The First Signs of Life Are Here

70 degree weather on Friday, Saturday it drops to 30 degrees and snows. 

 

Jazz Jazz Jazz

Ken and I have a little outing that we participate in once a month.  A couple years ago at the TSHA Fundraising Souper Sunday, I bid on a basket that had goodies from Gilcrease Museum.  The basket included a years membership.  This is when we began the Third Tuesday Jazz.



We have had a lot of fun and it sometimes is our only 'real date' for the month.     Each month, there is a different local group performing with instruments and vocal jazz plus. 
Most of the attendees are older couples.  Part of the fun is these 'oldies' love to dance with the music.     I don't dance but I love to watch others dance.    There are a few couples I really look forward to watching them have fun.


Gilcrease is a beautiful museum featuring western art with a strong emphasis on the Indian art.


Gilcrease sits on a hill overlooking downtown Tulsa from the west.



Tonight I took the little Fuji -- just for the fun of it.



The 3rd Tuesday night Jazz offers a buffett for $5 a person.   The food is mostly the same thing but it is good.      The buffet consists of fruit tray, cheese tray,  green salad and a couple choices of pasta dishes with a simple dessert -- often bread pudding.



Two years ago the cost was $4 and included a much larger selection of  drinks.    The Tulsa University took over the management and upped the price and cut some items.






Tonight the group was really good.  It was a 3-man team called SCORE with the keyboard players' wife, Sandy Gardner as the vocalist.      What a pleasant voice.









It is an early evening, 5:30 to 7:30 and we can be home by 8:00 -- remember it caters to the older population.    There are even groups from independent living centers bussed in.


With the daylight savins time change, it was still daylight when we left the event tonight.     We drove around town and stopped in and looked around at the Borders Book Store on the way home.


What an exciting Date Night!    Thanks Ken for loving to be with me.

http://gilcrease.utulsa.edu/

A Cooking Day

My job for this morning was cancelled so I decided to take advantage and do some 'stay at home wife' cooking. With the children all gone, I don't cook nearly as often.  So of course, I wanted to use Sommer's new Blog.   However, I had also wanted to make Laura's Oat Nutty pancakes for a while and decided to make them for breakfast.   Usually, Ken and I drink a protein shake for breakfast but today was a special 'good duty wife' day.
The pancakes were probably the best I have ever tasted. I could have eaten them straight from the pan without any butter or maple syrup.

Next, I had the ingredients for Sommer's mini meatloaf and mashed cauliflower so that was to be our late lunch.  My next interpreting job was not until 3:30 pm.  So I set off to make lunch and extra freeze ahead for later mini-meatloafs.   Here is the proof, I actually still cook once in a while. 
There is always something that I seem to alter when I cook.   First of all, I missed the step of putting all the veggies in the food processer to the consistency of applesauce.  Did not see it until they were already mixed.   Then I did not have the chili sauce, so substituted catsup.  It was fine, and smelled wonderful baking in the oven. 
Ken could not guess what the mashed cauliflower was (guessed turnips) but he loved it.   I've made it before just because it has far less calories.
  
So here you have it, a Nana Cooking day and having fun learning from the younger generation.  The next time, I'm going to do the cheese grits and the 'dead' banana bread.
As a side thought, today for some reason seems to be a potential teary-eyed day.  First Ken was reading to me an e-mail story about a friend named Jim who as age and time went by "I" kept putting off getting in touch with, until it was too late and "I" got the notice that Jim died.  He choked up reading it to me.
Then I was reading Laura's blog about her trip to India.  I was identifying with Sommer's trips to India I guess, but I did not know you could cry reading a food blog.  You will have to check it out.  I'll post the link for the items I made on this cooking day as well as Indian Curry. 
http://darkredcrema.com/2010/03/julie-sahnis-gosht-kari-meat-curry-an-indian-summer/
http://aspicyperspective.blogspot.com/2010/02/dinners-beauty-treatment.html
http://darkredcrema.com/2010/02/whole-grain-oat-nut-pancakes/
And dear friends and family, if you have not been checking out A Spicy Perspective, you must read it and try the recipies.  They are mostly easy enough for anyone to prepare and the reading is great.  We have another budding writer/producer stimming from the Papa Montgomery blood-line.   Sign up as a followerer and you will get the links each time she post something new.  Again, it is the http://aspicyperspective.blogspot.com/

