Two Gals Gabbin’

February 15, 2021February 12, 2021 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

About books, movies, cooking, and advice
Decorating, shopping, and finding the best price
Life, love and raising kids
Along with do-hickeys, what-cha-ma-call-its, and thing-a-ma-jigs
We’re just two Texas girls
Straight from the sticks
The only thing we won’t gab about
Is religion and politics!

The second month of the year is the shortest one, but it’s chock full of events besides Valentine’s Day. Here’s some interest things we discovered about the month we thought we’d share.

February is one of the most frequently misspelled words in the English language.
February is American Heart Month, Black History Month, Canned Food Month, Grapefruit Month, Hot Breakfast Month, Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month. and our favorite” National Snack Food month.
February got its start as a spring-cleaning festival. Well, kind of. It’s named after one: “Februa” was an early Roman festival and cleansing ritual held on Feb. 15.

February doesn’t always have a full moon. The last time it didn’t was 1999. The next time it won’t will be 2037!
Groundhog Day originated in Germany. Oddly enough there it’s not a groundhog that forecasts either an early spring or a longer winter: It’s a badger.
The odds of being born on Feb. 29 are about 1 in 1,461.

Valentine’s Day did not start on a romantic note. According to historians, the day now synonymous with “love” probably began as a pagan fertility festival in ancient Rome. We’ll leave it at that, because some of the other details are disturbing. Another thing: Millions of people in the U.S. buy their dogs gifts or cards for Valentine’s Day.

The first Sunday in February is Super Bowl Sunday but it wasn’t always that way—until 2001, the game was played in January. But we’d say that’s a pretty good way to kick off a month.

Find out more about Ann Everett/Emma Ames: https://www.anneverett.com

~Into the Unknown~

February 13, 2021February 15, 2022 / Susan A. Royal / 3 Comments

Daylon Jones Royal February 15, 1945 – October 20, 2015

While channel surfing a while back, I happened to catch the end of Close Encounters. Never see that movie that I don’t think of my husband. Especially now that he’s gone. It was one of his all-time favorites. I never really thought about it until today, but now I understand why.

In the movie, Richard Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary, an average middle-class guy who loves his family and works hard to provide for them. Only there’s another side to his character. He still believes in magic. In the movie, when Roy experiences a close encounter, he doubts his sanity. But he can’t let it go, because deep down inside he wants it to be true. So he makes up his mind to prove it.

My husband was the same kind of man. He worked hard, took care of his family and lived a quiet life. But like Roy, there was more to him than met the eye. The casual observer never saw his keen sense of adventure. He had a fascination for the mysterious, the unexplained. The idea of travelers from another world was intriguing to him.

He would have loved the chance to do what Roy did. So it isn’t hard to visualize him standing on the runway at the end of the movie, all smiles. Reluctant to leave his life on earth, yet filled with nervous anticipation at the thought of going on an adventure beyond the stars.

I like to think that’s exactly what he’s doing right now. And I’m certain he’s enjoying every minute.

And someday, I’ll join him.

S.O.B. DAY

February 1, 2021January 22, 2021 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

S.O.B. Day (Spunky Old Broads)

Founded by Dr. Gayle Carson, Spunky Old Broads Day is a holiday where we celebrate women who are age 50 and older, who don’t want to get old quietly, and are “interested in living a regret-free life”.

Today, we wanted to spotlight older women and share some funny quotes about growing older.

ANN: I have some advice much like Lucille Ball’s quote…only in reverse. If you tell everyone you’re 10 years older than you actually are, you’ll always look fantastic for your age!

SUSAN: When I was a young girl, and my parents had get-togethers, the men gathered in one room and the women in another (usually the kitchen). The women would be talking a blue streak, and suddenly, they’d put their heads together, whisper to one another, followed by hysterical laughing. I never knew what they were talking about, just that it must have been funny. Now that I’m much older, I understand completely. Nothing is sacred to women my age. And we’ll laugh about anything. Why not joke about your wrinkles, saggy boobs, poor eyesight or forgetfulness. It’s all part of life. My advice is: Enjoy life. Especially now.

