Sunday, April 29, 2018

Sunday Lunch at Pamendis Italian Grill


SUNDAY LUNCH at PAMENDIS ITALIAN GRILL 

Very warm atmosphere and family oriented. Make sure you are hungry because the portions are large.


This is the Loganville location and the owner has another restaurant called BiBi's Italian Grill which is located in Lawrenceville, GA. Again, great food!

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Orange Dreamsicle Pound Cake

This recipe is borrowed from Amy at Positively Splendid 

Orange Dreamsicle Pound Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 Large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 teaspoons orange zest (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest (divided)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange or lemon juice
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 4 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°. Cream butter and shortening together at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
Step 2
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in 2 teaspoons orange zest, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/4 cup fresh orange or lemon juice. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan.
Step 3
Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely.
Step 4
For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, 4 teaspoons orange juice, vanilla, and remaining 2 teaspoons orange zest and 1 teaspoon lemon zest until smooth. If necessary, add more orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until the glaze is a pouring consistency. Spoon over cake. Garnish with orange slices and powdered sugar, if desired.

Very Yummy!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Ruby Red Throat



About the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

The male Ruby-throated hummingbird does indeed have a striking red throat, though the female of the species does not. 
Flight Capabilities
You would have to look quickly to see either, however, as these speedy little birds can beat their wings 53 times a second and fly in an acrobatic style matched by few other birds. They hover often, and also fly upside down and backwards. These hummingbirds have extremely short legs, so they cannot walk or even hop with any efficiency.  

Habitat and Diet
Ruby-throated hummingbirds live in woodland areas, but also frequent gardens where flowering plants are plentiful. They hover to feed on flowers, nectar, and sap. During this floral feeding process, the birds pollinate many plants.
These tiny birds are omnivores, sometimes feeding on insects and spiders. An adult Ruby-throated hummingbird may eat twice its body weight in food each day, which it burns up with the high metabolism necessary to sustain its rapid wing beat and energetic movements.
Reproduction
This hummingbird breeds in eastern North America and is the only hummingbird species to do so. Males establish a territory and court females who enter it with flying and diving behaviors, and by showing off their red throat plumage. Females provide all care for young hummingbirds. They lay one to three eggs, incubate them for about two weeks, and, after hatching, feed their young for about three weeks. A female may have several broods in a year. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are largely solitary outside of the breeding season.

Migration
Ruby-throated hummingbirds winter in Mexico and Central America. To get there from their North American breeding grounds some birds embark on a marathon, nonstop flight across the Gulf of Mexico. They may double their weight in preparation for this grueling journey.

Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark 




Sunday, April 22, 2018

Saturday Family Fun Time

Family Fun Time
Saturday for us was a ride to the North Georgia Mountains and having lunch at "Bigun's BBQ". It is located on 575 north of Jasper Ga. BBQ of all kinds and great southen vegetables and can't forget the Banana pudding.
It was a beautiful day for the ride and some extra sites to see. We made a stop at Pool's Mill Park in Forsyth County Ga. off Hwy 369.
While at the park we also walked down to the covered bridge which is part of the park with much history to take in. As you cross the bridge there is a neat slide down the rocks in the water. Just a great place for the whole family, picnics, family reunions, and a beautiful place for weddings as we witnessed yesterday on our visit.



A great playground for the little ones. Our granddaughter loved it.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Coupon for the Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival #garenfest #fieldtrip18



Every weekend and Memorial Day, April 14 thru June 3, 2018 The 33rd Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival is a family-friendly event, and a different kind of theme park. Inside this 32-acre recreation of a 16th Century English Village you'll find hundreds of costumed characters, the Queen and her Court, endless circus-style entertainment on 10 stages, shopping in over 130 artisan shoppes, food fit for Royalty, games and rides for kids of all ages, and the spectacular Jousting Knights on horseback. Patrons are invited to wear costumes and join in the fun too. It's a whole lotta' fun, and a little bit of History, every weekend and Memorial Day, April 14 thru June 3, 2018.












My Readers Receive 25% off General Admission to the Georgia Renaissance Festival! 
Use Promo Code: "Castle" at www.garenfest.com

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Meniere's Disease

 Knowledge is Critical when dealing with a life-altering condition such as Meniere's Disease

I experienced vertigo in my 20's and was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. I had a friend who was very concerned and did not know what the disease was. Most people have no idea until it becomes a chronic condition and they experience it themselves. I have been told many stories about the disease from different people. My experience usually comes in the Spring or Summer during the allergy season and can also come about with stress and barometric pressure.

If you have suffered from an inner ear infection, you know how debilitating it can be, and Meniere's Disease is no different. Meniere's Disease affects the inner ear and causes bouts of vertigo due to fluid that fills the tubes of your inner ear. Most suffer from dizziness and nausea which can also cause some loss of hearing in one or both ears and a constant ringing sound. The disease sometimes may cause you to have days that you are unable to drive, or do other types of daily activities. This is a chronic condition that varies greatly from person to person. Unfortunately the disease in not curable, but there are many treatment options that will help managing the disease. You should be able to find support groups in your area.


Meniere's Disease requires a medical diagnosis.
Symptoms include a spinning sensation (vertigo), hearing loss, ear ringing (tinnitus), and ear pressure.The vertigo may cause nausea as well as imbalance. Hearing loss may become permanent.


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Memories with Grandchildren


 Grandchildren are such a blessing. This is three of our granddaughters art work from grammar school; from Hannah, now 15, Rebekah, now 13 and Kamryn, 11. Memories for a life time. All children are priceless. The key to my heart is my children and grandchildren..




Monday, April 9, 2018

It's Monday Again

It's Monday again and I hope that everyone has a peaceful day. It's a very overcast misty day here in Georgia. A great day for a nice cup of hot chocolate and a good movie or book to read. This is comfy weather. Enjoy to the fullest.
Focus on a good week at home or where ever you may be with family and friends making memories to share in the future because yesterday is gone forever. Live, laugh and love.


Saturday, April 7, 2018

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole





Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole


Ingredients:

2 (10 ounce) boxes frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
2 cups cooked rice
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup (or you use 1 can each cream of chicken and cream of mushroom)



Tuesday, April 3, 2018

BIG CHOCOLATE CAKE

This recipe is courtesy of Ree Drummond, Pioneer Woman




BIG CHOCOLATE CAKE

4 sticks butter
8 heaping Tablespoon's cocoa
 cups AP flour
4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 whole eggs

Preheat oven to 350
heavy and grease  and dust with cocoa

Mix flour, sugar and salt
In sauce pan melt butter, add cocoa and stir together
Add boiling water. Allow to boil for 30 seconds. Turn off heat
Pour over dry ingredients. Stir lightly until cool
Combine buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and beaten eggs.
Stir buttermilk mixture into the chocolate batter.
Divide into 4 cake pans
BAKE FOR 20 MINUTES
 COOL COMPLETELY

CHOCOLATE ICING

3 Cups heavy cream
24 oz. Semisweet chocolate  (broken into pieces)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat cream until very hot and pour over chocolate pieces. 
Stir until completely cool.
Put into electric mixing bowl and refrigerate until cooled completely.
Once cooled, add vanilla and beat until and airy.
Ice between layers and sides.

Hope and Sunset

Our hope is to be able to end each day in a beautiful way with a Grateful Heart. At the end of the day all we need is Hope, and strength to...