Family Recipes Make Wonderful Holiday Memories...

Uncle Ralph and Aunt Ellen Pennala Christmas 1990

Today granddaughter Marisa and I are going to make some Candy and cookies for Christmas. I love to make an assortment of goodies to share with family and friends. I also like to keep a few tasties on hand in case we have company. Every great cup of coffee or hot chocolate needs a cookie. 

I got out the recipe box and started perusing for my favorites. I take requests from the grandkids too. As I looked through those worn and yellowed recipe cards I am reminded of so many memories of cooking or eating these same recipes with family and friends. Each recipe whether scribbled on a piece of paper or typed neatly on a beautiful recipe card is so very special. 

Food has always been a connector for me. Just like photographs, those recipes take me back to a time and place where the family shared food and fun. I loved to sit and listen to the stories remembered and retold around the kitchen table. 

Many of those same family members are no longer here to share those memories, stories, laughter, and food, but oh a trip through my recipe box brings those dear ones back to me once again. 

I'm going to share a recipe from my Aunt Ellen Pennala or "grandma Pennala" as some of you will remember her. I can look at this picture and hear her laughter, See her smile, and feel her wonderful soft face. There was always a hug waiting for us in those arms. Truly a women who loved her Savior Jesus and her family with her whole heart. 

I remember Christmas at her house. The adults sat at the large kitchen table. the kids at smaller tables out in the "breezeway" type room that held the piano. I think all us kids pounded on that old piano and sang away. 

Wonderful food was shared. Did I tell you how I can still hear her calling my name and I can still feel those arms hug me tight. 

Today I'm remembering Auntie Ellen and sharing one of her recipes with you. I hope you will try it. Share it with your family and friends. Make sure you Laugh, hug, and tell some stories. It's the best way to make heart memories with those you love.... 

Oatmeal Cookies

by:

Ellen Regina Narhi Pennala

1-cup Shortening

1/2- cup Butter (the real stuff) 

1- cup brown sugar

1- cup white sugar

3- eggs beaten

1-teaspoon salt

1- teaspoon baking soda

1-teaspoon cinnamon

1/2-cup milk

2-cups all purpose flour

4-cups Oatmeal

1-teaspoon Vanilla

preheat oven 350 degrees

** the directions are mine, Aunt Ellen didn't give me any directions 

except to mix it all up and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or till lightly brown. 

Cream the shortening, butter, and sugars together well. 

then add the beaten eggs.

Mix well. 

add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. 

drop by teaspoonful onto well greased cookie sheet. 

** you can use spray like Pam

flatten with a fork

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until lightly brown

cool for a couple of minutes on the pan, then remove to a rack to finish cooling. 

Enjoy with a nice big glass of milk.. 

I Can Tell I'm Getting Older...

I can tell I'm getting older.. You may wonder how I would know that.. It's because The Shopping Has Begun.  The Christmas Shopping to be exact. 

Yesterday friend Connie and I made our annual trip to the Ginormous Outlet Mall. 145 stores. Endless shopping Opportunities. There were even fast food places located around the perimeter of the mall so we could rejuvenate ourselves every few hours if needed. 

We started out great. Whizzing from store to store. Carrying our purchases.. Giddy with the smell of newly arrived merchandise. That lasted about 45 minutes. Then we seemed to move slower. We started taking our items to the Truck one at a time.. Walking down past 6 shops was no longer fun or feasible. I needed a ride to the next store. I realize it's just the other side of this door.. I'm tired.. My knees ache.. My feet hurt... 

We decided to stop for lunch. Thank goodness the place had comfortable chairs. My list of "have to go there" stores was getting smaller by the minute. It's just a store. They're all the same Right?

We finally agreed, after hobbling through 3 more stores, we were done. We both agreed the family loved those gifts we got at the corner gas station/convenience store.. Where else can you buy Hot and spicy sunflower seeds, bacon, and day old Krispy Kremes? We placed the last of our purchases in the Truck and headed home. Thrilled at our Savvy Shopping ways. Thankful that we don't have to try this again until next year. 

Sad Day....

 Today after talking with our Vet we decided it was time to let our Vester Kitty go..
I believe God has a special place for him.. a place that is full of all he could ever want or need..
He is now free of pain..  laying in the Sun. and chasing mice to his hearts content..
He was a very special member of our family for 16 yrs.. He has left paw prints on our hearts..
Goodbye dear friend..

From a dear friend in Ky...

"It came to me that every time I lose a pet they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new pet who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.  If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be of my pets, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."   Anonymous

It's Hard To Say Goodbye....

Our Sylvester decided in his older years to allow us to hold him.... :-) 

I knew this day would come. The decision has had to be made. Our cat, Sylvester, Vester for short, We will be letting our friend go Friday evening.. He has lived a wonderful and happy 16 yrs. He has developed a severe Kidney issue and has come to a place where he mostly sleeps and is in pain. He is no longer eating. He is ready to leave us. I love him to much to allow him to suffer when there is nothing we can do except prolong the inevitable. 

