Takin’ it Easy-for today…

After yesterday’s ‘fruit bread baking’ and last night’s Christmas gathering for my special needs group, this Pammie was just a little too pooped to jump into cookie baking. We had a great time last night and a great group; we estimated around 80 people to our little dinner (with just 3 of us getting it together).  We had a great veggie tray (I cut up around 12 seedless English cucumbers) with lots of veggies & dip, spiral meat & cheese sandwiches (our local Costco makes really nice rolled sandwiches using flour and wheat tortillas, sliced meats & cheeses & lettuce all wrapped in a roll then cut into little pinwheel sandwiches, and lots of cookies.  The group sang four songs:  “O, Holy Night”, “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night” and our theme: “Amazing Grace” (always brings tears when our kids sing that one…I’m the biggest bawl-baby there and I’m also the one playing piano and trying to see the keys through the wet-stuff dripping out of my eyes!). Our kids sing that one with their whole hearts and it really shows. After 4 hours on my feet in dress shoes, I was ready to come home and just crash…and I did. Got up today and did a quick run to our local store (Gordon Food Service) and was only going to buy their frozen sugar cookies & tub of their white frosting…oh well, let’s just say I was tempted! Came home with the cookie stuff, a nice assorted box of 40 chocolate eclairs/cream puffs/and dipped filled balls; a pumpkin pie; chips (a necessity); a lb. of butter; some nice little paper dessert plates with red & green wreaths; a large tray of their sweet potato souffle (we had it for Thanksgiving and it was just great!)…think that’s all.  Let’s just say we’re going to be eating large on Christmas!

On to the recipes, you say? Sure! Among the very nice gifts I was given last night was a ceramic bowl and this recipe:

Crab Dip

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/3 C. mayonnaise

1 T. creamy horseradish sauce (I buy Kraft)

1  1/2 T. minced onion

1/2 tsp. seasoned salt

1 T. parsley, chopped

dash garlic powder

6 oz. canned premium crab meat

1 bottle cocktail sauce

—–

Blend all ingredients (except half of the crab and the cocktail sauce) in a bowl and mix well. Place into a  serving bowl and pour cocktail sauce over top. Add r est of crab meat on top and serve with crackers.

(sure sounds yummy to me!)

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I believe I stated earlier this week that I’ll be trying to feature at least one recipe per day up to Christmas.  I’ve found some pretty yummy sounding ones; can’t guarantee that they’ll all be non-fat or healthy/nutritious, but they certainly would brighten up a dinner or holiday party!

It’s 28 degrees outside right now and feels more like 20 or lower. Have to go pick up youngest son a little later from a band concert he’s attending so I’m not looking forward to jumping back in my really cold car…oh well, that’s the price ya pay for being a parent, right?

Enjoy your evening, relax a little, maybe pop a little popcorn? Sounds good to me!

Hugs;

Pammie

Making Deliveries

11 afghans for Durban, S. Africa

22 afghans for Ghana

Another busy week ‘attempting’ to get lots of things done. Today found me delivering 22 afghans to Crittenton Hospital for eventual delivery to Ghana; tomorrow is delivery of 11 afghans for Durban, S. Africa – then I can take a (small) break before starting all over again. Total afghans completed since this ministry started: 218.

Last night was youngest son’s Christmas concert at his school. He joined the concert choir and the program was a compilation of all choirs and orchestral groups. It was jam-packed with almost 2 hours of music and nicely done.

I’m sitting here enjoying a lovely warm mug of cocoa to ‘warm my innards’ after the long afghan drive. The weather’s been pretty steady for the last few days: in the low 30’s but clear (no s-n-0-w), however I hear that’s about to change. Just got a weather report for this evening that we’re due for: “ snow and sleet, which is in effect from 7 pm this evening to 4 am est Wednesday.”  Oh Joy…(not). Well, it’s bound to happen, this being Michigan and December…just not looking forward to the whole winter routine…sigh. Dug out my heavy winter jacket yesterday and found my heavy winter gloves and hat tucked in the pockets. I promptly put them aside, saying: “I don’t need THESE yet!” (little did I know, eh?). I don’t think I’d mind much if it weren’t for the fact that I’ll be doing my usual Tuesday  (knit night) and Wednesday  (special needs group) driving. Oh well…gotta take it with a (slightly frozen) grain of salt, so the expression goes.

