Shades of a Summer Picnic on a Winter's Day

one of the nearby creeks this morning

  

      Wow. It had been nine days since anyone from our household ventured into town.  There is still snow here - especially on the secondary roads where we live.  But the Jeep made the trip just fine.  Actually, I probably wouldn't have made the trip today, but I had to have routine blood work done... So, I waited until 10 AM, hoping for some thawing,  and went to the hospital  lab, then on to the grocery store. It was kind of exciting going into town, seeing other people - including a dear neighbor of ours - finding town quiet but intact.
  

a friend's house, about a mile from ours...

      It was great going to the store and buying the few things we needed and a couple things we merely wanted... I bought cabbage and carrots - plan on making cole slaw this afternoon to go with the chicken I plan on broasting in the dutch oven.  Yummy - shades of a summer picnic on a winter's day.  I also got Moshe some cream so that he can make ice cream.  (I don't usually eat ice cream, but, if he made chocolate  ice cream, I would really, really, really like to taste it!)   Hmmm... maybe I should make some potato salad.  Wouldn't it be FUN to have a picnic?

                   

 ...But NOT on this table!!!

Shalom Y'all - Twyla  

 

the Birthday Party

          Yesterday we had our good friends Pat & Teresa over to celebrate their birthdays. Pat's big day is  today, and Teresa's will be Thursday. The photo below is of myself  (with eyes closed and mouth open, of course!), Pat, and Teresa, sitting on the screened-in porch with the birthday cake I made for them. Moshe isn't in the picture, 'cause he was the photograper... The four of us spent the day at the beach, had a picnic lunch there; then, came home and visited some more. I made tomato pie, a  tossed salad, and fresh corn on the cob for supper. We also had Moshe's homemade bread and several little bowls with treasures such as homemade cashew butter , apple butter, and pickles in them. (Do you get the idea that we sorta' like food? Especially homemade food?)

                           Well, anyway, here is the recipe for my tomato pie:             

                                                       TOMATO PIE

                                        2 Pie Crusts, baked per package directions

                                        2 pounds Ripe Tomatoes

                                        1 teaspoon Black Pepper

                                        1/2 teaspoon Salt

                                        2 Cups Sweet Onion, chopped 

                                        6 Tablespoons fresh chopped Basil

                                        1 Cup Mayonnaise

                                        3 Cups grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

          Peel tomatoes, remove seeds, and slice 1/2 inch thick.  Dry slices on paper towels. Divide ingredients between the 2 pre-baked pie shells. Layer tomatoes, then onions; sprinle with salt and pepper; then, layer with the chopped basil.

         Mix cheese and mayonnaise; then, spread on top, covering completely.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Allow to "rest" for 15 minutes before slicing.

                                                                 Shalom, Y'all!     Twyla