.....Zen Cooking.......

Ok, last night I watched a good documentary on Zen cooking. It was with Edward Espe Brown. It really made you think about what you put into cooking. People don't seem to think about what they cram into their bodies. And the love from the heart that is put into each homemade meal. I wanted to show my cookie sheet. It's old, stained and bent. But so am I!!
And I'm worth much more with my wisdom and worn out body. Then a youngster with no wisdom lines (wrinkles). We have worked hard to get to this age. We have knowledge of many things. Not just the newest CD's and tennis shoes. Old things tell a story of life. Be it a human or an old cookie sheet.
I decided to make up my own cranberry,orange zest scones. So here we go.
Since I prefer to do things quick and easy, I used Good ole Bisquick. Plus I like the flavor of it. I just used the Biscuit recipe. Added cranberries, and since I only had a tangerine and not a orange. I added tangerine zest. lol
Then I dumped it out to roll and cut. Notice my little Buddy helper?
Then they were placed on my good ole worn cookie sheet. Which is an old air bake sheet. Still works wonders!
And WalLa!!!
I brushed them with butter and sprinkled sugar on top before baking. They are so tasty with coffee or tea. Aren't you glad this ole fart can still bake from the heart?? Love ya all and always with great color!

Sleep Over!

I told my sweet Sister that while peanut is on winter break, I would have her over to spend the night. A good ole fashion sleep over. We had such a good time. She is such a sweetheart. Here is a picture of her playing Xbox Kinect. She love love loved it. My sis, her grandma said she had sore legs the next day. lol We made hot chocolate with mini marshmallow's and watched a movie. She took the couch and I took the floor. UGH!! Man the floor is hard. Next time I'm sleeping in my own bed. But she wanted me close this time.
Peanut loved playing with Buddy too! The next day she played with some of the neighborhood kids. I think she had a good time and it gave Grandma a nice break. Hope to have her stay again. Hugs Peanut!

Christmas is over!

Christmas was great! Food, food and more food!! Here is a picture of Brandon and Melanie opening presents. They look kind of tired from the night before. lol I'm still not working so it was a cheap Christmas. But we still had a house full of love. I did bake some. And I gave most of it away!!!

Here are some of the cookies. On Christmas Eve we went over to Melanie's family's home. They are so much fun. One thing really touched my heart. Melanie's brother picked up a homeless man off the street. After he had a good meal, he got a haircut, shave and bath. They packed a backpack full of clothes and personal care items for him. It was such a joy to see these kids giving to someone in need. Thank the Lord for them all!!

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Buddy playing in the wrapping paper. I went and spent Christmas afternoon with my Sister and Peanut. Her son and family also were there. What a lovely time we had. Christmas dinner was soooo good!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all. We wish everyone happiness and goodwill. Make this a great year with family, friends, and always with great color!!

New Chair and Christmas!

Ok, I inherited this sad little chair from my parents. It had cracks and repairs all over it. But it does have memories. So I went to work repairing and painting. Lot's of sanding and about 3 coats of white paint and WaLa.
Now here is a question. The whole time I had plans to paint it with a Damask Design. Maybe green like my walls or black. Should I just leave it white? Or try and paint a design on the white??
Then it was time to decorate for Christmas. Man! I ran out of energy quickly. My sis Dancing in the Dark and Peanut made a trip to Tai Pan Trading Co. It's like a fairy wonderland of Christmas trees. We had a blast and got lots of cool ideas.
So here is my finished tree.
Here in the kitchen I filled my glass container with Christmas balls and decorated with ribbon!
Of course Buddy had to help with decorating the tree!! I will be finding balls all around!!
Have a great Holiday!! And always with great color!

Topiary!!!!

I love love love Topiary. But usually they run kind of high for my budget. I had these pots to my entry that I wanted something new in. And the dead Halloweenish plants weren't cutting it. So since my back was somewhat good today. I took off to Walmart. Not that I thought I could walk the whole store. But enough to pick up a few things. I think the drive over to Walmart hurt me more. UGH!!! Anywho, I walked into the nursery section and tah dah!!!!!! TOPIARY!!!! Woweee Soweee!!! I picked out two. After coming back home, they were my first project. It's been so beautiful lately. Warm for a November. So here is the finished picture. I'm very pleased at how they look. I just hope I can keep up the shapes.
So everyone have a good weekend. Get outside and take deep breaths of the beautiful day. And always with great color.

Yeah Finished!

Finished the Camo lap throw today. Just in time. Almost ran out of yarn. I like the way it turned out. Buddy seems to like it too. It has given me something to do while my back is getting better. I threw it out about two weeks ago. Don't know what I did. But I guess sometimes we just move wrong. Sometimes I sure hate getting older. And dang it I had a birthday right in the middle of a painful week. Didn't help the getting old feeling. Oh well, I'm getting better slowly. I guess life just throws bumps in the road sometimes. Here's a smooth spot. My sister (Dancing in the Dark) gave me this beautiful yarn bag. I love it!!!! It's green!! She also hand spun me some yarn. I need to make my next project something special!! She's so dear to me, My bestest friend! Here is a pic of it!
I also got a great gift from my daughter. A beautiful wall decoration. Words that are like stickers. But when applied they appear almost to be painted on. I know these words speak the truth. Even though sometimes we don't agree on things. I hope she will remember that Families are everything and deserve respect. I placed this above my buffet in the dinning room. What do you think?
Always with great color!

Looks like Fall!!

Wow it's sure turning into Fall. I love it!! Got out all the Fall things that I have. Can't seem to pass up anything leaf or pumpkin. I'm not to into the scary Halloween things. I like things that can last through Thanksgiving. Buddy likes all the decor. So I thought I would make a blanket throw for my livingroom. I needed a project. And I picked a couple different greens (of course)and a carmel color. My son came home and said "Why are you making a camo blanket?" Ha ha ha I didn't even think of that when I bought the yarn. But I guess it kind of looks like that. Anywho, I love it.
So get out your tea cups and mugs and start to drink warm apple cider and hot chocolate. Fall is here!!! And always with great color!
Buddy get out of that new yarn!!!!! Such a little helper.