DISCOVERY... PROCESS OF ELIMINATION

So what about using MY LAPTOP. This one is working just fine....drats!!! ! So that means my other PC has a virus!!! Oh how I can not understand malicious people that send out viruses.

BIG PROBLEMS....

I am having a huge probbblem witihth my comoputer. It is adding letterers and skipping spaces all on it's's own when I type.... WHAT A MESS!!!
ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBBLELEM EVERER??????????????????
I need help please!!! I have runnnn my anitvirus several times.....
SO UNTIL I FIGURE THTHIS OUOUT,,,, I CAN'T POST A THINGNG!
I WILL BBBBE BACK!!!

THANKSGIVING....

Yesterday, I was reading Cohagen Chronicles, Mary, she is one of my fav blogs. Go visit her, you will love her outlook on the everyday life of a farm wife, mom, and cattle handler extraordinaire.
ANYWAY....
She wrote a DETAILED list of what she was thankful for..... I took this as a creative writing assignment....
WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR.... *** in detail****

1. I am thankful that my children still love me after they have survived me going through THEIR high school years.
2. I am thankful that my family still loves me after each of them have witnessed my meltdowns, years 1984-2008 (this year isn't over yet!)
3. I am thankful for my mom! I honestly want to be just like her when I grow up! She is an absolute joy and she is all mine (Well, I have to share her with ALOT OF PEOPLE).
4. I am thankful that my God still loves me even after I have screwed up sooooo many times.
5. I am thankful for popcorn, it is my most favorite snack food!
6. I am thankful for each and everyone of my bloggy friends. I never knew I could have such a close friendship with people I have never met in person.

SO WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR.... HMMM... TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT IT,,,,,TELL US ABOUT IT,,,,
HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY AND TELL THE ONES YOU LOVE HOW YOU FEEL. IT IS IMPORTANT!!!

BACK HOME, TIME TO CATCH UP...

Well, I am back home, back on Illinois soil (I have been told it's soil, not dirt....). I am going to try and catch up on blogs, cleaning, people, church stuff, holiday cooking, yard stuff, and the list goes on and on.....

I had a great time in FLA with my mama and her p-i-c (partner in crime) Dale. They are just a blast and didn't mind me tagging along in all activities. Dale and her husband, Joe, live a few houses away. They are just real fun loving people that would do anything for ya.

This picture was taken right before I left to come home. I am dressed for the cold country!!! But I am glad to be home and ready to start getting ready for the holidays.

Lots to do and oh my, I have let my house go. Gotta do major cleaning and picking up before I can decorate.

Can't wait to see what some of you share regarding holiday decorating!!!

I know a few of you collect Hallmark ornaments..... love to see those.

and a few of you decorate o' naturale.... love love....

and another few.... prim decor..... how fun!!!

SO SHARE WHAT YOU DO FOR THE HOLIDAYS.... WE WOULD ALL LOVE TO SEE.....

"PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE" LADY

So this is the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Lady in these parts of Port Charlotte, FLA. The absolute joy of my life. When I come down here to visit, we do have the best of time. Time is way too short, but I have found out that I just have to jump on a flight and I am here in a short day and now that I am retired, I hope to be able to do this more often.

So today, while she was fixing her signature dessert, I asked if I could watch and learn.
(I honestly have never made this before). She has shared this with many groups and I think some of the men around here have been known to fight each other for a piece of this dessert.
(Recipe to follow)

Here's the ingredients.

Drain your pineapple and reserve the juice to use in the cake as the liquid of the cake.

She uses this butter in alot of things. Seems to work well.

Cut one stick in half and put in 2-8x8 pans. She mixes it this way so she can share her p-u-d cake. My mom loves to share with others, so she will be taking one of these cakes to someone.

She puts these pans in the oven to melt the butter. When melted, she sprinkles 1/2 cup brown sugar in each and breaks it up with a fork and pushes it into the melted butter.

Then she spreads a can of drained crushed pineapple over each one and cuts marachino cherries in half and spreads them around.

She divides the batter into the two pans

and puts them into a 350 degree oven for 45-55 min., until the center is done. When it is cool, she inverts it onto a plate.

Oh my, grab a fork and let's eat!!!! Whipped cream on mine please!!!

RECIPE

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

1 Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix

eggs

oil

2 cans of crushed pineapple

1 stick of butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cup of pineapple juice

marachino cherries

Mix cake according to directions. then follow the above instructions. Enjoy!!!!!

CARAMEL CORN PUFFS

The girls of our extended family have discovered this recipe for caramel corn, but with using corn puffs (no hulls stuck in your teeth like real popcorn, but with the same taste and the caramel does not stick to your teeth!) So one of the first things I did when I got down here to sunny FLA was I whipped up a couple of batches of caramel corn puffs.
The recipe is super simple and doesn't take long at all!

First I spray all my pans that will go in the oven before I start. I use 4 - 9x13 pans per recipe batch.


This is recipe uses two bags of puffs. It can be cut in half. I just figure if I am going to make the mess, make a double batch!!!!


