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Point of Comfort

A little bit of comfort in this crazy world….

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Saying good-bye to a good friend is never easy.  Last week I had to say good-bye to a friend I’ve had most of my adult life.  What I wrote on FB pretty much sums it up:

Did you ever have a friend that you shared a special bond with?

A friend you didn’t have to talk with every day but when you did you picked up where you left off and didn’t miss a beat? A friend that could finish your sentences or knew what you were thinking before you said it? A friend you made a ton of wonderful memories with over the years. A friend that shared the same love of music, art, style (like shoes and purses!!), animals (especially long hair dachshunds), work and so many other things. I have been blessed with the love and friendship of Marilyn Giuntini and her girls for many years. Marilyn was amazing, loving, strong, selfless and graceful throughout her life – her girls (and their spouses), grandchildren and friends were her greatest treasures.

One of my favorite bible verses (especially of late) is from Proverbs 31:25: She is clothed in STRENGTH and DIGNITY and she laughs without fear of the future. This is fitting of Marilyn. I am comforted knowing that I’ll see Marilyn again one day, until then I have beautiful memories of her and our friendship.

Love you always my friend and thank you for being a blessing in my life. 

Mar
(The above picture was from Dec 27th, 2014 at dinner just prior to a Jim Brickman concert).
I have so many wonderful memories with Marilyn, we would go cross county for a Jim Brickman concert…she introduced me to his music @ a concert in Madison.  I’ll never forgot the ride home that wintery night.  She decided to take a different route home and we got lost at 2 am in the morning!  Geez…what an adventure…and she was laughing and smiling the whole time.  We went to her parents a couple times to spend the weekend and it was so much fun, I’ll never forget those special times spend with her and her parents.
We also went to many craft shows, Wausau, Tomah (Cranberry Fest) and had some great adventures along with several family weddings; her nephews in Davenport, IA and her daughter Aly’s wedding in Stevens Point were very enjoyable and memories I’ll never forget.

She asked me to take her dachshund Scrappy.  I did and I’m glad I have him.  He has fit in well to our home, with Dottie and the kitties Chloe and Lucy.  He’s a sweetheart and just a little love. This is a picture of Dottie (on the left) and Scrappy (on the right).

Dottie.Scrappy

Thank you for being such a good friend, for lots of good memories and good times that I’ll cherish and remember for the rest of my life.  I hope you send me signs (and I pick up on them) that you’re around and watching over us all.

I love you Mar,

Queenie

Below is Marilyn’s obituary:

Marilyn A. Giuntini

Marilyn (Pedersen) Giuntini passed away peacefully on January 6, 2016 surrounded by family after a long and courageous 20 year battle with breast cancer.

Although her life has ended, she has won her battle as she managed to fight against cancer to be here for the birth of all three of her grand babies, both daughter’s weddings, family vacations, took a trip back to her former home in Oregon and was present for many birthdays and holidays.

Her determination and strength even allowed her to continue working as a full time employee at WPS all the way up until 2 months prior to her passing. Other former employers include both Humana and Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance.

In Marilyn’s journey, her Oncologist regularly told her that she was one for the record books. Marilyn was not defined by her disease and lived every day to the fullest. Her courage, strength and stamina were admired by all.

Marilyn was bright, creative, energetic, compassionate and faced life with a dogged determination. Her contagious laugh was adored by many as well as her amazing sense of humor.

Marilyn loved attending performance art events and she would have married Josh Groban in a heartbeat. She also adored her furry friends and loved and cared for them all of her life.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters: Allison Giuntini (Eric Scharenbroch), Heather Laukka (Casey); her grandbabies, Alec Scharenbroch, Livia Laukka, and Logan Laukka; brother: Robert Pedersen (Shawn O’Brien), sister-in-law: Lois Giuntini; cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm until 5:00pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue. A memorial service will take place at 5:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the following:
American Cancer Society and/or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at CFF.org and/or
Primary Schlerosing Cholangitis at PSCpartners.org in Marilyn’s name.

 

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DIY Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots

DIY Biodegradable Seed Starter Pots

Newspaper Seed Starters
Newspaper Seed Starters

Starting seed doesn’t have to be expensive by going out and buying those pre-made kits or the little peat pots or trays.  You can use what you already have lying around at home.  Seeds are also much less expensive than buying plants or plugs.

