Happy New Years Eve, Abigail

From My Family to your Happy New Years

A New Year is Lurking

The New Year is peeping around the corner. I am excited to see what is in store for Abigail Madison Chase. It is my hope that as 2016 lurks around the corner preparing to creep in at midnight tomorrow I'll be as happy as I am this moment.

Abigail

It's Abigail Madison Chase Birthday

Happy Birthday To Abigail Madison Chase on her 48^th Birthday.

Abigail

One Last Christmas Song for 2015

I think I'll listen to one last Christmas song before the Christmas Season is totally over.

Time to Take Down the Decorations, Abigail

I awoke this morning wondering when the time will come to take down the Christmas decorations. While I enjoy putting decorations up, taking them down takes a minute. I usually try and get the tree down first on Christmas Day after everyone has left. The other decorations are all down by News  Years Eve so I can prepare to return to work after a two-week holiday break.

I think, I’ll sip on my hot chocolate a few minutes more before I take down anymore decorations.

Christmas Day Reflections

Christmas Day has come and gone. The presents have all been unwrapped and a beautiful meal of pancetta wrapped pork roast with a blackberry sauce, corn casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and homemade rolls has been devoured.  Now it’s time reflection and preparation for the New Year.

Abigail

Merry Christmas From Abigail

I awoke this morning with the glee of a kid at Christmas in my heart. On last evening the anticipation of a new day dawning called to me. Armed with a gallon of hot chocolate I sat out on my patio and watched as the moon blossomed high in the air. This was the first full moon  on Christmas since 1977.  Long after the moon crested, I sat and pondered the wonderment of a life well live.

Merry Christmas ~ Abigail Madison Chase

It's Christmas Eve

Today is the most magical day of the year. Santa is loading his sleigh to visit all the boys and girls on his list.  It’s been a good year and I think I am on Santa’s good list. So here’s a toast to getting what I want for Christmas.

Merry Christmas ~ Abigail Madison Chase

Abigail and Christmas Cookies

I love Christmas cookies.  One of my favorite memories of childhood is baking Christmas cookies with my grandmother. Yiyi was the best Christmas cookie maker in America. I don’t think there is any grandmother that will ever compete with her fantastic cookie baking skills.

Abigail

Abigal Gives Great Gifts

I usually get started with Christmas shopping in February and finish up around October. I love to give gifts that people actually want.  I think, in my own mind that I am a fantastic gift give. I always listen to what people say and if I notice someone has a particular interest in something and they don’t buy it, I usually get it for them if it’s reasonably priced or if it goes on sale. I give gifts from the heart because it makes me happy to see others smile.

Abigail

It's Christmas Time, Abigail Madison Chase

One of my favorite Christmas songs in the song from the Charlie Brown Christmas special. The song is so simple and reminds me how much I love Christmas.

Abigail

Abigail and Christmas Trees

When I was a kid we always had a live Christmas tree. It is with fond memories that I harken the days of my childhood during the Christmas holidays. I don’t think there is anything as beautiful finding, cutting down and decorating a live tree. During the holidays, I always remember the time my family spent around the tree. The time that my family spent decorating the tree, enjoying hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music was always special.

While I have these memories, my children only know artificial trees.

The love that I have for live Christmas trees has over the course of eighteen years spilled over to artificial trees. Each year I take pride in filling my kids’ lives with the memories I have of decorating the Christmas tree. Hours upon hour is spent around the Christmas tree decorating, enjoying hot chocolate and laughs. 

It is my deep and abiding hope that as the years roll by and I am a distant memory the tradition of the Christmas tree either live or artificial will still live on within my family.

Abigail

Abigail and Shoes

 

I don’t have a shoe game, yet, in 2016 I want one. I wear shoes that feel good to my soles, and that want change. In the new year I want to wear clean classic shoes that are classic and classy. Yep, I am stepping my shoe game up in the new year!

Abigail

Abigail's Love of Meatloaf

I’ve finally found the best meatloaf in the world. It’s simple and easy to make. My taste buds have been taste buds have been salivating since I began to buy the ingredients last week.

