HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY LOVE.....

34 YEARS...........HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SWEETHEART **** His favorite breakfast recipe

As I walked into my "new homeroom class" that Senior year of high school there he was
this "boy" standing on his head on one of the long science desks in the back of the classroom...
"I shrugged my shoulders as not to join in his silly antics" and sat in my seat......"Others ...gathered around him laughing and applauding his spirit"................I then looked up and realized his desk would be right across from me.........

Little did I realize how much I would need that "spirit" of his throughout the next 30 years of my life..........He asked me several times for a date but I thought "no"......until one time his
gentle kind nature touched my heart...........It has touched my heart since .........

Years of growing together........God knew..........and in the first year of our marriage we moved to upstate New York where we would both hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray to ask Jesus into our hearts..........Was there instance love and perfection in our lives then??? ..............No
we were both young people growing in our marriage and love and now growing in Jesus and what His love was to show...........Many years of growing together...........For better ; for worse; in sickness and in health...........WE had it all...............rich or poor............our love grew............

Children God gave. Three to which I was amazed how great of a Daddy he was to each one of them. Love abounding; teaching; playfulness; joy as he loved each of of our children. Weddings; new mates; now grown.........He slide through it all..............giving and sacrificing many many times so that they could go to a Christian School ; be involved in things; learn new things; and have needs meant. ...........Now new parts to our family he and I both loved as if they were are own...

And now.........as we have grown Jesus has given us a stronger love that ever before.........

A love that is long suffering; works hard; sacrifices; accepts each other as they are; looks to the others needs before our own.............Marriage is hard work.......my parents 67 years; his parents over 50 years..........hard work; thinking not of ourselves but whom God hath joined together.........
I love you sweetheart! One of my hubbys favorite breakfasts is sausage gravy and biscuits ( although we cant eat as much of this these days we enjoy at times......here is the recipe.
*** On sidebar under recipes

VINTAGE FUN..........

FINDING "VINTAGE FUN"

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.......FALL EXPLORING

DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR ONE OF MY
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO GO ANTIQUING....
(AS SOME SAY) BUT IT IS REALLY EXPLORING..
I MIGHT SEE A "BARN SALE" OR AN OUTDOOR
"FLEA MARKET" AND BEGIN MY HUNT...
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS KIND OF
HUNT IS THAT IT DOESNT COST MUCH
AND THE "TREASURES" YOU WILL FIND
ARE PRECIOUS...........YOU AND YOUR HUBBY
OR FAMILY CAN ALL ENJOY THIS ACTIVITY...
I COLLECT SOME OLD CHILDRENS BOOKS.
MY HUSBAND LOVES HISTORY BOOKS.
I HAVE EVEN COLLECTED A SERIES OF OLD
CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR MY 89 YEAR OLD
FRIEND........( SHE LOVED IT) I SET A PRICE
IN MY MIND AND FIND THEM FOR JUST
A COUPLE OF DOLLARS....
I ENJOY FINDING "OLD DISHES" OR PIECES OF
DISHES TO "SET MY TABLE" AT HOME....
YOU MAY FIND OLD LINENS; TEACUPS; DISHES; OR
A BASKET OR CROCK TO USE.........WHATEVER I FIND
IT HAS TO HAVE A PLACE AND BE USEFUL....I DONT
NEED ANY CLUTTER......JUST A SPECIAL PIECE
THEN WHEN I AM DONE WITH IT I MAY GIVE IT
AWAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO ENJOY....

THESE LITTLE "TREASURE HUNTS"
CAN BE FUN AND INTERESTING....
HAVE FUN THIS FALL "EXPLORING"
FOR YOUR TREASURES....I WILL TRY
AND SHARE SOME OF MY FINDS TOO!

WELCOME....YOU ARE SO SPECIAL TO ME....

WELCOME...............YOUR SPECIAL TO ME

Yesterday I opened a "surprise card" from my husband.........It was very sweet and of course I loved it! Fall is both of our favorite time of year......I can remember our trip to a park down
south where we would picnic; walk and he even cut our initials in a tree just for us..........

