Updates on So Much

Welcome dear friends! I have so much to catch you up on. As I posted before, Doug did not leave for Saudi as planned due to the weather. So I got him for a whole extra week. He leaves Friday (2/26) at 6:30 AM. In this extra week together we found out something exciting. We found 2 nearby (within 30 miles) dog parks! For some reason there are not many dog parks in the south. Josh and Keelie are very excited and so am I! While I doubt they will have a pool table, Josh and Keelie will be playing with others. (beer and cigars are optional!)
My caring husband has found a live in care taker who has been here almost a month. We seem to get along well and that has to take a lot of worry off of a lot of minds.
I wanted to send a surprise to my dear friends at the pharmacy. I had some extra apples so apple pie it was. First problem, no disposable pie pans. Is is still pie if it is rectangle? I found this little heart cutter outter thing for .50 brand new a few weeks ago, I think it makes for a cute top crust. Whatcha think? (Oh DeeDee, Doug told me to tell you I took this picture but I knew that you would know better!)

I want to thank everyone for the suggestions about repairs/design of our home. While I will be asking everyone for opinions on so many things I still need to get a professional for basic issues. We found this out when we remodeled our bathroom. The contractor knew of all these gadgets that we did not know exsisted. Some were very inexpensive and are such a help to me in my day in and day out living. I thank everyone for their suggestions.

Well friends that is about it. I will be posting soon but am going to take a couple of days to sorta think and sort this new life out Wow, when we named this blog Starting Over, I had no IDEA!

The brains behind the blog

Welcome friends, thank you for stopping in. Here I am showing the honest way we live. I might have to admit that Josh is really the person behind the curtain writing the blog, but she is just not that into it. Can you see her in all that mess? I was working on sending out birthday cards and St. Patty's Day cards so that is the stack of mess beside the bed. We had a king size adjustable bed and it would not fit in the house in Chicago. So we bought a cheap headboard for this queen bed. I just threw the comforter over the headboard cause with dogs, comforters just don't work. For us coverlets work best. This is Josh with her St. Patty's day bandanna. She hates it. I guess that look on her face tells it all. We took it off as soon as Doug (yes Dee Dee still Doug) got the picture.
This is Keelie. She loves the bandannas but even Josh hates them on her we have sprayed some bitter apple on Keelie's bandannas so maybe Josh will leave them alone
And finally I want to show you the one and only sorta crafty thing I have done. When we remodeled about 5 years ago I hung this mural. I fell in love with it. It came in panels and I had to miter the corners. Before we moved I had really cute curtains from floor to ceiling on either side of it. Now I don't know what I am going to do. And one more picture of it. I am really proud of it.

Well that is all for today. Do you think Josh really writes the blog? Didn't I do a great job on that mural? Thank you so much for stopping in!

Yummy to the Tummy

Welcome friends, even though the weather is pretty here today I have cooking on the brain. Since I can't taste and smell anymore I am very careful about any recipes I share since I can't give first hand opinions. I have found a blog that I am just in love with! Moncia from Lick the Bowl Good not only has great recipes but tutorials to die for, the photography is amazing as well. She has both sweet and savory recipes and the girl can decorate her works of art like no body's business.

This is by far my favorite. I like that it is easy. I love the texture. I like that probably 6 people have asked for the recipe. Banana Pecan Butter Buns can be found here.

Your hips will hate Monica but every other part of you will adore her.

OK, don't wrinkle up your nose. This is wonderful. I made cupcakes out of this recipe for valentines day. I used a cream cheese frosting for the fluff factor and they looked sorta like this. OK DeeDee, you know the picture deal (LOL) I got the wrappers from here

Here is Monica's Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake Recipe. Do not frown! Try it here

I have had 3 people already call and ask for the recipe.

I can't say enough about this Strawberry Cake. Find the recipe here.

Words are just not adequate!

