Wishing You A...

Prosperous &...

From Our House To Yours...
James & Loretta

                   Click on: Al Lang Syne

Greetings To All

From Our House To Yours,

Best Wishes,
James Loretta Miss Kitty Eno Izzy Lovey 
& Amanda

Dear Bloggers

From Our House to Yours...

Wishing You a Beautiful Time Together with Friends & Family...

                                      Photo From Google+

Warmest Regards,
James Loretta & Entire Family... See You Soon!

Changes In The Climate

Have you taken the time to vote in our Poll yet? We are finally approaching the closing date, so If you haven't voted, please do so. Thanks! Your vote is important...

Hello... How's your day going? I decided to go outside for a short walk on the sidewalk since the rain let up and the ice is gone to get a breath of fresh air.

As I stood looking around the neighborhood it occurred to me...leaves were still on the trees, normally this time of the year they would be just about empty. If you'd look closer you will see trees that are still green. Foliage in the ravine on the other side of our neighbor's is still green. 

This tree in Betty's, my former neighbor's yard also holds its leaves and the same for the surrounding trees. The pecan trees in the backyard still have their leaves. 

This is one of several in the local park and if you look at the bottom you will see green leaves that are still there. It should be bare also. 
 This puzzled me, so I phoned our town's Master Gardner and he told me it was unusual because we had a very short fall before the arctic fronts came in and brought all the extreme cold to our area. 

This makes me wonder...are our Spring and Summer going to be extreme? Normal temps are over 100 degrees weeks in a row! Oh my, It's a waiting game for sure...

  If you are still experiencing those very low temps please...Keep Warm! Wishing you a Very Productive & Safe Weekend...

Warmest Regards,
Loretta   

Our Sunday Dinner

  Dear Bloggers, 
  I woke early today with the intentions of trying to cook before we lost power again.    Well, with the power popping on and off...I finally managed to put together a casserole that suffered because of the heat difference.

                          This is a Sausage Corn Noodle Casserole.

    Oh well, we made a salad without dressing and finally sat down thankful for what we had...  

   I chose this one because it is simple to make... 

  Process wide egg noodles, then add to casserole dish. Add a role of Owens Sausage, cooked scrambled, in a large frying pan. Drain fat if needed then add and saute' chopped celery bell pepper and onions til translucent... 

Add a regular can of whole corn, 1 can cream style corn and 1 can of cream of mushrooms and season all in frying pan with garlic and onion powder, minced onions, salt and pepper. If needed add addition seasoning to your taste! 

  Mix all together. Put into 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes then add grated cheese. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes. Serve with a good salad. (I used what I had!) I had a can of grand biscuits and baked 2 for James...I didn't have bread!

Shortly after we'd finished eating...it started to rain again...more ice tonight and tomorrow morning! 

 We sure hope you've had a nice Sunday and now relaxing near the fire to keep warm and cozy. 

Stop by again to see what's cooking at our house. Why, you can come pull up a chair and join us! Oh, I forgot to mention...I baked an Apple Pie yesterday and you can sure have a slice with coffee!

Warmest Regards,

Loretta

Are You Prepared?

Dear Bloggers, Good Evening...I might have used the wrong greeting, please don't hold it against me...sometimes the words will not come...however,

  I know just as we will be experiencing horrible weather where we live so will you if you are in the line of it...you might be getting it even now!!!

  Please take good care of yourselves, your family and pets. It is going to be bad out!! 

 With the weather predictions, forecasts some if not most, will be without power and all other daily necessities for a period of time. Dig in keep warm and safe don't take chances outside...  

             On Another Note:

If you haven't taken our poll yet, please do...it is for an article I will be writing for the paper soon and I wanted to get your valuable input. It will be closing soon, so please take a moment to vote...it is very simple. Thanks for your help!!

Blessings To All...
Loretta

My First Two In The Weekend

Dear Bloggers, 

Starting this weekend, two of my children...Carly my grand below will make it in!

