Food and dining – Page 3 – Connie Smithison

November 17, 2013

Thanksgiving Shopping and A New Pantry

I’m a firm believer in lists. While going through my pantry, and listing what I have and what items I need to buy for Thanksgiving dinner as well as to basically stock up on, I realized that the pantry that I have is not roomy enough. I need more space. Yes indeed, I feel another project coming on. I haven’t decided yet as to why it is that I always have a mega need to do home improvements at the most inconvenient times. With the holidays coming and I’ll be in the kitchen for a good ten days, my mind is on the pantry project, I would indeed call this an inconvenient time.

Shopping today (while my mind was/is still on the pantry project) did not go as well as I thought it would. Normally I use coupons, but not to the extent a lot of my friends do. Today I forgot my coupons. Fail #1. While looking for 22 to 24 pound turkey who I just know will catch my fancy to the point I want to take him home, will show himself, was shy today. Fail #2. I did however get a good deal on giblets, necks and backs. Also some pretty good prices on spices I needed.

I’ve got a couple more days to power shop if I can get the building of a new pantry off my mind until after the Holiday season, I’ll be just fine and dandy!

August 8, 2013

A day of garage and yard sales

Saying that I’m tired is a total understatement. My daughter and I got up super early and met at a small diner in town and had breakfast. After that, we were in for a full day of walking from one yard sale and garage sale to the next in the historical section of town. The whole North side of the small city was having a massive sale.

We got a lot of loot, as my daughter calls it. I’m beginning to just think we are both garage sale fools! I swear I get rid of things I don’t use in my house and the fill it with more “new to me” items. Most of which I really don’t need, but liked.

All in all it was a very productive day and I was so happy to see that my sons had fixed a great dinner for us when we got home. My feet hurt a bit and I’m sunburned, but I think I got some really great finds today!

July 24, 2013

Cherry Tomatoes and No Sun

I’m sad readers. I have planted cherry tomatoes again and they just aren’t getting the sun that they need to turn red. There are plenty of little green tomatoes on the cherry tomato vines, and the other tomatoes I planted was a type of cherry, but more like a husky one. To me…they would just be an in between cherry tomato and beef steak! LOL!

I suppose I could use what doesn’t turn red on the cherry t’s vine as mini fried green tomatoes. I’ve not ever looked it up or heard of anyone making these bite size snacks, which I actually am in love with. But I’m going to try it. Maybe “husky” fried green tomatoes are in order not also!

Summer seems to have hit us for about a week of real summer days. I loved it. But now…judging from my plants…not just the tomatoes, the prices of the produce will double in the cost this year, like beef has in the last two. Just my take on it folks!

July 4, 2013

Independence Day Wishes

This summer seems to be flying by and now it’s the 4th of July, and I’m wishing every one a very safe and happy Independence Day. We have no plans and since it has been raining and we’ve had storms, it looks like the day is going to be wet, to say the least. I feel for people in these parts who have planned big parties or BBQ’s, since we are expecting to have storms (heavy ones) all weekend, also.

To all my readers, family and friends…I wish you a very safe and happy 4th of July!

May 12, 2013

Gifts and Calls for Mother’s Day

So far this morning, I have gotten at least ten phone calls from “kids” and family wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day. Even some young people who have grown up with my kids, have called! It’s awesome that they would still after all these years, consider me a sort of “extra” mom.

My sons bought me a beautiful rose bush that I fully intend on babying, since in the past, I’ve not had much luck with rose bushes. My youngest daughter called and sang me a song over the telephone that she had written just for me and this day! My oldest daughter is taking me out to lunch this coming week, and then we’re going shopping also!

I’m staying at my moms house, so the kids all are also wishing her mother’s day wishes also. This afternoon I plan on taking her shopping for some summer outfits and then we’re going out to lunch before my brother and sisters arrive at her house with gifts for her. I’m looking forward to spending time with the family and also.

To all my readers who are Mom’s, I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day! Pamper yourself or let others pamper you. Ya’ll deserve it!

May 7, 2013

Porch needs a new roof

Once I got the nerve up to climb a ladder, since I am not afraid of heights but do have the terrible fear of falling if that makes sense, I was in total disbelief how the porch roof looked. I cleaned the gutters and eaves troughs, but there were shingles that had blown off during the winter and I do need to get a roofer out here to fix it.

I have a dear friend I’ve known since my early teens who is a roofer and he really knows his stuff. My husband who passed away at a young age was a roofer and siding contractor. He taught my a lot, but this job I can’t do myself because of the falling fear factor.

I’m sure my friend will give me a good deal, as he is actually considered family and comes to all our family get together’s. I’ll barter with him and cook for him, since he is a bachelor! He loves my cooking, so it’s a win win situation as long as I buy the materials!

May 1, 2013April 17, 2018

May Day Celebrations

Remembering the wonderful May Day celebrations we had when I was really young made me actually feel like making a May pole and dancing around it. Alas…no one wanted to dance around a pole with me in our May’s finest clothes.

When my sisters and I were young, we went to celebrations for the beginning of May and they were really very festive and large events! There were cakes and goodies to eat and games to play, the May pole dance was a big deal also. Lots of music and of course the older folks did plenty of eating and drinking. Even school was closed for the day back then. I’ve got some really awesome memories from the past. Maybe next year I’ll just host a party and see what kind of merriment we can have.

To all my friends, I wish them a Happy May Day and Blessed Beltane!

March 28, 2013

Preparing for Easter

Not being sure how many family members and friends will be here for Easter is making it rather hard to plan on a meal and what to serve, not to mention how much food I’ll need. I don’t like it when this happens but as of now, even my kids are indecisive about what their plans are and my youngest daughter won’t be here since she moved to Florida.

This is the first time that the whole family won’t be together and also don’t know if they will be around the house on Easter Sunday. The way I figure it, I’m not going to have a sit down dinner like usual this year if I don’t know who will be here and how many.

I’m seriously thinking that tonight I’m going to shop for everything I need, then just make it into a buffet style dinner. I can get a ham that is already cooked and sliced (easy out) and then make side dishes and finger food. Oh yes, and paper plates will be used. The strong ones but disposable plates I can throw away. I cook, why should I do dishes too!? At least that is my take on it, if no one knows what their plans are. Okay, I guess my rant is over. Now to make a shopping list…

Disposable plates

Disposable knives, spoons and forks

Disposable cups

Have a Happy Easter All, and remember what it’s all about.

March 1, 2013

Get Georgia Hotel Supplies Online

A friend of mine who lives in Georgia now, opened a large bed and breakfast and found that because of the size of her establishment, she would need more supplies than she had thought, so she found a place that she could get Georgia Hotel Supplies Online. Even though she isn’t a big hotel or motel, she does have enough rooms and clients to be considered a medium to large establishment, which is rare for a bed and breakfast. She has 12 rooms that she rents out and with that also comes the breakfasts, and also other services for her clients.

Down stairs in what is a big den type room that also is a library with a bar, she decided because of the volume of clients that she has, she needed Hotel Bar Supplies. It makes sense to me, as by ordering her supplies online she also will be saving the leg work of gong to find, haul home, and set up all of this equipment and accessories, plus she will be saving a considerable amount of money.

The Hotel Supplies are a must even for a bed and breakfast, I was told. I love to hear about her adventures she has since opening her place, and even I have learned about the running of a place such as her’s as well as my friend Lynn’s small hotel, who also uses the same company to get her needful items to make it run smoothly. The ability to order online is a wonderful option I think. My friends do also. They are busy running a booked solid establishment and don’t have the time or help to go shopping for everything they need. Plus the savings are exceptional and everyone can use a price break at this time. equipment