My Favorite Sport 2 Watch

Hi there everyone. Hope you are having a good August. Well, it's been 2 weeks since I last posted. Thought it was about time to do something. No new pictures of cards or the gardens...been a little laxed in taking pictures. Guess I will have to get on the wagon again pretty soon.

I know this may not be an interesting post for you....but it is for me. I love hockey....maybe if more people would watch hockey there would be less problems in this world, it's an exciting game to watch and easy to follow. Just follow that puck and you get the idea of what the game is about. Baseball is so slow moving, football is pretty slow too....but hockey, man, down the ice and back, score a goal and hit a player so much action going on!!! Yeah, I like hockey best of all. 

I have been a fan 57 years. My first taste of Hockey was through my stepfather, he had season tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1962.....back then there was Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Chico Maki, Moose Vasko, Reggie Fleming to name a few favorites. We went to every game for almost 6 years. Loved, loved loved the game.

My life changed a bit after I started Beauty School and then left home, getting my first job and an apartment. No more hockey games. Not even sure the games were on TV at that time....I kept track of the Hawks via the newspapers and such. I met JP in '71 and he was into stock car racing. I guess my interests changed and was into stock car racing till 1973 when JP and I got married and he retired from racing. Did I do that???

1976 we moved up to Ladysmith on our 20 acres and raised cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats and dogs. I lost track of the Hawks. We had NO TV for 10 years.....how in the world I did that, I do not know. 1987 we moved to Appleton, but still no TV for awhile. Finally in '92 I got a TV with rabbit ears......nope, no Hockey yet. I missed being able to watch the Stanley Cup Finals 2010, 2013, 2015. FINALLY 2016 brought Hockey into my house!!!! FINALLY I could watch the Blackhawks again!!!!

      The above picture was taken off the TV, March 25, 2019. 

Yep....Fear the Feathers....I think this year will be the year that brings another Stanley Cup....I am hoping, that would be great. 4 Stanley Cups in 10 years. Would that make history for the Chicago Blackhawks!!!!???

This is a shot from the TV. It's an old picture. 2 of the players in this shot are on different teams. Panarin, a winger is with the NY Rangers now. and Hjalarson is with the Coyote's...he was a good Defense player. Hopefully with all the trades this season we will have a good defense again.

This is the Blackhawks hat I want to buy before the season starts....hopefully. Or if another hat catches my eye, I will buy that one.

So now I have had Directv and now Spectrum and I can now get Hockey on TV and if I can't get it on TV, I can get the games on the computer. There is a site that shows all the home and away games of the Blackhawks and those of the other teams. I have no excuses now. Of course I can spend $40+ to get hockey on TV and that would include home and away....not affordable at this time.

So there you have it....if you do not see many posts from me starting in September you will know I am somewhere out there in Hockey land. You all take care and keep looking up.....better days are coming. Cheers ~ Louise

Nine More Days - A Christmas Party and Cards

Hi there everyone, hope you are having a good weekend. I thought it was time to end my silence....just seems there is not time for blogging plus I don't have that much happening lately. Finally got my cards done and the last of them are going out tomorrow. Three of the cards needed letters so that took a little bit longer to get done. One letter was too a friend I've know since a Junior in High School. The second letter was to a friend I worked with in a beauty shop in Ladysmith, gosh that will be 40 years ago. The 3rd letter to my Step-cousin to let him know his uncle, my step father died last May. Thought he would like to know. We'll see, if he responds. I know there were some hard feelings between him and my step father that were never resolved.

I needed to make 7 more cards and ended up using the Christmas cards I made at Betty's this past Wednesday and last month, except for the "church window card and Three Kings and pink poinsettias" the church window didn't have a verse in it and I was too lazy to go find one. The Three Kings card, I kind of liked. 

So the following pictures of cards are what I made at Betty's. We had a little Christmas party along with the card making and exchanged little gifts and cards we made. We also brought something to eat. This is what I brought.

 Ham roll ups with cream cheese, spinach and dried cranberries. They turned out really good. I got the recipe off facebook. Seemed easy enough, may just make them again. 

 A closer look at those ham rolls. Next time I will use turkey, that is actually what the recipe called for. I am always changing something when I cook.

 This side of the platter are deviled eggs and black olives.....so good!!!

 This was a cute snowman....this one was calling Biz's name, so I HAD to send him to her....she likes snowmen!!

 This card, I decided to keep, probably would have gotten the royal squish going through the mail. Anyways....I liked it.

