Quick Chocolate Bars

This is one of my favorite fast to fix chocolate recipes. Most of you may have it, but I thought that I would share it. It is great for church pot-lucks, Afterglow and youth group meetings. And something that can be whipped up fairly fast when you are in a hurry or swamped with the million other things that you need to do.

Chocolate Nut Bars

1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted

1 14 oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts --walnuts or pecans

Set oven 350 degrees. Mix crumbs and butter and press into bottom of 9x13 in pan. Bake 8 minutes. In small pan, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Spread chocolate mixture over baked crust. Top with remaining chocolate chips and cup of nuts. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Enjoy!

Good Tuesday Morning!

Good morning to you! Hope you all had a nice weekend and the new week started off right for you. Dh was off yesterday and we spent a lot of the day working outside. I managed to get some cleaning done in my herb beds. I'm still contemplating pulling out my oregano and starting over on it. Chives, notorious for taking over everything, have been completely consumed by my oregano. I'd like to somehow balance out my herb beds so that I have enough of each one to enjoy looking at as well as have enough to cook with. I try not to make my plans too 'big', but this time of year it is easy to get carried away with what I plan to do!

These purple crocus were buried beneath the leaves under one of my azalea bushes. It's the only crocus I have left from planting over fifteen years ago. It is so beautiful that I am promising myself to get some more spring bulbs planted next fall! It's such a joy to see color after a long, grey winter.

Everyone have a great day.

RMary

Winter Sunday Morning

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5: 13-14 (NIV)

Have a wonderful Sunday!

RMary

Five Weird Things

I've been tagged by Terri over at TK Angels and Baseball Fund to post five weird things about myself. A while back I posted ten weird things about myself, so now I'm posting a few more. My dh said, "you can only think of so many weird things about yourself" which I thought was sweet of him to say!

Weird things:

#1. I always hang my laundry on the clothes line in a certain order, starting with towels. Okay, some of you think I'm weird because I have a clothesline, LOL. But it really bothers me if items are not hung in a certain order.

#2. I only like cheap ketchup. The expensive stuff is just way to rich tasting for me, I guess!

#3. Like Terri, I generally have some Christmas items out all year.

#4. Every September I read Stillmeadow Seasons by Gladys Taber. I'm not sure why I always do this in September but that's when I always get the urge to read it.

#5. I still like to read books I enjoyed in my childhood, like Nancy Drew books and The Three Investigator books.

There--that's as weird as it gets for now.

Everyone have a great day.

Oops, almost forgot. I now tag Alpicks Treasure and Shirlee at big blue sky!

RMary

Taking The Challenge

Okay, Sue, I'm taking the challenge. Here is my own little blogging spot, located in a corner of our living room. It's actually a shared corner, as dh uses this computer, too. I know it looks a little messy, but this is the 'cleaned up' version', LOL. I'm trying to find more ways to organize it and give it a neater look. Someday, we hope to expand this area and have more space for books as well as papers.

We are going to enjoy another warm day today! I've still got some painting to do as well as catch up on some paper work. All of you have a great day.

RMary

Old Alaska

Last week, Kentucky Gal blogged about an Alaskan novel she has recently read called Echo, by Bobby Hutchinson. Reading her blog, it brought to mind one of my favorite books about Alaska. It is called A Schoolteacher in Old Alaska, edited by Jane Jacobs.

I've always enjoyed pioneer stories, especially the women's diaries as they headed west in the wagon trains. This story is a little different. It is the diary of Hannah Breece. She was born in Scranton Pennsylvania in 1859. In 1904, at the age of forty-five, she accepted a government post in the territory of Alaska, to teach native school children in their small wilderness schools. In many ways, she was a woman ahead of her time, heading off into the wilderness alone, when most women still worked at home. She taught in Alaska for fifteen years, changing posts several times. She met many interesting people along the way, including gold prospectors, fur traders, tribal chiefs, as well as the many children and several Russian priests.

Hannah never put the book together herself, though she worked on it for many years. Before she died, she handed her diary and the unfinished manuscript to her niece Jane Jacobs. Jane put it aside for many years, but when she picked it up, she realized how unique her aunt's life had been. Determined to make the book the best she could, she traveled to Alaska to visit many of the places her aunt wrote about in her diary.

If you like reading about earlier times, I think you would enjoy this book. I've read it several times and never cease to be amazed at the courage, love and support this kind woman showed to the many people she met.

