Did You Know

If you have ever attended a wedding then you more than likely have heard the famous wedding march. Did you know that the first wedding march was perfomeed January 25th 1858 at a royal wedding. Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise, the oldest child of Queen Victoria, married Frederick William IV of Prussia.

Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" was wrote in 1842. It is one of the most frequently used wedding marches. It was traditionally played on a church pipe organ.

Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is a strong coffee mixed with irish whiskey, sugar and topped with a layer of rich cream. Irish coffee was invented in the winter of 1942 when some weary travelers visited a small airport in Ireland. There they met chef Joe Sheridan who was preparing and serving hot coffee to his guest at the restaurant. Only it was not any coffee this coffee had been spiked with whiskey and topped with whip cream. When the guest inquired if it were Brazilian coffee he corrected them and said it was Irish coffee.

A food author was able to enjoy the Irish coffee and brought the recipe back to the U.S. In 1952 while visiting a cafe he shared the recipe with the owners of another restaurant. They were able to remake the "Irish Coffee" and served it to their patrons.

Non-Alcoholic Irish Coffee
(from The Master Chef's Daughter and FreeRecipesHome.com)

2 cups strong Coffee
2 Tsp Orange juice
2 tsp Lemon juice
Whipped Cream

Pour coffee, orange juice and lemon juice into a container and stir well.
Pour mixture into two whiskey glasses, or tall, slender glasses, leaving room for topping. Add whipped cream.

this beverage recipe has been shared at
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Florida and a Famous Pie Recipe

January 25th is also known as Florida Day. Florida officially became the 27th state on January 25th but first lets take a look back at the history of Florida. Known as the sunshine state Florida was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565.In fact if you visit the city of St. Augustine you can see colonial architecture that dates back to the mid 1500s. St. Augustine is also the oldest city in the United States.  The city was very busy in the beginning with popes and pirates in search of gold. The early settlers came from Europe. 

The 14th and 15th British colonies were east and west Florida. The American Revolutionary War would see in the Treaty of Paris Florida being returned to Spain. It would be the Louisianna Purchase in 1803 and another agreement to bring the state of Florida back to the union. 

With average temp in Florida being 79.5 it is no surprise to me that John Gorrie from Florida would be the name behind the systems that help keep us cool. In 1851 Gorrie would invent both air conditioning and refrigeration. The famous Florida keys could truly use the Air Conditioner. Speaking of the Key's there is one famous pie that started out there as well. The Key Lime Pie:

Graham Cracker Crust:

7 tablespoons Butter, melted

11 full Graham Crackers (to make just about 2 cups graham cracker crumbs)

¼ cup Sugar

¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

Pie Filling:

1½ tablespoons Zest from key limes (reserve a pinch of this zest as an optional sprinkling on top of the pie)

3 Egg Yolks

1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened and Condensed Milk

¾ cup Key Lime Juice (from approximately 1 pound of key limes)

For Whipped Cream:

1 cup (8 ounces) Heavy Cream

1½ tablespoons Sugar

Preheat oven to 350ºF (176ºC). 

For Graham Cracker Crust:

Make graham cracker crumbs in food processor or place graham crackers in plastic bag and crush until they turn into crumbs. Put butter in a med-large mixing bowl and mix in graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt until combined. Put mixture into a 9-inch pie dish and pat it down with your fingers to make the crust. Bring the crust up the edges as well. Bake for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned. Allow to cool while preparing pie filling.

For Pie Filling:

Whip most of the zest (reserving a pinch for sprinkling the top of the pie to garnish) and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add sweetened and condensed milk and mix for 3 minutes or until thickened. Add lime juice and mix until combined. Pour mixture into pie crust.

Place in oven for 15 minutes. Pie will rise slightly but the filling won't change color. Allow to cool for ½ hour at room temperature before cooling completely in the fridge for at least 2 hours. You can also place it in the freezer instead of the fridge to cool it quicker. Just remember to remove it before it turns into ice cream!

For Whipped Cream:

Use an electric mixer to whip together cream and sugar for a few minutes until stiff peaks form. Top the pie with whipped cream and optional zest before serving.

Enjoy!!

shared this informational with bonus recipe post at
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Thanks for Stopping by

In today's world it is important to offer our children compliments. Compliments offer encouragement and help boost self esteem, two things that we can all use. Children and teens face much criticism so if there is something you can compliment then we should.

Compliment their behavior, let them know you appreciate how they handle their selves and issues they face. Compliments can help them know that their honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and reliability is showing and appreciated. When children show any of these skills not only compliment them but try to tell them why you like what they are doing as well.

Many times our kids may disagree with the way that we want things done. Compliment them when they obey what we ask them to do. This not only allows them to see we respect our children but allows them to see that we admire how they do what we ask. Too often the only time our children are offered our opinion is when they are disrespectful or disobey what is asked of them. A compliment allows them to see that we are also watching when they are good.

