Thankful for good neighbors....and an ode to my oven....

(artwork is by Lindy Burnett on the Bookmakers Limited website....isn't it adorable? She has been an illustrator for Highlights magazine, and is very talented!)

You are smart friends and you probably know where I am going with this title......yesterday as I was cooking dinner, the oven let out a huge sigh of relief and gave it up. After all, it has lived a good and fruitful life, having produced many a selection of delectables, be it entrees or baked goods. It's an old (yes, my estimation of old changes daily!!) JennAire that was original to the house, built in 1991....so it's near its time, I guess, to want to retire. It didn't help that I was right about to bake my tilapia and hushpuppies........so I sauteed the tilapia and hubby had to forego the hushpuppies.

Which brings us to today......number 2 son is coming home this weekend to celebrate his 20th birthday!! And daughter celebrates her 18th next week, too......it's celebration city around here! He specifically asked for my carrot cake for his celebration, which can be found here, for his special day. I, like a good mamma, am glad to oblige.....oops-- that promise was made before the death of the oven!!! The repairman can't come until Tuesday......so I called my best neighbor and said "hey can I bake a yummy, delicious cake in your oven and taunt you with yummy, delicious smells???" The Mr. is home looking for a replacement job, after being laid off last week....so, so sorry....but I really need to bake this cake....perhaps my cake will inspire you.........
So I mix up my cake and carry my three layers across the street to bake in my gracious neighbor's oven...Of course I will compensate them for the inconvenience of me heating up the kitchen and leaving delicious, delectable smells in their home!

And THIS picture below leads me to tell you a blog story...I found this picture on the web back when I started blogging....and I used it when I posted a recipe. It haunted me, it harkened me....you all know that I am a SLaHOME consultant, but we did not have a cookbook holder that captured me the way this one did.....I referred someone back then to the source of it, and she bought one....I kind of pouted at that point, wanting one of my own! So recently I found a blog of a consultant for the company selling this lovely cookbook holder that posted about needing to meet her minimums for the quarter....my tender heart gave in and I ordered it--after all, it was indeed to help out a fellow home-based business owner, right????? So now, it does indeed reside in my kitchen and I don't have to feel like a liar when others tell me they love my cookbook holder....because it really IS mine. Now shall I go post a picture of a diamond necklace on my blog next???? :)

And finally, an ode to my oven......


*Jenny*, you've been so good to us
Your fruits we have enjoyed
You've convected and baked many a day
and broiled our toast on a few cold morns.....

Now it looks like you have given it up
To retire to a better life
Of ease and rest and no more heat
I can't say I blame you.
thanks for your years of service to our family.......RIP.

*JennAire, her proper name