Iconic photos of Wilmington on this cold day

call it character

Recently I partially read an article titled something like "Ten things you don't know about Ted Cruz."
One of the revelations was that he is even tempered.
Today I actually answered a political phone call that led to asking which problems in the U.S. today are the most in need of dealing with.
Both made me think about qualities of a leader.
It goes without saying they must be familiar with all that the job encompasses and the problems that must be addressed. But personal traits like an even temperament are really important!
I thought . .  if I am involved in the selection process, and with my one vote I am, what do I want to know about a candidate? I want to know who they are, where they came from, who their friends are, what their influences are, how they treat people, and their beliefs. These things greatly affect decision making. It is not just hearing someone say, "I will do such and such as president," but knowing how they arrive at their decisions, and how their opinions and character were formed.

she loves her kitty

So glad I got to spend time with half of my wonderful grandchildren this weekend.
And a grandcat!

Day Trip

A friend and I took advantage of the nice weather today and went down past Myrtle Beach to Brookgreen Gardens. Anytime I am outside in a good time for me, and this is such a pretty place.
I have not been taking many pictures lately, but I did take some today though hardly any were blogworthy. Here is one though. I sort of liked the sepia tone for late in the day this time of year.

Pie

Next week the ladies of the Book Club will be coming, and I have to serve a dessert. hmmm...
What should it be? I was enticed by a recipe for pecan cranberry pie that I saw in a cookbook and decided to test it. It was edible, but not good. I knew there was a better way to assemble this sweet-tart pie, so today I adjusted the ingredients and the method and tried again. Delicious! I hope the ladies like it.
(Using a frozen pie crust.)

Small Apple Cake/Coffeecake

Just because the recipe sounded crazy easy, I had to try it.
Was I surprised. It is delicious! It will be great with coffee or to serve as a dessert.
I have to share it.

One cup self rising flour
half stick butter, softened
half cup sugar
zest of one orange
one apple chopped (small pieces) I used Granny Smith
one egg
one tablespoon OJ

Sift flour in bowl. Mix in butter, zest, and sugar (by hand).
Stir in chopped apples.
Mix egg and OJ and stir in.
(I added a streusel topping.)

Place in buttered pan (8x8?) and bake at 350.

Wonderful taste and texture.

I'm a believer!

The weather has been cold, and I have been achy. Just maybe it is part of getting older, but I don't like it. Since that injury November 2014, my neck has been especially hurting. Yesterday I even went to the mall to get another neck and back massage from the Chinese woman who beckoned me in before Christmas. I endured all that painful pressure for very little results. Today I decided to fight it with the big guns. I got five lbs of organic carrots and juiced three doses today, probably about twenty ounces total. (I would have done more but didn't want to turn orange!) Now I am looser and practically pain free. I have been back to my better self even dancing around the house. It is unbelievable how great carrot juice works. I have been putting it off mainly because it also acts like an appetite stimulant, and goodness knows I do not need that! But I am a believer in the healing power of carrot juice, and I proved it to myself today.