Mother’s Day 2014

What are you doing today to prepare for a Mother’s Day gift or celebration?

My daughter Mandy wants to help me paint the bathroom at her Dad’s shop. An early Father’s Day gift is what I’m thinking. It seems that may be more for him than me. Although, at this point I could use some serious motivation in that department. So from where I’m sitting, its a two-fer. Bonus!

Brandy, asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day a while back, I told her what I always tell my children, “I don’t need anything. But, you can always check my Wish-List or Mother’s Day Boards on Pinterest.” And Mom’s I do think it’s nice to have these idea boards, so you don’t end up with another coffee mug or  macaroni necklace. Just sayin’! Are you making something today (or are your children making something)?

Are you planning a menu for Mom’s Day brunch?
If so, I suggest keeping it simple. Mom doesn’t want to spend her afternoon cleaning up the mess in the aftermath.

Here is a quick & easy sample menu:

MENU
Meatball & Provolone Sliders
Vegetable Tray
Cole Slaw
Cheese chunks w crackers
Chips & dip
Cashews
Coffee – Sweet Tea
Try to include a dip of her favorite ice cream. -(Mine’s Butter Pecan, but Mint Chip is nice too.)

or

Instead of the Meatballs, you could make my Big Sandwich. Its one my families favorites.
Move oven rack to the lowest rack position in your oven. Preheat oven Broiler to its Lowest setting. Cut the side a loaf of Italian or French bread the full length of the loaf without separating the two sides. Open the bread and lay flat on a large foil lined cookie sheet. Overlap slices of roast beef on both sides of the bread. Spoon on & spread Pizza Quick sauce or marinara. Lay slices of Provolone cheese on top. Place under broiler. Bake only until the cheese is brown & bubbly. Remove from the oven. Toss on shredded lettuce & sliced tomatoes. Quick & easy.

Tell us one thing you’re doing today to get ready for Mother’s Day!

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it. ~ Mark Twain

 

Last day of January – can you believe it?

Usually, January seems to go on & on, but it’s flown by this year (at least it seems that way). How did the 1st month of 2013 go for you? What’s one thing you set out to do that you accomplished in January? A new exercise plan? Getting life more organized? On this last day of the month, tell us!

Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to. ~ Mark Twain

 

Baked Cauliflower

INGREDIENTS
1 nice head cauliflower
1/4 lb. margarine
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water

DIRECTIONS
Soak the head of cauliflower in 1/2 cup vinegar before using and rinse. This removes any little bugs.

Wash head thoroughly. Leave a few leaves on bottom (the head will hold together better). Place the head of cauliflower into the saucepan with water and salt. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat and steam until almost done. Remove to baking casserole dish the size of the head. Melt margarine. Pour 1/2 over the head and add small amount if pepper with 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Add additional margarine around the sides of the casserole. Sprinkle remaining bread crumbs on top. Bake until golden brown. Approx. 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education. ~ Mark Twain

 

Monday Vivre

Today’s Daily Task List:
A Post Office (left over from Saturday)
B Clean the oven.
B Launder pillows.
B Menu Planning/Grocery shopping.
B Vacuum
B Clean the bedrooms
B Change the sheet’s
B Prepare Birthday and Anniversary Cards for following month.
B Vacuum & wipe fireplace screen.
B Wash ventilation hood filters.
B Add Dishwasher Magic to the dishwasher.
C Fill outside bird feeders

sh… if I added Farmville on Facebook to my list, that would have already gotten a check-mark! LOL I don’t feel guilty, I’m multitasking here. I’m finishing a horrible book, that I’ve picked up and put down, passed on over and over, it hurts my brain, writing my blog and checking on my day, week and month. Cut me a little slack. Thanks

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Top Searches

rachel howard james turner adkins, john dolesbury reed, metcalf adkins family mews, amos metcalf, tostada de carne asada

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Things I Want Too Do This Year

Learn to play chess and Mahjong. Everyone in my family, play chess…. well except for me. I’ve never cared for it. My kids have chess tournaments with my older sister Shirley, at every holiday party, but I’m just not ready to embrace it, well until now that is. I should get with the program here. Most of my friends play Maj, but it was another thing I didn’t’ have time for, well until now, so I’ll be looking for a few pointers.  I still have about 6 months before Christmas to learn. Wish me luck!

Books I want to start reading this month:

• Redbreast by the Norwegian, Jo Nesbo, I think this series, which focuses on a police inspector named Harry Hole and takes place in Norway, is going to be fantastic.

• Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin, novel comes from the way children in the South are taught to spell Mississippi: “M-I crooked letter. I’ve already downloaded it from Audible.com and I can’t wait to hear it.