Hope you are all staying healthy, warm and getting those needed jobs/gifts/etc. taken care of. Managed to pick up oldest son’s present yesterday and have ordered 2 very small gifts on line, but other than that…I’m completely stumped this year for gift ideas! Ran into our mail lady today and promised her some cookies ’soon’ (just not sure WHEN I’ll get them baked); thank heavens she’s very patient. She warned me of those days when she’ll be off for the next 2 weeks, also informing me that if I put a package in our mailbox for her and she’s off, her ’sub’ driver WILL eat them! (glad she warned me!).

Enjoy your day, stay warm & cosy and remember “Jesus is the REASON for the season!” Merry Christmas!

Hugs;

Pammie

Technology – It’s Amazing!

Just a few minutes ago I placed a phone call to the lady who is in charge of collecting my completed afghans for The Ghana Project and holding them until THE person who thought up the project (Bettye Wright) gets back from Ghana. I then sent an email to Bettye in Ghana; she replied within minutes that she would love more afghans, is a bit short on them at the moment and will be coming here sometime soon. After responding to her email, I sent one to my other friend and missionary in Durban, S. Africa asking if he will be needing more afghans soon, as he will be returning for a short visit in January (haven’t heard from him yet).  That got me to thinking: isn’t it AMAZING that I can sit here in the comfort of my home and correspond with people around the world from me? AND receive a response quickly? Yes, I’m aware I could have placed a long distance phone call and done the same thing, but actually, if you think of it…15-20 years ago that kind of immediate response via computers was not possible to the average person. That’s amazing to me!  For that matter, I certainly wouldn’t have thought that I, in my little township in Michigan, would be communicating, much less even KNOWING anyone across the globe from me!  My how life has changed; I’m 61 1/2 (gotta get that half in there…grin), imagine what technologies will be available to my children and grandchildren in the future. A wonder, for sure!

Hugs;

Pammie

ps: Just finished afghan #212; Bettye said she is in charge of 22 children (patients) at this time and could use the ones I’ve completed. (I currently have 27 completed afghans here at my house)  I’m going to deliver 22 in the next week or so to the ‘holding lady’ at the hospital, then hold onto the remaining 5 for my friend’s visit in January. Wonder how many more I can get done between now and January?

Having a Little Fun!

Today was one I’ve been waiting for, now, for about a month; took our cat to the vet’s for another check up and he’s doing good! The vet’s report: “Looks like the food is doing him good!” They checked him out and reported that there was no obstruction and very few crystals, so I was just thrilled!  So thrilled, in fact, that I went on a mini-shopping spree! (Actually, it was more of a “treat Pammie” spree). Came home with three nice pairs of earrings (Big Lots: they were a set and very reasonable: $3.00), a new container for my knitting supplies in my ‘carry everywhere’ knitting bag (for scissors, tiny ruler, crochet hook) from the St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop (for $1) and my last little find: Almond Chocolate Biscotti on sale for $3 at our local drug store! Yep, I’m a ‘cheap treats’ person, but it made me happy, so all’s good!

Finished another afghan yesterday, #209, and am ‘on to bigger and better things’…(actually, just #210….grin).

Tonight’s dinner is homemade chicken noodle soup which I have to get making very soon, as I like to let the chicken get to the ‘fall off the bone’ stage before using it in the soup.  Was able to obtain a really (in my humble opinion) fantastic, yummy treat recipe and thought I’d share it with you. WARNING: It’s very rich, but VERY yummy!

