Black Cow or Root Beer Float?

I have two sisters and four brothers.  Our family lived in a two story bungalow with a kitchen meant for a family of 4.  So our "kitchen" was actually in the finished basement where there was room for a big kitchen table. 

A family with 7 kids in the 50's & 60's never knew what it was like to get a McDonald's burger and fries.  We never had Jay's potato chips on a regular basis.  Fritos were something my Dad had occasionally, later at night as he sat at the kitchen table upstairs while reading a book.  Most weeknights Dad would work late so he never joined us for dinner.  We weren't allowed to be on the phone until we got the call from Dad that he was on the way home. 

Sunday dinners were always at 2 p.m.  We had roast beef with gravy (no lumps), mashed potatoes (we would peel 10 lbs. each and every Sunday), early june peas, a salad (which consisted of iceberg lettuce and tomato wedges, nothing more), and Pillsbury crescent rolls.  The rest of the family used Imperial margarine, but my Dad refused to use margarine.  He would only eat butter.  And my brothers would pile the peas on top of the mashed potatoes, right before they poured on the gravy.  (Picture "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" potato scene).

Image courtesy of foodbeast.com

Most nights, we didn't have dessert.  The only fruit I remember was canned fruit (probably partially explains my dislike for fruit).  But once in a while we would have a treat that, to this day, puts a big smile on my face. 

 

We'd have a black cow.  One scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass and root beer poured over it.  Plenty of foam at the top.  Lick off the foam and add more root beer.  Let it wait a little and when you finally eat the ice cream, it is slightly melted and just so creamy.  

Image courtesy of twoarmparty.com



Now, this is not to be confused with a root beer float.  A root beer float was created in the opposite order.  You poured the root beer in the glass first, dropped the scoop of ice cream in and watched the foam rise.  May seem like an insignificant difference, but it truly was a different taste.

 

And a black cow should not be confused with a brown cow.  That was made with Pepsi instead of root beer.   At least that's how we knew the difference in the Midwest.  And that just didn't do it for taste. 

I always find it funny when you reflect back on growing up and it's the little things you remember. 

What are you remembering about those days gone by?  What still puts a smile on your face? 

My Creative Journey (this month)

I've been busy, busy, busy getting my Craft Cave organized.  For too long, things have gotten away from me and it's been so crowded in the Cave that I couldn't even work in there.  So, inspired by a couple of Big Picture Classes that I am taking/have taken, I'm holding true to my word of the year, SIMPLIFY. 

I've whittled down my paperstock (way too much for one woman to have -- and I really don't even like some of it!!), organized and labeled my embellishments

and alphas, 

and ROYGBIV'd my cardstock. 

By the time I complete my class to Find Your Way at BPC, I should have a good idea of what type of layouts are the ones that work for me. That will allow me to whittle down the paperstock even more.  And I will be able to

embrace imperfection in my layouts, because it really is all about the memories!!

When I'm not in the Cave, I've been going thru pictures, sorting, dating and getting them into plain jane albums (with my PG's help) that will help me find what I want when I want to scrap a page. 

So that's what's been on my creative radar this week.  But I also wanted to share this little tidbit with you.

Back in April 2005, a group of girls got together at my girlfriend's house to work on vision boards.  (A digital version of it can be seen on Leanne's blog, here).  As I was organizing my cave, I turned around to notice that my vision board

 was behind a cork board that had this poster on it. 

Now, I don't want to get all Freudian on you, but I couldn't help but chuckle when I thought about how I was covering up my vision, yet telling myself to keep in touch with my dreams. 

So I ask you...have you been covering up your vision?  Is it front and center so that you can keep in touch with your dreams?   

Have a great Sunday, y'all!

Scrap Cellar Update

Oh, yeah!  It was a great day in the Cellar! 

Celebrated one of the chicks getting published in a national magazine!! OH YEAH!!  Cindi over at So, That's Why does some amazing things with digital scrapping.  And is now being recognized!  This layout  is one of my all time favorites of hers. You can see a bigger version here.  Congratulations, Cindi!!

