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Iced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

By Lorraine

A delicious, old fashioned recipe for Grandma's iced oatmeal raisin cookies. A favorite, frosted cookie perfect for after school snacking.Grandma’s Iced OatmealRaisin Cookies… The name of this cookie takes me back to my childhood. The kind of cookie Grandma made.
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Filed Under: Cookies & Bars, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Childhood Memories

Cottage Cheese Pie

By Lorraine

 
Recipe for Cottage Cheese Pie from grandmother's vintage cookbook, The New American Cook Book with over 4000 recipes, menu planning and entertaining tips.
I searched through all my cookbooks looking for a Cottage Cheese Pie recipe. It isn’t a well known dessert these days and even my Betty Crocker cookbook from the mid-seventies didn’t have it. Then I remembered a cookbook that belonged to my grandmother.

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Filed Under: Pies & Cobblers, Recipes, Sweet Treats, Vintage Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Mommy

Vintage Childhood Chrome Table and Chairs Restoration

By Lorraine

Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.
Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts, Vintage Tagged With: brother, Childhood Memories, Grandchildren, Lorrie, Sisters, vintage

Another Year is Dawning

By Lorraine

  

Our daughter, Jamie and her family recently moved into a new home and I noticed, standing in a corner, the banjo that belonged to my dad. Daddy played this banjo while in the Philadelphia New Year’s Mummer’s Parade many years ago and it seemed fitting for a New Year’s Day post.
1939 at just 18 years old, the same age as our oldest grandson. Time is something, isn’t it!
So grateful for a another year, a new year, full of hope and adventures. I came upon this ancient hymn that is just as fitting for today. Sending prayers and wishes for you as we all begin another year
 
Happy 2016!
 
🙂

 

Year Is Gone, Beyond Recall
source
The year is gone, beyond recall,
With all its hopes and fears,
With all its bright and gladdening smiles,
With all its mourners’ tears.
Thy thankful people praise Thee, Lord,
For countless gifts received;
And pray for grace to keep the faith
Which saints of old believed.
To Thee we come, O gracious Lord,
The newborn year to bless;
Defend our land from pestilence,
Give peace and plenteousness.
Forgive this nation’s many sins,
The growth of vice restrain;
And help us all with sin to strive,
And crowns of life to gain.
From evil deeds that stain the past
We now desire to flee;
And pray that future years may all
Be spent, good Lord, for Thee.
O Father, let Thy watchful eye
Still look on us in love,
That we may praise Thee, year by year,
With angel hosts above.
All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

Filed Under: Family, Family & Friends Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Daddy, Think On These Things

Applesauce Cake from Grandmom’s Recipe

By Lorraine

Old fashioned applesauce cake from Grandmom's vintage recipe. Made with apples, cinnamon and cloves filling the house with wonderful autumn scent.
My problem tackling the huge piles of recipes I have is that each time I sit to sort them I quickly come across something that I just have to hop right up and make! I truly would have to live several lifetimes to make every recipe that ever made me think, “Oh, that looks good!”
So when I came across an old index card for Grandmom’s Applesauce Cake, I was preheating the oven before I could stop myself!

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Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Apples, cake, Childhood Memories

7-Layer Salad

By Lorraine

A salad right from the era of big hair and large eyeglasses! I was introduced to this salad in the early 1980’s by a neighbor and it became a regular at holiday dinners. It has been ages since we have had it and my husband has been asking me to make it for him again.

I’m not sure when Seven-Layer Salad became popular ~ perhaps it was in the 70’s but it brings back memories of the 1980’s for me.

Ok, so, like, do you, like, remember these slang words and, like, 80’s phrases?  No, Duh, if you were, like, growing up then, or, like, had children during those years. Like, seriously, Dude, you’ll find many of these things, like, totally hot.

I loved The California Raisins doin’ their awesome Motown

How about happen’en TV shows like Dallas, The Jefferson’s, ALF and The Love Boat!

Did you ever purchase or play Atari, Pac-Man or Nintendo?

Did you love Strawberry Shortcake, Cabbage Patch Kids, Care-bears or Teddy Ruxpin?

