Game Day Is Coming...

Now let me start off by saying, this is not going to be a post about the big game!!  I am by no means qualified to discuss that but I do know many folks who are and they'll be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday!  I am by no means a die hard football fan but some of my family members and friends are!!  So to help them out, I decided to share some simple recipes for "game day" munching!  Regardless of the outcome of the game....you'll at least have a little "comfort food" to enjoy. :)

Bon Appétit!!

Hot Spinach Dip

This rich, creamy dip can be assembled through step 2 up to three days ahead, then covered and refrigerated; it can also be served as a side dish. Two 10-ounce packages of frozen spinach can be substituted for the fresh. Thaw according to box instructions, drain well, and chop.

 Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoon(s) olive oil, plus more for baking dish                                           
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 clove(s) garlic , minced
• 2 pound(s) spinach, cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) milk
• 6 ounce(s) reduced-fat bar cream cheese
• 3 dash(es) Worcestershire sauce
• 3 dash(es) hot sauce, such as Tabasco
• 3/4 cup(s) shredded mozzarella
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Baguette slices, breadsticks, or crackers, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Add spinach in two additions, letting the first batch wilt before adding the next; cook until completely wilted, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a colander; drain, pressing to release all excess liquid.
3. In the same pot, warm milk over high heat. Whisk in cream cheese until melted, about 3 minutes. Add spinach, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and 1/4 cup mozzarella; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a lightly oiled 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
4. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot with accompaniments, as desired.

Hot Crab Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 package(s) (8-ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 8 ounce(s) fresh crabmeat, picked over                                                     
• 1/3 cup(s) mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped onion                                          
• 1 tablespoon(s) whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) garlic salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) prepared white horseradish, optional
• Crudités, for serving (such as baby carrots, cucumber spears, cherry tomatoes, blanched asparagus, broccoli florets, and/or radishes)

Directions:

1. Place oven rack 6 inches from broiler heat source. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, crabmeat, mayonnaise, onion, milk, garlic salt, and horseradish, if using, until well blended. Transfer to shallow 2 1/2- to 3-cup ceramic baking dish and spread evenly.
3. Bake 25 minutes or until browned around edges. Reset oven control to broil and broil 1 to 2 minutes or until top is golden. Serve with crudités.

Mini Tacos

Ingredients:

• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 pound(s) lean ground beef

• 1 package(s) (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix                               
• 2 tablespoon(s) Pace® Picante Sauce                                    
• 1/2 cup(s) Pace® Chunky Salsa                                                              
• 4 ounce(s) shredded Mexican cheese blend                                              
• Sour cream (optional)
• Pitted ripe olives (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees F.  Press the wonton wrappers into 24 (1 1/2-inch) mini muffin-pan cups.
2. Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and picante sauce.
3. Spoon the beef mixture into the wonton cups. Top with the salsa and cheese.
4. Bake for 5 minutes or until the wontons are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
5. Garnish with sour cream and olives, if desired. Serve immediately with additional salsa

2M2H

The other day my husband shared a frustration with me about some posts he'd been reading.  He's a recumbent trike rider and I introduced him to a recumbent bike discussion board so he could communicate with other riders, ask questions related to his trike, etc!  Let me tell you he was more than interested...mark one up for me!!!

Anyway, we were having dinner with our daughters when he announced "I have a hard time understanding some of the posts."  After further discussion, we realized he was talking about all the abbreviations used by the post writers.  This was the source of his frustration...not being able to interpret the abbreviations so he could fully understand the content!!!  In other words...2M2H ( too much to handle)! 

In this day of texting, tweeting, IM, email, posts and chats, there is an abundance of "shorthand" used to deliver written messages to others.  With more than 82 million people texting these days, it's no wonder there are so many abbreviations!  Texting abbreviations take less character space and allow one to communicate lots of information quickly.  So I've found a site that will help him interpret all the abbreviations in an attempt to alleviate some of his frustration! 

As for me, I still like to write without lots of texting abbreviations....in my opinion it's important to use complete words when writing our communication to others.  Now that doesn't mean I don't occasionally use the abbreviations nor does it mean I think it's wrong for people to use them.  It just means I don't want to spend all my time looking at a chart or memorizing lots of shortcuts!!  However; my husband will be happy to finally know what they are talking about!!

