The Stone Rabbit

What Day is THIS?

 

 

 

I knew that today is *TUESDAY, May 15th, but I did not know, until my friend Jill shared on her Face book wall, that it's also NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!!!!

I was doubly excited to know that because I am actually prepared to celebrate the greatness of chocolate chips in style.   You see, for some reason. . .I  whipped up a batch of one of my favorite cookies last night!  COWBOY COOKIES!!!  And yes, they contain CHOCOLATE CHIPS!!

Years ago, I found the yummy recipe in the newspaper. . . .one of those  amazing strokes of good luck that become a "go to" in our recipe files!!

 

I've made them over and over for various events and once in a while. . .I make them just because I'm craving them!!!

Such delectable little creations. . . filled with chocolate chips and oats and pecans and BUTTER!!!  

 

The problem is. . . when I make them. . .I can't stay away from them!!!  

Oh, well, NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY just comes once a year. . .right?

Go ahead. . .you can have some, too!!!  :)

COWBOY COOKIES!

1 C shortening.......I used softened butter!!

1 C brown sugar

1 C white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 C flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt ....... I omit this....trying to stay healthy!  ;-)

2 C regular rolled oats

6-oz package of chocolate chips

1 C pecan pieces

Cream shortening/butter and sugar;  add eggs and vanilla and continue creaming;  In a separate bowl, mix flour, soda, baking powder, salt, oats, chips and nuts;  add to the creamed mixture and mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls  on cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly browned.  Makes 3-4 dozen.

Note:  I used one of those Pampered Chef cookie scoop thingies. . .so the cookies are pretty large. . . only 12 fit on the sheet at a time and it does take closer to 12 min. for them to cook the way we like them. . .all tanish, but still a little gooey in the middle when they first come out of the oven.

Rats. . . all of this posting about those cookies is setting my salivary glands into action.  Bye. . .I'm off to snag another one for my afternoon "snack"!!!  :)

 

Enjoy NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY!!!!

 

DANA

* Thanks to Melanie and Martha for pointing out that I had originally  posted it was Wednesday!!!  Whew.....I thought this week was flying by a little too fast!! 

A TREAT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

We had our first REALLY measurable snowfall of the winter yesterday morning!   I was secretly hoping we'd make it through the season with zero snowfall this year. . . we had enough snow in the past two years that I think we deserve the break!  I do realize we need the precipitation, though, so this little amount was a welcome present to our yards and plants. 

While yesterday was snowy and cloudy and cold, today. . . 

 

 

it's sunny and warmer!

In fact, it's so sunny in our kitchen this morning that THE STONE RABBIT had to borrow my Valentine sunglasses in order to help me show you guys how I made these cute little Valentine treats!

 

   

My inspiration for this project came from "CHIA and JO, Tackling Life One Project at a Time".

To create these sweet little treats, you need:

1.  Popcorn (I used prepopped corn called "Festival Time Kettle Korn"....it's made in Missouri...and is only $2.99 for a big bag and it tastes just like frest kettle corn.) .

2.  M&Ms...I used the special Valentine edition featuring only pink and red candy!!

3.  Cellophane treat bags.

4.  Printed Templates from CHIA and JO. 

5.  A stapler.

 

I printed these on white card stock, then cut them apart.

 

 

Next, I filled in the "to" and "from" lines, then. . . 

 

 folded the tags in half so they would be ready when I needed them!

 

Now it's time to fill the bags!

You can see that little Twiggy was interested in this project, too!  She's such a good helper.

I alternated a few M & M s with a cup of corn until the bags were full.  

Be sure to leave room at the top so you can. . . 

 

easily fold it down about 1/2 ".

 

Then, place the tag over the bag, centering it and getting the fold of the bag under and snug to the fold of the tag....then staple once on each side!

 

That's all there is to creating cheap, but sweet little treats for your special Valentines!

 

I told Twiggy that kitties don't eat pop corn, but that I'd be certain to have a special Valentine for her, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

 

DANA

A VISIT FROM A LITTLE BIRDIE

 Yesterday, I kept hearing  little chirping sounds, but couldn't locate the source until I peeked out the office window and spotted this little one. . . perched on the empty planter. . . looking in the window!

 

 What a sweetie. . . with a few of its little newborn feathers still hanging on!

 

 

It wasn't long before Twiggy spotted the baby, too!!

 

The birdie didn't seem phased by the sight of a cat just inches away!   
 

