Making Vows

January 23, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 8 Comments

Last month, as most of you know, I married Steve. We made vows to one another. And we put inscriptions inside our rings that we didn’t let one another know until the ceremony. So in the pictures on the left and the right are as we are putting on the rings and telling the inscriptions. Good stuff. I almost forgot mine! Had to start over!

Yesterday was our one month anniversary. I had mentioned to Steve last week that it was coming up and what was he going to get me. Can you say freaked out!?! His mind was racing about what kind of gift a person gets their spouse for a one-month anniversary.

I love doing things like that.

After giving him a few seconds of pure panic, I told him I had his all picked out, knew just what I was getting him. His eyes were huge!!! At that point I couldn’t hold it together any longer and told him what his was. You are not privy to that little tidbit of knowledge, but he was very relieved that he didn’t have to go out and purchase a gift. And lest you let your mind get in the gutter… it was something as benign as tickling a child’s back.

Beginning the new year always sets our minds in motion for making vows we want to keep throughout the year. My friend, Jodi Duncan, an awesome flower gal, has a blog/website (it’s in my blogroll on the right) with the perfect quote for beginning the year:

This year I am vowing to write some better quality material for my blog, some stuff that takes a little research, that is close to my heart; as well as write some of the same stuff: family, tidbits, and, of course, food!

The cooking abounds around here. I should have been documenting this with pictures because it has come out beautifully although one was a recipe from the back of the lasagna box instead of my saved, valuable magazine recipes. Maybe I should put them in a safe? And there was the beef roast that I doctored up a bit that came out great… along with the gravy!! The pecan pie was eaten in two days as were the apple dumplings. Pecan pie recipe came from the Karo syrup bottle and the apple dumplings came from this neat little book on apples that I have although I just used Pillsbury rolled pie dough.

My Bible is out and so are one of the numerous Bible study books that I have. This year I am going to do at least some of them. There are other vows as well that I won’t go into detail about because, well, you should all have some of your own. So far I am keeping them, working toward them in baby steps.

Vows are good. Especially when we adhere to them, give them the importance they deserve in our hearts and minds.

Did you make any vows this year? Pledge to do something, not do something?

The Schwinn

January 12, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 8 Comments

Ain’t she a beauty?!?! The HHH (Hilton Head Hogbottoms) brought this down to me last night for a little bridal shower my sister asked me to host for myself. I thought that was a little strange. Maybe something new they were doing nowadays. Those shower thingies are always changing in the way they’re done, so I said, sure, ya’ll come.

So I washed and even pressed the tablecloth; got out the cute girlie dishes I had purchased forever ago and had never used; got out my super dainty super fragile tea cups and dishes as well. Out came the Gooseberry Patch Tea Time Book for a great egg salad recipe. It has lots of good ideas, but I only had time for the egg salad (which was very tasty I might add). Next came the Savannah Bee Winter White honey. All I can say is order it now before it’s gone. We ate half a jar of the tallest they sell which is small but still quite a bit of honey for only four of the HHHes. I’m fairly certain it’s not a year-round item; that it’s only available certain times of the year.

waiting on the ladies

Since my paper napkins were just so darned cute, I opted to use them instead of the normal cloth ones. After all, the HHHes weren’t really going to care. It’s more about the dresses and the hats.

the gals in their finery

Every once in awhile the little girl in us just has a conniption fit to come out and play, so we drag out any of our old or new fancy dresses and shoes or go to the Goodwill and buy us a brand-spankin’ used new one. I have a variety of vintage hats, a couple of newer ones, and some gloves. We doody up with make-up and jewels and get together for some girl/woman talk and fun.

We drink delicious hot tea with the grounds caught in a silver tea strainer as it goes into the cup and eat yummy tea sandwiches or other concoctions on fancy little crackers.

having tea with some of my best friendsthe

It’s fantastic!!

So when I saw who I thought was Matilda Hogbottom riding a bicycle down the road toward the house, I couldn’t imagine what in the world was going on. Darla had come to the door and said, “Come on out here, you’ve got to see the girls.” Were they lined up along the drive or what? I was expecting four of them. There was Terah and Darla in all their finery, but where was Geri (turns out she had an emergency) and Lisa? That’s when I saw Matilda riding her bike down the dark road. Perplexed does not even come close to what I was feeling… but I knew it was going to be good.

