A Tisket A Tasket

Well, what have you been up to?  I have been very busy the past few weeks.  Honestly, I had to get with it given my last blog.  If you've read it, you know my "Basket List" is a long one, so I have to manage my time wisely!  I received some great comments from my previous blog, and want to thank each of your for sharing your "Basket List" with me.   I even borrowed from your lists to add to my own!

One item in particular, is a trip to Ireland. I would love to go there.  Why are we so enchanted with that country?  From all the pictures I've seen, it looks very green and very clean.  I wonder if that's true.  Maybe we've all read one too many Irish romances or folklore stories.   Oh well, I'll add it to my list all the same and we'll see if I ever get there.

Aside from that, where should I begin?  Ok, how about with the cooking?  In that regard, I have a confession to make--I cheated.  Yep, I did.  Remember that I mentioned I collect cookbooks?  That's the truth.  Did I make my first "new" recipe from them?  Nope!  I confess (with all the humility I'm sure George Washington did in the "cherry tree" debacle--lol) my first recipe was from the back of the Jello pudding box!  Yes, ladies and gents, I made a "Watergate" salad using a simple recipe from the box.  Here's the recipe:

1 package (4-serving size) Jell-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling  

1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice, (not drained)
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped walnuts nuts
1 cup halved grapes (green or red, your choice) (my addition)
2 cups thawed Cool Whip Topping

Directions:  Stir the pudding mix, pineapple with juice, marshmallows, grapes, and nuts in large bowl until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish as desired. Yield: Makes 8 servings

I remember that as a little girl, when our church hosted a "dinner on the grounds," someone would inevitably bring one of these green, delicious salads.  (There appears to be a "green" theme in this blog--puzzling)  If you've never attended one of these events, write me and I'll tell you all about them!  Nevertheless, as you can tell, I have a sweet tooth.  (Although the Fried Chicken in the pic on the left looks really good too!)

Thus, out of sheer necessity I have added Taking Care of Me to my Basket List.  I recently joined a health club and am trying to work out at least three times a week.  I'm not losing a lot of numbers on the scale yet, but I do feel better and have a little more energy.

Still along the lines of food and cookbooks, I have tried a couple of new recipes from my existing collection, including a spiral pasta salad, sweet and sour meatballs, and a pot roast.  I personally believe they were all good, but you would have to ask my husband if that's the truth!  My daughter has even gotten in on the act by preparing brownies and my son can bake a mean Pillsbury Crescent Roll!

Here's the recipe for the "Spiral Pasta Salad" I made from the Taste Of Home Picnics, potlucks & barbecues magazine (2008). 

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked spiral pasta

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/2 cup chopped tomato

1/2 cup shredded carrot

DRESSING:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons ketchup

4 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground mustard

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:  In a large bowl, combine pasta, green pepper, celery, tomato and carrot. In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine dressing ingredients; shake well. Pour over salad and toss. Chill.  Yield: Makes 8 servings

I recently picked up a new cook book at the Lenoir City, TN Arts and Crafts Festival that I attended with my daughter last weekend.  It was so cool!  The fair was held at the Fort Loudon dam and we even took a 30 minute boat ride aboard the Watts Bar "Belle" Riverboat.  All I could think of was Mark Twain and Steamboat Willie!

Isn't it cool?!  So nostalgic.

One more thing.  I have decided to try my hat at sales, Avon, that is.  I know what you're thinking.  But I'm giving it a shot.  I really would like to make some new friends (I don't have many these days...I seem to be losing them by the basketful, lol) and what the heck, even make some money.  My mom sold Avon years ago to pay for my piano lessons.  What we do for our kids!  Besides, what have I got to lose?  So I'll keep you posted how that endeavor goes. So what are your latest adventures/accomplishments with your Basket List?  I'd love to hear!

Click this link to my personal Avon site and the blog I write about my newest adventure!