Remember This ALWAYS

When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. ~Maya Angelou Remember this because it will happen many times in your life. When people show you who they are the first time believe them. Not the 29th. time. When a man doesn't call you back the first time, when you are mistreated the first time, when someone shows you lack of integrity or dishonesty the first time, know that this will be followed many many other times, that will some point in life come back to haunt or hurt you. Live your life in truth. Don't pretend to be someone your not. You will survive anything if you live your life from the point of view of truth. (Oprah)

Super Foods

I've been working hard to remove chemicals and junk food from my life. I started a reduction in chemicals that I use in personal hygiene a couple of months ago. Sometimes I just don't like what I should. I have never been a fan of Green tea even though I realize that it is listed as one of the super foods that are very good for us. If everything good for us tasted like bacon I would be very healthy! I recently read this article about green tea that I thought I would share.

Twig Tea We've all heard about the benefits of green tea; out of all teas, it has the highest content of polyphenols, which are chemicals with potent antioxidant properties (believed to be even greater than those of vitamin C). But while green tea is made solely from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, twig tea—sometimes called kukicha twig tea—is made from (you guessed it) the twigs. Roasting them yields a smoky flavor and aroma that might be just the ticket for those who find regular green tea too astringent. All the goodness of green tea is still present, though. One more perk: Twig tea contains 90 percent less caffeine than regular brewed coffee (green tea contains about 60 percent less). Drink it hot or iced, or brew a cup and add it to soup broth for added enrichment.

Coupons anyone?

Followed a link on Money Saving Mom to this article: which says that highly educated people making over $100,000 use coupons more often than lower income people. Why would that be? Could it be that they have more time or better resources to handle other responsibilities so that they have more time to clip coupons? I was a religious user of coupons until starting my job. Now I find other ways to save.

The Open Road Always Calls Me.

One of the most difficult things about going back to working for someone else is the restrictions on my time. I can't just take off on a road trip like I could before.

I still have a strong desire to someday RV as a lifestyle. I don't know if we will ever be able to afford it but I can dream about it. Meanwhile I live vicariously through the blogs of people who have managed to pull it off, hoping to pick up a few tips or ideas that might help me be better prepared to step into the lifestyle if and when the opportunity arrives.

I've noticed that many women are now traveling alone. That is encouraging to me because I think this may be more my dream than my husband's. I hope the time comes for us to do this together but I don't want to give up the dream if it doesn't.

Here are a few blogs that I've started reading that I enjoy: First is a new RV traveler Just Me and My Dog. She has been on the road since June of this year. Then there is Life On The Open Road. Diana has been a full timer for 10 years. Then there is a Southern girl, Susan at Beach Bummz.

I can spend hours reading about their adventures and following links off of their blogs. Sigh....maybe someday I can join them and write about my own adventurous journeys.

Pepper Is In Love

With the swing.

When God Opens A Door I Say Walk Through It.

Finding a job came out of the blue sky like lightening before a storm. It has been like a storm because things around here have changed and have been blown in new directions. What started out as a part time job very quickly became full time and is now possibly going to take another turn into something with much heavier responsibilities.

All this means just one thing here, and that is that I just don't have the time to keep this blog up and running right now. I don't think this will be a great loss to anyone except maybe my mom.

When I have time to post here I will.

It has been fun and I have enjoyed making a few friends here. Life is strange and the seasons of it change quickly. Maybe I'll be back someday or maybe not. I don't know right now. God bless and keep all of you and may you receive blessings abundantly from him.

With much love,

Picture: Doorway in Cataloochee Cove home taken by Carrie J. 2009

Barbeque Baked Beans

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. We went to a cookout at a friend's house. Good food and good friends make for a wonderfull afternoon!

I signed up to bring the baked beans. I thought that I would share the recipe. There will be plenty more opportunities this summer to use this recipe. I will admit that I don't make my everyday baked beans as rich as these are. This is my "party hearty" recipe.

A long time ago I decided that the short cut of using canned pork and beans as a base for these worked just fine. It cuts down on the work and time.

Barbeque Baked Beans

1 2lb can pork and beans. I use whatever is the cheapest. When I'm cooking for a big crowd I use the 7 lb can of Showboat beans and increase the other ingredients accordingly.

1 cup brown sugar ( more or less to taste. More in my case! )

1 cup ketchup

1-2 tablespoons mustard

1 onion chopped

optional: bacon, at least 3 pieces, fried and chopped, or pieces of ham.

molasses, to drizzle over the top. I have used maple syrup with very good results.

Mix all ingredients, except molasses. Place in a pan, drizzle molasses over the top and bake 325 degrees for 1 and 1/2 - 2 hours. I usually cook mine in a 9x13 glass or metal pan which I have lined with foil to make the clean up easier.

