Another Saturday Morning Breakfast Favorite

This scrambled egg and cheese pita, is another one of our family favorites. It is quick, easy and delicious, especially if the bacon has prepared ahead of time. I brown a pound of bacon when I have extra time. I keep it in my freezer for times when I only need a few slices.

I keep packages of these pitas in my freezer. I remove the amount that I need, and lightly brush on light virgin olive oil.

I then scramble the eggs. I took four eggs, a tablespoon of water, and a tablespoon of sour cream and whipped it all together. This is always the way I make scrambled eggs, because I learned it from Paula Deen. They taste better this way. When they were almost finished, I added 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

I took some slices of already browned bacon out of the freezer, and nuked it slightly. I sliced a tomato, added the scrambled eggs, and added a thin layer of light mayo to one half of the opened pita. I folded the pita in half, and returned the completed pita to the pan on stove. I browned each side slightly, removed to a plate, cut in half and secured with picks. We like the combination of eggs, bacon, cheese, mayo and tomato, on a lowfat pita. Breakfast is now over, and many jobs are waiting to be completed on this beautiful," almost" Spring, Saturday morning.

The Spirit Of Sunshine

"How's business, Eben?" The old man was washing at the sink after his day's work. "Fine, Marthy, fine." "Does the store look just the same?" Land, how I'd like to be there again with the sun shining in so bright! How does it look, Eben?" "The store's never been the same since you left it, Marthy." A faint flush came into Martha's cheeks. Is a wife ever too old to be moved by her husband's praise! For years Eben and Martha had kept a tiny notion store, but one day Martha fell sick and was taken to the hospital. That was month's ago. She was out now, but she would never be strong again_never more be partner in the happy little store. "I can't help hankering for a sight of the store, " thought Martha one afternoon. "If I take it real careful I think I can get down there. Tisn't so far." It took a long time for her to drag herself downtown, but at last she stood at the head of the little street where the store was. All of a sudden she stopped. Not far from her on the pavement stood Eben. A tray hung from his neck. On this tray were arranged a few cards of collar-buttons, some papers of pins and several bundles of shoe-laces. In a trembling voice he called his wares. Martha leaned for support against the wall of the building nearby. She looked over the way at the little store. Its windows were filled with fruit. Then she understood. The store had gone to pay her hospital expenses. She turned and hurried away as fast as her weak limbs would carry her. "It will hurt him so to have me find it out!" she thought, and the tears trickled down her face. "He's kept it a secret from me, and now I"ll keep it a secret from him. He shan't ever know that I know." That night when Eben came in, chilled and weary. Martha asked cheerily the same question: "How's business, Eben?" "Better'n ever, Marthy," was the cheery answer, and Martha prayed God might bless him for his sunshiny spirit and love of her." ____Author unknown - From Ladies Home Journal Magazine "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." ___Mother Teresa

Centerpiece and Favors For A Special Birthday Party

Many times over the years, I have received requests from family and friends, to create centerpieces and favors for special event parties. I really enjoy this type of thing, and find it quite challenging to create and color coordinate, while all the time trying to keep the price at a minimum. For the centerpiece of this particular party, I used one of my white ironstone pitchers. I filled it with real looking blue hydrangea stems that I found in the floral section of The Burlington Coat Factory. I would much prefer real hydrangeas, but this just is not the right time of year, especially if one is attempting to keep the cost low. I did consider it a compliment when the Birthday girl asked if I bought the hydrangeas at market that morning? I am amazed at how real looking some of the faux flowers are today. This party was held in a private room of a restaurant. The linen tablecloth was white, the napkins were a soft blue and white, which is why I went with this choice of centerpiece and favors. It was for 10 women. The birthday girl has a somewhat flambuoyant personality, and loves colors and flowers.

In my small bread pans, I baked loaves of chocolate chip, banana bread. I put each on in a clear cellophane bag, and then wrapped it in a white 100% cotten tea towel. I had purchased a pack of 10 tea towels one time at Marshalls, for $7.99. It was a great deal for such nice quality tea towels.

I took one of the hydrangea stems and cut it into small pieces. I wrapped the bread enclosed in cellophane, in a tea towel, wrapped the darker blue ribbon around it, added a small piece of the hydrangea flower, and a wallet sized photo of the birthday girl, that I glued onto a card tag. For this feature I took a flattering photograph of the birthday girl, scanned it into 10 wallet size photos. Sometimes I ask for baby photos and a recent photo and alternate those on the favors. I cut them up and glued them onto the tags, and tied it along with the flowers. The photos always add an indiviual touch to the favors. This was a simple, inexpensive way to add personalization and pizazz to a fun celebration for a special person.

Recent Pastry Chef Creations

Just thought you all might enjoy seeing the temptations that I face on a weekly basis. This is what came home this week. She kindly took it out of the white box and set it on the kitchen counter. Now very FORTUNATELY, I do not posess a craving for sweets. If I did...all of you would have been watching a weight gain in progess during the last few months of my life.