While out on holiday for Christmas, I plan to make meatloaf several times. While my family will surly die of dinner boredom, I myself, will be in meatloaf heaven. I only I could find the perfect recipe for mashed potatoes.

Abigail

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (ground shoulder roast is good)

1 slice bread (broken or chopped finely)

1 egg
1 small onion , finely chopped
1 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 cup whole milk
Sauce
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed firm (to taste)
1/2 cup ketchup
Directions
1. Combine meat loaf ingredients and place into a loaf baking dish.
2. Smooth out top.
3. Sauce: Combine sauce ingredients and pour on top and sides of meatloaf.
4. Bake at 350°F about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until done. 170F with a meat thermometer.
http://cullyskitchen.com/simple-meatloaf-recipe/

Abigail's Tarten Scarf

I am a cheapo. But this year I went all out and bought myself a red tartan scarf.  In my book it cost a pretty penny. I don’t think I have ever spent more than a couple of bucks on a scarf. But this year I actually spent $10.00 with taxes. I am not sure when I fell head over heels in love with this scarf. But  somewhere in Wal-Mart I did. So, if you notice a girl in a  red tartan scarf its me, Abigail.

Abigail

Abigail Makes Garden Dip

I am not a cook.  But I can make a great dip. I call dip making my niche on cooking. I've never had a dip recipe that I could not make.

The other day I found a recipe for a Garden Sausage Dip that can be made with jimmy dean sausage. Ever the cleaver “want to be cook”, I decided to make this most delicious dip.

To my surprise like most dips that I make this one turned out fantastic. If only I could eat dips instead of meals.

Abigail

Garden Sausage Dip

Prep Time:20 minutes

Cook Time:40 minutes

Ingredients

1 pkg. Jimmy Dean® Premium Pork Regular Roll Sausage

1 pkg. (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed, softened

⅔ cup (about 3 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup milk

1 pkg. (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli or spinach, thawed, drained

Baked pita chips or toasted French bread slices for serving

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook sausage in large skillet over MEDIUM-HIGH heat 8-10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently; drain. Place in large bowl.

2.Add cream cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and milk; mix well.

3.Stir in broccoli; spoon into lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

4.Bake 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

5.Serve with chips.

Abigail Loves the Bee Gees

Darling, I just want to be your everything……

I love the Bee Gees especially Andy Gibbs. There is something about their lyrics that soothe a lover’s soul. I was in the supermarket yesterday and the Bees Gees came and I couldn’t help but to sing along. I spent an hour pushing my grocery cart around singing.

Abigail

Abigail's December

I love December. It’s the month of my birth and my favorite holiday, Christmas. December is the most wonderful time of the year. I always look forward to December beginning in January.

This year is especially grand. I will celebrate my 48^th birthday. This year like most, I will have a early lunch around !!:30 at Olive Garden then spend the day at the Barnes & Noble and maybe a few hours at Catos.

It’s what I call a  perfect day in the life of Abigail.    

Abigails Joys of Christmas

The joys of Christmas find me this December 13, 2015, sitting at my kitchen table enjoying a slice of toasted sour dough bread slathered with sour cream and strawberry jam. The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care and the house is alive with the beauty of Christmas.

Sloshing down my second cup of coffee, I just realize that for the first time in a long time there is a toddler in the house. Ayden-Noah is 17months old and the joys of Christmas have taken over.  Ayden-Noah has opened gifts, shook all the ornaments off the Christmas tree in my bedroom and oohed and oowed as the lights came on Thanksgiving night and I love it.

Once again I find myself with a little one to pass on Christmas traditions and it’s as much a pleasure this time as it was the first time around.

Abigail

The Joys of Abigails Christmas

The joys of Christmas find me this December 13, 2015, sitting at my kitchen table enjoying a toasted sour dough bread slathered with sour cream and strawberry jam. The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care and the house is alive with the beauty of Christmas.

