Perfect on a Chilly Day! Rena's Money Saving "Stone Soup!"

Talk about poor mans Soup, I think I just re-invented "Stone Soup"
Remember the ...story of stone soup?
Serves 4

 Rena's New Stone Soup!

1 can Libby's Whole Kernel Sweet Corn
1 can Libby's Whole Potatoes ---Dollar store sells each for 79 cents
1/3 cup milk
2 cups water
1 teaspoon olive oil
7 slices American Cheese (store brand)
2 handfulls of egg noodles (dollar store)
1 slice of med onion diced
shake of garlic salt
shake of Salt Sense (or regular salt)

Put olive oil and onions in pot with a shake of garlic salt, stir till onions opaque.
add can of corn, juice and all, drain juice from potatoes into pot, dice potatoes and add with water and milk to the pot, put in the cheese and noodles, season with salt. Stir until cheese is melted then simmer until noodles are done, about 8 min.

I served with Buttered Toast Points, Kinda gave it a Gourmet Flair!
And of course Presentation is everything!

Such an economical dish to prepare for your family, and kids will love it!

Winter??

Yesterday Wayne and I had to put all the plants in the garage, a freeze is a come'n. I think it probably went to about 30 out here at the Beaches, which is low enough to damage all the tropicals and some of the succulents. So in they came! When this front moved in last night the wind was the factor, gust to 45 mph, I just knew a huge limb would blow down out of one of the Oaks, or Maples, or the scurge of the earth (I think it is called Sweet Gum). This Sweet Gum tree drops prickly balls that settle in the grass, roof, pots, walkways...honestly if I had to flee my house in barefeet, God help me I wouldn't make it 2 feet out the door! Who in their right mind would purposely plant such an animal!  I went out this morning to check out the damage to things I covered, all seemed to make it through. I always look at the impatients first, if they're not in a mushy pile, I know all is ok! But I looked in the birdbath and the top of the water was frozen! At 11:30 am! Wow, porch thermometor in our screeded room reads 45 degrees. Must still be the wind chill.. I snapped a couple of pics and ran back inside, after petting Gracie my Garden Cat.

Anticipation...New Years Eve

Kicking 2011 to the Curb! Catching the 539 (my address) to the New Year! Will be fun to see what this New Year has in store for My Family and all My Friends! Exciting! Wayne and I are starting our 30th year together, so Bring It On! 2012, God when I was a kid, who even thought of the year 2000, much less 2012! Were'nt we all supposed to be flying around on personal JetPacks?? Well.. I know that all of us can choose our Destiny, and I am Choosing Happiness, Good Health, and Prosperity in this New Year.

So as the Hour of Midnight is toasted, I am saying Cheers To You! Happy New Year!

Window to the Future...

The Reindeer looks like he is turning his back on 2011! He is looking toword the East, the Rising Sun, the New Morn.  Hopes, Dreams, Excitement,New Friends, Family and all the new possibilities that are ahead for this New Year.

Fireplace Pillow

I made these pillows about 4 years ago to share with my girlfriends. I purchased the preprinted linen burlap at Joann's Fabrics. I think there were enough of the pattern sections to make 6 pillows. I decided to enhance the printed fabric with trims, sequins, red bells and a pretty cool fringe. Kinda making it my own, well it worked, cuz all loved them!

2011 Christmas Mantel....More is More!

My Christmas Mantel is well known to all my Friends, it is alive in red lights, ornaments, gold accents, glittery beads, red mercury glass candle holders, gold deers (my Moms) and fresh greenery! Gold grapes, gold mesh ribbons finish off my show stopper!

2011 Christmas Tree...The Mother of all Trees!

My Christmas tree is really the story of my life told in Ornaments! Every Ornament I have ever purchased or been given since the age of 22, is there! This is the most fun for me, hanging each and reliving all the special moments from my life. Right down to the garland and the Angel on top. (both purchased at 22 years of age)