Wednesday Medley Q 'n A

It's National Croissant Day!  

Why not stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant, or even try making your own!

For more info about this not-so humble pastry's origin and a step-by-step recipe, click HERE!

Otherwise … let's play the Medley!

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Terri says she loves croissants when they are fresh -- but day-old croissants need to be turned into a donut.  She happens to really like those that have a donut-like glaze on them.  Sugar overload, but so good!   She asks, do you like croissants?  What is your favorite way to eat them?

Not particularly.  Maybe because I enjoy savory foods, I find croissants to be bland, uninteresting.  Could be, I'm doing it all wrong … I'm open to suggestions!

Speaking of food … how do you handle stress?

Yes, I'm an emotional eater.  The first thing that popped in my mind was a big ole porterhouse steak I can grind and gnash.

Out of the negative emotions of greed, anger, jealousy and hate, which one would you say affects you the most?  

While they all jostle for popularity out on Facebook - even the evening news - I'd say hate.  It's increasingly difficult to contain my fear and anger when I witness the depravity and venom which exists in today's world.

Out of the positive emotions of compassion, positivity, enthusiasm and initiative, which one is your biggest strength?

With a little help from my friends (*wink*), I'm going with positivity.  There is always something for which to be grateful.

What do you get every time you go grocery shopping, other than the staples such as bread, milk, butter, flour, sugar …  

Sharp cheddar, eggs, ground chuck (aka, loose meat), Cabernet.  Color me, predictable!

Please tell us something random about your week so far.

Well, darn.  I was hoping to share a picture of this morning's falling snow, but it just didn't happen.  One of our meteorologist's Facebook posts cracked me up!

  

I did, however, score pretty darn well at an estate sale yesterday!

So ironic.  I've never given a rat's ***  mind to designer labels or piles of clothes.  No lie.  Including my mud boots, I own 5 pair of shoes and 2 pair of serviceable slacks.  I've never been bitten by the retail therapy bug … but neither can I resist a bargain!

Only $8 for this cozy sweater!

and!  

$6, 50-cents for this suit ... new with tags!

 (I gasped when I returned home and read the tag carefully!  Suppose I should try and sell it out on ThredUp?)

I'm not excited to bid Tom's adieu for a few days' vacay, but I'm thrilled to welcome Debbie on Thursday!  (Our favorite sport is eating out!)  I'm going to do my best to keep in touch with everyone, but it may be sporadic.

Please have yourselves a great rest of the week … and don't forget to tread safely!

Hugs,
Myra

Saturday 9

What fun to participate in this week's episode of  Crazy Sam's Saturday 9!  Come on along and play!

These are a few of …..

Unfamiliar with this episode's tune?   
Um, not so fast!   Generally, I despise when an artist puts his/her own twist on a well-loved song ….. but I'm curiously drawn to Jennie Abrahamson's version.  Like a dreamscape, almost.   You can hear it HERE.

* * *

This week's artist is very happy living in Stockholm, but she refers to Paris as 'a flirt.'  She enjoys her time there so much she always wants to return.  Is there a place you've visited that tugs at your heart and imagination, tempting you to return?

I'm so taken with that term, 'a flirt'!  Isn't that a great way of putting it?   I'll say Santa Fe (NM) - right at the bottom of 'the Hill' where I grew up.

Jennie has said her music has been heavily influenced by 80's pop, which was popular in her early teen years.  Are your favorite songs the ones you listened to when you were growing up?

Generally, yes.  Anything by the 60's 'British invasion' brings a smile to my face.

"My Favorite Things" is from The Sound of Music.  Crazy Sam's high school claim to fame was playing Sister Margaretta in the senior class production.  Though not a big part, her performance lives on because relatives love embarrassing her with pictures of her in an especially unflattering nun's habit.  Who took an embarrassing photo of you?  What were you doing?

I, too, had a bit role as a nun in our high school production.  Because I'd not learned to skillfully apply cosmetics, I basically looked like a giant nose wrapped in a white cone.

The lyrics celebrate "brown paper packages tied up in strings."  What was the last box you received in the mail?

Martha Jane generously gifted me with not one - but two - sets of her books … one for our church library, the other to enjoy and pay forward!  (Ahem, anyone?) So blessed!

It mentions doorbells and sleigh bells.  What's the most recent bell or alarm that you heard?

My phone's weather app alerted us to flash flooding conditions a few days ago.

(By the way, I sure appreciate all the 'thumb's up' about my helmet idea in my last post.  I really expected to be laughed at.)

