The Flowers In My Life's Garden

The flowers in my life's garden are my family and friends.

I know I speak of them often. But I continue to learn new lessons in Life and I pass them on as a token of my love and appreciation to the people that bless my days. Not just any old Monday when come home tired and want to blah, blah, blah on the phone. Not a month from now when we're still saying "we need to set a date to get together". 

But at a time when I'm struck down after a surgery and truly need help. 

In March I had both knees replaced and I have to admit - I'm an impatient patient! 

I was house bound, stuck in bed for hours on end and four walls did not suit me well. Pain medication had the side effect of making me cry at the change of a tv channel and I did not like it. My son Todd would talk to me with humor and patience and I will be forever grateful for those calls. My cousin Linda came to visit and as my sister of the heart, just said and gabbed with me about summer coming and the beach. Our favorite time together.

Friends called, send cards, texted, emailed. Neighbors stopped in. My sweet son Matt and his wife Connie sent me the most beautiful scarf from Thailand. My Mom called every day and gave me pep talks about the patience of healing. I prayed alone, I prayed holding the hands of some very good friends. 

Not one of my friends hesitated when it came to offering a ride to the doctor's. Yogurt arrived, fruit appeared in the refrig., flowers bloomed all over!

Finally, I'll get to the point....

What I learned in this time of healing, when I had to depend on others so very much, was true friendship. Selfless friendship. The kind that will always make me endeavor to be a better person in a deeper more meaningful way to others. Because it wasn't about what was easy for them, it was what they could do for me. 

They laid in bed with me and watched tv because I couldn't get up and down the stairs. They flipped through magazines or read next to me to take up a lonely hour of my day. One even helped me off the darn toilet when my two legs wouldn't seem to cooperate at the same time!  My kids brought Easter dinner to the house, cleaned up and left a huge feeling of  "I love you Mom" behind.

And this is just a drop in the bucket as to how blessed I feel about the beautiful people in 

my Life's garden of 

friendship!   Mom* Jennifer

A Chick Trying To Keep Toasty!

bleh!

i know i say it over and over but with snow coming our way mid week... i do not like winter... bleh! if it snows a lot they'll call a "snow day" and I won't have to go in to work since I work in a high school health room = that's cool.

 i just saw a whole slew of baby chicks and ducks at a farm store this weekend and they were so sweet! all yellow and fluffy, peeping like mad. clustered together with children looking in the pens so enthralled at these babies. so was i.

they were much sweeter than these pictures!

then i've been looking for different ideas for a friend of mine for things to make with peeps...

photo by Rich 2eat2drink  :)

i don't eat anything marshmallow...

but i thought this was very cool!

i'll be in the hospital/rehab during Easter break but i can do without the candy anyway.

and the true meaning of Easter is what it's all about for me. you might not see very many posts for a while...but i'll be thinking good thoughts. hugs, jennifer

What's Gives You The Warm Fuzzies?

The definition of JOY....

¹joy

 noun \ˈjȯi\

1

a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires :delight

b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety

2

: a state of happiness or felicity : bliss

3

: a source or cause of delight

— joy·less  adjective

— joy·less·ly adverb

— joy·less·ness noun

beatitude, blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, felicity,gladness, happiness, warm fuzzies


So what floats your boats? Big things, little things? Family, quiet time? The love of a good book? Do you collect something special? Have a favorite vacation spot? What color makes you smile? When you go out to dinner = what cuisine is your top choice?

1. beach
2. swimming
3. antiquing
4. good music
5. great book
6. family always
7. quiet time is cool
8. I collect beachy things
9. Robin's Egg Blue & White
10. Thai

That's a brief list.... of my bliss.

I can't say I crave shoes...

no heights for me...

the joy of happy kids... mmm hmmm

black labs are my fav!

friendship is a gift I cherish

and I have amazing women in my life that are very 

strong and funny!

there are still many beaches I have yet to chill on...

