One World One Heart

Have you heard about the One World One Heart give away? It is a global blog event where bloggers everywhere are offering a little sumpin'sumpin for the asking. It is a way to pass on the Love and this is the second annual event. Everyone will have something unique to share. The give away is Valentine's Day.

I am going to offer up one of our Hot Aprons for the giveaway.

All you have to do is leave a comment. We will draw from a hat on Valentine's Day and announce the winner. It is as simple as that!

If you are a lurker and don't unusally leave a 'hey y'all' , this is your chance.

As I said this is an International Event. There are hundreds of entries. Check them out and sign up for a give away.

Good Luck Y'all!

Sandi

This is crazy! Since we are so close to 100, I will add a second apron. Drawing will be Feb 14th. Thanks y'all~ Sandi

~Tuesday

Super Tuesday and Fat Tuesday all in one day.

Get out and vote...
then have a party!

Happy Tuesday y'all,

Sandi

Best Commercial~

Now that is funny!
Sandi

Centerpiece of the Month~Roundup

It is time for the roundup of the Centerpieces of the Month for January. We had some great entries. I think Nature is the name of the month.

A bowl of satin white roses from the Nature Trail. You have to take a walk with Nature Girl. Her photography is amazing~ she has an eye for nature.

DebraK from The Bunnies Bungalow sent in this elegant centerpiece for January. The picture copied small, but it is red pears in a glass jar~ perfect!

Myrium at Once Upon A Tart sent in a photo of the promise of spring. A hyacinth that has brightened her table with its strong sweet scent in this dreary rainy month. So simple, and so perfect!

I do hope she hasn't baked up any escargot recently~

Holley sent this display of oranges. She says she has lots on her trees this time of year~ lucky girl. I love that she included the curley willow to recognize that it is winter everywhere else. Visit her at her Windy Corner USA.

We had a vote last month to see if we should do a winner every month. I think the consensus was that a button to place on the entries blog would be a good idea. So here it is...

Congrats to all the 'winners'!

Y'all show me your centerpiece for February.

Sandi

Go Red!

Today is Go Red For Women day.
The idea is that we are all wearing red today in support and awarness of women's heart health.

Red shoes...

Even Barbie could be seen around town wearing red!

Wearing red is only a part of the challenge.

If all women will Take Action what a difference we can make.
*Cook heart healthy.
*Be heart happy.
* Shop with heart.
*Move and exercise your heart.
*Share your heart with others.
*Have a heart check up.

How is your heart today?
Y'all wear RED today!
Sandi

Hands

This was voted a favorite picture for 2007 at http://www.whatatop.com/.
Check and see what else is tops!
A presto y'all,
Sandi

A Love Affair

I am a new mom~ of sorts.

Last month I adopted a new blogger. The idea was for old bloggers to share with new bloggers. Pam at Sidewalk Shoes is my 'baby'. The only thing is... her blog is fantastic, and she needs to be teaching me. Her photography is bright and clear. I have lessons to learn from her!

Anyway, Pam pointed me in the direction of a Love Affair going on in blogland right here in time for Valentine's Day. Well Seasoned Cook is hosting a Legume Love Affair. Here is my heart happy entry.

Tuscan Bean Soup

1 cup dried cannellini

1/2 head savoy cabbage, chopped

1 leek, chopped

1 red onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 Tbs olive oil

fresh rosemary, basil, and oregano

1 bay leaf

2 large cans diced tomatoes

chicken broth as desired
Soak the beans overnight, drain water and rinse. In a large pot brown onions, celery, garlic in olive oil. Add cabbage, leeks, and carrots and cook until soft. Add herbs and tomatoes. Cover and cook over low heat, Thin with chicken broth like you like it. Simmer over several hours to blend flavors.

Traditionally this bean soup will simmer on the stove and carry over from one meal to another. Serve with crusty bread. Any left over bread can be stirred in to thicken the soup the next day.

That is how it is called Ribollita~ reboiled soup

Now some may argue with the idea of mixing legumes with love... For those (and you know who you are)keep the beano on hand.

Buon appetito y'all!

Sandi

Red Hot!

We have some new aprons at the WhistleStop Country Store. The ones we had been selling are great quality aprons... but not very girlie. They are still available of course!I have talked Bill into trying some girlie aprons. Aren't they precious?

They remind me of vintage aprons like Big Momma used to wear~ with a little spice.

