I couldn't decide what to do with my wicker chair and table that I no longer had room for in the house. I have had this set so many years that it has become special to me. You know just something you don't want to get rid of. So I put it in the garage....I moved it from one side to the other a couple of times....Then the last time Solar came to visit she remarked that I should spray paint it, get an outdoor cushion and move it outside....Good idea, thank you!

Picking out a paint color is not easy for me....I liked brown but....Green is always my favorite hands down....so green it is.....




Have a good day all.....

Nanny

Home Grown Tomatoes

Can't get much better than a plate of sliced tomatoes....salt, pepper, chill, EAT

We have a plate with every meal, while they are plentiful. Mine will be ready to eat in a few more days but until then the fruit stands have an abundance to choose from....



South Arkansas is known for their wonderful tomatoes. I bought a box that was grown in Warren and they are delicious.

My favorite ways to have a tomato is on a BLT.....
Add a fried egg to this and you have the best breakfast sandwich ever.....

I hope you all had a great weekend....I finished washing windows....it feels so good to have them all clean plus the mini blinds...I'm on a roll!

Nanny

Treadmill Maintenance 101

As I watched this season of The Biggest Loser, I got very motivated to get on my treadmill....yes it sits quietly in my bedroom.....never turned on....collecting dust! I just had to have it about 3 years ago when friends of ours purchased one on Amazon at a good price and began to lose weight.

My husband got on it one time, yes one time, set the incline on 9, speed on RUN, and told me after his run, "this is nothing, I don't get it"....then his shins started to hurt and he suffered for several days, said he hated the treadmill, and hasn't touched it since!!!

I have to admit I haven't been on it in a very long time. I got discouraged at the amount of calories burned for the time spent on it.

I ramble....back to the story....I put on the sneakers, grab a big glass of water and No Power....dead. Hubby checks it and says it must have a bad board. Call the company.

OK....they must send me cables first....that's their recommendation...takes a week...takes him a week to put them on....not the cables...

Next is the lower board.....takes a week to get it....week for him to put it on....not the lower board

Next comes the upper board...I asked the tech. if there was anything else it could be and she said , "no if you have the safety key, that's all there is". My mind is thinking...what is the safety key?


Then I remember the key that is on the front....Oh yes I have the safety key......

BUT, is wasn't on the treadmill! Ooops.....it now has power.... Hubby was not pleased with me at all.....

Everyday he asks me how many miles I walked today....I have been busy...not today...I am washing windows. See the extent I go to!!! I'm awful! Wish I had an elliptical, (scared to ask for one)

Nanny

Wordless Wednesday

Nanny

Funfetti!!

I love the Pillsbury Funfetti seasonal cake mixes....They are always so much fun.
I can't wait to make cupcakes for the 4th of July....

Have you got your menu planned? It's catfish and all of the trimmings for our gathering. I love the 4th of July. We live out of town and high enough that we can see all of the fireworks from surrounding areas. We sit outside by the pool and just relax and enjoy! Bring your chairs and join us!

On another note......I love The Early Show and GMA....I usually flip channels and catch the best of both in the mornings....but I am so tired of seeing the clips of Knight and Day that I have been just turning it off.....You'd think this is the only movie ever made! No matter how much they build it up...I don't think it will be good.....what do you think?


Nanny

1st Day of Summer!

With a heat index of 105 - 110!!!!

Oh My!!

Needless to say; My A/C and fans are working overtime!

Nanny

Five Star Recipe

• Yes folks this one definitely gets***** at my house!
  
  Straight from The Pioneer Woman Cooks! Has she ever let me down? NO!
  
  Beef Stew with Mushrooms
  2 pounds Beef Stew Meat (sirloin cut into cubes)
  2 T flour
• 4 T butter
• 2 T Olive Oil
• 2 whole shallots, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms
• 1/2 cups red wind
• 1/2 cans beef consomme
• salt and pepper, to taste

Sprinkle flour over meat. Toss to coat.

Melt butter with olive oil in heavy pot. Sear meat over high heat in batches: remove to a plate when brown.

Add shallots and garlic to pan (without cleaning): saute for 2 minutes over medium-low heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in wine and consomme (add an extra half can of water at this time as well.) Then add salt and pepper to taste, and stir. Bring to a boil, ten add back into the mix the browned meat. Reduce heat to low. Add thyme springs to pot.

Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. After that time, mix 2 T flour with a little water and pour into the stew. Allow to cook and thicken for ten more minutes. Turn off heat and allow stew to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

I served mine over noodles....next time it will be mashed potatoes.....oh the gravy is wonderful. Serve this one when you want to impress your guests.


