Blast from the Past: The Bump

Long before the introduction of the Bump
for your hair, there was a Bump
performed on dance floors

at night clubs, proms, and slumber parties.

Do you remember the bump?

Monday Morning Musing: A New Week

Greet the new week with a fresh outlook, 

an open mind, and a generous heart.

Ohio's North Shore

Hello Friends!

Did you have a fantastic weekend?  I hope you were able to beat the heat with some fun and relaxation.

Some of you know my dad hasn't been feeling up to par lately.  We've made several trips to the ER and doctors appointments lately.  Understandably, these struggles coupled with the excessive heat, have left him home-bound and feeling pretty blue. 

Yesterday, I packed him up and we went for a drive along Ohio's north shore, Lake Erie.  When I was a teenager, my parents had a house trailer just south of Port Clinton on the Portage River.  My dad loved it up there and we spent every weekend and five weeks of vacation there each summer.

** 

It rained most of the trip up and back, but it was nice while we were there.  It was hot and humid, but the overcast skies kept the sun from beating down on us.  There was a breeze, which there almost always is near the lake.  

WE started with a drive around Nugent's Canal, where we spent summers and boy has it changed.  Where there used to be empty lots along the canal, are year 'round homes, and summer cottages.  All the old boat docks have been replaced and most of them have boats tied up to them.  

For anyone who has ever visited, the old bouncy bridge over the canal no longer exists and The Point now has grass, a wooden ship for kids to play on and a decorative lighthouse.  Where the old facilities were now stands a community shelter with picnic tables.  The old restaurant/bar/bait shop is still open and is now called the Lagoon Saloon.  It now has outdoor seating.  Next trip we will definitely stop in for a drink and dinner.    

After this trip down memory lane, we moved along the shore to Port Clinton and Marblehead.  Our destination was the Marblehead Lighthouse so I could take some pictures for all of you. 

If you are a lover of lighthouses, you undoubtedly are familiar with the Marblehead Lighthouse as it is a famous jewel of Lake Erie.  Its location is ideal for views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island.  Yesterday, we weren't able to see the islands due to the hazy and overcast weather.    

By the time I finished taking photos of the lighthouse, Dad was hungry.  A good sign.  We headed back to Port Clinton to Jolly Roger Seafood House for perch.  I was raised on perch as my Grandpa Benson was an excellent fisherman.  It is still my favorite fish.  

Named one of the best seafood dives by Coastal Living Magazine, Jolly Roger specializes in Lake Erie Perch and Walleye.  They also serve chicken, turkey, and other fish and seafood, but we were there for PERCH!  YUM!   

We had a wonderful day at the north shore, and Dad's spirits seem to be lifted.  Since he was such a good boy during our trip, I made him a big ice cream cone when we got home.

I will be linking this to Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday, and Seasonal Sunday. 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY! 

 

Dessert Bruschetta with Nectarine Salsa

Hello Friends. 

Today I am sharing another recipe from Taste of Home, Dessert Bruschetta with Nectarine Salsa.   This is an ideal dessert to enjoy on a hot August evening. 

Dessert Bruschetta with Nectarine Salsa

1 medium nectarine, chopped

1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed

1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced

2 slices pound cake

3 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese

2 teaspoons honey

Whipped cream, optional

In a small bowl, combine the nectarine, raspberries and mint. Let stand for 5 minutes. 

Spread cake slices with cheese; top with nectarine mixture. Drizzle with honey. Serve with whipped cream if desired. Yield: 2 servings.

I'm linking to

Fat Camp Friday

Foodie Friday

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Details Here

Alphabe Thursday: Procrastinator

The Procrastinator

I'll do that tomorrow...

is the mantra of the procrastinator;

not dealing now,

but preferring to wait 'til later

I'll do that next weekend...

putting off cleaning

'cause there's too many better things to do

until the mess reaches the ceiling.

I'll visit him soon...

not realizing how quickly time flies by.

Life gets busy and in the way

until it's too late to say good-bye.

Please visit Jenny Matlock for 

more Alphabe-Thursday posts.

Blast from the Past: Mrs. Beasley

Hello Friends.

Is your week off to a great start?  Monday evening brought strong storms to Central Ohio.  I drove through quite an intense one during my drive home.  I felt like I was in the movie Twister as the wind blew my car a bit. 

It is Tuesday, which means it is time for a Blast from the Past.  Woo-hoo!  I realize that for some of you, the Blast from the Past series is more like Before I was Born...but bear with me. 

When I was a little girl in the 60s, I watched Family Affair.  It starred Brian Keith as a successful bachelor, Bill Davis, who inherits his deceased brother's children: Jody, Buffy, and Cissie.  The family was cared after by Uncle Bill's butler, Mr. French.

Google Images

Six year-old Buffy's favorite toy was her special doll, Mrs. Beasley.  Mrs. Beasley was a gift to Buffy from her late parents and served as her security blanket.  She would tell Mrs. Beasley her secrets and about things that worried her.  

In 1967, Matel produced a 22 inch talking Mrs. Beasley doll.  For you youngsters, she was the Cabbage Patch of her day.  She had blonde hair, sported wire rim glasses, and wore a blue and white polka dot dress.  

Google Images

 Mrs. Beasley spoke 10 phrases.

Do you want to hear a secret?  I know one.

*

Gracious me, you're getting to be such a big girl!
*

I do think you're the nicest little friend I ever had. 
*

It would be such fun to play jump rope, don't you think?
*

 If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
*

If you were a little smaller, I could rock you to sleep.
*

Long ago I was a little girl just like you.
*

Speak a little louder dear, so Mrs. Beasley can hear you.
*

Would you like to try on my glasses?  You may if you wish. 
*

You may call me Mrs. Beasley.  Would you like to play?

I'm sure you guessed that I had a Mrs. Beasley doll when I was a little girl.  I loved her very much and she listened to my secrets and worries, too. 

Alas, my inquisitive uncle decided he HAD to know how Mrs. Beasley talked and he performed an autopsy on her.  I think he was the inspiration for Toy Story's Sid.  My poor Mrs. Beasley was never heard from again.  Her memory, however, lives in my heart.  

Tell me... 

what was your favorite toy? 

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

Details Here

Welcome August

Hello Friends.  

Today is the first of the 31 days of August.  In our area, we see the hottest temperatures during August.  By the end of the month, the kids will be back in school, the pools will be closing, and football season will be upon us.  

It is during August that we try to squeeze in those last picnics, garage sales, and trips to the beach and amusement parks.  As we savor the last days of summer 2011 before welcoming autumn to the region, let's celebrate with a link party.

Before we know it, Labor Day will be upon us and we will bid summer adieu.  Let's finish up the summer right with a big bash.  

This is an anything goes party.  

What will you share at the End of the Summer Celebration? 

Terrific Tablescapes

Build Better Burgers

Remarkable Recipes

Meaningful Memories

Creative Crafts

Profound Poetry

Pretty Pictures

All participants will be eligible to win

a special gift package

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!