This song has nice things to say about cold weather, specifically snowflakes and mittens.  What do you like about winter?

Oh man, where do I start?   Oversize hoodies, fur hats, hot toddies, crackling fireplaces, thick stews, icicles … make my heart happy.

Dog bites and bee stings are singled out as things that can leave us feeling sad.  What's most recently given you the blues?

When I allow myself to dwell in the pages of old scrapbooks.  I have to remind myself not to grieve because it's over ….. but smile because it happened.

In 2018 when this song was released, Roger Federer won the Australian Open.  Are you good with a racket?

Ha!  Not even a little bit.  'Back when' I took lessons in school the instructor would get so annoyed at my switching hands (v. learning the backhand swing).

Random Question:  Your local zoo announced the hatching of three snowy owlets.  All males.  You won the honor of naming them.  Go ahead:

OK!  I considered the Magi ('wise' owls, get it?) … or even my favorite presidents (better not go there!).   In the end, I decided to pay tribute to some of Montgomery's own renowned citizens:

Nocturnal Nat (King Cole)

Birdie Bart (Starr)

Hootin' Hank (Williams)

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T-t-t-that's all folks!

Have a super Saturday … stay safe!

Hugs, Myra    

    

   

A Tasty Medley

I'm tickled to join with Terri n' friends' Medley today!  If you'd like to join the party just click HERE!

National Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23.  (Not to be confused with March 14 which is PI Day.)  National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie.  It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies.  Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pies!

Okay, fess up!  Tell us your top three favorites pies.

Egg Custard, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin

Will you have some pie today?

If only in my dreams!

While we are talking about food … are you a picky eater or are you ready to try almost any new food?

Because I strongly dislike some foods (eg, fruit, liver, lamb), I guess you could call me 'picky.')

What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?

That award would go to sushi.  I can't wrap my mind around the thought of eating bait.

Baking could be considered an art, as could cooking.  How do you define art?

I'm certainly not qualified to define what is - or isn't - art!

In short, I'd say whatever is esthetically pleasing to one's senses.  (And yes, that includes children's crayon drawings!)

Tell us a really stupid joke that made you laugh.

OK, I'm going out on a limb and hope no-one's offended by religious humor.   (Normally a stern sort of fellow, my uncle-the-minister loved to tell such jokes!)  I thought of Uncle Lu when, during a live show, Sean Dietrich poked fun at his own Southern Baptist roots:

"Presbyterians, you say?  Heck.  Presbyterians are just Southern Baptists who like to drink a little but can't afford to be Episcopalians."

January 23 is also National Handwriting Day.  Do you have nice handwriting?

I wouldn't call it awful.

Undisciplined, perhaps?  My mother would use a ruler and #2 pencil to draw straight lines on my tablets.  Still, that didn't stop a childhood pen-pal from asking if I ever considered writing billboards.  (Stung, I never wrote back.)

Did cursive writing come naturally, or did you practice in those double-lined practice books until your fingers hurt?

I never heard of those practice books!  But I'm still practicing!  Every now and then I'll grow bored with the way I write an "A" or a "G" and alter it.   

I still find (the letters) "H" and "V" challenging.  Are there any letters you wish you could pen prettier? .. or, do you care?

Given a choice, I prefer printing.

Tell us something random about your week!

Because of my exaggerated fear of tornados, I used to think I could never live in Alabama.  Curiously however, I wasn't particularly freaked last Saturday … more annoyed when our internet connection kept going off and on.

I'm not going to dwell on the possibilities -- but I did take a page from what a long-time resident related -

Because friends of theirs were killed by a tornado several years ago, he and his wife adopted their two little boys.  Citing (that) most storm-related deaths are caused by head injuries, one of the first things he did was go out and purchase hockey helmets for the whole family.

… So guess who ordered two DOT-approved motorcycle helmets off eBay yesterday?  (It's OK … go ahead and laugh.)  Tom thinks I've lost my mind, but I'd rather have them and not need them!

* * *

Color me, giving thanks for a gorgeous day in the neighborhood!

Thanks so much for visiting!  Be safe!

Hugs,

Myra

 

Currently? It's c-c-c-cold!

Hi! Happy Sunday!  I sure appreciate your kind words regarding our aches n' pains … but  I'm a little embarrassed having been caught bellyaching.  Going forward I'll try and keep a lid on it! :)

Currently?