Reese’s No-Bake Squares

2 1/2 C. powdered sugar

2 1/2 C. graham cracker crumbs

1  1/3 C. peanut butter

1 C. melted butter

12 oz. chocolate chips, melted

–

Mix together powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Add peanut butter and melted butter; mix well.  Press into a 9 X 13 baking pan. Pour melted chocolate chips over top and spread around to cover top. Refrigate 15 minutes or so (NOT until hard), then cut into small squares.

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My youngest came home from a youth outing, brought one of these home and shared it with me. Of course I IMMEDIATELY wanted the recipe … it was gooey (could have been because it was in his hot hands?), peanut buttery, and nicely chocolatey! I have another recipe similar to this one, but that one comes out about 1/4 inch thick; the above recipe comes out about 3/4 inches thick!  Believe me…it’s worth making them (forget the calories…they all fall off when you cut the squares! …. wink).

Going into this weekend I have a bridal shower tomorrow at church for two of our choir members who are also friends of ours (well…the groom has been like another one of my ‘kids’), so it ought to be a fun adventure! They’re planning a January wedding (Brrrrrrr!). Before I go to the shower I have to help youngest bake a pan of brownies, as he’s attending a Chili CookOff and the teens are required to make (or at least ‘help’ make a dessert…he chose brownies, as that’s HIS favorite dessert!).

It’s shaping up like a fun weekend; our weather’s been a bit ‘goofy’ but I’m happy…it’s been chilly (in the 30’s & 40’s) with some rain, some gloomy days, BUT….NO SNOW so far! (It was predicted that we were supposed to get ’scattered flurries’ Weds & part of Thurs, but they didn’t appear…YAY!!!).

Enjoy your weekend; stay warm, eat something YOU like (brownies/biscotti/bagel?) along with a nice, hot steaming cup of your favorite beverage….gotta stay cosy, remember?

Hugs;

Pammie

Just Checkin’ In for a Few

Hello, all!

Not much exciting going on around here (guess that’s a good thing!). After the ‘car troubles/cat sick’ week, it’s nice to just do some catching up on all the things that got shoved to the back burner. Yesterday and today have been lots of running; little trips here and there to make me feel like I have ’some’ control in my life. Went to the Post Office today to check the Ghana Project box and found a lovely crocheted afghan from a lady who had written me asking if she could send it; this past Sunday a friend from church brought me the results of a bag of yarn I gave her. She handed me the bag with the comment: “I think there’s something like 102 squares; you can re-count them if you like.” I’m now doing good as far as squares to use; now it’s my job to get going on sewing more together for the finished products. A little later today I’m going upstairs and re-counting what’s there, as I think I might have either one more or one less than I think the actual count is. Finished another one this morning while listening to the cd of our choir’s Christmas songs (borrowed the cd to ‘get the hang’ of the music).

After I’m finished with this blog entry, it’s time to finish up the special needs group’s bi-monthly newsletter and get it printed, folded and stuffed into around 50 envelopes, then take them to the Post Office to mail. Tonight is my knit group and I’m looking forward to a little ‘girl’ time; I really enjoy the ladies in the group-we’re all so diversified and yet all united via yarn! It’s a fun, fast and fascinating few hours in my week.

Visited the chiropractor yesterday after a break of 5 weeks (rough count). I was amazed that my back is doing as well as it is, with all the stress from my father-in-law’s illness and death (no, I didn’t write about that here; it was about 4 weeks ago…all’s ‘good’), the car troubles (didn’t write about all that, either, but NOW the car is FINALLY fixed!) & the sick cat. Visiting the chiropractor is one of those ‘love/hate’ things for me – I know it does my back ‘good’, but it’s still painful to endure. From all I’ve learned from these visits, looks like I’ll be doing this ad infinitum…into the future…indefinitely. Oh well, one of those “Get used to it, honey…you’re not getting any younger!” moments.

