Hello To Everyone

Breast Cancer Awareness

   

  It's good to be back! I have gone through enough drama this past month to last a lifetime! We had to put Miss Fannie, my mother-in-law, in the local care center because I could not handle that responsibility any longer. I am starting to feel a bit better now, but still having problems with my health.

  Hubby started to work longer hours because of the demand for road repair; and my computer crashed! However, a friend got me up and running that same weekend! What would we do without those who are willing to stick by you when you need help...regardless. I am truly blessed!
 
  It will take me a little while longer to get up-and-at-em again, so please bear with me. I haven't had much time to visit with you and I want to take a little while to do so. I have really missed spending time with you all...gosh how time flies.

  One thing that's not changed here is the hot, hot weather. It was 92  last eve at 11:45 PM! Today we will still be in the hundreds...108 and with the heat-index it will feel like 115! This is the hottest weather we've had...breaking all records and still no rain in sight! I was keeping up with the days, but I lost count. It is sooo dry and hot; and fires are popping up everywhere. Folks are losing everything due to fires. An 18 wheeler had a blow out and that started a fire that burned 200+ acres...all tall pines! That's how dry it is.
 
  My Mom was without electric for 15 hours and no one knows why! Water is now being restricted because water sources, lakes and creeks have gone dry. I keep telling hubby before it is over, we might have to go through even more hardships. Look at the conditions in the world today! Man is constantly digging themselves into a hole and trying to take all with them. If one can't endure these conditions now, how can he/she do so when it really becomes worse. Pray for endurance!!!

  Take care and be safe, especially if you are in these hot zones. Hope to be back with you soon. As always, love to you all. Hugs and Prayers your way! Loretta

Time For A Break

Good Evening Loves,
 I hope your Sunday has been a good one! This post will be short. I ~have to~ take a break...I had a flair up Thursday and this one is  bad. I have a doctor's app tomorrow, if I can make it, and I know He will give me a good dressing out.
 
  Yes, I have been really, I mean really pushing it with having to care for Miss Fanny and keep up with my own schedule. I have other health problems that are in this mix and I am sooo exhausted. Hopefully, Doc will not be too strict this time. Please know, I will be thinking of you and wishing you all well. Until then...Keep Smiling!

I shall return as soon as things are better. Love You! Loretta

Some Thrify Finds And Vignettes

 Good Day to All, are you enjoying your summer? Use your days wisely, because before you know it, you'll be back to school, work, etc. I went to the grocer yesterday, and sneaked a peek in our downtown shops before coming home. I couldn't shop the way I wanted, because I had to get back home to Miss Fanny.   
  However, I did see this old nightstand (not the right name I'm sure) and fell in love with it. I thought about it going in with my iron bed, so I looked it over. It is in good shape. The beautiful iron bed it was displayed with was outrageously expensive.  But, never say never...
  With a lot of haggling, my whiny pleads and her cursing me out...I got it, and I only paid $25! She was asking $79! Of course, it came with conditions. If she could find a match to it, I would pay more for it. However, that's the point...how much more? LOL. I do drive a hard bargin.
  If you happen to know any background, will you let me know?

There is plenty of dirt and grim on the leg. If you look at the knobs, they are original to the piece

There is a small piece missing from the detailing, but look at the grain of the wood. It is so detailed.

                                   I love the patina, and the drawers are perfectly held together

I had this pic, shown below, in a previous post, however, I wanted to ask you if it is a photo, blown-up. My mom seems to think so. I found it in St Petersburg, Fla app. 20 years ago. It depicts a period time. The frame on it is original, and there is writing on the back but unreadable.

 I put this little vignette together on top of my refrig, I might have posted it before, but I'm always changing things.

This is the left side of it showing the little box with the chickens. There are two drawers for small things

Lovie, my Shih Tzu stand on the side of the refrig and bark at this pot holder hanging there. Just the other day, she jumped trying to get it, but only got a few inches off the floor. Now I know why she barks at the potholder!

