What Goes Around Comes Around

I’ve seen this many times before, in fact there is even a song like this {country music} but every time I read/hear this it brings tears to my eyes.  It just seemed good to share on this particular weekend!  Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND…
One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she looked worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, ‘I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.’

Well, all she had was a flat tyre, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, ‘And think of me.’

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan ..

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: ‘You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.’

Under the napkin were four more $100.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day.

That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard….

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, ‘Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.’

There is an old saying… ‘What goes around comes around.’ Today

Canning/Freezing Cherries

It is the time of year that Cherry trees are blossoming and bearing their fruit!

Oh yum. My favorite thing to do is just eat the cherries straight off the tree, but come January when I want cherries that isn’t an option.

The next best thing? Freezing them!

1. You have to pit the cherries. Here I’m cutting the seeds out with a knife, but later we decided it was easier to squeeze the pit out in your hand over the bowl you’ll put the cherries in, that way that bowl collects the cherry juice also!

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Sizing Down Your Photo(s) Without Photoshop

I have read a lot of blogs over the last few years where people hit a maximum limit of photos for their blog.

I’m not sure but I sometimes wonder if that doesn’t have to do with size.
ie:

  • 1,000 Kilobytes (KB) = 1 Megabyte (MB)
  • 1,000 Megabytes (MB) = 1 Gigabyte (GB)
  • 1,000 Gigabytes (GB) = 1 Terabyte (TB)

My big fancy camera takes “huge” photos (1+ MB and usually more like 3-4+MB)!  And then sometimes when I edit them in photoshop they seem to save even larger (not always though!).

So I thought I would teach you a trick on how to size your photos down (from MB to KB) for your blog.  You don’t have to have the high resolution photos for a blog… you aren’t printing them.  But even at that I’ve lost a few photos and printed off my lower resolution photos from my blog; as long as you don’t print large photos (8×10 or greater) you don’t really see the pixels to print.

Now you don’t need Photoshop or any other photo editing software for this.  You just need a Window’s Operating System XP or newer.  It comes standard with this program.  Know what that means?  FREE!

It is a very simple program, I don’t do much editing with it, every now and again I do make collages, etc, but for the most part I just use it to size down my photos.  In fact maybe this is a bit redundant but I edit my photos in PSE, save the “large” file.  Then take the large file and size it down for my blog, my digital photo frame, my computer desktop photos on my work computer, etc.

I learned this back in 2006 when my parents had dial up internet and I got frustrated trying to load photos on my facebook page.  Yes, I know, weird, but whatever!

The program you want to use is……. Paint.

Like I said, it comes standard on all Window’s operating systems.

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Spinach Artichoke Dip

Isn’t it strange how some people don’t think they’ll like something, and then when you have them try it, what do you know, they do….

Don’t worry, I’m that way at times. Although I’m still not crazy about fish, but I still keep trying it every time someone has some. Maybe someday.

One that hubby thought he didn’t like was Spinach Artichoke Dip. But at our house, our rule for the daughter is, try everything 12 times. Do I keep track, obviously not, although I have my bluff in on her! :). But hubs and I try to at least try things even if we think we don’t like them. This, was one of those, he “didn’t like” but he tried and he actually LOVED!

So I present you with the recipe my grandma gave me for Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 can Artichokes – chopped
1/2 Cup 5-Blend white Italian Cheeses
1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 10 oz. pkg frozen spincah – Chop, thaw and drain WELL\
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 TBSP garlic powder or 2 cloves minced fresh garlic

Stir all together and bake at 350* for 20 to 30 minutes until
kind of browned at outer edge of pyrex baking pan and
bubbly at center.

Serve hot with Tostidos, the Garlic and Black Bean type.

A Glossary of Bold Seasonings

So earlier this week I ran across a notebook of my grandma’s where she kept recipes.  As I flipped through the book, I ran across this page she’d torn out from the Redbook May 1995 issue on page 144.  I liked it so I had to share:

The basics for a well-seasoned dish are in everyone’s kitchen and nearest market.  Here’s how to buy, use, and store some of the easy-to-find herbs, spices, and vegetables that give any meal a special taste to boost.

Herbs

Herbs: Fresh, leafy green herbs are available all summer and, in some areas, throughout the year.  Buy in unwilted bunches with no bruised leaves, and preferably with roots attached.  Store in a container of water in the refrigerator, covering the container with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band.  Use dried herbs only in cooked dishes, and use half the amount of the fresh herb called for.

Basil: This big-leaved herb has a delicate mint and licorice flavor.  Rinse well before using, as basil leaves hold soil; gently pat dry with paper towels.  Dried basil is not recommended; it is better to use chopped parsley flavored with dried mint and a little anise seed. (more…)

Better Person

Sometimes I live in my own world.  
Sometimes maybe that’s easier.
My mom & my husband always tell me I live in a black & white world at that and that our world isn’t black and white but it has gray areas.  
Areas I don’t want to think about I guess, I’m not sure.  
I like clean, simple, cut forward answers and unfortunately life isn’t that way.
**via**

Add all kinds of people with all kinds of personalities and sometimes you have a mess on your hands.