The special needs Great Potato Bake and Silent Auction was postponed due to lack of ticket sales; that was a bit disappointing, but what can you do?  We’re hoping to come up with another fund raiser idea in January.  It was a good idea, but actually…if we HAD done it last Friday, the weather was really awful: rainy, windy, cold, so I guess it was a good thing after all.  (and, it’s less stress on me for now…)

Tomorrow night is our special needs Harvest Party and I just got back from buying the food stuffs for it. We’re going to be having corn chips & hot cheese sauce, cider and cider donuts. Along with that we’ll be playing various games around the room like “Knock over the Bowling Pins”, “Shoot out the Candle with a Squirt Gun”, “Go Duck Hunting” (using a kid’s wading pool with about 20 plastic ducks floating in it; some have a ‘PRIZE!” written on their bottoms). Our students love this; we have each of them bring a bag of individually wrapped candy and we dump it all in a big punch bowl. When they come in, we give them each a paper lunch bag to decorate (if they wish) then when we play the games they each get a small handful of candy for playing the game (whether they win or not). It’s sort of like “Christian Trick or Treat”, I guess you’d say. No costumes, just games/devotions/and great snacks. I’m guess we’ll have around 50 attending tomorrow; it’s one of their favorite nights.

That’s about ‘it’ around here; made a really good chicken pot pie for dinner last night. I’ve never been a fan of any ‘pot pie’ as my Mom used to rely on those little frozen ones quite often when I was growing up, but every once in awhile I make one from scratch and they’re tasty, warm and somewhat a ‘comfort food’.

Hope you’re having a good day; stay warm and maybe treat yourself to a nice hot cup of cocoa!

Hugs;

Pammie

Got a Few Minutes…

It’s been a bit hectic here, me on my trusty computer ‘comping up’ the tickets for the upcoming special needs group’s fund raiser Potato Dinner. I ‘thought’ I had things under control, but you know how that goes…the minute you think you’ve got a handle on things, they go haywire! Got a call last night that the tickets had to be printed and delivered to the church where our group meets BEFORE 1 p.m. today, as the church was going to have an ann0uncement in their bulletin that the tickets would go on sale right after church. That wouldn’t be a bad thing except…I don’t attend that church which made for some real ‘hussling around’ on my part early this morning. Got to Office Max at around 8:40 a.m. and purchased the brown/tan antiqued post cards then home to get the tickets printed. Simple, yes? NO! For some really weird reason the cute little potato clip art (see a few posts before this one for an example) didn’t want to ‘print’ right side up the way I wanted him to…we had backwards, upside down and a few other alternatives but not the way I wanted. (guess I should insert here that I was attempting to print these in “Landscape” mode…that’s ’sideways’, sort of). After about 12 attempts and many sheets of wasted printer paper I finally got to the ‘tears’ and frustration level. A quick prayer for HELP! and one last ditch effort did the trick. To explain: I have NO idea why it works, but it does. If you look at the screen, the images are goofy, but it printed up just fine so I DON’T CARE!  One hundred cute little tickets later, each hand numbered and torn apart (they come 4 to a sheet) and a half hour trip to that church and we’re ‘good to go’! Whew! Now my next ‘great computer/printer project’ is some how comping up a sign-in sheet for each auction item…again in ‘landscape’ form. Since I’m using ‘Microsoft Publisher’ and they don’t offer anything like what I’m looking for, looks like another long day of ‘attempts’…sigh.  At least you know where I’ll be…sitting here going nuts!

Hope you’re having a good day; it’s cold, raining and 55 degrees out (sure feels colder!). Just put my knit shrug on and some slipper socks…I’m chilly! (house temp says it’s 73…my foot!)

Hope you stay warm and toasty! Enjoy your day;

Hugs;

Pammie

ps: Working on afghan #204 now…

“Apple Time”

Now that we’re cruising into Fall I thought I’d post a few apple recipes you might like to try:

Apple Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl add:

2 C. sugar

1  1/2  C. cooking oil

2 eggs

Beat these well then add:

3 C. flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together (this will be stiff) then add:

2-3 C. chopped apples

1 tsp. grated lemon rind (or lemon extract)

1/2 – 1  C. chopped nuts

Mix all ingredients well and pour into a 9 X 13 pan. Bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees F. After baking, let cake cool before frosting with:

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (softened)

1 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2  1/2 C. confectioner’s sugar

Blend together cream cheese, milk and vanilla and gradually add the confectioner’s sugar.

