a recommendation

I don't think I've ever done this before but I just watched an entire season of a TV show.  I heard many good things about it, but I just didn't believe it was something I would enjoy.  Friends advised me to begin at the beginning in order to fully understand the story.  So I did and I could not stop.I want to go get season two and watch the entire thing, but house work calls! 
It's Downton Abbey.

The story begins in 1912 and is full of characters so it takes a few episodes to sort everyone out.  Its a learning experience in British History--a subject I know very little about. So rush to the nearest library or video store and get it for yourself.  That is if you have a few hours of free time!

Unwelcome weather

The polar vortex is back. Do not be fooled by the beautiful blue sky.

my favorite sandwich

Last week I bought a crock pot, specifically to make something I like a lot--pulled pork.  I know I didn't have to have the crock pot, there are other ways, but I did get a bargain.  It was on sale for 19 dollars.  I had 30% off that and a coupon to take 10 more dollars off so you can do the math there!   Last night I started the process by placing a pork roast in the cooker about 9:00 P.M.  I just put salt and pepper on it and poured 1 and 1/2 cups of cider vinegar over it.  I set it on low and went to bed!  This morning it looked like this.

 

At 9:00 A.M I took it out and shredded it with a fork.  It just fell to pieces when I touched it!  I made a mixture containing brown sugar, hot sauce and the juice left in the cooker and put it all back into the crock pot. 

I shared some with the people at Gibson Tax Service at lunch and left some in the fridge for my Mom and Dad.  It was so easy I don't know why I haven't tried it before!  Here's the recipe I used.   This recipe is from Christy Jordan's Southern Plate.

(I left out the pepper flakes.)

Ingredients

• Pork Roast (approximately 5 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar (that is one and a half cups, not eleven cups )
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Put roast in slow cooker and sprinkle salt and pepper over. Pour cider vinegar over. Cover with lid and cook on low for twelve hours (I cook it overnight). Remove pork roast and shred with forks (this will be very easy). Drain juices from slow cooker, reserving two cups of liquid. Return pork to slow cooker. To the reserved liquid add: Brown sugar, hot sauce, and crushed pepper flakes. Stir well. Pour over shredded pork and place lid back on. Place on low or warm setting until ready to serve. Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, reheating in the microwave.
2. I estimate this to make enough for about eight sandwiches, give or take.
3. *This sauce is not spicy. If you prefer a spicier sauce double the hot sauce and crushed red pepper flakes. Add more to taste.

a good day

It was a good day.  A very good day!  We woke up early and took an unplanned trip to see the grandkids and the kids, of course.  After being greeted with great enthusiasm we did some playing and then took a trip to see Joey, Tracie and Parker's Ponderosa. We hiked over it and admired the new place.  Then it was off to Subway for a Sunday lunch.

After lunch we drove back for more backyard playing with lots of racing, serious sand scooping and bubble blowing! 

surprise

This morning, because the sun was shining and because it needs to be done, I decided to tackle the job of picking up the bazillion sticks that are lying in the yard.

What I did not expect to see was. . .

 daffodils

 tulips

and iris!

I was worried that the winter had been so cold it would damage all the spring bulbs. 

 It's just a happy sight!


No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.  ~Hal Borland

autograph collection

My son-in-law, Jay, had a birthday present for me when I visited last week.  He has always been thoughtful about finding something unique for me. It's an autographed picture of a wrestler.
Here it is:

It's not the first one.  I have others from previous years.

I also have an autographed Aaron Tippin CD.  It says "Delilah, Kiss This!"

 Another year I received a CD from an Elvis impersonator who performs under the name Elvis Wayne.  I am even on Elvis Wayne's Christmas card list because Jay told him I was his biggest fan!  He tells the wrestlers that I am a fan of wrestling and gets them to say something special to me!

It's just so nice to be loved!

Paul and George and John and Ringo!

Fifty years ago tonight at just about this hour, I remember watching the Ed Sullivan Show when The Beatles made their first appearance on American TV.

 

They made girls scream and their hair was scandalously long! 

We watched The Ed Sullivan Show every Sunday night on our only TV in the living room!  It was black and white. Tonight, I watch in high definition on the large color TV in my living room as a television special saluting the Beatles is on.  

I know all the words to all the songs!

birds

When I was a child this movie TERRIFIED me!

So  when I look out the window and see this on the lawn,

I feel a little creepy and have to wonder if they are hatching an evil plot!

lunch with friends

So when my friend,  Veda, called me this morning and said, "what are you doing can you go to lunch?" that's just what we did!  We picked up our friend, Jenny, along the way and had a LONG lunch at Cheddar's.  It's always fun to spend the afternoon laughing and talking with your friends about the the books we're reading, the TV shows we're watching, our grand kids, the good old days and of course solving the world's problems! 

"Shiny" Day

It's the first day of my fifty-eighth trip around the sun! It's been a bright and "shiny" day enjoyed by everyone because we've had some face freezing weather for the last two weeks.  My day was brightened with special mail

A surprise cake delivery

And tonight my mom had prepared a delicious birthday dinner followed with cake and presents!

My facebook wall is full of greetings from neighbors, family and friends. And I did get to spend some time with old friends today.  That time was at the funeral of my good friend, Veda's  mother.  It was more a celebration of a life well lived for the last 93 years.  It's hard to imagine all the changes she experienced.  She was a kind and gentle lady who as the minister said had a jovial spirit, and I'm glad she was my friend.  Her name was Lola and she loved my grandson Parker like her own.  She loved jewelry and pretty clothes and made beautiful quilts.  I always enjoyed her stories from "back in the day."

This "shiny" day ended just as brightly as it started. What a great way to begin year fifty eight!

green & blue lids

I find these exciting!

If that makes me old that's okay because I am the crazy canning lady!