Lazy or Overbooked?

 Dear Blog, 

You have been my lifeline to friends and family for 24 years. I feel so guilty when you slip by the wayside and it happens more frequently. Once again, I  will promise to do better. My week has contained quite a few things. Most of them fun.

Your creator,

Barb B.

Last Sunday at mixed doubles Butch and I were both in the top level of winners. Sunday Pool is fun as you play with a different partner each week and it is a different way to learn more about the people you play with.

Monday and Tuesday are ladies' days in the pool hall. The number of women taking advantage of this is disappointing. It points out the multitude of activities we all have access to and choosing what gets on your personal list is always a challenge.

Tuesday night is also trivia night and we have a respectable number showing up each week. It should pick up after the holidays as more people trickle in from the north. Still we have had 3 or 4 teams each week consistently. Renie has adjusted her own list of activities and resigned from trivia as my scorekeeper. We were lucky to get a new scorekeeper right away, Joyce Bromley. Joyce was looking for a place to volunteer and we filled the bill. Last week was her first time alone and she did very well.

Wednesday morning 3 of us went to check things out in the women's pool league we have joined out of the park. We now have a better feel for what is expected of us and how we will fit in.

Thursday Butch and I went to Nuevo Progreso Mexico. Our agenda went as planned...almost. First, we went down to see our old friend Hector and stock up on some needed meds. Always informational talking to Hector. It is a half-mile walk to his place but always worth the trip. Then we walked back to where all the tourists mingled and found our pedicure place. They were without electricity! But still, we had a most wonderful pedicure by flashlight; each and every toe was thoroughly massaged, trimmed, and defoliated. It felt like I had been gifted with new and happy feet. We made our way to Jessica's for lunch but the power outage took them out of business so we crossed back to US soil and went to the Alamo Restaurant in Alamo for lunch. It, too was delicious! It was a most pleasant day!

After lunch, we stopped at H.E.B. to stock up on a few items. On the way in I saw this pickup and simply had to take a picture of it.

Despite the look on his face, he seemed to be comfortable!

Friday is one of Butch's regular pool league days so it was a good day for me to catch up on things. He promises we will get some pool in today.

Till next time...

Mom's Best Meatloaf

 In my youth my mother made meatloaf on a regular basis. Didn't everyone's Mom?  I found this recipe a few years back. It is tried and true and my one and only. Butch's favorite too and everyone knows how picky he is! Simple is often the best way to go.

Enjoy!

Mom's Meat Loaf Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour + standing

MAKES: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 3/4 cup milk

• 2/3 cup finely crushed saltines

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

• Dash pepper

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

• 1 cup ketchup

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into an 8x4-in. loaf in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.

2. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring to dissolve sugar; remove 1/2 cup for sauce. Spread remaining mixture over meat loaf.

3. Bake 60-65 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with reserved sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

Originally published as Mom's Meat Loaf in Taste of Home June/July 1997, p35