How Hot Is It?

How hot is it?  It is so hot and dry that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinklin, the Methodists are using wet-wipes, the Presbyterians are giving out rainchecks and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water!

How hot is it?  A man in Arkansas said the chicken farmers were giving the chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.

How hot is it?  Just this week on my corner, a fire hydrant was seen bribing a dog!

How hot is it?  Near our city lake they caught a 20 lb. catfish that had ticks on it! 

In Tulsa County a farmer said he'd killed a mosquito that was carrying a canteen. 

How hot is it?

                It's so hot that I'm not movin from this spot til it cools off!

Now that's HOT!!!!

Smiles,
Christine

Postnote: Today the heat index got to 121 degrees.  I'm taking a few days off from blogging in hopes of finding someplace to cool off.  See ya when I get back.  Tsk, tsk.

Going Away Party

Everyone is invited over to my house for a going away party for my veggie garden. I've tried in vain to keep them going but in this hot weather I failed.  So, alas, it's time to say goodbye and try again next year.  Come on over and bring snacks!

Christine

Decorative Gift Boxes

Instead of giving a gift in a gift bag or a paper wrapped gift, why not give a gift with a new twist. A gift within a gift. I buy wooden boxes at a local hobby store on sale or with a coupon. (Never pay full price.) Buy any size that you will need for the gift. I either paint them or cut and glue scrapbook paper to fit the box. I perfer the scrapbook paper because there are so many beautiful patterns to use. Embellish with silk flowers, old jewelry, ribbon, lace, shells, etc. (Use your imagination).

This gift box is painted and then I glued ribbon and a silk flower on it. So easy.

On this one I used scrapbook paper, paint, ribbon and a bird's nest. Seed packets or thank you notes fit easily inside.

This is another one where I used paper, paint, ribbon and a silk flower. Scented votive candles or makeup brushes would fit in this one.

   With this one I used scrapbook paper, silk flowers and an old brooch. This one sits on an side table in my rose bedroom.

I've made many more, but have either sold them or given them away with a gift  card or an iTune card inside.  These gift boxes are so much fun to make and so easy. Hope you try this gift giving project out. 

Christine

Dishing It Up With Christine

Fruit Pizza

For our family Hawaiian Luau birthday party that we gave for our daughter-in-law a few weeks ago I made a fruit pizza instead of a cake.  It was so easy to make and everyone loved it (or so they said).

I bought two packages of sugar cookie dough and flattened them in a pizza pan. The recipe called for one but my pizza pan is large and one package wouldn't cover it.  Bake at 375 degrees for 11-15 minutes.  Cool.

In a bowl blend one package of  8oz. cream cheese and one cup confectioner sugar.  Spread cookie with cream cheese mixture.

Decorate with sliced fruit. I used one large peach, one green apple, one orange, fresh strawberries, and a couple of bananas. Blueberries, raspberries and kiwis are other fruits that could be used.

Before serving I dribbled chocolate syrup over the top. Not too much though. Slice like you would a pizza, but smaller pieces, because it is very rich.

I don't make this too often because it's a bit costly, but for the luau I thought it would fit the occasion.

Happy eating,

Christine

Rowdy Says

Even on hot days we boys like to get outside and have a good romp.

Luau Fun With Family

A couple of Saturdays ago we hosted a Hawaiian Luau birthday party for our daughter-in-law.  Our whole family got together for this celebration.

On the menu was shish kobobs, grilled chicken, baked beans, potato salad, Hawaiian bread dip, corn dip and chips, and for dessert we had cupcakes for the kids and fruit pizza for the adults.

Because of the extreme heat we celebrated inside but the kids had fun outside with water games. 

I made tissue paper flowers that were placed everywhere and all other decorations were bought on sale.

 

Everyone enjoyed the Hawaiian Luau theme of the party and now I'm trying to come up with another theme for the next birthday party in September. Any ideas out there?

Aloha,

Christine

A BIG Surprise!

This is a picture of our eight year old granddaughter. As I write this she and her family (our oldest son, wife and little sister) are in the air flying to Orlando.  She has no idea where they are headed.  It has been a dream of hers to go to Disneyworld and she never thought in a millon years she'd be going this summer.  Her mom and dad have been planning this trip for four months.  It was hard but they have kept this secret from her the whole time.  They told her they were going on a trip last night but didn't say where.  Her mother made a paper puzzle that our granddaughter will put together on the plane that will say, You're going to Disneyworld.  The rest of our family wrote notes to her that she can read on the plane of how we were all in on the surprise and how excited we are for her. This will be a vacation she will never forget!

Christine

Oklahoma Skies

Yes, Oklahoma weather is hot.

Yes, the Oklahoma ground is very dry.

                                  Yes, Oklahoma will get ugly before summer is over.

   But, Oklahoma will never disappoint when it comes to the beauty of it's skies.

Enjoy,
Christine

Rocky's Antics

            My mom thinks I need a nose job.  I think my nose is my best feature. What do you think?

