Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert....

I had one request for this recipe, so thought you all might like to have it. It is not a diet dessert, but it can be a challenge/contest to make it sugar-free, fat free or whatever you'd like, because a lot of the foods we eat now come in sugar-free/fat free form. I understand even oreo type cookies can be sugar-free.

Now, that title (Robert Redford) certainly dates it...I recommend it could also be named the Next Best Thing to Brad Pitt dessert, or whomever you think would be the winning name. Tom Cruise? Leonardo DeCaprio?

This is about a 10 point Weight Watcher dessert. (I got online and had them adjust it for points. )
It's not to be taken lightly, nor will it help you to get lighter...

1 pkg. oreo type cookies
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1/2 gallon ice cream - any flavor. I used Edy's double churned no sugar added vanilla, and ended up using the whole thing.
1 can or jar of fudge sauce (sugar free)
1 pkg. cool whip - 8 oz.

Crush oreos and mix with margarine. Spread 2/3 of mixture in 9 X 13 pan. Spoon ice cream on top. (It helps to soften ice cream a little. Also fudge sauce)
Then spread fudge sauce, then cool whip, then remaining oreo cookies. Freeze for at least 2 hours. I froze it overnight. It obviously should be made ahead. Serves 16-20.

Yes. Be prepared for leftovers, unless you have a BIG party. It is SOOOO good.

After a really really hurried morning and very satisfying lunch, I am home and ready to write again. The photo directly above is of the Bath group, Moors, Jones and Bates who came here Friday night. We went out to dinner at an italian restaurant in Horseheads that was outstanding called Taninos. We had drinks here, and then dinner there, and then back here for dessert - which was "The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert." Anyone want the recipe, just ask and I'll post it. It was a big success.

Sunday, yesterday was the date of Alaina W.'s graduation party at her home in Ontario, NY. What a beautiful town that is on Lake Ontario, which of course the town is named for. It is about a two hour trip each way and the day was gorgeous. We had a beautiful trip there and back. Plenty to eat, so we didn't bother with supper last night. The other photos were of the party. We have pictures of Alaina at her graduation, so you know what she and her family look like from the other posting. Sharon and Dave also came with their kids. The picture of the "ladder" is a game in which golf balls (two teams - 2 red balls and 2 blue balls - attached by ropes) are tossed and the score depends on whether you are able to wind them around one of the rungs. It's not hard. It's fun. That's Sharon and Dave. We played them later. We lost 20-19! I apologize about the duplicate picture. Still learning "the ropes." Good pun, right? Get it? balls attached to ropes...

Okay...

That's all folks!

My Mind is Going - or Senioritis has set in

I find that I'm either not busy so I don't have anything to write about, or I'm too busy and I have too much to do to write! I guess that happens to all of us at times. Here it is Monday morning and I can write a little bit. 'Twill be a busy day after all. I think my mind is going. I forgot to put on the calendar an important luncheon date today. The person called. I had planned on picking she and her daughter up at her house and instead she wanted to meet me at the restaurant in Corning. I quickly called the place and they're closed for lunch on Mondays. After trying several restaurants in the area, they're all closed! - so I called her back and we're going to Applebee's. Not what I would have preferred, but - hey - it's close to the mall, where they'll be and a 10 minute ride for me! So that's the plan. Phew.

When we moved in, in November, we had planned on having an Open House and invite all our friends from the immediate world to visit and see our new home. It was going to be a grand occasion. It doesn't seem to be happening. There seems to be so much to do around here. We've gotten a lot of things done, and we're catching our breath, but nevertheless, the idea of an Open House seems to be too much of an undertaking. So - we're setting up dates to have groups of people come and visit.

In my next post, I'll talk about our weekend, friends that came to visit on Friday night , and a trip we took up to Ontario, NY on Sunday.

Ella, the miracle cat

Well, we received some good news about Ella - her blood test results came back very well. The vet called and the weekly Vitamin-B 12 shots given her seem to be working. Her red blood cell count is now in the normal range.