I haven't met anybody yet who doesn't love these beans. They taste like you put lots of effort into them but they are really very easy.

New Roads. Changing Attitudes.

My part time job has turned into a full time position. Starting last week I'm full time working 3:30pm-Midnight. I'm still working in our family business as well. My husband and son make most of our signs and I do the finishing work.

Getting back to working in an office has been interesting. I'd dreaded the office drama that always seems to be going on. It doesn't matter if you work for the best company in the world, there is always at least one, and usually more, person that just can't help but cause a little drama.

I've heard the typical "Just between you and me..." statements. I'm pretty good at tuning those out. I like to know who I can trust and who is trouble, but I want to find that out for myself. I don't like gossip and won't believe anything until I see it for myself.

When I was younger I always got betrayed or used because I trusted everyone much too quickly. That is one great thing that aging does for you; if you pay attention you can learn to read people and prevent a lot of personal disappointment.

But sometimes you just don't see it coming. Sometimes the people are so good at it that you would never believe that they would ever take a swipe at you.

Sigh...maybe I'm not as good at reading people as I thought I was.

To my credit, I did kind of have a suspicion, but I didn't want to believe it. Today I found out. During a meeting a lady who has treated me wonderfully since I have been here hit me with a left jab. I had forgotten to do something that I am supposed to do. Something that is important, but not earth shaking. But even so, I should have remembered.

She had seen it a few days ago but waited until she got in the meeting with our supervisor until she bothered to point it out. I guess to make herself look good to our supervisor. I think it is because our supervisor was praising some of my ideas earlier this week and I think it may have made her feel a little threatened. I don't know.

Twenty years ago I would have been very upset by it all. I'm surprised by the fact that all I feel is sorry for her. I'm sorry that she has so much fear that she would find comfort at another's expense and such a need to build her own self up.

I have to examine my own work, not in respect to what she has to say, or even my supervisor, but how I feel about it. The only person that I can blame is myself if things don't meet the standards that I set for myself. No one can make me a failure. Only I can do that.

Tennessee road nighttime and in the rain

The Times, They Are A Changing.

This week I went on my first job interview since 1984. I got the job! It is a part time job as a receptionist and doing paperwork for an Senior citizen home care provider/assisted living facility.

It feels good to get back out into the "real" working world again. I've worked for myself for the past 25 years, and will continue to work in our business during the week.

The biggest challenge right now is to find a frugal way to build a professional wardrobe. Working at home and doing the type of work we do, my wardrobe consist of mainly blue jeans and tee shirts.

I've managed to find quite a few items on clearance at stores like Catos and have enough to get started with a basic mix and match black based wardrobe.

I haven't been around here much because we have been busy with so many things. My daughter has been here for 2 months. She leaves tomorrow.

My son was injured (dislocated knee, torn ligaments) while moving out of state and it has been very stressful for us to figure out how we can best help him. He is over 14 hours driving time from here and flying back and forth is out of the question. He is an adult and capable of handling most of the details himself but needs help getting around and finishing his move. I'm waiting for the details about his surgery to be finalized.

One thing is for certain: Life is always going to be a challenge. Sometimes it is very difficult to find something to be grateful for in the middle of the chaos. But it truly makes all the difference between living life or just merely existing and enduring to the end.

Pic: Roses in a small bowl. Special effects done in Photoscape.

What I Found Surfing: The Right Way To Package Bake Sale Goodies!

Take a look at the FANTASTIC packaging that Lisa at Celebrating Creativity did on Banana bread for a bake sale. I would want to buy them all if I had been there. Lisa's blog is a really fun place full of great ideas. Tell her Carrie sent you.

Pic: Property of Lisa at Celebrating Creativity

Economic Times

"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the small men by tearing down the big men.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling down the wage payer.

You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.

You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves"

attributed to Abraham Lincoln

Pic: Small town America. Hot Springs, NC.

I'm Still Here

I'm still around, barely. I've been battling bronchitis for a few weeks now. I think I'm almost over it. My daughter is here for a couple of months before she starts her summer job. We went out of town for a few days at Easter. We have been having some repairs done to our house and I've been trying to finish some projects around here.

I haven't completely abandoned blogs. I try to check on the regulars as often as possible.

Here is a link to a wonderful post from Crafty Crow. She has links to some wonderful recycling projects that would keep the kids busy for hours. Hmmm....and maybe the adults too!

Pic: Navarre Beach Easter 2009, It was rainy and windy. I loved it.

What I Saw: Spring Blossoms

What I Found Surfing: One Semester Spanish Love Song

We are in the middle of a Spanish course at our house. It has been a struggle. I found this video that just cracked me up and thought I would share it.

What I Found Surfing: Online Pedometer

Keep track of your miles as you walk across your state, or across America; and keep track of how many calories you burn

Picture: The road home on a foggy evening.