 Liked this card also, but for some reason, I did not add a Christmas verse....forgot.

This card got sent.....I like those deer. I must look for some "deer die-cuts." They are always good for a masculine card.

So there is 9 days left till Christmas. I ordered a Chicago Blackhawk hat....one of these days I will get a jersey, but they are over $100.00 not quite in my budget. I want to get a "spring-form pan" so I can make cheese cakes, I have seen a few other recipes where a spring-form pan was used. I had a few, but they were old and rusty, so I got rid of them and never replaced them. So, I think I will go to the "Whire Wisk" sometime and buy one, not unless I see one at Walmart at a decent price. We'll see.

So the hat and "spring-form pan" are gifts from JP. I will get JP some new shoes for work and a homemade coupon with a bunch of quarters on it so he can buy his apple juices at work, which he said were really good.

Well, I suppose I will close for now, you all have a good week and keep looking up.....better days are coming.
Cheers ~ Louise

Random Pictures and Thoughts

Hi there everyone, hope you are having a great Summer. I can't believe how fast this summer is going. It's been a bit too warm for me....but I have not melted yet. Should not complain as winter is just 4 months away and it will come soon enough.

So today's post is just going to be some random pictures I picked up here and there and thought they were really cool to look at. I love this "flower bed" if I ever run across an old bed, I will make one of these in my back yard......and of course it will be called "Louise's Flower Bed".

I was looking at Pinterest and pinned a bunch of Flamingos.....I sure do like flamingos....did you know they come in different colors? This, I did not know. It depends on what they have eaten....usually we see pink flamingos. But they come in blue, green, yellow and red....so interesting. (Maybe that should be my next post...."Flamingos in Color".  Below is a cute little baby flamingo and it comes in grey.

Another group of pictures I pinned were roses. So many pretty roses in so many different colors. Purple roses are my favorite. I certainly would find a place in my garden if I found a purple rose to plant.

I thought this was a neat picture. I do have a door in my backyard.....I really like this idea....think I will ask JP to haul out the door so I can paint it blue like this one. Just another project for me to do....maybe I better finish what I have started.

On hot days.....I think I would like to jump in this stock tank and cool off a little bit....I wish I had the space and privacy in my back yard to have a little pool.....some day maybe.

A bouquet of Black Eyed Susan's from my garden for the dinning room table.

And this is a card I found on the internet....I love that little girl. Found out it is a digital print and not a stamp. So I bought it and have it saved in my computer. Made a bunch of copies and will be making some cards like this in a couple of weeks. Isn't she pretty? I think the copic coloring is what makes it though. It looks like water coloring.

So there you have it, a few pictures that have caught my eye and thought I would share with you. I guess my life is not very exciting, just kind of regular....but that is okay.

I think in the next few days I will be making some Apple-mint jelly. It seems like an easy recipe. I brought in some mint leaves, I have some apple juice in refrigerator so, we shall see how it goes.

Today, August 2nd was the birthday of my mother, she would have been 90 years old. She has been dead 15 years now....time sure does fly. Sometimes I miss being able to talk to her....but we were so far apart for many years. She lived in Des Plaines, Ill. JP and I moved to Ladysmith, WI in 1976. Then she moved out to Las Vegas in 1986....so yeah, we have been a part for many years, we would talk to each other on the phone maybe every 4 to 6 weeks...I did go out to visit my mother and step father about 4 times and stayed a few weeks each time. It was hard to be out there and leave JP by himself, cause he did not want to go out to Las Vagas.  So yeah, we were not very close like some mothers and daughters are supposed to be.

Well, time to close, I have to get some dishes done before JP gets home and get something ready for him to eat. Not sure what that will be yet. Keep looking up, better days are coming.
Cheers ~ Louise

The First Day of June......

Hi there everyone....wow!!! First day of June! Where did January - May go to???? What does it mean when time flies by so fast? Is it because we live at such a fast pace??? When we lived in the Chicago area, we left to live in Ladysmith, WI for a slower paced life. Yeah, we left the "rat race" to slow down a bit. We were so impressed by the way the farmers just took time to talk, work, eat, it sure was a slower pace.

Then we moved to Appleton and worked at the Salvation Army....and life seemed to speed up a bit and now......here we are back in the "rat race" again. Even in retirement, the days go by fast....so much to do and accomplish......so little time!!!

Last night I made a Blue Apron meal.....man, this was delicious. "Beef Tartines with Zucchini au Pistou"  Yep, I would make this again and again and you know what?? It tasted better the next day too!!