Always, there is "the taste." Then we continue "the giveaway, "to all of our many new found friends. Chocolate friends out there...what do you think of this picture?

This is a decorative creation, made with Marzipan. The basket and the fruit are her first attempt at food art, used in decorating cakes, and other areas where real looking fruit, flowers, or whatever, is needed. I think it is well done for the first time.

Two weeks ago, this chocolate delicasy came home. The artfully designed chocolate creations on top, added a unique touch to this chocolate torte. Once again, this is something I've never attempted to add to any of my chocolate desserts. Do you???
Our daughter is becoming quite popular at her dad's office, where they are more than happy to help us deal with the trail of desserts that we find coming home from pastry chef school. Next week she tells me, will be the layered carrot cake...now that may be a problem for me, beings it is my favorite cake!

Savoring The Moments

"A person should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of their life, in order that worldly care may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul." --Johann Wolfgang won Goethe

Last evening I discovered the most exquisitely gorgeous sunset, behind my home. In the quiet, cold, snow covered evening, I stood with my camera, attempting to capture a portion of the beauty in front of me. I cannot explain to you, the peacefulness and quietness that enveloped me, as I watched the sun slowly disappearing behind the trees. In this day that we live, with developing news stories that can instill fear and uneasiness within us...I was overwhelmed with the gift of peace, calmness and beauty that was before me. I did not want the moment to end.

So quickly the sun, that had brightened and warmed my day yesterday, disappeared, and darkess was ushered in. The verse from Psalms 19:1 described perfectly this moment in time..."The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hands." What human being could ever create such a majectic sight as I witnessed last evening?
May the memory of those moments of beauty, and the One who created it, bring peace and reassurance to my gift of " today."

Today's Unexpected Gifts

Today I received these elegantly created tan linens from Lisa, at The Coastal Nest. She celebrated her 250th blog posting last week. She had a drawing for this gift and I was the fortunate one that was picked. I've always liked collecting and displaying linens, so I was thrilled to open this beautiful gift. Thank you Lisa, for your kindness and generosity to me. I look forward to more of your blog postings.
This perfectly chosen, framed card was given to me, as a thank you from my daughter for keeping her dear children. The message on this print are "Kind words are jewels that live in the heart and soul and remain as blessed memories years after they have been spoken." -M. Johnson. The unique candle and framed print look so nice on my kitchen counter. Both gifts were unexpected and so appreciated, convincing me once again, how acts of kindness can make any day brighter.

How We Kept Them Occupied During Their Three Day Stay

With three of our grandchildren staying with us for three days, while their parent celebrated their 5th anniversary, we worked hard to find things to do that would keep their interest. Being the ages of a 2 year old, 1 year old and 7 months old, that in itself was a bit challenging. Eating macaroni and cheese was a big hit, along with blueberries, bananas, cheese, pretzels and pizza for the oldest two. The youngest one loves her bottle. For a special treat the two oldest ones got to eat at the little table instead of their booster seat and high chair. After all, what are a few crumbs on the floor, when you are having fun?

The jumping swing was always a hit with the youngest one. She would smile, jump and swing, content in her own little world. What a joy to watch her!!

By Sunday afternoon, I was running out of creative ideas as to what to do next with the older two? So, out comes the big tin my mother gave to me years ago. It is filled with wooden spools of thread that she saved from the days when she spent sitting at her sewing machine. She saved them because I was told," they don't make them out of wood anymore". To these two grandchildren, this tin filled with wooden spools was a brand new concept in toys. They eagerly emptied the spools onto the floor.

Here my granddaughter discovers thread for the first time. You can almost read her mind on this picture, thinking"what in the world is this, as she pulls the thread from the spool?"

Together they investigate this new game, with me telling them what they are and what FUN things they could do with these spools. After all, what could be more exciting than this???

I encouraged them to see how high of a tower they could build with the spools before they crashed to the ground. By now, day three, you can see that I was pulling out all of the stops, to give them a good time...this just was great fun!!!!
Aren't you impressed with their tower? Looking at these spools took me back to the years, the fabrics, and my dear mother sitting at her sewing machine, creating beautiful clothing for me and my sisters. It was interesting seeing the low prices on the spools of thread. The lowest price I found was 20 cents a spool. My how times have changed? Of course, when was the last time I purchased a spool of thread?


Another aspect to this project...try to fit them all back in like they had been. By now she is probably thinking..."it just doesn't get any more fun than this!!"

But between the two of us, we did it! Big brother lost all interest in this project, after the first five minutes. All in all, we had a memorable weekend with the three precious children, and a new appreciation for their parents, and their older brother, and time, work, and commitment involved with having three babies in a home. It was truly a great blessing to have them here with us.