This photo is courtesy of Pioneer Woman....for detailed instructions and pictures of the steps taken in this delicious recipe I have included a link: The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Beef Stew with Mushrooms

Have a good day

Nanny

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter! You have always been so much fun and such a sweetheart. This was your favorite "chair" to sit in and watch tv...

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

I wish I was there to bake you a cake!

Hugs from Momma!

Miscellaneous Hints

On a recent sleepless night I dug out some of Mom's old cookbooks to entertain myself. I got such a laugh from some of the Misc. Hints in one of the books, I just had to share them with you.....

Clothes do not freeze on a wire clothesline if first wiped with kerosene cloth!!!

A little vinegar added to the water in which you rinse silk stockings will increase their elasticity and make them practically run proof!!!

Insert a teaspoon in the toe of your nylons when hanging them on the line to prevent blowing and snagging....oh my...I'd like to see this one!

After washing cotton or silk gloves, rinse them by holding them under the cold water faucet so the fingers are inflated with water. Then let them drip dry on the same line and they will dry without twisted fingers.

Sprinkle clothes right on the line if you have a garden hose (turn on fine spray). Roll clothes as you take them down! (Hang clothes to dry...wet clothes and remove from line????????)

Put a small amount of cologne in the water to be used for sprinkling clothes. Makes ironing pleasant and freshens dresser drawers and closets. (Can't you just smell it now?)

Sprinkling clothes brings back fond memories. I always got to sprinkle the clothes and I loved that job. I dipped my hand in pan of water or under the faucet and really sprinkled em good. Roll them up and they were ready to be ironed. I got to iron the pillow cases, another job I loved. I worked so hard getting them just right and folding them where the embroidery was showing (yes, most of them had beautiful embroidery on them)

I wasn't involved in the starching process. The starch was dissolved in a pan and Mom only starched the white shirt collars and cuffs. Another step of wet then dry then sprinkle. I'm telling you, laundry was a long drawn out process...........I remember a friends mother starching her brothers blue jeans and they would stand alone....so funny!

Well I better go hang out some clothes and get the hose ready to sprinkle.......(NOT)

Have a good day all.

Nanny

No One Mourns the Wicked

I was treated to dinner and Wicked last week while in Dallas. Fun, fun! We saw this two summers ago in NY and the Dallas production was equal to Broadway in all respects!

I had such a wonderful time last week. The weather kept us from doing much outdoors but didn't hamper sweet Lila and I from having so much fun together. Nanny left her camera, so I can't show you my pictures.....let's just say pat a cake, peek a boo, reading books, singing songs are so special when shared with a smiling face!

I can't share pictures but I have a site you can go over to and see Lila's nine month photos....This good friend is on the brink of a career that can't be stopped. Her talent is bursting forth and I am so proud to share her site with you; Lindsaydenice.wordpress.com
Look at the post on June 12 and June 13! (I think she had some very good subjects)

Have a good Monday.

Nanny

Macro Monday

check out more macro shots here


One more from the wonderful nursery in Dallas!

Speaking of Dallas, I am going for a visit tomorrow!
We have lots of fun plans that I hope to share with you when I return home.

Have a good week all.....see you soon!

Nanny

Relaxation

I guess it is official

The poolhouse has become

But that's OK by me as long as I have my spot.......
Right Here.......

I can gaze out at freshly mown grass....
Never been so green.....
I love the pattern the tractor makes....

Or get lost in the bluest sky.....

Summer......

My time of the year!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday!

Nanny

Skywatch Friday

For more skywatchers click here

Have a great Friday!

Nanny

Fried Okra

My husband thinks he has to have catfish every other day....well maybe not that often, but quiet regularly. Last weekend I decided to try frying okra in the fish cooker. I had a big sack of frozen okra in the freezer so I sat a bowl of it out to thaw while he was getting the fish ready. It was not completely thawed, still firm to the touch and I drizzled it with buttermilk (as Miss Paula advises) sprinkled with salt and pepper and added the corn meal. The meal, etc stuck nicely to the still cold okra making a delicious coating. I learned one thing from this cookout.....deep fried okra is wonderful!!!!

I am a girl of habits and mine has always been to squeeze lemon juice on my fish. It doesn't taste complete without it. BUT have you ever had malt vinegar on your fish? The English serve malt vinegar with fish and chips.....yum. So I bought a bottle and..... move over lemons, vinegar is on the table!



Have a good day all!

Nanny

Funny!!!

I started reading this one Sunday afternoon while sitting outside.......

Couldn't put it down.....

Finished it last night. It was a no sleep night so I gladly got up and read. I'm beginning to think I couldn't sleep because I wanted to read. It's one of those laugh out loud books. You've probably all read it but if you haven't, put it on your summer list!

What are you reading? I love your suggestions!

Nanny