Looking back . . .

Source: the50s.tumblr.com via Evelyn on Pinterest

I got a new music cd this week called Be My Baby, The Girls of the Sixties. Oh, it's just lovely, filled with songs like "I Only Want To Be With You" (Dusty Springfield), "Be My Baby" (The Ronettes), "Just One Look" (Doris Troy) and many, many others, some 70 songs in all. Oh how I have been enjoying listening to it as I putter away here at home. Todd's been enjoying it as well. Although in truth I was not a teenager when most of these songs came out, I was old enough to enjoy them anyways and listening to them brought back some lovely memories of my pre-teen years . . . click to play the following video and read on . . .



I can remember seeing the older kids getting off their bus from high school and admiring all the girls with their twin sweater sets, pony tails, bobbie sox and saddle shoes. Oh my how sophisticated they looked to me . . . and the boys with their comb backs and loafers. I could hardly wait to be a teenager . . .

On Saturday afternoons I used to watch a show on the telly called Bob and the Hits. I suppose this was the Canadian version of American Bandstand. All the latest pop tunes would be played and there would be dancing as well. There was also a Canadian Bandstand and on Friday Nights, when I got a bit older . . . It's Happening with Robbie Lane and The Disciples. Oh how I loved watching those shows and dreaming . . .

Of going to dances and wearing clothes like that and maybe even snogging a boy, one day . . . maybe even Robbie Lane!!

Source: adore-vintage.tumblr.com via Evelyn on Pinterest

I already had a pretty sizeable crush on Wally Cleaver . . . and spent many an hour wishing I was someone cool and pretty . . . someone like Annette Funicello or Sandra Dee, who always got their man . . . and who had fun times in the local soda shop, at the beach, or even slumber parties . . .

I had never been to a slumber party . . . but I had a pretty good idea of what was involved. Listening to all the latest 45 record hits on the Hi Fi and playing with each other's hair . . . trying on makeup and talking about boys, boys, boys . . . laughing a lot, dancing a little and eating cool food like Jiffy Pop Popcorn and maybe even ice cream soda's. I had never had one . . . but I knew they must be wonderful!

Source: weheartit.com via Sydney on Pinterest

I wanted a little pink Princess phone and a home permanent . . . I wanted to go to the Prom and dances at the Country Club. I wanted to dance on the beach and go surfing like Gidget . . . I wanted a friend with a cool name like Moon Doggie, and a place to hang out with all my friends . . . I wanted to baby sit. Oh to be old enough to baby sit . . . sigh . . . I wanted to be Haley Mills and go to summer camp.

Most of my experience in the world came from what I saw on the television or from what I read in books or saw at the movies. I expect it was the same with most girls my age way back then.

Source: google.com via Sydney on Pinterest

The early sixties was a special time . . . a time of innocence and hope . . . and looking forward instead of backward . . . if that makes any sense. I remember thinking I could be anyone, and do anything . . . and go anywhere . . . one day.

And then . . . I grew up, and realized that . . . life is not all fun and games, pin curls and bobby sox . . . you couldn't sort all of your problems out in 30 minutes, and that boy next door . . . he probably didn't exist . . . and if he did . . . he wasn't all that cute or all that interested! Oh, I got to do the slumber party thing . . . and Jiffy Pop . . . I went to Friday Lunch Sock Hops at school . . . and experienced my first kiss and holding hands . . . but it all passed by in a seeming flash, and here I am . . . some 50 odd years later . . . looking back at it all, listening to the Ronettes and thinking to myself . . . was it only a dream?

Source: howtobearetronaut.com via Sydney on Pinterest

Thanks for indulging me this morning. I thought in the spirit of the sixties and things in the past I would show you a recipe for a real teen treat this morning! I remember going to my first pre-teen mixed boy/girl party when I was 10. It was held in a neighbor's garage and there was Japanese Lanterns strung across the ceiling and all the latest tunes playing on the record player and dancing and lots of soda pop and things to eat just like this . . .


*Fish Stick Taco Dogs*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Something a little bit different to please the teens in your life.