Sloshing down my second cup of coffee I realize that for the first time in a long time there is a toddler in the house. Ayden-Noah is 17months old and the joys of Christmas have taken over.  Ayden-Noah has opened gift, shook all the ornaments off the Christmas tree in my bedroom and oohed and oowed as the lights came on Thanksgiving night and I love it.

Once again I find myself with a little one to pass on Christmas traditions and it’s as much a pleasure this time as it was the first time around.

 Abigail

Abigails Christmas Table

I love to decorate my dining room table for the Christmas holiday. Each year after Christmas I decide what the next years setting will be. It’s so much easier to decide on a tablescape when things are on sale the day after Christmas.

Abigail

Abigal Wraps Christmas Gifts

Wrapping Christmas presents is a chore for me. While I enjoy buying gifts, I hate to wrap them. When I first discovered gift bags my heart soared. But over the years I began to miss the excite of watching as those I give gifts tear open the Christmas wrap.

So, this year I invest 10bucks in a class for wrapping presents. While I am not perfect at gift wrapping, I did learn the basics and I am as excited as a kid as I wrap my presents this year.

Abigail

Abigail Christmas Cheer

The best part of Christmas is sipping hot chocolate and watching a roaring fire.

Abigail

Abigail's Offical Start of the Chirstmas Holiday Season

I love to decorate for Christmas.  Upstairs downstairs and all around me are signs of Christmas. I am an early decorator. My Christmas trees go up each year without fail on Thanksgiving Morning.  The rest of the house follows when guest arrive for Thanksgiving dinner. It is with a great sense of pride that as we all sit around and enjoy dessert I flip the switch and the Christmas holiday official begins in the Chase household.

Abigail

Two Trees for Abigail

I often sit in my living room and marvel at the beauty of my two wonderful Christmas trees.

When my kids were younger, each year they made the most wonderful ornaments in elementary school. Over time Hunter and Shelby developed quite the collection of school crafted ornaments. My once well-coiffed Christmas tree became a missed matched bundle of crafts made my two favorite people.

The kids are older now yet, my mind always goes back to when they were younger. One of my now beautiful coiffed trees was once a missed matched bundle of handmade and store bought ornaments. As the ornaments get older, I laminate them to ensure they have a longer life.

The greatest joy of Christmas for me is to sit in my living room and marvel at the beauty of my Christmas tree.

Abigail

The Magic of Christmas Trees

The look on a child’s face as they see the first twinkling of the Christmas tree brings joy to the hearts of both old and young.   Watching a child's face light up as he or she claps and marvelous at the majestic beauty is a pleasure  never lost on those who see it year after year. Christmas is the  magic that reminds of life's greatest joys . 

Abigail

Santa Baby Bring Abigail Santa baby, a 54 convertible too

Santa baby, a 54 convertible too,
Light blue.

Oh  how I wish Santa would trim my tree and leave me a convertible too.

Abigail

      

Ginger Peach Moscow Mules For Abigail

I have become pretty fond of Moscow Mules. One of my favs is the Ginger Peach Moscow Mules. I usually make it with just the hint of alcohol. I am including my favorite recipe and a link to the blog where I found it.

Ginger Peach Moscow Mules
Serves 4

Ingredients
3 large ripe peaches (I  use frozen in the winter ,Abigail)
1 one-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water
6 ounces Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
Ice for serving
2 cups ginger beer soda (be sure to look for ginger beer, not ginger ale)
Lime or lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions
Make the puree: Cut the peaches in half and remove pit (do not peel). Slice the peaches, reserving four slices for garnish. Combine the rest of the peach slices in a blender with the peeled ginger root, lemon juice, and water. Puree until very smooth then strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding any solids and keeping only the smooth puree.

To make the cocktail, combine 1 cup of the puree with the vodka in a large shaker filled with ice and shake until frosty. Divide the peach and Smirnoff vodka mixture evenly into four Moscow Mule mugs or cocktail glasses filled with ice.

Pour 1/2 cup ginger beer into each mug. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge and a fresh peach slice.

Let It Snow Abigail

I love snow!

