Nana's Parlor: August 2013

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Beautiful Sunday Afternoon

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I did not post yesterday, I was quite busy. Today is a beautiful day here in Vandergrift PA. The message at church was awesome. Pastor Rousey preached today because Pastor Skelly and hi wife Wanda are in Australia celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and also ministering while they are there.

Yesterday I was busy. Picked tomatoes out of the garden and made about four quarts of spagetti sauce to freeze. I also bake a muffin cake. It was so nice doing those things and I love being in the kitchen cooking and baking.

So is your day going? I am going to run for now. Thank you for stopping by and visiting. You are always welcome here. Stop by any time.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Friday, August 9, 2013

Just Another Rainy Day

Hi Everyone,

Just another rainy day here in Vandergrift, PA, but it is so good to be home with my wonderful husband Jim. He and I did get to sit out on the patio under our canopy while it rained a little and it was so nice. I love those times when you just sit and talk and enjoy each others company.

Well are things that need done so this is going to be a short post. I need to straighten the kitchen and vacuum the downstairs. Some laundry needs to finish in the dryer and folded. Then I will probably work on my art journals or some other crafty thing. Supper is going to be steaks and tomato/onion salad. The tomatoes are coming in and they are so good. Nothing like a fresh garden tomato.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. You are always welcome here in Nana's Parlor, stop by any time.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Back from on the Road

Shopping at The Grove in LA. Top: Tiffany with Kristy and Abby. Bottom: Me with Kristy and Abby.

Hi Everyone,

Yes it has been well over a month since I have blogged. July 5 I flew out to my daughters place in Nipomo, California and was there for 3 weeks and then her and I with my two precious granddaughters drove back here to the east. I will be here for about a month or so and then back on the road to drive back to California and then fly back to PA where my husband will probably not let me out of his sight for quite a while. I miss him so much when I am gone and it is so good to be back home with him for a while.

On our way back we stopped at the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater and Laura Ingalls Wilder's homes in Missouri. My granddaughters loved every minute of it and I love seeing their excitement. My daughter homeschools so this was a great educational trip. They journaled each night on the road of what they saw and did that day. On our way back we will be going a different way, Grand Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Manitou Cliff dwellings, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, etc. and they will journal all of that too. We talk about everything they see.

I will try to blog as much as I can while I am home, but when I get back from the trip west I will try to blog everyday.

Well here are some photos of the trip. Enjoy!!! Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please leave a comment.

Love and hugs,
Janet

Top picture was taken at the Grand Canyon: Me, Abby, Kristy, and Tiffany.

Bottom picture was taken at Meteor Crater: Tiffany and Me in the back, Abby in front of Tiffany and Kristy in front of me.

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Pat Catan Shopping Haul

Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Glaze

1 box of Jiffy Yellow Cake mix
1/2 cup of Strawberry Jam
1/4 cup of Strawberry Jam
1/4 cup of Strawberry Jam
3/4 stick of butter

Mix cake mix according to package directions. Put 1/2 cup of Strawberry Jam in blender and blend till smooth. Mix in to cake batter. Pour into 9x9 greased and floured cake pan. Put 1/4 cup of Strawberry Jam in blender and blend till smooth and drizzle over cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees. While the cake is baking chop butter into blender, add 1/4 cup of Strawberry Jam and blend till smooth. Put aside. Keep at room temperature.

When cake is baked, cool slightly drizzle the butter and jam mixture over cake and let cool. Cut and serve with coffee, tea, or milk. Yummy!

Chocolate Mayo Cake

2 1/4 c. of all-purpose flour

1 2/3 c. sugar

1 1/4 c. milk

3 1/2 t. of baking powder

1 t. of salt

1 t. vanilla or almond extract

1 c. mayo

Mix altogether. Pour into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr. and 10 minutes or till a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool and frost. (Mayo takes the place of shortening or butter and eggs.)

Buttercream Chocolate Frosting

3 c. of powder sugar

1/2 c. of butter softened

2 t. vanilla

3 ounces of cocoa

3-4 T. milk

Beat together all ingredients until smoot. Frost cooled cake, cut and serve.

ENJOY!!!

Chocolate Mint Cinnamon Rolls

This recipe is so easy and quick to make and taste delicious.

1 Pre-made Pie crust from Phillsbury
butter (enough for other ingredients to stick)
1/4 - 1/2 cupbrown sugar
1 - 2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped chocolate mint chips

Unroll the pie crust and roll to make it a little thinner. Spread with butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Top with chopped chocolate mint chips. Roll and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees till light golden brown. Cool, cut and serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Serve with coffee, tea or milk. Delicious!!!

Chicken Au Graten Potato Casserole

This is a quick and easy casserole.

1 box of Betty Crocker au Graten Potatoes. Prepare as directed on package.
1 - 2 cups of small cubed, cooked chicken
1/2 - 1 cup of small cubed mild cheddar cheese.

After you prepare the potatoes according to the package, add the chicken and mix. Top with the cubed cheese and cover. Bake covered in a 425 degree oven. 5 minutes before done take cover off to brown the top.

Serve with a salad or other vegetable. Yummy! Great way to use leftover chicken or turkey.

Other meats that can be substituted: cubed ham, canned tuna or salmon, cooked ground meat. If you have a few leftover hamburgers, cube them and added to the casserole. Be creative!