Mashed Potato King

I am married to the mashed potato king!

My husband is from the Midwest... Missouri in fact...just like dear Terri, and is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. I am Southern and by all rights should love mashed potatoes but I don't.....much. I prefer rice any day!

Ron would eat mashed potatoes everyday if I would serve them to him. It amazes me that he NEVER seems to tire of them. What am I to do...I swear he is going to turn into a bowl of mashed potatoes. Ha!

He just called and said he would surely love mashed potatoes for dinner. Acccckkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!

Oodles of Noodles

This is such a comforting recipe...hope you like it.

Oodles of Noodles

1 (49 1/2 oz) can chicken broth

2 cups cubed, cooked chicken

1/2 cup coarsely chopped carrots

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 bay leaf

6 oz uncooked egg noodles

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup water

salt and pepper to taste

Minced fresh parsley for garnish

In a large saucepan, combine the broth, chicken, carrots, celery, onion, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the noodles and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the flour with the water until smooth. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the soup; cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf and garnish with parsley.

Makes 8 servings

Flower Therapy

I need flower therapy today. What is that, you ask?

You have heard of shopping therapy, right....well that doesn't do it for me so much but flowers...oh that is another story!My soul needs a bit of soothing and I plan on going out this afternoon and buying some flowers for the cart in my front yard. It is a little antique cart that sits close to our front door and I load it down with flowers several times a year. I can do this now because I live in Florida. If we have any 'real' cold, I can put the containers in the garage.

You cannot believe how these flowers hold the power to elevate my mood...it is amazing. They speak to my very soul.Think I will try and find some happy little flowers in pink and yellow...yes, that is the plan. I am smiling already.

Golden Moments

Years ago I started using the term 'Golden Moments' when everything was right...mostly in the house. Those moments are sweet beyond belief and I certainly feel all is right with the world when I am having a 'Golden Moment.' I am one of those women who cannot think straight, or at all, when my house is disordered; I become cranky and out of sorts. Disorder makes me nuts to put it bluntly.....ha!

So today I am moving some things around....so important as we stop seeing something if it is not changed. You look but you don't truly see anymore and seeing is appreciating. My things will become 'new' to me because I am 'seeing' them all over again.

Golden Moments....here I come!

It's a Dog's Life!

This is Annie and Missy doing their favorite thing....

sleeping. Don't they have the life?

How Sweet It Is!

How sweet it is to have a clean house.

Ron had to work unexpectedly today and it was too last minute to make plans with friends...so I decided to clean and pretty-up the house.I put on some quiet music and lit a Shortbread Cookie Candle by Yankee to fragrance the house....ooooo, how nice. Then I started in....first with the kitchen and then the porch...yes, it is finally warm enough to clean outside. Yay!!!!!

I have some new pillows and plants for the back porch and I put those out...there is a glimpse above (with Missy making herself comfortable.) I am shooting for a cottage look on the back porch and I want it to be as comfy as possible. Then on to the bedrooms and finally the bathrooms...cleaning those is not my favorite thing to do. Ha. But, I sure love the finished product! Yes!

Now, I'm settling back and waiting for Ron to come home. He doesn't know it but he's taking me to dinner. I'm pooped...heheheh

Spring on the Brain

It is cold in Florida and I don't like it one little bit. Ha. We hardly ever go below 50 degrees and it is way below that right now! So....I have spring on my mind.

I am a forward thinker (always have been) and I'm already planning my spring decor. It makes me happy and warmer! Here is a glimpse of my spring mantel in the kitchen from last year.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Last weekend Ron and I made our annual trek over to Plant City for the strawberries. Since I live in Florida, they are harvested early. Yay!!!! Wow, they are so delicious and I have been making strawberry shortcake and strawberry filled desserts all week.

Since I have to be so careful with sugar, I eat them straight out of the box. Just too yummy. Here is a pic from a couple of years ago; we are going back this weekend.

A Space of One's Own

As I sit in my tiny sitting, that I have rearranged today, I am reminded how nurturing it is to hve a space of one's own.

I have a small desk in here where I have placed my laptop, a couple of comfy wingback chairs (after all, I like Ron to visit from time to time) and an ottoman for putting my feet up and a wall of books. Did I say I was in heaven? How could a small space give back so much to my peace of mind? I don't know, but it most certainly does.

If you don't have a space of your own....carve one out today. It will be worth every bit of effort you put out. Make it yours and decorate it to suit you and only you. You will be repaid with a smile on your face everytime you walk out of your own space.

Inspired Reading

Alexandra Stoddard's You Are Your Choices is an excellent book to read and mull over. It will open your eyes to your possibilities and make you start thinking about your life.

I am a huge Stoddard fan having over 23 of her wonderful books and cannot recommend them highly enough.