Giraffes

Giraffes are incredibly beautiful!

We drive by them every day. We feed them when at the zoo.

For me, their eyes are mesmerizing - such beauty and depth.

They are so calm but I understand can be skittish when something changes in their surroundings.

Our zoo has four giraffes - one is a baby.  

Another favorite photo that I have taken is under the Navarre fishing pier.  The day this was taken was sunny with little wave movement.  Oh, how that can change.

Mom and I ran to the store and SUBWAY  and above us flew two of the Blue Angels.   I said "I love living somewhere that the Blue Angels can fly over you during practice."   Mom replied, "I love living somewhere that it is not unusual that vehicles go by with surf boards, paddle boards, and kayaks."  Yep, your right Mom.

97 Degrees today - I hate to hear what the heat index might be.   Dad is golfing....yes, golfing in this heat.  Just watching the NASA pictures of Pluto.   Just amazing.  I so wish the young generation would not take such things for granted. 

Keep cool !

Blue Angels

Today is the BLUE ANGEL SHOW on Pensacola Beach!   Thousands and thousands of people are heading to the beach at 10:00 a,m.   Our friends were there by 5:30 a.m. to get a spot.   If you go, you must expect to be there ALL DAY LONG - bring food and water - and sunscreen and know it is shoulder to shoulder.   
The Blue Angels are based in Pensacola and Pensacola is proud to call them their own.  

About eight years ago we were vacationing in a condo right on the beach.  Our balcony was so close that you felt that you touch the Angels.  That is the way to see them!   Your own balcony, no crowds around you, air condition behind you when you are hot.  Must get reservations a year in advance for these condos.
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Yesterday I did a blog on my recipe book and I have a couple of additions.  I have been told that Noni's nut bread recipe has a back side to the recipe clip that I did not show.   This is what it says.=

Nut Filling
1 lb of walnuts, ground
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/4 cup of milk
combine all ingredients

I made icing on top out of 
butter
powdered sugar
milk

SORRY I HAD LEFT THIS OFF
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This is my Aunt Sandy's  CHOCOLATE PUDDING DESERT or better known as BETTER THAN ROBERT REDFORD.

9 X 12 PAN

1st layer
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/4 sticks of marg.
1/2 c. chopped nuts (walnuts)
mix and pat in pan -- bake @ 350 degrees for 15 minutes

2nd layer
1 c. powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese (soft)
mix these together and then fold in 1/2 of a large cool whip
spread this on top of cool crust

3rd layer
2 small instant chocolate pudding
3 cups of cold milk
beat 2 minutes -- pour over 2nd layer  -  spread rest of cool whip on top and sprinkle with nuts if desired

A couple of thoughts before I go!

• I wish my cousin Robin happy birthday!
• Hope Sandy's arm is better!
• This page is all blue - why?   For the Blue Angels silly!!!!

Recipe book

I have mentioned before my friend Nicole's recipe book.  It is chuck full of recipes from family and friends and recipes that she has found herself through the years.   I LOVED it!  So my Mother and I did it also.  My friend Kathy in Clearwater loved the idea and she and her Mother put  one together. I was telling my Aunt Sandy about it and she would like to put one together also.  So here we go!

1.  Go to Walmart and pick up a 3 ring binder.  The kind that has a clear sleeve over the front so you can put your own book cover on it.  This is temporary for us.  I plan on making something much cuter with scrapbook paper later.

2.   Also get a box of plastic inserts with the wholes already punched and a glue stick.  Place them in the book.  These plastic sleeves are great.   You can take a recipe out - open the three ring binder clips - and if it gets dirty, just wipe it off!  Back in it goes when finished.

3   You also need tabs.  Enough for the categories you would like to divide your recipes into.....
    desserts
     casseroles
     drinks
     appetizers
     meats
     vegetables
     and more and more.....

 4.    You are ready to begin  placing your recipes in your book.  When putting a recipe in a sleeve, put a few dabs of glue on the back.  Otherwise, (take my word for it) they will slide around and come out.  

5.  If I have recipes in the original handwriting of the relative or friend, it love to put those into our book.   It is a memory book as well as a recipe book.    And remember, make it as fancy as you like.   I will be finding scrapbook paper for the cover and for each other the category pages. 
  Here are some examples of a few of Mom's and my collection:


    How about some of my Grandma Ronschke's Coconut Frosting on a white cake.

 My friend Nicole made this when we were over for dinner.  Oh my gosh!   So good!

Candy Bex is my .......hmmmm.....cousin in law?   2nd cousin?   It does not matter - she is family! and almost every year has a recipe in her Christmas letter.   I look forward to that recipe Candy!