Twiggy and I watched the visitor for quite a while.  It kept chirping and looking in the window at us.  Of course, I started getting concerned about it being out there all by itself. . . and envisioned myself digging worms to feed it.

Soon, however, I spotted a robin out in the yard.  If you look, you can see it to the left of the little tree.  I was certain that it was the mama. . . just waiting for the baby to hop down and head her way.

While I was looking at the robin in the yard another one landed on the chair by the baby. . .it had food in its mouth!  And as I was messing with my camera, trying to pull off a shot of the baby actually receiving a beak full of nourishment. . . it happened and I missed it!

 

Then, my husband pulled into the driveway. . . and both of the birdies took off!

And that was that!!!



This morning,  THE STONE RABBIT was admiring our blooming roses. . . located very near where the birds were last night.   I told him what Twiggy and I had seen  and how happy I was that I'd  taken a few pictures so I could remember that the little birdie had paid us a visit.

 

 

Then, he pointed to the little "treasure pile" to his right, on the porch. . . and said it  looked like one of the birdies had left a calling card for us!  :)

That bunny doesn't miss much!

 

 

 

DANA

A SURPRISING AFTERNOON!

 

 The "surprise" had been in the works for months.  My son had "won" a prize at an auction.   He told us what it was was all about, but we were sworn to secrecy.   

The first attempt at using "the surprise prize" was in December.  He had cleared the date with his wife  and with us (we were needed to watch the Grandkiddos).

Sadly, he had to cancel the first date because of sick children.  The second date was discussed, but because of the weather (lots of snow) and continued sickness in the family, he decided to wait until Spring.

The day of "the surprise" finally arrived last Saturday.

The children were deposited at our house and their mom and dad were on their way!!!  If our DIL knew what the surprise was, she didn't let on!!

It was a perfectly wonderful afternoon.  The warm weather allowed the kids to play outside.

The Grand Girl, while a tad too large for the PINK riding toy, still spent time enjoying the trip of going up and down the side walk in front of our house. 

 

 

The Grand Boy was on "the run".  I got my exercise trying to keep up with him.

 

 

After a bit, the little girl who lives across the street, invited the Grand Girl over for a spin around their yard in the play car!  What fun!

 

The Grand Boy was happy playing with sidewalk chalk.....he likes throwing it the best at this age, however!  :)

Do you see the "M" and the bee on the hat?  Yep, that's my Martha Stewart hat.....a present from a buddy!  I had a time keeping it on his little head, but the sun was shining brightly. . . and he's a little fair complected blonde!  So, I cinched it up and "insisted" he keep it on. 

The girls moved on to the bicycles!!!  Did you notice the PINK one the Grand Girl was riding?  ;)

The Grand Boy nabbed the PINK riding toy. . .it's the perfect size for him.

 He also likes to play "Peek a Boo". . . he's hiding in this picture!!  

Before long, the Grand Girl had taken over "the wheel" and was driving the neighbor girl's little brother around!!!

Izzie was in doggy heaven.  The Grand Boy never tired of throwing the ball for her to fetch.

 

So while we were enjoying the Grand Kiddos, our son and DIL had arrived for the beginning of "the surprise".

He's feeling pretty happy that he was able to keep the secret for so long! 

Oh yes!!! He seems to have really surprised her- - - - or maybe it was a little bit of "terror" about what they were about to do!! 

In just a few minutes,  they were airborne and ready for an hour long flight around the Kansas City area!!!

If you look carefully, you can see their church in this photo. . . look for the white steeple.

 

This is the old "Kansas City Municipal Airport".   It's located smack dab on the banks of the Missouri River.. . and is where I took off for my very first plane ride forty some years ago.   It is now named the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport after one of our former mayors...and mainly serves smaller aircraft. . . however, it is frequently used by Air Force One during Presidential visits.  

The "new" airport (Kansas City International) was built in the early 70's and is about 15 miles north of the Downtown Airport.

 

Their pilot did a "touch and go" at this airport.

 

This is a shot they took of some of the buildings in the downtown area of Kansas City (this is MISSOURI...not KANSAS).




In this picture, you can see our new KAUFFMAN CENTER  FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ,which is scheduled to open soon!  It's the shell shaped building in the front of the photo.  The lower, round building, is the SPRINT CENTER.  Part of my first 5K run (last October) took us on the street that goes in front of that huge building!!