• OPTIONAL: The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass’ published 1959. is a picaresque magical-realist social-satire fairy-tale on Nazi Germany. This is one on my “must read, sometime list”. Book Club is reading it, but I’m still not sure I’ll have time this month, but I can fit it in, I’ll give it a look see. No I haven’t read Crabwalk, but will put it on my reading list; if I like this one.

I’m finally making myself finish this one:

• Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West, its a 1985 Western novel by American author Cormac McCarthy. McCarthy’s fifth book, it was published by Random House, (I HATE IT!… Brutal).

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Family Business

Tomorrow is my Grandson Troy’s (Alexander Troy Whiteside) a birthday. I bought him a M2 Machine: 1966 Ford Mustang G.T. 350 (supposedly signed by Carroll Shelby) black with white striped.  His Grandpa’s favorite car to do. So maybe I’ll have Grandpa sign it too.  I’ll pick him up an outfit, but he won’t even notice that. That’s a Grandma thing and a “Birthday Dollar”; that’s a family tradition.

Next Monday the 29th, will be the remembrance of  Bonnie and Bill’s Anniversary. I’ll keep her in my prayers and help her celebrate the life they shared together.

Friday the 30th, will be my Dad’s birthday remembrance. I think he would have been 77. Doesn’t really seem that old now, but then when I think about Ron Paul running for office, then I realize that it is.

Saturday the 31st, is my wonderful sister-in-law Jan (Janet Teresa O’Leary) and my brother-in-law Vernon Phillip Metcalf’s anniversary! And, Anthony’s Great Niece Miranda Moore’s birthday.

Next month will be equally as busy. Anthony’s first cousin Chuck’s daughter Kimberly Adkins is having her baby-shower June 3, I can’t wait. Its the same day as my nephew Brandon Adkins and 1st cousin Saundra (Sandy’s) Birthday.

I want to wish them many happiness’s, long life, and all our best.

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Thought of the Day

Man’s vanity may well approach the infinite in capacity, but his knowledge remains imperfect, and however much he comes to value his judgments, ultimately he must submit them before a higher court.  Here there can be no special pleading.

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Research Notes

1. Shawnee Remnant Band politics and Drum ceremonies.
2. History of the American Indian as they live today.
3. How to find lineage and DNA markers for Native’s?
4. Family Pets and why they got those particular breeds ?
5. Traveling and migrations of Surname families? (still baffles me)
6. Where my Great-Grandparent Reed’s are buried? (unmarked  grave – needs marker)
7. ?X Great-Great Grandpa Lyles Dolesbury age 105 of Magoffin County, Kentucky.
8. Ursula Reed Cook
9. JOHN FRANKLIN REED LaFollette, Tennessee
10. Havilla (Viley or Vibey) and Martha Cook.
11. Martha Reed vs Martha Hammond
12. Shawano-Metis = Melungeon (How can you be 1/2 Shawano-Metis, when the very definition of Melungeon is “tri-racial?”

Here’s a dozen things to keep my mind busy this week. its no wonder I never get any sleep. Plus this RAIN is going on forever isn’t it. I was a little scared yesterday, when I went outside after the rain had stopped and the sun was shining brightly, NO RAINBOW! I hope that doesn’t mean what I think it means.

Have a wonderful week everybody. Next week is Memorial Day, after you’ve placed flowers on a friend or family members grave and played a few games, overeaten at the ball-field or family picnics, please do Thank a Serviceman, without who’s valued heroics,  we could nothing.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

As always, God Bless and Welcome to the Family,

Sheila Jean Adkins Metcalf

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A man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. ~ Mark Twain

 

Stories Fit For The Silver Screen

If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

This too would have to be my Great Grandmother Teareasy Montgomery Adkins, her story of marring young and having thirteen children before her death. A story of love and hardships while crossing the wilderness in a covered wagon with her children.

The actress I would cast for the role would either be Sigourney Weaver or Jane Seymour. Either of these two women would be perfect for the part in a typecast docudrama; the portrayal of a true pioneer woman. To me, they seem to look and feel the part.

Also, I think that my (?)X-Great-Aunt Nancy Adkins, the third wife of Tecumseh would make an outstanding full length movie. Again, either of these two women would fit the bill as actresses. A candid look at a woman so consumed by an Apha Male, Nancy abandoned her husband and sons to run off with Tecumseh, only taking with her – her young daughter.

Lastly, I do believe that every woman that has ever lived has a book in her or a made for TV movie. Our lives and loves are as complex as we are individual. Each woman has had love (some true love), rejection, hardship, tragedy, comedy, hatred and forgiveness, in their lifetime. There is no escape. So, when you pen the story of your life or of someone you once admired, think of all these wonderful emotions. That’s what life is; disappointment and hardship is what make us strong; love and forgiveness make us human.

Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it. ~ Mark Twain