I remember as we were dating keeping a scrapbook filled with everything we did together.
I filled this book with napkins were we ate; sticks of ice cream we had; photos; and even the
little daises he picked for me alongside the road........ It said He was so special to me!

Sometimes as couples we grown and become busy with life. Children come and we enjoy them and help them grow. Financial burdens prevail and enter our lives and you work together to
live and provide for the needs. Life can become farther and farther apart.

Some couples may become bitter and pick at each other little by little . Maybe the way things are cooked; whos turn to take the dog out; or other little small things...They become a worn
place that gets bigger and bigger..........
And..............soon the glow of that "light" you once had may begin to fade..........but I heard this
wise little idea I thought I would pass along............Begin anew.........You can always begin "new"
each day.........God brings us His peace and joy and love and can bring it to you....
If you have a relationship that may need "renewed" here are some ideas..........

. Purchase a new scrapbook for just you and him.

. Begin to fill it with new pictures of you both.

. Fill it with a new beginning and new memories to build upon.

Soon.............you will have a "new door " to open and once again say "your special to me"

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY MUFFINS...FALL MOMENTS

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY MUFFINS..............

**** we made these yesterday and ohhh the house
was filled with the aroma's of Fall...........

*** enjoy a little "Fall" moment with these muffins"
2 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
. 3/4 C SUGAR
. 3 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER
. 1 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON
. 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND GINGER
. 1/4 TEASPOON SALT
. 1 C CANNED PUMPKIN
. 1/2 C VEGETABLE OIL
. 2 EGGS
. 1 C SWEETENED DRIED CRANBERRIES
. 1/4 C CHOPPED PECANS
. COARSE SUGAR, IF DESIRED

1. HEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES. 12 MUFFIN CUPS WITH BAKING CUPS

2. MIX FLOUR; SUGAR; BAKING POWDER; CINNAMON, GINGER AND SALT. SIR IN
PUMPKIN; OIL; ;EGGS; CRANBERRIES AND PECANS UNTIL JUST MOISTENED!!!
*** OVERMIXING CAN RESULT IN TOUGH MUFFINS WITH PEAKED TOPS.
DIVIDE BATTER EVENLY IN EACH CUP. SPRINKLE COARSE SUGAR OVER BATTER
IN EACH CUP...

3. BAKE 20-25 MIN OR UNTIL TOOTHPICK COMES OUT CLEAN. ( ** I THOUGHT 18-20
WAS GOOD FOR ME). COOL.

4. MAY SERVE WITH BUTTER OR CREAM CHEESE ON TOP.

MAKING "FALL PUMPKIN ROLLS".....

PUMPKIN ROLLS TO MAKE OR GIVE AWAY

I love to make warm delicious "Pumpkin Rolls" this time of year. I make several and cut them
in half . I then give some away and freeze some for the holidays............
It just takes a large can of Pumpkin ( Aldi's seem to be the cheapest around this year) and cream cheese for the center filling and then some
basic ingredients to make these beautiful rolls..............
I also have wax paper on hand which is very inexpensive at any dollar store.....
I use some fresh eggs...................
Baking that thin layer of "cake" smells so good throughout the house...............
I then "turn in out" onto a powered sugar dusted tea towel...........to cool...............
I then anticipate as I "tear off" the wax paper from the cake to ready for the next step
and then then add the filling..............
I simply roll the cake up in a tea towel to rest and form the pretty design................
With one large can of Pumpkin I can make several rolls. I fill them; roll them up and cut them
in half. I also slice off one thin piece of each end to make it look pretty. ..................I then dust
with confectioners sugar!

I then wrap them individually in plastic wrap..............and if FREEZING..........I place them
in a zip lock large bag for freezer. If I am giving as a gift I may wrap in plastic wrap and tie
with a pretty fall ribbon. I have even purchased small little plastic cups (GFS) at times to
place extra "filling icing" in and give that also. I may put these on a pretty little plate; or in a small basket with some pretty Fall napkins!
LIBBY'S PUMPKIN ROLLS............................