B4N (Bye For Now)  :)

What's On My Bookshelf- "The Necklace"

This week I decided to peruse the book section at Ollie's to see what I might find!  Normally, I ordered my books online (unless I'm near Borders or Barnes & Noble) due to the book reviews I find there.  Now I don't necessarily buy or not buy a book based on reviews but I do read them to give me an idea of what other people gleaned from the book!! 

Now Ollie's is by no means comparable to Borders or Barnes&Noble however; they do have a fairly nice section devoted to books.  As I moved from shelf to shelf, I found a book title that intrigued me The Necklace Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives by Cheryl Jarvis.  I checked out the back cover (as I always do), looked at the Table of Contents and with interest peaked decided to purchase the book.  The thing I love about Ollie's...the book prices ($3.99 due to the fact the book was in large print... LOL)!!

I found the writer's style to be okay, nothing fancy by any means (she's a journalist and former newspaper editor).  However; the story itself was intriguing not because it was about a necklace but because it was a true story about a group of women who came together to experiment with an idea/concept involving a necklace!  It revealed how different women are/yet how alike they can be, how friendships emerge, the importance of community, how ideas can become reality and what a diverse group can accomplish.  As I began reading this book, I wasn't sure I would finish it but I did!!  It's not my typical choice of books but I found the story to be interesting and thought provoking.

Upon finishing the book, I read book reviews all showing a mix of reactions to the book.  Some readers felt it showcased "entitled" women yet others found it inspiring.  Mainly, I found myself curious as to what was going on now with this group of women (the actual events began in 2004) so I did a little research.  My research led me to their web page which recounts all the many charities they have contributed to, presentations they've made, interviews they've done and more.  So I've added a few links, should you be interested in reading more about their story:
http://www.womenofjewelia.com/our_start.html
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5787385, http://www.exceptionalwisdomradio.com/shows/fmim/jonell_mclain_patti_channer.html

By no means am I saying this is a must read; instead I just wanted an opportunity to share what I read and how that reading led me to investigate a tad further!!  As always... if you have a book recommendation, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Reading,

Theme Parties Aren't Just For Children!

Back when my daughters were young, I planned a few theme birthday parties for them.  In those days, theme parties usually centered around the decorations, cake, activities.  Today theme birthday parties have evolved to include not only the decorations and cake but also include costumes, games, special places...you get the idea!!

Theme parties are also popular these days with adults too!!  My favorite is a murder mystery theme party-guests come dressed according to the murder mystery theme and have parts to play.  Dinner is served in the midst of the party as everyone tries to use the clues they've gathered to figure out who has murdered one of the characters.  After dinner, participants make their predictions and the mystery is solved as the final scenes are played out!!  There are even awards presented...can't beat that!

I've been involved in two murder mystery theme parties in recent years- a Hollywood Murder Mystery and a Western Murder Mystery.  Let me tell you..there is nothing quite like these theme parties!!  It's not everyday I get to transform into Audrey Hepburn or a saloon girl (except at Halloween)!  Not only are the costumes lots of fun but the decorations and activities are terrific.  The Western Murder Mystery had gambling tables, card tables, a saloon ...made you feel you were really in the "Old West!! 

I love theme parties!!  What's your favorite theme party???

Oh, The Places I'll Go- Polar Bear Ride

Each year on January 1st, our Salisbury Harley Owners Group plans a Polar Bear Ride to a destination for a traditional New Year's Day meal.  I've participated in these rides for the past 6 years, sometimes riding my motorcycle and other times riding in my car.  The Polar Bear Ride takes place regardless of the weather conditions!!  So over the years I've ridden my motorcycle in 20-50 degree weather, rain, sunny conditions, you name it.  However; this year I rode in my car due to the foggy conditions on New Year's Day.

Usually we have at least 40 or more people participate in this ride.  We meet in Salisbury, prior to lunchtime, on New Year's Day and then head out to our destination.  We've ridden several years to Mooresville, NC to have our traditional meal at Fat Boy's (mainly because they serve all the New Year's Day traditions plus have room for all of us)!! 

The past three years we've ridden to Denton, NC to partake in the New Year's Day traditions at " The Classic Restaurant".  It's buffet style and they also have plenty of room for our large group.  There's nothing fancy about this restaurant; it's just a nice place with plenty of good Southern food!!  We have a great time eating and socializing for a couple of hours.  If you love fried chicken...this is the place to go!!

