Thursday, October 12, 2017

Thursday, October 12, 2017

What the Beck???

Pet Bed #5 

 This one began with an old wooden Coca-Cola box 

that had the slots it in to hold the bottles.

Robbie took out the slot boards, and I was left with 

the sides and partial bottom. The pillow will cover 

the gaps in the base.

 Since the box was weathered, I decided to use 

fabric that matched the time period.

 Voila!  An antique looking pet bed. This is one of my
favorites and it was quick to make.

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Pumpkin Banana Bread

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/pumpkin-banana-bread/?printable_recipe=94800

I figured out that there are 321 calories, if 16 servings are made from the 2 loaves of bread. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use).

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bread. It is the best of both worlds. The bananas make it very moist ad flavorful. This is one I will continue to make throughout the year.

I decided to make four mini loaves instead of two large ones.

I began by greasing the loaf pans.

 I began with the dry ingredients. 

In a large bowl, I put in the flour.

 Then, in went the baking soda,

 salt,

 baking powder,

and then I added in the spices. 

I began with the cinnamon,

 and then added in the ginger,

 cloves,

 grated nutmeg,

 and then I mixed the dry ingredients together.

 In a new bowl, mix the granulated sugar,

 light brown sugar,

 vegetable oil,

and eggs. Mix them together.

 To the wet ingredients add in the banana,

 and the pumpkin puree.

 and mix them all together.

Don't ya love my mini whisk?

Add in the dry ingredients.

For this I got out the BIG whisk.

 Don't over mix it.

 Lastly, add in the chopped pecans.

I made four small loaves instead of two large 

ones. That way four families could enjoy 

them. I made one for myself, and I gave the other 

three away to the mail lady, the Blanford family, 

and of course the Barnetts.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

What the Beck???

The Best of Nelson County 2017

       Background:  I was reading The Kentucky Standard, our local newspaper, and they had a section called The Best of Nelson County 2017. This section listed 100 categories for the Readers' Choice Awards. This is the seventh installation of my visits to these winning business locations.

#11    Best Sushi:  
The winner was Umami: Steakhouse and Sushi

Umami is located at: 942 Chambers Blvd. Bardstown

502 - 331 - 0179

I went with nine other ladies from the Library Groups.

The restaurant was pretty dark. Sorry ladies!!!

The chef was quite talented and funny.

He was grilling the veggies and creating fried rice 

at the same time. Of course, I was worried that

he was going to mix them, but he laughed and

assured me that it wasn't going to happen.

Look at that steam!

Veggies are just not my thing.

He made a little volcano out of onion. Cool!!

Actually HOT!

I was so absorbed in what he was doing I missed 

taking the photo of the Steak grilling. In this photo 

he was cooking the scallops, shrimp, and I think chicken.

Mmmmmm  I can't wait!

I loved my meal of steak, scallops, and fried rice.

This was the best meal!!!!

Marilyn and Mary had a great time, too.
A big thanks to Bernadine who organizes these
monthly ladies dinners.


#64    Best Beauty Salon:  
The winner was True Bliss Salon


TrueBliss Salon is located at:
512 E. Stephen Foster Ave. Bardstown
502-350-4110

I love this salon!  Coleen Addante, my Illinois hairdresser went on line and selected it for me. She told me that Kaylie would be a good match for my needs.  I totally agree! I love going there and they do a great job.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

What the Beck???

Pet Bed #4

I bought four crates at a yard sale for $6.00 each 

which helps lowers my donation cost.

I began this bed by making the pillow.

I loved the blue and gray polka dots.

With the pillow finished, I began by painting the gray.

Some slats are solid gray and others are striped.

The blue is a very light and soft color.

I decided to do some polka dots on 
top and in the solid gray and blue slats.

A few polka dots on the inside of the bed.

A few more on the back.

This bed would be great for a cat
or a small dog. It would also be good 
for shy animals who want to be hidden.

 Close-up

 This was really fun to complete.

Only one more bed to go!

Friday, October 6, 2017

Friday, October 6, 2017

What the Beck???

"Sometimes the most courageous act is what you don't do."  Arnon Grunberg

     I saw this quote on line. I truly believe it is hard not to react at times and this quote made me reflect. I can be impulsive, but it is not always a good thing. Recently I spoke before I thought, so this is my new mantra to myself. Think before you speak or act!

Pet Bed #3

I found this little bench and loved the feet. This one is 

a little more on the "girly" side. I think it would be 

great for a very small dog or a cat.

Can I paint too many polka dots???

Because the bottom is a cushioned seat, I decided to 

cover it with the fabric I used to make the little pillow.

I also added some ribbon to hide the staples. 

Cute!! 

 The cushion fit perfectly.

The final product ready to sell
at the Bardstown Craft Fair.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

What the Beck???

The remodelers have begun their work!

Their first challenge was to remove the 

"popcorn floral" ceiling.

I truly hate that type of ceiling.

It took quite awhile and made a major mess.

This is Jerome Mudd - my highly recommended, fabulous remodeler. Travis, his son, will also

be working on this project.

I thought this was a nice vanity and mirror,

but I can't decide on one until I know how

much space we have to fill.  I am hoping
for a double vanity - why?  I want it.

I have been looking for taller baseboards, 

and this was my favorite so far.

I am adding beadboard to the living and dining rooms.

We will be painting them white.

For the master bedroom and closet I am 
looking for gray stain resistant carpet.


We are now off and running.
More to come.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Monday, October 2, 2017

What the Beck???

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Nominated Movies

1940     Kitty Foyle: The Natural History of a Woman

starring: Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig, Ernest Cossart,                  Gladys Cooper…

plot –   A wealthy man dates and eventually weds a girl from a lower                class. His family is not happy about the wedding. They                  divorce and she finds a doctor, until her ex returns.

This was a really good movie. It was predictable because of the rich man/poor girl stories. I did enjoy the movie, however.

1938     The Citadel

starring:  Robert Donat, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Richardson, Rex                       Harrison, Emlyn Williams

plot –     A young doctor begins his first job in Wales in a mining town.                 In his spare time he studies the persistent cough of                     many of the men. He thinks something in the mines is                   making the tuberculosis worse. He meets resistance                     from everyone. He moves to London to a better               location, but begins to lose his goals and ambition and                 more importantly his values.

This was a pretty good old movie. I loved his beginning ambition and desire to better the world around him. It was hard to see him change and value the almighty dollar more than his original goals.

1943     Watch on the Rhine

starring:  Bette Davis, Paul Lukas, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Lucile Watson,                 Beulah Bondi

plot –    An American woman and her family come to the USA to visit.                 Her husband is a German whose is an engineer by trade.                 A Romanian count negatively impacts their visit with her                 family.

This was an okay movie, because it was pretty predictable. The DVD also had several bumpy spots that broke up the most important parts of the movie. Another one checked off the list.

1942     Wake Island

starring:  Brian Donlevy, Macdonald Carey, Robert Preston, William                     Bendix, Albert Dekker, Walter Abel, Rod Cameron, Bill                   Goodwin, Damian O’Flynn, Frank Albertson

plot –     Our Marine forces are deployed to Wake Island. A new strict                 Major is sent to the island to prepare the forces for war.                 The men dislike all the rules and regs., and don’t want                   to change at all. The Japanese attacks and the men show                 their courage and bravery.

This was a really good movie. I liked that it included a little humor before the war began and showed how the Marines rose to the challenge when overrun by the Japanese.