A Child-Like Heart

Good morning viewers! This past weekend goes in the good book of weekends. I helped out at the turkey shoot, hung laundry on the line Saturday and Sunday, hung out with friends, baked and cooked but my favorite was what my Mr. did for me.

Yesterday I woke up talking about a rope swing. After breakfast Shaun headed out to his shop and I thought he was just going out to work. I walked out there and low and behold he was cutting a seat for my new swing. We walked around and finally picked out a good tree, which was not the one I had intended because the branch didn't go out far enough. After several attempts at throwing the rope over the branch the rope swing was tied up and secure enough for the maiden voyage. I took a turn and my Mr. took a turn (I took pictures of him but was told not to put them on ebay... or mypage). I swung for a little bit and then went back to my Sunday doings.
Later on I went back out by myself. The swinging was wonderful. The breeze felt perfectly cool and the sky in front of my feet felt touchable. I have always loved to swing but this time it made me feel like I was too old to be doing this. What is inside of me that made me want this swing in the first place? There aren't any children here to use it. I caught Shaun watching me and thought.. what is he thinking? Does he think I'm too old for this too? I got off the swing and went back inside.

After Shaun left to go hunting I went back out to the swing and as the sun went down my thoughts were settling down. It's OK to let your inner child out. If you keep it inside and never let your actions show that your youth is still in there it will get lost. It feels good to the soul to jump, run, swim, scream, laugh and even swing.

What is your inner child asking for?

Coconut Goodies

Enough already!!! Let's get to the sweet stuff!

If you stop by my house on a Sunday afternoon you are likely to smell something sweet coming from the kitchen. My "Sunday sweet tooth" kicks in about mid day. Sometimes it's just because I want to spend time in my kitchen creating something. Sometimes it is so we'll have something sweet for our lunches during the week. Regardless of the reason for making it, it's generally there.

This past weekend was no exception. Sunday afternoon rolled around and the cravings began. I looked around to see what I had, which was slim pickins in my opinion. I did manage to find three half used bags of coconut in the freezer so my recipe search began. I went to my old faithful, red and white checkered, Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and located an easy recipe for Coconut Macaroons. They turned out so good and tasty that I thought I'd share them with you.

Coconut Macaroons

2 egg whites (by the way you can freeze the yolks for use later)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a medium mixing bowl beat egg whites and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold in coconut. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheets two inches apart. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies onto wire rack to let cool. Makes about 30 cookies.

These cookies are so light and just a tad crunchy around the edges and taste so good. I snuck a sackful into my Mr.'s lunchbox today after he had made his lunch. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised come lunchtime.

Fall Gardening

HHEEYY YYOOUU GGUUUUYYYS!!! Anyone remember that from The Electric Company? That was a kid show on public television when I was a child. Did you know that youtube.com has some of the clips from the show? Well they do and for a real flashback you can check it out. I didn't realize until a bit ago that Morgan Freeman, the actor, was on The Electric Company! I have loved his work as an adult but had no idea I watched him as a kid. Neato.


Today I was going through "my favorites" on my flickr page to pick my daily wallpaper and got a little inspiration for keeping my summer plants, well at least some of them. I have had two six-packs of pansies sitting by my planter here at work for a week just waiting for me to plant them. I had petunias and a geranium planted there all summer. Sometimes I just hate to throw out my old plants especially when they still have a bloom or two. I decided that the petunias would go but I would re-pot the geranium and bring it in for the winter. So that's what I did.


There are several plants that will survive inside during the winter months and can be re-potted or put back outside in the spring. Geraniums are one of those. They may not bloom inside but rest assured they will next year when they go back outside. Also they need to be kept watered so they don't dry out with the central heat and dryness of the great indoors.


One other gardening tip. I have a bulb planter (or two) that I bought several years ago... why I have two I have not a clue. They are very handy to use when planting more than just bulbs. It is very easy to separate store bought plants from their six packs and dig a quick hole. I changed out the plants here at work in about 10 minutes. It is a very handy and inexpensive way to plant.

P.S. Don't forget to bring in any plants that you still have outside, inside tonight. I heard on the weather forecast this morning that they are to expect a freeze tonight in Nashville so you know what that means for us on the hill. Even if your plants are covered by a porch it's the temperature that will get them. Plants like aloe vera and tropical varieties won't be the same if left out. Just when my orchid was trying to bloom!

What's For Lunch?

Hello All! I hope everyone had a wonderful, safe and spooky Halloween weekend. I sure have enjoyed the beautiful full moon that was still looming outside my bathroom window this morning. Aside from all the candy that was consumed this weekend... yes by you... I wanted to pass on a healthier lunch that you can try.. minus the candy. It can be prepared ahead of time for at least three lunches for yourself during the work week. This is one that I made up so bear with me while I explain.

Workday Lunch

White Rice
Broccoli (1 bunch, usually 3 heads, washed)
Water
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Butter
Wheat Crackers (or whatever your favorite healthy cracker is)
Half of an Apple Sliced

In 3 microwavable containers, pour in 3 Tablespoons of plain white rice into each container. Next add one head of broccoli to each bowl just using the tops and stems. Add a couple of dashes of lemon pepper seasoning (sometimes I use dill also). Add just a sliver or two of butter (this can be omitted.) Put the lids on the containers and store in the refrigerator.

At lunchtime, at home or work, add enough water to cover the rice and then just a tinch more. Heat on high for a minute and a half with the cover on but not sealed... just laying on top. Let sit for one minute to let the water absorb into the rice. If you have too much water you can drain it off. Have a half of an apple sliced, some wheat crackers, maybe even some sliced cheddar on the crackers and a bottle of water. It's a quick, easy and healthy lunch that I hope you enjoy!