FOTO FRIDAY: KIDS GROW UP WAY TOO FAST

FOTO FRIDAY is a sign of the times re: kids growing up way too fast. 

Last night a phone call from my daughter had very important news, Ms H, her daughter, now has a beau and he had given her a ring. I didn't even know she had a boyfriend. 

Ms H told me his name is Eli. Since it wasn't a Facetime I asked her to describe how it happened and to tell me what it looked like. She told me it is gold. Oh... I exclaimed.

Then her Mom snapped a pic and sent it to me.

Now, before you congratulate me you need to know Ms H is only 7. Eli had just asked her to be his boyfriend and he had bought the ring at the school store. Now that's modern romance for you.

These kids nowadays just grow up way too fast. 

As her Bubbe my wish is "May she have many more boys in her life that will appreciate how special she is until she finds the right one. "

TBT: COMPETITION THIS YEAR BEWEEN CHANUKA HARRY AND LARRY AND THE ELF ON A SHELF

 TBT: Almost a decade ago Chanuka Harry and Larry came into my life at the same time as childhood buddy Kaye knew I had spoken of Little Rock artist Jane Hankins taking on the endeavor to create some special figures for this winter Jewish holiday. Unbeknownst to Kaye, I had ordered one for myself and she had decided to gift me one too.  They have been blessing my home with silly shenanigans ever since.

Usually they don't have to complete with the Christmas Elf on a Shelf but due to the holidays coinciding on dates this year, they will. 

If you have any ideas for the guys you can submit your suggestions and we will see if they are game...  

You know these two love new ideas.

                         We always look forward to Chanuka !

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: COLD PRESS

MIDWEEK MUSINGS find me in back to Bubbe status and intro-ducing my young grand to new foods. This week is carrots and pumpkin. 

In addition to the little being a guinea pig, I also made a couple new recipes. One, an olive oil almond cake reminded me that I wanted to share a unique possibility to enjoy Tuscan organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from the olives picked during my stay. 

 B&B owners were hit hard due to COVID so here's our chance to help one particular cottage industry.

Poggio Etrusco's price list is updated on the website.  Note they no longer have the 750ml bottles due to not being able to find a supplier, So... they are only selling ½ litre tins this year. 

Here is a lovely description of Poggio Etrusco from their website.

"Poggio Etrusco is Pamela and Johnny’s 15-acre organic olive farm near Montepulciano in the southern Tuscan province of Siena. We completed our organic certification with ICEA in 2005. Our small artisanal production with 800 trees has five varieties of traditional Tuscan olives: moraiolo, leccino, correggiolo, frantoiana, and pendolino.

In October, and sometimes into early November, nets are spread under the trees,  olives are quickly and carefully picked and taken to the frantoio (olive mill) within 24-48 hours. The olives are washed, leaves removed, then put into the continuous system that macerates, extracts, and centrifuges the sparkling fresh oil. The result is an oil with extremely low acidity and lots of polyphenols...super fresh and healthy! 

The label was designed by Johnny Johns and expresses our desire for a clean, sustainable, peaceful world.

We are very proud of our oil and pleased to offer you the opportunity to try it."

 If interested, here's the link to their Order Form. 

TUESDAY TUNES: OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

 TUESDAY TUNES is inspired by my days sharing music with my 5 month old granddaughter. She loves to squeal and share her vocal cords in response with the most beautiful smiles. I don't know what she will end up doing with her life but I have a feeling music will be part of it.

Today's tune is composed by a 10 year old with a lovely story... Take a listen. Olive's Score. 

Or to hear it FB's :  ABC's NEWS Muir 

FOTO FRIDAY: Gettin' Rid of PORN

FOTO FRIDAY: Can't disappoint with my last Texan treat... 

Mighty artistic altho' Gauguin didn't paint it.

 

I was a magician, I made this ' food porn' disappear...

Lemon tart via Leonelli...

TBT: 2016 I TRUST YOU

 TBT: I wish things were better in today's world.

 May we all remember we are each other's keeper... 

Perhaps you'd like to grab a kleenex.

I TRUST YOU-  KARIM SULAYMAN

TUESDAY TUNES: DON'T SAY DON'T GO

TUESDAY TUNES:  Is one of the Swifter's ... At least that's what I have nicknamed her... 

Here's a new favorite tune for this Jazzerciser... 

DONT SAY DON'T GO

MONDAY MUSINGS: BYE BYE BIRDIE

MONDAY MUSINGS have me reflecting on the past holiday week which passed undocumented as both you and I were busy with the holiday of Thanksgiving.

My Georgia clan was headed to Florida, the California crew was entertaining their LA fam and I enjoyed a family dinner the Sunday before since my nephew and to-be niece were in early. 

One of my favorite Canadian couchsurfers was on his return trip north and stopped en route for a couple of nights. 

We did squeeze in an Old Mill visit amidst some unforeseen house projects. I was hoping he'd help me organize the workbench, but that will have to wait for another visit and it obviously can wait as it's been 3 years since it's been on my to-do list.

Wednesday we both headed to our respective Turkey dinners. Houston was my destination and the airports really were so much quieter than expected. Apparently many travellers chose to travel on Tuesday. Go figure and I was able to change a long Dallas layover to an earlier flight which had 50 open seats!

 Homemade pizza awaited me. YUM.

Thursday's holiday table was filled with much thankfulness for the bounty, those who helped prepare it and for all those seated around the two tables. All the traditional fare was in the kitchen buffet line including salmon for the nonmeat eaters and an Irish family recipe of stuffed tomatoes... See below.

Couldn't capture it all: Turkey, gravy, oven potatoes, bread stuffing, cranberry salad, casseroles of sweet potato, corn pudding and green beans in addition to a pomegranate salad and rolls. Apple pie, brownies and pumpkin bread for dessert. I'm sure I left something out... 

Leftovers would be plentiful to devour during the week... And as my holiday shirt stated: we gobbled til we wobbled.

May this holiday season continue to be filled with the important things in life: good food, good friends and family...  Best wishes to you all.

And to my nail art I say Bye, Bye Birdie...