I'm Home and I Met My First Blog Friend!

     Did you miss me? I had this brilliant idea that I could leave home for a few days and keep my blog going with the free internet in our hotels. Well, I had free internet...but most of the time it wouldn't let me upload pictures, read other blogs or comment. Once in a while I could sneak in something, but not often. So, I have a lot to catch up on around here. If I missed anything you think I'd really like to read, please leave the link in a comment.

     I've been to Florida! We left on the 29th and just got back. This trip has been planned for months. Where my parents live, when someone dies they have a memorial celebration of their life. Where I live, we call it a cocktail party! My dad wanted to have a celebration for my mom on her birthday, November 3rd. I'll have more details about that for Tablescape Thursday. Because we were having a party at my dad's, we stayed in a hotel very near his home for the first time. It was quite the experience. The outside of the buildings reminded me of places we stayed back in the 60's (I'm sure it was built back then). The inside was completely remodeled with flat screen televisions, pillow top beds and granite counters. We also spent 3 nights in Orlando with our daughter (yes, there are pictures to come).

This is private home right next to the hotel.

I'm standing on the hotel's beach to take the picture.

     Now for the exciting part! Just before I left for Florida, I found out that my friend Dee Dee from d dzine and I were going to both be in Orlando at the same time. Dee Dee was one of my first followers and we have gotten to know each other the past year. We were able to get together for a short visit and it was so much fun. Dee Dee is every bit as nice as I knew she would be. I also got to meet her son Zac who was so polite and patient when his mom took away his time at Epcot to meet a blog friend! Who would think that 2 women from the Midwest would travel all the way to Disney World to meet in person! It was a bit brisk in Orlando the days we were there, notice our layers of sweaters!

I am linking with Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer

for Outdoor Wednesday

I am also joining Heidi @ Heart and Home

for Wednesday Gratitude

 Please take a moment to stop and say hello to our hostesses.

A Message From The Heavens

It wasn't exactly what I expected to see

when I looked up yesterday afternoon! It was still

a work in progress. It ended up saying

 "Jesus Loves U" and "Love God"

Spinach and Tortellini Casserole-Foodie Friday

I've been doing some family stuff that I'll share with you next week...

if I haven't visited your blog lately...I will be around soon.

Thank you for the notes of concern...everything is fine!

     This is a simple recipe that is wonderful to make ahead and just pop in the oven after a busy day. It is also a way to get your family to eat their veggies...just surround them with lots of cheese!

Ingredients:

1 bag (10 oz) frozen cheese tortellini

1 cup (or more) fresh mushrooms, sliced

pinch garlic powder

pinch pepper

1/4 cup butter (divided)

6 oz. evaporated milk

5 oz. brick cheese, shredded or sliced into small chunks

1 package (10 oz) frozen chpped spinach, thawed and squeeze the water out of it

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

     Cook the tortellini according to the package directions, drain and set aside in a large bowl. In 1 T. of the butter, saute the mushrooms sprinkled with the garlic powder and pepper until tender. Put mushrooms on top of tortellini in large bowl.

     In the same pan, melt the remaining 3 T. of butter with the evaporated milk. Bring to a low boil and stir in the brick cheese until melted and smooth.

     Add drained spinach to bowl with tortellioni and mushrooms. Pour cheese sauce over the top and gently toss, coating everything with the sauce. Put in greased casserole dish and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly browned.

I am linking today with Michael @ Designs by Gollum for

Foodie Friday. Michael hosts the best

cooks on the web each Friday, check it out!



Goodnight Moon-Outdoor Wednesday

In the great green room

there was a telephone

And a red balloon

And a picture of--

The cow jumping over the moon

and there were three little bears, sitting on chairs

and two little kittens and a pair of mittens

and a little toy house and a young mouse

and a comb and a brush and bowl full of mush

and a quiet old lady who was whispering "hush"

Goodnight room

goodnight moon

goodnight cow jumping over the moon

goodnight light and the red balloon

goodnight bears goodnight chairs

goodnight kittens goodnight mittens

goodnight clocks and goodnight socks

goodnight little house and goodnight mouse

goodnight comb and goodnight brush

goodnight nobody goodnight mush

and goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush"

goodnight stars, goodnight air

goodnight noises everywhere.

Goodnight Moon is an American children's book written

 by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd.

It was first published in 1947.

It was a favorite at our house.

I'm joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

Do You Remember The 70's?

     The 70's were my decade. I graduated from high school, went to college and got married...all in the 70's. All I have to do is hear the music of a 70's band and I'm right back to college bars, cheap beer and dance floors. That is why I was so excited when I found out that one of my favorite 70's bands had a new album out.

     I had my doubts, as I'm sure you will. I assumed it would be an album of old hits...but, it isn't. I assumed the old rockers would have been replaced by new young kids who sort of sound like my old favorites, I was wrong. The songs are new and very well suited to this decade. Most of the old rockers are singing on this album, they even brought back one of my favorite lead singers to do a number. There are only 2 classic songs on the album, yet the sound that comes through is 100 percent the music of my youth.

     Who am I talking about? Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, and Michael Hossack...The Doobie Brothers. The Doobies began in 1969 when original drummer John Hartman arrived in California and was introduced to guitarist and songwriter Tom Johnston. In 1970 Patrick Simmons joined the group, Hossack replaced Hartman in 1971. The Doobies first single was Nobody from their 1971 self-titled album. You will find it on the new album. Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin', China Grove, Jesus Is Just Alright, Takin' It To The Streets and Black Water are a few old favorites.

     For the new album, World Gone Crazy, the Doobies reunited with producer Ted Templeman to create an album that will remind us old enough to remember, what we loved about this band in the first place. It is also contemporary enough to please new listeners. I was excited to find that Michael McDonald was back to sing vocals on Don't Say Goodbye, and stunned that I enjoyed Simmons singing with Willie Nelson on I Know We Won. I'm not usually a Willie fan. My favorites on the new album are Far From Home and Young Man's Game.

     I love the album. It is one of those things I can't quite explain...but, when I put it on, it makes me happy. I bought mine on iTunes because of the bonus songs. I was not given the album to review or compensated in any way. This one is just because I love it!