MY NECK of the WOODS

I’ve been going 90-to-nothing lately…makes me wonder how I ever had time to work!!!  

Since April 17^th I’ve been going to the gym and “sweating” my heart out!  I decided it was time to slim down and shape up a little.  I started out by going to SILVER SNEAKERS classes (which were taught by some great trainers and attended by some very sweet ladies). However, I could see right away these classes (although very good for you) were not going to help me meet my goals, so…..I upped my daily walks (3 ½ to 4 miles per day) and started working out on the machines.  AND….I am happy to say I’m down several pounds and several inches, but still a work-in-progress!  

By the way, some health insurance, including mine, will pay for you to go to Silver Sneakers classes or join the gym and workout!!!  Just one of the perks of getting older😊

It’s the time of year when hubby and I put up fresh vegetables in the freezer, which is not a hard task but not exactly easy and very time consuming.  So last week he and I put up 4 bushes of peas and butterbeans and this week I put up 4 more bushels all by my lonesome.  Some of these were for my son and his family.   It’s not cheap to put up your own vegetables but they sure are better than those you buy in a can at the supermarket!

I’ve also spent time keeping the grandkids and taking them here and there.  Grandson R is 15 and since we live in GA he has to complete a course called JOSHUA’s LAW before he can get his driver’s license next year.  It can be taken online, but let me tell you….it is grueling!!!  R comes over to my house to work on it an hour or so here and there so that I can help answer any questions he might have.  I know it’s a good thing but it’s written by someone who (in my opinion) is writing way above the heads of the 15 year olds that have to take it.  It’s 30 hours of difficult reading and includes tests over what has been read.  Sure hope my smart boy can remember all of it for the final quiz, but I’m not sure I could!

Granddaughter M spends about 2 days a week with me and the rest with her teenage sitter.  She is a total mess and can talk the horns off a billy goat, so she keeps me entertained.  She told me recently, “Cheri, I’m trying to be a better Christian.”  My heart went to my throat and I just melted.  She also told me yesterday that she is praying for our little friend ASHLYNN (see the post about her here) every day.  My granddaughter has such a sweet heart!

Today is the 4^th of JULY and we are experiencing some rain showers.  Hope they will be gone by tonight when we will attend our community FIREWORKS SHOW.  We will be grilling steaks and making homemade peach ice cream before we go (recipe below).

I spent some time this a.m. thanking God for all those who serve or have served to enable us to have our freedom, and I also prayed that God will lead our country to a time of peace among our citizens.  Our country is too great to be divided by those who will not accept differences in each other.  Have a blessed day, everyone….and GOD BLESS AMERICA.

HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY AND/OR FRIENDS

This is my husband's grandmother's recipe & has been used in our family hundreds of times...enjoy!

Homemade GA Peach Ice Cream

1.  With mixer, mix together:

                       4 large eggs

                       2-3 cups sugar (depending on sweetness of peaches)

                    *mix until it looks like thickened cake batter, then add

                       1 can sweetened condensed milk

                       2 large cans evaporated milk

                    *mix well

2.  Blend enough peaches to have a blender full of pureed peaches (maybe even a little more)

3.  Add peaches to custard mixture and mix well.

4.  Pour into ice cream churn and process.

5.  Before eating:  forget about how many calories per serving!!!

                                                  

                                                   ENJOY

                   

My Toes in the Water, My Feet in the Sand

My beach-loving husband and I just got back from a few days soaking up the Florida sun and relaxing to the sound of the ocean waves.  It was heaven!  (But hot as $#@%^!)

This was our view as we walked in the front door of the gorgeous condo that we rented…

And this is where we spent each morning with coffee in hand.

We have rented the same condo for many years, but this year it was unavailable when we scheduled our vacation.  I was worried that we wouldn’t find a place we liked as much, but this condo and location were absolutely fabulous.  We couldn’t have been more pleased.  (Well, we could have done without the 15 steep stairs we had to climb whenever we left or returned to the condo!)

Of course, we devoured great seafood each night, and I (as always) enjoyed my walks on the beach picking up shells.  Every year I say I won’t collect any more, but somehow I just can’t resist.  I have to bring home just a few.

Last summer granddaughter “M” and I placed quotes and scriptures inside individual shells and left them on doorsteps and in mailboxes of friends and neighbors.  Just a little “random act of kindness” to make someone smile.