2 ozs of spinach was cooked down till wilted, Cooled down then chopped up (I think it would be better to chop the spinach before it is cooked down though), 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and the juice of 2 lemon wedges were added and enough olive oil to create rough paste; season with salt and pepper to taste.

In the same pan, heat olive oil and add the cut up zucchini till lightly browned and slightly softened. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add half the pistou and toss to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add oil to pan and add the bread slices, cook 2-3 minutes per side till brown and crispy. When the bread is cooled, carefully rub the sides of the bread with the clove of garlic. Transfer the garlic toasts to a sheet pan.

Cook the sliced beef in olive oil adding salt and pepper to taste. When browned and cooked through, remove from heat. Divide the cooked beef between the garlic toasts, evenly top with Fontina cheese and chopped capers. Bake 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and divide the baked tartines and dressed zucchini between 2 plates. Top the tartines with the remaining pistou. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges on the side....Enjoy!!!

I hope you could follow my instructions for the yummy meal....but if not, here is where to go for this recipe.

Well, the hockey game is over and the Pittsburgh Penguin's beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1. Now they go back to San Jose....maybe the Sharks will win in their own backyard. Then it will be tied 2-2!!!
The Sharks have never won a Stanley Cup in the 25 years they have been playing. So I am rooting for them. Of Course I was hoping the Chicago Black Hawks would have won....but maybe next year!!

Time to close, I need to get downstairs and make some cards for Hospice. Have a great day and keep looking up....better days are coming. Cheers ~ Louise

"Fear The Feathers" Nope....No Fear

Hi there everyone.......how was your day today???  I was kind of busy today. Tearing the bed apart and washing bed blankets and linen, making cards and cooking. After the game I shall have to put the bed back together again....uge, one of my unfavorite jobs, remaking the bed, but oh so nice and comfy to get into a cozy bed at the end of the night.

I am so looking forward to this last game of the series with the St. Louis Blues tonight.....game 7, it will tell if the Hawks or Blues go on to round 2 of the next series with whoever wins. The score is tied 2-2 in the 2nd period.

"Fear The Feathers" I got this poster from my SIL's facebook, not sure where she got it, but I shall pass it along to you. One thing I miss living in Chicago, or near Chicago is seeing the Blackhawks play. I used to go to the Blackhawk games, season tickets back in the day when they still played at the old Chicago Stadium, those were the days!!!

So we moved to Wisconsin in 1976 and had the Green Bay Packers to root for, but my heart was still with the Chicago Blackhawks. I would rather watch a hockey game then a football game, maybe because I understand it more. I was told to "always follow the puck" and that I do.....the football? Hard to follow!!!!

When we moved up to Ladysmith Wisconsin, for 10 years, we did not have a TV.....I know, how I managed, I do not know. But I lost touch with the Hawks and what they were doing. It wasn't till two years ago I could get them on TV again and was able to get a few games again. AT&T has allowed me to watch more games this year......so I feel more complete, knowing I have the Hawks and hockey to watch again and any team is fine with me. I am from the old school, when there was just the original 6 teams, now there is 30 teams....hard to keep them all straight.

Well, we are going into the 3rd period and the score is still 2-2......oh boy, I think I need some coffee and popcorn!!!!!

Oh my gosh.....what a game.......I am so nervous!!! The announcer just said whoever wins this round will play the Dallas Stars......oh-oh St. Louis just scored 3-2!!! Okay Hawks lets go!!!!! I am sad.....I don't think the Hawks will win this one....okay 1:20 left. I can't look!!!

HAWKS........LOST!!!!!! BUMMERS....end of the story.

Well.....cheers anyways ~ Louise

Beautiful Butterfly ~ Freezer Corn and Cards

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY!!! It was fluttering around Sunday Morning and I just had to run out and take a picture. First it was keeping it's wings closed then suddenly it's wings opened in all it's Glory.....what a beautiful sight. I have never seen a butterfly like this one before.....oh please do not tell me it is just a moth!!!! Do you know what it is or where it comes from???? I like to think it came from afar and stopped by to say "Hello Louise, God sent me by to make your day and to say "I love you" in a special way"
Such a beautiful, intricately designed and colorful butterfly. Black, gold and blue, nice color combo. Maybe I should make a card with those colors, something to think about.