I just know I want to be a better person.  
The kind of person people look up to.  
The kind of person my husband is proud of.
The kind of person my parents are proud of.
A fabulous role model for my {step}daughter.
But sometimes I fall short.
I guess that’s why we aren’t all perfect. 
Why perfect doesn’t exist.
Recently Jessica talked about life being short.
Telling your loved ones that you love them.
Giving your kiddo’s an extra squeeze.
Letting your spouse, your family, friends know you love them.
Because at the blink of an eye, it could all be over with.
Megan‘s father just had surgery.
Open heart surgery even.
Same principal.
Life is short.
Don’t take it for granted.
It can go one of two ways:
The first year is all lovey-dovey honeymoon phase and then reality hits.
or
Reality hits hard that first few days, weeks, months, years of marriage and then it is smooth sailing.
No one wants to admit defeat.
No one wants to fail.
Sometimes people fall.
It’s how they get up, dust themselves off, learn from their mistakes & move on that counts.
Unfortunately people are going to butt heads.
People are going to fight.
Personalities will clash.
But ask yourself: 
Will this matter tomorrow?
Do I really care that it takes me an extra minute to dig out the clothes hangers b/c they won’t pull them out of their clothes and place all together?
Do I really care that they squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube as opposed to the end, the way I like it?
Is my way the better way?
Do I really want to bring the past up in this particular fight?
Or:
Can we move on?
Can we learn from this?
You know I really like my sleep, is this worth fighting about, in the long run?
And we can sit here and speculate that so & so has a better life than I do
or
Why do they get off easier than me?
or
Whatever the case & instance may bring…
But… do we know for sure what people are going through?
People want you to see the good… 
Not the bad.
Some days I have to remind myself of this.
It’s not an easy task.
It may even put you in an awkward situation.
But don’t worry…
God won’t put you into any thing he won’t help you get through.
So today Lord, I ask you to please help me be a better person.  Watch over my husband, my family, my friends, and even the people I don’t care much for.  Please help all of us to be a better person.  To let the little things that really don’t matter, slide.  Help us to focus on living our lives to the fullest.  Struggles may come and struggles may go, but please help us all to know that you have our back.  And when we are too tired to carry on, that you’ll pick us up and carry us the rest of the way.  In your name, I pray.  Amen.
I’m saying this prayer for you.
My friends.
I ask that you’ll please pray for me too.

Sour Cream Banana Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes     Servings: 12-15

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Butter
1 1/3 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Soda
3/4 Tsp Salt
1 Cup Sour Cream
2 Med – Ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 Cup Chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:
Combine first 4 ingredients, beat together until thick & fluffy.  Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt.  Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternate with 1 cup sour cream.  Add bananas & nuts.  Pour batter into buttered 9×13 baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, sticking a toothpick in for doneness.

<Toothpick test: if you stick it in and pull back out, it comes out clean, the cake is done>

Frost with Caramel Frosting
Prep time: 10 mins     Servings: 1 Cake

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Cream or Evaporated Milk
2 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
 
Directions:
Bring to boil – butter, brown sugar & cream or evaporated milk.
When mixture comes to a boil (you will need to stir constantly), remove from heat and cool.
When mixture is warm to touch, add: powdered sugar & vanilla.
Beat until smooth.
Spread on cake

The Amazing Tale of a Wonderful Woman's Secrets Hidden in our Office

Do you know what a relief it is to not have to go to class on a Monday night?  To come home at a decent hour, get to go out and enjoy a nice walk with your husband and your pooches.  I think I kind of almost forgot what that felt like on a Monday night.  Sure I was home on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and every other Friday’s, but then I was studying and reading and fretting.  This was nice and relaxed!  I’m not going to lie, I might be in love with Monday evenings…

Last night I was walking around the house, catching up on Dancing with the Stars, Two and a Half Men, a few blogs, just whatever popped into my head to do at the time.  For some reason I walked into our office and grabbed a recipe book off my shelf.  When I walked back to place it back on the shelf (shocker I know) I saw a notebook I wasn’t sure I recognized.

I pulled it off the shelf and walked into the living room trying to remember what this notebook was.

And all the sudden I had a feeling I knew what it was.

My Grandma S loved recipes.  She hated to cook but she loved recipes and she loved to eat even more.  She never allowed me to say food was nasty.  I could not like it, but food was never to be referred to as “nasty”.  That was just a horrible word.

She passed away on 9/11/07 {Cancer took her life, mean old ugly cancer}.  Mom got things, AC got things, but I, I got all her cookbooks.  Unfortunately at the time I was still living at home, didn’t have a kitchen of my own, and the books have been misplaced.

I have been searching for her cookbooks for years now.  Every so often I still search my parents house.  It’s not that the house is so cluttered or so large, but for some reason I keep passing over the box that was her cookbooks.  A few made their way into my recipe book collection but not all.

But I forgot about this particular book.  It’s her handwriting.  Something I love!  And someday with the way the world is going, our grandkids won’t be able to read her handwriting (schools around here have quit teaching cursive, which is all I write in).

And this recipe.  This recipe almost brought tears to my eyes.  She loved Green Goddess Dressing.  I’m not sure what it is, but a restaurant around here served, in her opinion, some of the best.  She asked me to make her Green Goddess dressing sometime.  Unfortunately I can’t remember if this was while she was sick and I was supposed to make it when she got better or it was something she asked me to do that I never got around to.  Either way, seeing this and a few other recipes for Green Goddess Dressing made me cry.

I was so happy to find this book.  I’m ready to go put it in our safe because I’m scared of losing it.  She was a huge part of my life (as all my grandparents were) and as the days, months and years pass by, I’m starting to lose the memory of her calling and leaving voicemails for me on our answering machine.

So I was extremely excited to find this book sitting among some of my cookbooks.  Yup, I might just be in love with Monday nights.

Caramel Frosting

Prep time: 10 mins     Servings: 1 Cake
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Cream or Evaporated Milk
2 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

Directions:
Bring to boil – butter, brown sugar & cream or evaporated milk.
When mixture comes to a boil (you will need to stir constantly), remove from heat and cool.
When mixture is warm to touch, add: powdered sugar & vanilla.
Beat until smooth.
Spread on cake.