East of the downtown district and just off I-70 highway are our two major league sports stadiums.  The red one at the top is ARROWHEAD STADIUM,  home of the Kansas City Chiefs.  KAUFFMAN STADIUM is where our Kansas City Royals play!

THIS is the home of the Independence Smith's!!!  

Can you see our house?  

I can!  :)

And there they are!!!!

 Yep, they circled above our house several times!

My husband and I were so excited to get TONS of photos and to make sure the Grand Kids saw  the plane their mom and dad were in. . . . high in the sky!!!

The Grand Girl enjoyed watching them. . . but I don't think it connected with the little Grand Boy.

Heck, he was having too much fun playing with the PINK PIGGIE cookie jar that oinked every time he tilted its head back!!  

Did you know that THE STONE RABBIT was a licensed pilot?  Yes, indeedy, flying is a passion for that furry guy!

He told me that he thoroughly enjoyed watching the fine job the pilot did of circling our boy and his bride round and round over our house.  

I told him I had a lump in my throat the entire time.  However, I was so happy that they had such a grand time. . . and that it was such a fun surprise!

 

Hope you all have a terrific Pink Saturday!

I know you will if you visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  You will find lots of bloggers ready for you to enjoy the PINKS they are sharing this week!!

 

DANA

A HOLIDAY FAVORITE

 

I recall coming into work one day in the early 70s to find this  dessert on the table in the teacher's lounge.  There were always terrific treats on that table, but on that particular day, I was about to come face to face with a dessert that I would find myself making nearly every Thanksgiving and Christmas for years and years to come.

The dessert recipe I'm sharing has since made its way into nearly every fundraising cookbook created since that time.  Digging deep into my memory, I recall my co-worker who had made it, said she had found the recipe in a "Woman's Day" magazine.  

The reason I'm not all that crazy about them anymore is that they are kinda  a pain to make.  Well, "kinda a pain" is actually an understatement.  They are a ROYAL PAIN to make.  However, because my DIL loves Pumpkin Cake Rolls, I will happily continue to make them as a  part of our holiday desserts! 

The recipe starts off by requesting that three eggs be beaten for FIVE minutes!!  When the only decent mixer one has is a vintage Sunbeam handmixer, being pinned down for FIVE minutes of egg  beating seems like a cooking eternity!! 

The next part isn't so bad.  By now, the eggs are beaten and added to the pumpkin pie mix and vanilla, so we're ready to fold the dry with the wet ingredients.

Did ANY of you notice my PINK spatula?  :)

 

 

The pan I put the cake mixture in is one my mom gave me several years ago.  I pretty much only use it for Pumpkin Cake Rolls and an occasional brownie batch.  

 

 

For some reason, adding the chopped pecans to the cake batter just before baking is a step I've inadvertently missed many times over the years......only to remember what I'd done  about 10 minutes into the baking time.  Then, I'm madly yanking the pan out of the oven and sprinkling the nuts over the top, followed by very carefully pushing them into the nearly baked cake!

 

Whew!

 

 

 

I didn't capture the MOST delicate and yet dreadful moment of baking a Pumpkin Cake Roll. . . . the ejection of the cake from the pan...in ONE PIECE!!

Once the cake seems to be done, one must remove the pan from the oven, and let it set just a few minutes.  Then,  it must be turned out onto a towel that has been covered with powdered sugar.

This "timing" thing is critical.  If you start to remove it too soon from the pan. . . it's a disaster.  If you wait too long, it's really a disaster!!  The definition of "disaster" is:  when the cake is flipped from the pan, it STICKS. . . . that is, it is "ejected" in sections. . . not one whole piece !

This is the "beauty" I made for our recent Thanksgiving Feast.  

I like to use paper towels, covered with powdered sugar, on to which I turn out ( or flip!) the cake.  On that particular day. . . that baby came out in ONE.....I said ONE piece!!  

Once the cake is on the towel, just roll it up, jelly roll style. . . and wait for it to cool!! 

 

While the cake is cooling. . . make the cream cheese filling!!  (My personal favorite part of the cake roll! )

 

I usually have to have a teensy little sample. . . just to make certain it is edible for my DIL!!

 

 

When the cake is cooled, it needs to be unrolled . . .  

 

then the cream cheese filling is spread all over!!! 

I like to be creative at this point. . . .but no one will notice cuz the next step. . . .

 

involves spreading the  filling  over the cake,  then  ROLLING  IT BACK UP!!!

