WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND FRIENDS AS AN OLDER ADULT WHEN YOU MOVE?

and I add "fit" into an established community/coworkers!   

Speaking from experience, I can say that moving from coast to coast is more difficult for older adults, making friends takes emotional, and sometimes physical effort, as I have aged, making those efforts became harder to pull off.  

It is important to know friends can always be made, just be one!

As I prepare to move away from my home of 14+ years,  I take with me valuable lessons.  I had more than a difficult time "fitting in" when I came to Virginia, this was not the case for the first year I lived in Maryland, my new friendships flourished, I thrived, I was happy.  Moving & living in Virginia brought me to my lowest point of unhappiness ever in my life, I survived, learned and grew.

Lessons I learned on how to find new friends:  

1. Make the First Move.

• Don’t be shy. Take the initiative and introduce yourself to your new neighbors right after you move in.

2. Just Say Yes.

• Say yes to any and all invitations and opportunities in your new city. 

3.  Volunteer in your community. 
     *best thing I did, met many a wonderful gal pal!

• Seek and search out how you can help your community, work in a food bank, find a senior in a nursing home, read to children, become a big sister or brother.

4.  My Tips 

• Don't expect all to fall in line immediately, the 'right' person will show up!
• Join an online group such as "Meetup" - https://www.meetup.com (you will find in App store)  I found some groups that hike and go out for group functions, even have a yoga meet up!

A Nancy Story: 

When I was recovering from my knee surgery, I was advised to take an aqua swim class, my first day in the pool, I was so excited and encouraged, as I was standing at the end of the pool, this older lady came up to me and told me I was in 'her' spot, I look around, and my first thought was "really" Grandma Gangster, this is a public pool! 

Without saying anything, I did move over, the Gangster Grandma Group later that morning did invite me to the hot tub and lunch after our swim, I fielded a few questions from the Gangsters. (lol)   I still see them from time to time.

My Gangster moment at one time would have crushed my feelings and lowered my spirits, but in my dealings with mean co-workers and a hateful community and the unwelcomeness (like I never ever had experienced), I knew now this was not about "me"  or anything I did or not do, it was all about their low self-esteem, short mindedness, rude and inconsiderate behavior.  

Just prepare yourself and know that not everyone is going to like you, don't deter, be yourself, be true to yourself.

HEALTHY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

There was a time when I would hear "Healthy" I would think "YUCK"

Now I think! WOW, how can I make it taste better, real food, real good and healthy!

I won't compromise on one item at Thanksgiving... and that is Stuffing!!

I can low carb just about anything.... like the following:

1. Cauliflower mashed potatoes
2. Gravy (not made from fat drippings)
3. Desserts
4. Veggie sides

I say buy Fresh - 

Lemony Green Beans

Clean, and take off tips of beans about a pound - Blanche beans and put in an ice bath and drain...

In a saute pan add a tablespoon or more of olive and 1 tablespoon of butter, add a 1/2 tsp of freshly grated garlic.. saute, add the beans, and saute until the beans come soft....  add the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 tsp of zest and sliced almonds, salt, and pepper.

There are so many blogs that cover all the basics of 'Skinny it up" that if anyone wants an idea how to help them skinny it up!  let me know.

BEST EVER POTATO SALAD - CAULIFLOWER STYLE

Are you a fan of potato salad?  Have you given this dish up due to the high carb content? 

This ‘mock’ recipe is absolutely delish!! 

INGREDIENTS

1 pound cauliflower florets, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

Kosher salt

1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise, I love Sir Kensington

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 ½ teaspoon fresh dill

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle

1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onions

1 tablespoon pickle juice

6 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

paprika, for garnish

This is AS tasty or Better

INSTRUCTIONS

Place 1 inch of water in a large pot with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, dill, pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Chop 4 of the eggs and add to the bowl with the cauliflower. Slice the remaining two eggs for topping.

Add pickle, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and red onion. Add the mayo mixture and pickle juice to the cauliflower and toss gently to evenly coat. Garnish with remaining sliced eggs and sprinkle with paprika.