So next time you're in Denton, NC, you might want to try "The Classic Restaurant".

New Recipe I'll Be Trying Soon...

Getting back into cooking has been an adventure for me lately!  I've decided to add to my collection of recipes in an attempt to broaden my horizons.  My "loving" food critic has been my guinea pig the past few weeks, bless his heart.  He's such a good sport and has been very supportive of my efforts.

So far he's given a thumbs up on the chicken and rice casserole, the chicken loaf, the macaroni and cheese and the slow cooker beef stew!  I believe his favorite, thus far, is the mac and cheese which is a dish I definitely haven't made for him in all the years we've been together. 

This week I've found another recipe to try.  We love seafood and I found a very simple Crabmeat Casserole I want to try.  The source for this recipe was in one of my Our State magazines I've been going through the past few days.  Thought I'd share it with you even though I haven't made it yet!!

Linda Daniel's Crabmeat Casserole

Ingredients:
2 rolls Ritz crackers, crushed           2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 stick butter, melted                       Salt
1 1/2 pounds lump crabmeat            Pepper
1 bottle of cocktail sauce                 Garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Directions:
Sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers in the bottom of a 9x13 ovenproof dish.
Pour melted butter over the crackers and stir to mix.
Spread the mixture out to the edges of the pan.
Sprinkle the crabmeat over the crackers.
Dollop the cocktail sauce over the crabmeat.
Sprinkle the cheese over the crabmeat; then sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Bake until cheese melts.


Bon Appétit!!

What's A Wordle???

Technology is a love of mine and in my house I'm affectionately called a "geek"!!  I am by no means proficient in all the latest technology but I do love to learn about technology.  So the other day I was reading a teacher's blog and she talked about "wordles"...what in the world is a wordle???  So I followed the link and found out a wordle "is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends."  Of course, I had to try it out!!!  Check out my Wordle at the top of my post; it's a Wordle of my Blog!!!  Anyway, go to http://www.wordle.net/  where you can try it out and see for yourself!

Now my teacher friends...you know me...I began to think about how it could be used with students.  You could create posters of student reactions to a piece of literature, create a word poster of synonyms, antonyms, etc., create a poster about character traits.  You get the idea.  I found a link with lots of ideas on how to use wordles in the classroom:  http://www.slideshare.net/JenniferW/wordle-ideas !!  Maybe this will inspire you to think of lots more ways you can use Wordle!

Also while reading, I discovered an opportunity for those "techie teachers" who want to learn all about the newest ideas in technology.  Did you know teachers can become  "Google Certified Teachers"?  Yep, they can!!  Google has a "Google Teacher Academy" and all you have to do is submit a creative entry and you could be selected to attend a Google training session.  Isn't that just way cool!!  Interested? 

Go to http://www.google.com/educators/gta.html and check it out!!!  Trainings are held in different locations at different times during the year.  Maybe I'll get to hear about one of you being selected!! 

Oh... by the way, there's a contest on Google for Educators too!  It's called "Doodle4Google" and students can design a new Google.com homepage, submit it and possibly win a scholarship!! 

Check it out at: http://www.google.com/doodle4google/.    

Happy Teching to All,

Whose Keeping Me On My Toes??

One of the adventures I decided to have upon retiring was learning to blog...not something I'd ever thought of doing until recently.  So with great enthusiasm, I forged ahead and signed up to start a blog.  Now you need to remember this was all new to me, so I had to find a blog site, pick a design and figure out what all the gadgets were...let me tell you it took some time!!! 

Okay, mission accomplished...the blog was set up; now all I had to do was decide what to write.  Not being a writer, I decided to pick some topics I thought might be of interest to others.  I mainly hoped to share ideas, places of interest, new projects or whatever came along.  Armed with a couple of ideas, I started New Adventures 2011 not knowing exactly what to expect.

Then came a brilliant thought...who would know I was writing a blog???  Who would read my blog??  Hmm, another brilliant thought...I'll post it on my Facebook page!!  What was I thinking??  (Well, I really wanted to try my hand at writing and this would be a pretty safe way to experiment without making a total fool of myself!)  LOL!!!!!

