Small Town

I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be

John Mellencamp

I wasn't born here, didn't go to grade school here, but this is my hometown.  It's a small town.

A couple of years back, you used to know everyone in town.  Never could get away with anything without your parents finding out because of the eyes and ears all over town.  Yes, everyone knows everyone else's business, but, because of this, a helping hand is always a stone's throw away.

My closest friends were born here, went to kindergarten and graduated from high school with the same crew.  They made me feel like I always belonged here.  They are the ones I got crazy with in high school, stood up to each other's weddings, am helping with their kids' weddings, and will probably get crazy with when we are old.  A bunch of good girls that just like to have fun.

My family lives here.  None of us left.  It's our hometown.  My siblings each raised their families here, and hope that their grandkids will raise their kids.  We can call, and one or other will come running right away. 

It's a small town.  Nothing special except for the people that make up this small town - a bunch of nosy, gossiping, caring, and giving people.  The best kind of people are in a small town!

Easy Recipe

Bacon Bacon Broccoli Salad 

2 Tbsp. Bacon Bacon™
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
5 cups broccoli florets
2 Tbsp. salted sunflower seeds, if desired
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Place broccoli in large bowl; drizzle with Bacon Bacon™ mixture. Toss; top with sunflower seeds and cheese. Chill 1 hour. Makes 6-8 servings.

Aunt Janet's Famous Saying

"I have eyes and ears all over town, so I will find out."  This always amazed my nieces and nephews when I found out.   And I will never give the names of my sources!

Love you,
Aunt Janet

Education

The main part of intellectual education is not the acquisition of facts but learning how to make facts live.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

A college education is a gift that you give yourself.  Nothing can take away the knowledge that you worked so hard to gain.  It becomes a part of you and shapes you into the person you will become.  You alone can earn it - it is your accomplishment!

My beautiful niece is graduating today.  Congratulations!  I am very proud of you!

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

"If there's a will, there's a way."

I wanted a college education.  I took out loans, worked while others were playing (or studying), had limited "extras", ate a lot of macaroni and cheese, but I did it!  I paid my own way through college.

I hear kids and parents say that they cannot afford to send their children to college.  Yes, a college education costs a heck of a lot more than when I went, but, if a person truly wants it, they can do anything their heart desires.  I have two nieces that graduated from college in the last couple of years, and they did it all by themselves!  Not only did they give themselves a gift of a college education, but they earned it!  Be proud!

Beauty Tip

Honey to get rid of blemishes.  I'm not sure where I heard about it, but I tried it.  It's sticky, but it works!  My doctor said that honey is a natural antiseptic so that's why it works. 

My Challenges for 2013

1. Post to blog.  (I'm shooting for weekly.)  - Okay, I fell short on this one.  Lately, I've experienced many challenges in life, and let's say they haven't all been positive.  I did not want this to come out in my blogging.  Who wants to hear about negative things?  I know, I know.  I need to count my blessings and write about them.
2. Keep house organized.  (This is a big challenge for me.  I especially hate paper.)  I really hate paper.  One improvement that I have noticed, it doesn't take as long to pick up the house.  So, I guess I am improving on this.  I'll keep pushing on about this goal.
3. Crochet a sweater.  I am more than half way done.  Okay - I did take a break and crochet a wrap for my sister, a bridal purse for my niece, and I'm working on a poncho for me.  I found a passion that I forgot about, so I am confident that I will get this sweater done and much more.
4. Eat healthy.  I have been eating less junk food, and more fruits.  Now, I need to get my husband on the same track as me, and then we'll both be eating healthier.  Oh, he's be doing most of the cooking lately.
5. Get my mom's house organized.  (Bigger challenge for both my mom and my sisters.)  Slowly...
6. Make homemade cheese (my Christmas gift from my husband).  I did this!  I made cheddar cheese.  It needs to age for a couple of months, so we haven't tasted it yet.
7. Preserve more homegrown food.  Garden is being planted, and I'm trying to plant more of what we eat.  I guess I'm on my way to checking this one off as a big "Yes"!
8. Learn to sew (again).  Have to work on this one.  Now, I have a Home Ec teacher in the family to assist me - my niece whose graduating today!
9. Learn one new thing every day.  Ongoing goal.  I love to learn new things, so I am confident that I will accomplish this goal, maybe not on a daily basis, but I will learn.
10. Plan monthly craft nights with my sisters and nieces.  With weddings, new babies and what not, we really have not had the time.
11. Sell on ebay until all my stuff is gone.  Still selling...
12. And above all, Enjoy Life!  Counting my blessings, allowing myself "fun" time, doing activities I enjoy, ...

Until later,
Aunt Janet

Consequences

Always listen to your elder's advice,

not because they are always right,

but because they have more experience at being wrong.

Author Unknown

We learn from our experiences.  We also learn from the experience of others.  When we see our young making a wrong move, we try to reach out and give advice.  Sometimes it is taken.  Other times we are told to let them make their own mistakes.  Out of love, we are trying to prevent hurt, pain, and questions of "why did I ever do that?" 

Yes, it is true that we are not always right.  They may experience a totally different outcome than we experienced.  But, and I do think you will agree with me, positive actions reap positive results, and negative actions reap negative results.

I am not sure how many times I have told the young in my family:

There are consequences to every action. If you do something positive, there will be a positive consequence. If you do something negative, there will be a negative consequence. You may not see this consequence right away, but, sooner or later, it will catch up with you, and you will have to deal with the consequence of your action. So, think carefully before you do things. Ask yourself if this action is positive or negative. Or, better yet, WWJD. 

Remember - No matter what you do, God will forgive you, but He doesn't always take away the consequences.  More often, He helps us through them.  He gives us knowledge from experience, tough love when we need it, and strength to endure.  If we did something wrong, and didn't suffer a little from this wrong action, how are we to learn?

If you help someone, someone will help you.  If you lie, you will be lied to.  If you give, you will receive.  If you steal, your possessions are not safe.  If you listen, you will be heard.  If you cheat, you will never be able to trust. 

So often, we blame others for your poor choices.  If they had done this, or not done this, or been more ??? or less ???, then I would have not done what I did.  When you go to heaven, God is not going to ask how others treated you, but how you treated others.  You are only responsible for yourself.  It doesn't matter if someone called you a bad name.  It just matters how you responded.  Did you respond in anger, or did you turn the other check?

As the youth grow and experience life, they come to see the truth of this knowledge, knowledge that has been passed down generation to generation, knowledge from those that have lived through their own experiences of life.  When the truth triumphs, there is no justification for wrongs, but every justification for rights.  And the Truth always triumphs!

Money Savings Idea

For Mother's Day this weekend, how about giving a homemade gift certificate for time?  Time to paint her living room, teach her how to blog, take a walk, or plant flowers.  Most mothers appreciate and treasure the gift of time more than any other tangible gift.  Your time is free, but the time spent with your mom is priceless.

Question

The key to wisdom is this -
constant and frequent questioning.

For by doubting, we are led to question;

and by questioning, we arrive at the truth.

Peter Abelard

As a child, I was encouraged to question.  There were no stupid questions, but, at times, the answers were evaded.  Not necessarily because my parents did not want to answer, but because sometimes there was no explanation, or there were multiple answers to one question.  A discussion would proceed, allowing us to think, debate, concede, and /or acknowledge the truth, if there was one.

By questioning, I gained knowledge, learning not to take anything as the truth until all the facts were gathered. 

In my current occupation, I had little technical education when I first started.  At the time I went to college, computers took up rooms, and we mostly communicated to the computers through punch cards.  I learned to number the punch cards because, as in my own experience, they come shooting out of the card reader, I could put them back together in the order they were suppose to be.  In fact, my degree has nothing to do with computers and my present occupation.