Ok, I will stop making you suffer, go check it out yourself. This is my favorite link

to her blog. It is her top 30 favorites. I have tried many other recipes and always been so happy with the responses I get. Thank you Monica for letting me share you and Lick the Bowl Good with my treasured blogger friends.

Jeanette

Your suggestions or ideas please

I have been searching the Internet for weeks for something and had a light bulb moment today! With all you wonderful blogger friends out there I know I can get the answer to my dilemma. Just a little background, my wonderful husband and I have lived in this home since 1990. Well except for a few years when we went insane! We moved to Chicago. On purpose. Now no offense to those wonderful folks because we met some great people but it is COLD there.

My hubby took a job there, we put our home up for sale. We sold most everything we owned and moved to start a new life there. Well, our home did not sell. My husband lost his job. We have had a very difficult past few years.

Since we were paying for our home in Georgia anyway, we moved back. After a year of job searching hubby has taken a job in Saudi Arabia and now we get to my question.

Those years on the market and neglect took a toll on the house. We do not have much furniture and decorations. Due to a traffic accident I have a brain injury that effects my perception so I need help with decisions.

I want to hire someone (?) to help me get a plan of action. Not a contractor because no major construction is necessary. I want to tell someone my goals, design tastes both inside and out. When you are younger you can do those hit and miss ideas but I want to make definite decisions, have a plan and work it. I thought an online planner but I need in home assistance. I want to plan our landscape with low maintanence ideas, I want to plan classic designs and storage and colors inside our home that will be long enjoyed. I don't want anyone to do any shopping for me. I still love the hunt! How should I tackle this? Hubby and I know it will be about an 18 month to 24 month project since finances are a big factor. I know since I want interior and exterior assistance I will probably need to find different people.

Help!

Wednesday Gratitude

I am joining Heidi over at Heart and Home
for Wednesday Gratitude. I am grateful for all the snow and yukky

weather we had last week. Please don't hit me. LOL

My husband gets to be home with me another week or so.

Plus it was so pretty.

Thank you so much for stopping in. Please go check out what so many lovely friends are grateful for over at Heart and Home
for Wednesday Gratitude.

I am not 100% today but I love hearing from you. What are you grateful for?

Meatless Monday - Lasagna

Welcome friends to another snowy day in Georgia. I am joining in the Meatless Monday party over at Sweet and Savory

Not only is meatless less expensive, usually healthier but a great way to trade recipes. I have to admit I am cheating a bit today. Back in the 70s my room mate was a vegetarian. She made the most incredible meatless lasagna . Sadly, over the years we have lost touch but I continue to crave that lasagna! On all recipes several months ago I found one that sounded close. My Mister won't touch it, but it does have high ratings. And gosh it looks great.

Photo from allrecipes Vegetarian Four Cheese Lasagna

Ingredients:
2 cups peeled and diced pumpkin
1 eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
5 tomatoes
1 pint ricotta cheese
9 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup pesto
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
fresh pasta sheets
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Place pumpkin on a baking sheet and roast in oven until browned and tender, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grill eggplant on a charcoal grill or fry in a skillet, turning once, until charred and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Halve tomatoes and place on baking sheet in oven for last 15 minutes of pumpkin time; cook until tender and wrinkly.
3.In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, feta, pesto, eggs, salt and pepper until well mixed. Fold roasted pumpkin into ricotta mixture.
4.Spoon half of the tomato sauce into a 9x13 baking dish. Lay two pasta sheets over the sauce. Arrange a single layer of eggplant slices over pasta and top with half the ricotta mixture. Cover with two more pasta sheets. Arrange the roasted tomatoes evenly over the sheets and spoon the remaining half the ricotta mixture over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Top with remaining two sheets of pasta. Pour remaining tomato sauce over all and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
5.Bake in preheated oven 30 to 40 minutes, until golden and bubbly

Don't forget to go check out all the other meatless dishes at Sweet and Savory! Stay warm and safe! Hey and leave me a comment letting me know what you are doing in this brrrrr weather.

