Batten Down the Hatches!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.... and I do enjoy a cozy winter evening with a fire in the fireplace...wearing sweaters and fuzzy slippers - but it is the warm weather and summer fun that warms my veins - the season I truly look forward to during the entire cold winter months. Today we put the mast down on the Hobie and Bruce put it on the trailer for winter. Sail on Sailor - Summer will be back soon!

Friday's FIVE!

Job's Daughters is an organization of young women between the ages of 10 and 20 who are related to a Master Mason - My mother was a past Honored Queen for Jobs Daughters - and her father was Master Mason, so it was only natural for me to consider Jobs Daughters as a pre-teen. It was customary for an officer of Jobs Daughters and a Guardian to visit your home when you expressed an interest in joining the Bethel. It was Nicki Ball and her mother that visted my house that day. Nicki was a pretty, popular high school cheerleader - and I wanted to be just like her. Little did I know at that time, that Nicki would be one of the closest friends I have ever had - my 'Best Bud' , my "BB" as we have referred to each other.

Nicki and I have kids close to the same age - and we were involved in several organizations together, it was only natural that we would be connected. We became very close though when we also became neighbors - we were neighbors in Marion and neighbors at the lake. My kids call her "Aunt Nicki" - Our families spent a lot of time together.., and Nicki and I shared recipes and entertaining ideas ... and Saturday afternoons. When my 25 year marriage ended, Nicki was my true, unconditional... stand beside me...listen to me cry, hold my hand friend. When I moved from my family home - she understood my grief... When I married Bruce, she shared my happiness...and when I moved from Marion - other than my family, it was Nicki I missed the most.

Today - Nicki still lives in Marion ... but we have remained BB's in spite of the distance.... Nicki and I spend hours painting or working glass at the Pottery Bayou - we email ... we talk... we text... We share laughs...we share tears ... and we share joy...Nicki is my forever friend!

This week on November 12th, Nicki celebrated her birthday...it was also Kent, her husbands birthday...and their wedding anniversary - So - in honor of my BB, who is also an amazing cook -

This weeks Friday FIVE! is five of "Aunt Nicki's" recipes that have become family favorites!

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1. AUNT NICKI'S PASTA SALAD

12-16 Oz cooked and drained Pasta

1 8oz bottle Italian Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing

3 oz pkg. sliced Pepperoni

1 1/4 C Sliced black olives

1 small sliced red onion

1C chopped green, red and yellow pepper

1/4C chopped fresh parsley

1/2 - 3/4 C shredded parmesan cheese

Combine ingredients and refrigerate

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2.HOT ARTICHOKE DIP

A Family Holiday Favorite!

1C grated fresh parmesan cheese

3/4 C Mayonnaise

1 C Chopped/Drained Artichoke Hearts

Bake in a shallow pan - 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

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3. NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ROLLS

2 Loaves frozen bread, slightly thawed

Chopped Pecans

1 Pkg instant Butterscotch Pudding

1 C Melted Butter

1 C Brown Sugar

Slice bread into 1" thick rounds. Sprinkle pecans into a lightly greased 13X9 pan

Place bread on top of Pecans

Stir melted butter and brown sugar over low heat until sugar melts

Pour over bread and cover with wax paper and towel over night

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and invert on platter to serve

Sprinkle with dry pudding over bread

(Bruce LOVES this recipe!)

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4. NICKI'S SUMMER SALAD

Known to us now as (Katie's Wedding Salad)

1-2 Bunches Romaine

1 pt. sliced strawberries

1/2 med sweet onion, thinly sliced rings

1/2 c slivered almonds

1/3 C Sugar

1 T Butter

Melt Sugar and butter until carmelized over med heat, stir in almonds until coated.

Pour onto wax paper and crush when cooled

DRESSING

3/4 C Hellmans Mayo

1/4 C Milk

2 T poppy seed

1/3 C white sugar

2T Raspberry Vinegar

Combine Romaine, strawberries & onions. Top with crushed almond candy and toss with dressing.