Recipes: Camp Stew and Country Eggplant Casserole

I've been very scarce around here lately. I think I needed a break from blogging. But I'm back for now and I thought I would share a couple of recipes. They are simple to prepare and some of our favorites; just plain and simple down-home cooking.

Randy and I had lunch with his mother many years ago and she served this dish. We both loved it and she was gracious enough to share the recipe with me. Delicious.

Eggplant: Country Supper Style

1 medium or large eggplant, pared and cubed

butter or oil

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1 large can diced tomatoes

1 Tablespoon finely chopped parsley

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Bread crumbs

Grated Cheese

Saute eggplant in butter (preferred) or oil for around 5 minutes or until it begins to look transparent.

Pour the eggplant into a buttered 9X13 casserole dish.

Saute onion in 2 tablespoons butter until it begins to turn yellow, add can diced tomatoes, parsley, sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Sir and let come to a boil Pour over eggplant. Top with crumbs, dot with butter, and sprinkle cheese over all.

Bake 350 for 35 minutes or until bubbly.

Good served with a salad in the summer or with rolls or cornbread in the winter but either way, you need a gallon or so of Sweet Tea. Hmmmm...good.

Another favorite is Camp Stew. It is a dish that I believe originated in the south.

When I was growing up some of the churches in our area would sell Camp Stew as a fund raiser.

Brunswick Stew is a name I have heard used interchangeably but there are some differences. I think the main difference may be the addition of butter beans (Baby Limas) in some cases barbecue sauce is used instead of catsup.

The original recipes that I have found included such meats as rabbit, squirrel or even bear. Even though the recipe calls for beef and chicken.

I have substituted ground pork,turkey and even vegetarian meat substitutes. All have been well received. It is also just as good with only one type of meat instead of two.

We eat this several times a month during the winter. It is best served with a pan of hot cornbread.

Crock Pot Camp Stew

1 lb. ground beef

1 c. boiled or baked chicken, chopped.

1 medium chopped onion

2 cans cream style corn. ( I often just substitute a bag of frozen corn)

2 cans tomatoes, diced

1 can Baby Lima beans, optional

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 cup catsup

1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional

Brown and drain ground meat. Put everything in crock pot.

Stir and cook : High for 3 hours or Low for 6 hours

Use It Up.....And Make Something New

I love the unique. I love something recycled to be useful. I love originality. I absolutely love this dress made out of the selvedges of fabric!

Jodie at Ric Rac makes the most awesome things out of the selvedges of fabric. She has a whole array of projects she has made. Wonderful inspiration for thinking outside the box when we attempt any project.

If you are looking for a new project, or just some inspiration to get started, Ellen at The Long Thread has put up a wonderful list of the top 100 tutorials of 2008 to help inspire you in 2009.

Photo property of Jodi at Ric Rac.

What I Saw: Monday Morning

Woke up to this. Wind blowing. Snow flying. Mr. Weatherman, I want a refund on that forecast.

Sunday Musings: Life Outside Our Own

I have nothing profound to say these days. Most days are filled with the mundane minutia that makes up our lives. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and let myself start to think "poor me".

When I get that way, and if I'm lucky enough, someone will say something, or I will read something, that makes me hang my head realize how totally embarrassed I should be for being so ungrateful for the life I have. How very lucky I am to get up everyday and have things that I need to do, things that I do with very little effort on my part and no real discomfort.

Through Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer I got lucky. , She shared the story of Alicia at Posy Gets Cozy and the story of a horrific accident that she endured and the lessons she learned while she recovered:

"I had a vision about the world when I was there. It came to me one night as if a little door opened and I looked through and eavesdropped on the truth. I saw that the world was constantly falling apart, it was always in a state of little things always falling apart, and then there were these brigades of individual human angels, with kind eyes, apples and stitches, repairing, fixing, mending, patting, bandaging the wounds of the world, and putting it back together, piece by tiny piece."

The rest of her account can be read here.

What I Saw: How To Cross A Creek

We have been in North Carolina on a business trip. Near Hot Springs I saw this cabin and an ingenious way that they have created to cross the creek to their house. They park near where I took this picture and board this little cart to cross over to where their house is located.

It was extremely cold yesterday and this morning. The wind was the problem. It was blowing incredibly hard and since we were around 4000 elevation it was much colder than the valley we live in. I was not quite prepared for how cold it would be. We went up to Blowing Rock attraction for just a few minutes this morning and after only about 10 minutes I felt like the ends of my fingers were frozen!

This is a picture of a mill near Banner Elk, just over the state line, in a little place called Trade.

I know these pictures are nothing compared to what others in the country have been dealing with this winter so far. I hate when we get ice in Tennessee. We don't get much and no one seems ready when we do.