We had an early Christmas at Fred’s parent’s house – it was so nice… the food was tasty, the house was decorated beautifully and there were photos taken (thanks for this one LTS)! This is me with a grip on Charlie enough to get a photo… I felt like a wrestler… ha ha…
Normally I schedule my posts ahead of time… I got up this morning, and went to check to see what I had to say… Hmmmm, nothing? Ohhh nooooo! So here is a quick post of the beast and I. Hope that your holidays have been bright and that you are getting back to normal now… My posts will return to normal after the first of the year, let me know what you want to hear more about!
Wishing you a great day! If you’re in Charleston, SC I will be at Galerie on Broad (29 Broad Street) today. It should be a beautiful day to walk around downtown and check out the local galleries. Hope to see you there!
I use WordPress software to write my blog. There has been a steep learning curve since I am not of the younger generation and my brain is not wired to “think like this”… I’ll admit at times there has been smoke coming out of my ears from so much thinking. BUT, that is a good thing right? Recently I’ve had several people tell me that they would have liked to comment on my blog, but it requires signing up for something or it’s just too darn hard to figure out. I promised I would address this, so here are some step by step directions. Once you’ve done it, you’ll see it’s a breeze. Although, trust me, I know how you feel, so give it a whirl! I usually do try to comment back to everyone if possible. If you would like to see my response (emailed to you) as well as anyone else who comments on that particular post, you can click on a button to see just that… Also, DO NOT WORRY THAT YOU DON’T SEE YOUR COMMENT RIGHT AWAY. Because of all the spammers out there (people who “comment” but put links to all kinds of creepy things) I have the comments set to moderate, meaning that I click to approve them. So hey, if you’re creepy and try posting a link to pretty much anything I will most likely mark you as spam and be done with you, please don’t waste your time with me.
The steps are simple
At the bottom of the daily post you will see a LEAVE A COMMENT or 1 COMMENT (2 COMMENTS, etc.) link, click on it.
Then you will see a box pop up to enter your comment. Place your cursor in that box.
Once you place your cursor in the box you will see a few more things. Ways to show me who you are. You have the option of entering your email address (that no one who reads comments will see, only I will see it), and the name that you want to appear to anyone who reads comments. You also have the option of signing in with WordPress [if you have a blog], Facebook, Twitter and Google +). Then click the POST COMMENT button. As soon as I look at the comment to make sure you aren’t a spammer it will appear. You can also click a box so that you receive an email with all comments on that post, mine included…
Here it is step-by-step… I have lots of screen shots, and am probably over-explaining everything, but it truly is easy. Give it a whirl!
Ok, here goes… Step one… click on the “Leave a Comment” link. You’ll see it at the bottom of each daily post on the left hand side…
Step One…
Step two… You will see a box appear. Place your cursor inside the box (click your mouse/trackpad inside the box).
Step two…
Step three… and this is it! Enter your comment. Then enter your email address on that first line. Enter your name on the second line. If you have a respectable website address you can enter it on the WEBSITE line, otherwise, just leave that one blank.
What appears you’re wondering? Your name as you enter it. So if you prefer to only enter a first name, that’s ok… Your comment appears. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS DOES NOT APPEAR… the only person who can see that is me! If you want to see other comments (mine included) for this post only check the NOTIFY ME OF FOLLOW-UP COMMENTS box. Then… CLICK the POST COMMENT button on bottom right of screen.
Options… Of course WordPress likes to give people options. So if you don’t want to sign in with your name and email, they give you the choice to sign in with your WordPress account (if you have one), Twitter, Facebook or Google +. Ignore this if you don’t have one of these accounts! Just use your email address and name!
Don’t forget to click on Post Comment!
To clarify… You can click on LEAVE A COMMENT as shown in the first screen shot, or on the number of comments. See how it appears after someone has made a comment? You see 1 Comment (or however many there are), you can click on to either read the comments or to leave a comment.
So to leave a comment, click on LEAVE A COMMENT or on “1 Comment” (or 2 Comments, etc) – you can also click that link to read other comments.
