Thought for the day ....

It seems lately I've noticed more apathy and rudeness in people. Service is bad, people are rude... I used to get mad and treat them back in the same way they treated me. Well, obviously that's just a waste of my energy! Then I got to thinking... there must be a reason why that person is sad or angry or just ready to give up. We don't know the circumstance that led them to where they are emotionally. Maybe they have an ill loved one, just lost a job, or simply feel hopeless. Now I try to be pleasant and smile (even if they don't look you in the eye, people can "feel" a smile when you talk). But most importantly, I pray for that person. I pray that God will touch their heart and give them comfort. How sad it must be for someone to be so miserable with their life! If we all stop to take the time to smile, say a kind word (and a silent prayer!) to a rude clerk, angry person in line,or *a crabby boss* ... we just might start to make a difference

Baked Potato Salad Recipe

This is awesome! Sorry I don't have an exact recipe.... it's one I saw on a Food Guru Peter Harman podcast and he just "winged" it!




you'll need:

a couple of baked potatoes
equal parts of: mayonnaise & sour cream
green onion
bacon bits (I used turkey bacon)
cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Bake potatoes in 400 degree oven for 1 hour ... or do them in the microwave if it's 89 like it was here today! Allow to cool a bit until you can handle them. You'll want them warm to absorb the flavors! Scoop out and discard skins. While warm, add all of the ingredients and gently stir. I tried not to make it into "mashed" potato salad! You can eat it warm or refrigerate. Enjoy!

Cabbage White Butterflies

My Russian Sage plant is covered with these white butterflies. I looked them up and they are Cabbage White Butterflies. They are called that because they are pests on cabbages!

Black Swallowtail Butterfly Supper!

I planted parsley to attract Black Swallowtail Butterflies. I was thrilled when I saw I had several caterpillars munching away on the parsley!

Hoarding Paper Plates!

OMG! I think I'm starting to hoard paper plates!

Hawk Photo

What a lucky shot! Right time ... right place. Greg spotted this hawk while we were driving home and I was just in time to get a shot!

Practicing with my camera

Greg stopped on the railroad tracks and said this would be a great shot. It just looks like it goes on forever!

Wilted Spinach Salad Recipe

I found this awesome spinach salad recipe...mmmmm so go and easy! Had tuna salad stuffed in pita bread with spinach leaves and tomoato.

The heated bacon dressing wilts the spinach leaves and gives this salad a wonderfully delicate flavor.
Ingredients:

•10 to 12 ounces fresh spinach, washed and torn into bit-size pieces
•1/4 cup minced red onion
•5 to 6 radishes, thinly sliced
•2 hard-cooked eggs, 1 chopped, 1 sliced
•2 to 4 slices bacon
•1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons bacon drippings
•1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
•3 tbsp. vinegar
•1 tbsp. water
•1/2 tsp. salt
•1/8 tsp. pepper

Preparation:
Place prepared spinach in a large bowl. Add onions and radishes. Refrigerate, tightly covered. Fry or microwave bacon until crisp; remove to paper towel and set aside. In a small jar or measuring cup combine drippings with sugar, vinegar, water, salt and pepper. Refrigerate all ingredients until just before serving. When ready to serve, microwave the dressing on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds, or until mixture boils. Toss the chopped egg with the greens then pour the hot dressing over greens mixture; toss again lightly. Top with sliced egg and crumbled bacon.
Serves 6.

About.com Southern Foods