And for those of you who know Leanne's work (From Chaos Comes Happiness), I've asked her to crank up her Create-o-meter and design a new blog header for me.  Who can resist the incredible work she's does?  You can see more of her artwork at The Adventures of Mr. CT and Me, or at {Words of Me} Project, or Blissful Babble.  Those headers are her work!!

CT (Laura's hubby), affectionately known as our Scrapbook Beeeatch, was extra special sweet.  He made a mid afternoon run to Starbucks for us.  Yes, we are spoiled!!!  Thanks, CT!!

My time spent in the cellar was very productive.  I completed 10 pages (9 of which are shown here) and I couldn't be happier.  Some were pages in progress that just needed some little extras.  And I do need to do some journaling on them (can't do that when I'm with the Chicks, with all the talking we do) so I'll get that done today.  But I'm very happy with what I got done!!  AND, other than the mini-chips in Laura's phenomenal biscotti (oh yeah...she's back in the zone!!) I got by without chocolate!!

All in all, it was a great date.  Don't ya wish guy/girl dates would be as nice??  Have a great Sunday, y'all!!

It's a Cellar Kind of Date

Oh, boy.  Remember back when you had a big date, and you spent hours or days deciding on what you'd wear, how you'd fix your hair, what you'd talk about?  Yeah, me neither!!  "Take me for what I am or you're not worth it" is how I saw it. 

But I've got a date this weekend.  And I do spend some hours getting ready for this date.  I've got a date with my Cellar Chicks!!


Clockwise from top left:  Me, Cindi from So, That's Why!,
Laura from The Adventures of Mr. CT and Me, and
Leanne from From Chaos Comes Happiness.

So I looked for some pictures I wanted to scrap, and put together some packets that will let me get the most out of our time together.  I even asked my PG to pick up some low Points Plus (as in, Weight Watchers) chips instead of M&M's.  (I'll struggle with that one, but I'll survive). 

It's a day that fills me with creativity.  We catch up with each others' lives, we play show 'n' tell with all the new purchases from Archivers and Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and we have at least a little chocolate (it's a necessity, y'know!!), and we inspire each other with our latest projects from our latest classes. 

Yep, I'm looking forward to this date!  I'll let you know how it goes!!

It's a Blogfest!!

It's a blogfest!!  Started here, the idea is to answer the following questions to give you some insight into what makes me tick!  The nice thing about bloghopping is that sometimes it kickstarts you when you've been a little "dry" in the creative writing arena.

1.What is your favorite word?  Gratitude - There's just something about it that fills me with peace.  And it just opens doors for more good stuff to come your way!

2.What is your least favorite word?  Should.  It signifies to me a judgment call.  You should go here.  I should lose weight.  They should really act this way.

3.What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?  A sunny spring day listening to the birds, a warm (not hot) summer day, walking thru my garden, photographing flowers and butterflies and bees.  Talk about filling up with gratitude!!

4.What turns you off?  Negativity, disguised as knowledge.  You know how someone can be so very convincing that they have total knowledge about something, but everything they talk about is dripping in negativity.  Yuck!!


5.What is your favorite curse word?  Starts with an "F" and ends with "uck".  That's why I loved "The King's Speech" so much. 

6.What sound or noise do you love?  My grandkids laughter/belly laughs.  Can't get enough.

7.What sound or noise do you hate?  Dentist's drill.  'Nuf said.

8.What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  I'm love to try my hand at being a retiree!  That is a profession, isn't it??

 9.What profession would you not like to do?  Waste hauler (garbage man, trash collector) not sure what the politcally correct term is.  Just couldn't do it!

 10.If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  Mission accomplished. Where would you like to go next?

Stop by One Significant Moment at a Time to get the questions and learn how you can qualify to win some blog candy!

