I thought that you needed to know. Gosh she touch my live in so many ways.
You could feel her laughter in some of her postings and that was good for her soul and mine. We finally have sunshine today and blue skys. I just had a flacks muffin and a cup of tea for breakfast. We have seen so many doctors in this last two weeks that I feel we have supported them enough but no, Buck saw his heart specialist yesterday and on Tues goes in for another angiogram of his heart at 8am. My appt. was the next day so they shoved it back a week so I can take care of him and he will be good enough to take cake of me. Isn't it the way it suppose to be done. In this house it is. My left knee will have to be replaced next. It is going out again. Sheesh what next. Patch, patch, patch, I am going to look like the coat of many patches that the doctor made for me. Zippers should have been installed when I turned 50 and maybe a little before. Can you relate?

Here is the Peanut Butter cake or bars or slices. Whatever!!!!

Peanut Butter Gooey Cake

1 (18 1/4 oz) dark chocolate cake mix
1 egg
8 tbl. melted butter
Mix with mixer and pat in greased 9x13x2 in. cake pan. Set aside for topping.
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened.
1 c. creamy peanut butter
3 large eggs
1 tsp. real vanilla
8 tbl. melted buttter
1 lb. powder sugar
mix this all together and pour over cake base.
Bake 350°F. for 40-50 min. Cool completely and cut into squares. Very rich.

source: P. Deen.

The "Snow Warbler" has sorrowfully been silenced. Fancy's screen name was "Snow Warbler," for those of yoou who didn't know. I KNOW her 'Boy's at the Grange' and her MANY friends at the Senior Center, who knew her personally are especially saddened. I got on the A2Z QT and found that she suffered a stroke while working in the kitchen at the Sr. Center. Is THAT not the way she would have been happiest? I THINK I'm remembering that she used to start out her messages to us all with the quote -- "There are other songs to sing." She certainly 'sang' MANY songs that touched MY heart and I know God will be able to fill the chair He has been saving for her in His Chior. 'Sing' on , my friend. We'll still hear you loud and clear through the blessings you have prviously bestowed on all who knew
you, and those who felt they knew you. Farewell, my I-net friend.Rest in Peace

Shirley,

I am so sorry to learn that Fancy has passed away. Yes, she was a very good person and she certainly gave of her time and of herself to others. Her life seemed to revolve around her senior center, where she did so much good work...and good cooking. She told me, once, that she was in charge of desserts and made 7 cakes daily, plus other things such as jello and puddings. She was a marvel with all that she did for her friends there. I don't think that she was very well, herself, and I remember when she either cut or burned her hand badly. It took a long time for healing. I think it was a cut.

I have made, and eaten, the Ooey Gooey cakes and they are so rich and so good it seems almost a sin to be eating something so good. Please post the recipe for the peanut butter version, if you can. We'll try that one on the family, too. They all love peanut butter in, or on, anything.

We are having a little "mini winter" here. It actually didn't get past the mid-60's yesterday and I found that delightful. It is chilly enough for a light jacket this morning again and that is my cup of tea. We will go back to 80 in the next day or two and then have a little cold front come through, bringing some rain. It looks like a wet New Year for us, but that is fine; we are in dire need of rain.

Take care of yourself and of Buck.

Happy New Year, a bit early.

Lillian

I don't know what I was typing at the end but it suppose to say" it was hung in the kitchen when we moved here but the phone company came and took it and I sure do miss it. He will hang it back where it was and I will be able to answer it but not call out on it. There that looks better. I have no idea what lang. I was typing but it sure was good English. Sticky keys. I need a new key board I guess.

