still keeping a list

I'm not completely in the retirement mode yet. There's still the taking it easy recuperating bit to go through for a few weeks which keeps me from jumping into things with both feet, so I guess I'm one foot in, and one foot waiting to follow.

True to my form, I've made a list of want-to's and to-do's. In the meantime, I'm doing the picking up and sorting that has been waiting for me to have more time. Went through computer files this morning and rearranged a few and deleted others. Still more of that to do, but I'll get there.

Several things on my list will just have to wait, but that gives me plenty of time to daydream about the wonderful yard I hope to create out back (positive imaging). I'll pull out my gardening and landscaping books and see what magic I can work.

I did actually prepare a meal this afternoon. High points go to the cornbread salad. Such a comfort food, it reminds me of Mom and Dad. Dad especially loved a good pot of beans, and this dish provides the beans and cornbread without the hours of simmering. Here's the recipe I used, though I did cut it in half of what's called for.

Cornbread Salad

2 packages cornbread, cooked and crumpled
2 cans pinto beans, drained
chopped onion (recipe called for 2, but prepare to taste)
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped (I used canned diced tomatoes)

Layer the items above in a 9 x 13 pan (here again I deviated...after crumpling the cornbread in the bottom of the dish, I combined the other ingredients and poured them over the cornbread)

Dressing: Mix together: 16 oz ranch dressing
1 cup pickle juice

Drizzle the dressing over the layers.

Top with 1 pound cooked bacon, crumpled into pieces.

Let set at room temperature for 2 hours.


Yummo. Dad always put pickle juice on his beans, and it does complement the flavors.


I've also done a bit of redwork over the last couple of weeks. This Santa will eventually be surrounded with assorted Christmas prints and be a quilted wall hanging. I'll be making a few of them, and one will actually go to my Secret Sis in her December package. I'm free to show it, because that's the month we'll reveal our identities. (Don't look too close at the wrinkles.)


And, last but not least, I've not done a lot on my cq this week. Picked up an embellishment or two though.

That's it for now. Have a good week...