Out My Window

I'm loving this!  (Tom not so much.)  Belatedly, I'm remembering all the grousing I did about the heat in Arizona.  'Never considered the ramifications of marrying someone whose favorite season is summer, when mine is winter!

Feeling

Stunned, sad … and grateful.

... for no fatalities during yesterday's tornado -- as well as my own "unanswered prayers."

Some of y'all may recall, only 13 months ago I was heartbroken when the duplex we'd agreed to purchase failed inspection.  Situated smack dab in the middle of Wetumpka's historic district, that's right where the storm hit!  Not sure if the house suffered any damage; everything's still blocked by law enforcement. 

First Presbyterian, before and after.

Only 10 miles down the road from us, I'm feeling pretty darn blessed we're right where we're meant to be.

Reading

Almost un-put-downable … a solid 4 stars!

… which of course, is so subjective.  Since I pay little attention to strangers' reviews I'm thinking Goodreads and I may have to part company. 

….. and Watching

Are there any other fans of Jeff Dunham out there?

OK, I'm weird.  But everything -- from SNL … to slapstick ... to what passes for humor at the box office these days -- leaves me c-c-c-cold.   (Vulgarity?  Forget-about-it!)

Then! We happened on this fellow's Netflix show the other evening.  My stomach hurt from laughing so hard!  (Depends worthy!)

Discovering

So Friday morning I was confessing to my hair dresser how sometimes I'll take a selfie to double check my hair and/or my make-up.

Not that we don't own mirrors (*smile*).  But I can look at my reflection and think I look just fine -- then I look at my picture and, "ugh!" … I want to run right back to the bathroom!

Maryann nodded and said, "I know. That's what we call 'negative eye.'"    News to me!

In The Kitchen

Does anyone else agree this sounds delish?

SAUSAGE EGG MUFFINS ❤ 

Ingredients: 
* 1/2 pound ground pork sausage
* 12 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chili peppers, drained
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
2. Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, chilies, onion, garlic powder, salt pepper and sausage; mix well. Spoon 1/4 cup of sausage mixture into each prepared muffin cup.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until egg has set and a toothpick inserted into each 'muffin' comes out clean.

Looking forward

I think my gal-pal Debbie is coming to visit!

Tom's flying out to Arizona to visit his new great-grandson later this month, so she probably suspects I need supervising.  Whee-doggie!

A Bit o' Random

This is sooo me!

I hope this leaves you smiling -- like you do for me!

Have a great day … stay safe!

Hugs,
Myra

I Got Plenty of Nothing! (Medley)

Gooood morning, friends!

Come on along, what you say we join Terri and friends for some hump-day posers?

Wednesday, January 16 is National Do Nothing Day!  National Nothing Day was proposed in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin.  This day has been observed annually since 1973.  Of course, the way to celebrate it is to do nothing!

To commemorate Do Nothing Day in SOME way, tell us something about your life in 1973.

Ah, my Dark Ages.

I was 23 years old ….. working at a small CPA office ….. watching Linda Blair's head rotate in The Exorcist, singing along to Big Bad Leroy Brown (with vigor) … when my husband left me for the babysitter, taking my little son with them.

Now that we are thinking back, please tell us what your favorite past-time was as a child.

I had one or two good friends, but most of the time I spent in solo pursuits - reading and daydreaming of one day living on a big old horse ranch with 6-7 children.  (I'd even fill notebooks with proposed names and cute children's pictures from the Sears catalogue!)

What is the best way to cheer you up on a bad day?

Wow.  I don't think I've had a bad day since I left The Legacy!

But if a bad day should come around again?  Please bring me a glass of wine and listen patiently while I rant.  TYVM!

How old were you when you first started dating?  Do you remember your first date?

Indeed I do!  Gordon and I were both 16; I think we went to the movies.  Years later, I'm still puzzled what 'cutie he' saw in me!

Feeling so blessed that we're still in communication … and he still makes me laugh!

Today is also National Fig Newton day.  Do you like figs/Fig Newtons?

I've not had one since mother used to pack them in my lunch bag.  I don't dislike them, but probably wouldn't cross a room to have one again.

Tell us something random about your week:

I got such a case of the giggles yesterday morning! 

Tom: "How's your shoulder?"

Me: "OK, how'd your hand?"

Tom: "Meh.  How's your hip?"

Me: "Pass the Aleve.  How's your back?"

In a twisted kind of way, it's nice having someone to ask.  Momma's no longer around, but I get that same warm feeling.

