The ladies' luncheon

Justin's desire to prepare a luncheon has been fulfilled! On Friday we together hosted seven of my lady friends, three of whom are named Nancy, where Justin demonstrated his culinary skills. I was able to make use of several of my serving pieces, some used for food the first time! More than just a pretty decoration, this soup tureen held his strawberry soup. What great presentation this was!

This soup tureen was a gift to me from Martie about a decade ago, and this is the first time it's held soup!  It was served with angel food cake croutons and was wonderful 

Justin's glazed fresh fruit salad served in a bowl which was a gift to me from Ellen Schleicher. Justin even had a recipe for water---sprigs of rosemary and sliced cucumbers in the water

Our appetizer was brie bites, presented in phyllo cups. A dab of raspberry jelly on the brie made this dish wonderful. This cake plate was purchased by me at the Cummer Museum. Beside this you can see the kalamata olive salad, served in a dish which was a wedding present

I got many compliments on my dishset and the matching tablecloth. This serving plate holds the pastry cups of Justin's chicken salad which contained dried cranberries, grapes, sliced almonds, and red onions. Oh, my!

Three of my guests: Nancy L, Kay, and Maureen. All of them are my neighbors with the first two listed being in the water exercise class with me. Between Kay and Maureen is a dish of mixed nuts, the bowl a gift from my sister, Lori. The pedestal bowl with chicken salad in it is a Princess House bowl I got when my friend, Jennifer, was selling this product line.

Here is another view of the table: Susie, Justin (caught walking through), Nancy W., Nancy L. and Kay

Maureen getting a glass of tea poured by Nancy M. Missing from the photos is my friend, Pat, who arrived a bit late. The pitcher was a gift to me from Nancy W., who said, "Merry Christmas, Happy birthday, and Happy New Year!" 

The days of Fingerhut

This morning as I write I am also watching "Frasier" reruns, yes, again, and laughing my fool head off. The network carrying this show has some advertisers different than other channels I watch. One of those commercials is for catalog shopping (or is it now online shopping?) at Fingerhut. I was quite surprised to hear that name again after this many years, thinking, perhaps wrongly so, that this company was no more. 

One hundred years ago, actually more like 40 years ago, my former spouse and I bought our first set of dishes through Fingerhut. They were brown and gold, a complete set, for what seemed at that time a small amount of money. With the order came measuring cups and spoons, some of which I still have and use. I think there was something else that came with that purchase---"But wait! There's more!!!"---but I can't recall what it was. How funny to be seeing ads again for that long ago company. Or, was I simply watching the wrong channel???

Many of the things in my pantry and cabinets are that same age, even have one of my original hot pads which were part of set including curtains in our first apartment (and the 2nd, I'm sure...same year!). The famous mushroom motif that was the craze in that era. Hot pads, place mats, kitchen towels, and even the curtains, plus a matching serving dish with a stand under it where a votive candle is lit to keep the food hot. I still use it, too! 

Here is my mushroom topped candle heated casserole dish, a gift to me from my friend, Suzy, and another couple for my wedding. 

It is just such a hoot to see and hear that Fingerhut is still at it this many years later. I hope that they can remain in business a long, long time and also hope that the psychic advertisers on that same network go away quickly!

On with the show!

Today after church I ditched my friends and went to have a quick lunch with Justin at Ruby Tuesday on the Island. We didn't have time for Chili's since it was Fellowship Sunday for which Judy is in charge. Ruby's was busy but we were well taken care of. Justin took my leftovers home for me as I made my way to Great Hang Ups. I had my Rolo Turtles for the opening reception of the Fin, Feather, and Fur show. I'd frozen them to ensure they wouldn't melt in the car. I thought turtles would be in keeping with the theme. Either that, or would seem like a cannibal to some. I took the risk!