A Tribute to My Husband on His 72nd Birthday

Today is my hubby's 72nd birthday. I can hardly believe it. Who would ever think when we first met 71 years ago that our lives would intertwine so tightly. We first met when we were babies, but neither of us remembers that day. My Dad was preaching a camp meeting in Oklahoma and Ken's parents lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Their babysitter offered to babysit me while they went to camp meeting. Wonder if she put a blessing on us or something. Afterwards, my parents returned to Frederick, Maryland, seven years later moved to Greenville, South Carolina and six years after that, we moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.   Ken's parents were still in Shawnee Oklahoma. Then at the age of 15, we both attended a youth church camp in Oklahoma City and there we met again ..

My first real memories were  at the age of sixteen, Ken's family moved to Tulsa and we attended the same church. The girls told me this new guy liked me. I could not believe it as, I had never had a real boyfriend. I was pudgy and very shy with no self esteem and could not believe that a cute guy like Ken could like me.

I don't remember how long it was after that, but I do remember that first kiss. We were sitting in his car in front of my house and he said "may I?" and kissed me. I really did see stars.

In our senior year of high school, Ken went away to Southwestern Bible College in OKC to the high school division. During that time we broke up for two or three months. Then he came back and later, he proposed. So very young, and no idea what was ahead, we were married June 1, 1957 at the age of 18 and 19, 52 plus years ago.

Learning to live together requires work. Learning to grow up together is a challenge. It takes commitment, Christ in the center of the home, and a lot of determination -- a lot of hard work. But we have done it! And now here we are learning how to grow old together. The learning must never end.

The years have been good. Blessed with five children who now are building their own families.  Grandchildren are a wonderful blessing. I have recorded some of our experiences together in this blog and also at http://grandkidsonly.blogspot.com/

Thank you God, for giving me the only man I ever loved, a young boy who has grown into a marvelous husband.  He is gentle, he is hyper, he is passionate, he can be compulsive but very giving.  He is slow to anger, and quick to love.   All his life he has had a heart for his family, as well as for little ones and little old people. He has never been afraid to say I am sorry. The best part of all is Ken loves God and loves to spend time in God’s WORD. What more could a wife ever hope for.

We began our celebration last weekend in Dallas by having lunch with Joel, Jen and her parents at the BentTree Country Club.  Then last night we had dinner together with our Tulsa children at the China Star.  Ken received two gift cards to the Bass Pro Shop.  Today we took a little road trip down memory lane by visiting Wagoner where we spent the first night of our honeymoon.  Then on to Western Hills Lodge where we spent the second day and night over 52 years ago.  We went on to tour Tallequah and back home.

Ken started out in his new "winter" hat in the morning and at the Bass Pro, bought his new "summer" hat with part of his gift cards.  

I love you Ken, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

A Weekend Trip to Plano

Ken and I took a quick little trip to Plano to visit our Texas children.

We left on Friday arriving around 5:00 PM.  First of all giving hugs and kisses to our children, then taking the tour of their new home which God has blessed upon them.    This photo is of the back of the house.   On Saturday morning, Ken and Joel did some little projects.One of which was hanging a gate in the back yard.

Jennifer had an appointment on Saturday morning so we watched Blakely.

Below you will see little Blakely playing her little piano which she inherited from Sydney.

We got to see how Sophie is growing.  Sophie and Nigel are great friends.  Nigel tolerates her puppy hyperactivity.

Saturday evening, Joel had a Black Belt testing for his 6th degree black belt.   Could not get very good photos because of the movement and distance but all of us were there to support his testing.

Three Beautiful Ladies

Joel was testing for his 6th degree Black Belt.......which he now has. His ladies went to support and cheer for him during the testing.

Dallas Got It Too This Time

I saw on the news that for the first time in all recorded history, there is snow in all 50 states of the USA.  http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/02/snow_on_ground_in_all_50_state.html

Joel and Jennifer, Sydney and Blakely just moved into a new house.  And guess what, it even snows in Dallas.     We have not seen the home yet, but here is the front and the back swimming pool.  Don't guess they are going to get to try out the pool just yet!     We are going to be visiting the Texas Scrivs in a week or so.