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5. CHRISTMAS MORNING HASHBROWN CASSEROLE

Combine 1 C Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp salt

Cook 1/4 finely chopped onion in 1 T butter until translucent

Add to cheese mixture

Fold in 1/2 C Sour Cream and 1 Can Cream of Chicken soup

Combine mixture with 4 1/2 C frozen O'Brien Potatoes with red and green pepper

Top with 3 C crushed potatoe chips tossed in 1/4C butter

Place into 9X13 pan and bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 50-55minutes

(I had to call Katie for this recipe, and she said to me "This recipe is on one of my most treasured pieces of paper - Aunt Nicki gave me this paper with her handwritten Christmas morning recipes and a Christmas morning timeline...I truly cherish it")

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Honorable Mention -

GRADUATION APRICOT SALAD

2 3oz pkg Orange Jello

1 C boiling water

1 16 oz can apricots, peeled, drained and mashed

2 jars baby food apricots

1 pint sour cream

Disolve jello in boiling water, add baby food and apricots to jello.

Whip sourcream until smooth, spray mold with PAM. Pour into mold and chill overnight.

Nicki made this for Katie's High School graduation open-house and Katie wanted to make sure this recipe was included, as it is one of her very favorites!

Friday's FIVE!

President-elect, Barack Obama - November 4, 2008

Grant Park - Chicago ... very near Betsy's neighborhood

Barack Obama Rally in Marion, IN April 2008 -

(Mike Morgan on the bottom left, Katie's father-in-law. Katie's head in the left bottom corner....)

Katie clapping just under Barack Obama's right hand at the Barack Obama rally in Marion, IN

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This week, in a historic election.... Barack Obama, Senator from Illinois - is the first African American to be elected President of our nation. It was a fierce battle from the Primary election - as Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton for the democrat nomination - and then on to the general election where Barack Obama/Joe Biden beat the John McCain/Sara Palin Republican ticket with 365 electoral votes. It was an exciting election with a strong focus on 'Change'...

Below are 5 other significant Presidential elections in my lifetime...

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1960 - I was only 2 years old and I don't remember the election - however, it was the election of John F. Kennedy (D) against Richard Kennedy (R) It was significant because I do remember vividly where I was when the beloved "camelot" president was assissinated in Dallas, TX on Nov. 22, 1963. I was in my family room just home from Kindergarten - playing with Kim Blaugher - my lifetime friend and schoolmate...when the Special News Bulletin came on the TV. I remember my Mom crying... I knew it was significant... and it remains one of the pivotal historical events that Baby Boomers still remember and discuss... along with the first man on the moon, the space shuttle disaster and 9/11.

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1968 - I was 10 years old... and the 1968 Presidential election included the assissination of demoncratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy - the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Demonstrations against the Vietnam War and race riots across the nation - that hit home when our family lumber business burned to the ground as a result of racial tension and arsonists.

Richard Nixon (R) won over Hubert H. Humprey (D) and Gov. George Wallace (I).

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1976 -The United States presidential election of 1976 followed the resignation of President Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate Scandal. Gerald Ford, the republican candidate -was appointed Vice President in 1973 when Vice President Spiro Agnew was forced to resign following conspiracy charges. Vice President Ford became President in 1974 when Richard Nixon resigned after the Watergate Scandal. It was my first election - I was 18 and I voted for Gerald Ford to be elected president - however, he remains the only president to serve without ever being elected. Jimmy Carter won the election over Gerald Ford by a narrow margin.

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1984 - Incumbent President Ronald Reagan/Vice President George Bush won with 525 electoral votes, the highest ever recieved by a presidential candidate, following a strong economic recovery from the recession of the early 80's. The election is memorable for me though, because Walter Mondale the democrate nominee appointed the first female Vice Presidential nominee - Geraldine Ferrara. As a young adult woman, I was baby boomer raised in a home with a stay at home mother... with most of my friends working full time - it was truly a time when it seemed equality for women was making strides!