Oh Lillian, I am just glad you got it. I sent it on to a couple of other friends but when I didn't hear back from anyone I got to doubting that I had actually sent them. It was the first time for me to do it. On A2Z we lost Miss Fancy today. It is a very sad day as she always had bits of wisdon for us. They don't know what caused her death but they will let us know more later. She was a very good person even if we had never met. You could read her between the lines she wrote being it poetry or saying.
Hay you ever watch Miss Lucy on PBS. She fixes some strange things to eat, cajun style. Last time I saw it was Aligator tails and tonight it was what looks like a super hot chicken gumbo to serve over rice and a fruit salad with a cooked dressing with marshmellow. Dessert was a peanut butter cheese cake. My daughter made a Ooey, Gooey, peanut butter cake and it was so good that I passed it on to a friend down the road. I know it is rich but if you cut it in 1 1/2 pieces it will last if you cut it and wrap each piece in plastic wrap and froze in a plastic bag. Its like cheesecake. I make them and cut them up and wrap them individually and freeze them because it is something I can't pig out on like candy or pie and regular cakes. It is that special dessert that I want after a so so dinner and I am still looking for something. It fills the void. Buck is out walking the pup for the last time tonight and Rocket likes to chase mice out in the fields. Catches them too. He is so funny of a pup. He is 3 but will always be The Pup. Well dear take care and stay healthy. When will you be back home? Did I tell you my son in law is finally going to hang up my crank phone. It will hang in the kitch where the one they came and got hung. I missed it so much as it looks like that is where one should hang. You can answer on it but not call out. Thats okey with me.
Well Hugs again, Shirley

Shirley,

The cookbooks are three by single authors (one desseerts, one pastries, one Cooking in America) and I'll let you know the authors when I get home. The 4th book is a community type (I love those) from Michigan.

You are so right in that a visit from your kids is the best gift of all. Just to have a hug and be told, "I love you" is a treasure beyond compare.

Your son-in-law must be a great baker! You have given him the most important part of pie making...your recipe. I seldom measure things like pie crust or bread dough, and so many people have asked me to write down what I do. As I put each ingredient in a bowl, I measured it after I put in what I thought was right. I wrote it all down and then started to compare it in the cookbooks. It turned out to be nearly exact to Betty Crocker's recipe. My Mother made the best pie and bread that I have ever eaten. She was a great cook and could make a meal from practically nothing. You can't beat the old fashioned recipes and way of cooking, in my opinion.

I did receive your pictures and I thought that I had e-mailed you. Forgive me, please, for not double checking that. It has been a busy, crazy week. The photos are very nice and you and Buck make such a beautiful couple. Your smile matches his and it is easy to see that you two are a loving couple. Thanks so much for sharing to allow me to have faces to go with names.

Lillian

What kind of cook books. Regional, Paula Deen type? I got an arm hole for a vest again this year but that is better than coal. My kids used the gift money to come home and give us a hug and just be with us. I think that is fantastic as I really thought we would be by our selves and this was special. The two talked it over and decided they needed to be with us and came home. Them their 4 tiny dogs and 3 cats. Yes it was walk the dog about 5 or 6 times a day and my little kitty can hisssss at her sisters real well. They brought 2 cherry, 3 pumpkin, 2 lemon, 1 apple, 1 chocolate, a cranberry pear and Cherrie make a apple crumb one with a gooey peanutbutter pie. We took them all to our son in laws nieces and we had a social with 16 or maybe 17 if I missed some or two. They whipped creamed them and coolwhiped them and icecreamed them to their hearts content. Just so you know I gave my son in law a recipe for pie crust and he does the The Pies. He has pie carriers and about 25 pie pans, all blue with his name etched on each one. This is his gift to all the kids in the family. They love it and he feels good for doing it. Well dear I sent you pictures of Buck and I and I hope you liked them. Take care. We love you all. Buck and Shirley

Hi, again,

I nearly forgot to tell you that I received 4 cookbooks, none of which I had. Also received Esteé Lauder Youth Dew, my favorite perfume, a beautiful blouse and a lovely butterfly pin (Susan and I love butterflies, as does my sister), stamps and accesssories for my stamping fun, a mug for my tea that has my name on it, and other things that I just can't bring to mind at the moment.

Susan's tree was beautiful, as always, and there were other touches around the house to make it festive. We sure didn't need a fire in that fire place, though, so this year we had none.

Family makes the difference. We will see our oldest grandson and his wife on Sunday. We'll just cook out that day and have the ususal things that go with that. More fun!

