Gonna Have a Wild Weekend, Part II

                The first Super Bowl was played around my birthday in mid-January; that’s why I remember the hype beginning.  You mean there is something of more importance in mid-January than the festival surrounding my birth?  No Way!
                Now, it’s Super Bowl XLVII (that’s 47 for those who have forgotten Roman Numerals).  Does anyone know a sane individual who has purchased a room for 4 nights in the French Quarter, Super Seats, credentials, Bourbon-Street Bowl favors, plus credentials and lanyards for a mere $5900+ per person, double occupancy. We will simply entertain ourselves for free with Jane’s prognostication as to the winner, with no deference whatsoever to the Las Vegas line or which coaching brother is better looking.
              I have experience with brotherly conflict, but I don’t know which of the Harbaugh brothers coaches which team.  Isn’t it just crazy that Jim vs John makes the Super Bowl coaching battle Brother vs. Brother.  Reminiscent of the Mario Brothers, The Wright Brothers, Civil War and Marvin vs Garvin or even Peyton vs Eli, the Super Bowl reminds us that brothers are meant to fight. Think: Bible.
               Even leaving the Bible out of it, the clear choice for a winner is “San Francisco ‘49’ers.” Without hesitation, the “49’ers” are my favorite because that’s the year I was born (not 1849).  Second – the “49’ers” were seeking gold in California and I like gold, a lot. Then, there is the Joe Montana factor, not to be underestimated. “49’ers” 3; “Ravens” 0.
                The Ravens, such dark and dirty birds, don’t get any points for “team name.” Also, the players will not be rested as they have been kept awake, pondering weak and weary upon forgotten lore at midnight.  Without too much trouble, I can predict that “Never” will be the outcome for this team, based in EA Poe’s hometown of Baltimore. Major players may be found wandering the Bourbon Street alleyways seeking Edgar and his lost love Lenore.  That makes it “49’ers” 3 – “Ravens” minus-3.
                 “The Blind Side” is history.  Points for players whose home is Collierville, TN, or somewhere in Arkansas, or owners who have roots in Little Rock, or how many on each team once played for the SEC equal out for the teams.

                   So, my line is this:  “The 49’ers” by 6…and, that’ll do as well as any.  Enjoy your weekend! I’ll be wearing red and gold, recovering from groundhog meat loaf.

Gonna Have a Wild Weekend,PART I

               Two monumental events will occur this weekend, as the planets align to refute the Mayan Calendar prediction that we would not see another Groundhog Day or Super Bowl!
                Wooly worms crossing the road headed North or South, cows in the pasture curled on the ground or standing up, snow birds, snow clouds, and dancing inside-out pajamas seek attention as we attempt to manage the unpredictable.  But, it is dear Phil’s shenanigans, just as reliable as Doplar Radar in the wintertime, that give us our first reason to party this weekend.
               If Punxsutawney Phil lived in Arkansas, he'd be attached to a kite or flag pole for his own safety.  Winds, dangerous and threatening, are currently whipping in 72 degree January storm mode, temps heading for below freezing by the weekend.  What 's Phil got to say about that?

                   Of what significance, though, is February 2, other than an old friend’s birthday.  Punxsutawney Phil and his Pennsylvania adventure outside his den focus our attention to Weather Lore and Winter Wonderings.  Long before Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell repeated the day into lunacy, we’ve been separating ourselves into optimists and pessimists, early spring or more winter.  Since 1899, folks have prayed that Phil might comfort us with a longing look toward Spring. Eventhough Phil is the official prognosticator, we might pay homage to General Beauregard Lee, the Atlanta, GA, groundhog. Our facination with this varmit catapults the Groundhog over the Bald Eagle as the most attention-garnering animal in the United States during February.
                     Midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, Groundhog Day is the perfect time for celebration. I don’t need much encouragement to establish a new tradition and a new party theme.  Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” is the perfect theme song for a party that does not require gifts, cut-down trees, or roasted 20 pound birds.  All you need is good humor and an ugly brown sweater, or not. Suit yourself.  Reminiscent of the groom’s armadillo cake in Steel Magnolia’s, I wonder what a meat loaf in the shape of a groundhog might look like? 
                  I think we’ll just devour some popcorn and watch the 1993 movie after learning on the 6 o’clock news what Phil the Groundhog predicted.  We will learn anew with Bill Murray to “make every day count.”  

