TEA FOR TEXAS....

"Give me a T for TEXAS,
give me a T for Tennessee.
Give me a T for Texas,
give me a T for Tennessee .
Give me a T for Thelma, woman made a fool out of me..."

"If you don't want me baby,
mama you sure don't got to stall .
If you don't want me baby,
mama you sure don't got to stall.
I've had more pretty women than a passenger train could haul ..."
*********************************
Lynyrd Skynyrd sings this olden song...
so did JOHNNY CASH....

TEXAS SWEET TEA and LEMON CHEESECAKE....

mighty hard to beat !

Pretty plates with roses on them just seem to make EVERYthing taste twice as good...
*

I always say TWO pieces are better than ONE !!

..and I wish I had a whole ENTIRE set of this ROSE plate, trimed in gold...
:))

Some of you might remember that I am a HUGE fan of

SEMI HOMEMADE..!!

*

I used a boxed mix for this delicious treat..adding CREAM CHEESE, an extra egg,

PURE VANILLA.....
*

This little darling metal, white TEXAS STAR

was in a lovely giveaway from

SULLIVAN AND MURPHY..

many more items with it but I am saving them

for later BRAGGING !!

*

Speaking of BRAGGING, Texas has a lot to brag about, too..

Even WEST TEXAS is pretty in it's own way....
**

The 1963 movie

HUD

with PAUL NEWMAN

was filmed in

CLAUDE, TX...about a two and a half hour drive from us...

We drove out there several times to see the original old house and ranch used in filming.

Really fun to see !

I never did come even CLOSE to seeing any of the stars, tho..

BUMMER !!
**

ICED SWEET TEA...
a good old fashioned SOUTHERN drink..

*

The above photo is from the net...
a photo of
PALO DURO CANYON..
only a couple hours drive for us..

we used to go several times during the summer..it's so pretty there.

Usually have a picnic and all the kids would wade in the water crossings...
*

But....THIS is what it looks like around our place...
flat...dusty... WINDY..
*

Maybe THAT'S why we drink more ICED tea out here
on the plains...
I know it sure does taste good....ALL YEAR ROUND..!

TIPS FOR MAKING PERFECT ICED TEA
(from the web)

For iced tea, use only orange pekoe. I've always used Lipton, and keep meaning to try other brands (Luzianne, for instance), but I keep reaching for the Lipton red and yellow box.
*
For the absolute best results, use a glass or glazed pitcher that can handle having boiling water poured into it. Plastic and metal containers may be able to take the heat, but they often impart flavors that interfere with the best tea taste.
(I ALWAYS use a glass pitcher...never plastic!)

Tie your teabags together so they'll be easier to remove from the pitcher.

Fresh tea is the best tea. Don't try and hold it over in the refrigerator for days. Pour it out and make fresh.

The amount of sugar called for in my instructions suits my personal taste and, come to think of it, the tastes of my family and guests. However, you may like your tea more or less sweet and, if so, adjust the sugar accordingly. NOTE: I personally use MUCH more sugar in our tea.

Make sure your tea is chilled before you serve it. If you add ice cubes to warm or even room temperature tea, they'll just melt and dilute the tea. And, by all means, use ice cubes rather than chipped or crushed ice to keep the melting to a minimum.

About family-size tea bags: The big tea bags are three and a half times the size of the little ones (7 grams, as opposed to 2 grams). I'll let you do the math. I use the regular tea bags because I find that five of them (which would be 10 grams) are perfect for one and one-half quarts of tea, which is what I usually make every day.
*

MARFA, TX. was the location of “Giant”, which included James Dean.
Not far from us...

A lot of movies have been made out here on the PLAINS of West Texas..

usually ones about OIL...CATTLE...and RATTLESNAKES !

;>)

*

I hope you enjoyed your ICED TEA.

I sure enjoyed YOUR visit !!
*********

YOU HAVE ALL DAY TODAY TO CLICK ON THE $60.00 GIFT CARD AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG......A WINNER WILL BE DRAWN TONIGHT...ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY MORNING.

LOVE, bj

I'm linking with:

TEA TIME with THE LADY, TABLESCAPE TUESDAY, TEA FOR TWO, TEA TIME TUESDAY, 2ND TIME AROUND TUESDAY, OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

I LOVE THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE......