All this was before we started giving her salmon for dinner. We had company over the weekend and cooked cedar salmon out on the grill. There were left overs, so... yes. The real salmon, not the canned cat food kind. although I mix it with that, and some protein powder the vet gave us, or some other canned cat food. So, we can't attribute it to the salmon. But she is inhaling her meals now and wanting more. Those of you who know her, know that that is almost unheard of. She's acting like she has a new lease on life. Of course this makes us very happy. So she's not on her last legs (as of now.) After all, she was born in 1992. Or 93. Not sure which. I'll have to think about that. She's bounced back. Anyway, because of her age, the vet wants to see her in three months for another blood test, just to make sure she's still doing okay. He says we can always give her another shot or two. Sounds good to me.
Another good thing: She's rediscovered Paul's "recliner lap" and likes to nap with him.
I'm beginning to feel like the boy who cried wolf. I really thought she was going down hill so many times, and realistically so. I'm glad I was mistaken.

Feels like Saturday morning

I had a really really nice morning today.

Earlier in the week I got a call from my good friend, Ruth, from Bath. Our friend, Dianne J., was going to a family wedding at staying at a town near Bath.

Background: Dianne used to live in Bath and moved away at least 10 years ago. She and her husband live now in the Lancaster area with two of the four children they adopted when they were living here. Their others have grown and moved away. Their three natural born children are married and Dianne is a seven-time grandmother. Dianne, Ruth and I met when we all went to the Presbyterian Church. We got in the habit of having breakfast together every possible Saturday morning at the Chat a Whyle. This went on, without exaggeration, from 1980 until Dianne moved. Then Ruth and I continued the tradition until I married and moved away two years ago. Dianne would join us once a year more or less till recently, and now its been several years since we've seen each other.

We sat and talked for two hours in our old booth at the Chat. We even had our old waitress, Julie. Just catching up on news from all our families. I'd taken pictures of the house before I left this morning and shared them, plus other that they might enjoy seeing. Dianne has no access to computers, so I feel that we're really not able to keep up as well as if they did. That makes for much sadness. Sigh. But it was so good to see her.

Ella has completed her series of four weekly vitamin B-12 shots. This afternoon I take her to the vets for her blood test to see if they're helping her at all. She is seventeen. Nuf said. So you can see the problem. Yesterday morning we found she didn't keep her food down. She didn't even get up in the morning to greet Paul near her food dish. She just lifted her head and meowed at him and didn't move. This morning, she was in our room meowing and wanting to eat and has been looking better. Go figure.

I want you to know that after Cricket, my dog, was put to sleep, I didn't think I'd ever feel affection for a cat, as I did for a Cricket, but I do. I got her from the pound to keep Cricket company because I was at work all day. Little did I know that she'd get into my heart.

The third picture is of our "garden"...a pot with three tomato plants. They're doing quite well, thank you. The reason for the picture? Paul and I went to his daughter Sharon's house last night and saw her garden. Oh, my goodness. It looked so big. It was so big. More than four sections. So much food. As Paul said, Sharon has a lot of energy. Her garden must have had every possible vegetable type that grows in our zone. She had just processed some mulberry jam, and gave us some to take home. Afterwards, We walked around the outside of her house with her, and she pointed out plants from relatives, like "Grandma Wayland. " Plants that have history. Neat. We do too. Some have been planted, but most are still in the woods waiting to find a new home.

That's all for now folks.

Perfectly gorgeous morning

This morning was really great. One of those sparkly summer mornings. As I took my first sip of coffee, Paul suggested we go out for breakfast, so we went to the Sugar and Spice luncheonette in Horseheads. It's only open for breakfast and lunch. We'd been there before, and enjoyed their food and ambiance. It's kind of pretty outside. It looks like a bungalow, and inside there are tons of tables and booths. Surprisingly, most of them empty. Perhaps because it was a Tuesday?

Then we went to a garden center, called Valerie's Garden, way up in the "boondocks" on a winding country road. At this point in the summer, all the flowers are at their peak and the colors are magnificent. We had never been there before, and when we arrived (10:30ish), there wasn't anybody there. The sign near the lock box, said "No one here, so help yourself. We take cash or checks." How trusting. All the flowers were arranged in sections, annuals, perennials in natural gardens with trellises and very quiet, soft windchimes. Large trees let speckled sunlight on all the color below. They had a perennial garden that was magnificent. I wished I'd had my camera with me so I could have shown you all what it looked like. Valerie arrived, and we gave her a check for some beautiful pink lilies that we'll plant in the front between the trees on the side. She said that she only had a third as many flowers there now, since the peak time for buying them was just about over. Hard to believe with all the ones we'd seen.

No lunch today. Too much breakfast. Lunchtime is gone.
That's all folks.

