THIS AND THAT - - - - -

I am going to try to do a little catching up. When you live a quiet life you often feel that you have nothing to say. I have let a few things accumulate. First, my Stargazer Lilies are in bloom! They are so beautiful this year. I planted than 3 years ago and now they are at their peak

Richard was here on Saturday and was mowing and pulling weeds. The only thing that grows when it doesn't rain is weeds. We seem to have more than our fair share.

This yellow lily is a real beauty. There are red, orange and some two color ones. A deep magenta is growning in the garden at the house but not in the group that I took a photo of.

This white one is a real beauty!

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A week ago on Saturday our whole family (a very small group!) met at Gilligans Seafood House on Pope's creek for a crab feast. On my, is there anything better in the summer in Maryland than it's crabs??? Needless to say we ordered the "all you can eat crabs" and the all you can eat shrimp.
Look at these beauties! What a wonderful day we had. My daughter Joan and Richard and his family live near me but my two granddaughters (Richard's sister's) live in southern Maryland. This is somewhat over a 2 hours drive and since everyone works, we don't get together as often as we like. For this crab feast the girls were there with their significant others and Richard's wife Sheri took the day off and joined us. It was wonderful for all of us to be together.

The shrimp are large, plump, and succulent, served with Old Bay seasoning and melted butter. Oh my, so good! In addition, Gilligans is on the beach and boats from across the bay come over on Saturday's and Sunday to enjoy the food and company. At night there is a band and dancing in the sand. There is nothing better in Maryland during the summer than it's crabs, corn on the cob and home grown tomatoes!

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I'm sorry to say that "Blogger" still hates me. It won't let me leave comments on any blogs so I do want to comment on a few things:

Kim - I'm so glad your braces are off. Hope you will buy yourself some delicious chewy taffee or caramels! Please give Mom and Auntie my love and regards.(I love the "Golden Girls")

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Lauren - Thanks for the update on Eema. I know that your visit to her must have been sweet and sad at the same time. Keep 'em flying!

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Pamela - Summer colds are the worst kind. I'm so glad Edward is keeping you company. Keep your spirits up and the Kleenex coming.

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Joanne - So glad your eyes are better. Sorry that I have not been able to get to Cburg but hope to get there and see you soon. Give Jonsey a hug for me.

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Kathy - Congratulations on your daughter's graduation. I know you must be very proud of her. Her prom gown was lovely! Hope to see you soon.

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Cathy G - I have been missing update's on your hooking class. Please let us know how the ladies are doing - or have you stopped for the summer?

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For myself, I have decided to take the summer off. I have not been going to a lot of hook-ins or doing much traveling. Seems most of my traveling is to the Doctors but I hope that my health will soon be better. I am not holding regular classes during the balance of June, July or August. I am available and my students know to call me for a private lesson. Eloise continues to be her happy self, taking many sun baths on the deck and barking at all of the dogs in the neighborhood. I hope that all of you are having a great summer. Enjoy the beauty of the season and stay safe!

Doris

FAVORITE THINGS - PART 2
WAFFLES - - - -

One of my favorite things is sourdough waffles. I make these on a regular basis and store them in the freezer so that they are always available. I find that they are good breakfast, lunch and dinner. Oh, so easy to make, oh, so delicious, and oh so good for you. Try using them as a bread for a ham sandwich or with a scoop of ice cream between two of them.


This is the sourdough starter pot that I keep in the fridge. I also keep a cup of sourdough in the freezer in case the starter in the fridge goes bad or gets to "liquory." I try to keep half of the "liquor" poured off each time I use the sourdough. Did you know that this "liquor" is what the 49er's drank to give than that "high kick?" It can get powerful!

This is what the batter looks like. As you can see I have already used a good bit of it. The batter is usually very thick depending on how thick your sourdough is. If you perfer to make pancakes instead of waffles, just add a bit more liquid.

My waffle iron is an inexpensive one from WalMart but makes 2 good size waffles and works like a little gem. This need not be an expensive item. I like this one because it clicks when the waffles are done.

This is the finished product. The receipe makes 18 to 20 waffles.
This is a good way to spend an hour or so stocking the freezer so that this delightful food is available at the drop of my hat.

Recipe:

1 Cup milk*

3 large eggs - Beat milk and eggs together.

Add: 2 Cups sourdough starter

1 3/4 Cup flour

2 tsp bakiing powder

1 tsp. soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 Cup sugar

1/4 cup melted butter.

Stir all ingredients until well mixed. Let stand while the waffle iron is heating. My waffle iron takes 1/3 Cup per waffle.

* I often use fruit juice for part of the liquid, i.e. lemon or orange, makes wonderful tasting waffles. If you perfer to make pancakes, just add a bit more liquid to make batter a bit thinner.

Enjoy!

Doris

Pictorial Update - - - -

I think the "Mojo" is back! The hooking Mojo, that is. I am not a moody person but I have "leisure time" moods. For instance, in my free time my mood may be to read, hook, or perhaps play games on the computer but I don't do them all at the same time. I have just come off of a reading jag and now I am hooking again. So I thought it was time to update the large pictorial. Hope you like what I am doing. I still have much to do.

An overall view. This piece is just a bit larger than 3 x 5. So still a lot to do.

Some of the items in the wagon. I love this chicken

I knew the mojo was back when I decided to tackle the horse and I am pleased with him.

The pigs and sheep are finished as well as all of the chickens and the cow.

The barn complex.

The very large tree and some of the sky. I have used 4 different colors in the sky. Unfortunately they don't show up in the picture.

I thought you would like to see the "cock of the walk."

Overall view. As you can see, I have started to put a "frame" on this pictorial. Just by itself, the frame is a lot of hooking. This whole project is being done primarily with a number 3 cut altho I have done some faces with a 2. I am hopeing to have it finished by the end of summer. That is, if the air conditioning holds out!!!!

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I still am unable to leave comments on you blogs. Please believe me, I read them everyday. I do this as I have my coffee. I like starting the day with my friends. I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday and is doing well in this very hot spell we are experiencing. Until next time, Eloise and I wish you a happy day.

Doris