This show was a fund raiser for the Safe Animal Shelter, a charity quite popular with many people. I kept my animal remarks to myself out of courtesy to the lovers. ("I do like animals---mostly between bread slices with bbq sauce....") Yeah, they wouldn't see the humor in that! The Shelter folks were there en masse so my hostessing duties were minimal. The shop was filled to overflowing, but Dee's neighbor at the vacuum cleaner shop put up a tent cover to provide shade and extra seating, in the parking lot. 

The awards were announced and not surprisingly my name was not one of those listed. More than once, though, I have admitted the honor of just being juried into such a show. Whew! I am now 7 for 7. Dee was at first going to re-use a frame from a previous entry but the matte was cut too large. Julia instead slipped it into a frame they had on hand, which presented it nicely. 

I had some wonderful visits with folks, those whom I usually see at the shop or other art gatherings. Dee's daughter, Helen, also an artist, came over at the behest of her mom to see some people who'd been asking about her. Helen is moving to Seattle shortly and is staying at her parent's house in the meantime. I had a nice chat with her outside under the tent. Her husband has already left for the coast to start his new job with Amazon. 

Since Dee and Julia had so much help from the Shelter folks, I decided to head for home when the show ended. My feet were tired and it had already been a long day. Fortunately there were some turtles left to bring along home for Justin and me to enjoy. Why do we make these only at Christmas and for special shows? Maybe because they are so putzy to make...?

Carol is seated on the bow with one of the boys with Laurie behind her, texting!

I was seated in the family room, feet up and relaxing, when my cell phone went off. It was a text message from Laurie, my friend from church. I knew they were going out on the boat today so was not surprised to hear they were outside my house. Justin and I rushed to the patio door and started to wave frantically. Poor Carol, a guest on the boat, could not pick out our place from that far out, so Brad pulled the boat into the basin. I grabbed my Turkish flag and was flapping it to beat the band. At last, she could see which door way was mine. The water was too shallow for them to pull all the way up, but got close enough for me to take a picture of them. How fun is that???

Coming out of the closet

The other day I was in search for just the right shirt to wear for the day. It was neither warm nor cold outside but I definitely wanted something with long sleeves because I am easily chilled. Into the closet I went in search for the right weight fabric to suit me. Aha, I pulled out my blue cotton knit shirt with variations of butterflies on it. Perfect! 

Well, it was perfect until I put it on and noticed how the neck was getting all droopy. Sort of like my own neck...I guess an iron might have helped to firm up the neck hole but I also think this top might have just about reached its expiration date. It is several years old, bordering on 'many' years old, and is losing its freshness. I am sad about this because I have gotten many compliments on it over the years. 

Here is Dolly and me at Fork and Knife, in Manitowoc, possibly in 2009. I am wearing my butterfly shirt. The colors are bright and the neck opening taut like it should be. Presently it's rolling over and stretched out with age, not because I have a large head. Have been told more than once that I have a pointy head. Anyway, I have other clothing items in the archives, the back of the closet, which I pull out now and again. I had better be more attentive to their condition before I wear them in public. 

My mom seems to think I am shopping every day which could not be further from the truth. She believes this because I shop when I am with my family up in WI or if they come down here. And with Linda I have been known to shop. Otherwise, not so much. But, Mom witnesses me shopping in Manty and figures that is an every day occurrence. I guess someone had better come down here to visit me soon, because I need some new clothes!

All straightened up

Today Justin had the day off and decided to make good use of his time. I had signed up to bring a kettle of soup for the Souper Supper at church tomorrow night. Justin offered to make (as I fully expected he would) his recipe for beer cheese soup. As he got busy making the soup, I urged him to keep a close eye on it as our stew pot has a tendency of sticking. Because he needed to keep an eye on the kettle, he got also got busy in the kitchen while listening to his podcasts. I came home from having lunch with my friend, Nancy, to find my kitchen torn apart. Well, at least part of it was....