When I began my venture into a computer occupation, personal computers were few, and the internet was almost non-existent.  I learned how to solve problems by asking the right people, reviewing the manuals, reading books, and trying.  Yes, I did take a couple of classes, but it was the questions I asked that solved the problems I faced.

Questioning is a search for the truth.  I find others sometimes questioning the existence of God.  In my mind, they are on a search for the truth, and the Truth will come in its own time.  Each one of us have different experiences that led us to the Truth, for, without the questioning, is it really the Truth felt inside the heart, or just a vague understanding of what is?  Maybe my parents' urging to question is why my deep faith goes back so far, as a child with many questions.

Grandpa's Stories

Now, please remember that my dad was sometimes blunt, and had a great sense of humor.  He would say: "If you assume, you make an ass out of you and me."  Think, question, and never assume, because, what you believe to be the truth, may end up being false and lead you astray.

Money Making

Once again, the holiday is upon us.  If you do on-line shopping, please help a friend (me) and shop from my blog.  I make money when anyone goes to a store from my blog - not much, but pennies add up.  I'm going to try to update the links so that you can take advantage of the many sales going on now.  (Is it me, or does everyone think that they're advertising earlier this year?)

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

"Remember when..."  It was a time of complete devastation for my niece and nephew.  One arm around my small niece on one side, and the other around my little nephew on the other, I held them as they sobbed with all their heart.  Then, suddenly, my niece's hair became entangled in my dangling earring, and the sobbing stopped, and the laughing began.  We could not get her hair out of the earring.  When questioned if God is listening, I remind them by starting "Remember when..."  They remember, and, in their heart, they know only God could have turned their sorrow into laughter.

Learning by questioning,
Aunt Janet

Old Friends

“Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them,

but you know they are always there”

Author Unknown

There is something to be said about old friends. The one that, even if you haven’t seen each other in eons, you can pick up the conversation like you were never separated. Talking for hours, laughing, crying, reminiscing and making new memories. The type of friend that wouldn’t be surprised if you called in the middle of the night crying, even though you haven’t talked to them in ten years. They understand. They have been a part of your life for so many years that they know who you are deep down inside. They know your joys and sorrows, maybe not for the past year, but for a lifetime.

I have a handful of friends that I can call my true friends. There is a bond between us that time will not break. Some are from high school, a couple from college, and one that is my lifetime friend – we met across the fence when we were 3 or 4. They have stood by my side, attended life events – graduations, weddings, christenings, and, yes, deaths and funerals. I would be there in a minute for them, and, I know, they would do the same for me. We are like fine wine that gets better as it ages, even if it is out of sight, only to be savored after years of silence.

You know who you are. I love you. You are unique, each different from the other. From you, I have gained strength, love, and confidence (clothes, concert tickets, and dill)– each bringing a different combination of all. I am blessed to call you my friend.

Aunt Janet’s Famous Sayings

“It is very important to keep in touch with / see / talk to your girlfriends.” I’ve tried to pass this down to my nieces, because I do feel that women bless each other. Face it – you can’t talk to a guy like you can a girlfriend. They are on a different plane than we are. Women understand women. Can you ask a guy if he thinks you’re going through menopause because you can’t remember anything? Will a guy give you his honest opinion about your new haircut? No, but a girlfriend would, and she would help you decide what style would bring out your best features. A friend would even tell you that she didn’t think it would be wise to foster children because she knows me. When I love, I love with my whole heart, and when the love is taken away, my heart breaks and I feel the full strength of the loss and sorrow. I am one of those people who does not try to stop feeling, and, at times, the feeling is too deep.

A couple of times, I had several people question the strength of an old friendship after years of separation. All I can say is that, once a friend and I bond, the bond lasts. So, my best friend in high school is still one of my best friends. My friend across the fence is still my oldest and dearest friend. It’s not that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Women are so busy taking care of others that they forget to take care of themselves, which sometimes means picking up the phone because they know once they are on the phone with their cherished friend, they will never get off, and dinner has to be made, the laundry done, you need to go grocery shopping… They are on our mind, in our heart, and included in our prayers always.

True friends reconnect. I’ve gone as far as calling my college friend’s ex-husband to get her phone number – she had changed it when they divorced. I found his workplace because I knew he was a principal in a certain area.  I poked a friend’s brother on facebook, just so I could get her attention. You know, girls in the house, mom doesn’t get the message, so never returns phone calls. Hehe I’m sending a friend from work a retirement card, even though she retired months ago. Hey - it’s the thought that counts. And I found out two other friends are retiring because I saw them going into a meeting for imminent retirees. (You know who you are because I don’t send my blog link to you since you asked me not to. And I know you still love me. I better be invited to your retirement party weeks in advance!)

To my nieces and younger woman – friends are so important. They keep you grounded. You can laugh and cry with them. They know your weaknesses and secrets. Cherish them.

Now, let’s see how many of my friends leave a comment. I’ll guess none. They are all so busy!

Grandpa's Stories (& Quotes)

The 27th anniversary of my dad’s death just passed, and he has been on my mind. My cousin passed away during the summer, and I see his wife’s grief. When someone died, my dad would say:

“Live for the living, not for the dead.”

My dad lost his first wife when his youngest child, my sister chosen by God, was only about 5. He talked with experience, and I wish I could reach out and help her. Someone once told me that, even though we may be separated from our loved ones for years, when we get to heaven, in heaven time, we are only separated for the blink of an eye. I miss you dad, but I know I’ll see you soon – maybe in 50 years.

Money Making Tip

I’m asking your opinion with this one. My friend is in a belly dancing group. They perform at many events. Do you think that a belly dancing class, along with a jewelry show, would fly?

She suggested it, and I think just maybe, as long as I don’t have to belly dance. Okay, I have high frequency hearing loss, and cannot keep a beat for the life of me. I would stick out like a sore thumb, or look like a jester or rodeo clown. Get the picture? It would be hilarious, but I don’t think so. So, to my friends and family, it’s not that I can’t sing. I can’t hear to be able to sing. There. I told you guys, after you’ve made fun of me for years.

Money Savings

Specials at thrift stores – I went to a thrift store yesterday after being told that they were having a $5 bag sale. I filled the bag with Lee Jeans, a Coldwater Creek top, a Liz Claiborne jacket, and about 8 other items. For $5!

One thing to keep in mind is that these are donated clothes. Look for clothes that are not worn, do not have stains, and fit. About half of the items I bought were brand new, a couple with the tags still on. I checked each item to make sure that there were no obvious stains or flaws, but forgot to check the size on a pair of jeans. Their tag said 10. The inside tag said 14. You will see these jeans posted on ebay soon.

This is a great way to save money, but keep in mind dry cleaning costs. Is the jacket really worth $5 if it costs $10 to have it dry cleaned? The jacket I bought was in such good shape that I feel it was worth the small investment.

Specials aren’t usually advertised in newspapers. So, if you want a bargain at a thrift store, you usually have to watch their windows for “sale” signs. Also, some thrift stores do not carry what I would call high quality items. Shop around until you find one that does. The one I found carries mostly designer clothes at unbelievable low prices.

Lastly, remember to always wash your "new" clothes.  You never know who was in them last.

Cherish your friendships,
Aunt Janet

The Canvas of Life

Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality.

Author Unknown

I just turned 49, and I was feeling a little down.  My life is not the life I envisioned for myself.  What was and what I imagined it to be are two different pictures.  If I could go back in time, what would I do differently?

