Lovely Lady

"To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone."~Reba McEntire



     This past week, my brother and sisters and I threw a big party to celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday.  It was a lot of work and we all helped.  Our spouses helped a lot also.   We invited cousins and relatives that she hadn't seen in many years.   I was barely able to finish the quilt that I made for her in time. The pattern is called Lovely in Lavender by Debbie Beaves.  Thanks to my friend, Marta, who machine quilted it for me and my friends, Sam, Marta, Marilyn and Mary Ann from quilt guild who helped me with the binding.  Like I've said before....There are no better people in the world than quilters.

     My mom loves reading and gardening.  She also loves to do word searches.  We had chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, salads and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  We served nearly a hundred people.  We enjoyed doing word searches and playing a few games of bingo.  We ended the evening watching a video that my nieces put together for the occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Salad

4 cups chicken, cooked and cubed

1 cup celery, sliced thin

1 small can water chestnuts, diced

1 (20) oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained

2 cups grapes, red or green, cut in half

1 small can mandarin oranges, drained

Dressing:

1 ½ cups mayonnaise                         ½ tsp. curry powder

1 Tbsp. soy sauce                               1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. minced onion                         ½ cup cashews or almonds, chopped

Combine all salad ingredients, except mandarin oranges and mix together in large bowl.  Combine dressing ingredients except nuts and stir together.  Add dressing to salad mixture and stir.  Fold in mandarin oranges and nuts.  Serve on croissants or soft rolls.

 

     My mom likes to make these cookies for family get-togethers.  They are so yummy!

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

1 ¾ C. flour                                          ½ C. shortening

1 tsp. soda                                           ½ C. peanut butter

½ tsp. salt                                             1 egg

½ C. sugar                                           2 T. milk

½ C. brown sugar                                 1 tsp. vanilla

 

            Put all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix well.  Roll in walnut sized balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375° for 10-12 minutes.  Take from the oven and press chocolate kiss or star on top of each cookie while still hot.

 

 

     Like I said before, My mom loves to read and has inspired all of her children to love to read.  I do believe she was the one that introduced me to the Mrs. Pollifax books many years ago.  We all enjoy a good mystery and these books are great.