Now and Then by Nancy Kline: PART TEXAN ? Although born in Texas I have spe...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:  PART TEXAN ?    Although born in Texas I have spe...:   PART TEXAN ?         Although born in Texas I have spent very little of my life in the Lone Star State.  In the mid thirties my...

 PART TEXAN ?

 

 

 

 

Although born in Texas I have spent very little of my life in the Lone Star State.  In the mid thirties my parents left the old country dirt farms in the middle of the state and moved on to start a different life.  It was bad anywhere you went as the USA was in the middle of the Great Depression but my dad got a job with a bridge building company and ended up working on the causeway between Houston and Galveston Island.  They moved to Galveston in 1936 and that is where I was born in 1937.  Dad took a mail order construction course and always bragged that "some went to Harvard, some went to Yale, but I got mine through the US Mail".  After finishing the school he landed a better job in Shreveport, Louisiana when I was nine months old.  We lived there a few years then came World War 11.  Dad joined the US Navy and served a period of time but was discharged at the end of the European Invasion.  As construction was non-existent there was no work in Shreveport  for him so we moved to Ft. Worth, Texas and lived some with relatives and then bought a small house.  When word came that building was picking up in Shreveport we moved back there.  I grew up in Shreveport but spent a lot of summers in Texas as just about all of our relatives lived there.

 

 

My dad on the left working on the causeway.

After graduating from high school I attended Abilene Christian College for a year.  In the summer of 1957 I married Billy Dan Kline.  We settled into married life for three months and then Uncle Sam called.  Billy was a ROTC graduate at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana and received a 2nd Lt. commission in the US Air Force.  We were sent to Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas so I was a Texan again.  After the time in the service we moved back to Shreveport and remained there for the next thirty six years where we raised our family of four children. 

 

Business brought us to Branson, Missouri and that is where we have remained for the last twenty five years. 

 

I still have a very warm spot in my heart for Texas.  We still have more relatives there than any place else and therefore go back often for visits.  Guess I will always be Part Texan.

Love "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and keep some in my yard!

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CYPRESS VINEThis fast growing, trumpet shaped, sta...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CYPRESS VINEThis fast growing, trumpet shaped, sta...: CYPRESS VINE This fast growing, trumpet shaped, star faced beautiful vine is a huge attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds.  It is...

CYPRESS VINE

This fast growing, trumpet shaped, star faced beautiful vine is a huge attraction for butterflies and hummingbirds.  It is easy to grow but does require water and sunshine.  I let mine grow along with my blue morning glories to make a fantastic statement.  They are from the same family and get along very well.  The leaves have a delicate feathery almost lacey look which adds to the beauty of the plant and such a contrast from the broader morning glory leaves. 



If you do plant cypress vine make sure you buy plenty of weed killer because next year you will have a million little seedlings appear.  They love to climb on my chain link fence but we try to keep them off as they are a real pain to pick out of the wire when fall comes.  They will also take over any other plants close by.  They love to attach themselves to my rose bushes. 



They are a blessing to pass by every morning as we load the van to go to work.  You just can't resist saying "Good Morning" to them as you walk by.  Believe it or not, I do talk to my plants!  It is so nice because they can't talk back! 

 

 



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Quick and to the Mouth! When...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:  CHOCOLATE BROWNIES  Quick and to the Mouth!  When...:   CHOCOLATE BROWNIES     Quick and to the Mouth!  When I do a mix I try to dress it up with a good topping.  This one never fails...

 

CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

 

 

Quick and to the Mouth!  When I do a mix I try to dress it up with a good topping.  This one never fails to get eaten quickly.

 

Love the $1.00 Brownie Mix no matter what brand.  The secret is in the topping.

 

Bake the Brownie Mix according to directions.  I use a 10 x 10 pan. 

 

As soon as brownies come out of the oven cover the top with mini marshmallows. ( Always making sure there are some left that grandkids didn't find.  Sometimes I get left holding the bag.)  Put brownies back in the oven to slightly melt the marshmallows.

 

Fudge Frosting:

 

6 Tablespoons of butter

1/4 Cup Cocoa

1/3 Cup milk

 

Bring to boil.

 While still in the pan add 3 cups of confectioners sugar.  I use a little hand mixer for this.  Beat until mixed really good and pour on top of the Marshmallows. 

 

Warning:  If planning to take to an event do not leave in sight of grandkids.  They will help themselves!

                     They didn't last till noon in VHC Brands break room!

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CUCUMBER ??? A small basket of pickings from the...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: CUCUMBER ???  A  small basket of pickings from the...: CUCUMBER ???     A  small basket of pickings from the back yard garden yesterday afternoon.  This new little garden got off to a de...