How about stylin’ BIG hair, Velour clothing and high-waist-ed pants

As they say, “Those were the days!”

So, here is another salad, right up there in popularity with the 80’s pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing that was showing up at every gathering.
You may think the Miracle Whip on the top is too thick, but it will spread nicely when served.  Just be sure to use the serving utensils to dig straight down, getting all of the layers in each serving.

Our family is passionate about Miracle Whip. But, if you must, substitute mayonnaise for the Miracle Whip.  You can even use part mayo and part sour cream.

Seven Layer Salad

PRINT RECIPE

Ingredients

3 cups Iceberg lettuce, washed and cut into bite-size pieces.
light sprinkling of salt & pepper
light sprinkling of sugar
1 1/2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
sprinkling salt and pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cups frozen peas, thawed
another 3 cups lettuce
light sprinkling of salt & pepper
1 1/2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
a couple slices thinly sliced red onion
1/2 to 3/4 cups frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup Miracle Whip
4 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1-1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Arrange ingredients in a large clear bowl in order given. Carefully spread the Miracle Whip on top to seal to edges.

Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight.
Serves 6-8.

RECIPE NOTES
Adjust quantities of ingredients as desired, omit salt and sugar, if desired.  Toss in additional veggies and leave out the bacon.  Substitute spinach or mixed salad greens for the not-as-nutritious Iceberg lettuce. It is up to you.

Filed Under: Recipes, Salads & Dressings Tagged With: Childhood Memories

Paint by Numbers

By Lorraine

Paint-by-number kits… do you remember them? Have you completed one?
This Playful Kittens piece was painted by my mom in 1954 and truly a piece of Americana.
 

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Filed Under: Crafts, Vintage Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Crafts, Home and Garden, Mommy, Sisters

The Nursery

By Lorraine

 
Sleepovers and playtime, this bedroom has become what the grandkids call
The Nursery.
It is a mix of vintage, garage sale and whimsy.
A room where cousins sleep and little ones head to as soon as they arrive.

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Filed Under: Home and Garden, Home Decorating & DIY, Vintage Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Home and Garden, Mommy

Vintage French Provincial Bedroom Set

By Lorraine

My sister, Carol, just went to closing on a house she sold.
I lent a hand helping her pack.
We began in mid-November and through sorting and wrapping, taping and stacking, hauling and heaving, lugging and loading, stooping and stretching, sunshine and raindrops, lost keys and cell phones and frustrating inspections, there was much chatting and memories, stories and updates, giggles and laughter and sisterly love.
 
 
 

 
This vintage French Provincial bedroom set belong to our parents, purchased in the early 1960’s.  It went to Carol when Mommy passed several years ago and I got the new set mommy was then using.
 Carol doesn’t want to take this to her next home and though I wasn’t in need of a bedroom set, the sentimental value was too great to pass it up and now resides in our guest room.
 The chest on chest belonged to Daddy and how I remember, as a kid, snooping through his top drawer and seeing his neatly folded hankies, perfectly placed wallet, coins, keys, pens, deck of cards and trinkets stored there. 
I left the white iron bed that we had purchased and used until we received mommy’s new set. It is a queen-size and better suited for visitors than the full bed that is part of the set. I think it works with the other pieces.

 

 

 

Searching old photo albums for shots with the furniture in the background, I found these:
My 8th grade graduation
Cousin, Karen and I as flower girl and junior bridesmaid for Carol’s wedding
Daddy and his first grandchild, Chrissy (Carol’s oldest) at his organ
and
Carol ready for her senior prom
Carol, John and I looking a wee weary, took a selfie after a long, busy day, with only the steps to sit upon. Still happy together
(John may have been a just a tad grumpy being forced in a silly selfie photo, but he was a good sport)
and still finding fun in being together.
yes, sisters.  she is so kind, smart, poised, beautiful and generous and I love her to pieces
❤
Next time, I will show you where I put the bed to this set and then my dining room changes.
ta-ta for now!