Matilda/Lisa

Turns out it wasn’t Matilda at all but her alter ego Lisa! And she was on one of those beach bikes I have been coveting ever since the Hilton Head trip last year when I rode all over the place on one of them. I forced all the gals (all but Geri; she stood firm) to rent one, and we rode on the beach, all over. It was great, so they’re all in (except for Geri) this summer to get one and ride again. On one of the bike excursions we ran into the guy who owns them and asked where to buy one because I was definitely going to get me one. Loaded with the information I got on the internet and drooled all over the computer looking at them before I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t justify buying it. After all, I have a good bike albeit skinny wheels, hand brakes, nothing like the one I was coveting.

And here was Lisa riding one!! To the fancy bridal shower!! I was so shocked and excited for her that it never dawned on me that it was rather odd her riding that bike to my house (of course they had let her out just a block up the street). “Lisa! You got one of those bikes!” Sometimes I wonder about myself.

Turns out that wonderful bike was for me! They had been planning it ever since last July while we were still on the island, while I was still going on and on about going to get me one of those, while I was riding all over the place on the rental. My bridal shower gift!!

getting ready to try the little baby out

As much as I love that bike, I love my Hilton Head gals so much more. They are the bomb… especially with a french roll!

elegant french rolls

I am a blessed woman! Thank you HHH gals!!

Today is Stew Day

January 7, 2013 / apronsandappetites.com / 4 Comments

No, there’s not a lot of cooking going on today. Just a mixture of stuff to do all thrown in together. A stew day: things to finish from yesterday, some stuff needing to be done today, a couple of phone calls, a bit of mail, whatever else I can find that needs to be thrown into the “to do” pot.

Like making a post on my poor, neglected blog. It gets to be first because at the moment it’s in the wee morning hours which makes me want a quiet, reflective project. I’ve been blogging for quite a while now, sporadically these last months, this last year… which means, I have been blogging about two years now. Is that right? I guess so. A goal I set and reached!!

eeeeek!

My Christmas mice were back in 2010, I believe. My first cooking project, so to speak. To read about the adorable (yuck) little creatures, type “mice” into the search box on the right side. Or any other topic you might be curious about. It’s a bit of a hodgepodge blog.

A lot has happened in those two years: a new baby in the family, a marriage, a son still battling with drug addiction and back to prison, divorce, job changes, good memories as well as things that break the heart. Just to name a few.

In starting out my new year, my third year to blog, what should I write about? What should I say that would be of any interest to anyone but me?

It’s a stew day; a stew blog. An aprons and appetites kind of post: some memories that make me hungry to know the rest of the story; some memories that make me wipe my eyes with tears of sadness and tears from laughter. A time to throw my apron over my head and talk to God as Susannah Wesley used to do: thank Him, petition Him, praise Him.

I’m wondering what kind of memories people made this year, whether intentional or perchance, whether wonderful or distressful. Were you all happy this past year? Were you heart-broken? What are your plans this year?

My sis is planning a big family vacation to Disney at the end of the year. Good plans. Good memories.

I am planning on remodeling my bathroom. Somehow, that just doesn’t sound quite as much fun.

TIS THE SEASON!!!!

December 29, 2012December 29, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 8 Comments

Tis the season for wonderful, exciting things to happen.

Since I’ve been sort of busy these last few months, and have let my little baby blog sit to entertain itself, I will try to give you some wonderful, exciting stuff today.

It’s been the season to mess up the house, the kitchen, the basement rec room. It’s Christmas!! Time to have the grandgirls over for cookie making and decorating: aprons, butter, flour, eggs, sugar, food coloring, cookie cutters, gingerbread house kits with all the itty bitty candies that go with it, gingerbread men full of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves.

WHAT A MESS!!

cutting out the cookies

measuring, mixing, stirring…

cookies and cupcakes to decorate!

my sweet Kate

taste testing

making the gingerbread house

building her house

We’ve decorated the grandgirl Christmas tree down in the rec room with all the fun ornaments: soft ice cream cones, all the characters from the Christmas cartoon movie Rudolph, red-nosed Rudolf, right under the manger scene ornament, colorful beads. There was Christmas paraphernalia from one end of that room to the other!!

my little elves

Tis the Season

one of her favorite gifts!!!

they love to rip off the paper!!

ready to go to the next phase of Christmas. Kate says Christmas is busy!!!!

We still have to catch up on our Advent Soldier. He needed a little repair this year, and hasn’t come back from the Old Soldier Hospital yet. (I HAVE GOT to do that TODAY!) The reindeer with the bells on his antlers is sitting patiently for his turn to get new batteries so he can sing and jingle away. We’ve already got the manger scene out front; the girls carrying all the parties to that wonderful event out to the stable, placing them just so-so, right where they thought they should be. Baby Jesus getting the center spot, of course. They have oohed and aahed at everything else I’ve done without them.