Products you can use to make biodegradable pots are egg cartons, newspaper or toilet paper/paper towel rolls.   In our example we used newspaper.  You’ll also need scissors and form.  You can use an empty toilet paper roll or a 6 oz. can (like the kind a small can like tomato paste comes in).

Directions are as easy as this:

  • Use a couple of sheets of newspaper, cut them into thirds lengthwise.
  • Place your form (TP roll or can) on the newspaper leaving a good inch of the form hanging off the end.
  • Roll the form along the newspaper loosely until it’s wrapped all the way around.  Too tight and it’s hard to remove the newspaper from the form.
  • Then just fold the edges of the newspaper down over the form all the way around forming the bottom of the pot.
  • Flip the form over right side up and press down firmly.
  • Slide the form out and you’ve created your own biodegradable pot!

Once your pots are filled with compost soil, place the pots on a tray and moisten the soil very gently.  If support is needed, line other pots up – this also helps maintain moisture in the paper walls of the pots and plant your seed.  The location of you seed pots should be in a warm, sun filled window.  In a couple of days you should see tiny little green shoots.

Once your seedlings are large enough and weather allows you can start bringing them outside for the day.  Just bring them in at night for a good week prior to planning them.  This will help harden them up a bit prior to transplanting into your garden or larger pots such as planters or hanging baskets.

Benefits of biodegradable pots are when you’re transplanting the seedlings into the garden or a larger container you can plant newspaper right with the plant.  The newspaper will decompose naturally into the soil and doesn’t’ stress out the young root system of your plants.

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Corned Beef Cabbage

Sharing an awesome recipe for Corned Beef Cabbage.  My husband loves this meal…and when I first started trying recipes I went through quite a few methods of preparing it.  I first tried boiling it and simmering all day, after many failed attempts my next method was the crock pot.  Again, I tried several different methods.  I think one recipe called for water, one called for beer and so on…for us it was way to salty.

Then along came this recipe (I took a picture right from my cookbook!):

Corned Beef Cabbage RecipeThis recipe is from Chef Andrew who I believe co-owned a restaurant here in Green Bay some years ago.  I’ve now been making this recipe for about 10 years and haven’t had a bad batch of corned beef since.  Tender, juicy, perfect every time!

And you have to make the colcannon potatoes as no St. Patrick’s Day dinner is complete without them.  I serve them with melted butter and a little sour cream on the side!

I hope you try this and enjoy it as much as we do!

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Impossible Ham and Swiss Pie

This is a new recipe I just tried tonight and it’s a keeper!  Easy to make and can be used for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.  Great flavor and texture.  Served with fresh fruit and a muffin – it’s a great presentation!

 

Impossible Ham and Swiss Pie

  • 2 Cups diced ham
  • 1/2 Cup chopped broccoli
  • 1/2 Cup shredded swiss cheese
  • 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 Cup chopped onion
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
  • 1 Cup Bisquick mix
  • 1 1/2 Cup milk

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray Pam into a 9″ or 10″ pie tin or glass.  Sprinke with ham, cheeses, onion and broccoli in the pan.  Blend the remaining ingredients in a blender.  Pour over ham/cheese mixture.  Bake until golden brown and knife inserted comes out clean (about 25-40 minutes).  Cool a few minutes before cutting into wedges.

Enjoy!

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Amish Pork Chops

This is a great recipe to stick in the oven on a Sunday afternoon.  The sauce on this also works great for pork tenderloin in the crock pot of low for 8 hours.   Enjoy!

Amish Pork Chops

4-6 Pork Chops (or 2 large, thick cut pork chops)

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup water

1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Cup chopped onion

Brown pork chops and put in a shallow casserole dish.  Combine above ingredients and pour over pork chops.  Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours.  Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

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White Chicken Chili in the Crock-pot

This is one of my favorite soups to make!  Super Easy and I put it in the crock pot and let it cook all day!  My hubby loves it.  I usually serve it with a hearty artisan bread and butter or tortilla chips.  On a cold, snowy night this soup hits the spot.