A bonus: My legs were pretty good this morning. I hardly limped at all. I'm beginning to think they get progressively worse as the day progresses. That's good, I guess.

Monday morning

Something about me that's a little quirky - I love Mondays. I always have. Perhaps it's because I've always loved my job and enjoyed getting there and beginning a new week - fresh. Lots of people groan about Mondays, but not me. And now that I've retired, I'm still the same way. I love this new job.

Paul's beginning physical therapy at Schuyler Hospital this morning for his shoulders. They've been giving him aches and pains since before we left Florida. We all know how hard Paul works and how much he enjoys doing what he does. We're hoping this'll ease the soreness. If it doesn't, then the next step is a cortisone shot. He had to go in a little early to fill out first-visit paperwork...what else is new. We're constantly filling out paperwork for one thing or another. Of course the idea that he would rest is shoulders is something that could be pursued.

Ever since we moved here, I've wanted to get a poster bed frame for our king-size mattress. I had thought the bed, and thus the room, looked unfinished without it . Well, I found one in a JC Penney on-line catalog that was a very good price. I read the numerous good reviews for it, and decided since it was such a good price, I'd order it. I had back-ordered a bedspread on sale also from JC Penney's and it happened to arrive this past week. If we picked up the bedframe from JC Penney's, it would save us the shipping fee of $110. With our van, the pieces fit fine.

Paul put it all together last night and we put everything in place. Yes. He had sore shoulders even though I tried to help as much as I could. The directions said it could be put together in 30 minutes. Not so, if you have to take out an old bedframe. Take it apart. Store the old heavy quilt and pillow shams.

I feel all discombobulated

I can't seem to remember if it's Monday, Thursday or Friday. I know it's not Saturday, but it just doesn't feel right. I think it's because Paul and I are alone - after having company for sixteen days. Don't get me wrong. We enjoyed having everyone so much, but after having company, it feels very strange not to have others around.
Wouldn't you know...after having cool, damp weather for a good part of the time when our company was here, we're now having gorgeous weather - sunny, low humidity, temperature range - low 80's, high 70's.
So - yesterday we took Brenda and Emma up to Rochester to catch their 4:40 plane. It is a lot further to travel, about 2 hours or more. Oh, well. It's the only negative to living here, unless I also include not seeing my friends from Bath more often.
We left from the Harvest Grill, a luncheonette in Montour Falls, for our trip to Rochester. We met Lue, our friend Ruth Powers, and another friend, Dayle Schlusser for lunch. There were 14 of us all together! Greg and Noi left, while we were gone, for their trip to Florida. They planned on staying at some spots on the way down. Nee nee and Brenan requested "no more battlefields, please, dad." So I think they were going to visit some other historic towns in Virginia.
Before they left, and while we were gone, Noi cleaned the whole house. Both she and Brenda were such a big help when they were here,and for me to come home and find the house all cleaned...that made my day. They're both so good that way.

I have had several tests on my left leg, to see if we could get to the bottom of my weak leg. Friday I had X-rays taken, and a circulation test done. Today I had an open MRI. I have doctors' appointments (my general practioner, and an orthopedic man) in a couple of weeks to go over the details. I am now using a motorized cart to go around the food stores. I think soon I will be able to write a review. (like Consumers' Reports). They're all different, but all very helpful. Today in Wegmans, I had a little girl come up to me in the store and in a concerned voice said, "are you all right?" How sweet. I am alright, I just have trouble getting around and am going to get to the bottom of my left leg and knee pain, my right foot plantar fasciitis, and to a lesser extent right knee pain.

As I said before, it is a perfectly gorgeous day. Paul and I stopped at a nursery and I got a couple of big ceramic pots that I'm going to fill with marigolds, or other sunny flowers, as the pots are on our back deck, and that hardly ever gets shade!

I also have to take Ella for her fourth Vitamin B-12 shot. She's been given it weekly, and next week she'll have another blood test to see if they're working. She has been eating better, but with all the company - I think it's thrown her for a loop. She's ready for some quiet time, and she's getting it! So - four shots, four weeks, then the blood test. She's doing pretty well for a 17 year-old cat. And I'm doing pretty well for a 69 year old lady. The gal at the lab kept asking me questions, and my answers were no, no, no and more no. (Ex. High cholesterol, operations?, metal pins in body? etc.)

