Meatloaf AGAIN?

~Smashed Mashed Potatoes, Meatloaf and Green Beans~

Life is full of surprises...this particular meatloaf wasn't one of them.  I had this delicious meatloaf before at the Kansas City Union Station at their fabulous restaurant, HARVEY'S associated with the HISTORICAL Railroad Restaurants of Fred Harvey.

~CUPID OF THE RAILS~

Fred Harvey's biggest challenge was not delivering fresh food to his far-flung outposts but finding reliable help. So he placed advertisements in the East and the Midwest for single "young women, 18 to 30 years of age, of good character, attractive and intelligent." These women became the famed Harvey Girl waitresses, trained in rules of etiquette and given black-and-white uniforms befitting a nun. Humorist Will Rogers once said Harvey and his young servers "kept the West in food and wives." Indeed, one estimate put the number of Harvey Girls who wound up as brides of western cowboys and railroadmen at 20,000. Mrs. Harvey met each girl as she was hired. Paid $17.50 a month, this was a dream job for many who were unable to cope with the burgeoning populations of big cities like New York, Boston and Philadelphia. So many Harvey Girls, always respectable, became the wife to a customer. One railroad baron said "The Harvey House was not only a good place to eat; it was the Cupid of the Rails". It is estimated that more than 100,000 girls worked for Harvey House restaurants and hotels and of those, 20,000 married their regular customers.

Back at Harvey's...I wanted the meatloaf when we returned for a visit, I knew it was good and wasn't disappointed this time either.  We sat on the upper level as the sunlight streamed into the station.  Almost uncomfortable. 

My Husband is a really nice guy especially after he has ate.

He got nicer by the minute.

HARRY'S had a beautiful Sunday Buffet, 

but we went there for the MEATLOAF.

Lil Miss had a HAMBURGER with FRIES.

TYPICAL AMERICAN FOOD.

 WORTH THE WAIT

 Later we'd have COFFEE and tour the Station.

I had my first pink Macaroon cookie.  Ate it so fast...no time for a sticky picture.

More to follow,

d

Decorating On The Prairie: Crystal Bound

~Decorating On The Prairie~ 

with Yugoslavian ASTION/ZAJECAR
24 percent lead crystal.

For little of nothing these pretty Sherbet Glasses 
were purchased and brought HOME to use and enjoy.

Makes me so very HAPPY.

ADDING A PRETTY TOUCH TO MY CHINA CABINET.

BLESSINGS TO YOU,

d

You'll never know what's in the bag 

when this BAG LADY COMES HOME.

This time 'twas pretty crystal with the label still on.

$1.99 plus tax a stem.

Valentines Day On the Way

Valentines Day is on the way.  

This coming Friday.  Can that be for real? 

Children, Parents, Siblings, Grand Children's Valentines are in the mail.  
I went to the Post Office four different times to get their packages in the mail.  

Done.  

Now I must figure out what I will treat my SWEETHEART 
with come Friday.

A HUG.

A KISS.

A CARD.

A NICE MEAL.

A GIFT.

An 'i luv u!'

Sending a heartfelt virtual hug 

to you all out there in blogland.

You mean a great deal to me,

d

Snow Storm In Small Town America

Snow was blowing in small Town AMERICA.

Stayed warm as the power stayed on.

Middle of the week DRAMA.

Hope you are well,

d

None Are Sad and We're Having Beans

It may be a WINTER WONDERLAND outside as it snows all day, but inside it's SPRING TIME while the bedding is being washed.  All of our HOME HAVEN BEDDING is being freshened up as each piece is being washed, dried and folded.  Wish I had some sprigs of lavender to place with the LINEN CLOSET.  Perhaps I will place this item on my grocery list and purchase some when I next make my way to TOWN.  The snow will have to melt some.  It has snowed all day and expected to snow some more on Tomorrow.

I'm really happy to be able to do laundry load after load of bedding INSIDE MY HOME!  Now how on God's Green Earth did women a hundred years ago wash their laundry during the WINTER months?  

The Family room sofa is the half way place to toss the bedding onto just before folding it and placing it in the upstairs closet.  Fresh sheets went on the Master Bed.  Smells nice.  Will be a pleasure to climb into a warm bed tonight. 

Hubby and Daughter were snowed in as their workplaces were closed today due to the snow.  None are sad.  None.

I went outside to take some photos.  The aroma of what's cooking greeted me as I entered back into the house.  Ham is in the Crockpot with Pinto beans cooking on a hot plate.  HAM and BEANS tonight on the Supper Menu.  Cornbread as well.  Time for a Coffee Break.