And, Vonetta my second elders. They decided to fly in early in order to help me get ready for all the rest!

I have this boot on from the broken bone in my ankle area, in case you missed that post see:Update Here, and will have to wear it the entire time, Ugh!! I'm not too worried because the family... my sisters, Mom and daughters will be doing the cooking and helping where needed.
  I feel so Blessed to have such nice family around me. A little secret: Vonetta doesn't clean her own home so, I'm waiting to see what happens here. A little bird told me she's planning to hire someone to do the cleaning. I laughed-out-loud because she has always found a way to get out of housework!! 

James & I hope you all are having Pleasant Days and Good Health! Thanks so much for stopping by...You Are Always Welcome "At Our House"...

Blessings To You & Yours...

Poll Ending Soon

There is still time to vote on our poll...at the top-right of this page. Very simple select your answer, then vote... that's it!  Look what we had for Dinner... 

             

James and I had a tasty Southern Fried early Dinner. While I felt like standing to cook, I made a quick and simple meal of fried chicken, white-rice with roux gravy, green peas, biscuits and a simple green salad. Simple...but mighty tasty!

                                                      Click on pictures
We both love Pecan Pie, so I baked two to last the weekend especially with guest in and out on Sunday!

We sure hope you had a nice day of celebration with family and friends. This month has certainly gone by quickly...just days now and we hope to see all our children soon! Take Good Care...

Best Wishes,
Loretta & The Gang 

Happy Holiday

Dear Bloggers...I am a Survivor!

This time of the year brings many Families together to celebrate what they are most Thankful for and their Togetherness.
  However, there are just as many families who are stuck in abusive and violent homes. They are hidden behind closed doors and are suffering in silence at the hands of their abusers.  We need to be aware of  this and help to stop Domestic Violence because...

Visit my 2nd blog Here to read about 'My Personal Story' of Surviving Domestic Violence!!

The Weather Is Still Changing

Dear Bloggers, I'm sure you will agree with me when I say it is cold outside! It has rained in-my-neck-of-the-woods since Sunday. It continues tonight with freezing temps...if it does freeze we may see ice tomorrow morning! Bundle up and keep warm...

Don't forget about your plants and outdoor pets...it will definitely be too cold for them!

 I'd like for you to meet Deja...she's my sister's granddaughter. She's visiting us during the holiday and loves being with her uncle James and Miss Kitty. She gives Kitty soft and gentle belly rubs and claps when Miss Kitty purrs. She thinks it is so funny!

Deja is staying with Granny and we are all going to granny's for the holiday! Are you expecting lots of family Thursday? There is nothing like family gatherings and seeing those that have been away for some time!

Wishing you all a Blessed Gathering and Happy Times with Family & Friends! James sends his Regards to all of you...

Warmest Wishes From Our Family To Yours'
Loretta & The Gang.... 

Dinner Was Delicious Last Night!

Dear Bloggers, 

Who said you can't prepare a succulent meal sitting down!  Here is prove... although it took me a while to do so I managed to come up with a great meal for two...with a bit of help I need to say...

Above you'll find Pork Chops with a Caramel Apple Sauce. I didn't get a good shot of this because on the other side of this one, there is a Pork Chop with a Red Plum Sauce... 

Oh sooo Good!

One of my favorites Tomato Basil and Feta Cheese Bruschetta Yum-Yum!  It really makes a fab presentation, right? 

Now, here is where I needed a bit of help...getting out the Foreman grill and setting it up. Daun, my older daughter stopped by to check on me and she took over with the grill. 

She grilled the Asparagus to her likeness, (a bit too crunchy for me) then wrapped them in Bacon...her fave! Needless, to say there was enough for 3 and she had dinner with a tall glass of iced tea with us. We enjoyed the meal together...

I have always said...Simple is Best, this was a quick simple meal even if I did have to sit down to make it! 

We wish you all a Super Weekend and Keep Warm & Save!! We are in for some rainy, freezing, and threatening weather...