Justin took care of a long-needed project

Many years ago my friend, Judy Rusert, came for a visit. She likes to cook, especially making soups. During one of our long conversations she asked me why it was I didn't care for cooking. It was asked in such a way that drew deep thinking on my part. Skipping to the end of the conversation, I determined I got nothing much out of standing in the kitchen stirring a pot. That was it. Plus, what is different here than in my other recent homes is having the kitchen a separate room from the rest of the house, somewhat isolated from whatever else was going on. Anyway, it was a good talk and helpful in determining the reason I prefer to be a consumer rather than a producer in the kitchen.

Judy and me on the cruise in 2007, when we became friends...actually, kindred spirits!

Using a step stool is frowned upon by my boy so when Justin left home the first time, we moved much of the frequently used items to the lowest shelves in the cabinets so I could easily reach them. So, now the cabinets are being ordered in such a way for Justin's ease of finding and using the items stored in them. All I have to actually need ready access to is the silverware drawer and into the dishwasher! He can do the rest of the reaching and putting. 

Here is the now organized cabinet. Nothing in there with expired dates any longer. Pasta, anyone?

While he was at it, he moved over to the spice cabinet and got that straightened away. He wanted me to take these photos so we (I) could remember where everything goes once taken out. Justin also packed away my Christmas glasses, promising to retrieve them when the time comes. I shall hold him to that! Having them gone freed up shelf space which makes good sense, I guess, instead of using it for seldom used drinkware. The next project will be the hallway pantry which is getting like Fibber McGee's closet!

I am quite thankful to have this task completed as it was and to have the soup made for the Ash Wednesday souper supper, with some left for us to enjoy!

Fur, Feather, and Fin

This evening I enjoyed a lovely dinner out with Judy and Michael at 'my favorite restaurant', as Judy described it when she called. Believe me, I grabbed my purse and shoes and I was out the door! We had only a short wait at Koko's (Saigon Tokyo) and had a lovely meal. Michael usually orders the rangoons and shares, so delicious! 

Today I got some good news---my entry in the Fur, Feather, and Fin art show at Great Hang Ups has been juried into the show. Believe me, I get quite nervous fearing my entry will be rejected. Whew!, dodged that bullet once again. The theme, as you might be able to tell, is about animals of all sorts, and will serve as a fundraiser for the Safe Animal Shelter. 

This picture was taken out my window, capturing this heron watching for a fish to come by...

Dee told me I can use an existing framed piece---she will simply slide my new print over the other one. Works for me! Buying a frame every time can get expensive and Dee's suggestion of re-using one is cool with me, if it's cool with my framers! They are just so good to me, and I love them right back. I am usually out done by the other artists in the show, but hey, I'm still thrilled to be juried in!

Oldest and youngest

The other day at church we had a celebratory function, recognizing the 10 years that the pastor has served at our congregation. Ever since Advent I've been wishing to get a photo taken of our current oldest member with our youngest. We have a gentleman who is technically older but he lives now in MS so Gretchen moved into that position. I expected she, age 89, would sit in a chair to hold Eloise but instead she stood up to pose for the photos. 

Baby El is the daughter of Angel and Chad, both Navy folks. Angel is from my area in WI, and has a brother attending MLHS at present. I am particularly fond of this young couple, attended Bible Information Class with them (Chad was baptized the same day his daughter was...tears!) Sadly, they have orders to VA in June and my heart hurts already about this!

Gretchen was a bit surprised at how heavy Eloise is, and how heavy she became as I tried to get the best photograph. I think I did get a good shot, one Gretchen approved of anyway! At 7 months old, Eloise is the youngest child in our membership, with the next youngest being 7 years old. We have a gap! It's so wonderful to hear a baby cooing again and to have the changing tables in the restrooms pressed into service. 

After the meal, prepared by Chefs Mike 'n Mike, consisting of roast beef, chicken, potatoes 'n gravy, two of the young ladies got down on the floor to play with Baby El. They couldn't get enough of her. Jordyn is the next youngest girl, I think, at 9 years old. Sarah, my goddaughter, is now 10. Can't believe this, but it's true! The meal was truly a delight and I am glad to finally get this photo taken for posterity and to serve as a recognition of our oldest and youngest members.