Thursday, December 31, 2009
Squint Shot 123109
Starting January 1, the squint shots are going to go indoors. After taking almost a year's worth of pictures of the buildings and everything surrounding Fowlerville, I have spent some time inside these same buildings. With my trusty camera in hand. So check out upcoming shots inside Sweet Sensations, The Decorating Center, Handy Township, churches, and more.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Squint Shot 123009
Christmas tree balls or colored snowballs? Your guess? Whatever they may be, the windows in downtown Fowlerville have been colorful.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Squint Shot 122909
Monday, December 28, 2009
Squint Shot 122809
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Squint Shot 122709
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Snack-urday 146
Have any leftover candy canes from the Christmas tree? Well, stick them in a martini for New Year's Eve!
Ingredients:
5 oz. vanilla Vodka (Stoli)
2 oz. white creme de menthe
1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Directions
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.
Enjoy the holidays and be safe.
Ingredients:
5 oz. vanilla Vodka (Stoli)
2 oz. white creme de menthe
1/2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Directions
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a candy cane.
Enjoy the holidays and be safe.
Squint Shot 122609
Not bah humbug, as the Grinch may have said . . . it is really Boxing Day. Boxing Day, you ask? It is an English tradition, and especially of the aristocracy with servants. The leftovers from the Christmas dinner celebration would be "boxed" up and sent home to family members of the servants or others in need. So, what will you be doing with your leftovers?
Friday, December 25, 2009
Squint Shot 122509
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Squint Shot 122409
As with yesterday's squint shot, here is another bit of artwork found in the downtown area. It is Christmas Eve . . . do you have all of your shopping done?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Squint Shot 122309
The year is quickly coming to a close and Christmas is just around the corner. The other day as I finished up those last few stocking stuffers I needed . . . in particular, chocolates from Sweet Sensations . . . I noticed all the brightly painted windows. The outlines were created by Judy Recker and high school students filled in the blanks. The next few squint shots will show various bits of artwork . . . just in case you missed them.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Squint Shot 122209
Monday, December 21, 2009
Squint Shot 122109
The Decorating Center has announced that after 28 years in business, they are closing their doors. This is very sad for me since their store has given me a great deal of "joy" in the years I've known Ron Daly and their staff. Walking into that store has always given me a lift with the beautiful furniture, the friendly smiles, and the possibilities of how I can enhance my home. I will miss seeing everyone on a regular basis, but hope this finds wonderful experiences to come for those that have been involved with The Decorating Center.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Squint Shot 122009
In Tune
I am probably the last person that watches Fox News Network, but that is all beside the point. When this video was sent to me by a dear friend, I knew it belonged on The Observer. Who knew Terry Bradshaw could hit those notes, and sing acapella -- amazing. Enjoy!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Snack-urday 145
Here is a great recipe but you might better make them today because you will want more before Christmas!
Snowballs
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
About 1 pound Hershey Kisses
Powdered sugar
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour. Add nuts. Chill.
Use a teaspoon and scoop about 1 teaspoon of dough and put it around one piece of chocolate. Roll it in both hands but try not to let it get soft.
When they are all done put them in the freezer until they are frozen. Even a few days is okay.
Put frozen balls on a cookie sheet (separating them in rows).
Bake for about 12 minutes - until set but not brown.
Let them cool and sprinkle/roll them in powdered sugar. You may need to add a little more sugar before serving if you save them in a tin.
Hint -- Be aware that if you do not freeze them completely before baking they will come out looking like nipples and not the cute little snowballs we strive for.
Snowballs
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
About 1 pound Hershey Kisses
Powdered sugar
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add flour. Add nuts. Chill.
Use a teaspoon and scoop about 1 teaspoon of dough and put it around one piece of chocolate. Roll it in both hands but try not to let it get soft.
When they are all done put them in the freezer until they are frozen. Even a few days is okay.
Put frozen balls on a cookie sheet (separating them in rows).
Bake for about 12 minutes - until set but not brown.
Let them cool and sprinkle/roll them in powdered sugar. You may need to add a little more sugar before serving if you save them in a tin.
Hint -- Be aware that if you do not freeze them completely before baking they will come out looking like nipples and not the cute little snowballs we strive for.
Squint Shot 121909
Friday, December 18, 2009
Squint Shot 121809
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Squint Shot 121709
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Squint Shot 121609
The decorations are all in place in the downtown area -- including decorating the "no biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading" signs. Something tells me there's not much of that going on during this frosty weather.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Squint Shot 121509
Christmas is 10 days away. This lovely Christmas tree at the Woodshire Place provided a wonderful reminder of all the "eye candy" we get to enjoy this time of year.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Squint Shot 121409
The wind would pick up top layers of snow and cause a "foggy" look over the fields. The last three days have shown some fields south of Fowlerville, off from Fowlerville Road.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Squint Shot 121309
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Snack-urday 144
Christmas cookies are always fun to make this time of year, but how about a bit of a twist. Here's a recipe for sesame cookies:
Koulourakie Greek Sesame Cookies
1 pound butter, softened
1 cup fine sugar
4 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoons orange rind
3 whole eggs
2 egg whites, beaten until stiff
2 egg yolks
½ pint heavy cream
2 pounds of flour (More flour may be needed if you have trouble rolling out the dough)
Egg wash
Sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 350º. Mix flour and baking powder, set aside. Beat butter, sugar, orange rind, 3 whole eggs, 2 egg yolks and heavy cream. Fold in beaten egg whites. Add the flour mixture slowly, until you can work it with your hands. Take a small amount and roll out on a floured surface, to about 1 inch. Cut with cookie cutters into happy Christmas shapes, or into strips – you can braid them! Paint with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown.