Often times, I've had the cake  "fall apart" at this point, BUT NOT on this day!!! 

 

 

 

 

Miracle of miracles. . . the Pumpkin Cake Roll. . . 

 

 turned out to be one of my best!!!  

That's the amazing thing about making Pumpkin Cake Rolls. . . when they "work". . they really work!!  :)

 

 

 

 THE STONE RABBIT loves Pumpkin Cake Roll. . . especially when I give him the frosting spatula!!   :)

 

 "PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL"

The Cake!  

Beat 3 eggs on high speed for 5 minutes.

Add 1 C sugar....beat!

Add 2/3 C pumpkin and 1 t lemon juice, mix.

 

SIFT TOGETHER:

    3/4 C flour

    1 t baking powder

    2 t cinnamon

    1 t ginger

    1/2 t nutmeg

    1/2 t salt (optional)

Fold dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture.

 

Spread into greased 15" X 10" X 1"  pan.

Top with 1 cup chopped nuts.

 

BAKE at 375 for 15 mn.

 

Turn out on to  sprinkled with powdered sugar.

 

Starting at narrow end, roll towel and cake together (jelly roll style).

 

COOL until lukewarm to touch.

 

Unroll and fill with

"The Filling"

 Combine:

1C powdered sugar

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese

4 T butter, softened

 1/2 t vanilla

Beat until smooth. Spread on cake.  Roll and chill! 

 

 

For more Pink Saturday fun, please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!

DANA

 

CHUTNEY LOVE. . . .

 

In a recent blog post, my friend Jill of THE BITTERSWEET SOAP CO., shared a recipe for "cranberry chutney".   She makes it every year as special gifts for special people.  

I asked  Bonnie if she would be interested in making some chutney.  Fortunately, she said "yes"!  You see, I don't have a clue about "canning" and she does!  

So, on Wednesday of this week, we met at her house and prepared to make Cranberry Chutney!

Armed with a copy of the recipe, jelly jars and all of the ingredients required to make the chutney, we were on our way!

 

Under the supervision of  Bonnie's sweet kitty "K-Mart", we started by. . . .

 

 

washing our half-pint jars and . . . 

 

heating the lids.   As the water bubbled softly in the pan, we  prepared the ingredients.

 

Bonnie took on the smelly task of chopping the onions.  Since we doubled the recipe, we needed two and one-half cups of those potent little items! 

 

 

I sorted and washed the cranberries and got the garlic and fresh ginger ready for Bonnie to put in the food processor.  Before long, we had a bowl full of chutney ingredients ready to go into the stainless pot for a few minutes of cooking!

 

 

While we waited for the mixture to cook, we. . . .

 

 each enjoyed a bowl of wonderful homemade vegetable beef soup.

Soon it was time to fill the jars, that we had been keeping hot in a canner of water, with the hot chutney.  

My job was to fish the jars out of the canner, then Bonnie would fill them with the luscious PINKISH chutney!!

While Bonnie wiped the rims of the jars, as soon as they were filled, I retrieved the lids from the pan of hot water.  With the lids in place,  she. . .  

 

put the rings on  and twisted tightly!

 

 

I placed the jars back in the hot water.  We let the water come to a rolling boil (with the lid on the pan) for ten minutes.  That's it!!!  We had canned Cranberry Chutney!!!  

We doubled the chutney recipe and were able to fill fourteen half-pint jars!!  

I was tickled PINK over this experience!! 

I used to help my mom can when I was young, but I hated it!!  Of course, we were working in the summer, with no air-conditioning.  Even though we would start in the cool of the morning, it wasn't too long before the kitchen reached oven-like temperatures.  I was the cutter and the chopper, while mom manned the canner or the pressure cooker and the hot jars.  I just didn't appreciate the importance of what she was doing. . . feeding her family healthy food on a limited budget.

With the guidance of Bonnie, I relived a bit of that canning time of days long gone.  The end result was very satisfying. . . to create a wonderful food to share with others.

Here we are, so proud of our efforts which had resulted in all of the gorgeous jars of Cranberry Chutney and a new feeling that Jill calls CHUTNEY LOVE!!  Jill's right. . . we're lovin' that chutney!! 

 

 

Cranberry Chutney tastes great with turkey!!!  Of course, I plan on serving some with this bird next Thursday when our family gathers for Thanksgiving Dinner!! 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT wanted to send you a message just in case he doesn't see you again before next Thursday.  In fact, both of us wish you a truly wonderful and blessed day of "giving thanks" and we also wish you. . . .