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2000 - Vice-President Al Gore (D) vs. George W. Bush, son of the former president George H.W.Bush. This is memorable for all of us because of the now famous 'hanging chads'...

Chad were made infamous in the highly contentious during this election where a majority of Florida votes used punch card ballots. Incompletely-punched holes resulted in partially-punched chad, where all corners were still attached, but an indentation appears to have been made. These votes were not counted by the tabulating machines, resulting in a Florida recount.

The outcome of the election was not known for more than a month after the balloting ended because of the extended process of counting and then recounting Florida's presidential ballots.

On January 6, 2001 - George Bush was declared the narrow winner of the electoral vote - although Al Gore carried the popular vote.

Happy Birthday, Charmayne!

I believe it was the summer of 1973...Epworth Forest, North Webster ... Senior High Institute -
I was a member of First United Methodist Church, but I attended New Hope United Methodist Youth Group with my neighbor and my friend, Teena... New Hope was a small Methodist Church, so we had to share our camp cabin with kids from another small church. Charmayne Lankenau was a member of Hanfield youth group. We became fast friends that week - and embarked on a friendship that would last a lifetime.
Fast forward to December of 1974 - Charmayne and I had gone to a favorite gathering place for teens/young adults. She introduced me to her brother, Bruce. Bruce and I were both very attracted to each other - and less than a week later, on Christmas night... we went out on our first date. We dated on and off for almost a year... and then we each went our own directions - but my friendship with Charn didn't waiver. We remained very close friends....
Charmayne was in my wedding party when I married Steve. When Charmayne began her career as a Realtor - her first home sale was to Steve to I... our house on Koldyke Drive.
Life went forward... we both had children...busy careers... grandchildren.... etc. etc. etc.
Charmayne was always one of my dearest friends... a confidant that I trust completely....
I always knew she would be a friend for life - but at that time, I never dreamed that we would also one day become family. Today Charmayne is still one of my dearest - closest friends....my lifetime friend....and now she is also my sister-in-law!
I'm so thankful for her - and the entire Lankenau family...
My family, the Lankenau family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARMAYNE!
I love you!

Friday's FIVE!

Margaritas in Chicago!

Betsy "Erckle"

Aunt B

Been in the dress up box at Grandma's

Kermit and Miss Piggy

Rock Stars!

Bruce and I enjoyed a day in Chicago with Betsy and Debbie yesterday. We had such a wonderful time - celebrating Betsy's (and Debbie's August) birthday...and wishing them a farewell before they head off for their Hawaiian commitment ceremony. We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, enjoyed great Margaritas and dinner at a Mexican place and then packed up in a cab and enjoyed the view from the Sears Tower - we always have fun with Betsy and Debbie.

Betsy has been the life of the party since she was a child - she is natural born comedienne...

She has always had the ability to make all of us laugh... Betsy was born 26 years ago, on Oct. 31st at 9:33AM weighing in at 9# 9oz - with a head full of dark hair on her petite 19" frame...Betsy has brought joy to my life since the day she was born... I'm the luckiest mother in the world to have two wonderful daughters. In honor of Betsy's birthday - this weeks Friday FIVE! is a celebration of five things about Betsy that make me smile!

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1. When Betsy was about two years old, Katie was in preschool... Betsy and I would spend a few morning hours with Grandma Isabel and Grandpa Pete. Betsy loved her Grandpa Pete - and she would go back to the bathroom to 'shave' with him in the mornings. The look on her face and the determination in her walk walking back to the bathroom with Grandpa still makes me smile! She would proudly walk out with shaving cream on her nose ... knowing she would get a laugh from Mom and I. Her toddler and childhood antics were just a glimpse into the joy this child would bring to me...