May Your Heart Sing

              It’s easy to take care of our hearts, but equally as easy to break them. Without singing Achy-Breaky Heart, your heart can be vulnerable to damage in age-old ways.  A lover can be insensitive, a child can be ungrateful, the stress of a work situation can take up unwelcome residence. Or you could over-indulge and give no deference to a more “heart-healthy” life-style.
              Taking care of your heart means assuring that your heart glows, smiles, sings, and soars. The old “more you give, more you get” strategy works here. And that includes giving kindness, generously. Maybe giving and receiving chocolate is old-fashioned, but I’m tuning up for “all of a sudden, My Heart Sings.”
              The box of chocolates this year may be reduced to a few specialty truffles or a few strawberries dipped in dark chocolate! Dark Chocolate provides many health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure; even Hershey’s chocolate has expanded to include more Dark Chocolate items.  I can forego milk chocolate, as long as I don’t subject my sensitivities to “fake chocolate.”  Dark chocolate confesses high calories, so beware!  Just take your chocolate medicinally, the way my grandmother took her wine!
             To curb our “overboard” tendencies, I have modified our diet to include the “low and no” choices for ingredients that are used to whip up delicious dishes, including desserts.  If I can’t taste any real difference, I’ll go with “low and no” every time, except for No/Low Ranch Dressing, which I think is “yucky.”
          Adding a good brisk walk sometime during the day is also a good thing to help the heart. Several ladies asked me to join them in walking, but when they mentioned a time that was BEFORE 8:00 AM and BEFORE my coffee and newspaper, I had to issue a kind “wimp” regret. The walk has gone into hibernation, lately, with the very cold weather, but I’m looking forward to early Spring.
                Another option to help our hearts is cooking with whole wheat products. Wheat pasta and brown rice do not make any difference in the taste of the recipe, but can make much improvement in bad cholesterol readings.  My bad cholesterol number had risen and in helping Marvin, I helped myself.  Just by being aware and modifying our diet, and by walking, I reduced by bad cholesterol number by 22 points in 6 months and Marvin’s numbers were reduced also.

As we approach February, which is American Heart Month, be kind to yourself, kind to your love, take care of your family, and take care of your Heart.  Wear red, click your heels, and enjoy your friends.  Nurture each other and plan ways to make your heart sing.

Women's Right to Femininity

          I’d like to go on the record as saying I put cinnamon sugar on both sides of my French toast.  I prefer cookies with sparkles and cupcakes with flavored filling.  I want my cake and I’d like to eat it, too. My feet are firmly planted on both sides of the feminism fence. Being treated like a lovely piece of delicate china, seeing men rise from their places when I enter a room, having doors held for me, and my chair placed as I sit for a meal are all gentleman & lady traditions that I enjoy. I am also fond of voicing my opinion, voting my convictions, and seeing my name on the title for things I own.

The National Organization of Women whose membership seems comprised of make-up allergic Betty Friedan-types brought us the freedom to pump our own gas, but also gave us a Bill of Rights.  Nothing to be sneezed at, this Bill of Rights and the Equal Rights Amendment allow me to live in retirement with benefits from having worked during a time when women are paid equally with men for the same job. I took family leave at the arrival of both children. We are all indebted to Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony, but also to Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative activist championing the traditional family. Can’t we be feminine and feminists, too?