Best Wishes,

Loretta & The Gang

Some Good News

  The poll on the right side of this page is now ready! Please stop by and cast your vote. I will post the closing date later...
Thanks! 

          Good Morning Beautiful People!

   Here's hoping you are having a wonderful day! I have known most of you for some time now and feel you know some things about me. So, I believe I can ask you a question concerning... hope so anyway. Here goes...
  
  Would you say I am a calm sensible person?
Come on...don't be shy, what do you think? Let me tell you I have been containing my excitement for so long it is making me giddy! I have to tell someone...who better that you!
  
  My children, as a surprise to us, yeah the cats' out of the bag, will start arriving home beginning December 8th! Before the holiday our house will be bursting at the seams with screaming children and mommy's babies!! 
  
  We see our 2 daughters one daily and the other often, however, it has been seven years for my baby boy and five for the son in the Navy who is on shore now! 
  5 of the boys children we've never met and one daughter-in-law! They will all be with us one week...James is just as excited although, you'll never tell just by looking at him, lol!
   
  I mentioned in an earlier post Here about Doc and my cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I knew then that there would be much for me to do in December! 
  I am not too worried, because my daughters are good cooks and this will give me a chance to see how my daughter-in-laws shine in the kitchen, right? 

  We will keep you in the loop the entire time. I am so very proud of my children, they have made the both of us so thankful and they've brought us much joy, especially our eleven grand's!!

Thanks for joining us today...oh how we just adore your visiting us! I have a nice potato pie cooking in the oven and about to come out, would you like a slice...how about a cup of my fave blend to go with it?...

Don't Ever Forget...
You Are Always Welcomed At Our House...

Best Wishes,
Loretta 

Fall Arrangements & Hot Peppers

Friends please take a moment to fill out our poll to the right..

Good Monday Morning...
 I am far behind in posting fall things especially since the season is almost gone!   I'm thinking, "better late than never," right? 

The peppers above are from my few plants that I had in pots. Believe me I still didn't pick them all! The Tabasco smaller peppers were so copious my fingers were cramping from pulling them. The larger ones are habanero...both are very hot and made extremely hot pepper sauce....see below...

As you can see, I try to be thrifty by re-using jars that are perfectly good to put away some things. I had 21 jars and grew tired of them, then started giving them to Mom and my cousin Milton who loves them!

I can't take credit for this beautiful urn, but isn't it beautiful? It is one from BHG. This decorative fall urn is gorgeous. It was started from the bottom with burlap and just built up with fall items.  

 Another of BHG is this old-fashioned wheelbarrow filled with berries gourds and pumpkins that is so inviting!

Surprisingly simple is this all leave wreath. Those colorful leaves are great, right? The festive plaid ribbons adds just the right touch...

And lastly, this is my wreath that I fashioned for my front entry. I wanted lots of fall colors with flowers leaves and gourds. 

I have visited a number of blogs and had the chance to view your arrangements and pretty fall colors. What a treat! 

  Another week, they seem to pass so quickly, The end of the year is fast approaching! Be sure to come back tomorrow to read about our plans for the holidays... I am one excited girly-girl... Hugs...

Hello & Welcome To Our House

Good Morning Everyone,

  We have finally gotten back into some milder temps after all that arctic cold! I think I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line only one time and that was a summer. If I had to live up north with you good people...I would not make it...It is downright cold up there! My bones were actually hurting!! Well, enough of that...
   I suppose the first thing I want to tell you about is my doctors appointment. Don't get all angry with me cause ya'll I want you to know I have been in some pain! It all started... read  (Here)
  This happened back then and the ER doc I saw said it was just a sprain. Well, hello...does this look like 'just a sprain'?

 My little Miss Kitty is devastated and blames herself for my misery. Poor thing, she still hides under the bed when she sees me hobbling about on my cane. 

  Fortunate for me I didn't have to get a cast, just a brace and pain med, and I was put on vitamins and calcium. Because I'm diabetic and heal slower it will be 3 to 4 months before I'm able to be without this brace. 

