Ok, so... it's been awhile since we've last seen each other

And I've missed you all..terribly. I know, I know. I should have written. Pleaseeee, forgive me. I have been forgivably very busy and preoccupied with life. It happens to the best of us. But, I'm back! And from a very stylish librarian to be, I have found out about this wonderful CHALLENGE! Oh it's really fabulous! I mean the thrill of all those sewing machines whirring through fabric daring to make something wonderful for the young loves in our lives.


   

Maybe, I'll make a pretty tutu for my niece. Looking for wonderful children's home sewing inspiration? Maybe you would like to look here

Aside-

Do you all know the lovely English Jane? Well, In her fabulous book

She tells of her admiration for the handsome retro actor

Cary Grant

well

Jane got me to thinking about a fave actor I have watched time and again and I am always fond of his debonair qualities and charm on screen. Ladies, please welcome to my blog

Sidney Poitier

he's the so cool teacher in

To Sir with Love

 

like Juanita Moore in "Imitation of Life" with her sitting on the camp chair and crocheting.

Or, how about

Meryl Streep in "Music of the Heart"

where her portrayal of a teacher overcoming enormous odds really helps me push harder along in life. Forget obstacles, because I can overcome them! I am a Woman!

Ladies and Gentlemen, have a blessed night!

January Days and Nights

Here is just a mish-mosh of things throughout the month. I haven't been faithfully blogging, because my job hunt takes first place now, which has me altogether in another mode (called hustle and bustle)

But, I have been trying my hand at a few things, take a moment, and have a look-

Cooking

Potato Scallion Salmon Cakes!

Freestyle Recipe

2-3 Boiled Russet potatoes, mashed

1 can of pink salmon, drained and mashed*

2-3 scallions, thinly sliced

1-2 teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning

1 scant teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 cup of bread crumbs, Italian, Panko or your favorite

1 whole egg, beaten

*- with the can of pink salmon, I just drain it and mash it well, bones, skin and all- but you can pick through it if you like

Heat (med-high) 1/2 cup of your favorite frying oil in a skillet. I sometimes mix extra virgin olive oil and canola.

Combine all the ingredients in a largish bowl and mix well. Form small patties in the palms of your hands and put on a plate until all the patties are formed.

Fry the patties in small batches, about 7 minutes per side. remove from skillet and place on paper toweling or bags to absorb excess fat.

Serve hot with ketchup or remoulade sauce (a fancy sauce, but remember, use what makes you happy!)

Homemade Jamaican Beef Patties!

Recipe from this wonderful cookbook I snagged at the library

Kitchen table, work space

Ruffle scarves

Inside a Black Apple

Hats, scarves, yes, more

So much fun with the family!

 

Samwich, good sammy, steak sammy, please

I was shopping this morning at the grocery store (aka Supermarket) and I saw some nicely packaged cube steaks and then a beautiful vision floated in my head of gorgeously spiced and buttery pan fried steak on portugese bread, lusciously coated with sweet onions. Sounds good?  Yesss!

I brought the ingredients home and prayed I had all I needed. I knew that I had found the recipe for this delicious steak sammy but I could not remember who the author was...until...I walk through my front door and pass by my bookcase...my eyes glance at the cookbooks I had borrowed form the library and...then...bing! I remember and feel regret. Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman,
 I returned it! NOOO! Realize...hey girl...it's ok...go to her website...recipe found!

and her Marlboro Man loves the sandwich (I am sure the sammy's fan base is huge now) !

So, I make it-

See all those rich and flavorful juices, put some all over your sammy



and you can get it here! Very good, a winner!



Happy Belated New Year!

I have been away for some time. The going has been tough and down right stinky, but, the persevering spirit I have has continued to trudge on....and well here I am! Blessed among the blessed! And, now that I have completed GRADUATE SCHOOL, I am trying to kick up some of my past creativity, from a long time ago. I am talking juvenile stuff here.

Stuff like crochet, and dolls,

and drawing.

I used to love to draw when I was a young girl. I made 150 paper dolls that I played with faithfully and knew all their names. It's funny how my girls have the same thing going on now. They love their paper dolls. They are handmade. If they give me permission, I should like to let you see them yourself right here. Some time...

Anyways. I love to go to the public library in my neighborhood. When I go and take out materials, I feel like it's Christmas or my birthday because I can take home these things and the feeling I get from this activity is WAY better than shopping because I did not have to spend a thing on the trip. Ooohwee!

I want to share a picture or two with you from the magazine in the picture. The magazine is called Maryjane's Farm

very inspiring story, though I can't tell it so I hope you can get yourself a copy and check out the site too



I am working on a crochet pattern from Lion Brand Yarn



 so far so good

a nice find to listen to from the library



and read a treat for bedtime with the girls, which was very beautiful

                                              

And, just one more fabulous book. I took it out of the library too. It is by Susan Sargent. But first have a look see; I have this one in my own personal library, which I love

And then, she had to blow my mind with this find

talk about GLORIOUS COLOR! Someone, please, hurry up and give me some cans of paint! I just wanted to run out to Home Depot, Lowe's, Benjamin Moore and get me the goods! Alas, pocketbook empty! I forgot to mention that I am job hunting, a job itself, so if you know of a prinicipal who might give me, the New Teacher, an interview leave me a comment. I will be most humbly grateful. Seriously, cause I'm dead serious!

it feels real good to be back here (warm silly smiles).