I was born with certain characteristics and talents, unique only to me.  These I cannot change - gifted to me from the Highest.  I do consider them gifts, and I am honored that He saw fit to bestow them onto me.

But, there are so many crossroads where I could have chosen a different path, and the road may have been different.  Better, lovelier, more fulfilling - I'm not sure.  Different - maybe.

A friend, sensing my desire to have lived a more fulfilling life, encouraged me to repaint my canvas.  It's never too late.  Just start with a blank canvas, start dreaming, and fill the canvas with beauty.  What I paint on my canvas will be one of a kind, priceless, and to be treasured forever.

How this all started?

A family member passed away.  We called him uncle because of our age difference.  He was actually a cousin.  He was one of the great story tellers in my family.  His eyes would light up when you asked him to share a story.  He was also a jokester.  As a child, I remember pretending that his car was a police car, with flashing lights and sirens (headlights and dome lights going on and off, siren sounds, children laughing, while my aunt was yelling).

That side of my family told the stories, some happy, some sad, and even some horrifying.  But, whatever the story, they shared it, letting the ghosts out, and passing their heritage on.

My dad was like that.  I miss him.  He passed away 26 years ago when my mom was only 49.  (So, that's where the age comes into play.)  There were so many life's trials that I wish my dad was there to guide me, encourage me, or push me in the right direction.  Yes, I may not have listened, but I would have learned.  Instead, I did what I believed was right, and, at times, was wrong.

What would I have changed?

This is something I need to contemplate.  To go back in time and look at the mistakes one makes takes courage.  To learn from those mistakes, and figure out how they could have been avoided, takes knowledge, understanding, and possibly a little experience.  So, without much thought, here is a couple of things that I would have done differently.

In 7th and 8th grade, I should have not tried to be cool and done stupid things that led to habits later.  Habits that I still struggle with today.

Going back 30 something years, I should have closed the door on my boyfriend's face.  Well, after he supposedly broke up with me, he came over after his first date with another girl.  And he kept coming over, and I let him for years.  I should have put up a boundary that I was not to be treated in that manner, with him disregarding my feelings and thinking I'd be there whenever. 

(The above are specifically written for some of my younger readers.)

One major thing I would have definitely changed is that I would have begun a family earlier, because then I would have had a family, whether naturally or by adoption.

The rest is yet to be decided.

Aunt Janet's Famous Quotes

You are old enough when you realize that you don't know everything, and you seek guidance from someone who knows more.

Repainting my canvas,
Aunt Janet

Happy New Year's!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity

and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Alas, 2009 is gone, and a New Year is here! A New Year to hope, to plan, to seek, to love, and to realize dreams. I look forward to this New Year with much anticipation - it will definitely be a good year!


Due to life's trials, 2010 may be a year where we learn to change. Life is not what it was five years ago. We will become less materialistic, and we will simplify, holding on to our values and close ones more than things. This is the year we let go of the anger, let go of the fear, and resolve to find different roads to our happiness. I feel that family and friends will gather and share more of life's burdens, and rejoice in togetherness.

My New Year's resolution - 2010 will be a great year! Period, end of story, I'm claiming it! I will need to let go of the anger, the fear, and humble myself to go down roads I do not know or chose to avoid in the past. Although I have done this in the past, I give all my woes to God, and ask that His plan for my life become clearer, and He lights the path brightly, the one that I am to take. In the past, I thought I was doing what He wanted me to do, but the results weren't always good. So, now I ask, and pray, that these paths are illuminated so I know clearly where to go.

I also claim for year that 2010 will be a great year! Be brave and look up for it may not be what you expected, and it may take you be surprise, but, at the close of the year, if you kept your faith, you will look back and say "Yes, 2010 was a great year!"

Books

I began the New Year reading a daily inspirational book called God's Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life, and a best seller which you will probably recognize, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy. My goal in reading these books (for the second or third time) is to learn techniques and ways to simplify my life and be content.  Check them out by clicking on the book name above.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

This is a saying that I picked up from my dad.  When I was growing up, my family always brought in the New Year.  We held silver dollars, kissed and hugged, and drank a smidgen of champaign.  Being Polish, some even ate the pickled herring which is supposed to bring in good luck for the coming year. 

"How you start the year is how it will be all year long."  If you start the year with a clean house, your house will be clean.  If you start the year with a positive attitude, you will be positive all year. 

One interesting tradition I just learned - on New Year's, place a penny on a windowsill to increase the chances of prosperity in the year to come.  I'm trying it, and I'll let you know if it helps.
Happy New Year!
Aunt Janet

Do You Have a Hole in Your Shoe?

Walk a mile in your brother’s shoes

before you begin to judge him.

Anonymous

2009 is ending, and, needless to say, I am happy to see it go.  Hardships were fought, lessons were learned, and many tears were shed.  Because we have a merciful and loving God, I  declare that 2010 will be a good year. 

We don't know what a person feels and experiences unless we have walked in their shoes.  God made me experience these life stresses to teach me, and to help others.  I understand.  I can relate to someone who has had the woes I have experienced, and I can imagine those that have had other problems.  I have walked in the same, or similar, shoes.

My husband has a hole in the bottom of his shoe, and he has been complaining about it everytime it rains and snows.  Come to think about it, he has been avoiding going anywhere in this snow because he doesn't want to have cold and wet feet.  A Christmas gift will buy him new shoes.

So many of us are going through life trials and tribulations.  For me, I wish there weren't so many.  My trials may be different than yours, may seem trivial to yours, and you may think that there are better ways to handle my problems.  Sometimes, like my husband, I avoid going certain places or to different areas in my life to avoid further pain and discomfort.  Like many, I handle what God and I can handle today, avoiding letting my feet get cold and wet.

If you have holes in your shoes, know that God will take care of them.  He will provide a way to get new shoes, or get the worn ones fixed.  Yes, He may say "Buy new shoes instead of paying that bill", but He is the one that provides, and He will take care of that bill.  He may give you a friend if the hole you have is in your heart.  He may give you peace if your life has been filled with turmoil.  I do pray that He will send someone who has walked in my shoes to show me the path that is dry and warm, and comfortable enough for my feet.

2010 will be a good year - for you and I!  We end the year throwing out the battered and worn shoes of yesterday.  We start the year believing that God will take care of us, and provide the means and knowledge of the achieving His goals.  I pray for wisdom for you and me in 2010!

Money Savings

Everyone laughs at me, but I collect the bows on presents for later use.  You need to put them in a box loosely, so they don't get flattened.  For bigger bows, I will put used tissue paper in the loops to keep them fluffy.  It's a small way that I save money for the following year.

And don't forget to save your Christmas cards to make gift tags next year.  You can find it at my Christmas Magic post.

Also, now is the time to buy Christmas wrapping paper, bags, and bows.  After-Christmas sales are great!

Recipe

This potato casserole goes so well with ham.  Everyone seems to love it!

Cracker Barrel's Hash Browns Casserole - Copycat

2 lbs frozen hash browns
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 (10 1/4 ounce) can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup onion, peeled and chopped
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

 Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 11 x 14 baking dish with cooking spray.  Mix the above ingredients together, place in prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until brown on top.  Serves 10-12.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

There are experiences and trials in my life that I believe God let me experience to help my family.  My niece and nephew have often heard me say "I believe that God put this in my life so I can help you.  If I never experienced it, I wouldn't know how to help you."
Aunt Janet

Bah! Humbug!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.

Charles Dickens

With Christmas fast approaching and little money to spend, the feeling of "Bah! Humbug!" came over me.  My inquisitive mind started spinning the wheels.  What did "Bah! Humbug" even mean?

