Great New Website - Living Social

I found this great website called livingsocial.com. This website is amazing if you are looking for things to do where you live, getting ready to travel to another city and to get great "Deals of the Day." Pretty much every day or every other day, the website will e-mail you a "Deal of the Day" for the city you select. Today I bought a 1-hour facial at a medical spa for $38.00 (a $120.00 value, 71% savings). Other deals I've seen were a bi-plane ride over Atlanta for $70+, a 2-hour limo ride for 10 people for $80 and 50% of specific restaurants.

Sign up to get your "Deal of the Day." Once you reach the website you enter your address to start receiving the "Deals." The website will usually default to Washington D.C., but once you click "Send Me Free Deals" you will have the option to select other cities. You can create a free Living Socials account or use your Facebook login in order to join and have the ability to select multiple cities once your account is created.

https://livingsocial.com/redeem_invite/3829575-aelee1?ref=Ink

Enjoy the savings! Plus it links you to 365 things to do in the city you select!

bwyl
dama

My grandchildren

My grandson, Matthew, who lives in Cincinnati visited his Aunt Sara, Taylor and myself for five days. Taylor and Aunt Sara live near me and I am blessed to see them frequently. I watch Taylor three days a week and see her often. It was so good to spend quality time with my grandson and grandaughter. We wore them out. We planned several activities. We went to our local park. It's beautiful! We took my two dogs, Lucy, a chocolate lab, and Maggie Mae, a golden retriever and hiked the trails. Maggie Mae loves to swim in the lake and had a very nice swim. The kids played on the playground equipment then headed home. The days all rolled one into the other, but we took them to the pool, had a slumber party at Aunt Sara's, roasted hot dogs, made s'mores and watched a movie until they fell asleep. It didn't take long. We took them to see Despicable Me. Great movie! I took Taylor and Matthew to the zoo while Aunt Sara worked on Tuesday. Matthew had never seen the dolphin show so I was sure to arrive early so we could sit in the front row. I wanted to make sure Matthew got splashed by the dolphins. He loved it. It's so nice to have a piece of my son. I see so much of him in my grandson. Matthew still misses his Dad very much and wants God to send him back. So hard for a five year old.

The grandchildren are very much alike and really enjoy spending time together. Grandchildren are such a blessing. I look forward to more visits from Matthew and watching them grow together!

Wordless Wednesday

Organizing lunch with friends...

Having lunch with friends doesn't just happen... someone has to organize the lunch, make phone calls, check  schedules, decide where to eat... It has been months, since I have had the chance to visit with Carol and Angela.  At the end of our time together, I posed the question... how are we making a difference in the lives of people? As mothers, we strive guide to available to our adult children. Listening... encouraging... and sharing... We share our volunteer experiences... Over the past few weeks, I have a longing to do something more.... I don't know what that is... but I am praying about how to mentor young mother, tutor students.... I think this longing is a God desire to do more...

While we long to serve, in many ways, we already are... caring for grandchildren, visiting a family member whose memories are slowly fading, being available to our adult children, teaching children...  my heart is serve God's people and reach out to those in need... meeting with friends is more than having lunch. What a blessing... Carol did the organizing...

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These are my go-to cookies for all of the holidays. Be sure to chill the dough well.


1 C margarine, softened
1 1/2 C confectioner's sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract
2 1/2 C all purpose flour
1 t baking soda

Mix thoroughly the first 5 ingredients. Blend in flour and baking soda. Cover, chill overnight.

Heat oven to 375. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured cloth covered board. Cut into desired shapes. Place on parchment covered baking sheets. Bake 7-8 minutes or until light brown on edge.

Special Icing
4 C confectioner's sugar
1 large egg white
water

Beat sugar into egg white, adding 1 T of water or enough to produce the thickness of frosting that you want.