Whitechixchilibowl
Yum!
Recipe for White Chicken Chili in the Crock-pot
1 rotisserie chicken, picked apart into bite size pieces
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 yellow pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 2-6 teaspoons of jarred chopped garlic3 cups chicken broth
2 small cans dice green chili’s
1 teaspoon ground cumin (I add more – I love cumin)
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper sauce or spicy chili mix
2 cans (15 to 16 oz each) great northern beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (15-16 oz) white navy beans
2 can (11 oz) Green Giant® SteamCrisp® Niblets® white shoepeg corn, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or 1 tsp dried
1/2 to 1 cup sour cream
Saute onion and yellow pepper in a little olive oil slight browned.  Put into slower cooker with the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours.    
Crock pot White Chicken Chili
Crock pot White Chicken Chili
About an hour prior to serving, increase crock pot setting to high and add sour cream.   Cook with the cover off and stir every so often until the soup thickens to desired consistency.   
Add Sour Cream an hour prior to serving.
Add Sour Cream an hour prior to serving.

This is a hearty soup, has a great taste and can be spiced up if that’s your thing.  Enjoy!

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Another work of art…by our God above

Point Comfort Sunset 2013
Point Comfort Sunset 2013

This is my absolute favorite picture that I’ve taken of the sunset here at Point Comfort. The colors are so vibrant, the water is like glass and the birds are enjoying the evening floating on the water.

I almost missed this.  I caught this in early spring and if anyone knows me, they know in spring I work from sun up to sun down. When you work in the bedding plant industry, springtime is all hands on deck time…its when we may hay!

So, I was coming home and by the hues in the sky I could tell the sunset was going to be spectacular.  I drove in and ran down to the shoreline to catch this!

I hope you enjoy my little piece of heaven…more to come…

Firsts…

Today was a first…a first for my great nephews who went to their FIRST movie this afternoon…we took them to Frozen for part of their 3rd and 4th birthday presents. It was a ton of fun to watch them and they were sooooooo good.

chadmovie
Chad and his cheesy smile!

Chad is 4 and was so into the movie and all that was happening. My sister said when ‘Olaf’ the cute little snowman in Frozen lost his head and put it on upside down, Chad had his head turned upside down too. So cute. This is our little Monkey Boy with his cheesy smile.

Elijah (Eli) is 3 and he loved the movie but loved his popcorn too!  Just like his Auntie Pegi. Movies aren’t movies without popcorn. Here is a picture of him with his tub of popcorn!

elimovie
Eli with his big tub of popcorn that is almost as big as he is!

Its fun to be part of firsts!  My mom recently gave me my baby book and as I was looking through it was thinking about all the first she wrote down, first tooth, first haircut, first step, first words.  Baby books have now been replaced by Facebook and blogs, I guess.  I wonder what will be when these little guys grow up?  And how much more technology will take over…

My great nephews mean the world to me and make my life fuller and I feel blessed by them in my life.  They each are joys in their own little way.  Chad is full of expression and the family comic…from the time he was a toddler he loves to do a cheesy smile (above) that will bring a smile to anyones face!  Eli is a lover…he’s a very caring little boy and loves to be loved.  He will often just come to you and hug you just because.

Levi (1 1/2 yrs old) is such a cutie pie to no end, is full of mischief and has a very, very quick smile that extends of ear to ear!

Now that's a smile!
Now that is a smile!

In April we will welcome Alexander!  I can’t wait to meet him and be a part of some of his ‘firsts’!

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Glass Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Glass Snapdragon Christmas Ornament
Glass Snapdragon Christmas Ornament

I made these glass ornaments this past Christmas and had a blast doing it!

They are super easy and are so pretty on the tree. Each one is so different. I love glitter and sparkle and Christmas so I decked these out with lots of bling.

I bought the glass ornaments at Hobby Lobby in the glass isle.
You’ll also need:

  • Tissue paper – any design you like
  • Modge Podge
  • Brush – I use disposable styrofoam
  • Paper Tag (you can make too!)
  • Matching Ribbon
  • Glass crystals…Hobby Lobby in the christmas ornament isle.

I took off the hanger so I could stick my finger in the hole, makes it less messy.  Start slowing modge podging the ornament and laying the paper on, continuing to modge podge over the paper to seal.  When you have the entire ornament covered in tissue, add a bit more modge podge so you can sprinkle on your glitter.  You can also adorn the ornament with glass beads here and there for more bling.

I let it dry for a good 24 hours in a plastic solo up.  Make a matching tag, add the crystal bobble and ribbon and your orament is ready to give as a gift or hang on your tree.

Glass Silent Night Christmas Ormanment
Glass Silent Night Christmas Ormanment
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