Justice is getting what you deserve.

Mercy is not getting what you deserve.

Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

                            –Dr. James Dobson

I probably don’t agree with Dr. Dobson on everything, but I like this quote I saw on Facebook this week.  It dovetails nicely with the Andy Stanley series my Sunday school class has been studying:  “Christian:  It’s Not What You Think.”  The last couple of weeks we have studied what John meant in John 1:14 when he said that Jesus is “full of grace and truth.”  I recommend the series for a small group study.  You can order it from Amazon or you can watch some of the videos free on YouTube.

Happy Sunday from The Happy Empty Nester!

Christian Participant’s Guide with DVD: It’s Not What You Think

 

Product Review — Sunscreen

Today is a beautiful day to be by the pool.  As someone who had a small melanoma lesion removed 16 years ago, I try to take care of my skin by using sunscreen.  It would be safer to avoid the sun altogether, but I enjoy the beach, tennis, and the pool way too much for that.

Last week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Clark Howard reported on sunscreens and their rating by Consumer Reports.  I read the article but didn’t pay much attention because after years of using sunscreen, I have a favorite.

I love Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch lotion sunscreen.  I use SPF 30.  I like it because it goes on so easily.  After years of trying to rub in other products that go on like glue, I was delighted to find something that goes on smoothly and easily and doesn’t leave that white, pasty look on my skin.  It is non-greasy, oil free, and water resistant for 80 minutes.  It works for me.  I use it on my face and body.

You can find Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch at Target and most other places for around $7.99 for an 8 ounce bottle.  I had a coupon at Publix back in the spring and stocked up.

As an aside, I have included below a picture of the three pairs of glasses I have to take with me any time I’m out in the sun.  Ridiculous.  I have to have a regular pair of sunglasses to just look around, a pair of sunglasses/reading glasses for when I’m reading in the sun, and a pair of regular 2.0 reading glasses in case the sun goes behind a cloud.  Getting older is hard work.  I guess I should just be thankful I don’t need contacts or any kind of glasses for vision other than $3.00 reading glasses.

Enjoy this beautiful weekend!  Be sure to use sunscreen and plenty of it 🙂

What’s for dessert? Pound Cake

I think a pound cake is about as southern of a dessert as you can get.  My husband and father-in-law like pound cake so much that I quit making them for a while because I got tired of them.

I had to provide dessert for my ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association) match Tuesday night, and I opted to make a pound cake.  I thought it would be a good option because it would be sitting out in the heat and I wouldn’t have to worry about anything melting.  I love pound cake made into strawberry shortcake or peach shortcake or blueberry shortcake, but sometimes I like them just plain.

As you’ll see from the recipe below, there is nothing light about this pound cake recipe.  But that’s okay.  It’s dessert.  Unless it’s breakfast, in which case I put a few pats of butter on a slice and toast it in the toaster oven for a few minutes.  I call it Butter on Butter.  Try this with coffee to make a complete meal 🙂

I have several good recipes for pound cake, but I like this one because it calls for ingredients that I always keep on hand.  That’s good when I remember at 6:00 at night that I am supposed to provide dessert for an event at school the next morning.  Or when I remember at noon that I have to provide a dessert for my ALTA match in a few hours.  With this recipe, I don’t have to make a special trip to the grocery store for cream cheese or sour cream that so many recipes call for.

You probably noticed that I did not make this cake in the usual tube pan.  Oh, no.  I used a fancy pan.  I admired a cake my friend Debbie brought to book club a couple of years ago and I went out the next day and purchased one for myself.  I got it at Williams-Sonoma.  It’s called the Nordic Ware Heritage Bundt Pan and it’s available on their website for $36.  It makes a plain old pound cake look a little more special.

Okay, here’s the recipe.  It’s super simple.

4 cups all purpose flour

3 cups granulated sugar

1 lb. (4 sticks) butter, softened  (I warned you about the butter.)

3/4 cups milk  (I use skim because that’s what I keep on hand and it works fine.)

6 large eggs  (Eggs have protein, so this is a healthy recipe :-))

2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 325.  In mixing bowl place flour, sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla.  Beat at low speed 1 minute.  Beat at medium speed 2 minutes.  (Note — I’m a little old school so I still mix the butter and sugar and then add eggs, etc.  Make sure your butter is softened.  I have given up sifting flour for most recipes and now just fluff it up with a spoon before measuring it.  I think the correct term for this is aerating.)  Pour batter into greased and floured 10-inch tube pan.  (Note — I use Baker’s Joy to spray the pan.  It’s one of my favorite things.  If you use a bundt pan, be sure not to overfill it.  Leave at least an inch for it to rise.  If it rises too much, it’s hard to get out of the pan.  You can put any leftover batter into another small container and bake it alongside the cake.)  Bake 1 hour 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  I let the cake cool for 15-30 minutes before removing from pan.  Run a knife along the top of the pan and turn it over onto your cake stand.  Voila!

It’s Movie Time!

