HARD CANDY RECIPE – GINGER

Lizzy is up to her creative little ways again. She is always making new recipes, most often it is for some kind of treat. This time, it is ginger candy. She makes this and sets it out on the table, before long everyone has eaten it up. She always makes very small batches, as you can see in the above photo. 

Her recipe is at Come Make Something With Me

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Big Holiday Expectations ~

Okay...I am not just making small changes (as stated in my earlier post); I am making BIG changes. My goal is to lose 10 pounds in the next five weeks, by the end of October! There, now I have said it. That is kind of scary, making such a bold statement on my blog. If I don't accomplish it, it certainly won't be for lack of trying. (I want to reach my goal on my weight-loss ticker, at the end of this post, before the holiday season begins ~ kicking off with Thanksgiving Day.)

So, why am I looking at a book full of  

"rib-sticking, taste bud-satisfying comfort food!"

I checked this our from the library before I made my big decision to drop 10 pounds.  I am always drawn to this sort of food; maybe it's the retro girl in me. It is enjoyable to look and and dream about, even if I cannot eat any ~ right now.

Right now, I am gazing over a recipes for...

The Best Fried Chicken in the U.S. of A.

Georgia's Fried Cornmeal Mush ~ Mmm, I love it

or

Granny Glen's Biscuits n' Gravy

And then finish off with some ~

Knock-Your-Sox-Off Carrot Cake

or

Washington State Fair Apple Strudel

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I don't know about you, but this breakfast menu sounds appetizing to me!

No.1

2 HOT CAKES WITH HAM,

BACON OR SAUSAGE, 

AND 1 EGG...................... 85c

No.2

HAM, BACON OR SAUSAGE

TWO EGGS, POTATOES

AND TOAST...................... 95c

No.3

TWO HOT CAKES WITH

TWO EGGS...................... 75c

No.4

HAM, BACON OR SAUSAGE,

ONE EGG, POTATOES

AND TOAST...................... 85c

No.5

TWO EGGS, ANY STYLE, WITH

TOAST AND POTATOES...................... 65c

No.6

TWO HOT CAKES, WITH HAM,

BACON OR SAUSAGE...................... 75c

No.7

FRUIT OR CEREAL, WITH 

TOAST AND JELLY...................... 50c

No.8

STEAK AND EGGS, WITH

POTATOES, TOAST AND 

JELLY.......................... 1.25 

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These cookbooks by Linda Everett,
Retro Breakfast and Retro Diner,
are available on Amazon

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When You Cannot Eat - It's Still Nice to Fix Food for Others

I think it is only natural that when you cannot indulge in mouthwatering foods, it is enjoyable to sit around and dream of the things you love.

Here’s what I am NOT having this fine Sunday morning:

Scrambled eggs topped with cheese

Tater Tots

Sausage

Buttermilk Biscuits

Orange Juice

Have a wonderful day!
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Tea and Malt-O-Meal Muffins

Breakfast is one of my most cherished times of the day and always a favorite meals. Breakfast is good anytime of the day or night!

My children enjoy a cup of tea with breakfast; I prefer coffee. A teapot is a charming addition to the breakfast table.

Malt-O-Meal muffins are a delicious favorite for an easy breakfast. In addition to their delightful flavor, I enjoy them because one muffin is a mere 95 calories! That means that even while dieting, I can afford a muffin, yogurt, and fruit, which leaves me quite satisfied.

Bake them today!

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Celebrating Autumn

Source:  Pinterest

There are so many wonderful images on Pinterest!

Source:  Pinterest

Autumn furnishes a bounty of simple beauty.

  is my new love.
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Autumn Has Come!

My Home Skies

There is no better season for dressing fashionably! Autumn provides the lovelies hues of the year. Cooler days deliver more choices for creativity, allowing multiple layers of colors and textures.

Jessica at Chronically Vintage shared a list of 25 vintage clothing items under $50. Here I have chosen my favorites to share with you. Do visit Jessica to see all the her wonderful finds and the purchasing information if anything strikes your fancy.

This fabulous 1940s cardigan wool sweater is like one my mother owned and allowed me to wear when I dated my fiancé. That was a real treat. I never borrowed or wore anything that belonged to my mother (everything in her closet was extremely well cared for), and I never knew what caused her to offer me her wonderful sweater. I wore it as a sort of vest over a blouse, with a leather belt, and a tweed jacket and a black pencil skirt.