Filed Under: Home and Garden, Home Decorating & DIY, Vintage Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Daddy, Home and Garden, Karen, Lorrie, Mommy, Sisters

Grandmom Elsie’s Graham Cracker Pie

By Lorraine

Foods from childhood can evoke wonderful memories not just because we love the taste but also because it is associated with special people or events.  Do you have a favorite dessert from your childhood?

My husband remembers his grandmom Elsie making Graham Cracker Pie for nearly every backyard cookout.  It is really a humble pie of creamy vanilla pudding poured into a pre-baked graham cracker crust.  Often times the pie is topped with meringue so the unused egg whites aren’t wasted. Grandmon preferred lightly sweetened whipped cream sprinkled with additional graham cracker crumbs.
Elsie Rebekah 
I imagine Grandmom Elsie baked lots of pies in her day as she and her husband raised eight children.
John (on right with baby on his shoulders), his brother on left with Grandmom Elsie and Grandpop.
Here she is holding my twin babies (her great-grandchildren) as she told me of her own twin sons born many years prior.
Grandmom Elsie’s
Graham Cracker Pie
PRINT RECIPE
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs 
1/4 cup sugar 
1/3 cup butter, melted
In a bowl, mix crumbs, sugar and butter together.  If desired, reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons crumb mixture for topping. Using the back of a fork or the bottom of a measuring cup, press remaining mixture firmly and evenly against the bottom and side of pie pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool

VANILLA CREAM FILLING 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
3 cups milk 
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten 
2 tablespoons butter, softened 
1 tablespoon +1 teaspoon vanilla
whipped cream for topping finished pie
Stir together, sugar, cornstarch and salt in sauce pan. Blend milk and egg yolks; gradually stir into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.  Boil and stir one minute. Remove from heat; blend in butter and vanilla. Immediately pour into baked pie shell; press plastic wrap on to filling. Chill pie thoroughly, at least two hours.
When pie is completely cool, top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs. Refrigerate any unused portion.

Filed Under: Pies & Cobblers, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Childhood Memories, Grandchildren, Jamie, Jill, John

Parmesan Chicken Cutlets

By Lorraine

Parmesan Chicken Cutlets, pounded thin, then breaded and fried until crispy and golden are served with lettuce greens and a light lemony vinaigrette for a delicious meal elegant enough for company.
Parmesan Chicken Cutlets and a childhood memory. When I was a little girl, we moved from the city of Philadelphia to an archetypal, all-American, small south Jersey town. Just a block up the road was a group of stores that included a pharmacy with a great collection of greeting cards and a chest freezer filled with frozen treats. When my cousins visited, we were allowed to walk to the pharmacy and buy whatever we wanted. I can remember sitting on the front steps of our home eating Creamsicles, Fudgesicles or drumstick ice-cream cones very slowly because we didn’t want to be the first one finished.

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Filed Under: Chicken, Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: Childhood Memories

Sweet Lavender Scones in the Parlor

By Lorraine

Easy recipe for glazed Sweet Lavender Scones delicious with coffee or tea. Lavender buds impart a mild floral hint that is unique but not overpowering.
You just might want to plan a tea and invite a few friends over for a relaxed afternoon. These glazed Sweet Lavender Scones are delicious with coffee or tea. Lavender buds impart a mild floral hint that is unique but not overpowering. They look lovely and taste amazing.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Recipes, Scones, Sweet Treats Tagged With: brother, Childhood Memories, Daddy, herbs, Karen, lavender, Lorrie, Mommy, scones, Sisters

warm your soul with… Oatmeal

By Lorraine

simplicity

plain . simple . humble . oatmeal 

And, did you know it “sticks to your ribs?“
That’s what my mom always said when serving us huge bowls of oatmeal as she often did.

I like oatmeal. It is healthy, inexpensive with a comforting, chewy texture. There is evidence eating oatmeal can reduce cholesterol and it is high in fiber.

There are many preferences for topping your oatmeal.
A little butter, some brown sugar, cream and berries is my favorite way to eat oatmeal. Other sweeteners such as honey or sugar as well as sugar substitutes are popular. Stir in jam, raisins or nuts for variety. For a nice autumn flavor, I chop apples into small pieces and toss them into the pot when adding the oats. They cook and become soft. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a lovely taste of fall.