Abigail

Lyrics of Abigails Chirstmas

The lyrics of Christmas are a song that sings to my soul each year. I often find myself lost in the magical memories of childhood awaiting Santa’s arrival from the North Pole. Christmas is the one time of year that you can smile at the simplest things.

I often find myself lost in the memories of old as I gaze at ornaments on friend’s trees or families packed in a car with a Christmas tree out the back of their SUV. It’s the simple memories that make the holiday grand.

Abigail

Christmas Music

Christmas music always sets the tone for the holiday. While I like lots of great songs this year I can’t seem to get Luther Vandross singing Christmas songs out my mind. It’s  a beautiful song and it always makes me think of all the wonderful Christmases I spent when I was young and in love.

Abigail

Abigail's Holiday Season Begins Today

The most wonderful time of the year begins today.

The Christmas Season is upon us.  I was born in December so I am pretty partial to the month.

Abigail

Beyond the Raging Storm

I keep reminding myself that I am grateful. I keep hoping that I will see the rainbow beyond the raging storm and the cracks in the foundation.

“Abigail,” the voice says, “Your rainbow is there just keep looking,”

While my rainbow maybe just behind the storm, getting soaked is no fun.

Abby

Over the horizon to see the sunrises

Standing on the edge of tomorrow, I always wonder if I have appreciated today.

I am an early riser and I always take the time to lookout over the horizon to see the sunrise. A new day dawns as I put the day before to bed.

I am always rejuvenated by the start of a new day and another chance to be grateful for the day before.

Abby

The Grateful Tortoise

I’ve always loved the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Tortoise is slow and it seems everything is passing him by. I’ve always felt the Tortoise is taking his time to enjoy his walk. Slow walks often provide us with time to reflect and see things we would miss if we were running fast. 

Like the Tortoise, I move slowly. I love to take my time and enjoy the view as I meander wherever I am going. I consider it a blessing to move slowly. I feel it reminds me that I should be grateful for all that I have as I move slowly towards the finish line.

Abby

Being Grateful

In a month when we celebrate being grateful, I am reminded that there are time when being grateful is tough.  I have in the past year wish that being grateful was as easy as meme. But it’s not been so easy. It’s tough sometimes to be grateful for the small things when it appears the bigger things we seek are not being allowed to come to us.

I realized that I have been very blessed this year. Though there have been time when it seemed I was not blessed or grateful, I know in my soul that I was and am.  

Sitting on my patio this morning, I began to feel the deep and abiding warmth of being grateful. Surrounded by silence, I listened to the coming rain and said thank you. I’ve said thank you before, but, this time there was something special in my thank you. At a time when I needed it most I was blessed with the most incredible gift of love by so many.

I’ve never made lemons out of lemonade but what I have made is a home in my heart for being grateful.

Abby

I Love Winter

Bourbon Maple Glazed Carrots Abby Loves Them....

 

 

 

I love carrots. One could say “I am a carrot kind of girl”. I’ve found the most delicious recipe for my favorite food called Bourbon Maple Glazed Carrots.

 

Abby

  

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup good-quality bourbon or whiskey
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• salt and black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped dill (plus more for garnish)
• 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces

Instructions

• In a saute pan, add the bourbon. Cook over medium-high heat until the bourbon has reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Add the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, a sprinkle of salt and black pepper, chopped dill and carrots. Toss to combine.
• Reduce the heat to medium to medium-low and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the carrots are tender but still have a nice snap.
• Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

2.5

http://www.cookingandbeer.com/2014/11/bourbon-maple-glazed-carrots/

Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping Abby's Favorite Holiday Treat

 

I love November because it is the beginning of “eat your heart out holidays.”  There is nothing more delightful than spending two months having your tummy filled. One of my favorite treats for the holiday season is Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping. I can’t say enough about how delicious sweet potatoes care with a praline topping. I often beg those who are experts at making is wonderful casserole to make me several throughout the holidays.

Earlier this year while surfing the net I found a recipe that is divine and allows me a non-cook to enjoy my favorite treat on Easter or July 4^th.  This is a great recipe and one I hope my favorite cooks are thinking up.