Guess that's all for now, folks. Gotta get Ella to the vets'.

Okay, a third blog for Fourth of July Weekend...

Thursday night, Lue came for dinner with us. Noi and Greg cooked chicken and pork satays. Just before she came, she got a telephone call that she knew was coming...her sister, Fran Moore, had passed away from a long illness and so that meant we began waiting for the schedule of funeral events in Montgomery, NY, a small town near Middletown - which is 3 1/2 hours down Route 17 towards the city. The schedule was - calling hours on Sunday from 5-8:00, and the Funeral Monday morning at 10 AM. During the weekend we all decided to drive down for the calling hours, and stay over night at a motel for the funeral on Monday. This was decided Friday evening, so plans were made. Of course, since there's a large contingent of people involved, there's always small problems that need to be overcome. Eric had taken Brenda and Emma's good clothes with him last week when he left for California. Neenee had actually forgotten hers in Florida and worn her mother's dress to graduation. Saturday was fourth of July. That meant Sunday morning they needed to go to the mall and get dresses, shoes. Unfortunately, the mall opens at 11 AM on Sundays. Being 10 minutes from the mall, was a BIG plus. So they all went, got back, and we started out a little later than expected, but got to Montgomery by 6. Took two cars, as Sharon also joined us. Lots of family again. Randy came in from Corning, Monday morning for the funeral mass, as did Dorothy, Jeff and Alaina from Rochester...which was 5 1/2 hours. There was a big party at Fran's old beautiful home with a huge back yard (volleyball court again) and picnic tables all around under the trees. Again - about 60-80 people. I am not as overwhelmed as I had been before. I now recognize faces, and am beginning to place names and families together. I didn't take pictures. Didn't think it appropriate. No one else did. We got home last night.

This morning Charles Sidle is getting braces, so Sharon dropped Lee and Ida off so they could play with their cousins. I think I'm caught up now on the news....

Pictures of Keuka Lake "Cottage"

These are pictures from a previous post that I didn't have time to get out. Vincent is opening a birthday present from Aunt Brenda. The toy is Junius P. Jones, a storybook character, from a book that Aunt Brenda got him for Christmas. Aunt Brenda is very thoughtful. Although the weather could have been better, the Molden family seemed to enjoy being with their friends and at Keuka Lake. Now they're home and beginning a "new chapter" including a new job at the university for Nancy, and Vincent in pre-school. I'm sure when Nancy has time, she'll let us all know about these happenings. She's very very busy which, of course, is a given.

Busy Days, Busy Nights - Fourth of July Weekend

I just read a comment from Nancy requesting a picture of my garden gnome. Thus the bottom picture. We had gotten a ceramic mushroom from Marcia and Hal, and Paul said we needed a gnome to go with the mushroom. He's reading to a rabbit, which is slightly hidden behind the mushroom. The rest were taken at Sharon and Dave Sidle's home on the fourth of July. Dave's 40th birthday on July 2nd was also celebrated. The Wayland family is much into volleyball

. and they played a marathon game for three plus hours - we'll have to consider getting a net when our lawn is able to handle feet all over it...like next year. (?) There were fireworks at the end which is a tradition that Dave's dad started years ago. They're really professionally done and lots of safety precautions are taken. Their yard is 2.5 acres - all mowed and level. Everyone sits on the deck or in front of it, and the fireworks are done by Dave and his father quite a distance away down on the lawn. Cars even stop to watch it. When the fireworks are done (around ten o'clock), it's time to "call it a day" and get the little ones (and old ones like us) in bed. We had a good crowd - 60 or so, family, church friends, neighbors. Everyone brought a dish to pass, so food was very plentiful.