 Doc was saying, I can forget about cooking Thanksgiving dinner...little did he know...December is coming...??? 
 That, my friends, is a whole new post so I'll be back to tell you the news...be sure to come on back to see what else is happening in The Thomas House... Have a Good Saturday!

Warm Wishes,
Loretta and the gang...

We'll be Back Saturday

Good Evening Friends,

I am having doctor visits and appointments the next few days, so the gang and I will be back on Saturday.

Hope you have a Marvelous Evening with Family...
Warm Regards,
Loretta

Arctic Front Hitting Us Today

It has been a number of years since we've experienced an Arctic Front dipping down on us!

  

When I checked the weather channel  their map showed a numbed of  Southern states that will be affected. 

Blustery wind blows so hard there are limbs falling on the back part of the property. It is howling around the house and scratching at the windows trying to get through! Rain has started to blow with it. Leaves are like snow falling and have blanketed the ground. 

  James called a minute ago and said wind is so high he had to pull on the shoulder of the road because it was hard to handle his load. One eighteen-wheeler had blown over and lost its load!
  
 Temps are sturdy falling and they are saying we will be in the lower 20's tonight...other places may see the high teens.
If it continues to rain, ice will complicate roads and traffic.
  
 I have gotten the house warm and toasty and ready for the night. Amanda and Lovey are snug in their crates and will not come out. They must have an idea about the impending weather. Miss Kitty is window watching...watching all the leaves fall. She seems to be in a trance. Oh, what is going through her mind as she watches them?
  
  I think I will go in and start a big pot of stick-to-your-ribs soup! It sure will be great keeping warm inside from this cold weather! 
  
  Hope things are going okay for all of you and you are keeping warm!
  We appreciate your stopping by to visit and wish you could stay a bit longer. Come on back and spend some more time with us...we'll make a fire in the fireplace for you to sit a spell keep warm and rock with a cup of tea!!

Warmest Regards,
Loretta & Family  

Loretta's On The Warpath Again

James Writing This Morning folks...

I ought'a knowed better than to git Loretta's dander up! She's like the hair-trigger on that blasted shotgun of hers. Before I knowed it, that blame thing was stuck in my face and I just knowed I was goin' home to Jesus!

But don't you know, I just couldn't help it! That ole' gal know she put her foot in that dinner the other night!!! It was lip smacking genwine good! Nothin' special but when that gal sets out to 'stir the pot' a man cant help it! 

  She got all bent outta shape 'cause...well...she didn't get a picture and well...dat-blast it...I ate the whole shebang! Hee-hee...that stuff show was good!

 Let's see, I think I 'et southern fried pork chops, rice-w-her good ole' Cajun brown gravy...yum-yum! Some where I thought I 'et some vegetables but I don't know 'cause them homemade rolls was fightin' to git in my belly!

  I was still trying to eat when I saw the barrel of that shotgun nuzzled at the side of my mouth... but ya'll know me, I set out to runnin' and as you can see Loretta was in hot pursuit on my heels. She'd put down the shotgun and was runnin'...you hear me...runnin' with that there walking device! Bless her heart, I felt kinda bad then...ya'll know she fell when Kitty took her feet right out from under her and messed her up some bad...

  There was fire in that ole' gals eyes, if she had put on her war paint she'd looked just like her granddad! All of a sudden she hauled off and slipped then fell again! Lordy, and it was all 'cause of me!
  I fell to my knees prayin' to Jesus she werent hurt bad! Lord if anything happens to Loretta on the count of me I don't know what I'd do!  Oh Lord!!

I got her up and in her chair and through her tears she told me it took her all day to cook that meal and she wanted to surprise me 'cause I'd taken care of her all this time. She just wanted to rest a while 'cause her ankle and leg was so swollen from being up on it, and she fell asleep. 
  
  She was still sleeping when I got in and I didn't want to wake her, so I went in and fixed my plate (s) and before I knowed it...all the dinner was gone! I didn't leave her nothing but scraps...what kind of husband would do this to his wife? I could have kicked myself... she didn't need to get the gun at me, my head was beatin' the heck outta me!