             The thought of brave women enjoying equal rights by donning camouflage and brandishing a military assault rifle on the front lines raises fear in me on many levels. Equal rights and equal responsibility is a concept that I endorse, however, which places me once more on both sides of the French toast.  Women should be protected from harm, abuse on every level, within our homes and throughout the world. When will we acknowledge that being an educated woman advocating for women’s rights does not necessitate a “roar.”

NEXT: Explore my new BLOG:  Charm is More than a Bracelet at www.morethanabracelet.blogspot.com
You'll read themed posts such as “…Miss Scarlet, she helped; but It Was Mostly Me!”

             another post to be entitled, Indulge in Dazzle; Pack an Extra Suitcase

The Art of Being Fancy

     Polish it so it’ll shine! Wrap yourself in it to dazzle your world! Jingle it in your pocket and sound loaded.  Then, use it, wear it, and spend it.

Scarlet O'Hara's Fancy Frock

     It’s either silver plated, gold plated, or copper/nickel coated.  Just as fancy now as I was when I sauntered into the Great Estate Roadshow, I share my findings most humbly.  Mandi, a new friend pictured here, held my millionaire status in the palm of her hand, literally!  Oh, what visions swirled in colors of instantaneous wealth sprinkled with sugar plums.  Dreams included a face-lift, perhaps body sculpting, and a cruise to an exotic clime, waited on by stewards and butlers, hostesses, and everyone within ear-shot!  
     The person who emerged, carrying a Victoria Secret bag filled with rejected jewelry, appeared as I was before, enjoying the fantasy of Fancy, doing everything in my power to influence my surroundings in that art. More is always better when it comes to fanciness, a trait infused into my genes through my mother.  She boldly influenced me to dream, saving heirloom jewelry, family silver, and a cache of really old coins such as Eisenhower dollars and Roosevelt dimes. 
     The jewelry is fancy, pretty, flashy, shiny, and appears highly valuable. It’s costume jewelry with some signatures such as Napier, but it’s still costume jewelry. Serving pieces such as ladles and meat forks can be polished and displayed on a wonderfully appointed dinner table, but even marked Reed&Barton, it’s not Sterling, unless it is marked so. Old coins must have the “S” mint mark (San Francisco) to be the best- perhaps 90% silver. Only certain dated coins produce any value above face value. And those Kennedy half-dollars minted during the Bicentennial, spend ‘em, baby.  Each is worth 50 cents. The bottom line:  All that “stuff” that Mother saved, that I saved, and locked in the safe inside a fireproof lock box is worth dreamy sentimentality. Which in and of itself, is not a bad thing, if you know that's the reason for saving it.
     The advice: gobble up all the “goodie” now.  What you think you may be laying up for your children on earth is exactly what God told us – it is of no value, plus, you can’t take it with you.   They will have to go through it and learn the truth:  it’s only make-believe.  Do you really want your “silver” trays and “diamonds” going to Goodwill?
      In my case, I contributed  5 pounds of very colorful costume jewelry to a local drama department!  I have saved some dazzling rhinestone earrings to wear when I next visit with the Queen.  And, I vow to wear several of the rings, all at the same time, just for fun and fanciness.  Polishing the silver will not make my weekly to do list, so think how much time I’ll have to put finishing touches on my “soon-to-be-best-seller!”  I’ll wear the rhinestone shoe clips to my first book signing!
       The lesson,though, is important:  live joyfully, celebrate each day, and dazzle yourself with whatever you wish to enhance your own daily pleasure. Be Fancy within yourself, sparkling, shining, and jingling with every fabric of your being!

Freezing Panic to Snow Peace with 6 Assurances

1.       The quiet of a snowy afternoon overtakes the buzz of an intercom announcement, “The busses will arrive 30 minutes early…”

2.      The softly falling flakes accumulate to silently cover everything, in comparison to the “peck, peck, peck” of sleet and freezing rain.

3.      The aroma of ham and white beans cooking in a stew pot waft into the den soothing any concern about supper and “picking up some KFC on my way home from work.”

