Kelly, be my guest (columnist, that is)

Talent and beauty
You can't beat that in one soul

from Shirley's cottage
A guest columnist

I confess. I had a birthday this week that brought me into a new decade. My daughter Kelly has a blog and wrote about her mom. I thought, "I can be lazy this week and use it for my column. (For those that don’t know what a blog is, I don’t know, eitther. You just get online and write, sharing whatever.)
What was said about me and my birthday was lovely and tear-jerking. I came across very well. If I would put it here, my readers might say, "That’s not the Shirley from the cottage that I know!"
She is my guest columnist this week. She won’t know it until she reads this. I chose one of her other entries from when she was here. She and family now call Minnesota home, but part of her heart is always at the lake.
Thanks, Kelly. I couldn’t have said it better.

It’s Traditional

It’s rare we are all at the Lake together. It only happens about once a year. When we are together, we like to have our traditional bonfire. This can go on into the wee hours of the morning.
To go along with the fire, we sing a few corny songs. We share memories of when my dad and my grandma were still here. We roast marshmallow, and make s’mores.
The best of all is when my brother gets out his flute. He is self taught on a wooden flute that we bought him for Christmas a few years back. He is really good and likes to entertain us with Indian-like tunes floating through the dark (but starry) Wisconsin sky.

This is my seg-way to include star gazing which is really spectacular in our northern skies.
. This year while Ted was playing his flute, Sam (11 year old grandson) started playing a drum beat on his body. He is really a good drummer. Needles to say, the music these two produced for us that evening was great!
Also included, a little vino, and for the brave of heart, a shot of tequila....It was a night to remember. Thanks for the music. Kelly oxox
And thanks for the column oxox
My contribution today is an easy recipe Kelly can make when she entertains in her new home. My family says, "If it’s chocolate, it has to be good." Good and easy to make.


Rum Chocolate Nuggets
you will need:
1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate pieces
½ cup Coke
3 T light corn syrup
1 T rum extract (or the real stuff)
2 ½ cups finely-crushed vanilla wafers (you can buy them already crushed)
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 cups powdered sugar
chocolate decorations
Melt chocolate in double boiler, or in micro
Blend in Coke, syrup and rum
Stir in crumbs, sugar, and walnuts
(mixture will be sticky stiff)
Cover and chill for 2 hours or stiff enough to handle
Form into small balls by rolling between palms.
Roll balls in chocolate decorations
Chill overnight
Chocolate lovers–Enjoy!