PEACH CRISP TOPPED
WITH WHIPPED TOPPING.............
I SLICED UP SOME APPLES AHEAD OF
TIME AND ADDED THE SUGAR....
I ENJOY MY "SUSAN BRANCH" CALENDER
FOR THIS MONTH WITH LITTLE BUNNY
GETTING THINGS READY.........


I hope you are getting ready for Easter at your house. We had Snow to fill our lawns...
I remember as a little girl watching my mom. She would boil and color the eggs; Dad would give her the money to go purchase my sister and I new white gloves and a hat and an Easter dress. She would put on her clean apron and get to work making the house
clean and neat; she would make a list of items (with a pencil) for the grocery for Easter dinner; and put on the lace tablecloth and her blue and white dishes and make the table oh so pretty.

A dinner that included a nice spiral ham; homemade potato salad; baked beans; a veggie tray; a glass dish with pickles and olives; deviled eggs ; fresh warm rolls; and a homemade dessert.

We would have an Easter Egg hunt out on the lawn and fill our baskets with these real eggs some chocolates; and plastic eggs. We would then all enjoy the family getting together ; laughing; sharing stories and all the ladies in the kitchen cooking and washing up dishes and chatting together.

Now that I am older my days are filled with my family. This year some have moved farther away; some are visiting their husbands side of the family; so..... it may be smaller but I still bake( give to others); decorate; and plan a nice dinner for those that are here.

A GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER RUTHIE!!!!

She is a wonderful daughter. Always caring for her family; others and a hard worker.
We love her and pray she has a wonderful day!!

Make a tradition with your own family. What do you do for Easter?

ELIZABETH MONROE .....FIRST LADIES

ELIZABETH MONROE...FIRST LADIES


. Wife of President James Monroe

. Very private person ; kept out of the public eye

. Other people who spoke of her spoke of a beautiful woman who had learned to appriciate
elegant clothing and furniture during her years of her husbands office.

. James and her had 2 daughters ; Eliza and Maria and one son who died at infancy.

. She helped in the release of Madame de Lafayette from prison.

. She preferred not to attend many of the formal functions because of ill health; thus many
of the other ladies did not get to attend with their husbands.

. They painted the outside of the mansion in which her and her husband lived thus calling
it the White House.

. They had the first daughter married in the White House ; Maria.

. They retired in 1825 to Oak Hill, Virginia but grew frail.

. She did at 67 in Oak Hill.

. Her husband went to live with one of their daughters because he was so shaken. He died a year
later.

A SURPRISE IN THE MAIL AND A SPRING WALK...

Yesterday the postman rang the doorbell.
I was so surprised to find this "Easter Box"
from my sister Phyllis.
It was filled with many fun little things to enjoy
and a cute card too..... I loved it all!!
I took my granddaughter on a walk.... We
happened upon these spring flowers and
drank in their beauty!!
I LOVE blue herons! I do not know if this is
a nest they may be building. Does anyone
know? When I see a blue heron to me that is
saying "God loves me!"
I made a few little cards to send out to some
hurting friends..........
I enjoy making "Spring" cards. I enjoy making
each one special.


I was so surprised this week when I recieved a package in the mail filled with "fun" things.
My sisters all spoil me so much. My sister Barbara always makes me have a fun time when I am with her. We laugh and have fun doing whatever we need to do whether taking mom out to lunch or doing our lists and projects together. She gives me special treats and things she knows I would enjoy. My sister Joyce gave me some handbags when I was down and some nice lotions
and such for my face. She is a great teacher on skin care and make up. We had a great time
making cupcakes and snickerdoodles in my other sisters kitchen.
My sister Phyllis lives farther away but is the best "package" sender ( is that a word?) to others.
She writes and calls my mom everyday and loves me by her phone calls and trinkets she sends
to me. She seems to know all the little things others love....

I had fun taking a walk too. My daughter; granddaughter and I all went to a park. We had so much fun swinging; taking pictures; laughing. I also enjoy the buds and the little flowers bursting forth through the dirt bringing sunshine into the normal days..........

I am enjoying the season........and thankful for each day.

SPRING CLEANING AND LIGHTER MEALS.....

It seems just right to be "Spring Cleaning"
I had a delicious meal of "Lime Chicken; brown
rice and yummy broccoli and cauliflower.........
The flavor was sooo good and abit spicy......


Spring is here!! Though they say as cold temperatures still prevail in our area.... But.......
the birds are singing in the trees and the ducks swimming along in the pond so it has to be here.

This means "Spring Cleaning" is at hand here. Weeks ago I took my "8 1/2 x 11 notebook and wrote down goals or plans for "Spring" and goals for places that needed my attention to clean and rid out.... Although..........the best made plans can quickly go aray in my household as things change quickly.........

What do you do when your "plans" change?? Oh I could fuss; gripe; complain; or adapt and work around it........

I may have a couple of hours ( as I did the other day) in the morning. Then I cleaned and organized my kitchen cabinets and pantry. This always gets straightened throughout the year but the other I do seasonally.

Another lady gave me the idea also to "simplify" by asking God what things I really needed around me and rid out by giving away or donating to a thrift store. Simple right?