Jeanette

A Snowy Day in Georgia and an Update

Thank you so much for stopping in. First I want to apologize for not visiting you wonderful folks. I have been so tired. I am certain it is a combination of Doug leaving, his daughter and the grandson visiting and the simple fact that I am getting old (not)! As you can see, we finally got our snow in Georgia. The dogs are loving it. My floors not so much. Because of the crazy weather, Doug did not leave for Saudi as planned. It will be next week. I am going to rest this weekend and promise to catch up with my blog reading. I can't wait. Stay warm my blogger friends, forgive my lapse in visiting but know I will be at your 'blog'step, hat in hand any day now.

This is Quite Remarkable

THIS IS QUITE REMARKABLE...
In the middle of the table is a round food tray with five kinds of fruits on it. They are:

A. Apple

B. Banana

C. Strawberry

D. Peach

E. Orange

Which fruit will you choose? Please think VERY carefully and don't rush into it. This is great, I was astounded! Your choice reveals a lot about you! Test results: Please SCROLL DOWN;

If you have chosen:

A. Apple: That means you are a person who loves to eat apples

B. Banana: That means you are a person who loves to eat bananas

C. Strawberry: That means you are a person who loves to eat strawberries

D. Peach: That means you are a person who loves to eat peaches

E. Orange : That means you are a person who loves to eat oranges

Gotcha! I received this in an email this morning and it made me giggle, hope it does you too! Happy Friday! What has made you giggle this Friday Morning? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Meatless Monday - Roasted Vegetables

Thank you so much for stopping in! I partying today with the folks over at Sweet and Savory

for Meatless Monday. I love roasted vegetables, grilled vegetables, steamed vegetables. I just love vegetables. While you can do substitute just about anything, this gives you a starting point. Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients
4 medium beets
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/2 pounds carrots
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
8 large garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Put the beets into a small baking dish and rub them with 1 tablespoon of oil. Cover the dish with foil and put into the oven for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, peel and cut the carrots into 1-inch pieces, trim the Brussels sprouts and halve them lengthwise, and peel the garlic cloves. Put the carrots, Brussels sprouts and garlic cloves into a large baking dish and toss with the remainder of the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
After the beets have been cooking for 30 minutes add the large pan of vegetables to the oven and cook everything for 1 hour more, stirring the vegetable mixture once or twice.
Remove the beets from the oven and transfer them to a cutting board to cool. Stir the thyme into the carrot and Brussels sprouts mixture and let it continue to cook for another 10 minutes while the beets are cooled and cut. When the beets are cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes, peel them and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Remove the other vegetables from the oven, toss with the beets, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

I hope you will try this and have a great Meatless Monday
You can check it out here

I treasure each and every comment.
Jeanette

NO WAY!!!

Welcome my fellow blogger friends. I have such an exciting post today. The above picture is my husband and his daughter at a local hockey game. The reason it is exciting is this. She lives in Texas, we live in Georgia. She called me Monday with a wonderful idea. She was going to drive to Georgia and surprise him. Talk about an exciting week. We planned a surprise 50th birthday party and huge visit from her and grandson Remi!

The hardest part was keeping it a secret. Especially when he would say, Jeanette why do you want to do that? It is crazy. It was all worth it when she walked in the door holding the baby. He could only cry and scream NO WAY, NO WAY!

Back to the picture. While they are watching a hockey game, guess what I am doing? YUP. Babysitting Remi. Fun does not begin to describe it. He is so beautiful. I do not know how to do the whole picture thing so this is an old one

When I get the pictures from the party I will post them. But I have a favor to ask. What should he call me? Nanny, Omi, Mannette? (Mannette is a nickname a precious one gave me).

Your opinions count to me, whatcha think?

Jeanette

Are you ready for some football.....food?

Welcome friends, before reading this you must go get a tissue cause you will be drooling.

