OLD FASHIONED HAMBURG DISH
Since the economy is so bad these days we're all trying to find ways to cut back on spending. Everything has gone up - I don't have to tell you - the price of gas is out of sight and from day to day everything at the supermarket goes up.


Image: American Chop Suey by Jeff Cutler

So that got me thinking about how and what "I used to cook." (I do very little cooking these days ;-)

One of my families' favorites was an economical dish that could feed a family for very little and leave them well satisfied. If your family likes hamburg, this one is for you.

AMERICAN CHOP SUEY

1 1/2 lb. hamburg ( ground beef )
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
1 green pepper, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp. margarine or oil
1 10oz. can tomato soup
8 oz. elbow macaroni

Brown onions and green pepper in oil or margarine. Mix hamburg in browned mixture until it loses its color, add tomato soup and spaghetti sauce.

Let simmer 10-15 minutes. Cook macaroni as directed, add mixture to same and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serves 6

If you are lucky enough to have peppers, onions, garlic, mushrooms or tomatoes growing in your garden this season just add them to the mix - You'll get more servings out of this recipe and it will taste even better!

Enjoy!!

posted by millie garfield @ 4:29 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 16 comments

 
SHOULD SHE or SHOULDN'T SHE
The other day I read a letter from a 62 year old woman asking for advice from "Dear Margo."

She's been dating a 62 old man for the past three years and her relationship with him has many pluses and is satisfied with ALMOST all aspects.

The wrinkle that has appeared recently is that she has a longtime platonic male friend who has invited her to go on a 17-day trip to Europe with him. Over the past 20 years, they have traveled together to different parts of the world.


Black Sock by wvs, on Flickr

When he first invited her, she turned him down because she could not afford it. He then offered to pay a substantial part of the trip, she accepted his offer, but not until she told "Ernest" about the trip.

"Ernest" is very bothered by the idea, feels excluded and claims she's a gold digger. She feels that his protest is not only late but unfair, and she doesn't plan to cancel the trip!

She wants to know if Margo thinks she's a fool to jeopardize her relationship with "Ernest."

IN MY OPINION:

It's pretty obvious to me that she should not go on this trip. I'm sure she would not like it if he went on a 17 day trip with a lady friend and did not invite her.

Ernest's mistake was that he put up with his lady friend going on those trips all these years. Looks like this trip will break the camel's back! Enough is enough.

If she goes aboard, she could wind up being a lonely broad!

What do you think?

posted by millie garfield @ 4:35 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 24 comments

 
THE BEST GIFT
Before I get to the main point of this post I want to let you know what has been going on for quite some time, maybe even as much as a year.

Since I started blogging I make it a point to make copies of my posts. I don't have a printer in Florida so when I come back to Massachusetts I have a lot of catching up to do.

One day when Steve was visiting me he observed that my printer was very slow and said, "Ma, why don't I make the copies for you." I gave him the dates and that was that. Time went by and no copies. I questioned him about it and he asked me for the dates again and said he would get to it. I didn't think twice about it, he's a busy guy and I figured he would get to it eventually.

Time went by and still no copies! I had other things on my mind so I didn't dwell on it. Whenever I ask him to do something for me he always responds quickly. This time it was different!!

Now to bring you up to date: Last week I got together with Steve and Carol for a family party. Since Steve was going to be out of town on my birthday he and Carol gave me my presents that day. It's always fun receiving gifts from them, they are always thoughtful and things that I wouldn't buy myself.

Well, this time there were some goodies in the gift bag plus something that felt hard and was fairly heavy. It was a book!!





The name of the book is, "MY MOM'S BLOG!!!!!" Four hundred and two pages of posts that I have made over the years!!

That's why he was stalling all this time! He was working on having the book self-published. I have received many wonderful gifts from family and friends over the years but none have ever meant as much to me as this one.

I'm sure he put a great deal of time, thought and love into it. Thanks Steve for giving me the best gift I could ever receive.

Here a video Steve took of the moment I opened the gift:



You can see the book online at the blurb bookstore:



Look at a preview of the first 15 pages of the book.

posted by millie garfield @ 4:33 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 85 comments

 
SUMMER TIME - SUMMER TIME
When I was a child growing up in a city that was near a wonderful beach there was competition among my friends, " who would go to the beach the most times." We had to take the street-car to get there, it was always jam packed and hot but that was the price we had to pay for a day at the beach.

Now when summer rolls around I have another goal - I count the times I have lobster!! So far this summer I've had lobster three times.


Robyn with a lobster by ilkerender, on Flickr

The first time, I bought a lobster at the supermarket - they steam it for you and all you have to do is take it home and enjoy!


Lobster Shack - Lunch by VirtualErn, on Flickr

The second time my friends and I picked up lobster rolls at a fish market and had them for lunch before a matinee performance of "Bye Bye Birdie." We got to the theater early so we able to buy "rush seats." The lobster rolls were delicious and the play was our dessert.


Clam Bake! by andrewyang, on Flickr

Recently I went on a day trip to York, Maine with a group of seniors. I had never been to York but what really appealed to me was they were featuring a lobsterbake at Foster's Downeast Clambake. You name it they had it. Clam chowder, steamed mussels and clams, lobster, corn on the cob, red potatoes and even an onion that they tell me - lets them know when the lobster is ready. Dessert was a blueberry cobbler which is a Maine specialty.

The flyer said a floor show would be included - Yes, they had a guy singing while we were eating, after a while he made an announcement that the expected band could not make it. SO, he asked for volunteers from the audience and gave each person a makeshift instrument.

You know what, i don't think the band ever shows up, it was corny but gave us lots of laughs.

Finally we did have a handsome young man sing, he had a great voice, told a few funny stories and rounded out the afternoon.

I was so bent on telling you about the number of times I've had lobster this season that I left out another very enjoyable part of the day.

When we arrived at the restaurant the staff was still setting up and could not seat us for a good half hour. We had to kill time so what better way was there but to take a ride around the area. What an opportunity that was!!


York Beach Roses by .RockNRepublic06., on Flickr

We got to see the beautiful beach, the lovely cottages, the hotels, motels, trailer parks and the small downtown.

I had a bonus that day, the beach that I love and my favorite summer meal!!

posted by millie garfield @ 5:15 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 19 comments

 
THE SECRET
A few weeks ago Lisa left a comment on my post - "A Florida Day - Part 2." in which she asked, "what is your SECRET about leading such an exciting life?"

That's a really big question! I needed help so the first I did was look up the definition of the word "excite" in the dictionary.

EXCITE - To arouse (a feeling, interest into being or activity, evoke. stimulate the emotions, to cause action, awaken, stir, inspire, kindle.

On rare occasions something happens in a person's life that is a once in a life time experience, that is really special and exciting but if you expect that kind of excitment in your everyday life, forget it.

Ok, now that I 've said that, here are some thoughts off the top of my head that should make your life more exciting:

Feel passionate about something - get involved in learning something new, do something that inspires you.

Try something new even if it's a different flavor of ice cream.

Visit the nearby town that you never go to - they may have that nice little shop you've been looking for.



Instead of the usual place for lunch - try someplace different.

Smile at that grouch, he just might smile back.

Go to the library - you just might find a book that stimulates your imagination.



Keep the door open for new friendships

Keep in touch with old friends - they just might be visiting your town.

Take a chance and order something different at the restaurant.

Go out, if you don't go out, nothing happens!!

So, Lisa there really is no secret to leading an exciting life. It's just not the things that you look at, it's how you look at them.

Now that I've said all that, let's see what ideas and suggestions my readers have for Lisa.

posted by millie garfield @ 4:36 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 21 comments