R.I.P. Earl Scruggs (1924 - 2012)

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Happy Mother's Day

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Today we honor mothers and motherhood.  Like Father's Day, Mother's Day is celebrated on different days of the year throughout the world.  Here in the US , President Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day a national holiday in 1914.  And although it's become super commercialized, what most mothers really want is love and validation for everything they do.  So be sure to call your mom and spend time with her doing what she enjoys.  Take your cues from her, and listen twice as much as you talk.  A good gift is thoughtful.  Give your mother gifts you can afford, but things that make her life easier, better or joyful. In addition to time spent with you, mom should recieve things she wants, not things you want her to have. Happy Mother's Day to you, Mam'ma!  (I usually call her "Mom," but she signs all her cards "Mamma.") xoxo. Love, Debbie You may also enjoy: Treat Yourself To One Nice Thing     Watches, Tales And Sprouts    Steaming Ho...
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Are You A Downton Abbey Fan?

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Photo: itv I am spending far too much of my leisure time re-watching seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Downton Abbey .  It's so well written and cast that I catch little details with each viewing.  Isn't it the best series to air in a long time?  Unlike so many other shows, Downton's twists and turns make perfect sense while being totally unpredictable.  Worth the price of the Blu-ray or DVD . Each season the cast has grown, both in numbers and as a result of their experiences.  There are 24+ characters featured-in-detail, and I love the ensemble acting.  Even the bad characters are layered and gain your sympathy as plots thicken.  I truly appreciate how neither the series, nor the characters are black and white.  The creator, Jullian Fellowes, writes about times and a class system he knows very well.  Mr. Fellowes' wife is the daughter of an earl. Downton Abbey is a series in which you invest in the characters.  As complicated as events get  ...
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Buttermilk Layer Cake: Vanilla Or Chocolate Frosting

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Photo: The New York Times Buttermilk layer cakes are what generations of Southern women made for Sunday dinner. They are cakes suitable for birthdays and summer cookouts. After looking at recipes from the New York Times and the Joy of Cooking , which were identical, I came up with a recipe too. Think fluffy, vanilla cake that can be left simple; or easily enhanced with favorite ingredients like nuts, coconut or chocolate.   I like to add a half cup of finely ground nuts to my batter: Butter Milk Layer Cake (with nuts) Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups butter (= 1 1/2 sticks) 1 1/3 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk Debbie's version: 1/2 cup of finely ground walnuts or pecans Directions: 1) Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. 2) Add the eggs and vanilla. 3) Add the dry ingredients followed by the buttermilk. 4) Toss in the ground nuts for oomph. 5) Pour i...
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