Although this phrase in only found twice in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, it is the one of the most famous quotes of the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge.  Elizabeth Gregory states:

Ebenezer Scrooge is a bad-tempered miser who values only money, and the story begins on the seventh anniversary of the death of his like-minded business partner, Jacob Marley. It is Christmas Eve, although this matters little to Scrooge, who sees Christmas as “a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer” (chapter one), and thus coins his now famous expression “’Bah! Humbug!’”
Read more at Suite101: Dickens: A Christmas Carol: Classic Ghost Story

But what does it actually mean?  According to Wikipedia, humbug means "hoax or jest."  Dictionary.com states that bah means interjection, and thus Bah Humbug is an exclamation of contempt or annoyance.  In a Christmas Carol, Scrooge's nephew cried in a cheerful voice, "A merry Christmas, uncle!  God save you."  In response, Scrooge says "Bah! Humbug!" 

Ebenezer Scrooge is a penny-pinching miser in the first degree. He cares nothing for the people around him and mankind exists only for the money that can be made through exploitation and intimidation. He particularly detests Christmas... (David Perdue's Charles Dickens Page)  To convey his feelings about Christmas, he says "Bah! Humbug!", exclaiming his strong annoyance.

Luckily, the three spirits of Christmas help Scrooge see the error in his ways and he is transformed! 

So when Dickens concludes that Scrooge "knew how to keep Christmas well" ... Ebenezer Scrooge kept Christmas well by becoming "as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world."
Christmas According to Dickens, by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts

Well, I didn't feel Bah! Humbug! after all!  And I was amazed at how many sites reference and analyze Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".  I found it very interesting, especially the social impact that the book had when Dickens wrote it, and the reasons why he wrote it.  I encourage you to check it out - Google "A Christmas Carol".

Recipe

Here is a cookie recipe that is a Christmas family tradition.  When I was young, my siblings and I were in charge of decorating the cookies, and the fun we had!  My sisters have passed on this tradition to their children, with my mom helping, of course!

Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies

4 oz. cream cheese
1-1/2 cups margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
Colored sugar &/or candy sprinkles

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Blend cream cheese and margarine together.  Add sugar and vanilla a little at a time, and beat well.  Add flour slowly to mixture, and beat well.  Use a cookie press to make your choice of shapes, and sprinkle with colored sugar or candy sprinkles.  Bake 8-10 minutes.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

I have acquired a touch of the flu - headache, achy bones, and just being plain tired.  As I was leaving for the doctor, my husband asked me to stop at the store for some groceries.  I have told my nieces and nephews countless times, reverberating their parents' orders, "If you're too sick to go to school (work), you're too sick to go anywhere else."  He decided that we didn't need the groceries today.

Happy Baking!
Aunt Janet

Blaming Others?

When you blame others, you give up your power to change.

Dr. Robert Anthony

How many times do you want to blame your situation on someone else, when, in reality, you allowed the situation to happen? Maybe you innocently put your trust in someone. Or you did not have the knowledge of how a person truly was. Perhaps, you felt that another person's inappropriate actions gave you a right to act inappropriately yourself, but you reasoned that it was all their fault.

At times, it felt like someone else was to blame. Yes, maybe their actions or words were wrong, but it's up to you whether you pick up the ball - whether you take it to heart, whether you do something to change the situation, and /or whether you let them get in the way of you changing.

It makes me think of how so many people blame their spouse, child, parent, or business partner for getting them in the financial situation they are in. They bounce checks, but you let them keep the checkbook, or you keep your name on the checkbook. You co-sign a loan, and they don't pay. You were the one that signed the loan papers, not them, and you are equally responsible for the loan. Your business collapses because your partner lets his family take things for free. You went into business with this partner, it was your decision.

I could go on and on with examples - infidelity, addiction, untrustworthiness. Yet, in all these, something drew us into the relationship, something attracted us to the person, it was our choice. When we let go of the blame game, we, alone, take control over our life. If a spouse cheats once, okay maybe it was a mistake, twice, they have a problem with commitments, they are easily bored, ... If we decide to sit on our pity pot and say it's all their fault, how is it their fault when we are the ones that tolerate the action. It becomes our issue, something that we have to learn to set boundaries with, and only we have the power to change it.

Now, there is the opposite side of the coin - when you take blame for other's mistakes. After having a long talk with my sister about the perils of going to a Catholic school, I started writing this blog with the intention of trying to figure out why I say I'm sorry for things I had no control over, and why I always try to figure out what I did wrong in a situation, but somehow, when I began to write, the other side of the coin was facing up. I guess some time in the future, I will take on the topic of how the nuns put the fear of God in us. For anyone who went to a Catholic school, you understand. For the rest, know that the nuns sometimes used threats of eternal damnation to get us to act a certain way, and it's stuck in our heads even now. (Okay - not all of them - just the mean ones.  hehe)

Money Savings Tip

Because of the mild abrasiveness and cleaning agent, toothpaste is a great stain fighter.  "Stick with standard paste, not gel, and steer clear of formulas designed for tartar control and whitening," says Siegel-Maier. "These often contain chemicals and additional abrasives that can damage items such as fine silver."

You can use it to clean:

• Acrylic accessories (such as desktop organizers): Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush and work it into scratches until they diminish. Wipe residue off with a cloth.
• Chrome fixtures: To polish faucets and taps in the kitchen or bathroom, smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto them, then buff with a soft cloth until they shine.
• Scuffed linoleum: Reduce marks by scrubbing them with toothpaste and a dry cloth until no toothpaste residue remains.
• Piano keys: Rub each key carefully with a damp cotton swab and a dollop of toothpaste. Wipe dry and buff with a clean cloth.
• Tarnished silverware: Put a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth, rub it onto the tarnish, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
• Steam iron: Mineral deposits can stain an iron's soleplate. Apply a dab of toothpaste and work it into the plate. Use a clean cloth to remove residue.

(I found this on a website, but failed to write down the site.  So, to whomever's site I borrowed this from, thank you and all credit goes to you.  I would site you if I could remember when this came from.)

Easy Recipe

For the gardeners that do their second planting of plants from the cabbage family, I love this salad and hope you do, too!

1 head of broccoli, chopped

1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1 red onion, diced
1 lb. uncooked bacon, cooked until crispy, or 1 pkg cooked bacon
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sugar


Crumble bacon.  Mix broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, onion, and cheese together.

In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise and sugar together.  Pour over salad and mix.  Refrigerate for one hour, stir again, and serve.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

Okay, I have a brain freeze and I need help.  There's a word similar to dumb or stupid that means being ignorant of the fact or lacking the knowledge to make a rational decision.  When my nieces and nephews were young and bickering (yes, they did do plenty of that), they sometimes would use this word against their sibling.  They used as if it meant stupid or dumb, and I use to always correct them with the appropriate meaning - ignorant of the fact or lacking knowledge.  I have a total brain freeze, and, even after countless phone calls to grown nieces and nephews (and my siblings), I still can't remember.  Help!

Warming up,
Aunt Janet

Don't Cry - Relax

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

Jim Goodwin

My husband is making me relax tonight. No work, no phone calls, nothing that requires thinking. I've had a bad week, and it's only Tuesday.

It started on Friday when I found out that the eviction of the grocery store was scheduled for Monday, the same day I had 2 zoning violation hearings. The Cook County Sheriff only gives you a day notice for evictions. Unable to reach a lock smith - the phone numbers I had collected were disconnected (I had previously received quotes from 4 lock smiths), we worked on getting ready for the violation hearings. Last week, the inspector had cleared up a couple of violation questions that we were confused about, so we did what he told us to do.