This is the time of year to give to those people who are down on their luck, feeling hopeless, lost their jobs, have no one. It’s the time to give monetarily as well as personally, with time to do something for someone, an ear to listen, a piece of wisdom to let them take to heart, a homemade goodie for an empty tummy or an empty soul.

It’s the season for snow!!!! We got at least ten inches!

let it snow… let it snow…. let it snow

blading the snow off the driveway

it looks a lot different in the summer!

the stable was blown down; we fixed that. Then the snow covered them.

It’s been a good Christmas. Gifts! Snow! And…

Steve and Brenda Wood

I got married!!!

Our Best Gift for Christmas this Year!

December 5, 2012December 5, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 2 Comments

Some years are just better than others. This is one of those years. Good things are happening to make us smile. And this little gal is one of the best:

Her name is Nia Martin, the daughter of Wes and Amanda Martin, born the 6th (I think) of November. She has grown so much in just a month!

We love her beyond words. Her brother and sister are totally in love with her! The cousins especially love her. Sam told his daddy that he is even willing to give up all his Christmas presents this year if they can get a baby like Nia. As the boys were discussing this with their Mawmaw Dar, she pointed out that not all babies are as good as Nia is. And Jack piped in that they sure wouldn’t want to end up with one like Maci. The screamer. Ms. Bossy Britches. Lover of Little Nia.

Who knows? Maybe with a little tutoring Nia will turn out just like her big sister Maci, and the boys won’t quite be so happy with her then.

Cooking for the Hogbottoms

December 1, 2012December 1, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 9 Comments

WOW!!!! What happened while I was away? My last post was November 4. Since my stats haven’t been all that great, I just don’t check them like I used to check them. So today when I got on here and did a quick check, it said my highest day was 408!! Say what?!?! That was on November 15, a Thursday. Normally, it’s around 100.

So what happened? I didn’t get Freshly Pressed. Or if I did no one left any congratulatory messages on my email or post. Was Momma’s soup so tasty looking that people all over the world were referred to my blog to look at the photos or try to get the recipe? It’s crazy good! I love love it!

And playing off the fact that just maybe it was the dandy soup that did it, here is the recipe in my Aunt Biddy’s handwriting:

This is just the BEST soup ever!!!

And since I’ve been cooking (my friend tells me I’m nesting) (will explain that another day), I had the Hogbottoms over for a book club breakfast this morning. We ate heartily and discussed heartily which books we are going to read next year. Below are the recipes from the breakfast. They were all great!

The last thing to do for this bread is make a glaze from confectioners’ sugar and 1 TBSP lemon juice. Drizzle over cooled bread.

We had Sausage, Spinach and Swiss Strata which was also very tasty.

I used 8 eggs instead of 4 eggs and 4 egg whites as well as some whole wheat bread. The only spinach I had was fresh, so I cooked that and added what I thought was a 10-ounce package and added an extra bit of the turkey sausage as well. I also topped the strata for the last ten minutes of baking time with halved cherry tomatoes as well as the Swiss cheese. Turned out just right for a Christmas breakfast.

These Ham and Egg Breakfast Cups were a big hit… and so so easy to make:

Last but not least were the steel cut oats. The easy method, and my only method, is 1/2 cup per 1 cup of water and stick in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Deeelish!! Pour some Savannah Bee Orange Blossom or Tupelo honey over it and double YUM!!

Add some bananas and red seedless grapes and orange slices along with milk, o.j., and coffee for the final touches.

And a good time was had by all… especially since the Hogbottoms did my dishes. I love those gals!!

Making Momma’s Soup

November 4, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 7 Comments

It’s soup season!! All over Facebook people are making chili and soup. Yesterday I made Mom’s vegetable beef soup from the recipe that all her sisters used. A few years ago the family on Mom’s side had a reunion and brought recipes for a small cookbook. In it, in my Aunt Biddie’s handwriting, is the soup recipe they all used.

Here are some pics of the Aunts’ Soup:

We always add homemade egg noodles to this soup.

Filled with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, tomatoes, vegetable or tomato juice, and beef. Yuuuuuummmmm

While the vegetables cook, I make the egg noodles. This time I cooked them in water before I added them to the soup, but normally I just add them straight to the soup. I always use my Granny’s, Dad’s mom’s, old rolling pin. This thing has seen untold numbers of pie crust, dumplings, noodles…

The end product is always served with cornbread at our house, and this time I made it in the neat cornbread pan that was my grandfather-in-law’s, Joe Wright. I love using things like that; always reminds me of people I love.