My husband is my very best shopping partner (he is sooo patient), and we always stop at this charity-owned thrift store not far from the beach.  I bought this beautiful glass platter for $2.00!  I think that’s a bargain as the platter is very heavy glass with etched flowers.  I also got some craft supplies (including some scrapbook page protectors for 50 cents…they are $10.00 at Hobby Lobby!  Wish we had great thrift shops near me, but we don’t.)

It was a wonderful trip and I’m so thankful to have spent some special time with the very special man that I married.  We will be celebrating our 48^th anniversary next week!  

Now we are home and “back to the real world”.  I think I may have to sleep with my sound machine tonight, turned to the waves rushing onto the shore!  And dream of next year when once again I’ll have…”my toes in the water, my feet in the sand.”

When Is a Chair NOT a Chair?

One of my favorite types of blog posts is seeing how creative people take a piece of junk and turn it into something beautiful and/or useful.  That is definitely not my expertise because I don’t have the “eye” for it, but I sure do covet that talent. 

Awhile back I was wandering through a local antique/thrift shop and saw this “part” of a chair.  Why in the world I decided to buy it I don’t know, BUT I DID!  (It was only $5 so I figured “what do I have to lose?”)

Well…it’s been sitting around very neglected for awhile now and I really need to either do something with it or give it to someone who loves to repurpose.  I decided I’d ask Mr. Google to give me some ideas and here are some that struck my fancy.  What do you think?

I love the turquoise color of this chair-turned-coat rack, but it would match absolutely NOTHING in my home…and not sure where I could put it.  Not sure I like the legs...I'd probably leave those off.

And here is a similar PINK one. I like the position of the hooks on this one a lot better.

Now this is an idea Mr. Chatter might possibly go for…or NOT!  I have a terrible habit of throwing my shoes in a pile on the floor in our bedroom.  I have soooooooooo many pairs of shoes, and it’s a real headache to get down the shoeboxes & put the shoes back in, yadda, yadda, yadda!  Not sure this idea would be a whole lot better than my pile on the floor, but it did catch my attention!

This shelf idea I could go for…and Mr. Chatter could probably easily fix this right up for me.  It could hang on my porch OR in a bedroom.

This would be a super cool idea for a party.  I don’t know what that round part is though and it might be hard to find, but could probably be adapted.

I love this idea if you have a similar chair…which I just happen to have. 

Here is my chair which gets repotted each spring with something different.

Of course, you’ve probably seen lots of planters similar to this one, but aren’t those colors with the green chair just delicious?

I really love this chalkboard but I would leave off the legs on the sides.  They don’t seem to serve any purpose and just take away from the cuteness…in my opinion.

And then finally, this is a really neat idea that I would definitely copy if I come across such a lovely and ornate piece.

I didn’t think to take notes of where I found each picture, so I hope I don’t get in trouble with anyone for sharing their ideas.  There sure are a LOT of creative people out there, and I am truly THANKFUL for them and for their thoughtfulness in sharing with others. 

So…which idea is your favorite?  Or do you have other ideas for my sweet chair back?

Hey, Y'all! It's Corn Shucking Time!

Two things you can count on in south GA at this time of year:

1.  it’s hot (and getting hotter) and

2.  the corn is ready!

CORN TIME is a yearly ritual at our house.  My husband grew up on a farm and each year he needs to get his “farming fix”…so we put up corn and other vegetables and have some fine eating all winter.

A few years back I posted about how we do this, but I wanted to share again all the hard work that goes into this southern tradition.  (For some reason Blogger deleted my previous corn post.)  Thankfully, my husband does a lot (really most) of the work😊

The first (and very important) thing you need to do is set up a corn-shucking place outside IN THE SHADE…and move it whenever needed until you are finished! 

Mr. Chatter does all the shucking, for which I am eternally grateful.  We do put up some on the cob, and we actually freeze it in the husks.

The next step is silking.  This is a step that we usually share.  I have to brag on my VERY SMART man for an “invention” he came up with several years ago…and it has made the silk removal SOOOO much easier and quicker. Maybe he should patent it!

This is a drill with an old baby bottle brush attached (part of the brush handle was cut off).  You just turn on the drill and the brush does the work.  

Start at the top of the ear and “brush” downward going against the way the silk grows.  Easy-Peasy!  But beware…you will get covered in corn silk.

The next step is solely left up to me.  I wash the ears under running water and use a stiff vegetable brush to remove any remaining silk.  Again, I work the brush going against the silk.