Courtesy of:   https://www.skinnytaste.com/low-carb-potato-salad

HOMEMADE IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2021

I decided to repost this for 2021 - we all know the the cost of goods have skyrocketed, and money being needed for basic necessities - HOME MADE does not have to be expensive, it can be a simple cake, cornbread - anything! 

I so LOVE homemade over store-bought!   It does not have to be overwhelming, cost a ton or anything!   

I start buying certain ingredients in late summer…. So by November, I have what I need for MY DECEMBER Christmas/Hanukkah /Holiday BOX. 

   

I learned that my love language was food …. I love sending food! - to eat as soon as you get the BOX or to make!  

Some of my favorites: 

• Semi-prepared muffins, they can be tailored to any Holiday.  

Homemade: 

• Jar of Jam 
• Sugar Cookies  
• Cheez-it’s 
• Candles

Holiday Gift Box

I also made a book of pictures and stories from holidays past, (I took all those photo holiday cards from my family, put them in a binder, and each year, I pull them out, and add to it….  This would also make a great gift. 

Family is what you what to make of it, make each holiday count, was is precious!

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 2019

For those that not been to the Shenandoah National Park or Virginia - I am sharing a few photos of Gods handy work and the eye of a talented photographer.  

This local lady gets access to the park anytime, as I live only 15 miles away, and I back up to 90 acres of beauty!  We get so much traffic from all that want to see the beauty of the season - I stay home on the weekends. 

Sharing photographer, Scott Turnmeyer Photography, lucky for me he lives locally.

Taken recently in Shenandoah National Park October 2019

Truly, walking on the trails is this beautiful

I have spent nights in the park - the beauty is breathtaking

Sunset September 2019 Hogback Overlook 

 The Shenandoah River

The River!  Oh so beautiful

ANYTIME MUFFINS

A coworker shared this recipe with me and I love that it is an easy pack for hiking.... He called them "Larry's Healthy Muffins"...

I also add additional spices, feel free to personalize to your preference.  Next time I may add orange or lemon zest. 

With harvest here, these muffins pack nicely, don't need to be refrigerated and would be a great addition to a potluck, BBQ, camping and hiking.

Respectfully Hooterville House - recipe below:

Bake 350 for 18 – 22 minutes (I like moist muffins - I bake about 15 - 18)

Makes 24 muffins..

Weight Watchers 3 points –I freeze them for breakfasts with yogurt

1-½ Whole Wheat flour

¾ cup Oat Bran

¾ Ground Flax Seed

1 cup Nuts of your choice (or you can omit) I like pecans

¾ Cup Brown Sugar (I used Date Sugar) – With brown sugar it is sweeter – but date sugar is GREAT too!

2 tsp soda

1 tsp Baking Power

¼ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

 (note I add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger and allspice) not part of original recipe

2 cups shredded carrots

2 apples (cut into chucks – this time I shredded with the carrots)

1 large egg

¾ cup milk (I used almond milk the first time I made these)

2 Tsp Vanilla  

BEST EVER CORNBREAD

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. 
   
5. www.allrecipes.com/recipe  Recipe By:BETHANYWEATHERSBY.

CUPCAKES - THE GIFT OF HOMEMADE

Do your kids, grandkids, friends live far away?  

FOOD is my Love Language!

Here is an option for those wanting to send a "semi-homemade" treat to your loved ones.  

Below is a semi-premade mix.....  I added comments for my daughter in some instructions. 

(WET INGREDIENTS)

3/4 c (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

        1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (fine sugar)

3 extra-large (3/4 cup, or 6 ounces) eggs, room temperature

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract (use the vanilla bean paste) YUM

1 tsp. almond extract (I also sent some). 

1 1/4 c sour cream, room temperature

(DRY INGREDIENTS  - IN THE BAG)

2 1/2 c (312g) cake flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

With mixer on medium-low, add the eggs 1 at a time, allowing them to incorporate before adding next.

With mixer off, add the vanilla, almond extract, and sour cream. Turn mixer on low until incorporated then high for about 1 minute.

ADD THE DRY INGREDIENTS IN BAG

With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined. Remove bowl from mixer and finish stirring with a spatula to be sure the batter is completely mixed.

Using a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop or a measuring cup, divide batter into cupcake pans.

Bake for 16-20 minutes or until cupcake springs back when pressed in the center.