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Sour Cream Apple Pie

(my all-time favorite!)

3/4 C. sugar

2 T. flour

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 C.  peeled and sliced apples

1 C. sour cream

1 egg

dash salt

(1 9 inch unbaked pie shell-or make your own crust)

—

Preheat oven 450 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients well and pour into a unbaked pie shell. Bake 10 minutes then turn down heat to 325 degrees F. and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes. (leave oven “on” to finish baking)

——

Topping:

2 1/2 T. flour

2 1/2 T. brown sugar

1 T. butter

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

—

Sprinkle this mixture over the pie and bake another 25 minutes at 325 degrees F.  Let cool completely before serving; makes 1 9″ pie.

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I’m not sure if I’ve posted the Sour Cream recipe before (seems like I might have); we first had this tasty dessert in Frankenmuth, MI. at one of two very famous restaurants there (can’t remember which one-they’re both directly across the street from each other; the area is highly German and is famous for their chicken dinners).  I love this recipe because it’s both flavorful AND very creamy, due to the sour cream. It’s not a very sweet pie, either, which I really like; you get the apple flavor mixed with ‘creamy’… very tasty, I think!

Hope you’re having a great day; it’s Saturday, a ‘day of rest’…for the most part I’m going to try to do just that (amid doing a little laundry, emptying the dishwasher, knitting a bit, sewing more squares together on #201…perhaps reading one of two books I checked out at the library – more mysteries.)  Last night’s Gym Night went very well, however we didn’t have as many people attend as we’d planned for, hence there’s lots of cooked hot dogs, chopped onion and shredded cheese in my fridge today! (I had one for breakfast…don’t laugh! It’s protein!).

Anyway, I’ll close for now…enjoy your day!

Hugs;

Pammie

ps:  It’s a glorious sunny day today with a nice breeze blowing…just the kind of day to go to a football game! (youngest son is going in about an hour…guess who’s driving?).  Thermometer outside reads:  68 degrees F.

Of Beasties, Bells and Knitting

This has been a very busy, yet relaxing weekend spent at the Waterford Historical Society’s “Log Cabin Days”. I spent from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Saturday demonstrating knitting, and from 12:30-5 on Sunday.  This was a very interesting time with lots to see and do (and eat!). I met lots of lovely people and coerced several to ‘knit with me’ on a scarf that will be donated to the Society when completed, for them to raffle off in the Fall.  I got to visit, up close, 2 very cute and friendly Alpacas, which made my day. The owner/handler actually brought them around the area on leads for their ‘walk’ and came up into our pavilion. I was so amazed to see them so close that I totally forgot to take a photo (photo is them in their enclosure).  During the two day event several of our ladies from my knit group stopped by to knit and chat. We were fortunate to be located right next to a lovely lady ‘wool spinner’ named June who offered to give me some lessons on learning to spin wool.

(I declined…spinning wheels start at over $100 and the actual spinning takes time and dedication to produce uniform yarn). We were also well-fed, as the society president gave us all food vouchers for each day. We feasted on hot dogs, pop or water, coffee & donuts AND wonderful strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream! (My friends were teasing me that I chose to eat my dessert first!…I’m no dummy: “Life’s short-eat dessert first!”)

OK-I’ve mentioned the ‘beasties’ (alpacas) and knitting…all that’s left is “THE BELL”! To say that a small brass bell could easily drive a sane person crazy is putting it mildly.  Located right next to our pavilion was a lovely donated wooden train, made for children to play on. Located in the engine compartment was said bell, which all children (and some adults) could not stop themselves from ringing…over and over and over…ad infinitum.

the “offending bell”

There was a wonderful 80 piece band consisting of mostly senior citizens with some high schoolers in the mix who played long sets of a huge variety of music from Cole Porter, to “Stars and Stripes Forever” and a little modern music thrown in, as well. We had gorgeous weather, a great location (our pavilion was right next to the river so we got a nice breeze both days) and a very enjoyable experience.  All of my group said that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and will all be back to volunteer again next year…me included.