On the right side of it, this is also a box, but has doors to open and store things. The heart shape in the middle of the handle allows it to be hung on the wall. Of course, you see the chickens pecking and standing proud. I have to get my vignettes together with them later.
  Well, I hope you enjoyed visiting with us today and it is our wish that you come back to see us soon. You are always welcome At Our House....Until next time..... We Love you!
Loretta

What's Good To Eat In All This Heat

Thinking back, I sometimes wonder if it is hotter now than when I was a young girl. (Don't go there! I am not OLD, Yet!) LOL.
  If so, honestly, I don't remember it. Even so, we must put up with it because complaining certainly will not change it. Right? However, I want to apologize for my failings, for I've come to you numberous times "bellyaching"...my weak and weary moments, about the hot weather in our area... and thank you for putting up with it. I suppose you thought each time you saw a post  from me, "Ohoooo, here we go again...the weather nut"! LOL.
  Instead of making you sick with this post, I thought I'd share what we do to beat the heat. Besides staying in the house and shade, I like to keep cool with light food and cold, cold drinks, etc. Follow along as I show-n-tell what really helps us to beat this heat.

  A good burger with all the trimmings. Chips, pickle and a tall glass of iced tea is filling and, delicious on a hot day. Nothing to do in the kitchen because this burger is grilled.

 How about a strawberry smoothie with fresh berries. They are sooo good and cold. Don't forget to chill everything, including the glass.

          Ice-cold watermelon is a good way to bring that chill to your stomach and feel cool all over!

                    Try  some ice-cold fruit. It certainly will cool you and it is, ohooo so good for you!

How about a favorite...ice-cream cone! I like them with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry; any flavor of ice cream. This is vanilla. James and Miss Fanny had Butter Pecan...Yum! As you can see, I don't scoop...I like to pile it on! (Please note: this ice cream is for diabetics. However, you can certainly use whatever you like.)

This, my friends, is not cherry Dr Pepper. I changed to...cherry cola. LOL. The one above is a cherry cola float. Vanilla ice cream added. Notice the extra foam. That's none chilled cola poured on the cold ice cream in a chilled glass! Cool huh!

             The cola glass above holds a frosty cherry cola in a chilled glass! Sooo good and cold!

  This is the frosty with an extra scoop of ice cream. It was delicious! You can have all of these, not at one time though, LOL. Or you can simply have....

               Ice cream served in a beautiful ice cream bowl. This is Butter Pecan, and it is soooo good!

                                         Or, you can simply have a tall glass of iced-water

          Or, what about ice-water with a twist of lemon. (I forgot the lemon to decorate the glass. Don't tell anyone!)

   This is how The Thomas Family keep cool in this summer heat. What are you doing to beat the heat?
Let us know.
  As always, thanks for stopping by, because we love having you coming over to see what's happening and cooking at Our House. Until the next time...Keep Smiling, and Keep Cool. We love you!
Loretta

Happy Sunday Everyone!

We wish you all a happy family gathering time! Is it hot where you are? We are really having  the heat here in South Louisiana. Temps today 103 degrees and everything is banned! Watering, car washing, etc. Burning and no fireworks! Stiff fines for violating the law. So, everyone is very upset about this, but what can you do? Better safe than sorry, huh?
  Our little grilling was done early trying to beat the heat, but it was 89 degrees at 6 am! Here's pics of what we managed to grill and cook in this heat.

I baked the cake last evening. It is a plain layer with butter pecan filling and frosting.

I didn't make the sauce this time around. It is "Sweet Baby Ray's" that was purchased at the market and very good

I didn't have everything for the eggs and didn't want to go to the store,  so I used Dijon and herbs. They were good! The cherry tomatoes are from Mom's bush she planted in a container.

Mac-n-cheese

  I'm not a big fan of smoked meats, so hubby only prepared enough for the two of them. I baked a cake, deviled eggs, made mac-n-cheese, and had baked chicken from the deli. Although I didn't cook it all in my kitchen, we do have a nice meal. Sometimes, you have to make do.
  Wishing everyone peace and happiness... please be safe in your travels! Until the next time...Keep Smiling! Hugs!

 Loretta