I am also working on finding "healthier meals" to be put in a "recipe folder". When I went to my grocery the other day I found several blessings ; such as " green bell peppers and a special mild pepper" for .99; a whole bag of limes for .99; several packs of "Fiber One" yogurts for $1.25 each. I get so excited each week when I go to this particular market to see what the Lord will surprise me with in bargains.......

Then........I take the items given and use them in a meal. This week was " Garlic Lime Chicken With Olives". It was so delicious . I also made "Picadillo" stuffed in green peppers. My husband loved them. I used the ground "Purdue Turkey" I had gotten for .99 two week before. Grocery buying and meal planning can be fun if you make it a challenge to yourself.

If you know of any "delicious healthy meals" please let me know. I am trying to fill my "recipe folder" as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful "Spring day"......

SPRINGTIME FUN..........THIS AND THAT

Welcome "Springtime" and "Easter" as the
days grow warmer.........
Our sweet granddaughter and I out on a "springtime
walk" .........
She had to take her "fun build a bear" along
her kind Auntie Ruthie had done for her.
Easter is coming soon ( a sign to remember)
A hanging wind chime that belonged to my mom
and dad. To remember............
When with my sister last week...we stopped by
a warehouse sale. I found this little lamp with
a bird nest for $5 for the bedroom.
I also found this nice tray ( bird nest again)
for $6 to use this summer when serving things...
I love this "Summer Apron" my daughter
Ruthie found for me...........
A picture that sits at my desk reminding me of
"Spring to come"..................


I pray you are enjoying the beginning of "Springtime days"..... I know many across the country have daffodils blooming; forsythia bushes springing forth with colors of bright pinks; some have gardens being planted and temperatures soaring high but here.........

We have had snow; ice pellets; and now a warm rain flowing over our area bringing a good drink to the flowers; grass; trees and gardens to come......

We had a few peaks of Spring and I enjoyed a nice walk with my granddaughter.

Today I have been busy cleaning out all the kitchen cabinets and sweeping and mopping the floors. Life has been busy for me for a month and it always feels so good to clean out; rid out and
make things fresh and organized for the months ahead.........

As soon as the weather warms I will be tending to outside work; working on the garden and
enjoying the days of Spring.........

What are you doing for Spring?

DOLLEY MADISON

DOLLEY MADISON

HERE ARE A FEW INTERESTING FACTS I GLEANED FROM THIS PRESIDENTS WIFE.

. SHE BECAME ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S GREATEST HEROINES DURING THE WAR OF 1812. .

SHE PERSONALLY SAVED A PRICELESS PAINTING-(THE PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON).

SHE REMOVED THE PICTURE FROM THE FRAME, ROLLED IT UP AND BROUGHT IT WITH HER IN THE CARRIAGE THAT DROVE HER TO VIRGINIA BEFORE HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE WENT UP IN FLAMES.

DOLLEY WAS A PERSONABLE HOSTESS THAT SPREAD SOCIABLE WARMTH THROUGHOUT HER HUSBANDS TWO TERMS IN OFFICE.

. DOLLEY WAS RAISED A QUAKER AND AT 21 YEARS OF AGE MARRIED JOHN TODD A QUAKER AND A LAWYER.

SHE HAD A SON ( JOHN PAYNE TODD) AND ANOTHER INFANT SON.

. IN THE SUMMER OF 1793 YELLOW FEVER STRUCK PHILADELPHIA.

DOLLEY LOST BOTH HER HUSBAND AND THEIR INFANT SON.

. SIX MONTHS AFTER BECOMING A WIDOW SHE MEANT "THE GREAT LITTLE MADISON" AS HE WAS CALLED.

. SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN DOLLEY WAS 26 SHE MARRIED JAMES MADISON (SEVENTEEN YEARS HER SENIOR.) .

SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS A FINE LADY WHO HAD A SMILE AND A PLEASANT WORD FOR EVERYBODY SHE MEANT.

. DURING MADISON'S SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, HE AND HIS WIFE RETURNED TO VIRGINIA TO ENJOY A PEACEFUL RETIREMENT TOGETHER.

. BUT ...MANY CAME TO THEIR HOME; FOR DINNERS AND SUCH AND SHE WELCOMED THEM.

. THEIR ONLY SON TURNED TO GAMBLING AND FURTHER TROUBLES .

. JAMES MADISONS HEALTH FAILED AND HE GREW FRAIL.
HIS WIFE PROVED TO BE A TIRELESS NURSE FOR HIM IN HIS LAST DAYS.
HE DIED AT 85.

. SHE CONTINUED ON TO SERVE IN WASHINGTON AS A HOSTESS.

. SHE DIED AT 81. THE CAPITAL BADE HER FAREWELL AT A CROWDED FUNERAL SERVICE. HER BODY WAS THEN BROUGHT TO MOTPELIER TO BE BURED BESIDE HER HUSBAND.

DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH GANACHE....

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 (16-ounce) can Hershey's chocolate syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

For the ganache:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and coffee granules and mix until just combined. Don't overbeat, or the cupcakes will be tough.

Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don't overbake! Let cool thoroughly in the muffin pan.

For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.

Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the ganache. Do not refrigerate.