Bartering and Grandkids

Our chickens are laying well.. so I texted my friend Bev and asked if she would like a couple dozen eggs.  Sure, she said.  I also passed on my British Country Living to them to peruse.  When her husband Gary picked them up he left this beautiful bouquet that Bev arranged for me!  It is Grape Hyacinth and Arum leaves.  Isn't it pretty?

I've never grown these but have always admired them.  I need to get some in our garden.

I put the bouquet on my little piano stool right by my chair so I can enjoy them.  Dayle brought in a daffodil that we could enjoy before they begin to decline.

I wish Daffodils bloomed all summer too.  

Bev stuck in the bouquet this precious little purse that she had sewn.  You can't see it in the photo but each egg is circled with sparkles.  Cute!

She makes these as gifts and fundraisers for groups she's involved in.  I have several for different holidays.  You can put ear buds and cords in them, money - paper and coins, credit cards, business cards, sweeteners, the list is endless.  What would YOU use this for?

Bev also showed a mask like this her neighbor made and I contacted the neighbor and asked if she'd like to trade two of these for some eggs, and so now Dayle and I both have one if we have to go out public.

I put in another order from Fred Meyer for a grocery delivery.  SCORE.. they had Bob's Red Mill flour!  Now Dayle can continue to bake our own bread.  

Google got me into trouble again.  Remember when I showed you the copper and oak handled utensils I've had for years?  WELL.. I did a search trying to find out who made these and guess what was on eBay for a pittance?  These 4 beauties!  A nice ladle, spoon, pizza or pie server and a scoop!  I simply could not resist adding to my useful collection and hit the "Buy Now" button and was shocked to see them delivered the very next day.  They have a lovely patina and now I'm not sure whether I should leave them as they are or shine them up to match mine that are shiny.  Your thoughts?  I still have not divined who made them.. the owner of these did not say.  I am looking forward to serving soup with the ladle.

Today is 🎈 🎂 Hayden's 🎂 🎈 birthday!  He is 12!!  He and Caleb's birthdays are only 4 days apart so they celebrate together.  This is them 9 years ago.  

Here is my beloved grandson Hayden today - his mama got him a brownie cake for his big day.  We called him and sang Happy Birthday to him and chatted with him about his day.  

Both of these photos came up in my Facebook "Memories" - this one is Dayle helping our 2 granddaughters, Jenna and Paige, to color Easter eggs.  When I see these photos I always think of all the activities we have not been able to enjoy with them after they moved to Ohio 9 years ago.  To be honest it still breaks my heart.  💔

Dayle made a family favorite for our dinner - it's called "Chinese Noodle Casserole" - on a humorous note, when I first saw it I said.. umm.. that looks like dog food!  Well.. that is what our family calls it.  LOL!

"Chinese Noodle Casserole" or "Dog Food"

2 TBS oil

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 Cup diced celery

1 Onion, diced

1 Cup sliced mushrooms

1 Green pepper, diced (optional)

1/4 Cup soy sauce

1/2 Cup water

1/2 Cup rice (uncooked)

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

dash pepper

1 can Chinese noodles (crunchy kind)

Brown meat and onions in oil - add other veggies and saute for a bit, then add all other ingredients.  Bake in covered casserole for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Uncover and bake for another  30 minutes.  Cover top of casserole with noodles for the last 15 minutes.

NOTE:  We *always* double this recipe as it's so good re-heated.

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I got the most wonderful letter from a woman in the UK who reads my blog but cannot comment.  So, I'm waving hello to my new friend, Lorraine!  I plan to write back to you today.

There is not a lot else to share with you.  Anything exciting happening in your home?  Do share.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)