Find out more about Ann Everett/Emma Ames: https://www.anneverett.com

GABBIN’ GIRLS

January 19, 2021January 15, 2021 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

TO MAKE RESOLUTIONS…OR NOT

Now that we’re eighteen days into 2021, we wonder how many of you have made resolutions and how many of you have broken them already. Most everyone has a list of things they want to accomplish. Some get done, and some don’t.

Susan: I always start the new year with great intentions of eating healthier and exercising regularly. I get rid of all the sweets in the house to avoid temptation (and yes, I eat most of them. I don’t want to be wasteful after all.) This year we had to cancel our family Christmas, so I didn’t do any baking. So far, I’m exercising every day. We’ll see how long that lasts. I do have one question. What do I call it when I’m struggling to get to my feet after sit ups? ABS or CARDIO? Anyone?

I usually go into cleanout mode in January. I figure it’s easier to get rid of stuff than clean around it. Things I never seem to get around to are sorting through my photographs (I have some that go back to the early 1900s), sewing (some projects I started years ago), and crafts (I’m getting ready to throw in the towel on that one.)

Ann: I stopped making New Year’s Resolutions a long time ago. Instead, I find myself making Thanksgiving Resolutions! Like this year, after Turkey Day I stepped on the scales, and…Holy Moly!! So, I decided instead of gaining more weight during the holidays, I vowed to do no holiday goody cooking. I usually do a lot for gifts, but this year…nope, nada, not a single cookie did I give!

I gave up bread, sugar, pasta, potatoes, and just about anything white. Also, diet sodas which was a big sacrifice because Lord knows I do love a Coke Zero.

I did that religiously for 4 weeks and then started adding just a bit of all those carbs back into my diet.

I’m still sticking with it and surprisingly it hasn’t been that hard. I think it’s because I don’t call it a resolution.

SO…

What’s on your list?

Find out more about Ann Everett/Emma Ames: https://www.anneverett.com

TEXAS TRIVIA

January 4, 2021December 29, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

TEXAS TRIVIA

January 4^th is National Trivia Day so Susan and I thought we might play a Texas Trivia Game. We have to admit, we were surprised by our research. We learned some things about our state! We hope you do to!!

TRUE OR FALSE

The Academy Award statuette, Oscar, was named for a Texan.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the alternate landing site for the space shuttle.
The city of Slaughter, Texas, has never had a homicide.
Texas is the home to the most tornadoes in the U.S.
Approximately 90% of the world’s recoverable helium is located in Texas.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Texas has more than:

A-50,000

B-60,000

C-70,000

D.-100,000 miles of highways

The highest temperature ever recorded in Texas was:

A. 114°

B. 117°

C. 120°

D. 124°

Home of the World’s Largest Calf Fry (bull testicles) Cook-Off is:

Fort Worth
Amarillo
Fort Stockton
El Paso

Home of the deadliest natural disaster in the U.S. happened in:

Galveston
Lubbock
Houston
Texas City

The most popular snack food in Texas is:

Frito Pie
Corn Dog
Beef jerky
Peanuts

TRUE OR FALSE ANSWERS

#1/True. The Academy Award statuette was named for Texan Oscar Pierce, whose niece worked in Hollywood for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. When she saw the statuette, she reportedly said, “Why, that looks just like my Uncle Oscar.”

#2–False. DFW has the world’s largest parking lot, but the alternate landing site for the space shuttle is The Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport because it has the third largest runway in the world.

#3–True

#4–True. The Lone Star State has an average of 139 tornados per year.

#5–True. 90% of the world’s recoverable helium is located in the ground under Amarillo, Texas.

MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWERS

#1— (C) We have more than 70.000 miles of highways, of which 40,985 are paved farm and ranch roads. We also have more than a million signs and markers, and it takes 1.6 million gallons of white and yellow paint each year to paint stripes along the highways.

#2— (C) The highest temperature on record is 120° and it occurred in Seymour, Texas on August 12, 1936. The lowest temp recorded is minus 23 at Tulia, Texas in 1899 and at Seminole, Texas on February 8, 1933.

#3— (B) Amarillo

#4— (A) The Galveston hurricane of 1900 killed between 8,000-12,000 people.

#5— (A, B, C, D) All of these snacks are equally popular in Texas…at least I couldn’t find a clear-cut winner!

How many did you get right?

1-3…Are you sure you’re a Texan?

4-6…Not bad, but you still have a lot to learn.

7-9…You know your state pretty dang good.

10…We bet you even know the words to Texas Our Texas!!

Find out more about Ann Everett/Emma Ames: https://www.anneverett.com

From Us To You!

December 21, 2020December 16, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / 1 Comment

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

A SAFE, HEALTHY

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

ANN EVERETT

AND SUSAN A. ROYAL

WE ALL NEED A LAUGH

December 7, 2020December 1, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

Ann and Susan: During this time of a global pandemic, WE know there isn’t much to joke about. But sometimes we need to laugh to keep from crying! Here are some memes that made us laugh.

Find out more about Ann Everett/Emma Ames: https://www.anneverett.com

First Impressions

December 5, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

Please stop by Rue Allyn’s blog, At First Sight Saturday: https://www.rueallyn.com/not-long-ago-at-first-sight/ You can read all about what Erin and Griffin’s thoughts the first time they laid eyes on each other. For those of you who don’t know, they are the main characters in my time travel series, It’s About Time. And keep an eye out for To The Past, the third book in the series, coming soon.

The Importance of Being Able To Find Your Way Back To Your Writing #AmWriting

November 29, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / Leave a comment

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 24, 2020November 18, 2020 / Susan A. Royal / 2 Comments

In this blog post, Ann and I are reflecting on things that make us grateful.

Susan: Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is almost upon us. I don’t know about you, but COVID or not, the year has flown for me. Maybe it’s because I’ve been working hard to finish projects I kept putting off. Staying close to home has paid off in that respect.

Another thing I’ve noticed. I find myself paying a lot more attention to the small things that happen when the seasons change. The first hint of green that signals spring is coming, the blooms on the crabapple tree in my yard, the crisp fall air when the leaves begin to fall. I always notice it. But this year, I appreciate it like never before.

The same thing can be said for the kindness of people. We’re all having to deal with inconveniences. Shortages. Delays. And the list goes on. We can complain, or we can make the best of things. We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can be grateful.

I’m grateful for my family. And those special friends I know I can count on. My health and my home. My life isn’t perfect, but hey, I’m not either. The good thing is, I wake up to a fresh new day every day. And I can make it any kind of day I want.

A great cold weather meal that will make the kitchen smell heavenly.

Hearty Navy-Bean Soup

3 cups (1 ½ lb. dried navy beans)

1 can diced tomatoes

1 large onion, chopped

1 cup diced ham or bacon

2 cups chicken brother

2 ½ cups water

Salt-pepper-parsley to taste

Soak beans in the remainder of the ingredients overnight. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer until tender. 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Serve with Broccoli Bread

Ingredients

10 oz. Pkg. frozen broccoli chopped & thawed
2 sticks melted butter (1 cup)
16oz. cottage cheese
2 t salt
4 large beaten eggs
2 boxes Jiffy Corn Mix
1/3 cup diced onion

Instructions

Mix well with a wooden spoon and pour into greased pan (9X13”).
Bake at 400°, 30-45 minutes or until lightly brown.
Cool slightly before cutting.

*can be put in freezer

Ann: One of my favorite quotes is below. The first time I read it, it made me stop and reflect on all the things I’m grateful for.

I agree with Susan. During this difficult time, we all need to pause…take a breath…and concentrate on what’s good in our lives. Even if it’s just having a good night’s sleep, or that first cup of coffee, or maybe it’s looking back through photo albums of our children and grandchildren.

Nothing remains the same…and someday soon, these challenging times will be behind us…because in the words of Mrs. Waylon Jennings… storms never last…. bad times all pass with the wind.

Susan’s cornbread recipe sounds delicious. I recently ‘doctored’ a cornbread mix and it turned out pretty dang good.

Use the cornbread mix of your choice and make according to package directions.

Add ½ to ¾ Cup of whole kernel corn (drained)

Also add a small can of chopped green chilis OR 1-2 chopped

fresh jalapeños. (remove the seeds unless you want the bread to have a kick)

Bake according to directions.

So yummy!