A Spicy Perspective - Check It Out!

A Spicy Perspective

Sommer's Blog is really looking great.  I've tried several of the recipes already -- you should check it out!




Learn the story:
"Can you chip-in-o somma feesh?" "Si!" "And you, chip-in-o somma clams?" "Si, si.

You will love it!

What To Do When The Weather Shuts One In

We now have ice and snow in Oklahoma land.  The day started off this morning with the Papa taking Babe, his spoiled yorkie out for her early morning potty break.  She was not a happy potty goer with solid ice on the ground.  It took time during Christmas to adjust to potty time on snow -- but ice is something else new and different.

Nevertheless, being an inside day.   I decided to do something in the kitchen.  It had to be a project done before leaving for my work at the Call Center.

Don't misunderstand the intent of this blog.  It is not a food blog, it is a therapy activity for this grandma.  But I have been following a couple of brand new food blogs from the younger generation.  This first one is from my younger daughter, Sommer.  http://aspicyperspective.blogspot.com/

And the second blog is also new and being developed by Laura, one of Sommer's friends from mission days and college at ORU.  Laura's blog has drop dead beautiful photos. (It's that special lens that does it every time.)  Laura is serious about developing an at home business promoting organic foods.  http://darkredcrema.com/

Let me back track a moment:  One of the amazing things is my 'throw away everything not nailed down' daughter wrote on recycling, reducing and reusing.   So yesterday, I put a pot roast and veggies in the slow cooker.  The roast was the norm, the new is the reuse, so the photo is only of the pot of simmering 'trash' promoted by Sommer.   Proof I'm  learning from blogers, I made veggie stock for the freezer with all the "throw aways" from the pot roast.  Can you see the celery, potato peels and carrot stubs?
Now back to today:  Remember today is icy and starting to snow:

With ice surrounding our windows and doors,  I began working on the Tomatoes from Laura's darkredcrema blog. Here are my therapy photos revealing the results of an ole' grandma learning what the younger generation is teaching.

While removing seeds from the romas (something I have never done in my whole life .... I grew up believing seeds must be eaten.)  Then I remembered what I learned from Sommer ... make veggie stock with the throw away tomato seeds.   In a pot went the tomato ends and seeds.  Can you find that photo under the ice photo?
In the meantime, the smell of balsamic and olive oil was great.

Around 11:30 AM, I left for work with the tomatoes in a 200 degree oven.
Arriving home from work, I did a  photo of my product on a plate.  However, in no way am I competing with those beautiful food blogs...I'm just having fun.  We ate tomatoes for dinner tonight.
This ole' grannie is learning to cook again.

I'll close by saying the drive home from work was not fun.  It had been snowing for 6 or 8 hours and the ramp onto the turnpike was closed. Our little blue bug could handle the sanded roads but not the untreated hills.   After being unable to make it up the local city hills,  we backtracked and drove around until we found a not-hill-route.  The 20 to 25 minute trip took two hours.     Happy evening to me.  I am now full, warm and happy.

I hope the weatherman is wrong!

THURSDAY EVENING:
Snow..klahoma Where the cold front's sweepin' down the plain. And the piles of sleet, beneath your feet Follow right behind the freezing rain. Snow..klahoma Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I Travel home from work and hope some jerk Doesn't wreak our car in passing by.We know we belong to the land But it could use some more salt and more sand. That's why we say...WHOA! We're sliding the the other way..YIKES! We're only sayin' Your slick as snot Snowklahoma. Snowklahoma SNOW_K_L_A_H_O_M_A Snowklahoma Snow_K

FRIDAY AFTERNOON:
Well a thousand electrical workers were brought in from other states to help us, as the weather prediction was gloomy. And every generator in every store was sold out yesterday.  And we do have freezing rain plus some sleet and today (Friday) it is snowing -- but nothing like they thought was coming. 
The workers are moving on to other areas and our own electricions are handling the ice damages.  Thank God, our prayers were answered.     Ken did drive me to work today so that I would not have to scrape ice and snow off my car when I get off work this evening.   I'll just walk out the door and climb into a nice warm VW Bug.    Thaks to my darling  he takes good care of me!