Wanderers, Friday, July 3rd posted July 4th

As I mentioned in the last blog post, these Waylands know how to cram a lot into every minute. We have enjoyed having them here. They entertain themselves.
Yesterday, everyone was busy doing their own thing: It was Neenee's 12th birthday and her laptop computer gave up the ghost, so her family went to the mall and got her a new Dell laptop. An aside: everyone here has a laptop. With only one exception. Our dining room table is filled with laptops which everyone uses at one time. Or another. Or all together. Our (Paul's) laptop is in our bedroom for now, which is very handy - since our computer room is used as a bedroom for Brenda. Frankly, I don't see any reason to get my own, as I have this here, and one in Florida, and Paul's is always available.
Brenda and Emma took my car and went to Montour Falls to see Becky, an old friend, one whom she's kept in touch with, and is the daughter of an old friend of (Paul's) ours.
So - Paul and I were alone and able to go over to Keuka Lake. It should have taken 45 minutes or so...but took longer as we stopped to get cookies, for gas and traffic in Watkins Glen was awful due to the holiday weekend.
We went to see Nancy, Dan and Vincent at the "cottage" they rented for the past week with two other couples. I hated the idea that they were so close and we didn't see them and where they were staying.
The house itself was a very grand old meandering house, which was across the road from the lake. It had lake access and a beautiful front porch that overlooked it. The house had six bedrooms, part in a new wing - one for each couple, and one for each child. Vincent was the oldest at 3, the other two boys were 18 months and 10 months. Cute as buttons. The furnishings were modern/cottage. ex. folding tables and chairs for the dining room, kitchen. We had lunch with them and only stayed about an hour. Aunt Brenda had gotten Vincent a present, so he excitedly opened it before lunch. After lunch he went in for his nap. They had to pack and get ready to leave tomorrow (today) as Nancy starts her new position at the college on Monday. Vincent starts pre-school (half days for a couple of weeks). So after sitting on the front porch for a while, we left.
Going back home, we stopped at the Windmill which is a huge open/area/ enclosed four buildings that the Mennonites started years ago and has expanded to include little areas that people rent to sell crafts, goods. We were looking for a colorful ceramic garden gnome and found one. He's reading a book. After seeing that, in my mind he was the best one, and my retired reading-teacher label required we buy it. He has found a home out front by the ceramic mushroom that our friends Hal and Marcia got us and near the ceramic cat that Jane and Scott got me.
We also stopped at a nursery or two and got a dark purple lilac bush. Paul is so good to me. Whatever I think I'd like outside he gets for me. Lilac bush, daisies, hydrangea bush. After we get these things we think about where they should go. I think that's the wrong sequence of things. Shouldn't we be doing the opposite?
Last night we all went to a Thai restaurant in Ithaca, to celebrated Neenee's birthday with the rest of the family. This is also 45 minutes away, but in the opposite direction from Keuka Lake. The girl cousins and Brenda went with the Corning relatives and stayed overnight last night at their house. This was in celebration of another cousin birthday coming up. There were 16 of us. The children were old enough to order on their own, except Ida, (6) who sat next to Emma, who helped her order. It seems that Charlie Sidle, age 11, was the only one who ordered a hot spicy dinner. He ate the whole thing but ended up drinking more than 5 glasses of water. That must have made for an interesting trip home.
So long for now. Pictures on next post.

Thursday morning

The week is going by quickly. These Waylands know how to cram a lot into the amount of time they have! Below are obviously the guys out camping. Paul spent the day with them. And took the camera. The first picture is Brenan, whittling, then comes Uncle Greg with Lee, Charlie and Brenan in one of two rowboats, Greg & Eric preparing dinner, the tents. Jeff and D.J. also went up yesterday, but stayed overnight.

Sharon delayed going to work yesterday and she, Ida, Emma, Brenda, Noi and Neenee went cherry and strawberry picking early in the morning. I very willingly had a morning home alone: They used my car, Paul's was gone, the guys took Greg's car. It was a morning to do bills, wash, etc. When the gals got back, the counter was covered with cherries and strawberries over paper towels. I hear rumors of cherry pie and strawberry/rhubarb pie. Ida stayed the day and she, Neenee and Emma, had the pleasant experience of playing in the rain in garbage bags.

Story: once when Paul's kids were camping with their parents, it rained very hard for a long time. Lacking rain gear, Donna made "rain suits" out of garbage bags, cutting openings for heads and arms, and I guess the custom has continued with the next generation. Sure wish the camera had been available. It was raining/sun was out though - they were playing volleyball on the driveway. Little Ida even joined in - she threw the ball to the person who was "up".

Last night we ladies went to the Old Country Buffet for dinner, and then to Barnes and Nobles next door to browse through their books. I can't think of a nicer thing to do.

Eric left for Rochester Airport. Since it's kind of on the way home for Jeff, he is driving Eric up to the airport this afternoon for his trip back home to California.

I received a message from both my daughter-in-law, Epril, and son, Jil, in the Phillipines. Good to hear from them. It is nice to hear from people, as then I know my blog is being read.