We went grocery shopping the other day

And we found the biggest artichokes we have ever seen at HEB!!!!! I guess Here Everything is Bigger....

They are just so beautiful.....

So I decided to make them for dinner.  I love to stuff them with bread crumbs and cheese. Do you make them different???

I'd love to have your recipe!

I first wash them in cold water and spread them apart...

drain on paper towels. Next, I cut the tips(pinchy) and stem off so they will sit flat in the bottom of a pan.

 I put about a cup of Italian bread crumbs, 1/4 cup of parm cheese, one tablespoon of Italian seasonings in a bowl. I don't add salt because the cheese is salty!

I start at the bottom and using a teaspoon, I put the bread crumb mixture (about a 1/2 teaspoon) onto each leaf until all the leaves have some stuffing.

I then put a rack in the bottom of a pot, add enough water to cover the rack.You can use a saucer upside down if you don't have a rack. I put the artichokes in the pot.

.

 I drizzle each artichoke with olive oil.

Put the top on the pot and let it come to a boil and then simmer for about 45 mins. You will know they are done when you can pull out a leaf easily.

These were so big I cooked them  an hour. A little done...

But they were fantastic!!!!!!

Place a leaf between your teeth and pull... enjoy the delicate flavor of an artichoke.

Another favorite of mine is artichoke dip......very easy!

1 cup of mayo

1-8 oz.can of artichokes (liquid too)

(you can leave them like they are or make them smaller)

1 cup of parm cheese

Mix ingredients all together in a bowl.

Spray the bottom of a pie pan

 Put the mixture in it cook for 20, mins at 350 degrees and a little brown on the top.

 Serve with crackers or toasted bread.

DELICIOUS!!!!!!

I hope you make my artichokes recipe

and your family loves them!

Let me know.....

Blessings my friend,

Beautiful Women's Month

I received this email a few days ago and wanted to pass it on to all of you, not just five women. I love you all and pray for each of you continuously!  You are all phenomenal women in my book! I am passing the Purple Hat to each of you!

Passing the Purple Hat to You
In honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
Pass this on to five women that you want watched over.  If you don't know five women to pass this on to, one will do just fine.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

 - by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage..

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace...

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased & sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' more "I'm sorry."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us..

If you don't mind, send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends.
Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.
Please send this to five phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month.
If you do, something good will happen--you will boost another woman's self esteem.


I am happy to be passing the Purple Hat on to you.....I hope this opened your eyes as to living your life now. Don't put things on hold...go on that vacation, hug your babies more often, say I love you everyday to your family and mean it! The house will be there forever, you won't. Memories last a life time!
Erma gave us good advice! This is a new year let's see if we can seize each and every day!

Blessings my friends, 

Is it really January in Houston??????

Hi All,

This was a fun tablescape to do....
I just can't get over the weather in Houston....January and I'm in fall clothes. Never mind setting a table with snowmen!

I finally found my snowmen and decided to pair them with my plates for the very first time! Right Here!!!!

I have so many that I had trouble choosing which ones to use.

This is my new to me kitchen.......You have seen my round table before it was in my old family room. Now it is in here with two oak chairs that need a seat. Look closely and you will see the hole! lol (but that's another post I guess)

The plates are Oneida Kitchen, "Snow Family" from Goodwill last year! I have only four. I use them all winter, for the two of us.

This is just a few of my snowmen.....

The bowls are Royal Seasons bought at Goodwill last year. The utensils are my everyday set, Paul Revere by Oneida. The napkins matched a tablecloth but the tablecloth faded and I use only the napkins now.

I love the snow couple made out of old thread spools.....

This was our first snowmen ornament .......

I just love these two......so they had to watch!

My neice gave me the blue candle holder, it sparkles. My daughter gave me the Yankee Candle holder and candle. The tea pot and platter were bought at The Christmas Tree Shop years ago. I did have a creamer and sugar but I can't find them.

This has certainly been a fun table to set. I collect snowmen because they make me happy!

About ten years ago I decorated my little kitchen with all my snowmen, I loved it! Everyone that came in, took a tour of the happy faces.....