It is going to be warm here today, supposed to be 72 degrees! I'm looking forward to getting some painting finished and start on my spring cleaning.

Everyone have a great day!

RMary

Sunny Sunday

Never has the world had a greater need for love than in our day. People are hungry for love. We don't have time to stop and smile at each other. We are all in such a hurry! Pray. Ask for the necessary grace. Pray to be able to understand how much Jesus loves us, so that you can love others.

Mother Teresa

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

St. John 15:12

This little wall plaque, now old and scuffed, was a wedding present to us nearly 25 years ago. It has always hung over our kitchen door, being the last thing people saw when they left our home. The space over the kitchen door is too small in our little cabin, so I keep it in different spots around the house--always a sweet reminder of the truth of God's love.

Have a wonderful Sunday,

RMary

One Lonely Guy

Good morning! Didn't I say yesterday that I thought the snow was the last of our winter weather? Then what's all that white stuff outside? So, today I'm thinking that this is the last of our winter weather. The white kind, anyway.

The pretty boy in the picture above is Shorty. I might add that he is named after a character in a book and not for his size. Shorty is the last of our poultry. He was given to us last spring, along with six of his siblings--all sisters we were told. Two of the girls ran away and four were killed by a black snake--I hope I can find that snake this year. (I will not go into any details as to how we know it was a snake that killed them--too yucky). We did have four other roosters at the time. I know what you're thinking-- what's wrong with these people. Four roosters? In our defense, we have coyotes and hunting dogs that regularly kill out our poultry population, so we are happy to have whatever there is out there to eat the ticks. Here on Tick Haven Farm--actually, that's not what we call the farm, but the ticks probably do, the chickens are our only defense against the little blood-sucking devils.

As for the other four roosters, Casanova, Don Juan, George and Romeo, a group of very elderly roosters--they were killed ruthlessly by a hunting dog that knew easy pickings when he saw them. And now, poor little Shorty is all alone.

These pictures were taken at the lonely fellow's favorite hangout--under the bird feeders. If he can just hang on for another couple of months he will have the type of company that he longs for--a whole flock,we hope, of pretty girls to keep him company . Until then, the companionship of two barn cats will have to do.

Everybody have a great day.

RMary

Cold Again

Hi everyone. Hope you all had a great Valentines Day. We stayed home and had a nice dinner and exchanged cards. The snowy, wintry weather added a nice touch to the holiday. I don't remember it ever snowing on Valentines Day before. We woke to a pretty dusting of it this morning and I went out and took a few pictures. The sun is out now and most of it is gone. I'm thinking this will probably be the last of our real wintry weather. Highs in a few days are supposed to be in the sixties. Hope you all have a nice day.

RMary

MAIL CAME!

Look what was in my mailbox today! Thanks so much, Sue. And, not only did she send me the DVD, but look at the sweet Valentines Day card she made and sent! Thanks for your friendship, Sue. The same goes for all you blogging friends I've made in the past few weeks. I'm looking forward to more fun with all of you.

RoseMary

Happy Valentine's Day

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. Hope you all have a fun day planned. It will probably be a quiet day around here, except for the howling wind. Yesterday it sounded as if it could take the roof off!

The old postcards above are part of my small collection of vintage postcards. I need to cut down on collecting, but postcards don't take up much room and they are such fun to look at. The travel/vacation cards are especially fun to find. I love the ones that were actually mailed and have a message on the back. I always wish I could find their 'real' family and return their tokens of sweet memories to them! Hope you enjoy them.

Remember on this day of love:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”- John 13:34-35.

RMary

Happy Day Before St. Valentine's Day

Good morning everyone. I kept meaning to get on here yesterday and just never quite made the time for it. DH was home and we were supposed to get some things accomplished. Somehow, it turned out to be one of those days when it seems like you are busy doing something, but nothing really gets done. He did bring in my small file cabinet, so I guess I'll have to clean out my closet and make a place for it. I hope that will be an accomplishment for today, anyway. The closet is rather a mess and could use a good going through.

Above is a picture of some of the Valentine cards that I have been making. I am new at this, but enjoyed it so much that I bought some more card making supplies over the weekend. It is a fun new hobby and one I hope to improve at!

Everyone have a nice day. It is cold outside and raining and the temps are supposed to keep dropping throughout the day and possibly turn to snow. Guess it is a good day to clean out that closet and maybe drink lots of hot chocolate.

Sue over at Country Pleasures has issued a challenge to us to show our crafting areas. Mine has been the dining table, but I have been working getting another space ready and will post it when I have managed to get it organized.