I’m so excited!  I already knew that Hollywood is in Douglasville for the summer.  The picture above shows the 1950’s era McDonald’s now under construction in downtown Douglasville that will serve as a set for the movie “The Founder” about the life of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc.  What I didn’t know is that this movie is also being filmed in my hometown of Thomaston, Georgia, at the legendary Piggie Park.  The Upson Post published several photos yesterday with Michael Keaton and other actors filming scenes at the drive-in restaurant.  I don’t think they had to do too much to make Piggie Park look like it’s from the 50’s except bring in some old cars 🙂  Below are some pictures of Piggie Park so you’ll know it when you see the movie.

Other movies that have filmed in Thomaston are “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” which was shot at the old Martha Mills and “The Walking Dead” which was filmed at Sprewell Bluff, both in 2013.  Coincidentally, a scene from “Mockingjay” was also filmed at Sweetwater State Park in Douglas County, and the opening scene from “The Walking Dead” with the tanker truck accident was filmed in Fulton County right across the line from Douglas County near our home.  Kirk and I were driving back from Thomaston on a late Sunday afternoon when we came to the intersection of Hwy 92 and Campbellton-Fairburn Road and saw a dreadful accident and policemen just milling around like nothing had happened.  We figured out pretty quickly that a movie scene was being filmed, but it was a couple of years later when we realized that was the opening scene for the “Walking Dead” series.

I read that one of the reasons Douglasville was chosen for “The Founder” was because of our Old Douglas County Courthouse which features 1950’s era architecture.  See below for a picture of the Old Douglas County Courthouse so you’ll recognize it in the movie.  I’ve also included a picture of the ruins of the New Manchester Mill at Sweetwater State Park where a scene from “Mockingjay” was filmed.

I always enjoy seeing a movie that is filmed in a familiar location, so I can’t wait to see “The Founder.”  I’ll get to see scenes from my hometown and my new adopted hometown!  And you’ll know a little more about the locations, too!

Quote of the Day

I think when tragedy occurs, it presents a choice.  You can give in to the void, the emptiness that fills your heart, your lungs, constricts your ability to think or even breathe.  Or you can try to find meaning.

–Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg’s tribute to her husband which was posted on Facebook today blew me away.  It was such a heartfelt and beautifully written piece about grief.  If you haven’t read it, you should Google it.  I learned something about what to say and what not to say to people who face a tragedy such as this.  Losing any family member at any age is hard, but I can’t imagine the loss of a husband in his prime who is your partner in raising your young children.

Sheryl, the COO of Facebook, wrote a book titled “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead” which gives advice on how women can achieve professional success and personal fulfillment.  I gave my daughters this book two years ago in hopes that they will “lean in” and find happiness and meaning in all this world offers.

My friend Becky recently lost her husband of 45 years.  She, too, has amazed me with her daily posts on Facebook about life with her husband.  It’s her way of dealing with her grief, and it’s a gift for me and everyone else to read of her journey of love and faith.

Below is a picture of Sheryl Sandberg’s book along with a link to Amazon.  Think about buying it if you have daughters entering the workplace.  In the meantime, hold your loved ones a little tighter.  Every day together is precious.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

What’s for dinner? Clam Chowder

Greetings!  I love to cook and I love to see people enjoying my food.  What I don’t like are recipes that are too difficult with too many steps and too many ingredients.  I love to cook, but I like to have time for other things too!

Last night I made clam chowder.  Some people think of soup as only a fall or winter dish, but I like it all year.  Maybe that’s because my mother used to make vegetable soup in the summer when she had lots of fresh vegetables from Grandpa’s garden.

Anyway, here is my recipe.  Please be patient with the quality of my pictures 🙂  Maybe a new camera is in my future if I continue to blog.  And a photography class on how to style and photograph food.  Right now my iPhone 5 camera will have to do.

You will need:

4 slices of bacon, diced

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 1/2 cups water

4 cups potatoes (I used red potatoes and I didn’t peel them.)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

black pepper to taste (I like a lot.)

3 cups half-and-half  (No, this is not a low-cal version.)

3 tablespoons butter (Again, this is not a low-cal version.)

20 ounces of canned minced clams

Here are my red potatoes, all chopped up.

I’m ready to sizzle the bacon and onions.

 

Place diced bacon in large stock pot and cook until almost crisp.  Add onions and cook 5 minutes.  (I messed up and put the bacon and onions in together to start, but it was fine.)  Stir in the water and potatoes and season with salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.  (If the liquid boils down too much, add a little water or some of the clam juice.)

Pour in half-and-half and add butter.  Drain clams but reserve clam liquid.  Stir clams and 1/2 of the clam liquid into the soup.  Cook about 5 minutes or until heated through.  Do not allow to boil.  Enjoy!

My bacon and potatoes and onion and water are sizzling!

Here’s the final product. The hubby and son gave it a thumbs up!

Quote of the Day

Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions.

   –Frank Lloyd Wright

What about it, folks?  Is there truth in this quote?  If you’ve ever owned a pool, boat, or RV, I bet you can relate.  Do you feel like your stuff owns you?  That you’re always spending time and money fixing things?  I don’t think you have to be wealthy to have this feeling.  Even an HVAC system or security system or sprinkler system or Direct TV that goes out can make us crazy.