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2. Betsy has always loved hats... When she was child - she always had some kind of hat on her head. A railroad hat, a baseball hat = you name it... she had a hat a on her head. She would wear the hat as part of her 'costume' - as a prop... or just to keep her long pony tail out of her eyes. She had a huge collection of hats and most childhood photos of Betsy are those with something on her head. I still laugh thinking about Betsy in all of her hats and head-dresses.

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3. Betsy has an incredible sense of rhythm...and she is a very physical comedienne. Her body movements - head movements and facial expressions are often enough to just send me over the edge. It doesn't matter if she is 'dropping it like it's hot'... or singing Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" or... Barenaked Ladies "One Week"...I just start laughing. She is so funny - and she has so much rhythm and she moves her head and body with so much energy... that it usually has all of us laughing to the point of tears.

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4. Betsy loves movies - any movies...she always has. She knows the dialogue to many movies - line by line...and she can flip through a movie and edit the bloopers for all of us to see. Betsy has extremely high level perceptual skills and she has the ability to 'see' things most of us cannot - it always amazes me the detail she is able to percieve that most of us would never even recognize. Some of Betsy's favorites (that I remember)... are Fried Green Tomatoes, My Girl, Sandlot, Late for Dinner and many, many more. She has a collection of movies that rivals the local rental shop.

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5. Betsy has a compassionate heart - and a deep love for animals. She had so many little 'critters' in her room when she was growing up. She had siberian dwarf hamsters, fuzzy hamsters, guinea pigs and geckos. Our dogs were usually 'Betsy's' dogs... she was Prissy's forever companion... she loved her pets - but her ability to love isn't limited to animals. Betsy is warm and loving and has the ability to bring us all together. She and her sister have a very close - deep love for each other... and she is Aunt B to her nephews and I'm certain that Trevor will grow to love her as much as Tyler does. I'm so thankful for the love of both of my daughters...and for the love they have for each other... and the love they each have for our family and their partners.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETSY - I LOVE YOU!

Betsy's Birthday Week!

It's Betsy's Birthday week!!! This Friday - on October 31, my Betsy will be 26 years old! She was born on Halloween making it a pretty hectic fun filled day. It involved careful planning to get the trick or treating, the birthday presents, the cake and the favorite birthday dinner scheduled. Birthday dinner menus in our family traditionally involved the birthday persons favorite foods...and Betsy always chose her Mama's baked MACARONI AND CHEESE.

I would usually add Hamburgers and a vegetable to the menu... but I think Betsy would have been satisfied with just the Macaroni and Cheese! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK, BETSY!

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BETSY'S FAVORITE MACARONI AND CHEESE

3 C Milk

6 T Butter

6T Flour

3/4 tsp salt

1 and 1/2 Pound Velveeta Cheese, cubed

1 16oz pkg elbow Macaroni

6-8 slices dark toast

1/2 C melted butter

Prepare macaroni - undercooked, rinsed with cool water, drain thoroughly and set aside. Wisk flour with 2 C milk - Pour into large saucepan, add remaining milk, 6 T butter, salt and cheese cubes. Stir constantly over med heat until thickened and cheese is melted. Toss macaroni into cheese mixture. Pour into 9X13 baking pan. Cut toast into small squares and toss with 1/3 cup melted butter Top macaroni and cheese with butter toast cubes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

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MACARONI AND CHEESE -NEW VERSION

8 oz uncooked Elbow Macaroni

1/2 C Butter

1/3 C Flour

2 tsp dry mustard

2 tsp salt

5 C Milk

4 C (1 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Optional - Buttered Bread Crumbs

Cook pasta according to directions. Preheat over to 375 degrees. In large saucepan, over med heat, melt butter, stir in flour, mustard and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat. Add 2C cheese, stir until melted. In larw bowl, combine sauce and cooked macaroni. Spoon into PAM sprayed 13X9 baking dish. Top with remaining 2 C cheese. Top with Buttered bread crumbs if desired.