MEMORIAL DAY...MAY 31, 2010

Veteran’s Day Prayer

Dear Lord,

Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country.

We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual strugglet o preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.

We respect them,

we thank them,

we honor them,

we are proud of them

and we pray that YOU will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness.

In Jesus’ name we pray;

Amen.
By Joanna Fuchs
******************************************

The grandkids LOVE going on picnics..
so do I !

**

Sometimes...we do picnics INSIDE...

especially when the wind is blowing so hard.....

or it's too HOT outside to enjoy eating.

**

Here is my version of the RED, WHITE and BLUE for this year's MEMORIAL DAY luncheon.

**

There's my vintage BLUE PICNIC BASKET...

I bought it so long ago at a great GARAGE SALE

and a few years back, came REALLY close to painting it RED.

My youngest grand, DEEDS,
said, "O, NO...MEMAW...I love it BLUE !"

so, OF COURSE, it IS and will always BE

this perfect shade of BLUE.....
*

I'm using my GREAT

RED and WHITE ( with a tiny little line of the best YELLOW)

tablecloth that my good blogging sister friend, JEANNE, over

at BACK YARD NEIGHBOR

sent to me in a LOVE PACKAGE not long ago.
**

There's those RED POLKA DOT dishes I love...

TINA over at CHERRY HILL COTTAGE told me where
to buy these adorable plates and I ordered 12 before I could shake a stick !!

NOW, however, I can't find that company...... I'll ask TINA....
They are the melamine that is HARD to break...or can you even break it ??
ANYway...I use them ALL THE BLESSED TIME !!
**

" Melmac is the name for plastic dinnerware that was created with the use of melamine.

First developed in the 1940s, melamine resin is easily molded into a number of different shapes and is extremely durable. During the middle of the 20th century, Melmac dinnerware could be found in just about every home in the United States, owing to the low cost and easy care of the dishes."

**********************

THEY ARE WONDERFUL !!

*

Just look at all this REDNESS...

is it any wonder that MOST folks in the world

LUV this color !!
*

Yellow and red....

A POWERFUL COMBO
**

This little tiny candle was sent to me from the SWEETEST NANCY that had SOUTHERN LADY blog.
I am not sure she is still there.... but I am checking.

SHE said she saw this little candle with my name on it and just HAD to get it and send to me.
I was TICKLED PINK when I received it in the mail.
Such a thoughtful thing to do for a blogging buddy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This setting sure puts me in the mood for
PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES
DILL PICKLES
A DOUBLE HANDFUL OF POTATO CHIPS
A BIG SLICE OF CANTALOPE
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AND ICE CREAM
ICED TEA, LEMONADE OR........

BLACKBERRY WINE...heh heh heh..it's 5 o'clock SOMEwhere !
**

AMAZING GRACE...HOW SWEET THE SOUND.....

*

MR. SWEET said I could have my ole PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICH if I wanted to ...
BUT HE would rather have a GRILLED STEAK and ONIONS with POTATO SALAD...

I said " PHOOY on a sandwich...PLEZZZZZ make me a steak, too".....

and .... HE DID ..!!

**

Our family, like yours, will pause on this MEMORIAL DAY to offer thanks to our GOD for HIS grace and glory. We will thank our veterans from the bottom of our hearts and souls for ALL they have given .

****

Linking with:
BLUE MONDAY SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE
RUBY TUESDAY

A little thrifted wooden box in the

COLORS OF THE DAY....

BY ALL MEANS, BE SURE TO SIGN UP HERE

FOR MY $60.00 GIFT CARD TO CSN ONLINE STORES.....

PINK SATURDAY is having a birthday...

I AM POSTING EARLY FOR PINK SATURDAY...

IT'S SPECIAL BECAUSE OF IT'S BIRTHDAY...

AND...

I WANT YOU TO HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO SIGN UP FOR

MY GIVE AWAY.....

*********************************************************************************************

I decided to REPOST
MY VERY FIRST....
PINK SATURDAY ....MAY, 2008

for this SPECIAL 2ND BIRTHDAY ....
************

BEVERLY, my friend over at HOW SWEET THE SOUND

is hosting PINK SATURDAY

and I wanted to do a Saturday with her.

I don't have very many things in the color

PINK in my cottage...

but I do love the color...