The Sisters Lady's Day Out

Today, three sisters had a LADY'S DAY OUT celebration.  Barbie said this was her first time for a Lady's Day Out.


We started by meeting at Cheddars for lunch. 


Paula was concerned that brother Bud might feel left out so he was allowed to participate in the lunch part only.  Then when Ken learned Buddy was allowed, he wanted to join.   




The baked potato soup was a big hit.   Ken always orders the chicken tender salad, so Paula tried that as well.     Bud and Barbie had the club sandwiches with the baked potatoe soup. 




Once lunch was over, the men had to leave.















Next we visted Atwoods looking for western duds for Paula.   The other day she bought her first pair of blue jeans.   She looked at Drysdales for boots and hats but they were not for her.   But at Atwoods, Paula hit the jackpot.

Can you picture this Grandma with her western hat, boots, shirt and jeans.   She is thinking of wearing them on the plane back home.  Her grandchildren are going to love seeing their Grandma turn Okie.






Next we visited the mall for manicures and pedicures. 


It was Barbie's first pedicure.  And she had this little man who liked her and gave her special favor with flowers on her toes.
We teased Barbie that she was flirting with him -- actually she was teaching him signs. 

Being new, Barbie had to have her toes redone three times.   The man teased her that it was OK, he had plenty of time but if it happened the next time she came in, he might bite her..


The only thing missing was our Sister Sarah.  We should have done this before she left town.

I will admit that by the end, we were a little bit tired.  On the way home, we stopped for a latte and/or mocha.

Happy Lady's Day Out to Us!

She Always Set High Goals and Dreamed Big

Sommer, our persistant and creative daughter.   I found these photos on FaceBook. They are of Sommer's Christmas Cooking Class. The photos were dark and low quality but I worked on them and here is what I came up with. A rolled flank steak, grilled and roasted. Then Chocolate Bon Bons and GingerBread Men. The other things I am unsure of.  I am very proud of you Sommer and your determination to Dream.  I love your ambition to serve others in areas you enjoy in spite of your shyness. Watch out Julia and Julie, Sommer is right behind you. She has been creative all her life and dreams of going to Culinary School once Carson is in School. God knows what is ahead.   You go sweet daughter!

My Sisters - My Family And Friends

It is amazing how very important family becomes with age and time.   I find myself feeling the need to go and vist my syblings more and more with time.    Perhaps loosing three precious ones this past year was a major awakening to the fact that time is fleeting and we are growing older.

My Sisters came to visit on January 4th.  Sarah had spent over three weeks in Wyoming with her son Bob and then came to Oklahoma for 10 days with Bud and Me.  

It was a wonderful time for all of us.  First we had a get together at my house with a few friends.   Actually there were about 13 of us.  I was so glad that I had friends to invite who knew how to sign.  And some Deaf friends came as well.       I cooked jambalya and potato/corn soup along with a few other things and it was good as our weather was very cold.   In the past year both of my elder sister have lost their spouses:  our beloved Scott Snyder and our beloved Jim Hardy.                                                                                                       Of course the camera was out so we had photos of Bud and Barbie, Ken and myself posing with Sarah and Paula.     

There was a second party on Sunday night with Bud and my children.      You will see two of Bud and Barbie's children:  Kim Hudson who lives in Mounds, OK and then Buddy 3rd who lives in Broken Arrow with his wife Beverly and three of their four girls were with us;  Jessica, Brittany and Rebecca.      Both Kevin and April's family joined us as well.         There was a visit to Bud 3rd house and a Mexican dinner.                             We visited the Deaf Praise Assembly on Sunday for church.     and the evening before Sarah left to return home, she treated us to dinner at Mimi's Cafe.         I didn't get to attend, but Bud and Barbie took our sisters out to Kim's home.   The highlight for Bud was his ride on the ATV.     Someday Ken and I might even visit as there are ponys, goats, dogs and cats in abundance I hear.    Sarah had a new hair cut and it changed her looks so much that we had to shoot more photos.  And  show off her youthfulness.    Sarah left on January 14th and we miss her so much.   However, Paula is still with us in Oklahoma until the 25th so there will be more fun events and times of bonding to share.   We love you sisters, Sarah and Paula.