I just noticed one more scenario that makes it even quicker for you… sometimes you will not see the comment link (either Leave a Comment or 1 Comment, etc) – this is when you click on the title of the post, or if you click and are looking at a specific post. It will appear with a comment box, so you’re ready to go… Follow the steps above… woohoo… tell me what you’ve got to say!!
Easy as pie… oooh, did someone say pie?
Hey, THANK YOU, to those of you who have commented over the past (nearly) three years! I have “met” some of the coolest people on earth through this blog!
This post was originally entitled “Happy Christmas Eve Eve”, but then I switched things around… well, most things… forgot to update the title, so for those of you who receive this post by email, and then look at it online… you aren’t going crazy! ;)
This was our drive to the airport a few weeks ago… let me tell ya… snow, snow, snow… cars off the road, a few spun around, and these brave souls… collecting money for a local charity. This was a cold, windy day, but they are dressed for it!
Hard core collecting!
This is some hard core collecting no doubt! These photos serve as a great reminder to give what you can to someone in need. Whether its merely a visit, a small gift, or a meal… you can brighten someone’s day who is alone this Christmas season. This can be a sad time for many, so keep your eye out and do what you can do to help out. You will be richer because of it!
Sweet, huh? I love this photo… I remember this day vividly, because I dressed nice. I had a cute skirt and matching shirt, but then had to put those big leggings on (that’s what they were called way back when). Oh the stress of being young, ha ha… wouldn’t it be nice to only worry about little things that don’t matter? Most of us probably still do… I need to get better about not worrying about the little stuff… join me in my crusade, ha ha…
This photo was taken several years ago… at Christmas time… the grass was beautifully blanketed with snow just in time for the arrival of my in laws. I was thrilled that they would see the beauty that I spoke of. They did great driving around in it. We had a wonderful time. It seems like during the winter you cook… and eat… and cook… and eat… Whew! My parents live on a big river, and across the river is Canada. Big hunks of ice float by, sometimes getting jammed. The river is entertainment all year around!
By the time you read this I am headed back from this magical place. Back to the sunny south. That same sun that I curse in the summer I adore in the winter months. When you live in Charleston, you really shouldn’t complain about the winter, ha ha… I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
Update… today, 12.14.13 – funny that I chose this photo for today… over a week ago I wrote this post. Today, as I get ready to pack up and head to the airport it will be the snowiest day of the year 4-6″ expected by tonight! Windy and snow… absolutely beautiful, but…
Catch you back here tomorrow! I’ll be back to my normal posts next week!
Warm golden light. That gorgeous light that makes you look healthy and tan (ha ha)… it gives you a glow. Well, it does the same thing for the buildings. Charleston, SC is such a beautiful city. The history, architecture, food, and art galleries are beyond compare. Everywhere you look you see gorgeous settings just like this one! If you aren’t from this area, stop by, check it out… visit the restaurants, stores and galleries. You’ll be coming back year after year!
Truly, one of the best places to walk around – Especially with a camera! This golden light is incredible, just as it is in a painting, to see it in real life, well, it just makes everything look so much better!
The Dock Street Theater is a beautiful building with quite a bit of history! Did you know that this was “America’s First Theater”? Wow… It’s one of my favorites to photograph… check it out next time you’re in town! They have a wonderful lineup of shows, we’re very fortunate to have them in our city!
Here’s a blip from their website (click the link to read more!):
America’s First Theatre
On February 12, 1736 the Dock Street Theatre opened with a performance of The Recruiting Officer. Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.
Philadelphia Alley (nicknamed “Dueling Alley”)… located between Cumberland and Queen Street in the French Quarter of Charleston, SC, this is one historic alley. Read more about it HERE. Fascinating, isn’t it??
This is also Charlie’s favorite little walk downtown… gotta keep the puppy happy, right? If you get a chance, check it out… too cool for words!