This brown wool 1950s magnificent pencil skirt immediately caught my eye! I agree with Jessica that a pencil skirt compliments just about any woman. Priced at only $30.00, I would have been tempted to buy it; however, the waist is too small for me, and the hips too wide. That must be some luscious woman who has a 27” waist and 40” hips! I envy her!

Jessica is so expressive in her description: Evoking thoughts of everything from cheering football crowds to awesome evenings spent in front of a bonfire, plaid wool (Pendleton-esque) jackets have been a beloved part of many peoples' fall wardrobes for decades now.

I am a believer in the old style of wearing nice clothing when going to sporting events. This brown and grey wool jacket (I love it belted this way.) is just the ticket.

When I was 18, I wore a vintage pair of ski pants on a ski trip with a friend in the Sierras. There I was, showing up in my 1940s plaid wool ski pants, standing out like chocolate on a white silk blouse, and knowing nearly nothing about skiing! (I did take a lesson, driving my instructor to exclaim in exasperation, “Hope, don’t make this difficult!)

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“Good Morning” Granola Rolls

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“Good Morning” Granola Rolls .
 Cinnamon Rolls ~ Quick and Easy recipe
1 ¼ c. Honey Nut Granola
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon

Combine ingredients and mix ( a food processor works well for this).

Quick White Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
2 T. milk
2 T. butter, softened
1 t. almond or vanilla extract

Mix sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth.

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Granola Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

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Honey Nut Granola

Honey Nut Granola
2 ½ c. oats
1/2 c/ packed brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1/3 c. honey
1/3 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. wheat germ
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. raisins

Preheat oven to 325 °. Combine all ingredients except raisins; mix well. Bake in lightly greased 9” x 13” pan for 20 – 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in raisins. Spread mixture onto ungreased cookie sheet; cool. Store in a cool dry place. Makes about 6 cup.

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Cozy Corner

All I want is a room somewhere,
Far away from the cold night air,
With one enormous chair.
Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?

My Fair Lady (1964)

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Cooking on a Budget ~ 1940s Style

Little End of the Horn (Horn of plenty, that is)

Budgeting, saving, making do, being resourceful, this was the life of the average 1940s housewife.

Can you relate?

 I too have always lived a life of stretching every penny. (I pick up every penny I see on the ground, as a way of appreciating all that God has given me. Growing up, we literally had to count every penny, and now things are not that tight. Thank you, Lord!)

I always appreciated the 1940s simple way of living because that was my own reality. I have come to love this way of living, and I believe that my life is actually richer because I have not always had everything that I want. That makes it easy to get excited about all the happy little pleasures life holds. And when bigger things come around, occasionally, they are that much more appreciated.

In celebrating the 1940s housewife way of life I thought it would be fun to share with you girls a few budget saving recipes for fall from my vintage cookbook: Quick & Easy Meals for two. (Of course, it is easy to make them for more than two.)

Menu

Bread-and-Cheese Casserole

Bacon

Green Salad

Concord Grapes

I have always loved a simple European meal of cheese, fresh fruit, and great bread. Here is an American version of that meal.

Bread-and Cheese Casserole

Mix 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese with 3 well-beaten eggs. Add 1-teaspoon baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon prepared mustard. Remove crust from 4 slices bread (I personally would not remove the crust.) Cut each slice in 4 pieces. Spread the bread pieces generously with the cheese mixture. Open one 8-oz. can tomato sauce. Alternate layers of cheese-spread bread with tomato sauce in a quart casserole or 2 individual casseroles. Heap any extra cheese mixture on top. Cover with strips of cooked bacon broken into pieces. Bake in a slow oven, 300° F., 20 to 30 minutes. 

Top-of-range adaption: Make sandwiches of bread with cheese filling. Sauté on both sides in bacon drippings. Serve with hot tomato sauce and crisp bacon.

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Cinnamon Rolls ~ Quick and Easy

These really are the easiest/best cinnamon rolls. My daughter had asked me to bake cinnamon rolls today, so I finally tried this recipe that I have had around for a long time. They are quick and easy to make.