Happy Valentine's Day

To my dear friends and family, have a love filled day, everyday.  For today, I give you this:

Let your love be like the misty rains - coming softly, but flooding the river.
A Malagasy Proverb

Love,
Peggy

A Tribute to Barney

I know this is more for my benefit than yours, but I thought you'd enjoy some nice music to go with some pictures of Barney.  I will say that putting together this slideshow does make a difference in dealing with grief.

Thanks for stopping by.  PG and I appreciate all your support.

Beyond the Rainbow

Last night, we said goodbye to Barney.  I've told you about Barney before, here and here.  But it had come to the point where his little body couldn't fight to stay with us anymore.  As I sat to write this, I was truly at a loss for words.  So I thought about putting together a slideshow.  That will come shortly. 

Last night, PG and I talked about how much joy Barney brought us.  We talked about how all we would do is scratch on the sheet on the bed when we woke up and in one quick leap, he was right next to us, wanting to give us lovin' to start the day.

And we talked about how he would drag grandson #1 around the living room or just play tug-o-war as each of them had an end of a towel. 

And how he would be riding in the passenger seat of the van with my PG and would pull up the box of graham crackers that was between seats during their trip home.  A celebration for an excursion completed, I guess.

And how he would need his belly rub every day, while lying in PG's arms, just so that he could connect to my PG.  There were times he would just go nearly comatose and start snoring.   

And how all I needed to do if I wanted to train him to do anything was to stop and get an Italian beef sandwich.  One sandwich and he was trained.  We would joke that he was part Italian because he also loved pasta.

And how he was such a good sport when I found the latest sweater or jacket for him to wear.  Proudly wore it and knew that putting it on meant going out for a walk.

His tough guy look with snap front denim jacket!

We have been incredibly blessed to have this little guy in our lives.  But we also know that all dogs go to heaven.  My sister sent me a poem.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Beyond The Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.


I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!


My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.


'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.


So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
Author Unknown

Thanks for stopping by today.  Thanks for taking a few minutes to hear about Barney.

Snow Day #2 a.k.a. Fun in the Sun

Day 2 of the Blizzard of 2011.  Snow day at work that is shocking all of us!!

We didn't finish digging ourselves out yesterday.  We got the driveway and the front walk cleaned off.  I love it when all the neighbors pitch in and help each other.  It's just so community, y'know?

So today, the plan was to get out and do the front steps and the walk leading up to them.  Problem is the area is so confined two couldn't shovel it.  'Twas a one-man operation.  And it's CO-O-OLD out there today but the sun is shining nice and bright.  I thought I'd share with you some of the snow artistry of my PG. 

Snow Wall built by My PG 2/3/11

This isn't the first time he's had fun with snow-creations.  There was the year (1988) we built a 10 ft. sitting snowman. (It sorta reminds me of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow guy in Ghostbusters.) 

And then there's the year when we didn't have enough snow so he couldn't build a snowman, but he managed to entertain those landing at O'Hare by removing snow in areas of the backyard. 

Makes you wonder about crop circles, doesn't it??

This will give you a better perspective of how big it was.

Today, I was quite entertained as I watched him build this wall.  So were others as they walked or drove by.  It's no wonder I'm in love with this guy!!  He keeps life interesting!!

What's in your life that keeps you smiling??

"Let It Snow"?? Really??

We, in the midwest, are all saying we are hunkered down for the blizzard of '11.   We actually have no choice.  It's going to take a while for us to even get to the snowblower.  We'll have to shovel thru this

And then clear away this: 

Our little buddy loves the snow, but even he went out for about 5 mins. last night and decided to come back in.  The windy conditions makes it bitterly cold.

But the drifting makes it life-threatening.  Here's the fence between houses.  The fence is a four foot fence. 

And the composter in the back last night

10 p.m. 2/1/11

 and this morning. 



5:30 a.m. 2/2/11



Could be a record breaker.  Might take all of our energy to work on getting out today.  But still it's beautiful!!