Mr. Chatter “insists” on doing the next step, and I NEVER argue😊  He uses this corn-scraper gadget (not sure of the correct name) and removes the kernels from the cob.  This will be our creamed corn.

This is delicious SILVER KING corn, our favorite.  But you can also get SILVER QUEEN (smaller in size) and AMBROSIA.  All are sweet versions of our state’s corn crop.

The next process is definitely one we share and it makes things go so much faster.  We blanch the creamed corn in the microwave.  Directions below.  I man the microwave and his job is to transfer the corn to a large stainless bowl sitting in a sink full of ice water to cool down the corn.  He then packages it in individual pint bags.

I wasn’t able to get pictures of the final product because I had to rush off to an appointment and the hubs finished up everything without me.  THANK YOU, Honey!

Oh…there’s one other thing you will definitely need if you are putting up corn in my neck of the woods, and it’s this:

Yep!  You GOTTA HAVE “gnat” repellant.  These wipes are awesome and do a good job at keeping those pesky critters out of your face and off your bare arms and legs.  (Why God created GNATS I will never understand!)  For those of you who live above what we down here call the GNAT LINE and don’t know what a gnat is…I’ll be glad to send you some😊

So…CORN TIME is finished once again.  It’s a great feeling of accomplishment to look in the freezer and see that we’ll be eating good for awhile.  I always thank God for my blessings, and good ‘ole South GA corn is definitely one of them.

Now on to peas and butterbeans next month! 

Directions for Microwave Blanching Corn:

1.  Put 4 cups of fresh creamed corn in a Corning Ware or other microwave-safe dish.

2.  Cook on HIGH for 2 minutes; then stir.

3.  Cook on HIGH for another 2 minutes.

4.  Immediately cool the corn by pouring it into a large bowl placed in ice cold water.  Stir corn a few minutes to cool it down.

5.  Place desired amount in labeled pint or quart freezer bags.

NOTE:  It’s a good idea to lay newspaper on freezer shelves and to also put a layer of it between layers of corn.  This way the bags won’t stick to the shelf or to each other.

How to Cook Creamed Corn in the Microwave:

Place corn in a microwave-safe dish (I use Corning Ware).  Add desired amount of butter.  Cook on about 80 for about 4 minutes.  Stir.  Cook on same temp. another 4 minutes.  (Vary time according to your microwave and amount of corn being cooked.  Watch it carefully so you won’t overcook.)

How to Cook Corn on Cob in the Microwave:

Shuck & silk the corn.  Wrap each cob in waxed paper.  Cook on HIGH 2 minutes per cob.

Of course, there are many different ways to COOK and to EAT delicious Georgia corn! So y'all just enjoy!

GRANDS ARE GRAND!!!

I love my grandkids.  Let me rephrase that….I ADORE my grandkids and feel so blessed to have them both.  They are the only two I will ever have, and they fill my heart to overflowing!

R is 15…and DRIVING with his learner’s permit!!!  He is often seen DRIVING MISS CHERI😊  M is 12 and can talk the ears off a billy goat…and enjoy every minute of it.  They live only two blocks over and often drop by in the golf cart or on the 4-wheeler.  They are probably at my house about as much as at theirs since I have always picked them up after school.  Being a retired teacher, I’m the homework guru (much to their chagrin).

Honors Night - All A Honor Roll

This week they have been doing CHORES to earn spending money for Youth Camp.  They leave for Florida next week and both are so excited…especially M since it’s her first time going.

They both did their chores SO WELL….and without even once complaining!!!!  I was super impressed about that.

I taught M to iron and she ironed her Papa’s shirts and shorts and did a great job.

R tidied up on the outside then went to work on the inside.  He has gotten so tall and wiped down the upper cabinets with no problem.  I always have to get the step stool.  Hmmm….wonder if he will agree to do this chore on a regular basis???

And the cherry on top of getting all this work done….they both gave me a big hug and said THANK YOU when I presented them with their $$$$!

I think it is very important for kids to learn some responsibility.  Both R & M take care of their own laundry at home and their parents usually give them a weekly list of chores.  In my opinion a child is never too young to begin helping around the house and learning that hard work pays off.

            

Every single day I pray over my grandchildren and ask God to lead them down the right paths.  And every day I thank Him for sending us two very special young people who bless our lives in so many ways.