BEANS.  After rinsing the beans in cold water and picking out the unnecessaries that found their way into the plastic bag the beans came home in...the beans are placed in a large cooking pot filled with cold water.  Better Homes and Garden Cook Book recipe help make the beans delicious.  My Cook Book was a wedding gift to us almost 40 years ago.  

Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes.  Take off the heat and allow to set one hour.  Add seasoning such as salt.  Return to a simmer.  For an hour and a half allow beans to simmer.

We'll be adding the beans to the crockpot HAM and allow simmering together.  If I had started earlier in the day instead of early afternoon, I would have placed the beans in the crockpot with the HAM.

HAM 'n BEANS in the middle of the week.
Hello,
d

Granny Nanny and Pajama Day

The Granny Nanny Chronicles 

continues......Pajama Day was on an ice cold wintery day.

Lil Miss had the privilege and fun 

of wearing pjs to school as the students celebrated

PAJAMA DAY!

STOMPERS.  

When walking the ears flip up and down 

revealing the eyes of the slippers.

  

These are Lil Miss's House Slippers that she bought with her own money.  This is one way her Momma is teaching her the value of SAVING UP and BUYING needed items.

Great LIFE LESSON.

Kitty was a THRIFT purchase that Lil Miss LOVES.  

I always launder these finds for healthy reasons.

Just because.

Do you have pajama day at HOME?  

Evah?  I do.

In my office.

Lil Miss took this pic of me holding her kitty.  

She did a great job.  

Wowza.

I'm sitting in my special chair where I do my bookkeeping, 

file papers, write out bills, correspond, blog, watch the tele, 

read magazines, pray, etc. etc. etc.

Usually in my pajamas.  grinnnnns.
I'm working.

Sweet Blessings to you.

One day at a time,

d

Decorating On The Prairie: Working With Our Hands

Decorating On The Prairie continues with: 

Working With Our Hands and living a quiet life. 

Kitchen UPDATE:

Microwave installation. 

I helped!  

My contribution.  My shoulder.  

Using my shoulder to brace her up as Hubby forged ahead 
to hang our Microwave. 

 I ought to name her.  Hum.  How's 'bout Me Dear?

STEPS to installing our Me Dear:

1) Purchase Microwave. 

2)  Bring HOME.

3) Prep area where she will rest.

4) Install damper.

5) Install microwave wall bracket. 

6) Hang Microwave

7) Complete wiring.

8) Now you're cookin'

We now have running water, a ceiling fan, electrical lights, electrical outlets, a installed porcelain enameled cast iron sink with a garbage disposal, a white refrigerator and a functioning white MICROWAVE in the Kitchen.  

New ceramic tile laid on top of hardy backer board on the floor.  New countertops are in place.  Custom built cabinets are installed.  
Partially painted.

Daily dishes rest inside some cabinets.  Decided on ceiling.  Have backsplash tile purchased and a design settled on.  Looking for a new stove.  The stove we have in the garage may never be used in this Kitchen.  

Waiting for drawers to be built and cabinet fronts made.  New ceiling put up.  More cabinets will be made for upper level of Kitchen cabinets.  Backsplash tile installed.  Some painting to do.  Hardware in place.  Etc.  

For the time being baking and cooking is done in a miniature countertop oven, skillet, hot plates, microwave.  We are surviving.  I have to give myself a PEP TALK during this interim phase.  Many a day....I have spoken out loud and said that we will be victorious.  This will come to pass.  Thank you God.  Thank you Hubby.  

It brings to remembrance the Liberal, Kansas man that had dirt floors in his HOME and each payday he would buy flooring for his living room.  Eventually he had a wood floor for his house.  Imagine having dirt floors and waiting for a wood floor to happen.  Are you blessed?  Also, remember the man that bought a train car and turned it into his house.  It can be done and done well.  Are you blessed?

We are enjoying our new Microwave as she has made her way into the KITCHEN.  She's a nice one and if ever I appreciate microwaves...it is now.  As our KITCHEN becomes an actual functioning KITCHEN, this phase in our lives has made me appreciate KITCHENS more than ever.
Truly.

On Martin Luther King Day, Hubby and I purchased a new white microwave at the RESTORE Store in Topeka.  She came home with us and sat in the Dining room as Hubby prepped the place where she would go.  Within the week, the microwave was installed and is being used.

LOVE HIM...Love her.
d

February Faith

February is here.

Staying busy during the cold months.

Preparing meals to warm the tummy.

I'd like to copy this one.

Warm wishes,

d

ps
all images from the internet