My husband always has buttered toast with his. Since his childhood, he and his brother would have buttered toast with their huge bowls of oatmeal.
I’m sure you have a favorite way to eat your oatmeal. Or do you call it porridge?

Making oatmeal requires little time or effort. Before your coffee is finished brewing, you can have a wholesome breakfast ready too.

The oats simmer for just five minutes when using the quick-cooking oatmeal  Cook until the water is absorbed and the oats are tender.

Oatmeal

(It is kind of silly to post directions for making oatmeal when it is right on the container of oats, but if you store your oats in a jar, as I do, and have a husband that occasionally makes oatmeal, you might want to print it out)

PRINT RECIPE

1 cup of water or milk ( use milk to increase the protein and calcium)
Dash of salt (optional)
1/2 cup of quick cooking oatmeal, or old fashioned oatmeal

Add oats and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally.

For creamier oats, combine water (or milk), salt and oats in saucepan and then heat water to boiling.  Cook over medium heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spoon into bowl, top with a pat of butter, brown sugar and drizzle a little cream.  Add fresh/frozen fruit, if desired.

For double serving, increase water to 1 3/4 cups and oats to 1 cup.

Filed Under: Breakfast & Brunch, Recipes Tagged With: Childhood Memories

Lily White’s Party

By Lorraine

 

Lily's White's Party is a sweet poem that my husband's mom recited to him as a child. Our children now shares it with our grandchildren. FREE PrintableLily White’s Party…

Our daughter, Jill was telling me how recently she used a saying with her children that she remembered her dad saying to her as a child as she and her sisters prepared for bedtime.  She knew he learned it from his mom and wondered where it came from. John would tell the girls, “Time for Kitty White’s Party”. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Brenna, Childhood Memories, Grandchildren, Hazel, Jill, John, Poems, Ryan, shaela

Pizza Toast

By Lorraine

Pizza Toast is a unique family food creation passed down through the generations. Simple, tangy, tasty and delicious, this dad proudly prepares his childhood treat with all seriousness.Do you have a special food that is unique to your family? Maybe something unusual or passed down through the generations? My husband isn’t in the kitchen often but when he is, he makes his specialty. He calls it Pizza Toast.

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Filed Under: Breads - Quick & Yeast, Recipes Tagged With: Childhood Memories, John

December Highlights

By Lorraine

 outside vignettes
 inside

 

 Our weekly Bible Study Community Group having a blast at our annual Christmas Dinner
 The dearest folks that bring so much encouragement, wisdom, prayers and love to us and each other every week.
John’s Company Holiday Party.
Abbey is an employee here too, since July and someone took a photo of her and the co-founder/Executive Vice President because they are the youngest and the oldest employees.
 Christmas Eve at Jamie’s playing “Don’t Eat Cashew!” game.
Enjoying the ambiance and Christmas Eve peacefulness of her warm home.
Christmas morning with Abbey
Watched (over and over) a heartwarming video of NY grandkids singing to us via cell phone video.
 Erin, AJ and Jared & Jamie, Josh and family arrived late afternoon. They learned that Cashew was being extra mischievous and hid all of the Christmas presents. After dashing throughout the house, Keri was the first to find them in a large cabinet that recently housed our TV. 
 such fun
 chilling after dinner
 Look of fright on Chloe’s face as PopPop takes her photo.
She is a bit uncertain of him as were two other grandkids when they were babies.
Some little ones love guys and some prefer girls but they all come to love him when they get a little older.
Here he is trying to to divert her attention so she realizes he really is a nice PopPop
One of my favorite shots
The adults were still chatting in the dining room after dessert and I walked into the kitchen and noticed the kids playing with the trains and talking about the village houses and which are there favorite.  Noah even remembered which ones were his NY cousins’ favorite.
It was so sweet to hear see them having a quiet moment at the end of some busy days.
Notice Caleb looking over the sofa arm 🙂

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: AJ, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Childhood Memories, Chloe, Christmas, Erin, Friends, Jamie, Jared, John, Josh, Keri, Lorrie, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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