 

 

a great Pink Saturday!!!  :)

 

 

We are so thankful to have Beverly, of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, as our faithful hostess and organizer of this weekly event. . . an event that has brought so many people close together every weekend for over two years to share their creative contributions of PINKS!  

Please visit Beverly for a long list of bloggers who are awaiting your visit!!

Happy Pink Saturday!

 

DANA

I'M A GLEEK!!!!!

 

Donna of PARTY WISHES is a GLEE fan. . . .just like me!!   In honor of their new season, which starts tonight, we ordered very special T-shirts!  You see, we are not official "GLEEKS"....or major fans of the show!   

We planned on doing dual posts today to commemorate the season premier and our shirts, but I think we are both so busy, that it didn't quite happen as planned!  :) 

My pal Bonnie and I have been super busy getting ready for our Tag Sale, so the cute little picture I was going to have for this post of me in my GLEEK shirt won't be happening .  Instead, you get this one!  :) 

However, THE STONE RABBIT, who is cute all of the time, hopped up  to show you what a great shirt it is!!  

Donna located the source of where we could order our shirts.  It is a fantastic company that puts customer satisfaction and quality service first.  I do hope you visit them and see all of the great shirts they offer:

                                             PRINTFECTION

 DANA

I DID IT!!!!

I'm about to share a little secret with you.  Well, a couple of you know about it, but most of you don't.  

OK, here it is.   I have been  working out with a program called "Couch to 5K Running Plan".  It's about slowly building up and conditioning to be able to run in a 5K event!  My goal was not to run in an event.  My goal was just to find a way to bump up my calorie burning. . . perhaps to add a little running (that's a loose term for me.....right now it's a little jog) into my walking routine without falling over in an Elder Heap on the sidewalk.  

 I exercise fairly regularly....and have for years.  I attend aerobics classes where we have the most wonderful instructor who believes in working, not only on cardio fitness, but overall strength, especially  on core strength and balance. She incorporates lots of Pilate's and Yoga into her workouts.  So, I feel fairly fit for an old gal!  However, as I said, I wanted to do a bit more, but not drive to the gym more than three days a week.  

The idea of running/walking actually came after class one day.  On that day we had jumped rope in our aerobics class as part of an "interval" workout.  I'd tried to jump rope forever, but was never co-ordinated enough to do more than a little skipping technique.  Anyway, this one day, I finally figured it out, and I found myself actually jumping away for increased lengths of time.  It was when I later thought I might get a jump rope and do that at home on my off days of going to the gym that I also thought "why don't I learn how to run"--- that sounded like more fun than jumping rope.  Of course I can run, but I mean RUN.....for extended periods of time.  

My son is a runner. . . he's been in several 5 and 10 Ks.   He's even participated in the Chicago Marathon!!!  I'm not a runner.  I was always afraid of messing up my knees (that's still a concern. . . so I'm careful) and I had no endurance for that type of extended exercise.  However, I kept thinking......if I could maintain a jump rope maneuver for a minute or so, I could surely jog a bit.   

Not knowing how to start  without hurting myself, I Googled something like "learning to run".  In my search, I came upon the program I mentioned. . . "From Couch to 5 K".  I was totally intrigued with the concept.  It's based upon a time line of 8 weeks, with three days of workouts per week, totaling around 30 minutes of exercise per workout.  There is always a brisk five minute warm up walk, followed by increasing intervals of jogs and walks. . . until you end up jogging/running the entire workout. . . and theoretically, you're ready to run a 5K!! (around 3 miles).

So, today, I just completed Week 5, Day 3 of the program.  I am a 63 year old granny,  who just jogged for TWENTY MINUTES straight!!!!  

I took this picture just moments after I returned home.  I was still beet red and dripping with sweat, but I didn't care how bad I looked.  I felt wonderful inside!! 

I have to tell you, the last five minutes of the workout were a major challenge.  I didn't go for speed or distance or hills.  I went for staying in an upright position and continuing to do my jog/run for twenty minutes without stopping. . . . and I did it!!! 

When I started the program (more than five weeks ago, I had to repeat week 3 and I had to skip last week cuz I was sick for a few days and working on my first fall sale). . . I was challenged to jog 90 seconds. 

One of the great things about the program is they have a  website and are on Face book, too.  They frequently post really good articles  about exercising. . . diet, hydration, shoes. . . .