Mix the brown sugar, butter, and Karo Syrup together in a heavy pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes always stirring... (Sometimes I just make sure the brown sugar is dissolved and don't take a whole 5 minutes).


I am able to find corn puffs at my local grocery store, but down here, WallyWorld is just now carrying this product. Before we actually could not find anyone that carried it here. In Houston, my sister found them at Big Lots.

After bringing to a boil and mixing the baking soda in for the fizz action. Pour over the corn puffs, stir to coat and pour into 9x13 pans. Put into a 250 degree oven and stir every 15 minutes. I have been known to go longer on the time. The corn puffs want to sound dry and crunchy! At home I pour the batches out on wax paper to cool, but here i just poured them back into this yellow bowl, let them cool and then tossed them to break them up into individual pieces.


Be sure what ever you store them in that air can't get to it because they will get soggy if not air tight. ENJOY!!!! GREAT FOR PARTIES!!!!


CARAMEL CORN PUFFS
Printed from COOKS.COM
1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white Karo syrup
Put in medium saucepan and melt. Bring to a full boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add 1 teaspoon baking soda. Stir until foamy.
Pour over 2 bags of Old Dutch Corn Puffs (I put corn puffs in big roasting pan - easier to mix caramel into puffs). Stir in caramel and bake in 250 degree oven for 1 hour, uncovered. Stir every 15 minutes.
Pour onto waxed paper. Let cool. Break up chunks and store in 2 large ziplock bags.

COME FLY WITH ME...

COME FLY WITH ME, LET'S FLY, LET'S FLY AWAY......
click on this and enjoy Frank Sinatra singing this hit that was written for him and was the title track of his 1958 album.

Flying over Atlanta before landing. Anyone know what stadium this is? It is right by the skyline, maybe Bobby Dodd Stadium?

Atlanta Skyline....

Flying over water... the clouds are just unbelievable....

I believe this is Rotonda, Florida. I see this formation each time I fly down here and have never had my camera ready before...... today...... score!!!!!

I am in Florida for a week and my blogging will be sporadic (or not). Ya just never know. So stick it out with me because I may surprise you with something amazing (or not!)

A tiny note: I was raised on the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, etc. and my dad had a beautiful voice. He would sing these songs to my sister and I when we were young. Just a nice memory of my dad who I miss so much! My dad's name was Frank too and we are coming up on the 11th anniversary of his eternal birthday.

Veteran's Day

A special thanks to the past and present people who have served this country so that we are able to have the freedom that we take so for granted. As we walk out our doors and go where ever we want, say a prayer. So many have paid with their lives so we can have those freedoms. Pray for the families that have lost loved ones.

To my father, my father-in-law, my brother, and my nephew...THANK YOU!

Hmmmmm....

What shall I talk about today, Hmmmm.....

Should I tell you what I am making this morning.... naaaaa....

potato salad, kids are coming out this afternoon and we are having hamburgers and potato salad.

Seems odd for November, but today is going to be 72 (they promised) and in the Midwest, that is warm for November. So we are grilling out just like it is May or September... with all the fixin's.

Should I tell you what I made last night.....

This just needs the whipped cream on top. Find this recipe on Mennonite girls can cook.

Frozen Chocolate Mousse Marshmallow Torte.

(no comparing pictures, mine doesn't even come close!)

Should I show you how pretty the morning is......

A picture showing how all the leaves are off the trees?......

5 hours on a riding mower and I now have all the leaves cleaned up from all the trees!!!

Tell you a story of how we are drying corn out my back door.....

Noooo,,,, all that is boring.... so I guess I will just say.....

Have a wonderful Sunday, November 8th. Rejoice in the day and take time to see the beauty that is offered!!!

THE PHOTO ABOVE...

The photo above I took while walking along the edge of one of our fields waiting for hubby to give me the next task. We are a farming family and since I am retired, I am now the Goddess of Miscellaneous. I am always more than happy to be outside in the fall and try to multi task with my camera at every opportunity.... Hope you are enjoying everything about your fall time.

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY

So Christmas came early this year. I have had my son, engineer boy, computer extraordinaire, on the lookout for a laptop for a few months now. He called the other night and said "I found you one!!" Go to Newegg.com.
So quick as a whistle I moved on it because Internet deals don't stick around long.
Guaranteed delivery in 3 days for $10.00 WONDERFUL!!!!

And here she is!!

Acer Aspire AS1410-2801 Sapphire Blue Intel Celeron SU2300(1.2GHz) 11.6" 2GB Memory 160GB HDD Netbook

All shiny and pretty.... 11.6" screen, fits in my lap just wonderful.



Webcam and Windows 7


Full size keyboard....


And a mini mouse (NOT MINNIE MOUSE, but a mini mouse)
(shown here next to regular mouse)


I am just thrilled to pieces. Just in case I ever get stuck in the airport like last August, see post, I am prepared for a little entertainment + now I can take all you bloggy buddies with me wherever I go!!!

Oh this opens up a whole new world!!! Son is coming over this weekend to teach me how to drive this thing, do some tweaking, and get me on the straight and narrow path. I am sure I will have to promise him not to do certain things or push certain buttons, but I will try to be a good student and heed all warnings....