With these brilliant thoughts, the blog was a go.  I posted it on my Facebook page and hoped for the best.  What I didn't realize was it takes some thought and preparation to do a blog!!  Duhhhh...another brilliant thought!  Let me tell you, it's not always easy to have an idea to blog about on a daily basis.  So I've had a few days go by without writing on my blog or posting it.  I believe the technical term is "writer's block" but I prefer to call it "brain freeze" at my age!! :)

Well, the next thing I know, my two daughters are talking about my new blog!  Seems they can't believe I am blogging...you know " Mom?? Blog??  Get Real!!"  Hey, at least they are reading it, right??  So now the pressure is on...have to show my two daughters I am capable of doing this blog!!  I mean....hey, I can learn new things!!  So now I have an audience...never mind some of  the audience is related to me.

I've done pretty well maintaining my blog posts for the past few weeks, if I do say so myself.  Then it came, the dreaded "brain freeze" so I didn't post a blog.  Big mistake...seems my "family audience" was ready to pounce!!  Next thing I know, my two wonderful daughters are posting on Facebook asking where's my blog for the day???  Okay, that's cool I think.  Oh no....they decide it's time to bash me!!!  Can you imagine that...my own flesh and blood??  Yep, they did just that but me being the mature one...I can take it.  You know why?  Those two young women keep me on my toes!!  I love them both for that.

There will be many more "brain freezes" in my future, I'm sure of that.  However; I have two blog readers that will continue to make sure I step it up!!!  What would I do without them??  Here's to daughters who read their mom's blog and make sure it gets updated!!  Love you girls!!  Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

What's Cooking This Week?

Goodness, cooking does take time!!  I decided this week to get ahead of the game and make two main dishes in one day.  What was I thinking???  

Actually, it wasn't really that bad because for one of the dishes I used my slow cooker.  I made "Slow Cooker Beef Stew" and it was pretty good if I do say so myself.  This is one of those recipes you just put in the slow cooker and go on to other things.  My kind of cooking I must say!! 

The other dish was a chicken loaf which is along the same concept as meatloaf.  When I told my oldest daughter what I was making her reaction was "Chicken Loaf????"!!  So I decided to share these two recipes with you this week.  Let me tell you, when that chicken loaf was done it was absolutely beautiful.  Of course, I didn't have my camera in the kitchen...imagine that...so I didn't get a photo of it for my blog. (Note to self...keep that camera handy at all times!!)  We'll be having the chicken loaf this evening so I'll let you know my critic's reaction.  Hopefully it will taste as good as it looks!!

Remember, if you have a great recipe you're willing to share, I'll gladly accept it.  You can email it to me or post it in the comment section of this blog.  You could save me tons of time!!  LOL


Bon Appétit!!


Slow Cooker Beef Stew:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

Directions

1. Place meat in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and pepper; pour over meat, and stir to coat meat with flour mixture. Stir in the garlic, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, and celery.
2. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 10 to 12 hours, or on High setting for 4 to 6 hours.

Chicken Loaf:

Chicken Loaf isn't exactly a meatloaf because it's made with cooked chopped chicken. And it isn't really a casserole, because you cut it into slices.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 cups diced cooked chicken
• 2 cups soft fresh bread crumbs
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup wheat germ or oat bran
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9" x 5" loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 2-3 minutes. Then add carrot and celery; cook and stir until vegetables are tender, about 5-6 minutes longer.
Add flour, marjoram, salt, and pepper and cook and stir for 3 minutes. Gradually add milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens.
Remove from heat and add chicken. Then stir in bread crumbs, eggs, wheat germ, lemon juice, and 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 55-65 minutes until mixture is set. Cover and let stand 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan. Unmold the loaf onto serving platter. Serve with cranberry sauce or mustard sauce, if desired. Serves 6

Oh, The Places I'll Go-Part 3

Want a good place to eat when you are in the mountains of North Carolina?  If so, then you need to make a stop at Freeborne's Eatery and Lodge.  Now let me warn you...on a warm spring or summer day there will be tons of motorcycles all around Freeborne's!!  Don't let that stop you!!  LOL!!

Freeborne's has been open about 3 years and our Harley Owners Group has stayed there two years in a row.  The food at the Eatery is delicious and even the locals come to enjoy a wonderful meal throughout the week.  The Eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the menu varies according to the time of the year.  Usually when our Harley group goes, we spend a weekend there and ride our motorcylces to area sites during the day.  We always have a theme party to wind up our visit...last year was the '70's Extravaganza!!! 