Hope you smiled while reading this post...

Please join Susan at BNOTP for more wonderful tablescapes!

Blessings my friends,

Having a Cup of Coffee with My Dad

The last few days I have slowed down...way down. My sinuses have been acting up and I am not 100%. So I guess I will kick back and stop unpacking...for a few hours.

Yesterday, I unpacked a book that my mom gave me when I was home visiting. I guess my dad loved to pour over its pages and I thought I'd share it with you.

It kind of made me feel close to him as I was looking at the famous pictures. I tried to think what he was thinking as I poured over the same pages. I know my parents bought Norman Rockwell plates and they are hanging in their kitchen! He probably loved the plates and saw the book and decided to buy it. The book is second hand.

Rockwell's first cover was for the Saturday Evening Post

I do have a favorite....its not in the book. It's a little boy and girl dressed up as angels with crowns. I can't remember where it is, stored somewhere. I had it in a frame hanging on a wall. A friend sent me a Christmas card with the picture on it and I have saved it all these years.


Crackers in Bed. Oil Painting for advertisement for the Edison Mazda Lamp Works, 1921.

So what does Norman Rockwell have to do with my tablescape????INSPIRATION! I was just sitting here and decided to veg awhile with a cup of coffee, my dad and my thoughts.......


My dad was a Policeman/Detective...

Triple Self Portrait. Oil Painting for Post cover, February 13, 1960.

Did you know that Norman Rockwell executed his first commission before he was sixteen, illustrated his first book when he was seventeen (Tell Me Why Stories), became director of Boys' Life at nineteen, and reached the pinnacle of his profession by doing the cover of the Saturday Evening Post! It appeared on May 20th 1916.

I wonder how many times my dad looked at the pictures in this book. I wonder if they were special to him because it brought back childhood memories. I wonder if he saw himself in the paintings. I just wonder.......

In one of the pages, he had stuck his business card. The picture was titled "Girl looking in the Mirror". I thought of my aunt right away, his only sister......Elaine. The young girl in the picture sort of made me think of her. I wonder if that's why he like that picture. Did he remember her sitting in front of a mirror.... Memories......


                   Post cover; March 6, 1954.

It doesn't matter why he liked the coffee table book...I keep it close to my heart to remember what he did in his moments alone. As I sip my coffee I wonder if I am thinking and doing the same thing he did. Reminiscing.......

Somehow it comforts me to think of  my dad looking through a book on a cold winters afternoon........drinking coffee or relaxing in his room.

I guess this is in remembrance of Norman Rockwell whose paintings show life as it really was and my dad who lived life to the fullest. I miss sitting down and having coffee and cake with my dad.......so today I did....even if its only in spirit!


Paying Bills, Literary Digest cover, February 26, 1921.

Norman Rockwell in his studio, 1970.

Silver Tea pot - Rogers.....Goodwill.

Cup & saucer - Queen's China; English Charm.....collected years ago.

Blue dessert plate - Hand Painted made in Japan.....Goodwill.
Roses - my backyard.

Silver basket - Goodwill.

Thank you for visiting Sweetladyelaine...... Have a beautiful day! Thank you to our host Susan.....Please visit Susan at BNOTP for inspiration.

Blessings My Friends,

Boxes, Boxes and More Boxes

I wanted to take a few moments and let you see our move into our new to us house.  It took the movers one day to move us in.....

I  have to tell you I could not have done the across country move without JESUS!!! His words kept me going...."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."(2Cor 12:9) I knew I needed to be strong in the Lord and His power to get me through. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." I needed to stay prayed up! Do you know what that means? To stay in God's Word.....to read it everyday even if it's a minute. It gives you strength to make it through the best or worse day. Our words, our choices need to shine with the light of Jesus!

  I love to decorate so it will take me awhile to get it to reflect my taste. I will be patient and wait on the Lord.

Come on a little journey with me.... to peek inside our new to us home . I hope you enjoy the tour.....

This is looking into the living room.....the fireplace is on the right. In my last tablescape I showed you the bar...it is on the left.