I was recently reading about shoes and came to realize mine were too short.  They were OK for everyday walking and even my aerobics classes, but too short for jogging.  So yesterday, I went to an actual "running store" to get some expert advice on what type of shoes I should be wearing. 

 We are so lucky to have GARRY GRIBBLE'S RUNNING STORE in a shopping center near us.  I felt pretty awkward going in there. . . being old and all, but I had always heard great things about this place, so I went in.  It was soon very apparent that lots of smart older folks have found this the place to purchase footwear.  I wasn't alone in the wrinkle department!  :)

The sales folks seem to know what they're doing.  They do a great foot measurement and actually observe you walking so they can determine what type of shoe would best serve your feet.  I have since heard there are other stores that have devices that are hi-tech about figuring out your foot mechanics, but this store didn't use that. . . they just eye-balled my feet and how they worked.  That was already  above any other service I had ever received when I bought running shoes.  

The salesman came out with several types of shoes and patiently worked with me while I tried them on, walked around and  picked them apart!  :)  I finally settled on the ones I showed you. . . they are 1/2 size larger than what I had and they SPARKLE!!  :)  Oh, and yes, they are SO comfortable.

I have one more little tidbit to share.  When I was first "dabbling" with the walk/run concept of exercise,  I saw one day that my niece, who lives here in the Kansas City area, announced on her Face book page that she was following the same program. . . with the actual goal of running in a 5K in the fall.  Recently, I found out that her step-mom, who lives out of state, was also working on the same plan. . . and would possibly be participating in the same event in the fall!!  THEN, I found out that my son was already signed up for it....although I don't know in which event.   Anyway, that all caused me to rethink my goal.  Maybe, just maybe, I could be there with them, too!!!  It would be sorta a family thing and the first 5K for us three gals!!!  That would certainly be fun . . . maybe.  

DANA  

  

HOW DO YOU KEEP COOL?

We're experiencing some REALLY HOT weather here in the mid-west- - -  98 degrees predicted for our high today!    Like you guys, I've been doing what I can to keep our home comfortable while not putting too much additional stress on our overworked air-conditioner.

I keep the thermostat set at 80.  It's not too bad. . . unless I have to do something that requires getting up and moving around- - - like vacuuming or cleaning bathrooms!!!  Those activities can just wait until our weather cools down!! :)

The ceiling fans, while not a decorator's delight, have been wonderful in keeping the cooled air circulating!

 I even place fans in strategic spots to help pull  air around.  Twiggy loves them!

Patty and I were talking yesterday about how our homes almost feel like "caves" because we keep our blinds closed during these extremely hot days.  The plus about that is. . . you don't see the dust!!
 
 I try to do our laundry early in the morning and  hang as much up to dry as I can - - -INSIDE the house.  We don't have a clothes lines outside. . . as we did when I was growing up.   Mom truly believed in the solar method of drying clothes!  For years, that was the only way we had to dry clothes. . . all through the year!  I remember many a frozen towel or sock hanging on the line in the winter!

 

I also try to serve meals that require little, if any, heat to prepare .  For instance, this was my lunch today.

Bonnie introduced me to these great thin bagels.  I keep the package frozen and only take out what I need .  Once the bagel thaws, I toast it a bit in the toaster (that doesn't heat the kitchen up too much), then. . . 

 today I added a small amount of mayo to each slice, some spinach leaves, avocado slices, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and some of my very own homegrown basil!!

It was  a delicious, filling, cheap, healthy and "cool to prepare" meal!

This summer, I've also been using my electric roaster to cook chicken. When it wasn't too warm, yet, I placed it on our back patio.  Now that it's really hot out there, I put the roaster in the basement, where the temperature is really cool.  Baking that way certainly helps keep the heat out of the kitchen. . . plus I get some exercise going up and down the basement stairs, checking on it!!  :)

 

THE STONE RABBIT and I like to take advantage of the solar heat to make sun tea, too!  The iced tea we make from it has such a good flavor. . . and the power we used to heat the water was free!!!

  Of course, one of our favorite ways to keep cool is by enjoying a tasty little ice cream cone!

 

AND. . .  it appears that "the master of the house" enjoyed quite a bit of that yumminess last night after supper!!!  Guess we won't  be having much of a cool treat today!! 

Better add that to my grocery list!

 

Hope you are keeping cool where you are. . . any good suggestions to pall along?