So... if you're on the Blue Ridge Parkway and find yourself hungry, just stop by Freeborne's for a bite to eat.  I know you'll enjoy every morsel.  You may even find me there on my Harley!!!

http://freebornes.com/Home1.html

Pass the Popcorn

I don't go to the movies that often...too expensive but I do like to watch a DVD now and then at home.  This past weekend I picked up the movie "The Social Network" not even aware of the Golden Globe nominations regarding this movie.

So with popcorn in hand, I sat back and viewed "The Social Network".  I realize there's lots of debate about the content of the movie...some say it's totally fiction while others say it has it's moments of truth.  However; I really enjoyed watching this movie because it gave me food for thought.  I am amazed at how far technology has come and Facebook is no exception.  We do have extremely talented youth in this country and many are becoming entrepreneurs on a daily basis!!!  This movie gives cause to pause and think about how one wants to achieve success and use the talents one has.  Just can't help but wonder what impact all this will have on future generations; nor can I even begin to imagine what they'll come up with in the next few years!
 
After viewing the movie, I came upon an article that discussed the "obsession" people have with Facebook.  Actually, the statistics are quite interesting when you realize Facebook is only 7 years old!  So I want to share that article with you.  See what you think about the stats!!

If you haven't seen "The Social Network" I'd recommend it!!  Great movie to learn a little about the creativity of our youth and the origin of Facebook!



Got A Nook?

Do you own a Nook or a Kindle?  I haven't bought one because I love the feel of a book in my hand however; I'm giving serious thought to purchasing one in the near future.  My daughter bought a Kindle before Christmas and she absolutely loves it!!! 

Anyway, I was looking at a blog written by a teacher in Florida and came across an absolutely "great idea" related to the Color Nook.  So many times there are children's books we want to use in the classroom but we don't personally have a copy.  We check the school Media Center, check the downtown library and even ask our fellow teachers as we try to put our hands on a copy of the book.  No matter how much we search, there isn't a copy to be found which means we have to order the book.  That means we probably won't receive the book in time to use it right away in our classroom.  Well, this idea could solve your problem.

Use your Color Nook!!  You can order copies of children's books for a third of the cost online and store it on your Nook!!!  Then you can place your Nook under your document camera, allowing students to see the pictures and or words!!  Is that not the best idea!!!  From what I understand, you can even organize your library in folders for a certain unit and have it on hand for home and school planning.  This is a great way to start your classroom library...especially if your funds are limited!!

Okay, I'm just about convinced!!!  Now I have to decide which one!

If You Give A Child A Book...

When I was growing up reading was a very important part of my life.  I became hooked on tall tales, comic books and Nancy Drew books.  I was one of those readers who would take a flashlight with me to bed so I could read "under the covers" after the lights were turned out for the night!!  I drove my mom crazy!! LOL!!!!!
My greatest delight as a child came when I was allowed to become a member of a book club and I could order books that were delivered to my house!  Today I still delight in being able to order books online and have them delivered to my home.  My love of reading was developed in those early years and I believe all children can become "lovers of books" with help.  It's a matter of finding that "switch"(one book) that turns on the flashlight for them.
With that thought in mind, I'd like to recommend some books to add to your child's book basket.  Reading aloud to children is the most valuable time you can spend with them.  Reading aloud opens new doors, transforms children into a character, transports them to a different time/place, sparks their imagination and builds a foundation for them to stand on. 
So grab a children's book, read it, then share it with your favorite child.  I promise you won't be disappointed!!!  So....


IF YOU GIVE A CHILD A BOOK....

Woolbur-Leslie Helakoski
Woolbur is not like other sheep. He hangs out with wild dogs, cards his own wool to avoid the shearing barn, and even dyes his wool blue. "Don't worry!" says Grandpaa when Maa and Paa fret that Woolbur is different. But when they tell their son to follow the flock, the opposite happens—the flock follows him! Soon everyone is copying his wild hairstyles and taking turns on the spinning wheel. Leave it to Woolbur to find a new way to step ahead of the herd.   A great book for anyone who's felt different (that's all of us)!
Make a Woolbur mask: http://www.helakoskibooks.com/masks.htm