Lillian

Hi, All,

Christmas was wonderful....wet, stormy, but wonderful. We went to Suasan's in the rain, just got there and had help unloading food and gifts from the car, and it POURED! Others, including Leslie and Frank, arrived to a flooded driveway and half of the yard. They backed up in the yard to the front porch and still were soaked. One woman rolled up her slacks, took off her shoes and waded to the house.

We had some powerful weather, including tornados just east of our house (about 20 miles, in San Antonio, FL, near our county seat) where 100 houses were hit, 15 of them no longer inhabitable. It looks like a hurricane or a war zone. Amazingly, one injury occured. The storm then headed east and tornados hit Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. Again, no deaths. Christmas blessings were present.

I was so tired and hurting last night, that I just about collapsed in my chair when we got home. We went to bed early and we needed that, too. Poor Susan was also so tired that her face was drawn. It was also so warm and humid that I couldn't stay dry on my face and head.

Our meal was wonderful and everyone ate their full plus! I had a bit of ham, no YUK turkey. All of the side dishes were delicious, though. I ate my fill of each one and the salads, too. I had a small spoon of everything and my plate was filled, as was my stomach.

We hope that your day was filled with all that you could wish for. Family is all to us and to each of you, too.

Happy New Year, a wee bit early!

Lillian

Robyn/NZ eating is one thing in life we can truly enjoy if we want. I learned a long time ago, never trust a skinny cook , try new things and tastes. encourage our kids to try whats is offered and then make up there minds wheather to throw out that recipe and try another one using what ever ingredient your having trouble with. Our dear foster daughter hates sweet potatoes (kumara I think) and when Buck served her a plate with them raw fried on it she was surprized to find they were the sweet potatoes she disliked so much but the only way she ever had them were boiled and candied and the ones served to her were so different she had no idea what they were. Me, I like just about everything but some things don't like me.
Turkey is one of them and I love boiled peanuts but itch when I eat them. I settle for one or two and call it quits or I am up all night scratching.
Allergies take a lot of fun out of eating. Well dear Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year. Wee! the days are getting longer too. Shirley Just so you know it gets light here at 7:45 and dark by 5 this time of year but as of the 21st of Dec we are gaining a little daylight each day till the 21st of June and it starts getting shorter days again. I once explained this to a Hawaiian friend and she couldn't believe that the sun didn't rise at 7 and set at 7. There it does. The farther north you go the longer nights are. Alaska has 6 weeks of darkness now and in the summer it is 6 weeks of daylight and no darkness. Weird yes? Hugs.

Gracie Allen's Classic Recipe for Roast Beef:

1 large Roast of beef

1 small Roast of beef

Take the two roasts and put them in the oven. When the little one burns, the big one is done.

...Gracie Allen (1895-1964)

Dear Lillian, thank you so much for your Christmas wishes, I was just trying to catch up on V&V and your messages are coming in. I haven't been spending much time on the computer lately, I suppose it's good to have a break occasionally.
I too wish anyone and everyone a happy and blessed Christmas. It's been hectic here the past few weeks, and I've already had Jessica to stay for a night and will again on New Years Eve, it's the most wonderful time to have a grandchild.
Our weather is supposed to be warm but we have a really cold wind coming straight off Antarctica which is drowning out any warmth we may get from the sun. Today is only around 17-18ºC.
It's Christmas Eve here in New Zealand, 2.30pm, one more sleep.
Tomorrow we are off to Dayle and Tracy's for breakfast with Liam, Colette and David. We will all go back to our house for Christmas dinner minus Liam and Colette who are going to her parents for the evening.
I'm also looking forward to a parcel of your leftovers wow I can feel the hips enlarging as we speak.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Robyn xoxoxo

Robyn, Loretta, Leasa and anyone else who hasn't been on lately,

I wish you the happiest, most blessed Christmas. May you have peace, hope, love, friendship and good health as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Bask in the love of family and friends and please know that we are thinking of you.

Merry Christmas,

Lillian

Richard, Maxine and Lee,

Merry Christmas to you and to Aunt HI. May your Christmas be blessed and filled with love and friendship.