 

DANA

 

Sharing a Little Pink with a NEW Friend!

On Tuesday of this last week, I loaded up THE STONE RABBIT and a gift- - - in a PINK bag.  We were off on a wonderful new adventure.  We were going to meet. . . in person. . . a "friend" we had known for about a year and a half as "Pat". 

Pat had been a frequent visitor and commenter on my blog.  Over time, it became apparent that we lived very close to each other.  We started e-mailing. . . then became friends on Facebook.  Finally, we decided it was time to meet. . . for REAL- - - in person !!!

Right off the bat, the meeting was fun. . . we  arrived at the restaurant at exactly the same time and parked next to each other!  She had seen photos of me all over my blog, but the only picture I had seen of her was on her Facebook page.  However, I knew it was her, the moment I looked over in her car.  We both burst out laughing as soon as we got out of our cars and got our first up close, in person,  look at each other!   There we were. . . each of us clutching the PINK  bag of gifts we had brought to the other! :) 

Once inside the restaurant and seated in our booth, we quickly started jabbering like long lost friends.  We soon discovered we had SO many interests and experiences and PEOPLE in common!!  

I figured Pat would know that I would be toting my camera along. . . she was a little shy about the picture taking thing......at first!  However, it didn't take too long before she jumped on board for the fun!!  Here is your first "glimpse" of Pat. . .with the gift she brought for me.

Pat took a picture of me and my gift of PINK for her!!
 

We were so busy getting to know each other that we didn't really look at our menu.  However, after about the 87th stop at our table. . . with order pad in hand. . . the waitress was clearly becoming perturbed at us for lolly gagging about our selection.   Sensing her frustration, we finally ordered.

This is what Pat selected .  It was called Tuscan Bean Salad.

 

Here is what I selected. . . also Tuscan Bean Salad!

Our salads were great. . . a bit heavy on the garlic. . . but still great!

We were even given special sweet treats after we cleaned our plates!  
 

We met for lunch in the town of Lee's Summit, Missouri. . . about half way between our homes.

  After we ate, we headed to the historic business district for some more chatting and a bit of shopping.  The day was one of the few warm and sunny Spring days that we've enjoyed this year!!  It made our first meeting perfect!
 

Among our stops was a wonderful ice cream shop where we enjoyed Peach-Lemonade Sorbet.  You see, the garlic from our Tuscan Bean Salad was still with us. . . we were in desperate need of relief from the aftermath of that seasoning!!  This treat did the trick!!

 

Pat and I had an incredible time.  As I said in the beginning of this post, we have so much in common that it is scary. . . in a very GOOD way!!  The frosting on our "life experiences cake" came when we put it together that our sons and their little families live within blocks of each other. 

So, this brings me to a bit of pondering.  Do you believe in fate?  Do you believe in co-incidence?  How about pure, dumb luck?  Do you ever wonder why our paths cross with some and not with others?  Is it all a Crap Shoot? 

I don't know exactly for sure what I believe.  I do feel that God has much too much on his plate to orchestrate the meetings. . . interactions. . . of us mortals, but I also feel that there is something or someone touching---maybe  nudging us---  putting us in experiences and situations that are meant only for us at just the right time. . . and just the right people.  The experiences or people that change our lives.

So, I have to think that there was a reason that Pat and I met at this time in our lives.  Maybe one of God's assistants put the whole thing in motion.   I started a blog. . . she's an avid blog reader.  Basically, she found me and left nice comments. . . and I replied to those.  A "friendship" was formed. . . one that I hope will continue to grow for many, many years to come!  Pat is such a special, fun, kind and interesting person.  

OH. . . and I think she just might find that PINK is becoming one of her favorite colors!!!

                                                    *   *    *   *   *   *   *   *

By the end of our time together, Pat knew  I wouldn't let her get away without a photo of her and THE STONE RABBIT!!!

Pat's gifts to me were TWO books written by Michael Lee West, who also has a wonderful blog entitled DESIGNS BY GOLLUM.

What a treat. . . two wonderful new books to enjoy with THE STONE RABBIT, while sipping coffee from my PINK "Life is Good" mug ! 

That mug says it all !!

 

Thank you for letting me share my meeting with Pat. . . and our little bags of PINK! 

I'm certain you will enjoy visiting the many other bloggers Beverly has waiting for you at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  They will have lots of great PINKS to share, too! 

Have a wonderful PINK SATURDAY!!! 

DANA