the morning of the swap meet

So the boys left early this morning for the annual Super Bowl Sunday Swap Meet at the fair grounds.  Shaun's advice to Country was to make a list of things you are looking for so's you don't forget things you need.  Sounds like us girls when we are headed to the flea market or BellBuckle!  Boys.. and car parts... I was invited but since my normal getting up time is 4:45 A.M. during the week I thought I'd opt out on the 5 A.M. alarm.  Wouldn't you know once he got up I couldn't go back to sleep.  My thoughts were that I deserve a special breakfast on the Swap Meet Sunday. 

I made a small and easy batch of lemon curd from THIS recipe (that I halved).  Let it sit in the fridge for an hour while I started laundry and sang songs as loud as I pleased.  Then I found an easy crepe recipe in my Better Homes cook book.  I popped some bacon in the oven, got out my skillet and warmed it for the crepes, sliced blueberries and got out my teeny sifter for the powdered sugar.  The crepes are fast and fun to make.  You just pour the batter into a warm slightly greased skillet and let it sit for a few minutes and they are done.  I placed one on a plate, spread out some lemon curd at one end, added fresh blueberries , flipped the other side over to cover and gave it a sprinkling of powdered sugar.  By then the bacon was done and I proceeded to have the most girly breakfast I could think of while savoring every bite.  Of course Katie Bug got a little of the bacon.  Sweetie pie.

This is my current favorite song to sing as loud as I please.

Wheelin in the new year

We took our annual four wheeling trip to the mountains over New Year's weekend. 

We camped this year in our Scotty.  It was cold and it snowed and sleeted a little.  We ate good and enjoyed each other's company for sure.  Heck of a way to bring in the new year... again!

We went to Brimstone in Huntsville, Tennessee.  Hell of a time!  Great riding!

I love this picture of him.

hooking them together

our pal Rhino

Slim.

Larry & Ole Dad

Glennard

Glennard & Mississippi

Hum... I reckon Vicky doesn't have a nickname

Glennard lost a wheel

And for your viewing pleasure....

Around Here

Yesterday was Sunday.  I went for a walk through the woods.  Even though it was bitterly cold.  I was sweating coming up Butterfly Hill.  It's funny how a short walk to see what's going on in the woods can be just what I need.  I even found mushrooms growing.  Most of the creek was frozen on top.  The sound the water makes bubbling through under the ice is relaxing.  One more day towards Spring is the way I look at it.  I know what's hiding under the leaves and snow.  It's still amazing... just like this.....

literally

Hello friends and Merry Christmas!  I have recently found a few likes at the library.  It excites me so.  My favorite new passion is for Christy Jordan's southern cooking cookbooks.  I just got Southern Plate over the weekend from the library and have already made five recipes out of it.  All of them turning out fantastically.  I have to share that tonight I made the squash casserole and steak and milk gravy.  The casserole was awesome but when I drizzled the gravy over  broken up white bread it truly brought back memories of my Mom making gravy with supper.  Oh the way that tastes is shear heaven on a plate.  If you are in a bit of a cooking rut... making the same things mainly because you can remember all of the ingredients by heart and make the dish without a recipe... not that that ain't good... it may be time to shake it up back to your roots.  Grab one of her.  You will not hate yourself I promise.

I've also taken to watching Modern Family in my kitchen nook.  I've seen several seasons sitting here on the counter.  I think Phil is just about my favorite character.  I do love them all.  Sometimes I wish I could remember some of the funny stuff they say and apply it to some conversation to make someone laugh but I never can.

M.C. Beaton... not long ago I was really into reading the Hamish MacBeth stories by M.C. Beaton and still am!  BUT... recently, while browsing the author's books for something centered around Christmas, I checked out on of her Agatha Raisin mysteries instead of my Hamish ones.  I lack finishing the last chapter right now and even though Christmas is just this weekend I will still love the next one I have ready for pick up right now.

The author, Christy Jordan, is apparently good friends with the author of the other cookbook listed... The Southern Bite.  I can only assume at this point what this one is about.  Hopefully it will be just as good as hers and every bit as inspiring.  I love a good cookbook that gives new life to ingredients I normally have on hand.

Botanical Style... I really can't wait to gawk over the pictures in this book.  I forgot until tonight that I had it on my wait list.  I can't remember what blog.... wait... yes I can... nope.. wrong.  I thought it was THIS one.  I love her gift guides.  Anyway.. maybe it will at least inspire me to water my plants more and give them more love.  It's like this.. I've had some of them for so long I think they are old enough to water themselves.  At least Juanita lets me know when she's thirsty.  I have seriously had that plant for twenty three years.  There's a picture of her HERE oh and apparently I forgot at some point that her name was Lola... I've called the dang thing Juanita for the last four I know... HERE she is getting a new pot.  What an oddball!

I seriously hope you each have a wonderful Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!