Then, yesterday at 6:30 a.m., I headed to Chicago for the eviction of the grocery store in my money pit. Because I didn't have keys (long story - don't ask), the deputies and fire department broke my door. Even though I pleaded for a locksmith, they used the jaws of life to open it. The frame is bent, the lock is broke, and the gate was broke. I couldn't leave until I could lock the door. A welder came to fix the gate, a locksmith came to tell me he couldn't fix the lock, a door salesman came to tell me the glass door would cost me $1000 to replace, and my husband yelled at me for letting them break the door. I cried.

Luckily, I, an amateur on glass doors and locks, figured out how to lock the door. The plate was in the way of the locking mechanism. With the help of the welder (thank God - I had no tools) who had fixed the gate, I removed the plate and the door would lock.

Since I couldn't leave the store, I missed my zoning violation hearings. Luckily, the attorney was very understanding, and said she could handle it. I was crying. (When you are out of $$$, and you have buildings that are over 100 years old, it's bound to happen, especially to me. 11 of the 15 violations were dismissed. The remaining four I cannot afford to fix. I cried some more.)



After the door was temporarily fixed, I began throwing out the expired food, which was probably 99% of all the food left. (Do you know how hard it is to find expiration dates on some items?)  Luckily, no mice or other nasty pests! As I'm filling giant garbage bags, I thought of all the hungry people that could have been fed. I filled up 8 of these giant bags with just potato chips. I could only put a couple in the garbage cans because I have to leave the other tenants room for their garbage. On the sly and feeling guilty while I did it, I did sneak two bags into a dumpster in my home town - dumpsters I knew would never get filled in the week. (My luck - someone saw me, and I'll be called on it.)

When I was going in and out of the building, I noticed that the lock is broke on the porch. Luckily, I figured this out right away or I would have locked myself out of the building. The lock will lock with a key, but not unlock. I cried again.

After crying to my real estate agent while I was asking for a lock smith reference, he asked me to change the light bulbs in the basements. On the way home, I remembered that I forgot to take care of the one thing he asked me to do. And, to top it off, I put a for rent sign in the window. When I went to lock the gate, I noticed you could not see my whole phone number, but the porch door was locked, so I couldn't get in to fix it.

After picking up the broke ceiling tiles in another unit, which were caused by a water leak in the above apartment, I noticed that the boyfriend of my tenant who fell down the stairs and broke both of her wrists, did not put the skid things on the stairs. I needed to find out why. I got in the car, called my chiropractor to tell her I would never make it back in time for my appointment, and then proceeded to cry all the way home, which isn't a smart thing to do in Chicago's rush hour.

I came home to work on paperwork that had to be done, took a bath because I smelled like potato chips, and went to bed way to late. Puppy woke me up in the middle of the night, and would not stop barking until I took her out. For those that aren't familiar with Puppy, she has bone cancer in her leg, so letting her out is getting her off the bed (I know - I'm a softy), getting dressed appropriately to go outside, picking her up, carrying her down the stairs, waiting for her to do her business, picking her up to go in the house, waiting for her to get a drink of water, and then picking her up to go back to bed.

Lack of sleep, tears, and stress cause migraines. Today, I went to work, feeling like I was hung over. When the pain got to severe, I went home and went to bed.

When I woke up, my husband had dinner made, and told me I was to relax and do nothing. After some protests, I agreed he was right. I needed to relax or I would be good for nothing.

At this moment, I am thinking that he is so right, I needed to do nothing, and I am laughing. Life happens. My day yesterday would have been a good sitcom. Nothing went according to plan. Nothing ever goes according to plan. God is the only one in control. Even with the most precise laid out plans, I cannot control what happens around me. I just need to know that He is there, and, if I put my faith in Him, everything, no matter how messed up, is going according to His plan. My husband's insistence on taking the rest of the day off was God telling me, through my spouse, I needed to relax. The million and one things that I need to do can wait, and will work out, according to His great plan. And I laughed.  If I would have laughed yesterday instead of crying, I might have not had a migraine today.

Money Savings Tips

Salt's granular texture makes it perfectly suited for scouring. Even though you can use sea salt or kosher salt, table salt is the cheapest. You can clean:

• Artificial plants and flowers - Place the fake blooms inside a paper bag and pour in salt. Close the bag and shake vigorously. The salt will dislodge accumulated dust and dirt.
• Glassware - Salt won't scratch the way a scouring pad can. To get out stubborn stains, add some salt to the wet glassware for extra abrasion and scrub. Salt and water is great for cleaning burnt glass coffee pots.
• Greasy pots and pans - Sprinkle salt on cookware to absorb excess grease. Dump out the salt before washing as usual. (Not recommended for nonstick cookware.)
• Spills in the oven - Pour salt on the oven spill to soak it up. When the oven is cool, wipe with a damp sponge.
• Stained teacups and coffee mugs - Sprinkle salt on the outside of a lemon peel, and rub the stained area till clean.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

Even though I realize the majority of us go through our tribulations, it seems like things don't ever go according to plan for me. Now, it's not always negative things that happen to me (like yesterday). How likely is it that an eviction would be scheduled on the same day as violation hearings, but you don't find out about it until the evictions are posted the day before? Unique and positive things also happen to me. Getting lost once, we came upon the most beautiful mum farm. All you could see was color for miles.

My one friend calls them Janet-isms - if it's going to happen, it will happen to Janet. So, one of my favorite sayings is: "This could only happen to me," and I laugh.

Relax and Laugh,
Aunt Janet

Storytelling

Our stories matter... Your stories matter… For you never know how much of a difference they make and to whom.

Caroline Joy Adams

My dad was a great story teller. I loved sitting at the table listening to him recall memories of his youth. There was the time that his dad brought him a pet baby alligator. It didn't move all day. When my grandfather came home, he asked where the alligator was. My dad, thinking it was dead, had buried it. My grandfather explained to him that it was just hibernating. Well, when my dad dug it up, it was definitely dead.

My dad grew up during the Great Depression in Capone's Chicago. His stories ranged from raising chickens, helping family, to a stolen truckload of candy that somehow wound up in the garage - I think they were Baby Ruths. Let's say my grandfather might have been a little shady. His stories included World War II, where he served as a tail gunner in the Army's Air Corp. Having been stationed in Africa, when he was returning to the States, he tried to bring 2 monkeys home for my cousins, but he got stopped.  He saw Mussolini and his mistress hanging.  The Army fed them steak before each mission.

I could sit there for hours listening to his stories. He has been gone for twenty six years this Labor Day. Only 3 out of 13 grandchildren were born at the time. We were all still so young. I had just graduated college, and I was the middle child. I miss the storytelling.

Storytelling seems to be becoming a lost art. Everyone is so busy, running from here to there, with so much on their plate that we forget to tell the stories. Stories of where we came from, stories of lessons learned, stories to be proud of whom we are. I am trying to continue the storytelling - telling my dad's stories to my nieces and nephews, so that they will have a glimpse of this wonderful man. I also know that for the storytelling to continue, I need to add my story, the story of growing up in my family. Like when my brother and sister thought it would be fun to use the laundry shoot as a slide, why we called my sister chimp, or how every night my dad would yell upstairs "Wake up Judy and tell her to go to sleep." She always fell asleep on top of the bed with her clothes on. Her kids say she still does it.

What stories are you passing on? What stories do you have to tell? Share them!

Money Savings Tip

Here are some cheap stain removers from stuff you have laying around the house. Always test the stain removal product in a hidden area first to make sure it does not damage fabric in any way (bleach, fade, etc.).