Bake 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly - let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Friday's FIVE!

We've had white caps on the lake all day today - the wind has really been blowing hard. The season is winding down - the leaves are turning...and there is a fire in the fireplace. Most of the boats are out of the water, piers are out and the 'lakers' have packed up and gone home for the winter. Since we have made YCL our full time residence...we have made many wonderful friends - and one of our favorite end of summer events is "Bethy's Fish Fry"... Bethy is a dear friend and neighbor that lives on nearby Loon Lake. She loves to fish - and then when the season is over...she loves to feed us the fish that she has caught. This week's Friday FIVE! is a nod to those 'residents' of YCL (and close surrounding area) that will keep us company during the cold lonely winter!

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1. Allen and Esther - our cold winter friends as well as our summertime fair weather friends. We spend our summer days together out in the boat...and our winter days shopping, eating out or just sharing a pot of soup.

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2. Beth - Our friend Bethy... however, Bethy will be snowbirding to Florida for several weeks later in December...but she will be here for the next few months. We always enjoy the Friday evenings that Bethy meets us at the Silver Inn for a beer and a burger!

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3. Debbi and Kevin - Kevin grew up on YCL and they now live a few miles east of us. Debbi makes the BEST sugar cookies you have ever tasted. Good friends - good neighbors.

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4. Hal and Aimee - I grew up on YCL with Hal. He grew up on a farm just south of the trailer court on the lake. He now lives on the south of the lake. We don't see a lot of Hal and Aimee - they still have kids at home with busy sport and school schedules...but they are good neighbors that we know we could count on if we needed something.

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5. Jim - My neighbor ... for three generations. Jim is a full time resident... and our nearest neighbor in the winter months. Jim is like a brother to me - and we argue like siblings...and will watch out for each other like siblings. When I am working in my home office ... and it is quiet and lonely - it is good to know, Jim is just a few feet away...if I needed something.

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Other neighbors and friends that we will keep us company this winter...

Janet and Steve - who are our favorite GDL's... XOXOXOX

however, they spend alot of winter weekends here...and we are always happy to see them!!!!

Dave and Brenda - Brenda also grew up on the lake - however, they recently became full time residents of YCL - we are happy to have become aquainted with them.

Gary and Cathy - our closest eastern winter neighbors. It's always nice to know there are people close and watching out for each other!

Roger - the local crusty 'boat' guy... keeps a watch out over all of us. Roger is always concerned when my porch light is left on - neighbors watching out for neighbors....

Weigh-In

Because of my busy travel schedule - my last weigh-in was three weeks ago, 9/29/08. I've traveled to Nashville, Indy, Gatlinburg and Memphis since that date... I've had ... beer... Memphis Ribs...Gatlinburg fudge...Smoky Mountain Brewery beer...hot wings, convention food...breakfasts...beer...trailmix...fudge...etc. etc. etc. Until tonight, my weigh-in attire has been khaki shorts and T-shirts...dropping Indiana temps mean it is time to pull out the jeans and sweaters. I'm not making excuses - I've NOT been following the program - but a weigh-in in heavy clothing is also going to make a difference. I was not suprised ... that my weigh-in resulted in a 3.2 gain. After the schedule I've had - and the restaurants I've been to... I was not disappointed - but now it is time to get back to business. I might get back to CORE, but I have tossed around following the flex program for a few months. CORE is wonderful whole foods - and I feel so good while I'm following the CORE program - but FLEX would give me a little more 'flexibility' throughout the Holidays. Whatever I do - I have to get myself back in the mindset of following program again! I enjoyed my Weight Watchers class Monday night. I have made new friends - and it is good to see them when I get there. We encourage each other and cheer each other on... which is truly the foundation of the Weight Watcher program. I'll be in Louisville next week - and won't get to weigh-in Monday night...but my travel schedule is starting to slow down a little ... and I'll be able to weigh in November 4th...just in time to get fired up for the Holidays!