 Big Chickens-Leslie Helakoski
Story of four frightened fowls who become startled when they discover
a wolf sneaking around the chicken coop.  Their journey to hide from the wolf places them in all kinds of perilous situations that cause fear and commotion in the bashful brood.  It's only when they are thrust into these dangers that they find there is really nothing to fear.
Go on a chicken walk: http://www.helakoskibooks.com/sing.htm

The Other Side-Jacqueline Woodson

The story about two little girls who are growing up in a small town in

the 1950's. One black, one white. The town is segregated by a wooden fence to separate the two races. Clover has been raised to fear the other side; Annie was not afraid, she was just told not to cross the fence. It is the way it has always been. Innocent, childhood curiosity begins to bring the two girls together. Once they climb up on the fence, they begin to see the world in a whole new way. This story is told through a child's eyes, about how two young girls became friends despite the cultural barrier of the time.

Jacqueline Woodson's website for more of her books: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/pb.shtml

Get Busy, Beaver-Carolyn Crimi

The story of a beaver family in a hurry to build their dam bigger and better than their neighbors.  The only problem is Thelonious, who spends his days daydreaming instead of helping out his family.  Distracted by a cloud that looks like a flower, leaves that swirl and twirl in circles on the water, stars that blink and fireflies that wink; Thelonious stays busy, but not on doing the work that is needed to get the family’s dam built, quickly.  He moves slow, taking time to watch, listen and smell until an idea so grand comes to him that he can’t help but get to work on it.

Discussion activities: http://www.carolyncrimi.com/pages/comp_beaver.html

Cooking 101-Recipe Exchange

As you know, I've decided to work on my cooking skills this month!  I have a stack of Our State magazines I've been saving because I haven't had time to really go through them.  Well this past weekend I was looking through this stack...trying to get ideas for sites to visit with the motorcycle club when I noticed several articles about area church cookbooks.  So I went to http://www.ourstate.com/ and read a few of the articles related to these cookbooks.  I don't know about you but I've found church cookbooks contain great recipes from some really good cooks!  I found two recipes I want to try this month and thought I'd share them with you today.
Anyway, Our State's site is beginning a new service on their site...you can sign up for their recipe newsletter!!  Yep, you guessed it...I signed up.  I also found the online site highlights a few recipes contributed by the people they write articles about each month.  What a great resource!!  So when you have a few minutes, check out Our State online.  It's a wonderful resource not only for recipes but also for places to visit in North Carolina.


Bon Appétit!!

Baked Mac and Cheese

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces white American cheese, shredded
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon Texas Pete (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 9 x 13-inch baking dish; set aside. Cook macaroni according to box directions; drain. Return to saucepan. While macaroni is hot, add cheeses, and stir well. Spread macaroni mixture in the baking dish. Whisk milk, sour cream, eggs, butter, Texas Pete, and salt together in a bowl. Pour over macaroni. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
— Danease Newell

White Chili

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 can white shoe-peg corn
• 2 cans great northern beans
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 small can chopped green chilies
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• flour tortillas

Combine all ingredients in large pot. Simmer on low, 30 to 45 minutes. To serve: Line bowl with flour tortilla, and add soup. If desired, top with grated cheese, salsa, and sour cream.
— Enan Baldwin

Oh, The Places I'll Go-Part 2

Do you love the mountains of North Carolina?  Do you like finding new places to visit?  If so, then let me tell you of another place I love visiting...Todd General Store in Todd, North Carolina.  Todd General Store is a fun place to visit if you like finding treasures from estate sales, want a homemade sandwich, like listening to Bluegrass or want to meet a local author.  Todd General Store is on the National Register of Historic Places and has an interesting past.
We've visited Todd, North Carolina several times on our motorcycles accompanied by the Salisbury H.O.G. Club and just love the area.  The scenery is beautiful and the ride along the New River is spectacular.  Each time I visit, my breath is taken away by the beauty of this area and I love meeting the mountain folk who stop by the store to chat.
So next time you are on your way to Boone, take a little side trip to Todd General Store!!!  I'd love to hear what you think and what you experienced!!

By the way, do you have a unique place you've visited in North Carolina?  If so, I'd love to hear about it because I'm always looking for a new place to visit on my motorcycle.

Todd General Store           

What's On Your Bookshelf?

