Cobblestone Village Garden tour

The Garden tour and luncheon were a success.  It was so hot!!!! I'm talking 93😅😅. I sweat so much my eyes burned. Lol  Here are some of the gardens that were featured and the so delicious salads and desserts. Thank you Cobblestone ladies and gents.

We had approximately 20 homeowners who participated in this event.  Although several more were on hand at our clubhouse to tend to the setting up and getting the food out in an attractive  and orderly fashion. All in all we had about 30 people attending the luncheon.

Enjoy!  

This event was awesome and quite truthfully a lot of hard work was put into keeping our gardens from drying out or being attacked by beetles and deer but the rewards were worth it. 

Until next year.

Celebrating our 49th Wedding Anniversary

Forty nine years. Time really does go way too quickly and it seems more so as we age.

It seems like yesterday we were high school sweethearts with no expectations just dreams of what we hoped life would be. We both had part time jobs which made us appreciate money and hard work. They both go together to accomplish your dreams and we both knew it. 

We both graduated high school and hubby went to college. Then off to the service he went and I to business college and beauty school. I wasn't happy doing one profession I needed two.  We both were ambitious and hard working.  There was no other way to fulfill our dreams then to save money so we could get married which included getting a good job and of course the home of our dreams.

If it seems like it was easy for us it wasn't.  A lot went into us accomplishing our goals.  Money was not handed to us.  We paid for our school and even most of our wedding.  Nothing was handed to us and that is the way it was then (1967)and now as well.  .

We dreamed of a home but quickly realized an apartment was going to have to do it until we were able to start to save.  It did not come easy. Hubby changed jobs to better himself and I finished beauty school as to go from being a secretary to a stay at home mom with an in home beauty shop. It worked!  I saved on day care having the in home beauty shop. The children played while I did hair.  Most times in the same room as I. LOL 

Hubby's  job required him to travel so I agreed to move along with him until the children went to first grade and thankfully it worked for us. The first few homes were away from our family and it was sure hard on us and I will say especially me.  Small children and a husband who was on the road a lot made it difficult for me with two children under 4 and one that was colickly to boot.  Many nights I cried trying to get my little one to be comfortable and sleep.  I was definitely sleep deprived and sad many many days but I was raised to be strong and by darn I tried my best to be strong most days. Our daughter grew out of the colic, started to not cry so much and our son became my rock.  My little man always helped mom get through the tough days and He still does. 

After a few years hubby was transferred back to the area we both were born and raised.  Things got easier and the children grew and were less demanding.  I survived....

Today we are settled in Pittsburgh close to our immediate family of children and grandchildren.  Our home is now a patio home with less work and more time for what we want to do. Both hubby and I have retired.

I do this blog for fun and it does keep me busy.  I love the people I have met along the way of my life.  They have made me who I am.  Mom and Dad made the mold and through the grace of God and I am happy with my life and the woman I have become. I care about others and treat people with respect.  My children are happy and my grandchildren have grown to be responsible and respectful.  We have always been the type of people who believe a little encouragement and guidance goes a long way. 

I hadn't intended on going on so much in this blog but I'm happy I decided to share my thoughts and feelings with you.
The good days, the stressful days and those in between.  We are handling them and continue to be thankful for what we have.

So I"m back on track now.  The below photos are a few from our 49th Wedding Anniversary dinner. I feel blessed to look back knowing hubby and I were meant to be.  High school kids falling in love and weathering every storm that came our way.

Narcisi Winery

Dan and Susan

Salmon

Fra Diavala

The Winersy

Hubby bought me 49 roses.

His and her store bought Eclairs.  Yummy!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed your visit.

As always,

Easy Waffles

I have to admit I really love waffles and although I make my own homemade pancakes I take the easy way out with waffles and the brand I use is totally awesome.

I'm not getting a dime for this store bought waffle mix plug but it's hard not to give out a shout out to this fabulous company.

Quite honestly every single product I have bought I 'd give a thumbs up including their waffle mix.