 I would like to share some about his life. Vester came to us in the summer of 1996. Aug. 7th.. A friend of mine Donna was watching one of the kids from Church. Mike came running into the apartment caring a tiny little kitten. It was the only live one he found in a wooded area just behind the complex. Mama cat had been hit by a car while moving her babies. The other kittens were dead. But this one was still moving. Donna Brought that kitten to Church that night. It was Vacation Bible School week. She called me and said she was bringing the kitten. Could I take it home. I was sure I couldn't. Husband was allergic. No one could take it. So I wrapped it up in the dish towels Donna brought him in and took him home. 

That poor little thing was so cold. I got out the heating pad and turned it on low. found a little box and laid him wrapped in the dish towels on the heating pad. I sent hubby, who reminded me we couldn't have a cat, to the store to buy bottles and kitten formula. He told me years later that he just knew the kitten would die and I'd be a crying mess. He didn't die. So day 2 we named him Sylvester. By day 3 he was mewing a bit. we fed him just as the Vet directed. They had determined the kitten was just hours old when he was found. We were instructed on how to care for him. I made sure I let everyone know we would have a kitten to give away as soon as he was old enough. Since Ken had just retired and he was still on his 3rd shift schedule, he took care of Ves at night. He fed him and held him in his hands on his chest in the recliner all night. Ves still jumps up on Ken's chest and lays down to get his loving. They developed a special bond during those first long nights. 

Sylvester in his typical "cat attitude" photo

Time went by and Vester was growing, litter trained and eating dry cat food. We were ready to find him a forever home. When I asked Ken if we should just take him to the humane society, his answer was no. He had is forever family. Ken's allergies were not to bad with him unless Ves got right in his face and rubbed his nose.. LOL He would touch noses with Ken in his only real gesture of affection. 

Talk about Cat Attitude. Oh my.. Our Vester kitty has attitude. We never could pick him up, or hold him. He doesn't like people. He really didn't like us that much until he got much older. We are here to serve him. These last few weeks he sits in our laps a bit longer, but still only after the dogs are crated. He doesn't like the dogs. They don't like him. When Ves first came to us there were 3 dogs in the house. Annie our mama dog decided he was a baby something and protected him from the others. Ves just never cared for any of our dogs, and there were a few, except for Annie. He would play with her. 

Time went on and Vester got a kitty brother, Stubby. Stubby came to us as a stray that was starving. Ves ran him off a few times, but Stubby came right back. Since Vester had never interacted with other cats he had no cat sense or cat manners. Stubby was all about playing. He would sneak up on Ves from behind doors, from under chairs. etc. After Stubby passed Vester still walked wearily around the house for weeks waiting for Stubby to spring out at him from behind a door, or from behind a corner. 

1996- We hung bird feeders. Vester decided it was an all you can eat buffet put out just for him. 

Vester was a well traveled cat. We took him to tractor shows while he was still nursing from the bottle. I had a basket I would take him in along with his bottles and formula. He made many trips to Ky. One of our favorite sights was the day Vester was coming back from a hunting trip in our woods. He was being followed by 2 or 3 deer. He would walk and they would walk, heads down just staring at him. Probably trying to figure out what he was. He would stop and look behind at them and they would stop dead in their tracts. We about died laughing. He finally broke and ran to the house. I don't think he appreciated how funny it was. 

I could sit here and tell you story after story. He was a great mouser in his younger years. He's been crippled up with arthritis for the past few years so he doesn't hunt like he did at one time. He still goes outside, but now he sits in the sun on the porch. He walks much slower these days, But his head is still held high. 

We have fixed him his bed with his favorite blanket out by my computer. He will on occasion wake up and look at me. His one eye no longer closes properly and he keeps it covered with his paw. My little Vester kitty how I will miss your good morning nudges.

We will keep him comfortable for the next couple of days. He'll get a piece of Turkey for his Thanksgiving Treat. We'll give all the family time to say say their goodbyes. We have wonderful memories of our time together I know he does too. I believe that God has a special place for our Vester. A field in Heaven full of mice and Sun. A place where he can run, and play, and where children will pet him and tell him how wonderful he is. I'll tell him again that he really has been a good friend and I will miss him. I know Hubby will have another talk with him. They will touch noses as they have for 16 yrs. and we'll take him to his forever home.. 

It is going to be very hard to say goodbye..... 

I Am Hooked On Coupons...

My coupon haul for the day. 

I am hooked on Coupons. I love them. Is it work cutting them all out, yes. Is it a pain to organize them in my ginormous binder, yes. Is it a pain to go through and toss the old expired coupons, yes x2... So why do I spend hours cutting, sorting, organizing and tossing?  So I can get these kinds of deals.

Free Baby wipes, Toothbrushes, Floss picks and Room spray.. .78 cent shampoo, and .97 dish soap. The sweet potatoes are only .24 cents a pound.. I'm heading back for more later..

The Total retail for all these items. $94.75... After store reward card and coupons.. $16.78.. I saved 84% off the retail price... I purchased 24 items and only paid $16.74.. that's less then $1 an item..