I was so shame 'cause she wouldn't eat anything from me. She made herself cinnamon toast and a glass of milk then went  to bed. She made me do the dishes too!

   I know...you gals wanta' git after me too but I righted my wrong and she's ok... but, knowing her it will be this time the other side of next year 'fore she speaks to me again...but that's ok...she's still here with me and I'll take that any day!
Well, that's what happen and I'm a lucky man that ya'll ain't sending out sympathy post 'cause my belly got me in trouble... ain't that sad!!! 

Ya'll Have a Good Weekend And listen up Husbands,
Don't be a ass like me...take care of your Honeys and treat 'em right cause you ain't gonna' find another one like her to put up with your tom-foolery!!

Sick-in-Louisiana,
James

I'm Having A Beautiful Day

Are You?

I sure hope so... Good Afternoon Sweeties... Well, seems as if we have seen another week go by! They really do fly by quickly, right? 

  I thought I would have Hubby post with me today so he could tell you about dinner last eve! If I sound a little huffy, then you are right... we'll get back with you because I want him to tell you what happened since he was the star of the show! We also want to share our holiday plans with you...so don't forget to stop by Saturday!

  

  I'm late with this post today...but, I wanted to wish you a "Great Friday" and to tell you how much we miss your stopping by before the end of the day... 

Have a Beautiful Day!

Loretta & The Gang

  

A Good Blogger? Maybe...

Good Thursday Morning, 

                                                                                           Let's Beat The Blogging Blues

   I've thought long and hard about continuing to blog. I even considered myself done with it. However, when I take time to log-in there is always a small tug at the old heartstrings that tries to pull me back to the keyboard.
  I will even stop by your blog to see what you're up to and what's happening in your neck-of-the-woods. Some of you I see have also fell into the "blogging blues" and not posting. What is causing us to do this when we were fired up daily with all sorts of ideas, creations...whatever! Could it be we've lost interest?

Maybe we need to focus on ourselves and take time to do so. I sure need to do so! Are you feeling you need to slow your pace and put more focus on self and health.

Or perhaps, you are overwhelmed with family, devoting more time and attention to them.

 Or, maybe...you are just plain tired and frazzled to the core! 

House work and cleaning can also demand your time and attention. Not to mention the gardening! 

You run here and there and everywhere trying to cram all of it into 24 hours when actually you need that many more hours in a day!

Or, if you are like most of us...you are so darn tired and sleepy...weighed down with this fast pace world and the things in it,  there is no time for computers and blogging and taking pictures and being creative...and all that stuff outside of the realm of your existence!!
  
  Fear not!...You are not alone!!! This world and the times we are living in has brought about changes in all out lives. Gone are the days when we could spend time with our families where time was plentiful and useful. Tell me, do you remember these times...when living was easy? I sure do. 

  Money is tight. We have repurposed to the max. We have shopped to no end. We have cooked until even food isn't the same anymore. Let's face it...we have changed just as everything around us. 
  
  Don't worry if you don't/can't blog the way you did before. I understand...however, please, for the sake of folk like me, don't stop! Come back! The enthusiasm and energy may have faded, but there is still the essence of you there. 
  
  I would love hearing/reading about your day, your family your pets and seeing pics of them. If this is what you have to offer, then, give! But please...let's not stop BLOGGING! There is still so much to offer... A Good Blogger...yes we are... we still have it!!!

Troubles With Blog

I have had so much trouble with my Google Blog accounts. Now I an faced with not being able to access my dashboards. Can anyone tell me how to get my dashboards back? I gained this by back door-ing all that I saw....  One day I came to my blogs and ...they were not there! Not all that computer savvy...Can you help? Thanks...

Today's...

Hello Friends...

"Times can be hard with many ups & downs but having you around sure makes it bearable..."
  Wishing all of you a Wonderful Weekend to come and an Enjoyable holiday! God Bless...

Many Hugs,
Loretta