Best Cranberry Nut Bread Ever!!

Fresh from the oven!!!

I love ...nut breads, banana nut bread, pumpkin nut bread, apple nut spice bread, but my favorite ...nut bread is cranberry nut bread. The best recipe I have found is on the bag of FRESH cranberries by Ocean Spray! If you lived near me I would make you a loaf for your holiday morning breakfast.

But since I don't, here is the recipe. Of course if you buy a bag of Ocean Spray fresh cranberries it's on the bag.

Cranberry Nut Bread

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons of shortening
1 tablespoon of grated orange peel
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x5 loaf pan. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, shortening, orange peel and egg. Mix until well beaten. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes, Remove from pan; cool completely. Wrap and store overnight. Makes 1 loaf.

Enjoy!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Haunted House in Lights

Haunted House in Light
Originally uploaded by Norbini

I was looking for a picture of a haunted house to post today and found this much more exciting and a beautiful work of art as well!!! Have a grand day!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Haunted House in Light
Originally uploaded by Norbin

The Simple Women's Daybook

Rising to another day is always a blessing, one in which thanksgiving and praise is offered to the all-loving Father. So it is with gratitude I begin this day.

~~Outside my window...it is very dark. It's 4:25 a.m. Sam's peering through the office window meowing to come in.

~~I am thinking...it would be grand to visit my friends Martha in NJ or Fay in TX and chat over a cup of tea.

~~I am thankful for...sunshine and glorious Autumn colors that reflect the sun.

~~From the kitchen...clam chowder.

~~I am wearing...my long-sleeved nightgown.

~~I am creating...the Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom.

~~I am going...have a less hectic week.

~~I am reading...still A Call To Joy by Matthew Kelly. I have found it to be a good book for reflection.

~~I am hoping...the weather continues to be glorious.

~~I am hearing...humming of the computer in the stillness.

~~Around the house...decorations complete for Halloween, just need to dust and vacuum.

~~One of my favorite things...watching old movies.

~~A few plans for the rest of the week: 1) continue to work on my vacation journal (it was a BUSY summer);2) prepare for Halloween travel to INDY to visit grand kids for the holiday;get my hair cut; 4) prepare Bible study for Thursday.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Autumn Berries

After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share. It will always be a journey worth sharing!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Nevada Holiday

Click here to view these pictures larger

There is a wonderful Chinese Proverb that I read today the really touches the essence of our time with Tom and Kathleen.

One generation planted the trees,
and another gets the shade.

So it is that Ron and I will be indebted to friends and family for the opportunity to "sit in the shade!"

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

4th of July

Maxine says it all!!! Please have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Valentine's Day Poetry

Roses are red.
Violet are blue.
It's Valentine's Day.
And I love all of you.

Daisies are white,
Lovely and pure.
Remember this day
That God's love is sure.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

I am reminded of the days on the playground when we girls would stand around and compose our "Roses are Red" poetry. They were grand times and there are such fond memories. My wish to you is that you can make some fond memories on this Valentine's Day.

If you wish to contribute your poem to this day known for its "Love Notes" please compose and add the link to your blog here so we can all read your beautiful
words...

Bad Haiku Friday

The New Year has come
Hooray and Hallelujah
Peace and Joy to ALL!

~~*~*~***~*~*~~

Had such a grand day yesterday! We went to see Bedtime Stories with Kellie and Neil. All went to Sonic and I got my New Year's Cherry Lime Slush. We came home and watched the Monk Marathon. Now, can there be anything better than that?

Ron, Kellie and Neil are all sleeping in and now I must get ready for WORK!!

~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

NEW YEAR, 2009

Wishing all a Happy Holy New Year
with Thanks be to

God!

It should be noted that you may have seen this video here before. It's one of my favorites!

Preview

It's Great To Be Back...

photo by OldTasty

but tomorrow we are gone for the weekend again. Off to INDY to visit and go to the Children's Museum at Christmas! It always a grand place to go. I have to tell you that the glass ceiling as above is just as beautiful as the picture. I am really looking forward to seeing all the Christmas docorations!!! Will be back in the groove soon and will share the trip with you!

I'm so glad Simon is home because now I can travel the world and visit. Missed you all! Will chat soon! I have some catching up to do!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Simple Women's Daybook

Had to do it this week when all is in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. This is a wonderful time of the year and sharing a what makes it so powerful! After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

1. Outside my window...it's rainings

2. I'm thinking...it's good as we need the rain and it's not snow.

3. I'm thankful for...to have the opportunity to live where Thanksgiving has a special place in our lives and time is taken to spend time with family and friends to share the gratitude.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers. (different robe)

5. From the Kitchen...spaghetti and meat sauce (make in the crock pot).

6. I am creating...a sense of calm. I'm trying not get to excited about the trip to Charlotte to visit David, Kelly and the kids.

7. I am reading...Haven't started a new book yet...

8 . I'm hoping...that this week will be full of love, joy, safe travel for all, and true Thanksgiving to the God who made us all.

9. I am hearing...peace and quiet.

10. Around the house...Christmas gifts are wrapped for the journey and suitcases are out but not packed...yet.

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Safe trip to and from Charlotte and Thanksgiving with the kids.

12. One of my favorite things is...baking and I made two loves of cranberry nut bread! Yummy!

13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Mount Rushmore
June, 2007

Wishing all a Grand Thanksgiving Week...

~~~^j^~~~
And Thanks be to God!!!

Wonderful Holiday Weekend...

I had such a nice weekend. It wasn't hectic, just nice. Attended Mass Saturday evening at St. Joseph's where Kellie, our grand daughter, received the Serra Award. Sunday went to Anna's graduation picnic!!! Monday was just quiet...

Mom sent me this via email and so I think I will share it with you as we start back to work for a "short week" and take a walk down memory lane. At least it's memory lane for me as I graduated from high school in 1965...Please enjoy!

Cars We Drove


~~~~~~~

For the good times and the not-so-good times
Thanks be to God!

Washing Dishes...

The other night Ron and I were privileged to help serve dinner to a group of people at church. It was a special occasion of some kind. Don't know what it was for, and that is not important. What struck me about the evening was the joy I felt being with the people who were serving as well. While helping to wash the dishes (for 50 people) I was reminded of those times I was closest to my family. Those times were when we were doing the mundane, seemingly unglamorous tasks.

Every year at this time I take a great deal of pleasure in remembering family gatherings in which the most important time for me as a "female" child was to be allowed to help clear the dishes and help wash them with the Aunt and my mother. Why? Because I could hear all those wonderful tales of other family gatherings that they could weave, I'm sure embellish, (which I have NEVER been prone to do) about their childhoods and the memories they shared of past gatherings.

I learned in serving the rewards are great...even if your hands become as prunes or the dish towel is so wet is has little value in drying. The value is in the giving and the treasure you give is the one of self.

~*~*~*~*~
For family and friends and the privilege of serving I say,
"Thanks be to God."