Our dining room....I won't change the wall colors until I hear them speak to me. I think every house lets you know how it needs to be decorated. I think the walls are a cadet blue.

This is in the living room looking towards the kitchen....  Yes, I ate all the M&M'S on the counter! lol Moving is very stressful!

Master Bedroom...we worked in here this weekend! It is starting to look like we live here. I love the blue walls.....the old owner left me the curtains, quilt and the hanging lamps. But of course, that is another post!

Family room....It took us a week to decide what we should do with the furniture! This is as big as a two car garage....a little overwhelming!

In the back of the family room I have claimed both storage rooms as MINE!!!! By the little you see, can you guess what's going in there????? I am loving these!!!!

It is a mess....but I am just about unpacked downstairs! The movers told us we had over 250 boxes and about 2100 pounds of stuff! I have put everything in the room or place it belongs.

I now have to organize it.

I heard alot about  "The Container Store" and found one. So I feel confident my house will be as orgainzed as I can afford it to be! lol

I love decorating on a shoestring so you will see what I come up with as I go. I just have to remember to take pictures!!!! lol

Thank you for visiting!

Please leave a comment.....

I enjoy hearing from you! 

Blessings to you my friends,

Tablescape Thursday at Sweetladyelaine's!!!!!!

Hi!
It feels great to be posting today! I am joining Susan at BNOTP.
Thank you Susan for hosting!



I have a special tablescape that was inspired by a wonderful couple in Buffalo. Thank you Dawn and Michael for touching our lives. This is a tribute to our friendship!

Dawn and Michael gave us the beautiful waterford crystal flutes and Christmas wine. Dawn told me she wanted a picture of us celebrating with our new glasses. I wonder what she will think when she sees this post!

This is our bar in our living room....a peek at our new house!

The flutes are Waterford Crystal. They are called Celebration!

I used a mirror that I bought at Goodwill and spray painted it with black & gold & brass spray paint. I love how the candle looks in the mirror.

A close up of the flute!

               The owners of our new house left a bottle of wine and the pretty crystal bottle stopper. You can see it to the right.

The vanilla candle I bought at the Christmas tree store and added the pop bead pearls. The little cake stand - Goodwill. The napkins are gold given to me by my neighbor, Shelley in Buffalo.

A better picture of the bar......the counter top is black marble with little flakes of color.

Thank you for stopping by....
Thank you all for your encouraging words during our move. State tune for more pictures of our home as I get it together.

Please make sure you visit other Tablescapes at Between Naps On The Porch.

Remember to praise God and keep Him first in your life!


Blessings my friends,

Houston or bust!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

It has been a long journey but I am here!


I have taken pictures of our move...it was crazy! The two days the packers were packing were ok but the two days to load...Oh my...it snowed! I mean SNOWED!!!! The doors were all open and the snow was coming in. The loaders had laid down cardboad and runners but the slush was at least one half inch thick in the hallway! It was 40 degrees in the house! My husband had lit the fireplace but it didn't help! I think it was somewhere near 4:30 when I had had enough and told my husband they had to leave. The dogs were shivering and I was freezing! I had hoped the next day would be better.
It was...not snowing but COLD!!!! Anyway we made it through with the grace of God!

 The morning we left it was a blizzard and we hit snow from Buffalo, NY right to Kentucky! The four days on the road went smooth. We stayed  LaQuinta Inns & Suites all four nights because dogs stay there free. We slept in Florence, Kentucky, Jackson, TN, Texarkana, Arkansas and two nights in Houston. We traveled only 5-6 hours a day. Our dogs slept all the time in the car and loved the hotel room. We were truly felt blessed!

It was quite an experience for us.....I'm not sure I want to do it anytime soon. I hate moving but it is what my husband wants to do so I do it because I have too..not because I want too. I hope some day to stay put!


Our family room hang out!

The front entry way...not too bad when this was taken.

The garage...you can see the snow in the driveway!

This is our backyard...pond is coverd with the white stuff!!!

I am glad we made it safely to Houston....Thank you to all of you who prayed for our safety!

Stay tuned for OUR MOVE IN!!!!!!

                   Blessings to you,