Enjoy
~Hoochmom~

Summer Foods we love

Summer is my favorite time of year for eating! There are so many fresh fruits and vegetables available. I believe I was over eager when shopping last week. I bought strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, fresh pineapple, nectarines, grapes, bananas, romain lettuce, carrots, fresh green beans, sweet corn. My refrigerator is bulging. I've begun enjoying the cucumbers and tomatoes (red and yellow, large and cherries) from our garden. Green peppers will be ready soon. Herbs are readying for harvest, fresh dill, rosemary, Italian parsley, thyme, oregano and fragrant lavendar, my favorite scent. I love that this opens up so many different meal ideas and healthier choices. Here comes the rain I've been hoping for to water my flowers and garden and our poor parched yard. Nothing like a fresh summertime rain.

We are firing up the grill tonight (once the rain stops) to grill some chicken and prepare a fresh salad for a grilled chicken salad, grill the sweet corn, grill some fresh bread with butter and garlic, then finish the meal with a fresh fruit salad. If you're not hungry after reading this...you surely will be soon.

May you all enjoy the bountiful food that summer brings!

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Smack Yo Mama Mac and Cheese

I was looking for this recipe in my files and couldn't find it. Finally found it under "vegetables"! Guess my southern roots are showing...

This is so good it will make you "smack yo mama".


Smack Yo Mama Mac and Cheese
1 lb elbow or shell macaroni, cooked
8 T butter
1/2 C shredded muenster cheese
1/2 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 C half & half
4 oz Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 t seasoned salt
1/8 t pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 2 1/2 qt deep casserole dish. In a large saucepan melt butter. Add cooked macaroni. Add remaining ingredients, stir well. Transfer to casserole dish. Bake for 35 minutes or until bubbly.

Enjoy!
~Hoochmom~

Visit to Stone Mountain

Today Gus and I made it out of the house and paid a visit to Stone Mountain, GA. Stone Mountain is home to the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of exposed granite, and over 3200 acres of forest and miles of trails.

We enjoyed the hot yet not so humid 90 degree weather while doing the Sky Hike and playing miniature golf. The Sky Hike is a 1/4 mile ropes course up in the "sky." There are three levels to the course, 12 ft, 24 ft and 40 ft. Gus and I traveled along the ropes on the 24 ft and 40 ft levels. It's an activity that takes some nerve, balance and upper body strength in order to make it to the end. All in all it was a great time and we plan to visit again. Next time we plan to hike up the mountain...

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/

Organizing my interior life

Organizing my prayer life... I want to be more effective and intentional in my prayer life.  This morning, I was able to spend more time in devotion and in prayer. While I pray every day, I want to experience more of God.  I don't want to be "busy" and forget the most important part of my life.  I desire to have God's wisdom... and have Him direct me....

O God, thou art my God; Early will I seek You

Psalm 63:1

Tasty Tuesday

We celebrated a rainy Independence Day this year, but that didn't stop the ice cream making.





Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine

4 C sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 C sugar
2 C heavy whipping cream
2 14oz cans sweetened condensed milk
4 C half&half
2 t vanilla

In a food processor combine strawberries and sugar. Process until chopped fine.
In a mixer, beat cream at medium high speed until soft peaks form. Add condensed milk and mix until combined. Add half and half, vanilla and strawberry mixture.

Pour into the container of an electric ice cream freezer. Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. When finished ice cream will be soft. For a firmer texture, freeze for 2-3 hours. Enjoy!

~Hoochmom~

The Star-Spangled Banner (History)

Our New Patio

Well after about 10+ trips to Home Depot, a visit from my parents and a lot of hard work by my Dad, we have a new patio. My dad laid stone pavers and built a wooden pergola for our backyard. Gus and I had originally planned to build a deck (a very large deck), but after determining the cost and the amount of time it would take, we decided to go in another direction. Our new plan to have the pergola and pavers cost about a 1/3 of what the deck was going to cost us.

My parents were here last week and my dad spent most of his vacation working on this project for us. Laying stone pavers and building a pergola was a first for him, but he did a fantastic job. Gus and I absolutely love what he was able to do.

Our next plan is to purchase real patio furniture. We're hoping to get a good deal after the July 4th holiday.

bwyl

dama