Sanibel Island and Key West are on my list!

so who, what, where make you sigh, smile or giggle?

I'd love a comment or two. Jenn

head over heels with 

Happiness?

The Warmth of Colors and Giving

I had such a wonderful time this year canning. I made old favorites like apple sauce, peach and blueberry jam, wet walnuts. Then I tried new recipes like Holiday Jam and Carrot Cake Jam thanks to talented canners that love to share! I was very pleased with a lot of the recipes I tried. I didn't get to try some I still intend to make. I made mini sprinkle packs and my kids and I assembled gift packs for our friends of "Make Your Own Sundaes" for Christmas gifts that included Maraschino cherries, wet walnuts, strawberry topping, waffle cone bowls and some jams. Below is one of the recipes we really enjoyed.

Carrot Cake Jam

1-1/2 cups finely grated peeled carrots
1-1/2 cups chopped cored peeled pears
1-3/4 cups chopped pineapple, including juice
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
6 Tbsp Ball^® RealFruit^® Classic Pectin
6-1/2 cups sugar
6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Directions:

1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
2.) COMBINE carrots, pears, pineapple with juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in pectin until dissolved. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring frequently.
3.) ADD sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.
4.) LADLE hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.
5.) PROCESS in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

What I really like about this recipe is that you can make it and gift it any time of the year!

Carrots are very easy to buy and versatile for soups, roasting, baking and just plain snacking. 

Nothing is insurmountable!

One Step Closer To Summer!

These blue eyes are telling you that 

Summer will be here before we know it!

playin' in the grass, lickin' ice cream cones

Summer!

sittin' on the beach...

ANY beach...

Summer!

I've been roasting every vegetable imaginable,

trying new recipes, 

being thankful for the beauty 

God presents every day

getting ready for bilateral knee 

replacement in March - and no, 

haven't worn heels in many a moon 

and the surgeries won't change a thang!

I'm more a barefoot gal. 

I love my life.

I have moments, even in the Winter 

when I say say "thank you Lord

for the wonder of it all"

and if I'm down....

I phone a friend (and make the recipe below)

 read a book, or go to Home Goods!

Winter Drearies Tamarind Margarita

For those of you who want to make a blended tamarind margarita, here is a recipe that is very easy and has been very good. I use a tamarind paste (concentrate) instead of fresh tamarinds, which eliminates cooking, straining, sweetening, and other cumbersome steps. It may not be quite as good, but it's damn close.

Tamarind Margarita
2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1 oz tamarind paste (concentrate)
1 oz simple sugar
2-3 cups ice

Combine in blender and blend until smooth. Rim glasses with chile salt. Serves 2-3.


Notes
Vary the amount of tequila based on how strong you want your drinks. The tamarind is overpowering and you probably won't taste much of the tequila.

Look for tamarind paste in Indian or Mexican markets. I use "Mr. Manish Tamarind Paste" purchased from an Indian grocery store, which contains only tamarind extract.

You may find 1 oz of tamarind paste to be a little too much. I like bold flavor and the tartness, but experiment to find the amount you like best.

Don't over blend  You want to crush the ice but still keep a somewhat watery drink. If you blend too long, the drink becomes too thick and looks kind of unappealing because of the brown color (use your imagination). 

Life isn't always a bowl of cherries

but a good Margarita recipe

ain't half bad!

heeheheehee!

There's Always Hope...

There's hope...

but in the meantime... I continue with my projects

throwing crap out

donating books to Am-vets

washing woodwork and windows

bought some new bath towels

wishing I was in need of a beach towel... at the beach

getting rid of old clothes that I haven't worn, thought I'd wear, didn't wear

trying not to be overwhelmed by lists of stuff to do

eating Pho with friends (Vietnamese)

wanting have some Bibimbap....at a Korean restaurant
and having Korean food with my kids....

enjoying nature

and feeding the birdies

taking care of me by...

going to Massage Envy when times allows

and being thankful!