Too often older children will stray away from hugs and pats on the back. But offering them compliments for simply being part of the family can go a long way. Our children need to know that they are very much valued as family members. Another great chance to show that you love them just for being them is when they help out with what is going on. Allow them to know you not only notice but that you are thankful for them.

Reminding our children that we love and appreciate them is a valuable resource we all need to practice. If we all offered more compliments this would may just be a happier place

Be Safe In the Tub

An average of 234,000 injuries happen in the bathroom each year. The age groups most at risk include children under 5 and adults over 70. The age group 25 to 64 amount for over 1/2 all incidents.


Bathroom injuries happen daily but could be avoided or lessened with a few safety tips. Installing no slip strips on the bottom of the bathtub is one of the steps to cut down on issues. Placing a cushioned cover over the water faucet to protect young children is important as well.

A few other safety prevention steps that can help cut down risk include:

•  Grab bars can help an individual grip. Shower doors or towel bars can lead to injury. To reduce your risk of falling in tub or shower install a grab bar.                                                                    
  

• Balance issues offer a concern of falling as well. There are special seats, chair, or bench for the shower that can offer a solution to balance issues. Shower and tub floors can become slick using a shower mat is also a great idea.                                                                                           
  

These products offer a solution you may be searching for The products are normally within financial reach making them not only affordable but offer safe and secure in the tub as well. Be Safe

Hodge Podge Wednesday

1 January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.

It really depends on what I am getting compliment for and from who. I will always say thank you but depending on the first two I will either bow out or continue talking. I get compliments on my work skills a lot, that makes me feel real good

2. Ten little things I am loving right now

1. my home, I am trying to be more organized and give more love to the way the home looks
2. my husband, always and forever 
3. my children all 6 of them trying to battle the world, I love when they ask advice , when they are successful and even when they need a bit of help
4. my grand children each day growing just a bit I love that I have been allowed so much time with them
5. the weather, currently it is still cool winter weather but not bone chilling and no snow or ice
6. my job and the fact we just passed our state survey and did awesome
7. the fact that my grandson has a girlfriend and shared the story with me like this :"It's not my idea" when I asked what he meant he stated that she walked up to him and said "you are now my boyfriend," I asked what he did he said "I said o.k"
8. I have went down 3 pant sizes since fall, Yeah!!!!
9. my daughter got a good report at the dr's office She had cancer a few years ago and has to go every so often all checked out well.
10. My other daughter has found out why she has headaches. She visited the eye dr. who stated it was an eye astigmatism and glasses would help. If you have headaches a lot and have not visited eye dr in some time then you should.

3 Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way?

Positive and when I am not they ask what is wrong. I try to stay positive , sing songs of praise as I believe God created us to be happy. I have been reminded though, it is ok to be angry as even Jesus was occasionally. 

4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?

They each offer their own appeal. The chicken noodle soup is one that offers a yummy and homey feeling making one feel warm and comfortable. Beef stew to me is more filling with its beef chunks and warm gravy. Chili is a great dish yummy, warm and filling there are many restaurants that serve this dish as well. Our family enjoys more chili than the other two as there are so many great ways to make it. 

5 The best part of my day is....

On most work days it is coming home to a family that I love and I know loves me. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

with all the violence going on in this world I often wonder why. The school shooting has made me state my opinion more than once. I was a parent that was always present and now, I am a grand-parent that is. I love my family and I believe there are many others that do as well. 

I just can not figure how a teen got hold of a gun and no one knew. I was always present with my children through their lives. If they were teens they very seldom were out of my sight If they went somewhere alone, I expected a call when they got there and had all ready arranged or talked to the individual in charge to where they went. My children were always out in the public attending events. I often went with them, I never wanted them to miss out but always worried about their safety. This brings me to another current event, how is it that a large family could go under the gun without anyone noticing that they did not see all the family members. Why?? would this ever happen?? My prayers with all involved. 

Pray for Those Facing Their Last Tommorow

You may or may not know that along with blogging I am a full-time care giver. I care for those who for one reason or another can not care for their selves no longer. At times that means those who suffer from mental illness and for others it may mean that the passage of life is ending for them. To watch your loved one fall from the pedestal they once sat proudly upon is difficult no matter the circumstances. Many will turn to prayers and trusting doctors and medicine to heal their loved one.

After much prayer there comes a time when one knows that their loved one will never return to who they were. What will we do without their leadership, love and care in our lives?? Caregivers often suffer from guilt and emotions. While we do not want to see our loved one suffer we may not be ready to see them go either. While it is difficult to do we must be able to recognize that death may occur.

There is much that needs to be done as an individual comes to the end of their lives. Our fears, their fears if they are able to share, funeral arrangements, goodbyes, apologies, love and oh so many other feelings. There is one more thing that you may want to help the loved one with. What about after death have they considered what may happen. Be sure if possible that they understand what waits for them beyond their last moment. If they believe , they will see Him at the end

shared this faith filled post at
Spiritual Sunday
jesus wept
good morning monday