• Ink - Hairspray - Put piece of paper towel behind fabric.  Spray spot with hairspray until saturated.  Blot with paper towel. Launder as usual, but check to make sure stain is gone before you dry. If it isn’t, repeat above steps until stain is gone.
• Gum – Freezer – Put the clothing in the freezer for about 6 hours. Chip off the gum from the clothing. If any gum remains, use vinegar and a toothbrush and scrub off remaining gum. Launder as usual.
• Rust – Rhubarb – Cut rhubarb stalks in one inch pieces, put in water and bring to boil. Let stand for 15 minutes. Take rust stain clothing and let it soak in solution for 1-24 hours depending on stain. OR Lemon Juice and Salt – Keep in mind this method can bleach the clothing. Sprinkle stain with salt, then squeeze lemon juice over stain. Spread the garment in the sun to dry.

I’d love to hear your cheap stain removers. Please post any that you may have to share.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

I picked up a saying from my dad.  When we were young and slightly misbehaving, he would say stop it, cut it out, behave yourself, or whatever was appropriate "Or I'll put my nose between your teeth and I won't let go."  It would always make us stop what we were doing, think about what he said, and tell him that it doesn't make sense.  Smart man - he got the results he wanted.

You have something to share,
Aunt Janet

Preserving the Harvest

Putting food by is the antidote for running scared.

Janet Greene

It's canning day tomorrow!  Canning has become a past time in my household.  Each year, the vegetables are harvested, preserved, and enjoyed.  Salsa and tomatoes, sweet relish and pickles, green beans and tomato sauce, and something new, maybe ketchup or mint jelly.

Starting at a young age, my nieces gathered at my home, sometimes one, sometimes all, dicing and slicing, scalding and peeling, jarring and canning.  When making tomato sauce, they flocked to my house, fighting over who could crank the juicer next.  (No lie!) 

They have learned the pleasure of canning.  When you can, you gather to celebrate the harvest.  It is a time of reconnecting, working together, and enjoying this shared time.  When we are preserving the harvest, the kitchen is filled with chatting and laughing.

Putting food by or preserving food is the antidote for running scared.  Not only does it save money (so your cupboard isn't bear in winter), it brings family and friends together, to talk and help each other sort through the many complexities of life.  Your loved ones help ease the fear of everyday problems, so you won't be running scared.

Money Savings


Canning really does save money. According to Thomas Bewick, national program leader for horticulture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, for tomatoes, “If you harvest 30 pounds at $2 per pound, that plant is worth $60,” he says. “But it only cost $2.90 to buy the plant, a few cents for water and 15 cents for the fertilizer.”


The initial investment for jars and canning supplies may seem a little expensive, but they will last you for years.  You can find these canning items at your mom's basement collecting dust, a local hardware store, grocery store, garage sale, flea market, or department store, such as K-Mart.  I'll usually load up on lids at the end of the season when they go on sale.  Also, let others know that you are canning and looking for jars.  My family has contributed boxes and boxes (and more boxes) of jars.  For the preserved gifts that we give, I ask them to return the jars after they have enjoyed whatever is in the jar.

Here is our canning cabinet.  My husband's goal is to can 50 pints of green beans.  So far, he's up to 42 pints.  Doesn't it look pretty?  And it saved us $$.  He also have made relish, jam, and pickles.  I made the salsa.  (He's a self-employeed carpenter, so you can guess how busy he is right now.)  Tomorrow I'll be canning more salsa and tomatoes.  If someone stops by to help, I might even try making some zucchini pickles.  (Hey Jill - where's my zucchini bread you promised to make me from all the zucchini I gave you?)


Easy Recipe


This is a great recipe to make on canning day, when you are too busy to cook a meal, and your stove has canning pots boiling away. You just throw it in the crock pot, and let it cook all day long.


Slow Cooker Pulled Pork


1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle root beer
1 (18 ounce) bottle your favorite barbecue sauce
8 hamburger buns


Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker; pour the root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Note: the actual length of time may vary according to individual slow cooker. Drain well. Stir in barbecue sauce. Serve over hamburger buns.


Aunt Janet's Famous Quotes


This is a new one, never quoted before.  "I will share my salsa or pickles with whoever helps.  So, get your butt over here, and start chopping."  I enjoy your company, and desperately need your help! 


All are welcome to help,
Aunt Janet

Selah

In a circle
on a beautiful fall day
letting go
and helping the wonderful dog trying to sleep on the grass behind us
ease out of this world
filled with as much love and music
as we could give her.

Selah, Bana, Selah.
Posted by: jlseagull - http://slowmover.wordpress.com

I sat on the grass with Puppy laying by me. She loves the outdoors, and we could tell she was happy being outside, next to me, laying in the grass, listening to the sounds around her. Her ears would perk up, and she would look in the direction of whatever was catching her attention at that moment. She was serene.

Puppy is dying. I know the time is coming. But not today. She's not ready to go. My husband and I talked it through as we watched her enjoy the cool breeze and sunshine. We debated - is today the day?

My family trickled in, one by one. Puppy wagged her tail with greetings of love, and soaked in all the pets, hugs, and kisses that were bestowed on her. She made them laugh. Is today the day?

After taking into thought her pain level and mobility, she will spend a little more time with us.

I found this song, and the post fit today so perfectly - A song for a Dying Dog on a Beautiful Fall Day. Read it, and you will understand. It ends with Selah, Bana, Selah. Bana is his friend's dying dog's name.

Found repeatedly in the Psalms, although the exact meaning of the Hebrew word "Selah" is lost, it is believed to mean "we should 'measure' or value carefully what has just been said". So, to me, this song is saying to value the life of this dog, and to look at the happiness and love that she has given unselfishly. http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/selah.html

So, for today, Puppy is content. The medicine is keeping the pain to a minimum. We will need to help her get around, but she is not suffering greatly. We can wait a little longer before letting go, using this time to reflect upon the love that this precious dog has given to us, and is still giving to us, and trust that she will tell us when it is time to say goodbye.

Selah, Puppy, Selah.

Gardening

I have not posted a lot lately because most of my time has been spent working, taking care of the apartments, taking care of Puppy, and gardening. One new discovery I made - a natural way to ward off those June Bugs that love my green bean plants and raspberries.

Fill up a bucket about 1/4 of the way with soapy water (dish soap). Hand catch as many of the June Bugs as you can, and put them into the bucket of water. They will drown. Keep the bucket next to the plants. The other June Bugs pick up on the odor of the dead ones, and will wander elsewhere. You can keep hand picking the bugs and putting them in the bucket if you would like.

As for my bean plants, the June Bugs are down to a minimum, so this hint I found really seems to be working. Now, I have to deal with the spider mites on the plants. This I know how to take care of, and will share it with you at a later time.

Does anyone know how to keep the varmints from knocking down and eating all my corn?? I'll share, but I want to at least enjoy a little of it!

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

Well, as many of you can guess, I don't tolerate belittling people. Along with "There's a nice way to say everything, and a way to say everything nice", I'm also known to say "Don't say that! If you say it again, I'll smack you in the head." And all the younger ones know that if they dare say it again, they will get a quick smack on the head. Name calling hurts, and there is no need for it. And, for those I defend, you are very welcome.

I love you all, and you will get a smack if you do this! So, you are intelligent. Find a nice way to say it! (Oh - Puppy just told the cats this. She defends everyone in the family, and will not tolerate fighting of any kind.)

Selah, my friend, Selah,
Aunt Janet

Trust and Betrayal

Trust is like a vase.. once it's broken, though you can fix it,

the vase will never be same again.