                                                  Rocky

Thankful

A few days ago I was watering all my flowers in our garden, which I've been doing alot of lately, and I got to thinking how beautiful and unique each one was. 

The colors of each one so vivid that my camera can't do them justice.

I thought of the different times of the year each one blooms and reseeds itself

and how each variety has its' own shape and size and the different birds and insects that are attracted to them and use them as a source of food.  

It also got me to thinking how the belief that an intelligent and loving God meticulously made each living thing for our pleasure is such a blessing.

I am thankful.

Christine

Wishful Thinking

With days and days of temperatures over 100 degrees, I have only one wish.

                                                    
                                                                   Wishful thinking?

Christine (aka one hot mama.)

Rowdy Says

This little guy follows me everywhere!  I can't even take an afternoon nap without him under my feet. What's an old dog suppose to do?

Dishing It Up With Christine

                                           Peaches...A Love Story

When I was a very small child my family lived in California until I was six.  I remember a large peach tree in the backyard.  During the summer months we would feast on the biggest peaches I have ever seen in my lifetime.  They were so tasty and delicious.  I've had a love affair with the peach ever since.  Peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach pie and even peach wine are some of my favorite ways to cater to my addiction.

Last week I told you about baking my first homemade peach pie.  I thought I would share with you the recipe I used. This is semi-homemade as Sandra Lee would say.

                                     Brown Sugar - Cinnamon Peach Pie

Great Value Piecrust (this crust is actually very good and taste as close to a homemade crust I've tried)

Filling:

8 large fresh, firm, ripe peaches
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (light)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup flour
1 1?2 Tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Thaw crust and place in pie plate.

Peel peaches, and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices; cut slices in half. Stir brown sugar and next four ingredients in a bowl; add peaches, stirring to coat. Immediately spoon peach mixture into piecrust in pie plate and dot with 1 1/2 tbsp. butter. (Do not make mixture ahead or it will become too juicy.)

Carefully place remaining piecrust over filling. I cut it into 1/2 slices and weave it on top of mixture. Either way is great.  Crimp edges of pie.  Brush top of pie with egg.  Sprinkle with 1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar.  I also sprinkled ground cinnamon on top of pie.  Looks pretty.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.  Cover edge of crust with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake until juices are thick and bubbly. Transfer to a wire rack, cool.  

                                                           
I found this recipe in this month's Southern Living magazine but I tweeked it just a bit.  My whole family loved it and want another one soon. With fresh peaches in abundance that won't be hard. 

Christine

Thanks for the feedback from yesterday's post.

I Need Some Advice

Recently I painted a white wicker plant stand a pretty light green.  I put it in my yellow bedroom.

My question is, should I paint this wicker chair the same color of green or leave it white? It is also in the yellow bedroom.

I value everyone's opinion and would appreciate the advice. I'm leaning toward painting it the same color of green.

Christine

Rocky's Antics

Is it safe to come out yet?

Note from Christine:   When I tell Rocky it is time for bed, he runs under my bed and refuses to come out. I have to offer a treat that he can't resist and then grab him. 

What Am I?

I know this is a frog but I cannot find what kind. I've Googled frogs that are indigenous to Oklahoma, but I didn't see one like this. It has taken residence in one of our flowerbeds where there is much cover to hide.

My daughter-in-law's dad told me he recognized it as a bullfrog that he sees every now and then.  Surely it has a name though besides bullfrog. Anyone out there in Blogland know what kind of frog this is?

Christine

Rowdy Says

My mama has decided to put me on a diet. She thinks I'm a little over my maximum weight limit. She has told my dad to cut out the snacks for  awhile. I'm not too worried though. He's a good sneaker!

Rowdy

I've Been Warned

The crepe myrtle, also spelled crape myrtle, is one of the hardiest shrubs in the south.  It can take the heat and go days without water.  It starts blooming the end of June and will bloom until the first frost. 

It can be left as a shrub or trimmed to look like a tree.

As this plant gets older, the trunk becomes thicker.

July 4th Celebrations

The 4th of July is always hot in Oklahoma. You can count on it.  It's a given.  The high humidity doesn't help any either.  If you are like me and can't take the heat, you stay indoors unless it's in the early morning or late evening.

This fourth our youngest son and his wife had us out to their new home on two acres for a get-together with family to celebrate.  I baked my FIRST homemade peach pie and a big bowl of banana pudding, upon request, for an all American eat fest. Grilled pork chops, hot links, hot dogs, grilled squash, potato salad, and chips and dip were on the menu.

With family and friends comfortably sitting outdoors, we watched the kids enjoy sparklers and other fireworks. We also enjoyed all the neighbor's firework displays as well. I especially enjoyed watching the Chinese Lanterns floating above us in the night sky. I had never seen those before. They look like minature air balloons. 

As much as I enjoy family get-togethers and all the celebrations, I always sigh with relief when the the fourth of July is over.  It means we are half way through this hot weather and I can see cooler temps in the horizen.  It also means one more month until we head out for our vacation destination where the highest temperatures reach into the mid 80's and the scent of pine trees fills the air.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday,

Christine