I would like to simplify.

I’ve been reading the bestseller “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo.  It’s all about discarding things and only keeping those possessions that “spark joy” and then finding a place for everything.  I need this.  I’ve dipped my big toe into this by organizing three of my drawers according to her directions.  She advocates folding more, hanging less.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  And I’ll have pictures. 

In the meantime, look around your place.  What sparks joy?

Click here to order “The Life-Changing Magic of tidying Up”

http://amzn.to/1KBIK9X

Review of Swimways Rainbow Reef Mini Fish – My New Favorite Thing!

My friend Tracy gave me a new toy on Saturday!  I named him Nemo, put two AAA batteries in him, and let him loose in my pool.  Everyone admired him at a party at my house on Saturday.  My dog and cat were especially impressed!  He really does swim around just like the real thing.  The only problem was that he swam right into the skimmers while the pump was on.  Turn the pump off and that’s not a problem.  This would make a great little gift for a friend with a pool!  You can find the fish at some pool stores and of course it’s available at Amazon.   Click below to order it from Amazon.  Or maybe you want three fish!  See below for that too.  Thanks, Tracy!

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Review of Gabe’s Downtown in Douglasville, Georgia – Welcome to the Neighborhood!

My husband, friends, and I have enjoyed dining at the Gabe’s in downtown Villa Rica for several years.  You just can’t beat the ambience – old brick interior walls, low lighting, and a rustic feel in a quaint downtown area.  And the food is out of this world.

I was incredibly excited when I first heard that Gabe’s would be expanding and opening a location in downtown Douglasville.  Now I wouldn’t have to drive 30 minutes for a first-class dining experience.  After several delays, Gabe’s opened on May 19, and Kirk and I joined two other couples and one of their college-age daughters to try it out on Friday, May 29.  Yippee!

We were thrilled that we were able to be seated right away.  Gabe’s doesn’t take reservations, and we’ve always had to wait at the Villa Rica location, sometimes for an hour or more.  (Honestly, I never minded too much because we looked at it as our entertainment for the night and enjoyed a cocktail and conversation with our dining partners.)  Anyway, after being seated, we perused the menu which offers the same yummy dishes as the original location.  After hearing the specials, which are always truly special, I decided to go light and ordered the Maytag salad and a crab cake.  They have the best crab cakes I’ve had anywhere.  Kirk ordered the redfish special.  Every entrée that was ordered at our table was wonderful, just as we would expect at the original Gabe’s.  The service, however, left a little something to be desired.

While we were thrilled to be seated right away, it took quite a while to have our order taken, and then much longer to have dinner delivered to our table.  I always order the Maytag salad because it has blue cheese; however my salad had none.  After I asked about it, our waiter brought me blue cheese dressing (not what I wanted) but then returned with the blue cheese crumbles.  It was yummy.  I’m sure the service will improve as the kitchen and servers settle into a routine.  While waiting for dinner, I had a cocktail.  The cosmo was fine but nothing special.  (Sam & Rosco’s mixes the best cosmo in Douglasville.  I know about this.)

I have to say I was a little disappointed in the décor at our new Gabe’s.  I knew it wouldn’t have the rustic, small feel of the original Gabe’s, but I was disappointed that it wasn’t special in any way.  I took a peek into the bar area which is long and narrow.  I’m not sure I’d enjoy having a cocktail in there while waiting for a seat, but we’ll see.  I also peeked upstairs at the rooftop deck where you can dine.  I love the idea of outside seating, but this area needs a little attention also – Potted plants?  Umbrellas?  A fountain?  I don’t know.  It needs something to warm it up.  There is also an enclosed banquet room with seating upstairs.  I didn’t venture in there, but I guess it’s nice that there’s the possibility of reserving a private room.

To sum it up, I highly recommend a trip to the new Gabe’s Downtown in Douglasville.  The food is superb, and I’m sure the service will be first rate once they have a few more weeks under their belt.  I think they’ve got a ways to go with the ambience.  They at least need to get some more art on the walls.  I’m sure I’ll enjoy many fabulous meals at the Douglasville location, and I’m so happy they’re here.  For a special night out, however, I may venture back to Villa Rica where I can feast on the ambience as well as the food.

Hello world!

Welcome to the Happy Empty Nester!

Greetings, friends!  Thank you for taking a look at my new blog.

Back in January, my two daughters and I made a pact/New Year’s resolution that we would each begin writing a book in 2015.  I must confess that I have yet to put pen to paper and don’t even have an idea for a novel.

What I DO have is a love for learning, writing, and sharing information.  So…I decided I would try my hand at blogging.  I will include information that I hope will interest you – cooking, product reviews, restaurant reviews, entertainment, education, and news.  All the stuff I like.  After all, I read that there are over 31 million bloggers in the U.S.  I’m just sure that the world needs one more.

Since today is the first day of my summer vacation (I work in a school), it seems like the perfect day to start.