Koulourakie Greek Sesame Cookies
1 pound butter, softened
1 cup fine sugar
4 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoons orange rind
3 whole eggs
2 egg whites, beaten until stiff
2 egg yolks
½ pint heavy cream
2 pounds of flour (More flour may be needed if you have trouble rolling out the dough)
Egg wash
Sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 350º. Mix flour and baking powder, set aside. Beat butter, sugar, orange rind, 3 whole eggs, 2 egg yolks and heavy cream. Fold in beaten egg whites. Add the flour mixture slowly, until you can work it with your hands. Take a small amount and roll out on a floured surface, to about 1 inch. Cut with cookie cutters into happy Christmas shapes, or into strips – you can braid them! Paint with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown.
Squint Shot 121209
Friday, December 11, 2009
Squint Shot 121109
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Squint Shot 121009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Squint Shot 120909
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Squint Shot 120809
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dashing Through the Snow
This last Saturday afternoon and evening was the "Christmas in the Ville" celebrations. Stores stayed open a little bit later, crowds gathered for the upcoming parade, Santa's arrival, and there was another successful "Dashing Through the Snow 5K Walk/Run." The fourth annual such run for Fowlerville - an effort spearheaded by the Fowlerville Rotary Club.
Over 70 participants gathered in the cold to run west from Ann Street out of town, past the fairgrounds and Gregory Road, to just past Potts Road. They then turned around and dashed east back to the finish line, with the last couple of blocks a gradual climb, from Veterans' Drive to Ann Street. Cheers and applause greeted the runners as they approached the finish line with the first runner arriving in just over 13 minutes.
Registration began at the Wedding Chapel on South Second Street, and that is where the runners and walkers headed back to for awards, snacks and water, and a round of congratulations for another successful event.
Over 70 participants gathered in the cold to run west from Ann Street out of town, past the fairgrounds and Gregory Road, to just past Potts Road. They then turned around and dashed east back to the finish line, with the last couple of blocks a gradual climb, from Veterans' Drive to Ann Street. Cheers and applause greeted the runners as they approached the finish line with the first runner arriving in just over 13 minutes.
Registration began at the Wedding Chapel on South Second Street, and that is where the runners and walkers headed back to for awards, snacks and water, and a round of congratulations for another successful event.
Squint Shot 120709
"Snowflakes" have been added to the taller lampposts in the downtown area, and of course, since no two snowflakes are alike, a different shape will be a squint shot tomorrow. Check it out!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Squint Shot 120609
Another squint shot taken around 6 pm . . . the baptist church stands behind one of the many lightposts that have been decorated. All's that needed is a little snow on the roof . . .
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Snack-urday 143
Oh, let's start drinking . . . it is the holidays after all!
Just kidding . . . but I did get this recipe from some friends of ours and thought I would pass it along.
Mother Johnson's Irish Cream
1 1/4 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 cups half and half
2 cups 80 proof whisky
1 t. instant coffee
2 oz coffee liqueur
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill before serving.
Cheers!
Just kidding . . . but I did get this recipe from some friends of ours and thought I would pass it along.
Mother Johnson's Irish Cream
1 1/4 oz sweetened condensed milk
2 cups half and half
2 cups 80 proof whisky
1 t. instant coffee
2 oz coffee liqueur
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill before serving.
Cheers!
Squint Shot 120509
Friday, December 4, 2009
Squint Shot 120409
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Webberville Care Packages
A couple months ago, I had the opportunity to be a small part of putting together packages to be sent to Afghanistan. You can find the article by clicking here. Well, more packages are heading to Afghanistan and Iraq.
I wasn't a part of putting them together, but I did have the honor of gathering the information and taking a photograph at the Webberville Post Office.
This picture and my article should appear in Fowlerville News and Views this weekend, but for those of you outside of the Fowlerville/Webberville area, here's the article . . .
Lori Wright, the Officer-in-Charge at the Webberville Post Office, saw a need and decided to do something about it. With the help of the Webberville Lions Club, Webberville Feed and Grain, Aldi’s, and numerous community members, 44 boxes are heading to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Phillipines, to troops of the Armed Services that probably would not be receiving a “care” package this holiday season. Each box, filled to near bursting with snacks, socks, razors and various health aids, cards and books, non-alcoholic wipes, and powdered mixes to add to water, costs $11.95 to send overseas and has a specific name on the label. Those names were obtained from www.anysoldier.com where a list can be found for troops that may have family members unable to send packages.