RMary

Sunday Morning

"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress;

my God, in Him will I trust.'" ~Psalm 91:2

Everyone have a great Sunday.

RoseMary

Sweethearts??

I've had this picture for years and it has always amused me. I would love to know exactly who they are. Did they have a little tiff before the photograph was taken? Did he even want to be in the photograph? She doesn't look much happier about the incident than he does. Anyone have any ideas?

I must say that I've enjoyed all of the Valentines that everyone has been posting these last couple of weeks. I think I'm going to miss February!

I just found out this afternoon that I won the Lucy DVD from Sue over at Country Pleasures! Thanks so much, Sue! I'm looking forward to receiving it.

RMary

Good Morning

Good Morning everyone! I think that I am still basking in the glow of yesterday's warm weather. It was a wonderful day to be outside. After getting my morning chores done, I went out for a long walk and even ventured into the woods behind the cabin. To be outside without a jacket is just amazing after all this cold weather. Of course, it is rainy and in the 30s right now! I know that spring really is just around the corner and I'm trying not to be too impatient!

Rowdy enjoyed his day in the window of the dining room, as you can see above. He spent a lot of time wiggling his little nose around, probably wondering what that fresh air smell was! He was still sitting there when I got back from my walk, so I snapped this pic. He may have a while to wait for another day like yesterday.

I want to say thanks to the new people who have been visiting my blog. Actually, you're all new--I've only been doing this for about four weeks. You are so sweet and I am enjoying all of your blogs and getting to know you. Thanks so much for your friendship.

Everybody have a great day!

RMary

First Signs Of Spring!

It is a little nippy out this morning, but the sun is beginning to break through the haze on the mountain and will soon be warming these hopeful flowers in the picture above. These little Jonquils were a bonus gift from a friend who gave me a sack of Evening Primrose plants. Somehow the Jonquil bulbs had been mixed in with those she dug for me. Their unexpected arrival was more than welcome, as I had assumed that this spot was too shady to grow any flowers, but the past two springs have proved that they are thriving. March Roses, they are called in some mountain areas. At first, the name seemed a little odd to me, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. Their sunny arrival after a long grey winter is as welcome as any rose could be!

Hope all you friends up north are keeping warm. All of your snow pictures are beautiful!! Stay warm and everyone have a great day.

RoseMary

Sweethearts Of Days Gone By. . . .

With the approach of St. Valentines Day, love is a little closer to our minds. Last night, sorting through some old photographs, I began pulling out photos of different couples, letting my mind wander as to what their life was like. The adorable couple above are my husband's great grandparents. I fell in love with this picture the moment I saw it. They are so young, so sweet looking. I am just starting on my husband's family history, so I'm not as familiar with it as I want to be, but I do know that these two married, had two children and ran a general store. I wonder what they were thinking about, what their dreams were of their future the day that this photograph was taken? Did their life measure up to anything that they had hoped for? I had the privilege of knowing their son for a brief time, and I do know that he was a good man, a son for any parent to be proud of. Sometimes, I think, looking back is as important as looking forward. These sweethearts of the past are the reason that we are here today. Take a moment and think about those that have gone before you and be thankful.

We are supposed to have a beautiful day here, today. High of near 65! Oh, I hope so. I'm looking forward to getting out and maybe getting a couple of photos. I also plan to do a little bit of organizing today. Isn't it funny that when the weather is finally nice and I can get outside, it makes me ready to work inside?

RoseMary

Good Morning

There isn't much going on around the home place this morning. DH is off work today, so we'll be heading off soon to buy a few supplies. I always enjoy getting away for a few hours, but at the same time, I'm always happy to return. There really is no place like home! Everybody have a great day.

RoseMary

Plans

All God's plans have the mark of the cross on them,

and all His plans have death to self in them.

~E.M. Bounds

Blessings to you this Sunday,

RoseMary

Cold Sunny Friday

Good morning, everyone. We still have a shallow layer of snow on the ground and it is cold, but I think we just might see the sun! I've missed that big yellow orb in the sky the last few days. Especially since it helps warm up the inside of the cabin. We are definitely starting to cool down in here, despite the roaring fire we keep going all day. After getting my morning chores done--dishes, laundry and sweeping, I think I'll break out my craft supplies and get a little more work done on some Valentine cards I'm making for my daughters. I'll post some pics of them once I get them sent off to the girls.

Everybody have a fantastic day.

RoseMary