Cinnamon Rolls
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter

Scald milk. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar and butter. Set aside to cool.
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1/2 cup warm water
2 Tablespoons yeast
1/4 cup sugar

Dissolve yeast and 1/4 cup sugar in warm water. Set aside for 5 minutes until bubbly.
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2 eggs
1-teaspoon salt
5 to 6 cups flour, divided

Mix milk, yeast mixture, eggs, salt, and 2 cups flour in kitchen aid. Add enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead 5-10 minutes.
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Spray counter top with cooking spray. Divide dough into thirds and roll each into a rectangle.
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Butter, softened
Brown sugar
Cinnamon

Spread with softened butter; sprinkle liberally with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll up tightly and cut each roll into eighths. Place in three buttered cake pans.
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Let rise in warm place until double.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes until light brown. (Servings: 24)
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For the icing:
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 Tablespoon milk

Mix all ingredients until well blended and of spreading consistency.

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In Anticipation of the Holiday Season...

Homemade raisin bread and plum jam

 I am making a few diet changes now to allow for a few splurges during the holidays.

One small change: Usually I drink whole milk in my coffee, only indulging in half- &-half with sugar on holidays and special occasions. However, in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, which in our family starts the week of Thanksgiving Day and runs through New Year’s Day, I am going to drink my coffee black from now through the month of October (maybe even up to Thanksgiving Day).

Another small change: No more butter on my toast ☺

Did you notice my retro styled diner coffee cup? I have always loved the diner look and found these dishes online; they make me so happy. I love using a saucer when I have a cup of coffee – it makes a simple cup of coffee more like a snack, or even a meal.

Additional way to encourages small changes: I chose the 8” dinner plate when purchasing my dishes to encourage smaller portion sizes.

I think these dishes are so cheerful, especially against this bright little red dish rack.

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Checking My List

This is the reading chair I bought. It looks wonderful in my living room and has already become the favored family sitting spot. My daughter spends hours knitting in it.


My husband arrives home tomorrow. Tonight I am doing some final organizing, setting the house in order, and washing laundry. I won't have much time tomorrow, because we have a morning soccer game to go to, 31 miles away.

I accomplished most of what I set out to do, so I am one very happy gal!

My daughter was my little helper all along the way. Tonight I am taking her out to In-N-Out Burger. We LOVE In-N-Out.

I discovered pinning on Pinterest. 
Pinning lovely thoughts and dreams ~ I have to admit, it is even more fun than blogging, if you can imagine that; I really never thought I would say it.

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~Vintage Trailer~

Source: flickr.com via Hope on Pinterest

  Pinterest Love
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Come Make Something With Me

Come Make Something With Me

Craft, bake, cook, and share.

(http://cmswm.blogspot.com/)

My daughter is starting her own blog so that we can blog together. What fun for me!

If you have a daughter, perhaps she would like to visit this new blog.

Make sure to check out these links: Holiday Fun | Recipes

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Painting and So Much More...

I always love watching Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, just to see this lovely kitchen and the cozy living room setting.

This apartment kitchen is bigger than mine. The living room is also much bigger. I always wonder why they say in the movie that the apartment is too small. It must be because they have no yard for the boys to run about .

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Everything in my upper kitchen cabinets is emptied out onto the counter and the kitchen table – What a clutter.

I painted the cupboard and have waited for them to thoroughly dry. Now, at 4:30 or so this morning, as soon as I get off of this computer ☺, I will be setting my kitchen back in order.

I am working on so many things right now. My darling husband is out of town for over a week, so it is a good time to get to my cleaning projects.

I have some new arrangements that I wanted to share, but my sweetie took the camera with him, so I cannot take any pictures. Not having a camera is difficult for me, for I so love to take pictures of everything! Oh well, I am really too busy to be taking photos right now.

Come back soon and visit again!

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Creating a Cottage Home

I was just in Michaels this morning looking at all the lovely autumn decorations. I was tempted by these most wonderful, fall colored stems of berries in purple, orange, and golden yellow, but even at 40% off, I could not bring myself to pay $4.19 a stem. Sigh…I do so much love autumn!

I am still working on getting my house in order. I have purchased online three new vintage reproduction tablecloths to brighten my kitchen/dining-room table. Even at $33.00 each, I feel that it is not such a bad splurge when it comes to decorating a home. I have been eyeing these tablecloths for some time and decided to go for it.

I also purchased a rose printed throw for my living room. I can’t wait!

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English Cottage Style

All this lovely Saturday morning, I have been enjoying poring through cottage-style books. I took pictures of some of my favorite pages… go to Pleasant Simplicity to see more.

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