First is Uncle Doug's Famous Award winning fried turkey. Ingredients:
3 gallons peanut oil for frying, or as
needed
1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and
giblets removed
1/4 cup Seasoning Salt

Directions:
In a large stockpot or turkey fryer, heat oil to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Be sure to leave room for the turkey, or the oil will spill over. Layer a large platter with food-safe paper bags.

Rinse turkey, and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. Rub Seasoning Salt over turkey inside and out. Make sure the hole at the neck is open at least 2 inches so the oil can flow freely through the bird.
Place turkey in drain basket. The turkey should be placed in basket neck end first. Slowly lower basket into hot oil to completely cover turkey. Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 45 minutes.
Carefully remove basket from oil, and drain turkey. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Finish draining turkey on the prepared platter. Prepare to be amazed.

This summer I planted more pepper plants than ever before. I search the internet for things to do with the jalepanos. I found Pioneer Woman and fell in love with blogs. You can find her here.

These are Stuffed Jalepanos.

Ingredients
20 whole Fresh Jalapenos, 2-3 Inches In Size
2 cubes Cream Cheese, softened
1 pound Thin(regular) Bacon, Sliced Into Thirds
Preparation Instructions
If you have them, slip on some latex gloves for the pepper prep… Cut jalapenos in half, length-wise. With a spoon, remove the seeds and white membrane (the source of the heat; leave a little if you like things HOT). Smear softened cream cheese into each jalapeno half. Wrap jalapeno with bacon pieces (1/3 slice). Secure by sticking toothpick through the middle. (At this point, you can freeze them, uncooked, in a Ziploc bag for later use).
Bake on a pan with a rack in a 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes. You don’t want the bacon to shrink so much it starts to the squeeze the jalapeno. If, after 20 minutes, the bacon doesn’t look brown enough, just turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish it off. These are best when the jalapeno still has a bit of bite to it.

And finally Italian shredded sandwiches. I have been making these for years. A lot of our friends don't care for corned beef so I always make this on St. Patrick's day for them.

Servings 8
Ingredients
4 pounds Chuck Roast
1 jar Pepperoncinis
1 bottle Beer
1 can Beef Broth
1 package Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1 package Hoagie Rolls
8 slices Cheese (monterey Jack, American, Cheddar What Ever You Like)
Preparation Instructions
Place chuck roast in bottom of crock pot.
Add pepperoncinis, bottle of beer, beef broth, Italian dressing mix into crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Shred beef apart with 2 forks.
Pile beef onto of toasted rolls, top with cheese of choice, then peppers. (You can toast rolls if you like)

So leave a comment and tell me what you are making for Superbowl Sunday!

Thank you for stopping in.

Jeanette

I am so grateful for...........

Cameras, silly huh? I am joining Heidi over at Heart and Home

for Wednesday Gratitude

We are sharing simple things that we are thankful for. I am so grateful for my blogger

friends that come by to visit and email. I decided I wanted to be grateful for a 'thing',

It was fun today looking at things that I am grateful for. I would

decide and then think no I am more grateful for this or that. The one common denominator was that I kept looking for images of whatever I decided

was what I was grateful for that minute. Beautiful images of lovely things.

I have never been the picture taker in the family. As far back as I can remember

I would say, I don't need a picture......I have a memory bank.

Well anyone that is in my age bracket knows that at 50

the withdrawals at the memory bank often come back

marked insuffiecient memory.

I am also grateful that my dear husband would take pictures anyway.

That is why when my memory bank is dry, I have many memory books.

Thank you Doug, I treasure our memories made with a

camera.

Stop for a moment and think of some small silly thing that you are grateful for.

Then go visit Heidi Here

Wait, come on now......before you go check out her blog http://heidi-heartandhome.blogspot.com/

Please leave me a comment telling me what you are grateful for

this Wednesday.

Jeanette

Giveaway update

Hi everyone, remember the giveaway we did a couple of weeks ago? Tammy at Tammy, domestic diva received her goodies and posted them here. Go check them out. It was so much fun.

Jeanette