Mmmmm Can’t wait to dig in!!

Here is another good soup recipe I found in my cooking escapades. It’s really, really good. Next time I will leave out the pasta, though.

Kale, White-Bean, and Sweet-Potato Soup

And once again I am not sure who to give credit to for this recipe. I just know it was in a magazine that I have clipped and saved over the years:

Kale, Bean, Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

Princess in Prison

November 1, 2012November 2, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 6 Comments

Halloween has come and gone once again, and I finally found my prince to set me free… at the end of about 300 guests or so.

Princess in Prison

The spooky spider web with the spooky spiders were all over the front of the ~~house~~ prison with the evil witch’s broom standing there ready for her to jump on and fly. The bones of the poor deceased knights who had previously tried to save me were strewn across the yard. And the wicked witch had changed herself into a broom! Whenever an unsuspecting person walked by or touched it, she would laugh hysterically and move all over the place! Just horrific!

My train is soooo long! And my ring is shining because of the witch’s spell!

All evening I looked and looked for my prince. Any suitor was not culled and told to ignore the bones of the previous knights; that surely the prospective suitor would be able to save me!

I just knew some of these superheros or ninjas or zombies could save me. When I asked them if they would save me from the evil witch’s prison, they would look torn as if they just weren’t quite sure what to do, but the weight of their candy-filled pumpkins and the knowledge that more treats were out there eventually won them over, and they left me in the clutches of the evil witch in the form of a broom. Alas.

Not all the names are known of these mighty warriors, but all did stop long enough in their trick-or-treat escapades to let me photograph them.

Finally!! One of the mighty warriors relented and said they would save me!

Whom shall I choose as my knight in shining armor?

My Momma

October 22, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 4 Comments

This is my Momma with her first husband back around 1940.

She was a looker!! But so was he. She was about 20 or so. Young and naive. Mom said he could dance! And apparently he liked to dance with lots of women because Mom and he weren’t married very long before he started looking for new dance partners. They had a daughter together, my older sister.

Momma didn’t like to talk too much about her life really. And I’ve learned that a lot of people from that era don’t. Just let it go, I guess. They were too busy trying to live life to hang on to memories.

And this is my momma with her second husband, my dad. Personally, I think my momma could really pick ’em… at least in looks.

This picture was in 1952. My older sister, Tish, is sitting on the arm of the chair and Mom on the other holding the cutest baby ever lived. I was told I had the colic, though, and was just not a happy baby for a few months. Not until they started feeding me that Karo syrup concoction. I think it was with Milnot. Can’t remember now just what Mom told me it was made from, but I blame that on my desire for sweets now.

On Dad’s lap is my older brother, Benny, who just had a birthday this past week. This is Ben at his party.

Since this has already been posted to the infamous Facebook and since he has already called me and told me no more picture-taking at his house, I assumed I must get the most out of the pics I have already taken. Therefore, the obligatory picture post here. Yes, life is good. Some people say Ben looks like Dad and others say he looks like Mom. Genes. Hmmmm He acts like Mom for sure!!!

The pics on the little end table are of my cousins: Jerry on the top who died in a motorcycle accident, Uncle Clifford’s only child; my sis on the second shelf; Ronnie on the bottom, the son of Aunt Louise. They were all three the first-born of the siblings.

I’m loving swimming around in this gene pool of pictures. Hope you are at least enjoying it as well.

Pool of Genes

October 19, 2012 / apronsandappetites.com / 5 Comments

Over the years I’ve done a bit of genealogy. It’s interesting. Kind of fun to find out where your gene pool is from and what those genes acquired or lost or survived and when and how they died and who they became throughout the eras of life.

At this point you can decide to get in the scuba gear and dive in or just sit on the edge and casually peer into the clear, murky, fun, scary, pool of genes. They came from Scotland and England. Some could write; others used an X for their names. Some turned out just fine; some didn’t. None of them made a big splash in the money pool or the going-down-in-history pool, but nevertheless their ripples continue on down the centuries.

Logsdon siblings

This is my mom and her sisters and brother. The time period is around the early 1930s would be my guess. My mom, the girl on the far left, was born in 1920. She doesn’t look very old here, so I’m guessing at the year.

From the left on the front row is Amy Anita, 1920, Emma Christina, 1906, Minnie Alleen, 1912; the back row is Mary Louise, 1914, and John Clifford, 1908.

As a child, I grew up knowing these aunts and uncles and their children. I stayed with each of them at some point or another, maybe a day at a time or a week at a time.

And I loved them all dearly.