8 frozen breaded or battered fish sticks
1 (8 ounce) can of refrigerated crescent rolls
(8 rolls in the tin)
1 TBS Taco seasoning mix (from a packet)
4 slices of cheese, each cut into 4 strips
3 TBS chunky tomato salsa

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the fish sticks onto the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, turning once during the baking time.

Separate the crescent dough into 8 triangles. Lightly sprinkle the surface of each with the taco seasoning, pressing it lightly to make it adhere. Turn over so that the taco seasoning is on the bottom and lay them out onto your work surface, seasoning side down.

Place one cooked fish stick on the shortest side of each triangle. Top each with 2 strips of the cheese and 1 tsp of the tomato salsa. Starting with the shortest side of the triangle, roll up the dough around the fish stick. Place cheese side up onto the same baking sheet that you have already used.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve hot.

Note: A bowl of tomato soup on the side goes very well.

You have choice in The English Kitchen today!



Frozen Lemon Souffle



or Sauteed Potato Gnocchi with Egg

The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, August 31st, 2010...

Outside My Window...
It is light outside and I think we are going to have a good day today weatherwise! It's about time! August has been a total washout!


I am thinking...
About the senseless killing of the Bishop of an LDS Ward in California on Sunday. You can read about it here. Only 42 years old and the father of six children, the youngest only 6 months old. It makes me very sad.

I am thankful for...
The beautifully sunny day we had yesterday for our picnic at the chapel and for the sunny day we are supposed to have today! That will making picking up our catalogues so much more pleasant!

From the kitchen...
There is still some Victoria Sponge and some Rhubarb Crumble. Todd must be slowing down!

I am wearing...
Pink and grey pajamas. The bottoms are grey with pink stars all over them and the top is pink with some grey trim. Comfy and warm for these cooler nights we are now having.

I am creating...
I still have a SALE going on in my Etsy shop. I have marked down all of my dolls and prints by more than 10%. I would like to make room for some new stuff. Lots of sketches done. I just need the time to paint now! I also need to re-organize my craft room. Todd moved the computer in there and it's a right tip!

I am going...
I don't have a lot of plans for the rest of this week, except for my Primary Presidency Meeting on Wednesday evening. Some weeks are like that, which is good . . . blessedly empty of activity and then again, other's are too busy! I like being busy, but I also like having nothing to do!

I am reading...



The Time Of My Life, by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi

In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Swayze has made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion and fearlessness, he's become one of our most beloved actors.

But in February 2008, Patrick announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, he refused to let the disease bring him to his knees, and his bravery has inspired both his legion of fans and cancer patients everywhere. Yet this memoir, written with wisdom and heart, recounts much more than his bout with cancer. In vivid detail, Patrick describes his Texas upbringing, his personal struggles, his rise to fame with North and South, his commercial breakthroughs in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and the soul mate who's stood by his side through it all: his wife, writer and director Lisa Niemi.

A behind-the-scenes look at a Hollywood life and a remarkable love, this memoir is both entertainment and inspiration. Patrick and Lisa's marriage is a journey of two lives intertwined and lived as one--throughout their years in Hollywood and at home on their working ranch outside Los Angeles, and culminating in the hope and wisdom they've imparted to all who know them. This book will open the door for families, individuals, and husbands and wives to grow, bond and discover entirely new levels of love and sharing, proving that life shouldn't be lived as a series of endings, but rather as the beginning of greater strength and love.

I am hoping...
Now that my youngest daughter is expecting a child of her own I am hoping that perhaps things can improve in our relationship. She has been somewhat estranged from me for a number of years now. I don't know what the problem is. It is like she has basically cut me out of her life, and if I didn't chase her up every now and then, there would be no communication at all. In fact, I only found out she was pregnant by reading something on facebook. After talking to my son the other day I discovered that everyone already knew that she was expecting, except for me. It was the same when she got engaged. I was the last to find out. My mother was told by her plumber . . . and I hadn't even been told yet, although I had long suspected. I love my daughter so very much and I wish I could heal this rift between us . . . but until I know what it is that I have done wrong there is not much I can do. In the meantime, I just keep communicating as always, like nothing is wrong and hoping that one day that will be true.