This is my Grandma Kaiser's famous Swedish Meat.  My Dad's favorite meal and probably mine also.  

This is a recipe for margarita's that Aunt Clarice sent to my Dad.  They enjoyed these - way too many I think - when visiting my Uncle Bob and Aunt Sandy in Florida.

When my youngest brother was in kindergarten, they teacher had them make the Chocolate Porcupines and then sent the recipe home with the children.  These are Goooood!

My Aunt Sandy makes these and has thought about selling them.  Oh my gosh, good is not the word for the rum soaked delights.

Candy's Mom, Noni, makes these wonderful nut rolls.  I am so lucky to have this recipe.




I would suggest having a section for new items offered at the grocery store that you can't live without.  It is easy for me to want to pick up an item recommended by a friend and can't remember the name of it.   My friend Kelly was here last week....miss you Kelly..... and brought the Barefoot Moscato wine.  I loved it!   It is all gone. and she also had the Heluva Good French Onion Dip.  This is a keeper also.

Pina Colada Cake
 1pkg  2 layer size white cake mix
1pkg 4 serv. size jello-s coconut cream instant pudding and pie filling
4 eggs
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. dark rum  (80 proof)
1/4 c. wesson oil

Frosting:
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple in juice
1 pkg (4 serving size) jello- coconut cream inst. pudding
1/2 c. dark rum
1 9oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 c. flaked coconut

Blend all ingredients in large bowl.  Beat 4 minutes at med speed with mixer.  Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" layer pans.  
Bake at 350 degrees for 26 minutes or until cake springs bake when lightly pressed. Do not  under bake!!
Cool in pan 15 minutes.
Remove and cool on racks.
Fill and frost.  sprinkle with coconut.   CHILL.  (Not you, the cake!)
Refrig. leftover cake.

For frosting, combine all ingredients except whipped topping in a bowl.
Beat until well blended.
Fold in thawed whipped topping.

I have had this and it is wonderful.  I am confused about the "fill and frost" Sandy.   I get the frost but what do you mean fill????

My next blog I will give Sandy's recipe for Chocolate Pudding Dessert or as she calls it......Better than Robert Redford.

  Take care everyone!  

Kelly and her family visits!

Nothing is better than to have close friends or family visit, especially when you were used to seeing them almost every day.  So The Rehlanders - Kelly, Steve, Natalie, and Colin spent the week on Pensacola Beach. Of course I got to visit lots and come along on some of their activities.

I went with them to Fort Pickens to watch the BLUE ANGLES.  Also watched the kids one night so Kelly and Steve could have a date night, and Dad and I went to the beach with them.  

Best of all, we all spent the 4th of July together with a barbecue and hours in the pool.  I know it was their vacation but I had such a great time!

They  were here during 4th of July Week and didn't let the traffic bother them.   Most days were sunny and hot!

Steve finished swimming and relaxing on patio.  I got to know Steve lots better this week!  He is funny, smart, and he and Kelly make a great couple.

Colin just having a great time.  (Chocolate cookie on the mouth.   I was babysitting and not above bribing.)

  

Kelly and Natalie looking for shells (without crabs in them).

Colin giving painful hugs to Steve on the beach.

Beach time!!

The swimming pool at their condo.  They were on the 11th floor.   Our family had stayed in this condo when we vacationed on the beach.   It is a wonderful condo.....and the view is fabulous!!!!!!

 I left a doll scene on the table for Colin and Natalie.   I heard Colin did. not. like. THIS!!

Kelly and Natalie coming back from the beach.

 Natalie soaking in the rays.  Why she is sideways - I don't know.

I would of loved to keep Natalie for a few weeks!  She would wear me down but 

loves the pool!

Do you think there are enough toys in the pool?

Mom and Dad enjoying the 4th of July pool activity.

Dad on the beach looking for shells.  

Natalie and Colin after swimming and eating on the 4th.  

Natalie getting a beach tattoo. Temporary, of course.

Colin showing his tattoo to Kacey.  Ah, I am not sure Kacey had any interest.

Mom and Kacey immediately after Kelly, Steve, Natalie, and Colin left for the airport.   Kacey was not happy to have them leave.  (I wasn't either.)

Kelly is very special to me and always will be!  We worked together for years, experienced the best of our lives and the worst, shared the pain and the happiness!     She was always there for me and I hope she feels the same.  I pray, wish, and hope for much love and happiness in her future. Oh, did I mention, Kelly took over my band position when I retired and is doing a great job!  

I hope you all had a great 4th of July!   I sure did!!