Author Unknown

There are times when, in my heart, I know something is amiss, something is just not right. My mom calls it a woman's intuition. My friend calls it being overly sensitive or a keen to what is happening around me, and thus being able to see something is not right. I think it's God saying "Knock, knock. This isn't what I want it to be. Be aware."

I tend to trust people and their sincerity. Instead of having a person earn their trustworthiness, I tend to trust them until they prove me wrong. Sometimes it's very apparent when this happens. They do or say something that makes you distrust them immediately - a lie, a word of advice from a loved one, or broken promises.

Sometimes it's subtle. It's looking at what's around me, putting together the pieces, and realizing that someone is not doing right by me. It's that knocking. At times, I hide from the realization, not wanting to believe that the person is doing something to hurt me. Other times, I just know in my gut.

I am not talking about minor hurts. A friend not keeping a date or sharing a secret, a spouse forgetting to take care of a matter that they said they would, a child forgetting to call, a colleague telling a white lie... I'm talking about deception, continuing neglect, behavior that hurts you, and gives the other person an unfair or manipulative advantage, whether it be for pure selfishness, neglect, or betrayal. Since I tend to be trusting, people mistake it for being naive or imperceptive. They think they can get a fast one past me, that I'll never notice, and I'll just go along.

My mom told me to trust these feelings. God gave them to me to protect me from hurts, but it's up to me to decide to ignore the knocking or respond to it. If I don't respond to it, more hurt is likely to follow. If I do respond, either verbally or silently, I am standing up for the truth, what is right, and a chance for healing. As the Word has said, the response should be given with love, patience, and fairly, not intending to hurt the deceiver, but to stop the behavior. Does it really matter if they know you have knowledge of their lack of trustworthiness?

Is God knocking on your heart? If He's knocking, remember, respond as He would want you to respond.

Recipe

These pickles are easy to make and ready in no time, and they last a long time in the fridge. I usually make bunches, knowing my family will steal a jar or two.

Bread & Butter Pickles - Ready to Eat

Mix:
7 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
1 cup thinly sliced green peppers
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 tsp. celery seed
2 tsp. salt

Let stand until juice forms. Do Not Drain.

Mix:
2 cups sugar
1 cup vinegar

Pour over cucumber mixture. Keep refrigerated.

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

When describing someone, the word stupid is not allowed to be said in my house. Everyone who has tried, will know "No one is stupid. They may be ignorant of the facts, or they may have done something that was not right, but they are not stupid."

Weeds in the Garden

The philosopher who said that work well done never needs doing over
never weeded a garden.

Ray D. Everson

My dad used to say "Measure twice, cut once." As you probably guessed, he was a carpenter. In some aspects of life, this is true. You need to be accurate, you need to do it right the first time. Carpenters would waste a lot of wood if they weren't precise on their measurements.

More true than not, although you can strive for perfection, you are not perfect. Usually practice makes perfect. You may not accomplish something on the first try, but you need to keep trying until you succeed. The more times you do something, the better you get at it, and the better the outcome.

Recipe

The zucchini is coming! If anyone has grown zucchini, you know what I mean. You will have an over-abundance soon! Here is one recipe that my nieces love (minus an ingredient or two).

Italian Zucchini Casserole

1 large zucchini (2-3 lb), seeded and sliced thinly
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced thinly
1 large onion, sliced thinly
2 ripe tomatoes, or 1 - 16 oz. can of diced tomatoes
Garlic Garlic, or garlic powder
Italian Seasoning
1 - 8 oz. tomato sauce
1 - 8 to 16 oz. pkg mozzarella shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

You make this like lasagna. Layer 1/3 of the zucchini and 1/2 of the rest of the vegetables in order listed above. Sprinkle garlic and Italian seasoning, to taste, on each layer. Top first layer with cheese. Again layer 1/3 of the zucchini and 1/2 of the rest of the vegetables, sprinkle with garlic and Italian seasoning. Top with remaining zucchini, and tomato sauce. Cover with foil, tented, and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil, top with mozzarella cheese and bake until melted. The vegetables will produce liquid, so serve it with a slotted spoon or spatula. It is so good!

Aunt Janet's Sayings

This is one thing I always say when I'm saying goodbye, and now I hear my nieces and nephews saying it to me first. "I love you. Talk to you later. Bye." The words "I love you" are so powerful!

Pulling weeds,
Aunt Janet

Waiting, and Waiting, and Still Waiting

Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.

Author Unknown

A couple of weeks ago, I got tired of waiting. I am usually a very patient person, but waiting for someone to respond was wasting time and money. So, I started to be a nice pest until I got results. I didn't care if it was a positive or negative result. I just needed to know so I could pursue different avenues. So, I guess I stopped passively waiting.

In today's age, with everyone always on the go, we often let things go. We forget to return a call, to give a jingle just say hello, to send a birthday card, or to drop off that dish. We are just too busy. Yet, others are waiting for us, and sometimes, they are waiting, and waiting, and still waiting. At first, they may become irritated. After a while, they either forget about you, become indifferent to you, or learn patience, and keep themselves busy until you finally arrive.

What kind of friend are you? Remember, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

When someone thinks they need patience, I always say "Pray for endurance, not patience. If you pray for patience, God will give you more to be patient for so you learn how to be patient."

Easy Recipe

Our family celebrates many birthdays in the heat of the summer. One cool (no baking) and easy cake to make is:

Twinkie Toffee Treat

1 box Hostess Twinkies
2 prepared packages of pudding (I usually use vanilla, but like chocolate as well!)
1 large tub of whipped topping
6 Heath candy bars

Crush Heath candy bars in a sturdy plastic bag. Cut Twinkies lengthwise and line bottom of glass pan with Twinkies, creme side up. Add a layer of pudding. Layer with remaining Twinkies, creme side down. Top with the whipped topping. Sprinkle with the crushed candies. Serve immediately and enjoy!/p>

Money Making Tip

My new blog, Aunt Janet's Attic, is up and running! Right now, I have discounted scrapbooking items. I will keep adding to it, and not only scrapbooking items. I have books, antiques, jewelry (not from my business), crafts, clothing, DVD's, and almost anything you will find at a tag sale. Please take a minute to browse now and again. If nothing catches your fancy today, you may find something you can't live without tomorrow. hehe

If you would like to know how I created this blog, please email me, and I will let you know. It was easy once I found a site that would let me keep inventory. You could start your own store!

Off to tag,
Aunt Janet

Believe in Miracles

Out of difficulties grow miracles.

Jean De La Bruyere

Think about it. Difficulties are what make you grow. When solutions come, it's relief, a load off your shoulders - a miracle. It's when what you think is impossible happens.

Searching for answers, I started looking at the miracles in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. The website Hebrew for Christians talked about the similarities of miracles in the Old Testament and New Testament. One that struck me is:

"... an impoverished widow had no means to pay a debt owed by her late husband, and a creditor was threatening to take her two sons as slaves in lieu of her payment
of the debt. She appealed to the prophet Elisha, who told her to borrow empty vessels from all her neighbors, to close the doors of her home, and to pour oil into them from the one remaining cruse of oil that she had. She had faith in the prophet, and the oil miraculously flowed from the original cruse until all the borrowed vessels were full. Elisha instructed her to sell enough of the oil to pay the debt, and to live off the supply of remaining oil...

(God's prophet is one) who brings abundance to those who have faith in Him (God) ... The miracle of the oil is similar to the miracle of the loaves of bread, (in the New Testament)..."

