Vegetable Garden days are done for another year. Time to pack it in till next April. Gardens are winterized and time to plan for next year. Crazy weather. June started out very rainy. July hot. August hot and rainy. And September hot again. These folks have I guess what you could call gardens still. Sorry but I’m not helping with these.
Now the gardens here are ready for next year.
Now I have a watermelon patch that has three watermelons left. I had two different varieties of seedless.Look closely or enlarge the picture.
It’s Apple Time at the MC House. Well it’s time to put away the Lemons.
After 5 or was it six changes, it’s time to post those apples. And we do have a few apples. Never got around to counting them all, but if you find nothing to do be our guest. Enjoy this labor of love.
So, if you’re not really a country fan, no worries, I am here to convince you why you should be a country fan. Or at least give it a try! The great thing about genres is that in the end, they have the ability to change every day and expand the way they are perceived. Think of it as a blend of sounds that come together to create the perfect song. And yes believe it or not, not every country song is about beer and tractors driving around the dirt road.
Local tradition. The cookie table. The past two weekends, my wife and I attended two weddings. And no matter where you live, there’s tradition. And here in the Youngstown, Ohio area it’s the cookie table.
From wedding soup to pizza shops, the Youngstown area is home to many widely-loved recipes and traditions. But, one of our most cherished traditions undoubtedly is the Youngstown Wedding Cookie Table.
If you’re not from the Youngstown area, then the concept of a “cookie table” might be kind of foreign to you. In short: It’s our local tradition to serve hundreds (usually more like thousands!) of cookies in an elaborate display at a wedding reception. Many times the wedding cake takes a back seat to the cookie table, with some couples foregoing a traditional wedding cake altogether. In Youngstown, the first thing people ask about a wedding is, “How were the cookies?”
The immigrants that came to the Youngstown area in the early 20th century brought with them many wonderful ethnic traditions centered around food and baking. Money was tight–especially during the Great Depression–and the cost of a wedding cake was often prohibitive. Family and friends would step in and provide an amazing display of homemade cookies to serve at the reception. This time-honored tradition continues today, and it is seen as a way to show love for the newlywed couple.
From wedding soup to pizza shops, the Youngstown area is home to many widely-loved recipes and traditions. But, one of our most cherished traditions undoubtedly is the Youngstown Wedding Cookie Table.
If you’re not from the Youngstown area, then the concept of a “cookie table” might be kind of foreign to you. In short: It’s our local tradition to serve hundreds (usually more like thousands!) of cookies in an elaborate display at a wedding reception. Many times the wedding cake takes a back seat to the cookie table, with some couples foregoing a traditional wedding cake altogether. In Youngstown, the first thing people ask about a wedding is, “How were the cookies?”
Humble Beginnings
The immigrants that came to the Youngstown area in the early 20th century brought with them many wonderful ethnic traditions centered around food and baking. Money was tight–especially during the Great Depression–and the cost of a wedding cake was often prohibitive. Family and friends would step in and provide an amazing display of homemade cookies to serve at the reception. This time-honored tradition continues today, and it is seen as a way to show love for the newlywed couple.
The “Ingredients” For a Great Cookie Table
Cookie tables may look a little different from wedding to wedding, but there are definitely some cookie varieties that you’ll find on every great cookie table. Let’s break it down:
The Classics: At the base of all memorable cookie tables lie varieties like Clothespin Cookies, Kiffles, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Pecan Tarts, Snowballs, Chocolate Crinkles and Thumbprints
Straight from Nonna’s Kitchen: Homemade Pizzelles, Biscotti, Ricotta Cookies, Italian Wedding Cookies and Wands (which look like a large bow tie)
The Natives: It’s not a true OH-IO cookie table without a hefty helping of Buckeyes. And don’t forget the Kolachi!
Slow-Cooker Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings. I know, it’s been a while since we’ve had a recipe. And of all places it comes from one of my fav grocery stores. Kroger. This is not a quick one. So go out in the garden, do some painting, or pull some weeds.
The heat of Sriracha is paired with the sweetness of honey… making these chicken wings a guaranteed WOW!
Set oven to Broil. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with foil; place a large rectangular wire rack on top; spray both with cooking spray.
Place chicken pieces in a single layer on rack; sprinkle 1 tsp. salt and pepper over chicken. Broil 3” from heat 10-12 minutes or until browned, turning halfway through broiling time.
Spray 3 ½-4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place chicken in slow cooker. In small bowl mix hot sauce, ¼ cup honey, and garlic until well blended. Pour over chicken, stir to coat.
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 hours. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon; discard cooking liquid. In small bowl, mix sour cream, lime juice, zest and remaining honey and salt until well blended.
Serve chicken wings with lime sour cream and additional hot sauce, if desired.
Being a Holiday weekend for Americans, I thought it would be a good thing to feature work songs or bands with work in their name.
Music is an exception. Your music choice can make or break your productivity output for the day. Countless studies have buoyed the claim for listening to music while you work, so long as it’s the right genre.
When it comes to putting together that perfect playlist, go with what you know; according to research, listening to music you’re familiar with is better for focus.
That’s why we’ve curated a list of both the essential classic rock oldies and today’s top pop hits all about your favorite subject: work!
Let’s hear it for Rock and Roll. Have you ever thought about how many songs with rock and roll in the title have been written? This list ranks the best songs with rock in the name, regardless of their genre. Many of the tracks listed are songs about rock n’ roll, but just because that word is in the title doesn’t mean that the song’s subject is exclusively about that.
This ranked list includes songs like “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. So give us your best rock and roll songs and gifs.
Do you have a cool spot? A special place you have. A place you call your own. Well mine is under a tree on our property. A Pin Oak. About 60 feet high. A tree I would love to get rid of. But according to my wife, that’s not happening. But for now it’s my cool spot.
For some reason sitting under that tree soothes the beast in me. Plus a great place to sit when I WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THE HEAT. With the past week of 90’s weather, it’s a great place to be.
So if you have a cool spot,place, or room, tell us about it.
Jumping from Spring to Summer with MC AND HIS BETTER HALF. It’s been a while but now we catch up on the decorations. so just sit back and enjoy the lemon theme. Sorry this took so long.
Are you a fan of songs about flames and things burning? Fire songs by rappers, rock stars and folk singers can be found on this list of songs about fire. Whether you prefer songs about the figurative fires of love or the literal fires of burning something to the ground, this list has everything you are looking for when it comes to fire songs.
James Taylor wrote the beautiful folk song, “Fire & Rain,” back in 1970 and its fires of popularity still burn strong today. Of course, “Light My Fire” by The Doors made our list of the best songs about fire, as did the Johnny cash hit, “Ring of Fire.”
Some of the fire songs on this list are a lot of fun. Who can resist dancing to The Tramps’ hit, “Disco Inferno.” Another great fire song is from the fun-loving group, Bloodhound Gang. Their 1997 song “Fire Water Burn” was a big hit.
Do you see your favorite songs about fire on this list?
Let’s hear it for musical artists you’ve seen in concert, or wish to see in concert. Be it a band, duet, single artist, or what ever. Play your tunes here.
Let’s hear it for a weekend free for all. I’m a bit late, so we have to make up for Friday. So this should be easy. Post any song, album, or gif. Consider adding some good ‘ol rock ‘n’ roll hits to the mix. The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Clash and more have plenty of dance songs that’ll get your guests moving and grooving (or tapping their feet, at the very least). Bonus: these could be used for a few other magical music moments too
These top classic rock bands were all hit-makers of their time and have rightfully earned a spot on this list of legends. Some of these famous bands have devoted followers decades after they called it quits (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd), some are considered icons of music (singers like Eric Clapton and bands like The Beatles, Queen), and some are even still touring (Rolling Stones, Aerosmith) despite the AARP status of their core members. These old school rock bands are still rocking, what have you done with your life?
While there are tons of fantastic Latin American artists, some acts are just better than others. This list is designed to let the fans of Latin American music separate the absolute best Latino bands and artists from all of the rest. Latin American music includes all singer and performers who are from Latin American countries. Often singing in Spanish and drawing from the many genres associated with South and Central America, there is a huge diversity of styles in Latin American music. Selena and Shakira are classic examples of the Latin singers, but are they the top Latin American music artists of all time?
This list of the top Latin American bands in the world includes all Hispanic and Latino musicians who have released recordings that have gotten distribution, and is an up-to-date list. These are truly the greatest Latin American bands of all time, since the most famous Latin American music artists ever are listed, and the order is decided by actual fans of the best Latin American music.
Famous Hispanic singers like Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez are included on this list. Upvote the best artists to see them rise closer to the top of the list. The best artists on this list are the ones with the most votes, so show musicians like Nelly Furtado and Enrique Iglesias some love. All important, significant and iconic names in Latin American music music history deserve your votes, so make sure to choose wisely. You can only vote once on this list.
The list includes all new Latin American music groups, and if there are any missing on the list, you can always add them yourself. These are the best examples of Latin American music, as well as a good place to start if you want to listen to more Hispanic singers. The Latino and Latina singers who are at the top of the list will be the best choices if you’re looking to listen to good Latin American music. No point in listening to them if they aren’t actually good or even half-way decent Latin American music bands.
This list answers the questions “who are the best Latin American bands of all time?” and “who is the greatest Latin American singer ever?” It can even provide a good answer for the question “Who are famous Spanish singers?”
Many popular country singers are African American and this list contains information on all those country singers who are Black. The best Black country singers come from different backgrounds. Some famous African American country musicians began their careers in other genres while other Black country stars are country through and through. A few famous Black country singers have also won Grammy Awards.
Who will you find on this top country singers who are Black list? Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish fame released one solo R&B album before dropping his country music debut, Learn to Live. He even won the best New Artist Award at the 2009 CMAs. Tina Turner is another great African American artist who dabbled in country music. Mickey Guyton made quite a splash on the country music scene as well. Other great Black country singers include Charley Pride, Trini Triggs, and Aaron Neville.
Which Black country singers are your favorites? Who is the best female Black country singer? Which young Black country singer do you think could be responsible for the best Black country song of all time? Give the best performers a thumbs up and add any Black country artists you think are missing
Let’s hear it for the Greetings. Hello, Goodbye, Later, etc. Post songs or Gifs that have greetings. Artists or band names count also. I’m featuring songs that say Hello. You can use any type of Greetings.
Whether you like rock and roll, hip-hop, or metal, you are sure to find a great song on this list.
Raise your hand if you could use a vacation right now (I know I could.) Check out this list of the best songs about vacation. We don’t all have the time and money to take a relaxing vacation, but listening to the songs on this list of popular vacation songs can be a fun escape from work. There are great country songs about vacation and great rock songs about vacation on this comprehensive list, among many other genres.
Jimmy Buffet is the king of vacation songs. His hits “Margaritaville” and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” both made this list. The Beach Boys are another band that are associated with sunshine and ocean breezes. Their single, “Kokomo,” is definitely one of the best vacation songs ever written.
Weezer and Vampire Weekend both have songs simply entitled “Holiday” and Lindsey Buckingham’s song, “Holiday Road,” which was featured in several of the Vacation films, is another top vacation song. Maybe the best vacation tune award should go to The Go Go’s pop classic, “Vacation.”
Do you have a favorite vacation song? Add any songs we may have missed.
Let’s hear it for cover songs. Everyone loves when a musical artist somehow re-crafts a beloved song with a creative new spin. Covers illustrate the multifaceted nature of music and lyrics. A simple tweak of the melody or alteration of the singing style can create whole new layers of complexity in regards to what a song means – without even changing the lyrics! Sometimes, covers even surpass the originals in terms of popularity and critical acclaim.
When artists choose to try their luck with a cover, it can sometimes be a gamble, especially if the band or musician behind the original version is an esteemed figure. However, the below musicians took a risk and it really paid off. What are the best cover songs?
Let’s hear it for the body. Have you ever thought about how many songs with body in the title have been written? This list ranks the best songs with body in the name, regardless of their genre. Many of the tracks listed are songs about human bodies, but just because that word is in the title doesn’t mean that the song’s subject is exclusively about that. This ranked list includes songs like “Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake, and “Body Talk” by Ratt. If your favorite song with body in the title isn’t listed, feel free to add it to the list so others can also vote it up. Songs with body in the lyrics are fair game too.
After 5 or was it six changes, it’s time to post those apples. And we do have a few apples. Never got around to counting them all, but if you find nothing to do be our guest. Enjoy this labor of love.