Hope you had a great weekend;

Hugs;

Pammie

185 and Going Strong!

Dan Smither, “Key of Hope” director, Durban, S. Africa and me, “grammiepammie”   6/24/09

Last night I was able to ‘connect’ with Dan, who’s home from S. Africa on a 10 day ‘fund raising’ trip, working on two “golf outings” in one week. He’s a very busy person!  Was able to deliver another 22 afghans for his ministry, bringing the total for S. Africa to 73. Grand total of all afghans, Ghana & S. Africa:  185. After more phone calls & emails, looks like the newspaper article will be published some time next week. The reporter was interested  in speaking to Dan to get his view on the connection between my afghan  ministry and his in S. Africa with the parentless children.  I will attempt to try to copy the article here on the blog, when it comes out.

When I look back on the past two years and actually think about the number of afghans delivered it totally amazes me. If it weren’t for the help of so many wonderful people, this ministry would never have lasted as long as it has. For all of you who have had a part in it, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hugs;

Pammie

Trying my best…

Ever have one of THOSE days?

to keep my head above water this week; it’s shaping up to be another ‘crazy week’…sigh.  Let’s see…where do I start? Yesterday afternoon found me chatting with a lovely young lady via phone (I’m guessing in her 20’s) who is a Intern for our local paper. It seems the article for “The Ghana Project” has been laid in her lap; my friend the reporter who originally wanted to write the article is now too busy with her own business, and the lady to whom the article NEXT passed…passed it on to this young lady. Perhaps NOW it will be written. Not trying to toot my own horn here, just hoping it might generate some local involvement. This evening is my Special Needs group (Friends Group) and my friend Dan Smither of “Key of Hope Ministries” in Durban, S. Africa will be dropping by (he’s home for a week). I’m taking my camera to get a photo of the two of us and one of the afghans. (Actually, he’s stopping by to pick up 22 afghans; I put together 19 and a friend from church donated three crocheted afghans her granddaughter did). I’ll post the photo soon.

Last night was also my Knit Night group; was trying to coordinate the members for our group’s involvement in a local event: “Waterford Historical Society’s ‘Log Cabin Days’ this coming Saturday and Sunday. The President of the society (and a member of my group) has asked our members to ‘Come knit/crochet!”; it seems this whole Log Cabin Days is a two day affair recreating events/happenings/and demonstrations of ‘things from days gone by’…like knitting, crochet, tatting, quilting, loom weaving, wood carving, etc. They will also have a three-day Civil War encampment on the grounds, so that ought to be interesting! There’s even alpacas, from a local farm (I can’t wait…really want to see them!). We are to come for however long we wish and just knit/crochet “in public”… sounds like fun to me! The President even arranged for us to be in the pavilion (not sweltering under a tent outside) so I’m anxious to be a part of it. I’m thinking I’ll go Saturday morning and maybe Sunday afternoon (it’s 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days). Since I love to just knit & chat, what could be more fun? OH! I can also bring along the Ghana Project information to have  ‘out on the table’, so that’s another good thing! I also have a baby shower Saturday at noon but I’m thinking I’m going to purchase a present and deliver it to their house Friday, thus freeing up my Saturday. Like I said, it’s turning into another crazy week.

Last night found me feeding extra teens (spaghetti & garlic bread leftovers) as middle son decided to ‘make an event’ of the premier of the new “Transformers” movie, thus I had extra teens hanging out at our house before the midnight showing. Yep, it’s been crazy around here.

Hope your week is shaping up as you had planned; our weather is supposed to be a ’scorcher’ today ( in the 90’s!), even received a weather bulletin email about Severe Heat Levels today. I’m planning on staying inside (and catching up on laundry, paperwork, and Friends Group newsletter business) and keeping cool…at least until I have to leave for Friends Group around 6 p.m.

Stay cool!

Hugs;

Pammie