Sunday Afternoon Musings

Amelia Island beach web cam
Sunday January 12, 2025

Visiting the Amelia Island beach web cam this afternoon, it's not surprising to see people fully clothed (meaning, no swim wear). It's winter here in Florida. We've got no snow, although it's come closer to us than most years with some of the white stuff in Atlanta, north of us about a 5-hour drive. 

We don't often drive to either of the coasts (Atlantic and Gulf), which are something like 60+ miles from our house to both to the east and the west. Gary and I aren't much for sand between our toes any more, but I take pleasure in watching the crashing waves via web cam. It's like a mini-vacation.

It's Sunday afternoon and we're watching our Denver Broncos get trampled on by the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos. Anyone who knew my late husband was aware that was his team. Would you believe even though Gary is not from Colorado, the Broncos have been one of his preferred teams? So here we are. I'm sorry this is their last game of the season. We lost, 7-31. Moving on to something of comfort...

A few days ago, Linda included this in her blog post:

After seeing this, all I could think about was Banana Pudding. I asked Gary if he would like some. He gave me a thumbs up and smacked his lips together, which I took to be a definite "yes!" Our next grocery trip included the purchase of Vanilla Pudding (the cook and stir kind), a box of Vanilla Wafers, and a bunch of bananas (6 or more).

In my opinion, it's important to get the "cook and serve" kind, not the instant. The instant pudding mixes tend to get watery after sitting for a while. While our grocery store had banana pudding, it was only in the Instant variety, so I opted for Vanilla Cook and Serve.

I used 3 cups of Saco Buttermilk (3 Tablespoons of the powder combined in a blender with 3 cups of water) for a richer flavor and texture.

To make the pudding, I stirred the boxed pudding mix with the re-constituted buttermilk powder in a large saucepan on the stove. In a clear pyrex bowl I began layering the Vanilla Wafers and sliced bananas (using the entire box of cookies and all 6 bananas). After the pudding came to a boil, the liquid was poured over the wafers and bananas. Thoroughly drizzled between the wafers and bananas, the outcome was wonderful. The bowl was covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for about 5 hours to cool and solidify. 

Mid-afternoon we spooned out generous portions and enjoyed it on the lanai. Yes, as the graphic earlier in this post says, "... banana pudding ... makes everything better." 

Yesterday was especially fun as 4 (no 5!!) bloggers gathered for lunch at a local Bob Evans restaurant. Several of us say from time to time that we need to get together, but as it turns out, that is easier said than done. However, we were able to make it happen. 

Linda and I had only a few miles to drive, while Pam and Terri had to drive 1 to 2+ hours to "meet in the middle" (sort of). And then Terri pleasantly surprised us when she brought along Cheryl, who hails from Indiana but is in Florida right now on an escape from snow. (click on their names to see their blogs)

left right back row: Pam, Linda, me
left to right front row: Cheryl, Terri

We talked about how each of us decided to become a blogger. All of us have been at it for many years (over ten, if I remember the conversation correctly). While now 4 of us live in Florida, back at the beginning when we all began blogging and eventually became friends through social media, we were spread out in Florida, New York, Indiana, and Colorado. 

Over the years we all have gone through serious, life-changing stuff and have grown in our Christian faith in the process. We blog about family, friends, our interests, and the disasters. Clearly, the Lord has preserved each one of us in spite of the hits that sought to bring us down. I see God's faithfulness and goodness when I look into the face of each of these precious women.

Internet graphic

May we determine to cherish the people God puts in our lives because their stories speak to us, and our stories speak to them. 

Until next time, grace and peace.