I am hearing...
Clock ticking, keys tapping . . . Mitzie snuffling next to me here on the sofa. Classical FM is on the telly, playing softly in the background. Life is good

Around the house...
I now have two baskets of ironing to work my way through instead of one! It seems to be growing! I'm not sure what that is proof of . . . either I am getting lazy or I have way more clothes to wear than a person needs!

One of my favorite things...
is the autumn . . . I love, LOVE the cooler evenings and the crisp feeling in the air. You get sunny days that are very enjoyable and not hot and sticky. Just days that you can get out and about and enjoy what's left of the warmish weather. They are even more special because you know that soon it will be winter. I love the changing of the colours of the leaves and the special smell that autumn brings. It is my favourite season of all.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot really!! Sometimes that's a good thing I am thinking!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Are you getting tired of puppy pictures yet??? Good! Coz I have lots of them! This is one of Mitzie lazing about on the sofa next to Todd. She was feeling very comfortable here! She is such a little charmer and we love her so very much. I think she's really smart. She is picking up on her training really quickly. The only thing she isn't taking to is walking on a lead. She seems to want to chew on it and hold it in her mouth. I'm not sure what to do to change that. We haven't taken her out on proper walks yet as until she has had her last shot she really shouldn't be out and about where she could run into other dogs, so we are basically just trying to lead train her in the back garden. I have her almost sitting still now for grooming. She is getting the feathers now on the backs of her legs and her belly. She can also be very stubborn we have discovered. We just have to show here that we are more stubborn!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

The cheerful heart has a continuous feast!

And there you have it . . . my day book for the first week in June. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

This is a dessert that I often made for dinner parties up at the Big House when I was working there. I miss doing the dinner parties. I always loved the challenge of orchestrating them . . . the picking of the menu, the shopping, the planning, the cooking and presentation . . . I am thinking of giving one on one cooking lessons here in my home. I'll need a larger stove first though, so they will have to wait a while . . .




*Little Lemon Souffle Cakes*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

Delightful little cakes guaranteed to turn even the simplest of occasions into a special affair. Deliciously tart and combined with a lovely sweet raspberry coulis. (see recipe below) Fabulous!
nonstick cooking spray
3 TBS butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
4 large free range eggs, separated
2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 TBS all purpose flouf
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk

To finish:
raspberry coulis (see below)
softly whipped cream
fresh mint sprigs

Preheat the oven to 160*C/325*. Lightly coat six (10 ounce) ramekins with some cooking spray and place in a large roasting tin with deep sides. Set aside.

Cream the butter with an electric mixer on high speed for about 30 seconds or so until fluffy. Add the sugar and beat well until combined. Beat in the egg yolks until the mixture is creamy. Gradually beat in the lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, salt and the milk. Beat for about 3 minutes on medium speed until well combined.

Clean the beaters well. Beat the egg whites with the clean beaters until stiff peaks form. Fold the yolk mixture carefully into the beaten egg whites. Divide the mixtue evenly amongst the prepared cups. (I like to use a small ladle to do this) Add hot water to the roasting pan to reach about halfway up the sides of the cups. Place the roasting pan on a baking tray for ease of getting it in and out of the oven. Bake for ten minutes, uncovered. Reduce the heat to 150*C/300*F and bake for 30 minutes longer, or until a knife inserted near the centre of each comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for several hours.

Place some raspberry coulis on the bottom of six chilled dessert plates. Carefully unmold each lemon cake onto the top of the coulis. Top each with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint to serve.

*Raspberry Coulis*

The fancy name for fruit puree or thick sauce, a coulis (meaning strained) is perfect served over ice cream or chocolate cake. You can use this recipe for other berries such as blackberries and strawberries.

300g of fresh or frozen raspberries
juice of one lemon or lime
1 to 2 TBS icing sugar, or more to taste

Place the raspberries in a saucepan and add the lemon or lime juice. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher and sift the icing sugar over top. Stir until it dissovles. Heat the raspberries just until simmering, then push them through a sieve with a wooden spoon. Discard any solids left in the sieve. Taste the puree and add more sugar if desired, although the coulis should be somewhat tart, with a strong flavour of the berries.



Over in The English Kitchen today, Triple Threat Crispie Treats! The perfect after school snack!