I have a small but really efficient and quick cooking waffle iron and it is perfect for waffles. I can zip them out in a flash.

The recipes is on the box and as you'll see in my photos I made a LOL few!  They are freezable for sure. That is if there are any left.

This is an all in the family delicious meal or make it a waffle sundae! Yummy!

Add whatever topping you'd like.

Strawberries (our favorite), bananas, blueberries or even chocolate chips and whipped cream!

Happy Baking 

From my kitchen to yours,

Delightful Sunday Funday Dessert! Bananas, Strawberries and more

Sunday's Funday Dessert!

This was really tasty.  Beware!! One piece and you'll want more.  Not too sweet not too heavy, just right.  Graham cracker crust, vanilla pudding, bananas, pineapple tidbits, drained. Fresh strawberries, cool whip or real whipped cream, toasted coconut and garnished with milk chocolate chips. Ooh la la delish.



Here's what you need:

13x9 inch glass pan
2 cups graham cracker crumbs or a large graham cracker pie shell
5 T melted butter
1/4 cup sugar

1 regular size vanilla instant pudding 
2 cups milk
1/4 container cool whip
Whisk together and then place on refrigerated crust

Ingredients:
2 sliced bananas
1 can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple drained
1 cup fresh strawberries or if using frozen drain well before placing on pudding making sure pudding is set.
1/2 cup toasted coconut
milk chocolate morsels or chocolate syrup (optional)

 Directions:
Melt butter, add to graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Mix with fork until butter and sugar start to crumble.  Press on bottom and sides of glass pan. Refrigerate until you make your pudding.

In a large bowl place vanilla instant pudding and 2 cups milk whisk until it starts to thicken.  Add 1/4 container cool whip or already whipped whipped cream)about 1/2 cup).  Pudding should have thickened by now so remove crust from refrigerator and top the crust with the pudding then top with 2 sliced bananas on top of pudding, pineapple tidbits and strawberries.  Top with toasted coconut and about 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk chocolate morsels.  Refrigerate for about two hours and serve cold.

Happy Baking!

from my kitchen to yours,

Visiting Mom and Harrisburg

My mom lives in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area and we visit her monthly if not more. She'll be 93 in October and is still going strong.

She lives in a small efficiently apartment and is quite independent.  She won't move closer to me so my hubby and I make a monthly trip to tend to her needs.  It's a long drive and quite tedious but thanks to my hubby who drives we make the most of it occasionally checking out a restaurant or an area on the way that we haven't been to..

We don't get to do much other than grab a bite to eat when we are travelling to and from her house.  Hubby goes several different routes to her house so as not to get too bored on the trip and also being it is so far we both get tired so stopping at a rest area and getting out of the car to stretch sometimes helps.

I have tried having her move closer to me especially that my dad and brother are no longer alive.  She won't hear of it so I'll do it as long as I am able to. It was an enjoyable two days and she likes all the mini meals and goodies I make for her.


On our trip back to Pittsburgh we decided to take the route to Harrisburg on the turnpike instead of our usual route 80 and 28.  

Since we were going to Harrisburg I contacted a very good friend to have lunch with us.  Her and her husband met us at a local eatery and it was wonderful to connect.  Good food and good conversation with friends is certainly good for the soul.  I much needed friendly lunch.

I took some photos of the city as well as a special bakery my hubby loved to patronize when he worked there.  The people are so nice and Italian.  The whole family contributes to the success of this business.  Husband, wife and children are involved on a daily basis.

The name is Alvaro's and you can't find nicer and friendlier people who take pride in their business.  It is on Green Street near McClay, a block or two from the Governor's Mansion.

Here's some of the goodies and freshly baked bread. Of course we took some home.  A must!

Make sure if you're in the Harrisburg area to check this place out.  They serve lunch and dinner too!

After checking out this familiar stop, we were off to do a car tour of the city. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini tour of Harrisburg.

As Always,

Visiting with long time friends Ernie and Diane was great.  You can't beat having friends to share memories with.