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Drawing on 2-25-09

Miss Comanche County Pageant

I had the pleasure of attending my first local beauty pageant. I was not sure as to how it would go. And I was nicely surprised.
There were girls there from all economic classes and all different shape and sizes. It was refreshing to see the typical pageant teen next to the "cowgirl" teen. Or the tall thin girl next to the heavier shorter one. And that they all were running around the area with smiles and floating on air.

I was there to support several young ladies. My great niece who won a crown, sash and trophy for high ticket sales. She was happy to have won anything at all. Also a neighborhood girl who came in 2nd runner up in her class. To see her smile and shining eyes as she had her photo taken by family and friends. Also a friends niece who also had a participation trophy float around the auditorium knowing she was a winner with so many people rooting for her.

There was trouble with the sound system and some of the special effects. I enjoyed seeing the past years queens take their final walks and to be hugged by parents bearing smiles and tears. It was a blast to feel all the excitement as friends yelled, screamed and whistled as they rooted for the favorite in their group. And it was even enjoyable to hang out at the local ice cream shop watching all these lil girls decked out in gowns and rhinestones eating sundaes.

It Started off Small?

Today is my Aunt's birthday. Tomorrow is a good friends day too. And of course there is Valentine's day coming up. So my mind is thinking about parties on the frugal end.
How to celebrate Kids Birthday Ideas or Valentine's Day Dinner or even the NO Day Party! (This was one of my mom-in-laws things, a "no day" gift. I loved them).

So what would be my idea of a good frugal party that would work? Well it would have to be pot luck for the food cost to be low. How about a bring a gift to the party to help someone else out? Like everyone brings something to donate to the local hospital children's unit or teddy bears for police and ambulance to give to scared lil ones. (Sounds good there)

Ok so we have a cause and food to eat. Decorations would be next. Of course if it is nice an outside party seems to work best. No constraints on moving around and having space for people to congregate. But wouldn't a block party be neater? Oh lets go grand and have a city wide party at the park. All be willing to do different cookouts on that day. Park be open to all and have plenty of places for the kiddos to run and play too. I bet local churches and singing groups would help with entertainment and drink stands. Hummm, this idea is growing.

Party for the town to help the kids. That seems to be a ticket there. Time for me to place this thinking cap in a few more hands. I am off to call the Chamber of Commerce and get to work.......will let you know when the party is!

Who Am I?

I read a blog the other day that was saying how our surroundings detailed who we were. Well I can't disagree with that.
But
It got me to thinking more about what is around me.
And more important why.
I know I surround myself with those things that I love the most.

I am sure that is true of the majority of people.

So here is who I am but what is around me.

One I am home all the time.
I do not work elsewhere and go out rarely.

So the best thing of each day is this!

My DH coming home from work.
He works two jobs and most of the time 7 days a week.
I get very little time with him.
So the time he is home is precious to me.
He always kisses me good bye and hello.
Never fails to tell me he loves me every time we talk.
Weather it be on the phone or just from running an errand and back.

Next is my greatest joy in my life.

CG is the soul of my soul!
She is what has been my focus for 21 years and will continue for the rest of my life.
I could not ask for a better daughter.
CG is always there for me.
Loving me, laughing me (and at) me and sharing in the good and bad.
She has been my reason for living and my goal for growing.
I adore her and will always be her #1 fan.

Then I have some amazing friends across the street.

The ever active boy who reminds me of Alfred E. Newman of Mad Magazine.
He is about as mischievous.

The cutie pie of the bunch.
She is a fellow bibliophile. (look it up)
And her effervescence lights up a room.

And of course,

NESSA
My good friend, partner in crime and fellow blogger!
I simply adore this woman.

Their home that I see every day from my front porch and windows.
I love all the rock work around it.

And my home sweet home!

This is our lil country abode.
It is almost 100 years old and may be broken down to most.
But I love the large front porch, 9 foot ceilings and the "at home" feeling it has.

This is where we hang out and have coffee, wine and chat about this and that.

Now for the inside.
I wish I could say it was as fancy as my favorite Tea Set.
It was a Christmas gift that I treasure.
It has the grace that I have always felt inside that I believe has never shown on the outside.

On my dresser has some of the couple figures that me and DH collect.
And my favorite book of Cinderella?
My DH is my Prince Charming.
And we collect these couple figures to celebrate that a couple we are now and always.

Here is my view from kitchen window.

I adore seeing the horsey swing that my granddaughter and CG's sissy loves to play on.
And my lil knick knacks that only I could explain why they mean anything.

Coffee Central is my favorite part of my kitchen.
I adore, love and worship my coffee.
Sweet and light with all kinds of flavors.

I also love natural sunlight in my home.

And the beautiful plants my Mom grows ever so well.
I do not have the green thumb.
She tends to them and enjoys seeing them thrive and bloom.
Can you believe these are looking so good in January?

Okay, I collect stuff.
Mostly oldish? (is that a word)
This is my dining room wall.

Knick Knacks all around.
Old bottles, cookie jars and just a general "country at grandma's" feel.

And most of all.
You see this in my home.
Everywhere (if you noticed)

Photos!
Of my family, friends and loved ones.
Old and new.
Young and young at heart.
I surround myself with pictures of those that I adore.
Who adore me.
And who came before.

So who am I?

A family oriented woman.
A wife and mother.
A friend.
A heart that sings inside and is quiet on the outside?
A down to earth person.

What is your opinion?

Comanche Stew

This last week we had visitors to our lil country town. I was quite impressed by this group of people. They were the Texas Chapter of the American EX POW's. And they choose our community to have their Mid Winter Convention. Since my DH is commander of the local AmVets Post 43 we were invited to visit with these folks. You would expect some crusty ol' men to tell "war" stories. Wrong! We had the largest group of grandpa's and grandma's I have got to visit with. The worst war story was why Ms. Ruby had to give up her car due to an accident.

I have been a long time fan of senior citizen centers. I feel I just fit in there better than I should. Love to hold the hand of a friend and share the day to day lives they have lived. And you never have to worry about how to do something. They have all the remedies. Well this bunch was no different. Seeing the bright eyes that shine out love. To know this group had went through some of the worst times in life and they came out with so much love. It was a testimony to the human spirit.

We had a lovely lunch hosted by our local chamber of commerce. And they made a stew that just melted in your mouth. Even handed out recipe cards with it on there. I asked and they said I could share it with all of y'all. So you know I am! Enjoy!


Comanche Stew

1 fat hen 4 to 5 lbs
2 lbs beef stew meat
1/2 lb of salt pork
1/4 lb butter (please not Crisco or margarine)
1 large or 2 small cans of tomatoes (I used 3 large diced fresh tomatoes myself)
1 1/2 lb 'tators diced up
1 can of corn
1 can of sweet peas

Cut the chicken and beef into small pieces and put in a pot or cooker with plenty of water (or other suitable liquid) and cook til tender. Keep plenty of water in there. Add remaining ingredients. Stir and cook slowly til meat becomes pieces and falls off bones. Season with salt and black and red pepper. (also remove bones from stew if any) Serve with plenty of crackers, bread, rolls and creamy butter.

In the early 1900's when everyone traveled to the reunion by horse and buggy, this stew was served for supper on a Saturday evening. An older recipe called for 2 rabbits and 3 squirrels. It was prepared in a cast iron wash pot over the open fire. The Sunday meal would consist of bar-b-que beef or goat.

This was submitted by William Cunningham to the
Comanche Chamber of Commerce.

It's My SITS Day

1st I would like to ask you to visit my
100 item give away blog!
Thank you.

Okay I am sitting down after having hyperventilating from the wonder of it all.
I am trembling with excitement of being listed as the SITS blogger of the day! WOOT!
Can you believe it?
I can hardly contain myself.
Make sure you enter my 100 item give away blog.
And look around and see some of what I have here and who I follow.
Great group of ladies.
There is Nessa, Rhea, Annie, Melody, Nea, Mer, Mandy, Jewel, Janine and of course the SITS blog.

Well fellow SITS-ers I wanted to share a funny in my lil town of 2 miles by 2 miles. Not a big place but lots can happen in these lil towns.



This afternoon I was pulling onto the east end of town when I witnessed the most funniest thing I have ever seen. The Animal control officer was chasing a little black dog down the street with his lights flashing. Another city worker was behind him and every time the dog catcher would try to run that poor little dog up on the curb the other city worker would try and cut him off! I saw people standing in their yards shaking their heads in amazement! Came close to seeing two wrecks! Lucky no one was hurt. They chased that dog all the way down to the South side of town! Lights still flashing! I thought to myself does that little dog even know that he is fleeing from an officer does he even care? Poor dog was either scared or thinking "wow new playmates!"



I believe that if he had gotten out of the truck and called the dog it may have come to him! It was so funny! I kept looking for TV Cameras. I thought surely if Disney was shooting a movie here we would have read it in the paper! Dog in question crossed the highway, dashed across the parking lot between us and the car wash with the Animal Control truck hot on his heels. As the truck had lights flashing and was in "hot pursuit". You would think that they were herding cows or something. I think they need to give the dog catcher a scooter like the one advertised on Mall Cop only equipped with a fishing net so he can just scoop him up! Or just give the job to the wicked witch of the west you know the one with the bike with a basket on the back! "I'll Get You My Little Pretty! And Your Little Dog Too!"



The most hilarious part was when the dog catcher almost wiped out a chicken standing in the road! Wasn't the chickens time to go obviously. Too funny! I suspect he may go back tomorrow and get that chicken if he didn't die from heart failure and ended up on someones dinner table!! He was hell bent on catching that dog! Are you ready for the funniest part? The last time I saw the dog and the dog catcher and the other city worker they were headed down toward the square! By this time they were putting in some overtime. Funny thing, about half an hour later I went to the bank for change and saw the same dog hoofing it back without the Animal Control truck anywhere in sight. Guess "head 'em off at the pass" only works in old Western movies!! I don't know the outcome but that little dog was kicking up some dust I tell you!




But on a more serious note...It was a miracle the little fella didn't get run over crossing the highway! I don't know if that is standard procedure or not but it seemed sort of senseless. Sounds like they were just exercising the dog. Maybe it's a daily ritual. But I am rooting for the dog! Anyway just thought I would share!

POW WOW & DAY BY DAY

This weekend has been quite eventful. It started with family game night that we have every Friday night. I made 6 home made pizzas. And with making them myself they came out to $7.00 per pizza. And lots and lots of toppings. Then we had our annual Pow-Wow weekend here in Comanche Texas. It is our version of a craft fair. A good way for many local charities to raise money and for us to get out and have loads of fun. Antique car shows, Indian dancing, Wild West shootouts and tons and tons of food. While listening to bands playing, people talking and squealing kids, I proceeded to eat my way through the Pow-Wow. Had mapped out plans even for this is a two day event. So I can eat for two days and get all the goodies. And yes I mean goodies. Cajun Shrimp Kabobs, hot roasted buttered corn on the cob, bar-b-que, tamales, turkey legs, funnel cakes and even deep fried Twinkies. Talk about a gastric smorgasbord. And of course I can purchase my home made soaps from my fav soap maker, sterling silver jewelry for my daughter and even my mom in laws birthday present. You top this off with a musical at the local college and I was set. My daughter was doing the lighting crew for GodSpell. So Saturday night me and my neighbor (and good blogger) Nessa went for a evening out on the town. Seeing those college kids with all that energy got me all reved up. Music always makes me so happy. And the life these kids breath into the atmosphere is like a pulse you have to join in on. We did not make it home and in bed before 2 am. But I was up bright and early Sunday morning so I did not miss out on a bit of Pow-Wow. Of course I was helping my in-laws set up booths for there Catholic Church so that was my ticket in. We picked up my daughter the night before so we pal'd around for a good portion of the morning. Then picked up her lil sis who is 2 yrs old and some neighborhood kids and went back to listen to the high school band. Finally dragged home around 6 pm and still had energy to have a feast of left overs with the neighbors. Her daughter said it was like a fun Thanksgiving. I did not know that pizza, tamales, turkey legs and lemon bars was a feast. But the environment at the table sure made it so. A wonderful weekend. Now where was that Peptol-Bismal?