 

Abby

Abby Loves Sausage and Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

 

 

I am a traditional girl when it comes to food. I have never been a fan of mushrooms. But I have discovered a new love of mushrooms after trying a recipe I found last week. What a delicious blend of sour cream, sausage and cheddar. I am still licking my lips at the wonder dish.

 

 

Abby

 

Sausage and Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

 

Ingredients

24 small white mushrooms, stems carefully removed and discarded

1/2 pound Whole Foods breakfast sausage

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup Smoked Seaside English Cheddar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 cup grated Parmesan, for sprinkling

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with oil and place mushrooms in a single
2. layer on it.
3. To make the stuffing, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain off fat. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add cream cheese and stir around until completely melted. Add Smoked Seaside, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and mixture is fairly smooth.
4. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until mushrooms have softened considerably.

 

http://fakeginger.com/2013/11/04/sausage-and-cheddar-stuffed-mushrooms/

 

Welcome November

 

The cold winds of November have yet to blow in. The weather outside is rainy, humid and more like Spring then Winter. I, nor others, will be throwing another log on the fire. More than likely we will all be churning up the air conditioner and keeping our shorts and sandals in the front of the closet while sweaters and coats still rest in the back.

This November 1 finds most of the US in what could be considered a winter heatwave if that is at all possible. Welcome November your heat is neat.

Abby

Abby's Older Man

As I grow old what attracts me to man has matured. I still love a great body, a killer smile and a sexy voice. But as I approach the gates of a half a century I realize that an old man with gray hair is sexy and worth a second look. Yep maturity is a good thing.

 

Abby

Abby's Mountain Adventure

O’ give me a home, where the mountain I’ll call home and the sky’s has clouds for days.

So, I changed the lyrics of a classic to fit my own mood. I’ve always wanted to live in wide open spaces. I remember the first time I went out west and noticed that the high the elevation the more in the clouds you are. I never knew the beauty of a mountain until I stood at that moment in my own cloud.

Abby

Abigail Loves Winter

I love winter. I love wrapping up in extra blankets and sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace as the snow falls outside. I often think my southern roots are showing when everyone else complains about the snow and cold and I relish it. I love winter it is my opus of perpetual love.

Abby

What's Abby's Blog About?

 

The question that I am most often asked is “What’s your blog about?” It’s not a very difficult question, but it is one that I hesitate to answer. I really don’t know what my blog is about. It’s about something, but nothing at the same time.

I often blog about whatever is on my mind or tickles my fancy. There is no definitive answer to “What’s my blog about?” My blog like me is in discovery mode full time.

I am forever pulling the layers back to reveal the real me, the authentic me. I am looking for eternal me that last forever and a day and then changes. I am for all intents and purposes my blog.

My blog is not my soul but it is an extension of a rambling mind that seems to move back and forth as though it’s shifting through a time warp.  

What’s my blog about you ask? I don’t know but maybe somebody I’ll figure it and myself out.

Abby

Halloweens Almost Here!

Its two weeks until Halloween and I am all about getting my costume together. I only need to add a few touches to be the perfect Dorothy.  I think, I’ll wear my ruby red slippers long before October 31, 2015.

Abby  

Road to Recovery Paved with Sweets Memories of Sick Days Gone Bye .

 

After a week of bedrest, meds and sleep it’s time to get up and get myself back to normal. No runny nose, no more sore throat or headaches. I am 100% better if not cured.

After a week of nothing but good clean fun or as much fun as one can find in bed with a cold, Netflix’s, OJ and chicken noodle soup.

I am hopeful this will be my only foray into the land of illness this winter. But if the local metrologies is correct it’s going to be colder than usual so I’ll make sure to keep my Roku, Ipad charged, lots of canned soup, OJ and plenty of over the counter meds and puffs on hand.

Abby

Abby’s Sick, Day 5

 

With only two days of meds left I am more than ready to well again.  Well changing my bedsheets and covers for the third time this week I am more than ready to eat a hardy breakfast of grits, waffles   and tomatoes.  Odd how much you miss food when you are sick. 

Abby