Reading is another one of my passions and for years I consumed material related to education: new ideas for teaching reading, best practices for classroom instruction, leadership, etc.  Oh, I do love those fiction books written by Anne Rice, Barbara Delinsky, Debbie Macomber and others but the majority of my reading was focused around education. 
Wanting to broaden my scope I decided to purchase a book about retirement...imagine that!!!  I ordered "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free" by Ernie Zelinski.  I've been reading this book on and off for several days and believe it or not...it is a book everyone should read.  Yes twenty-somethings and over...you should read this book!!!  Why??  you may ask.  Well, it's a book that provides food for thought about our careers, hobbies, personal assessment and more.  Even though it speaks to the subject of retirement, it's also a book geared toward enjoying life to the fullest!!  Many of the ideas can be implemented whether you are retiring, planning for retirement or currently working.  No..it isn't geared toward the financial aspect; it's geared towards all aspects of life: leisure activities, creative pursuits, physical well-being, mental well-being and social support.  Just a good book to get your thoughts going and ways you can enrich your life for now and for later!!
Of course, I am always open to reading suggestions....so if you have a book suggestion I'd be more than happy to hear about it!!!

Happy Reading to All,

Oh, The Places I'll Go

One of my favorite past times is riding my Roadking.  I began to ride "my own" bike in 2002 after riding "two up" with my husband for many, many years.  I started out on a Yamaha Roadstar, advanced to a Harley Low Rider and currently my Harley Roadking.  Who would have thought I'd be riding my own motorcycle!!! 
I belong to the Salisbury H.O.G. Club and joining that group was such a wonderful thing!  The friendships I've made with other riders over the years has enriched my life.  We've had such adventures traveling all over North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia on our bikes.  I never knew there were so many wonderful places to visit in our state. 
One of my favorite places is Fancy Gap, off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.  If you are looking for a mini getaway, that's the place to visit.  There is a wonderful place to stay called Lonesome Pine Cabins.  There are 12 authentic log cabins to choose from and let me tell you, it's better than staying at any hotel!!!  We stayed in the "Walker Mountain Cabin" which had a jacuzzi, fireplace, wet bar and much more.  Attractions to visit nearby are abundant: Mabry Mill, Chateau Morrisette Winery, Villa Appalachia Winery, and many more.  So if you love the mountains and just need to get away, even for one night, check out Lonesome Pine Cabins.  It's well worth it!!!

http://pages.prodigy.net/tcnelson1/

Cooking 101

Today I am trying to find new recipes to add to the tried and true recipes which I've made over the years. What a great resource the Internet is when looking for recipes!!! So many online sites that it could take me the rest of my life to try all of them! LOL
Then I realized... there are so many great cooks among my friends and relatives, why not add a post each few weeks about new discoveries or sharing a recipe so we all can add to our repertoire.  Today I am adding my first discovery: Paula Deen's Chicken and Rice Casserole. I plan to make this new recipe as I continue in my cooking adventure.  I know, I know....you've probably made this one but I haven't; so bear with me in my discoveries!!!
If you have a recipe that is absolutely to "die for", would you share it with me please?

Paula Deen's Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil

1 medium onion, peeled and diced

3 cups diced, cooked chicken

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans green beans, drained and rinsed

1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 (4-ounce) jar pimentos
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (6-ounce) box long-grain wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
Pinch salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat butter or oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.
Add all remaining ingredients to bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined.

Pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.



Bon Appétit!!




Recipe Update:  Mmmmm, good!!!!  I did make this with a few alterations to the recipe.  I used only one jar of pimentos, used only 1 can of green beans, used Cream of Mushroom soup instead of the Cream of Celery and cut the mayo to 1/2 cup.

What's First?

One of my goals for this new beginning is to get my home organized. I love organization and during my career being organized was a plus! So what happened in my home...never enough time to get things in their place.

My first order of business as a retiree is to get things organized. I spent yesterday working in my kitchen getting rid of items so I have room to work!! I haven't really cooked in years so another goal is to become a good cook again. That means being organized in the kitchen!! Can't wait to paint the kitchen soon and make it a warm, inviting area to experiment with new recipes.

A New Beginning!!

2011 begins a new chapter of my life.  I retired as an Assistant Principal in December, 2010 after 32 years working in the educational community and now begin a new adventure finding life after retirement.  It's a tad scary to do something new at this point in my life!!  I want to use the next few months researching new avenues to explore.  This will be my journal of ideas, experiences and just sharing information!  So join me as I launch into new worlds and adventures for retired educators.