Because I don't like to be a whiny cat, I've not talked about my back/hip acting out these past few months.  Following yesterday's doctor visit, I've scripts for x-rays.  Crazy.  For the first time in decades, I've begun walking and swimming regularly -- resulting in having to apply copious amounts of Arnicare gel and vying for time on the heating pad.

Heck, things could always be worse!

I'm going to take a cue from these cuties.

Life is good!

Typical chilly morning:  Grace and Macie observing National Do Nothing Day.

However y'all chose to celebrate, I hope you enjoy your today.  Stay safe!

Hugs,

Myra

A Crackling Kind of Medley

Good morning m'friends!   Thank you for visiting while I play the Wednesday Medley!    If you'd like to participate, please visit Terri's spot in the (Florida) sun, right HERE.




It may be a little shocking, but National Static Electricity Day is January 9.  Do you often get shocked when you touch metal?  

Unknown classmate (from yearbook)

Even having lived in Arizona, I don't remember being shocked in years and years.  Here in Alabama it's way too humid!

There are actually two "National" days worth of mention.  It is also National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.  Our men and women working in many areas of law enforcement put their lives on the line for us daily.  Do you know someone working in law enforcement who you can thank today?

Not personally, no.

I did , however, have an opportunity last week to say 'thank you' to 3 poor officers who were either a) rookies and/or b) had drawn the short stick.

Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time!  We found ourselves 7 cars up the road from a multi-vehicle accident / carjacking / shoot-out with officers.  (Yep, the bad guy was permanently taken out by the police.)

Obviously, traffic conditions on U.S. 14 were horrendous, no-one wanted to yield to anyone else.  Standing there in the cold rain, these officers were doing their best to restore some kind of order and keep their cool.   I was afraid to exit the car, but I hope someone from Cracker Barrel may have run out with cups of hot coffee. 

At Terri's house right now it is all about football.  Joe's Philadelphia Eagles barely won their game on Sunday to move forward in the playoffs and another chance to play in the Super Bowl this year.  Do you have a favorite team in the playoffs, or does football make you yawn?  Is there a Super Bowl party in your future, no matter the teams playing?

Not since Tom Landry was unceremoniously kicked to the curb have I  had much interest in professional football.

Currently I enjoy collegiate SEC games, but oh man!  I miss the days of Staubach, 'Too-Tall' Jones and company …  hatin' on the Steelers and Redskins.  (*smile*)

Nope, no Super Bowl festivities here.  Tom will be in Phoenix, so I may take myself to the movies.

  

Speaking of parties, there is always lots of food at parties Terri attends.  Tell us a weird food combination that you really enjoy (or have enjoyed).  It doesn't have to be party food.

Other than dipping my french fries in mayonnaise, you mean?  According to Tom, my most gag-worthy combo is an over-easy egg enjoyed atop a slice of pizza.  Aside from the crust, it's not all that different than an omelet.

Since we are on games and parties, what game have you spent the most hours playing?  

I don't think it's free-for-nothing anymore, but I sure enjoyed playing "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on-line.   

Say, can anyone recommend a good app for cross-wording?   I used to be passionate about doing them in each Sunday's paper. 

Tell us something random about your week so far.

Update on Tom:

Last Thursday we reported to radiology at 8:30 where they injected some sort of dye into his hand - then said to be back in 3 hours for the scan.  I thought they'd just be taking a look at his back, but he said it was a whole-body affair.   So far, the only thing we've heard back is a referral to occupational therapy for his hand.  I'm going to take that as 'no news is good news.'

Other than that, day before yesterday I picked up this sweet bear at a nearby estate sale.

Poor Tom!

Granted, this was the first such sale since before Thanksgiving and it was in a rather ritzy area of town (think a 5,800 sq. ft. home) ..... but it seemed like half the population of Montgomery was there.  The facilitators were even ferrying people back and forth to their cars in golf carts!

Stock photo from Internet

Afterward we were both starving, so I suggested finding the burger spot Sean Dietrich had recommended in one of his books.  Vicki's Lunch Van isn't a van at all … but what looks like an old Burger Queen that's fallen on hard times.   They're only open weekdays from 10:30 to 2, but judging from parking lot we figured it was good eating.  Uh-huh!   The whole while we were there the line of folks waiting to order was near to the door.   No fancy toppings or special sauce.  Just good old-fashioned burgers - with Moon Pies near the register for good measure!  

If any of y'all happen to travel nearby, don't let the neighborhood scare you off.   Ya, it's that good!

I'm sure there's something else, but I'll save it for another day.

Be good  now … be safe!

Hugs,

Myra