It's the Little Things

Yesterday it was my birthday. 

I hung one more year on the line.

I ain't worrying. 

And I ain't scurrying. 

I'm just having a good time.

~Paul Simon~ 

~My Birthday Project~

Yesterday I turned 53. I am especially grateful this year for another birthday. In ways, it's been a rough year...

The hardest part was probably hearing the news that my sweet father-in-love has bladder cancer. Although it is most difficult for him, it has jolted the entire family into the realization that life is precious, and often too short. We have always been a close knit family, but since his illness, this is magnified. Thankfully, his prognosis is good and his attitude is even better. He is an inspiration to me.

Another difficulty concerns our youngest son. Will is 19, and suffers from severe plaque psoriasis. Maybe some of you remember those old commercials where they spoke of..."the heartbreak of psoriasis". Maybe some of you suffer too. In Will's case, the disease is not only extremely unsightly, but very debilitating. He has tried every topical, special diet, and I'm embarrassed to admit..."snake oil" remedy out there. He has just begun taking injections of the drug Stelara, which we pray will give him relief. His dad and I try not to coddle him, and encourage him to push himself in spite of his affliction....but because he is our child, the heartbreak of psoriasis affects us too.

Then there was my own "junk" to deal with. I had surgery in June and have been undergoing a series of medical tests...checking for the thing we all dread...cancer. On Friday, I had what I hope to be my last medical test for a good while. And I'm thrilled to report that my results were perfect.

But yesterday, I turned 53.

And so, today I was reflecting on how I spent my birthday, and counting my blessings. Tom and Will were home with me, doing little chores around the house so I could spend the day sewing. They bathed the dogs, did the grocery shopping, made dinner... The two older "boys" called to wish me a happy birthday and talked with me about stuff for a long while. I miss those conversations with them, now that they live on their own. It was a real treat for me to hear about the young woman Nash is dating, and the changes Luke is making to his screenplay...and their plans for the future.

 

I don't know why I'm telling you all of this, dear readers. Maybe just to remind you of what we all need reminding of. And that 's this...cherish those you love, find happiness in the little things, value your health...

And remember... 

Attitude Is Everything.

~My favorite portrait from Christmas, 2012. Yes, I'm THAT excited over shampoo.~

 Until next time...

I ain't worrying. 

And I ain't scurrying. 

I'm just having a good time.

Rhonda

Oops!

I've accidentally deleted my Blog Roll. If your blog was listed, I apologize...please be patient while I rebuild my list.

I don't know if you've heard, but...

...Congratulations are in order!

I am humbled to be the recipient of the 2012 “Worst Blogger Ever Award”… awarded annually to the person who slacks most on updating their online blog. Here I am accepting the award.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.photofunia.com/)

“I’d like to thank the academy all of my faithful followers who stuck with me even though I haven’t given them a lot to follow in quite some time. 

To quote Sally Field, “You like me, you really like me!”

  

And seriously, I thank you for that…for hanging around, checking for updates, and your continued patronage of my Etsy and Early Work Mercantile shops in my absence. I appreciate it more than you know.

 2012 has been a weird year for our family... I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say, I am “doctored out”. Meaning, I am tired of doctors and medications and appointments, for myself and for my loved ones. My coping mechanism during times like this, is to crawl under the front porch and lick my wounds, like and old hound dog. So that’s where I’ve been…under the porch.

With 2013 just around the corner, I intend to be much more... well, intentional about blogging. After all, blogging is the thing that connects me to all of you wonderful people.

 Until next time...

Rhonda

(And thank you to blogger for the strange spacing and font issues.)

A Token of Friendship

 Just in case you may have missed out on these last time...

Strawberry Pinkeeps are now available in my Etsy shop.

Boxed and ready for gift giving.

Until next time...

Rhonda

Early Work Mercantile, October Offerings

I hope you'll stop by to see the October offerings from the talented artists at Early Work Mercantile. My page will be updated tonight at 10:00pm, Central Time.

Until next time...

Rhonda 

Green Tomato Relish

The weather has been GLORIOUS here for the last few days...and we're taking full advantage of it. We've picked the last of the jalapeno peppers and the green tomatoes from the garden, and are putting them by for the time when the snow is deep and we are holed up in the house, wishing for spring. 

I wanted to share my Grandmother's recipe for Pickled Peppers and also for her Green Tomato Relish...the best I've ever tasted on hot dogs, brats and the like.



 

I like to do things exactly as my Gram taught me. I even use the old grinder and huge Tupperware bowls that I inherited from her. There are probably faster, easier ways to do things, but I love the idea that my hands are touching the tools that her hands touched, making the same movements she made...

Green Tomato Relish 

From the kitchen of Beulah Dalton

Grind ingredients below, using a medium blade:

10 pounds of Green Tomatoes
6 Medium Green Peppers
6 Medium Red Peppers
5 Medium Onions

Stir in:
1/2 Cup Salt
4 Cups Boiling Water

Let sit over nite, then drain through a cloth. Press as much liquid out as possible.

Stir in:
3 Cups Sugar
5 T. flour
2 Cups Prepared Mustard
4 Cups Cider Vinegar

Simmer until thick. Spoon into prepared jars and process for ten minutes in a hot water bath.

Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

Ingredients:

8 quarts jalapeno peppers

4 cups white wine vinegar  (or cider vinegar if you like)

4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon pickling spices  (in bottom of each jar)

1 clove garlic (in bottom of each jar)

Directions:

Slice peppers into rings. (Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.)

Drop one clove of garlic and 1/2 tsp. pickling spices into the bottom of each clean, hot pint jar. 

Pack peppers tightly into clean, hot jars.

Combine vinegar and water; heat to a simmer. 

Pour hot vinegar over peppers, leaving 1/2 inch head space.

Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

This same recipe can be used for other pepper varieties as well. Gram especially liked this for banana peppers.

 My mom called today to tell me she opened her first jar of relish...she pronounced it, "just like Grandma's." Success! 

Until next time...Rhonda