Now for my tried and true "Freezer Corn." I got this recipe up in Ladysmith. Don't know from who, but it sure came in handy for the amount of corn we had growing on our 20 acres years ago. (as you can see the recipe is well worn) I had a big freezer to fill......so it was a great joy, to open that freezer, pull out some freezer corn, a hunk of meat and garden potatoes or squash and make a simple home grown meal!!

First: cut the corn off the cob.

You will need 8 cups of corn for one batch (that could be about 7-8 cobs)

Put corn in a fry pan (I use my electric wok) heat to 350 to 370 and simmer 3 minutes.
Add 2 tsp. sugar (I use 1 tsp.)
2 tsp. salt
1 cup water
1 stick margarine (I use 1/2 stick butter)

Stir for 3 minutes. You can see the steam rising here.

Cool in the fry pan or wok. Pack in seal-a-meal bags (which I used years ago)
 Otherwise, just use containers then freeze.

There you have it, my no-fail freezer corn that will taste like fresh corn in the middle of winter. I have been a fan of this recipe for 36 years and it has not failed me yet.

CARDS: Made some cards to put up in my Etsy store. Hopefully tonight I will get them downloaded and place one of the cards into my Etsy store tomorrow. At least that is my goal.

Well you have a great day and keep looking up for  your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Good Friday and Happy Easter

Question: Why is today called "Good" Friday and Sunday "Happy" Easter????

This is not a trick question, just a "I wonder" type question......nothing "good" came about for Jesus. If you read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John about how Jesus died for our sins. How he was stripped and whipped and beaten up, his beard plucked, nailed to a cross and left to die with people cursing his name.....not a very "good" Friday for him. It is said, that he didn't even look like himself because he was so battered up. Geez, talk about abuse and bullying. BUT GOD, had other plans and Jesus gladly went to the cross, and he rose again, just like he said he would and now today "He Lives"!!!! Now there, is the Happy Easter!!!!

I understand that part!! He arose and so we will also on that day when he calls us all home, whether it be by death or by the rapture ("if we are born again" John 3:7), we get out of this world, never having to die, then we meet Jesus face to face............what a day that will be, what a glorious day for sure!!!!

My memories of living in Ladysmith and living out in the country are still very vivid.......I loved Good Friday and those 3 hours just before 3:00pm. In that little town, everything closed up for three hours, people went home, got changed and went to the catholic church. Me, I went home and went into our 15 acres of wooded forest and communed with God.......read my bible and talked and walked........had some really good times with the Lord. I remember one "Good Friday", I decided to stay in town, was working at the beauty shop at the time and Karen and I sat in the shop and just talked about Jesus and what he had done for us.........suddenly Karen said she wanted to be baptised in the Holy Spirit and just at that very moment my pastor from the Assembly of God, John came knocking at the door..........we let him in and then all three of us were talking about Jesus and Karen mentioned she wanted to be baptised. John said well, we could do that right here..........we all started praying and BAM!!! Karen got baptised with the evidence of speaking in tongues!!!! (Read Acts and get ready!!) Now THAT was a GOOD Friday!!! God was always doing miracles in Ladysmith, I saw some great times in the Lord there..........my faith was built up firmly. I miss those days, but I still have those wonderful memories.

Appleton on the other hand, has been another story.......(the" Good Friday's" are few and far in between).....there's been a lot of struggles from the very get-go. When we got to Appleton, we had not even been here a week and were told "why did you come to Appleton, we never needed or wanted you". Gosh, that was not good for our morel......working at the Salvation Army had a lot of pros and cons, but we managed to stay, JP for 12 years and I for 14 years. We each left the SA for greener pastures (we thought). I started working at the AG church.....as a secretary for two different worship leaders. I really loved my job to both of them (maybe that was the problem, I loved my job, too much). But, I don't think I ever quite fit in with the "click" to say the least, I was always on the outside looking in and never feeling 'apart'. Nope, no "Good Fridays" were there, even though I was in a religious setting! I remember a lot of heart ache and tears......but no "Good Fridays".

Not really sure why I have rambled on like this.........maybe just because it is "Good Friday" and God is reminding me of what Jesus did for me over 2000 years ago. Yes, it's a "Good Friday" after all.....65 "Good Friday's" and every single one of them have been so, so, very different..........which one of them would I choose???????? Don't know, maybe the ones where I felt the presence of God in my life in a special way, knowing he was by my side, leading me and guiding me on to bigger and better "Good Friday's"

Here's to "Good Friday and Happy Easter".......enjoy and let the Love of God surround you this weekend and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.........meaning Jesus is coming very soon!!!!

Cheers ~ Louise