Wouldn't these make the perfect Valentines gift?

Some have 'Give me some sugar' on the pocket. Another has red hot hearts all over.

Check them out at A Pinch of Dis and a Pinch of Dat our little country store.

E-mail us with your order.
You know y'all want one.

Sandi

Centerpiece of the Month~ January

As I was taking pictures of the snow, this is what I saw. It looks like the perfect Centerpiece of the Month! So this will be my entry~ This is a real center-piece!
Now I have a question for the rest of you...

What do y'all think about the voting for the best Centerpiece of the Month? I didn't mean it to be any major to-do. It is s'posed to be fun. We had a bit of a snaffoo last month when I posted 2 photos for one person. My fault. I didn't even think about that! We have tried to send a little sumpin'sumpin to the winner... nothing big.

So... Do you think we aught to vote for a winner? or Just post them for fun?

I have a few for the January round-up~ I'll post them at the end of the month.

Y'all send yours in,

Sandi

It Snow'd!

Here in Alabama we don't get much snow. When James Spann says the word SNOW, the city mobilizes. Everyone rushes out to the Piggley Wiggley to stock up on bread and milk. I have never understood this... we are much more chips and salsa survivors. The city trucks load up with sand, and schools are canceled in preparation. Then we wait~~~ unfortunately the last big snow fall we had was in 1993.
Yesterday, we had about an inch of the white, fluffy- mostly wet stuff. We were quick to get out the camera!

Old Frosty wouldn't have lasted till dinner. There was enough for a good snow ball fight.

I dragged the old sled out of the attic... somehow that round disc has gotten smaller over the years.

It was fun while it lasted!

Now, What do y'all do with all that leftover bread and milk?

Sandi

PalmaBella's Chipollini Onions

This is one of my favorite 'new' recipes. We have had them for special family dinners, and yummy meals with pork chops. These are PalmaBella's chipollini onions.

I had a little trouble finding chipollini's till I knew what I was looking for. They are smaller and sweeter than regular onions. You'll find them in a small bag, 3 bags will serve about 6.

Chipollini Onions

3 pounds chipolline onions

1 cup chicken broth

3 Tbs butter

1 Tbs white wine vinegar

1 Tbs sugar

1/4 cup cognac

1 cup dried apricots

toasted chestnuts, chopped

In a large pan bring water to a boil. Blanch the onions to make them easier to peel. Trim the ends and peel the skins off of the onions.

In a deep skillet, combine broth with butter, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Add the onions. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium heat until the onions are covered with a deep golden caramel, stirring occasionally. The liquid will evaporate and you can add a teaspoon if needed to keep it from burning. Cook for another 30 minutes.

Add cognac, apricots, and nuts and heat through. Pour onions into a serving dish, add enough water to rinse the remaining caramel out and pour on top.

That is yummy y'all!

Sandi

Spell It Out...

Have you noticed the '2008' that has been at the top of our blog? I put it on there to announce the New Year. I'm bored with it now... so I will change it out.

It is a program called spell it with flickr. Its a fun way to use numbers or letters. Pretty cool!
Y'all give it a try...

Got Grits?

Over the holidays I was smart and put up a grits casserole for a weekend just like this.We were to lazy to do much of anything, except enjoy our time off. Even without much work we had a yummy breakfast.
Baked Garlic Cheese Grits
6 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups regular grits
3 rolls cheese spread with garlic
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 350°
In a large pan bring broth, salt, and pepper to a boil. Stir in the grits, and whisk until completely combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic cheese and milk. Gradually add the eggs and butter, stirring until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into a sprayed casserole dish- or 2 smaller ones. Bake for 30 minutes. At this point you can freeze for a later day, or sprinkle with cheese and bake another 15-20 minutes. Serve either as a side dish or for a filling breakfast.
Y'all could just save it for company coming or a rainy day.
Sandi

Slave to Fashion

Have you been shopping for jeans lately?
They just don't make them like they used to!
Did y'all have a pair?
Sandi

Oh Well~ it was a hoot! You may be able to find it if you google 'Mom's Jeans'.

All I need is a little TIME

Now that things are quieting down~ Maybe I will have a chance to finish this...

Hopefully I will have a new sweater before summer arrives in Alabama!

First let me go check out my blogging friends...

what are y'all up to?

Sandi