I need to thank the folks at savingmania.net for showing me how to make coupon shopping pay for me. I love that they do all the footwork and I just click their site and print the deals for the week.. I met 2 ladies today who also coupon shop. They hit the store Mondays and go row by row writing down prices and sales. then  they were out shopping tuesday mornings. I don't have that kind of time, well I do, but who wants to spend hours in the grocery store? Not me. I really appreciate a group that does all that for me.

I've even got hubby checking for coupons and bringing them to me. The grandkids think I'm a cool granny cause I have a stash of their favorite stuff. They told me on a recent visit that if the Zombie Apocalypse happened they were coming here cause Grandpa has axes and shovels, and I have lots of food and toiletries. LOL  love those grandkids and the money I save shopping the coupon way.

Favorite Song Night.. "The Well"

Some of my favorite songs are on this CD.. 

Tonight's pick 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW5unzXXC0k

"The Well" 

The Well lyrics

Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 
Leave it all behind, 

I have what you need, 
But you keep on searchin, 
I've done all the work, 
But you keep on workin, 
When you're runnin on empty, 
And you can't find the remedy, 
Just come to the well.

You can spend your whole life, 
Chasin what's missing, 
But that empty inside, 
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy, 
And the world leaves you high and dry, 
Just come to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more, 
And all who search will find what their souls long for, 
The world will try, but it can never fill, 
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

So bring me your heart
No matter how broken, 
Just come as you are, 
When your last prayer is spoken, 
Just rest in my arms a while, 
[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/the-well-lyrics.html ]
You'll feel the change my child, 
When you come to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more, 
And all who search will find what their souls long for, 
The world will try, but it can never fill, 
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

Yeah
Leave it all behind

The world will try, but it can never fill... leave it all behind

And now that you're full, 
Of love beyond measure, 
Your joy's gonna flow, 
Like a stream in the desert, 
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me, 
Cuz you came to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more, 
And all who search will find what their souls long for, 
The world will try, but it can never fill, 
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

Outro: leave it all behind, leave it all behind... repeat

The Back Porch Is Finally Finished...

I know it's been a long time coming. I've talked about it for the past 2 yrs. Finally it's done, and here are the pictures to prove it.. 

There is a table under here. all the things I really needed to get to ended up here by the back door. 

before #1 

I don't know how this happened. Well that's a lie, I do know. We yard saled and flea-marketed ourselves out of room. The back porch became the catch all for everything we didn't have a place for in the house. It took us about 15 yrs. but we finally got it to the point of tossing it up over our heads onto a pile. 

You remember we didn't have a floor in a part of it.. 22yrs. waiting for it to be finished. 

All the Knee surgeries this past 2 yrs. had left me unable to do the 2 1/2 foot drop down to get to those things. 

This summer with the help of my grandchildren, the neighbors, and some dear friends I was able to go through everything. We had a huge hoard sale. Afterwards everything that was left was donated. 

The things we kept were packed away and labeled. 

after #1

I got these great shelving units at Home Depot for $20. they are awesome. 

Before #2 

This is what the left side of the doorway looked like, totes, Christmas trees, and all my coupon goodies stacked.. you can't see it, but I had a wall of paper towel.. LOL  and yes I had garbage bags for curtains. 

I know I know.. yuk

After #2 

We still have to put up insulation and drywall. and we need to put in the wood floor over the cement. 

This is such a great improvement that frankly I don't care if we never get it boxed in and heated, though it would be nice to have the extra living space. 

Before #3

This is another look at the table and the Secretary across the way.. 

After #3

Much easier to see now. The Secretary will be given to our Niece. She's wanted it for years. When any of us take a notion to do some repair work to it.. It's hers. 

Before #4

this is looking down into the pit (that 2 1/2 foot drop) it was stacked out there too. Neither of us could manage to get down there. I was so glad for the grand-kids who scurried down there and hauled it all out for me to go through. 

After #4

Now with my new floor and easy access to everything. I can just walk out and find it. 

I sneak out there a couple times a day and just walk around. it's amazing. 

The ugliest ever polka dotted and flocked sheer panels. 

the only ones I could find that fit the windows using only one panel. 

Hubby had me order Sheer panels to put over the windows.

 I love the light and really the garbage bags had to go. 

Now everything is boxed up and labeled It's great and will be easy to find. 

I remembered to put the least used items on the bottom 

so I won't have to move 3 or 4 boxes to get to my stuff.. 

This is almost to organized.. LOL 

I love the idea of labeling, and just in case the tape or the labels fall off.. I wrote 

on the boxes what was in them. so it would be easy to make a new label. 

I got the 5ft table set up with my Roaster, Bread Machine, Mixer,dehydrator, 

vacuum sealer, and sewing Machine. 

I have enough room to set up one of my folding tables and sew 

or work on my scrap-booking. 

Last but not least I have two windows that look out into the yard. 

I had hubby hang a Suet feeder there. I'll be able to watch the birds from my 

computer. It'll be great. I can't wait..