Please give HI a hug for me and wish her Merry Christmas from us.

Richard, you have knocked yourself out for your dinner. Save some energy for the big day.

I added a couple of things to our dessert list and made them today. I have to go now and roll the cheese balls in the pecans and then make the dill dip. Tomorrow will be the cake and the pies, clean and cut the veggies and then make the broccoli and 5 cup salads.

For the coffee shop at church, I have Cranberry-Orange nut bread, Pumpkin bread, peanut butter cookies, cheese ball and crackers and a fruit tray. The bagels are supplied as are the toppings that everyone likes. Juice and coffee are also supplied. We have to go in early so that we have everything all set up before the other members arrive. They do seem to arrive hungry, not only for the food but for the fellowship. We have a nice group of deaf members and two of their wives sign the service, the songs and prayers. We also have a nice group of young people; not only little children but teens and young twenties. It is a wonderful church, small but growing.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Lillian

                                                  Sis, SO sorry to hear of Bill's ticker acting up> He will be in my prayers. I had tho't, with Bill,the ONLY time his heart acted up was when YOU walked in the room.

Donna, you better make James some Chicken Soup so he can get over that nasty infection before Christmas.Lordy! It's day after tomorrow, isn't it?

Shirley, I don't blame Buck for freaking out. You KNOW better than to wait that long between check-ups. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Thankfully, I'm just tired and stood too long this morning, so my knees told me to sit down. Made a raisin pie, about 3 doz sugar cookies, bout 60 mock turtles ( Sm. Pretzels w/ a Rollo candy on top, bake for 4 min, push a pecan half into the melted candy and harden in the freezer, a batch of roasted pecans, a braunschwager log, iced in cream cheese, w/ "stuff" in the cheese, and a pineapple cheeseball, rolled in pecans. I'm quittin' for a while! Tomorrow it's honey glazed baked ham, pots au gratin, an asparagras casserole, and , as we 'suthreners' ay 'OKRAY' and tomatoes. After we eat, I think I'll take a nap!!!!!

Now, y'all just kick back and enjoy the holidays, like Rosemarie suggests she's gonna do. Thank GOONESS she's on the mend and is beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR out.

Rosemarie,

Oh, how funny! Your episode with Patsy. It's a little like the "dog ate my homework" that you see so often in cartoons. Let us know how you graciously explain this to your fruit cake givers....and we know that you will be gracious. So many people who own cats love to climb the tree. We used to have one like that. We used to put up two trees (back when energy seemed endless and a forever thing) and one of the cats got into that room. The tree, which was all in blue, silver and satin-look white glass ornaments, was half undressed. Ornaments were all over the room, and we knew that he had a great time doing batting practice. Lights were hanging all askew and the room, itself, resmbled a tornado hit. He had climbed that tree and felt that he had found safe haven, but we saw him. Boy, did he run!

We had a "Charlie Brown" tree when we were first married and stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas. A farmer there had told all airmen that they could cut trees on his property since he was clearing it anyway. The trees were not big and ours was probably 3 ft. tall. We had no lights or ornaments and Bill made a star from aluminum foil and he made tiny balls to hang. I had been making cork jewelry (from round cork, sequins and beads, thr rage back then) and we hung some of them. I beat up Lux soap flakes and a bit of water and "painted" snow on the branches. First of all, this tree only HAD about 8 branches and they were pine, chartreuse colored and all needles were clumped at the end of the branch. We stood it on a card table, covered with a white sheet and put gifts around it. We do have a picture of our masterpiece and we get a good laugh out of it even now.

Our tree now has the tradional ornaments, lights and plenty of tinsel icicles, the old fashioned kind that hang like frozen artwork. The tree always looks frosty with it's artificial snow sprinkled on the branches and I have always enjoyed it. Our ornaments have been collected over our 50 years and then we have some of my Mother's, some from places where we have lived, some from friends, some that I made or bought from special art shows. Some would call it junk, I call it treasure. I am determined to have our big tree and villiage up next year.

Have to check the cinnamon rolls and mix up more cookies. Gotta run.

Lillian