God gives us miracles. He is the God of Blessings. He provides beyond what we can imagine. Sometimes, we just need to look around, and give thanks for the small miracles, and have faith. The big ones are right around the corner. I am waiting for my miracle for I know that it will be here soon.

Recipe

It seems that I am asked to make this recipe for every big party in my family. I never like sauerkraut - it was always too sour for me. This recipe is more sweet sour, and I can't stop eating it.

Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut

2 cans Bavarian Style Kraut
2 cans Water
1/2 medium head shredded Cabbage (I use a whole head)
1/4 - 1/3 cup Brown Sugar (to taste)
1/2 lb. Bacon, fried, drained, and crumbled.
1 medium Onion, sauteed in 2 Tbs Butter, and then mixed with 2 Tbs. Flour
2 lbs. good Polish Sausage, cooked, cut in pieces (I use fresh, not smoked)

Combine all above ingredients in crock pot. Cook for 6-8 hours until cabbage is tender. The recipe says to add the sausage in the last 1/2 hour, but I like adding it right away so that all the juices mingle.

Money Making Tip

My family had a garage sale. Since my garden has been invaded by oregano, candy mint, lemon balm, chives, day lilies, irises, and hostas, as I've suggested in previous posts, I decided to try to sell them.

About a week before the sale, I dug up the mints and chives and put them in small pots that I had collected from plants that I had bought over the years. I kept them well watered so the plants could root in the pots. With the lilies, irises, and hostas, I dug them up the day before and broke them up into individual plants, and put all the bare roots in baskets. One thing - you have to make sure that there is a root on the plant or it will not take.

I put homemade tags in each pot, and made signs for the day lilies, hostas, and irises listing the price per plant. I priced them from 50 cents a pot to $1 for a hosta. To my surprise, I sold most of them and made $35 on these plants.

I am so excited that I'm thinking of having a plant sale. The one thing that I will do different is pot the plants a couple weeks in advance so that have enough time to root, and look healthy.

Something invading your garden? Why not make some money? Anyone selling different varieties of hostas? I started a hosta collection. hehe

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

When my nieces were in there late teens, and all grown up, I could tell that they were getting annoyed by the opinions I offered. So, now, when someone says something about my lecturing, I say:

"I stopped lecturing a long time ago."

It's true. I only offer my opinion if asked, or if I ask their permission first. Sometimes, I really have to bite my tongue, and change the subject. One nice thing did happen - my oldest niece told me, with a distraught face and sad eyes, "You can still lecture me."

Believe and it will happen,
Aunt Janet

Do not go where the path may lead;

go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Godchild graduated today, and I am extremely proud of her. She achieved so many rewards and scholarships that my sister just beams (and, of course, brags)! She is a beautiful young woman with a life time ahead. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be the quote above.

So many times, we take the safe path - the one laid out for us, when, in reality, God nudges our heart to take a different one that is not clearly marked. Lean on Him, and He will make His plans for you visible, and achievable.

Venture into the unknown, make a trail, and seek the joys in life that only come from saying "I did it!"

Aunt Janet's Sayings

I've looked my nieces and nephews in the eye, and have said:

You can do anything that you put your heart into. No goal is unachievable,

if you work hard at it. Sometimes we need help, you just have to ask.
Always remember, you can do anything!

Gardening

My garden is 95% planted. The tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers plants are in. I've planted carrots, onions, beets, lettuce, spinach, and radishes.
This year, before the insects attack, I am looking for ways to prevent the infestation before it happens. With the zucchinis, I always get vine borers. With the cucumbers, squash bugs, beans, June bugs, cabbage family plants, cabbage worms. So begins my research, my pouring through organic gardening books, and searching online. I would welcome any organic preventative measures that you use.

I am going to try a couple that I just read about, and will let you know if they work. For the zucchinis, their stems are getting covered with tin foil to prevent the borers from entry. For the cabbage worms, I'm going to see if I can find netting, so that the moths cannot lay eggs which turn into these destructive worms.

Recipe

This is my mother-in-law's recipe, that soon became one of my family's favorite. I've had this at many summer parties.

Broccoli Slaw

1 pkg. broccoli slaw
2-3 green onions, sliced
2 pkgs. beef Ramen Noodles
1 c. sunflower seeds
1 c. sliced almonds, if desired
1/2 c. white vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. sugar

In a large bowl, combine broccoli slaw, sunflower seeds, and green onions. Make dressing from the Ramen noodles seasoning packets in a separate bowl. Crumble the Ramen noodles and mix into slaw mix. Then, pour dressing over slaw. Enjoy!

Aunt Janet

Wind Beneath My Wings

I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Bette Midler

I have a very special friend whose faith flows from her very being. It is awesome to listen to her, because, through all her challenges in life, she truly lives her faith, without wavering or doubting.

She deserves a round of applause because, even though the last 2 years have been the most challenging, today she received her master's degree. I am so proud, and awed, by her. Why? Her faith, and her ability to fly.

See, my friend's son, her only child, was taken from her over a year ago by a young troubled man who shot him point blank. He didn't even see it coming. As I stood in the hospital with her, I saw her take care of not only her son, but her family. She even showed compassion for the troubled young man, wondering what could have happened to him that he would even consider taking another's life, another young man so blessed with the gift of music. I watched her lean on her faith, knowing that God is in control. God did give her time with her son, time to say good-bye. When he passed on, she stood tall, knowing that her son was in God's audience, and in a much better place than we can imagine. And she went on.

She continued going to her classes while she grieved, even though at times it was hard, but knowing that this is what God wanted her to do. Now, more than a year later, she receives her master's degree, an accomplishment most of us never achieve. I applaud her.

And I am inspired by her. I see the faith she has, and, even at her darkest hour, she leans on it, believes in it, and soars like an eagle, knowing that He is wind beneath her wings.

My faith tends to waver at times, but, by her example, I am learning that He is always there, and to be grateful for each and every day. We grow through the hard times, and, by putting our trust in Him, we draw closer to our God. It is a blessing!

Congratulations, Felinda! You go girl! I am so proud of you!

Easy Recipe

You have to check out this blog! She has so many yummy recipes, and the pictures will make your mouth water! It's The Candy Bar blog.

This is such a popular appetizer with my friends and co-workers that I usually make two. Can you guess one of the businesses that I am a consultant?

Cool Veggie Pizza

1 pkg. (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dill Mix or dill weed
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of a variety of fresh vegetables: zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, green or red peppers, green onions, seeded tomatoes, seeded cucumbers, etc.
1 oz. (1/4 cup) shredded cheddar cheese, if desired

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spread crescent roll dough onto 13-inch baking stone and pinch seams together (you can probably use a cookie sheet as well). Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed, salt and pepper. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of cooled crust. Coarsely chop or crinkle cut chosen vegetables. Sprinkle layer of each vegetable over pizza. Top with grated cheese, if desired. Refrigerate before serving. Yield: 8-10 appetizer servings.

Gardening

I am getting antsy. It's either raining, or the ground has been too wet to plant. Tomorrow, I am determined to plant, even if I get wet and muddy!

I tend to have dirty black nails all spring and summer. I just don't like gloves. A tip that a friend shared with me is to put soap under your finger nails before you dig into the dirt. It works, as long as the ground isn't too muddy!

Another tip - share your plants! If yours die off, you can always ask for plants in return. I share my herbs, hostas, perennials, and berry plants. I am looking for a free hand-out of different variety of hostas. Do you need to break yours up? Can I have a plant or two? Please...

Aunt Janet's Famous Sayings

I'm suffering from empty nest syndrome for aunts. Here's a new one - "If you really care for someone, you will find time to call." Don't put it off, just call!

You know I love you,
Aunt Janet