*
This beautiful, PINK book was given to me several years ago by

BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER

and it's got some of the most delightful photos of

LITTLE PINK BABIES...

*
This OLD shaving mug, with the handle broken off

belonged to my mother.

The key to my wind-up clock is attached to the other end of that cord..

*MR. SWEET bought this beautiful English plate for me about 10 years ago..


Isn't this the ugliest thing you've EVER seen and
I PAID MONEY FOR THIS !!
What was I thinking and even more,
what WILL I ever do with it ??????
BEATS ME !!

OOPS, I feel a

"WHAT'S A SHABBY DOOR THINGY TO DO"

CONTEST

coming on here........:o)

UPDATE.....

THIS UGLY DUCKLING IS GOING OUT TO

MO

and she has
PROMISED
that if she can come up with ANYTHING cute out of it,

she will post a picture for ALL TO SEE....
HAHAHA...GOOD, GOOD LUCK, MO !!
*

My very favorite little plate from my mother....

One of the first quilts I made....
*
A favorite PINK flowered lamp from an estate sale...
The VASE holding these PINK flowers was another treasure from my mother.


And, finally....
MY PINK PIN MONEY BANK
*****************
Many thanks to BEVERLY for this fun
SATURDAY
hugs, bj
*********
****************************************************

Now I'm back to 2010....

"Beverly, thanks so much for all your hard work in bringing this wonderful and fun day to us each and every single week for two solid years."

***************************************************

I AM HAVING A......
GIVEAWAY !!

I wish I had a seat on a comfy sectional sofa from csnsofas.com because

I have joined with the delightful SEAN at CSN STORES

in giving away a

$60.00 GIFT CARD

to be used in their store. The winner will be able to use her/his gift card on anything of their choice.

HERE'S THE DEAL...

Just leave a comment on THIS post indicating that you would like to have the

$60.00 GIFT CARD

and I will have MR. SWEET pick a number on the evening of

TUESDAY, JUNE 1.

WINNER will be announced WEDNESDAY morning, JUNE 2.

A great way to start a brand new month, don't you think?

GOOD GOOD LUCK....

TAKE THIS CARD OVER TO YOUR SIDEBAR, IF YOU PLEASE.

BEIGNETS...O HONey

Beignets...little FRENCH donuts...

I've posted about them MANY times...

and....I've EATEN them many times...

They are unbelievably wonderful...

and I think they look SOOO good on my
MACKENZIE CHILDS tiered server....

Things not only gotta TASTE delicious...

they MUST look FABULOUS, don't you think?
*

My sweet and beautiful daughter, STACY, brought this

box of BEIGNET MIX to me from her trip to NEW ORLEANS...
**

The first time I made them,
MR. SWEET and I thought we'd DIED and GONE TO HEAVEN...
You just can't imagine how great these are, all warm and covered in POWDERED SUGAR..
with a good strong cup of COFFEE...
***********************************************
Known as the "French Market Doughnut" and the official "Louisiana State Doughnut, a beignet is a square piece of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. They are served in orders of three. The Acadians brought beignets to Louisiana. At first, they were fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit. They are famous in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana.
Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans (http://www.cafedumonde.com/) is world famous for having the BEST beignet!*taken from the NET
******************************************************
You can order this mix on line at the above address.
*******
This is for everyone that has asked me for a BEIGNET recipe...not using the MIX.

*
MOI doesn't really have a recipe...but....this paticular one belongs to the infamous PAULA DEEN
Her ingredients:

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups bread flour
1/4 cup shortening
Nonstick spray
Oil, for deep-frying
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions:
Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
In another bowl, beat the eggs, salt and evaporated milk together. Mix egg mixture to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, measure out the bread flour. Add 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Add the shortening and continue to stir while adding the remaining flour. Remove dough from the bowl, place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Put dough into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
Add the confectioners' sugar to a paper or plastic bag and set aside.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 1-inch squares. Deep-fry, flipping constantly, until they become a golden color. After beignets are fried, drain them for a few seconds on paper towels, and then toss them into the bag of confectioners' sugar. Hold bag closed and shake to coat evenly.
**********

