A Snowcation

It is not often that we get snow in Alabama . . . and when we do it is pretty. This last snowpocalypse was a surprise, we weren't supposed to get any.
James Spann, the weather mann, didn't have his sleeves rolled up for this one.
So neither did we.

It came down fast and furious. . .
Beautiful ~
Everyone likes a snow day

Until . . . the ice shuts every thing down and hundreds of people and their cars are stranded. What is normally a 5 mintue drive took hours.
We spent the evening watching redneck trucks slide backwards down the hill by our house. Check the US Mail truck... your thank-you card might be a little bit late.

We are just going to stay at home and enjoy a pot of Brunswick Stew and a fire in the fireplace.

Who doesn't love a Snowcation?

Y'all enjoy,
Sandi

Saturday PhotoHunt ~Vast

The Saturday PhotoHunt seems to be the only time I can find for blogging . . . such is my life these days.
Today I'm sharing a warm and sunny photo of our Vast white sandy beaches on the Gulf.

I could use about a week under one of these umbrellas.

Check for all the other Vast Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Ripple

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Ripple'

I would love a bushwacker from the FloraBama ~ with a little ripple and a cherry on top.

If you have never been there. . . it is a beach classic, right on the Florida/Alabama line. They did do a little renovating after the last Hurricaine blew it away ~ but you would never know.

Check for all the other Ripple  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~Doors

The PhotoHunt for today is Door

So . . . I went a little crazy and posted DOORS

The Doors and Door knockers in Malta are each  unique and fabulous ~ even on buildings in disrepair.

As we wandered through the hilly and windy streets of Valletta, you could find a story in every door.

I think a grandmother must live here ~ who else would leave a little handprint in the stain of a door?

This is a hand of a different sort. . . And another beautiful door. Because the buildings are all made of the local limestone they are light in color. The brightly painted doors really pop.

There is an open DOOR on The Saturday PhotoHunt ~ come visit.
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Cooking LIght ~ Gingery Banana Pudding

The Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club is re-creating memories this month . . . The theme for our supper club is 'Everything Old is New Again' The idea was to recreate some of our favorite recipes from Mom's kitchen.
I thought of the Banana Pudding that was served at the WhistleStop Cafe . . . Yummy ~ but full of calories. Instead I found this recipe for  Gingery Banana Pudding on Cooking Light. It is a 'little' lighter with fresher ingredients.
The flavor is kicked up a notch with fresh ginger, gingersnap cookies (I used Gluten-Free) and a bourbon cream on top.
That is making the old New again ~

Gingery Banana Pudding with a Bourbon Cream
1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
4cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 ripe bananas, divided
12 gingersnaps, crumbled and divided
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger

Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in 3 cups milk. Heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil).
 Combine remaining 1 cup milk and yolks; stir with a whisk. Gradually add 1 cup hot milk mixture to yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Add egg yolk mixture to pan. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly

.
Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl for 20 minutes or until mixture cools, stirring occasionally. Cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 hours or until chilled.

Mash 2 bananas; cut remaining 2 bananas into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stir mashed and sliced bananas and half of gingersnaps into pudding; chill 30 minutes.

Combine cream and 1 teaspoon sugar in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form; stir in bourbon, if desired.

Spoon 2/3 cup pudding into each of 8 dessert glasses; divide remaining gingersnaps among servings. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons whipped cream, 1 1/2 teaspoons pecans, and 3/4 teaspoon ginger.

It is definitely not the Whistlestop Banana Pudding ~ It is yummy and there isn't a vanilla wafer in sight.

 
Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Old Timey ~  New Style feast.
Jerry has upgraded the classic Green Bean Casserole
Val is making Meatloaf Bolongese
Susan is bringing Curried Crab Salad on Belgin Endive Spears
Sara is updating a Wedge Salad
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Aqua

The PhotoHunt for this weekend is Aqua ~
So I will take the time to show photos of my recent trip to the beach . . . Where of course all things just seem aqua.

There was a special New Year's Eve celebration at Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina

Where the color scheme is all in shades of Aqua.

I would be happy if I could decorate my whole house like this . . .

Or I could just drive to Fisher's to eat (where our son is doing the cooking) .

Check for all the other 'Aqua'  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Promises for 2014 ~

It's that time again... every bloggy year I have made a few little promises to myself. The hard part about this is that they are all over the World Wide Web, not just on a napkin that will be tossed when I clean out my purse.

Here is the list of All My Other Promises ~ most of them have been lived and enjoyed.

Some things last year that I didn't do... like 'get lost in Venice' and the perpetual 'learn Italian'. I think those will stay on my 4ever list.

So... Here is my list for 2014 ~
* Surprise myself (in a good way).
* Dance at a wedding.
* Downsize.
* Take a road trip.
* Dance to a retirement.
* Plant a garden.
* Escape to Italy.
* Light candles.
* Clean out my purse.
* Just Dance ~ while I still can.
What is on your list for this new year? It doesn't have to be BIG . . . but it does have to matter.
Happy New Year y'all ~
Sandi