A friend of ours came to town for a visit… I made lasagna… we were starving… *DING*ahhhh, time to take it out of the oven, woohoo!! It smelled wonderful… I reached into the drawer and grabbed a few hot pads, opened the oven door, reached in and grabbed each handle with a hot pad and WHOOSH! What??!!!!!! The handle from the lasagna pan broke and it spilled down the front of the door of the oven (inside)… Immediately Ken DeWaard (what a guy) said, IT’S FINE, JUST SCOOP IT BACK IN THE PAN… Fred was wonderful… If it were anyone but those two I probably would have had at least a brief, ahhhh, “moment”, but Ken’s next words were… POUR HER A GLASS OF WINE… that was funny to me. Really, I don’t get that worked up. But, I WAS hungry… I scooped it back in and we ate out of the side that didn’t break… then tossed the rest. I should probably always have a pizza in the freezer or something… what else would I say? Can I offer you a bowl of Raisin Bran? ha… If you own a Giada lasagna pan from Target – there is a RECALL! Take it back…. No one got hurt or burned, the stove is just a disaster…
This is why you always fill out a registration card (if there is one… there wasn’t for this):
Broken handle… pan used three times…
The result… (this is after a few cleanings, yes, really!)… this looks better than real life… believe me!
Ahhh, I get a little homesick for Maine each year. No, it’s not my home, but it feels like it should be. It’s a wonderful place, with people who are so genuine. I absolutely love that. They are hard working and honest (honor system to buy flowers, vegetables along roadside stands… and it WORKS!). I’m happy when I’m in Maine… no worries… of course I am on vacation, ha ha… which is so much different than real life!
For such a small island there is something to be seen no matter where you are! This photo is of White Head on Monhegan. To get to it, you can walk down through town, turn at the Monhegan House, walk past the Novelty (if you can keep walking past the best pizza and ice cream on earth), up to Horn’s Hill, past Don Stone’s studio, and follow the path to this gorgeous setting!
To sit on the ledge and listen to the ocean, watch for whales and just be… in silence… it’s a treat beyond measure. Sometimes the best gifts are the most simple. Quiet. Peace. Beauty.
For the next week, I’m going to keep the posts short… I’ll be back to regular posting the following week! Hang in there with me! I appreciate you visiting, stop by and see what tomorrow brings! Ooooh, I like that, might change my “catch you back here tomorrow”… ha ha…
Fruitcake gets poo poo’d, I’m not sure why… I’m pretty sure this one will change your mind! This is a recipe that my Grandma Fidler used to make, and I still remember the wonderful smell of it! Then the recipe magically appeared in a Christmas card from my aunt. What a cool idea to share my grandma’s famous fruitcake recipe with us all! I made it and it was so delicious I cannot tell you! She brushed on brandy (several times) after baking, and wrapped in brown paper. That part isn’t on the recipe, so wing it if you like, or don’t do it at all… it’s good either way! First the recipe… and then the images to show you how easy it really is! Click HERE to print the recipe minus the photos…
Grandma’s Fruit Cake
Ingredients – (Yield: Makes 2- 9” loaves)
1 ½ cups Raisins
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 ½ cups Chopped Dates
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
2 Cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
2 cups Boiling Water
1 teaspoon Salt
5 Tablespoons Shortening
1 cup Chopped Nuts
3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 cup Candied Fruit
2 Eggs
Directions
In a large saucepan add the boiling water and stir in the raisins, chopped dates, sugar and shortening. Bring contents to boil and then let simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place cooked mixture in cool place until thoroughly cooled.
After the boil…
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl add Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves and Salt.
Mix together dry ingredients…
Blend together then add eggs.
Add eggs…
Stir in the cooled mixture adding the chopped nuts and candied fruit last.
Divide into 2 well-greased and floured large loaf pans (9”x3”x3” deep) and bake for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Use toothpick near end of baking time to check center of loaf. Cooking times vary. (My grandma also had a note on her recipe to put water in a pie dish and place in the oven, this keeps the fruitcake moist by keeping the air moist!)
Ready for the oven!
Do you smell that yummy goodness filling your house? Ahhhh, this is wonderful!
Ta da!
Note: Cooking time varies with size of loaf pan, a medium (8×3”) bakes approximately 1 hour and mini loaf pans (5 ½ x 3”) bake approximately 45 minutes.
As I write this it is chilly outside. Freezing cold chilly… OK, not freezing cold, because I am in Charleston, SC, but 48 degrees F, “feels like 42” and windy feels like -10F… I guess its because I’ve been here so long? There is nothing like a toasty fire to warm your bones (and your feet!)… I’m looking so forward to one this evening!