NOW....there IS an easier way to enjoy these sweet treats much FASTER...
Not the same yeasty flavor...not exactly the same texture...
but, very good, nevertheless....
*
BEIGNET PUFFS
A cup to 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 level teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
*
Mix with milk until stiff enuf dough (but LIKE THE BISCUITS, not TOO stiff ) to roll 1/4" and cut into squares ...I sometimes just use
a round cookie cutter 'cause it's so much faster... *NOTE..check to see if there's such a thing as a SQUARE cookie cutter...bet there IS !)
**
Fry in hot oil, turning to brown evenly, until a nice golden delicious brown...
After I drain them, I toss them into a ziplock bag with that luscious, lip-smackin' powdered sugar...
**
and, may i just say that i am so hungry for one right this very minute, i could die!!...
again, these "puffs" aren't the same as the wonderful and magnificent BEIGNETS...
NO WAY !
**
But.....they ARE good for a quick sweety snack....

*

If you make some tonight...think of me when you have that powdered sugar all over your mouth!!

LINKING WITH:
FOODIE FRIDAY
*************************
LOVE, bj

Ooo LaLa.....ORANGES, FRENCY TOAST and SUNSHINE...

Although we had RAIN in the forecast for all this week,
this particular day was
BRIGHT, SUNSHINY and not many clouds in sight...

This adorable sign was given to me as a gift from my good friend,
THERESA from SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
a couple of years ago.
She quit blogging for awhile...I will go over to see if she is alright.
She's such a wonderful lady....

Note...as of Wed. 26th, she is fine...just very busy with.....LIFE..

Please drop over and leave a word or two....she'd love that !

What an awesome job on these roses...
*
sometimes, when I go to bed, I say,
"LORD, you forgot to give me a really neat talent so
please, when I wake up in the morning, let me be
able to paint a picture or sing a song..."
I still can't paint a lick and couldn't carry a tune in a paper bag !!

I hung some of my tablecloths outside today...
not sure why I have these little brass vintage ladles out...
Well....maybe...just MAYBE they are FRENCH ! ?

The flowered cloth IS from FRANCE..
I've shown it to you before..
The bottom one is the underskirt I use with the French cloth..
made it out of a sheet and trim...

*********************************
Moving right along to....
FOOD...
*
I have loved FRENCH TOAST

my whole looong life...

My favorite way to eat it is with

TONS of POWDERED SUGAR on top...

"French toast is a breakfast food served in North America and some countries in Europe. In the UK it is sometimes known as Eggy Bread. It is a Christmas time dessert in Portugal and Brazil (rabanada) and an Easter dessert in Spain (torrijas). Typical French toast is made with bread and eggs. Milk or sugar is commonly added. According to what is popular in local cuisine, many of the spices that are added to bread or egg dishes are included in cooking. This versatile dish is often topped with sugar, butter, fruit, syrup, or other items."

*THIS info taken from the web..

*********************************

According to the International House of Pancakes, French toast is not necessarily French in origin; it is likely that the recipe dates back to medieval times, as "torrijas" in Spain already existed in century XV. It is likely the origin was in Spain during Middle Age as the recipe was integrated by new Arabs ingredients.

**************************
I really don't care WHAT they say....

when I eat FRENCH TOAST, I love the idea that it's a FRENCH food....

.......I'M JUST SAYIN'...........
****

ORANGES from FRANCE....
(with a wedge of TEXAS RUBY RED grapefruit thrown in for GOOD measure..!)

*

In the south of France, oranges are crystallized and the blossoms are distilled to make an aromatic orange flower water. The aromatic oils from the peel are used to flavour liqueurs.
*

I put all my citrus fruit peelings, with a few spices, into a tiny sauce pan,

to boil gently on top of the stove....

You can smell the wonderful scents coming from my cottage when you turn the corner onto my street....

OK...MAYBE it's not quite THAT potent....

but it does smell heavenly...

and it's FREE, so to speak.

Isn't the strong color of ORANGE just beautiful !!

Mounds of luscious POWDERED SUGAR...ummmmm

Powdered Sugar and Whipped Cream....what dreams are made of......sighhh
It's a THOUSAND wonders that I don't have some sort of
"TOO MUCH SUGAR"
disease.
I thought I might get Diabetes but was told that's not what causes it..
THANK GOODNESS !!

These are so pretty, they just LOOK of pure health, don't they ?

ORANGES and FRENCH TOAST...
and a pretty SUN SHINY DAY...

Ooo LA LA.....