sundancecatalog.com

My mailbox at times, is a sea of catalogues. Rarely, is there one that doesn't go directly into the trash. This was one of those rare ones.

Sundance sells artisan jewelery. One of a kind, beautiful pieces. A bit pricey, but never the less, lovely to gaze upon.

Pears and more pears

While reorganizing my pantry, I found hiding in the back; a #10 can of pears. So not to forget about them, I relocated them to the refrigerator. So within the next 11 days (the length of the rest of my vacation); I must either bake something or freeze them. I found two recipes on All Recipes. They look fairly easy, even for someone who is so inept in the kitchen; namely me.

The first is for a sour cream pear pie.
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup sour cream
2 (15 ounce) cans pears, drained and chopped
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, stir together 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix in the egg and sour cream until smooth. Add pears, and stir gently until coated. Pour the mixture into a graham cracker crust.
Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven. While the pie is baking, make the topping in a medium bowl. Stir together the sugar and flour. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping over the pie.
Bake for an additional 30 minutes. Cool completely before serving.


This one for a pear crisp.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
3 tablespoons reduced fat stick margarine*, cut into pieces
4 cups sliced peeled pears
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in margarine until coarse crumbs form; set aside. Place pears in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel, ginger and remaining cinnamon; toss to coat. Transfer to an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until pears are tender.

Almost done

The grocery shopping wasn't the only thing that hasn't been done in a big way, since Oct. I sort of had a wash what we need and the rest can wait....and wait....and wait cycle going on. I just didn't realize how long, until my daughter said that her shirt for volunteering; had been in the hamper since, Oct.

We sorted the laundry and that is when I realized this is going to take two trips to the laundry room. Our laundry room has 8 washers and 8 dryers, but I didn't want to take all day to get it done. I decided to do all the linens and such today. Then maybe Wed. or Fri. all the clothes. Today we washed 13 loads., which included 4 of towels, 2 of sheets, 1 of rugs, 1 of mattress pads, 4 of quilts and 1 of jeans.

It really wasn't that bad, for the fact that there are so many machines and that we were there before 6 a.m.; to assure that no one would be using the machines. I think we have another 8 loads to go; 5 of darks, 2 of lights and 1 of pinks.

Later I plan on folding it and putting it away only to do it all over again in a couple of days.

There is a change a commin'

I buy Kirkland brand paper towel, toilet paper, fabric softener and am quite satisfied with the quality. That goes for the other Kirkland items, I have also tried. So its time for this loyal Tide user, to try the Kirkland laundry detergent. I know there is at least a $5 difference in price.

I don't know why I have waited so long.

The ties that bind

I was reading a blog today, and the journal entry was partially about her daughters cry for help. I sit here with tears in my eyes, as her journal entry flooded me with memories; as her daughters cry, was also my daughters....though my daughter never talked about suicide... she attempted it twice.

The first suicide attempt was four years ago; four months after she told us, what she had held inside for five years. Something so devastating, so life altering that it left her emotionally shattered. The first attempt, the day after a therapy appt. I remember her coming out early. She said everything was fine, she had nothing to talk about. The second time was five months later. Both times I took her to the E.R. This time they put her on a 72 hour hold, that turned into one week. There were no beds in the county we live in, so they sent her two hours away. I was at such a loss, as I did not see the signs.

A few months later, I could see a change in her behavior. Among other things she refused to go to school, which was totally, not her. My greatest fear was that if she attempted suicide again, she would succeed. I was not about to miss the signs again, so I took her to the E.R. I remember the drive in the car. She told me she didn't want to go back to the hospital. I told her I was going to do whatever it took to keep her safe. I also told her that she needed to work with me and that if she didn't give me or the doctor some insight, into what was going on and with her history; there might not be a choice. She did open up to the doctor and on the way home, she talked to me.

Its been three years since her second attempt. Since the stay in the hospital, she has been on medication for the depression. She has good days and not so good days. The not so good days, are becoming further between.

A lovely respite...

from work, is just what is needed. Days of reclaiming my home and nights of nourishing my spirit; 16 upcoming days to be exact.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Thursday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for
...small blessings

More retro refrigerator magnets

A lovely glimpse into my past

These tract houses had just been built; when my parents bought their first home, in 1956. I have fond memories of that little house on the corner.

Such a pretty dress

If only it came in my size.