James Farmer Cookbook Winner, My Front Porch & ‘Maters

In all the years I’ve been blogging, I’ve only won two things….the first thing I won was a beautiful Demijohn bottle from Sherry at No Minimalist Here.    Recently I was lucky enough to win the fabulous James Farmer Cookbook from my sweet friend Kelly at Talk of the House!

 

I am having the best time devouring this book….it has some great recipes in it and Mr. Farmer writes in a language that I understand so well…..Southern speak!    I can’t wait to delve into this book when I have a little more time and make some of his mouth-watering recipes.   Many of them seem so familiar as they are just good ol’ country cookin’ which I love.

Speaking of good food, my tomato plants are finally putting out some little baby ‘maters.    Last year our tomato plant only yielded one little bitty tomato and we found out we’d planted it in the wrong container.   So this year I was determined to have some good vine ripened tomatoes for my all time favorite meal…..a tomato sandwich made on soft white bread and Hellman’s mayonnaise with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper….yummm!   I can taste it now!

 

I bought two varieties of tomatoes….Better Boy which are the kind my in-laws grow….super big and so delicious and the Husky Reds…I already have about 17 “babies” growing on this one!

While I was picking these up I saw my favorite ferns…Kimberly Queens.   I always put two in urns on my front porch and they grow like crazy.   These were huge and only cost $19.00 each….they were about the size of mine at the end of the summer already so I can only imagine how big they’ll get.    These will last until Thanksgiving so I’ll get lots of enjoyment from them.

 

A few weeks ago I was shopping with my daughter and saw these seagrass lamps on sale.   I’ve always admired them and they were on sale for about 70% off.   I picked it up and brought it home not really having any place in mind where to use it so I swapped out another lamp on my chest in the den and put it there where it looks right at home.

Come to Mama you sweet thing!

 

My mom is still in her rehab facility but we think she may be getting out soon.    I finally got to talk to her doctor about her medications possibly making her so depressed and diminishing her appetite.   He agreed that the meds might be contributing to her psychological well being so her meds were adjusted and her attitude changed from night to day!   Her appetite is back and she is more like her old self….thank goodness!    In fact, this morning when I was visiting with her she didn’t want what they were serving for lunch so I ran to Hardees for her a little thick burger (her favorite), onion rings and Sprite.     And for supper she wants chicken & dumplings so I went to Cracker Barrel and got her some along with fried apples and hash brown casserole….she’ll love that!

We’ve been having such glorious weather but today it’s been raining and we broke the old record for the low this morning.    The rain has finally stopped and the sun is out but it’s still too cool to be May.    I’m hoping we get back to our usual spring weather soon cause my sister and I are planning our annual girl’s weekend at the lake house in two weeks!

Happy Weekend!