• CAKE
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• FILLING
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

Directions

FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:
BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Remember to follow baking instructions before consuming.

FALL BAKING....ITS IN THE AIR...

'FALL BAKING COOKIES; FREEZING APPLES; AND MAKING "LINDAS TACO SOUP AND PINTO BEANS AND HAM.....

This past week the "winds came" and blew and blew.......I loved the leaves spiraling through the air as I stood safe and warm inside my kitchen........I thanked God for "this time" to be home and puddle around in the kitchen. I love the kitchen and love when I have the time to work with my hands
and create and bring a warm and comfort to our home....This day my granddaughter and I were
going to bake some "pumpkin cookies". I had most of the items needed on hand so we went to
work donning our aprons . I lit my pumpkin candle and had the great music of our churchs
radio station playing great music in the background.....
It doesnt seem like it takes much to make us happy. A little bit of flour; sugar; butter; a cookie cutter; some powered sugar and food coloring..........brings a happy face to all who enter.........
Little precious hands.......( I seem to notice more every little thing about my grandchildrens hands) maybe it was when I was a young mother life was busier but I love her little hands
and the flour; sticky fingers; laughing; flour dusted all over both of us.............little things....
Each creation is special...........God thinks His creations are special too and everything He created is unique! A tree; a flower; a hand; a heart.............its His creation......
Look grandma................."Oh thats sooooo good!"..............Will she remember this as she grows
older? Perhaps.......but someday may she do the same with her babies?
The creation..........the time spent on these little things are important I think..........We went to the grocery store the other evening and I held her up over the big frozen turkeys and said "which one shall we pick for Thanksgiving?" She picked one....... She helped grandma and her mama shop putting things in her little tiny cart .......as we stopped and laughed and giggled....
I made Aunt Linda's Taco Soup this week which was so easy and everyone loved it!......Warm comforting soup ; another day Ham and Beans and homemade cornbread and the cookies;
My husband came in the door and said " Honey something smells good" ..........I just love that!
My friend Lisa gave me a bag of apples from the orchard; I had made several apple crisp and
some breads and still had plenty of apples so decided I would freeze what was left.........
I sat and peeled ( not with a peeler I wished I had had one but I had a hand :).........so begin
to peel and peel ...................
I then put them in a large bowl of salt water so they wouldnt turn brown..............I then put them in a colander; and put 2 cups at a time in a smaller bowl and covered them with abut 1/2 cup of sugar ( would use these for pies or crisps later).............I ended up putting up about 6 cups each in each freezer bag...........
Three bags full.........I was very happy with that to use for the holidays. I also found some bananas on sale for $1 a bag and came home; chopped those into pieces; lay them on a cookie sheet in the freezer; then took out and put into freezer bags to use later in muffins or breads.

I love my kitchen. Its one of my favorite things. I love how the Lord took my time and had be use it for something good and something comforting.........Next time I think I know what is best; I will STOP and PRAY and lean on HE who knows what is best for me......and who brings me more than I could ever want...........

BAKING UP SOME FALL ..FUN WITH COOKIES

BAKING UP SOME FALL FUN COOKIES............

I enjoy baking these simple cookies ........and you may put them away in your freezer for Thanksgiving or to use for the Fall season.......
A simple cut out can be purchased even at the dollar store...........
You can use your imagination to use in so many ways...........a small basket filled with these little brown wonders; adding icing and any color such as orange or yellow; a few cookies in a baggie
just for someone who stops by to take on there way.............


Simple Shortbread Cut Outs............

2 cups unsalted butter, softened

11/2 cups sugar

4 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla

41/2 cups unbleached flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

Add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy.

Sift the flour and salt over the butter mixture and mix until well-combined.

Chill for 10 minutes.

Make your magic with the different options below or one of your own.

Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes without browning.

Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack or waxed paper.