Friday's FIVE!

It's been a busy few weeks... Last week I flew from Fort Wayne to Nashville, TN for a business meeting for a few days- From Nashville, TN to Indianapolis for two day meeting ... Bruce picked me up in Indy and we drove to Gatlinburg and the GSMNP for a long weekend siesta... This week on Tuesday I flew back to Memphis - and yesterday... my return flight from Memphis was late, so I missed my connection in Detroit to Fort Wayne. I was rerouted from Detroit to Cleveland...and then from Cleveland to Fort Wayne. I love my job - and the opportunity to travel and see places and meet people that I otherwise wouldn't meet... but as I sit in my own comfy chair tonight - with my husband next to me...and the dog curled at our feet - I am reminded how much I love my home and my comfortable surroundings...This weeks Friday's Five! is dedicated to five things that I love about being at home...

1. My own comfy chair with my computer in my lap - and my google browser pointed toward day dreams on Travelocity ... and window shopping on Ebay - with a fire in the fireplace.

2. My dog - next to me all day long.

3. A weeknight beer and a bowl of soup at the local watering hole with our friends, Allen and Esther....(Friday night is always good too - but I'm usually home by Friday night anyway)...

so it is the weeknight 'meeting' that I'm especially appreciative tonight.

4. The Solitude of the lake on a fall weekday... piers are out - most boats are out... and most of the lakers have closed up for the winter. Peace.

5. Having my husband to talk with... or to just be silent with... my partner, my friend.

There's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!

Friday's FIVE!

Cades Cove

Alum Cave Bluffs
Alum Cave Bluffs
Charlie's Bunion Trail - Appalachian Trail
Charlie's Bunion

We have just returned from our trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park - We had a wonderful time! This is a late entry for Friday's FIVE! and lists five highlights of our trip!

1. FIVE BEARS! After unpacking, we had time to go into town for dinner on Wed. night... just as we were leaving our cabin - we nearly hit a very, very large Black Bear! Then... on Thursday we saw a small cub running across Newfound Gap road - and then, Friday we made a trip out to Cades Cove and saw a mother and two large cubs. It was a record trip for Bear watching - We also saw a Coyote while we were horseback riding, several deer, a box turtle, a shrew, and group of turkeys... it was an eventful trip for wildlife!

2. CHARLIE'S BUNION - I have been hiking the Smokies since 1993 - and I introduced Bruce to the park in 2001. Bruce has now hiked every trail that I have ever hiked! Charlie's Bunion is a beautiful 8 mile round trip hike that follows a length of the Appalachian Trail. http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/charliesbunion.htm The trail reaches elevations over 6100 feet - and involves some technical climbing - but it ends in spectacular views.

3. ALUM CAVE BLUFFS - I think I mentioned this in a previous Friday's FIVE! This is one of my very, very favorite trails ... and I think this was my 7th trip to the Bluffs. Spectacular Vistas, interesting geology and amazing demonstrations of the biodiversity of the GSMNP make this a favorite for many GSMNP hikers.

4. SMOKY MOUNTAIN HORSE BACK RIDING - This was a first for us - Bruce grew up with horses of his own, however this was the first time we have been riding together - and the first time we enjoyed trails in the Smoky's while on horseback. The views were beautiful - and it was a wonderful way to enjoy the park while resting a day between hiking Charlies Bunion and Alum Cave bluff.

5. CADES COVE - The weather was perfect for enjoying Cades Cove 11 mile loop in the VW with the top down. As I indicated above - we saw 3 bears at Cades Cove - and a lot of deer. Traffic wasn't too bad and the color was beautiful - there are many 'pull off spots' to enjoy the scenery or get out and walk... or just sit and contemplate the beauty of the mountain. We brought along a growler of Velas Hellus from the Smoky Mountain Brewery - It really doesn't get much better than that! http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm