Nostalgia

I loved TV as a child! Here are some of the shows that I remember. You may be too young to have had the opportunity to watch these weekly shows, but they bridge the gap of time for me. See how many you can name and if you're too young... ask your parents!

1. The 64,000 Question

2. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

3. Lassie

4. Our Miss Brooks

5. Father Knows Best

6. The Ozzie and Harriet Show

7. The Lone Ranger
8. The Perry Mason Show

9. Leave it to Beaver

10. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
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My favorite show was "The Mickey Mouse Club"!! When my dad was out of town I would eat my dinner on a TV tray in front of the show. I sang all of the songs with them and did a few of the dances. I loved the 'Spin and Marty' movies and was a fan of Annette Funnicello.

How about you?? What was your favorite TV show when you were young??

Can't wait to hear!

Make this a great day!
Joni

Von Trapped in Vienna!

Boyd's sister and brother-in-law are "Von Trapped in Vienna". The European air traffic is in such a mess due to the clouds of debris from the Icelandic volcano. Mary and John were due home today... they live in Madison... but they finally have a confirmation for a flight on Thursday. They've been there for a much-needed vacation after Boyd's death and Mary's caring for her brother Dana who has cancer.

Sounds like an adventure to have an extended stay in Austria but "the Euros are running out", said Mary. They've been there for 1o days.

I miss you two and hope you get home 'sooner than later'. Mary stays with me about once a week and I miss our conversations. Otter loves her! Now, here's a thought for you... If you had to get stranded someplace in the world, where would you choose?

I'd choose the Provence area of France! So relaxing, smells like lavender, and I'd shop for their wonderful fabrics and eat their fantastic fresh veggies, bread & cheese with lots of olive oil.

How about you??

Make this a great day!

Joni

Dreams

I have always wanted a white picket fence... always! When I was little and I drew pictures of houses with my crayons, they always had a white picket fence around them. Boyd's unexpected death taught me that there might not be a tomorrow... do it today! So yesterday I sat down with a contractor, Bob Christiansen (his company is called DREAM WORKS... isn't that appropriate!) and he measured and we sketched. An my dream picket fence will be built... picket by picket... in a week or too! Otter will have his own little yard to prance and play in. The photo below is random off the Internet but it's how I envision my "cottage look"... with my cottage house.
This is my new Springtime bedding (Pottery Barn). The sheets have lovely lace edging and the comforter is made of voile... soooo soft. Otter loves it but I haven't been able to get a picture of him in it yet... but I will!!

Also from Pottery Barn... I bought a mixture of spring floral pillows to scatter on my red couch in the den and the blue couches in the living room. They've added a fun Spring cottage look and feeling in here.

Our tulips are almost ready to bloom... yea! How about yours!

Off to have my taxes done. Yes, I know it's almost the 15th... what can I say?

Make this a great day!

Hugs to you all...

Joni

YUMMERS!

This is a great cookbook brimming over with vegetarian yummy recipes. I bought it years ago because it has such a gosh darn cute cover! I love all of Mollie Katzen's cookbooks (the Moosewood series)! This is the Spanish Rice recipe from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest. I made it yesterday and it was REALLY yummy! It's a one pot dish and is fairly quick to make despite that the brown Rice takes longer to cook.

1 1/2 Cups chopped onion

2 large cloves crushed garlic

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

1/2 tsp salt (I use Sea Salt)

1 3/4 cups raw brown rice

2 chopped green bell peppers

1/2 tsp each: oregano and basil
freshly ground black pepper

&

Tabasco sauce to taste

2 1/4 cups tomato juice

2 small fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green olives

freshly chopped parsley

1 packed cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Saute onions and garlic in olive oil with salt.

2. Add raw rice, green peppers, and spices. Saute over medium hat another 5-8 minutes.

3. Add tomato juice. Bring to boil. Turn heat way down, cover, and let simmer 15 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes and olives. Stir, cover and continue simmering until rice has absorbed all liquid. Remove from heat.

5. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in most of the cheese. Garnish with the chopped parsley and remaining cheese.

Great leftovers!!

Otter sat on the kitchen rug and watched me cook. Poor guy... he didn't even get a taste! I haven't ever given him any 'people food' and I don't want to start.

I'll probably eat those words one day!

Make this a great day!

Hugs to you all!

Joni


PS...

This is what we woke to this morning!