4.      Listening to Sirius XM Radio rather than “School Closings” makes for a restful afternoon as I assemble Goodie Bags for Celebrate Music this weekend.

5.      As the snow event comes to a close, my garage doors are closed, as they have been since early afternoon with no cars or trucks navigating the streets and byways.

6.      Cardinals, buntings, and wrens share the bird feeders alternately taking their turns sitting in the trees, hopping on the ground, and dining at the buffet set out just for them.  Their instinctive patterns have plumped them up nicely, and they have no desire to gather milk and bread from Wal-Mart shelves.

                                In Summary:  Spell it  R E T I R E!

Looks Good to Me!

Push-pins & ‘looks good to me’ vs. little nails, a level, measuring tape, hammer, pencil, thread, & painter’s tape.

Being married to master perfectionist Marvin is like combining Marvin AND Goss Dansby, Tate Thomas, Todd Gatewood, and Holmes on Homes into 1 body to hang pictures in the hallway.  These pictures cluster (with 2” between each picture) around the word FAMILY with this quote:  “Simple moments create lasting memories.”  Marvin brandished a level to stretch thread across the wall; the thread marked the horizontal line of sight and was held in place by painter’s tape. 

The pictures are randomly balanced by size, family relationship and by colors in the picture (my contribution). They are a blend of action photos such as the one with Marvin doing the “1-2-3 Jump!” with 3 grandchildren as they think he will join them to inaugurate  the pool for the summer! Another shows Brooke’s face with birthday cupcake icing when we surprised her at her classroom.  There are several posed pictures of our grown children and their spouses and girlfriends. A wild Mexican Dominoes game is featured along with a line-up at the ticket booth for rides at the Labor Day Picnic.

Anyone seeing these pictures of our blended family with the smiles and genuinely happy expressions will know how much we love them all.  Surely someone will remark, “Oh, look how marvelously level those pictures are!”

Keeping Secrets!

              Cooking Television Personalities make it look easy. Super-Chefs publish Cookbooks with gorgeous photographs intended, it seems, for display on coffee tables. Beautiful barefoot kitchen divas prance through their kitchens in designer aprons. Their presentations, the cute white ramkins containing just the right ingredients at precise measurement…it’s enough to send the Viking Cooking School onto Fortune 500.  But, these stars rarely share any proven recipe “secrets.”  Some cooks purposefully “leave out” that one special ingredient when sharing a recipe, so the novice will always wonder what she did wrong!
              I watched my mother-in-law and wrote her recipe for “sweet rolls” and modifications thereof, such as cinnamon rolls and “sticky buns.”  There is a huge temptation to take commercially prepared Sister Schubert rolls in the aluminum pan, flip out her delicious treats in one fat-filled circle, doctor them up and call it a day, because it takes patience to watch yeast in action, more than we instantaneous types prefer. 
                 All that is prelude to a kitchen confession:  my pies have not turned out as they should have this year.  I blamed it on altitude and latitude, just like I blame my forgetfulness on “time change.”  Wrong!  Did you know that you can add too much sugar to a recipe?  How wrong is that! Mother’s secret ingredients:  “a pinch of sugar” and “Mexican vanilla.” Her mantra:  “If a pinch is good, a couple of pinches more would be even better!” Instinct and inherited nature compel me to follow her lead in my cooking since I first discovered what went on in “that cute little room.” 
                 So, yesterday, over lunch, we were discussing shelling pecans when I zeroed in on conversation about whipping up a pecan pie.  I garnered 2 prize-winning tips.  These two tips seared into my brain and I could not wait to experiment.  I sacrificed the pie shells I had set aside for chicken pot pie to 2 pecan pies, or as I call them “Karo-nut pies.”  One pie went to the Soup and Sandwich Night at church; the other we kept for ourselves.
              Best pecan pies I have ever made.  Period. 

              I am not a sexy, barefoot, kitchen maven, but I do have my secrets!