Lori was quick to thank three very generous organizations and businesses in this endeavor. The Webberville Lions Club donated the funds for shipment. These packages, with an approximate overall weight of 500 pounds, normally can be sent for $13.95 but were discounted off $2.00 by the US Postal Service since they were heading to troops. Aldi’s donated a large majority of the contents, and Webberville Feed and Grain donated both items and funds for purchasing what was needed. As the project became more well-known, community members found their way to the post office with private donations, as well as help offered by the Webberville Women's Advance Club.
Shown in the photograph taken this last Thursday morning are Dave Jason, Bill Turner, and Grover Whitehead in front of the counter, all representing the Lions Club. In the background, Lori Wright hovers over just a small portion of the boxes, moments before these boxes were loaded onto a truck for their ultimate destination.
With Christmas just a few short weeks away, time is of the essence. And, if all goes as planned, 44 soldiers will have a bit of “home” sent all the way to them from Webberville, Michigan, and the efforts of Lori Wright.
I wasn't a part of putting them together, but I did have the honor of gathering the information and taking a photograph at the Webberville Post Office.
This picture and my article should appear in Fowlerville News and Views this weekend, but for those of you outside of the Fowlerville/Webberville area, here's the article . . .
Lori Wright, the Officer-in-Charge at the Webberville Post Office, saw a need and decided to do something about it. With the help of the Webberville Lions Club, Webberville Feed and Grain, Aldi’s, and numerous community members, 44 boxes are heading to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Phillipines, to troops of the Armed Services that probably would not be receiving a “care” package this holiday season. Each box, filled to near bursting with snacks, socks, razors and various health aids, cards and books, non-alcoholic wipes, and powdered mixes to add to water, costs $11.95 to send overseas and has a specific name on the label. Those names were obtained from www.anysoldier.com where a list can be found for troops that may have family members unable to send packages.
Lori was quick to thank three very generous organizations and businesses in this endeavor. The Webberville Lions Club donated the funds for shipment. These packages, with an approximate overall weight of 500 pounds, normally can be sent for $13.95 but were discounted off $2.00 by the US Postal Service since they were heading to troops. Aldi’s donated a large majority of the contents, and Webberville Feed and Grain donated both items and funds for purchasing what was needed. As the project became more well-known, community members found their way to the post office with private donations, as well as help offered by the Webberville Women's Advance Club.
Shown in the photograph taken this last Thursday morning are Dave Jason, Bill Turner, and Grover Whitehead in front of the counter, all representing the Lions Club. In the background, Lori Wright hovers over just a small portion of the boxes, moments before these boxes were loaded onto a truck for their ultimate destination.
With Christmas just a few short weeks away, time is of the essence. And, if all goes as planned, 44 soldiers will have a bit of “home” sent all the way to them from Webberville, Michigan, and the efforts of Lori Wright.
Squint Shot 120309
"Christmas in the Ville" is a mere 48 hours away -- and then the fun begins. There will be a parade, a 5k walk/run, and Santa's arrival in the village for all those young at heart. My camera will be pointed in all directions this December for a number of squint shots to help you celebrate the holiday season. Come January, I will be stepping inside buildings to take close-up shots and then wandering around those same buildings for overall views. Be sure to check these out starting in the new year.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Party Animal
We attended a party last night -- a library open house -- and, oh what a nice time.
But to backtrack a bit . . . a couple of months back (which you can find by clicking here), I reported on the remodeling activity going on at the Fowlerville Library. It is now completed and the library is just a wonderful place to spend time with the gracious staff and the wealth of information in the columns of stacks. It is comfortable and welcoming, even with a couple of animal heads mounted on the wall of the back room -- overlooking the adult fiction. But back to the open house . . . the spread of food was inviting and the staff was ready to answer a myriad of questions. And the 45 minutes spent there convinced me there will be a lot more visits to the Fowlerville Library in the near future.
But to backtrack a bit . . . a couple of months back (which you can find by clicking here), I reported on the remodeling activity going on at the Fowlerville Library. It is now completed and the library is just a wonderful place to spend time with the gracious staff and the wealth of information in the columns of stacks. It is comfortable and welcoming, even with a couple of animal heads mounted on the wall of the back room -- overlooking the adult fiction. But back to the open house . . . the spread of food was inviting and the staff was ready to answer a myriad of questions. And the 45 minutes spent there convinced me there will be a lot more visits to the Fowlerville Library in the near future.
Squint Shot 120209
Until recently, I had always thought there was just one quonset hut in the village of Fowlerville. You can check out a previous squint shot by clicking here. But now I have come upon another one . . . this one bright red and well lit.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Squint Shot 120109
Oops, one more window treatment window. This particular peak can be found at the old Greenaway house at the corner of Mill Street and North Grand Avenue. It makes one wonder if this is original woodworking or was it updated at one time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)