tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43360307125681533082023-11-16T04:46:49.998-06:00Elisharose NewsThe Urban PioneersJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.comBlogger412125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-34156533679870029002011-08-11T17:19:00.002-05:002018-11-21T08:51:50.088-06:00As I sit in air conditioned comfort eating an organic salad while my children watch cartoons on NetflixWhile I love potstickers, I'm not sure that I want them to be my legacy.
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Hello, invisible friends. It has been many months since I have shown my face around these parts. My apologies. Not sure if or when I will ever get back to this. Life keeps getting n the way.
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I just read this post of Missy's over at <a href="http://www.itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/">It's Almost Naptime</a> and decided that I would much rather have this be something left on my wall than the potstickers. Not that the potstickers aren't great. They are. Go make some at your earliest convenience. But if God places these people on your heart, go visit this website and make a donation.
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Take it away, Missy:
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0n645u0x470" width="640"></iframe>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Many of you may not be aware because it has gotten little press over here, but Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are currently experiencing </span><a href="http://www.wfp.org/crisis/horn-of-africa" style="font-style: italic;">the worst drought and famine in decades</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> - yes, even worse than Feed-the-world-let-them-know-it's-Christmas-time time.</span>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"> A couple of weeks ago I read </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/kenya/8627548/Horn-of-Africa-drought-A-vision-of-hell-at-the-Dabaab-refugee-camp.html" style="font-style: italic;">this article</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, and the images have haunted my motherheart ever since:</span>
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<i style="font-style: italic;">There are harrowing stories of people who have made the journey to Dadaab [a refugee camp in northern Kenya]. Some are raped and robbed along the way, others are chased by hyenas. <b>One woman had six children, all of them too frail to walk. She was determined to get them to the camp, so she carried them two at a time, shuttling back and forth for the others she had left behind. </b>
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<i style="font-style: italic;">Another couple walked for 22 days with their sick baby daughter – no sooner had they arrived at the camp than the child died. </i>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"> Africa is complicated. Foreign aid is complicated. But if I were feeding my children mud I wouldn't give a care about political theories. </span>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"> Several adoptive families have banded together to help. Please visit their website and please donate to one of the organizations they have links to.</span>
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<a href="http://adoptivefamiliesforfaminerelief.weebly.com/index.html" style="font-style: italic;">Adoptive Families for Famine Relief</a>
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<i>Note: You are welcome and encouraged to copy this post in its entirety on your blog. </i>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-92160906508905569652010-10-07T19:04:00.015-05:002010-10-07T20:18:24.593-05:00Chicken Pot Stickers/DumplingsI may be a little slow, but I always make good on a promise.<br /><br />Last week I made a big batch of chicken pot stickers. I post the recipe and process here so you may share in their tasty goodness. Enjoy.<br /><br />Behold the cast of characters. Please note that I later decided to add a carrot and some soy sauce.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztN77L7o5b4l_bs3qjjF8-54qHI9D_-CJ0wHNOzCgG9ARgxDOiHDd3pOO4yDBNLJTP650r0lcrwGo4K-PPntz1onObcQblvIoT-JU3XrKGjBhZwzMvgA2qS8BPLw7wqNVBmLQLYq9jcTm/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztN77L7o5b4l_bs3qjjF8-54qHI9D_-CJ0wHNOzCgG9ARgxDOiHDd3pOO4yDBNLJTP650r0lcrwGo4K-PPntz1onObcQblvIoT-JU3XrKGjBhZwzMvgA2qS8BPLw7wqNVBmLQLYq9jcTm/s400/IMG_3296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525460211433242114" border="0" /></a><br />There really is sesame oil in that bottle. I'm just a little low. Note to self: get more sesame oil.<br /><br />That big thing on the right is a napa cabbage. I have used bok choy before. Both work well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFiHs90jWOOSdDGWLOkX-U_dbNjHsHeTFckhDQw9R1FZ5IExIIh6lG2mCoW6BFlEKlVivrsxgHE3uF3_UzT9_aVcon8aYpfzErNsMiO72mvUP77E-2L1Av-TOIQBLV_u0eSHQbrfVcYhw/s1600/IMG_3298_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFiHs90jWOOSdDGWLOkX-U_dbNjHsHeTFckhDQw9R1FZ5IExIIh6lG2mCoW6BFlEKlVivrsxgHE3uF3_UzT9_aVcon8aYpfzErNsMiO72mvUP77E-2L1Av-TOIQBLV_u0eSHQbrfVcYhw/s400/IMG_3298_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525461037490344754" border="0" /></a><br />The napa cabbage is very dense. You get a lot of cabbage for your head. For this recipe you will need 4 cups of shredded cabbage.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LqfPxLDk1VDV4OhygKr8zIVWeysHuIhNAEK9RJbALvyTGTMMNvGBvA6xUE2X5y0ZSetSY5bfYQ31YGHJhh__OTV7LVMYOjCQF_RPqLgrQHCYU29Z8dWshxQ5V5WH13fSlXRc6UGSdOcy/s1600/IMG_3299_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LqfPxLDk1VDV4OhygKr8zIVWeysHuIhNAEK9RJbALvyTGTMMNvGBvA6xUE2X5y0ZSetSY5bfYQ31YGHJhh__OTV7LVMYOjCQF_RPqLgrQHCYU29Z8dWshxQ5V5WH13fSlXRc6UGSdOcy/s400/IMG_3299_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525461887954202770" border="0" /></a><br />I actually used a food processor to shred this. You just have to be careful not to pact too much in at a time. It shredded it quite nicely.<br /><br />Then take the oil of your choice, I used coconut oil, and pour about a tablespoon into a skillet. Add the cabbage and cook it for about 9 minutes.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXPXQiOW3e1xw-zbDX59ef_gKS57gA6Qnc6a0MnZPTNjxnyRj2UR63mCcfVqkw-9CL4gMKiM_M7h43keo7FUTikU1-_QeNXYMzfGGiiSS8UzVHTszumQrzVTS8Zfzye_FSkf17gO1cApe/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXPXQiOW3e1xw-zbDX59ef_gKS57gA6Qnc6a0MnZPTNjxnyRj2UR63mCcfVqkw-9CL4gMKiM_M7h43keo7FUTikU1-_QeNXYMzfGGiiSS8UzVHTszumQrzVTS8Zfzye_FSkf17gO1cApe/s400/IMG_3302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525462711673453218" border="0" /></a><br />You made need to add a little water every few minutes to keep it from sticking.<br /><br />After cooking, spoon the cabbage into a large bowl and allow to cool completely. Add a bunch of minced green onions, 2 tablespoons of minced, peeled ginger root, 1 t salt, 1 t sesame oil, 1 peeled and shredded carrot, and 2 cloves of garlic, crushed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuc0uNCLQnGOGBIBZfoxdY9Qhgw6o4pHjalbdDiPq2WoWUSwsQytFpv6jiVqaJ41pKb98iDw82hcgLtYMjIJbyP3gdzFxH0K_302w9YXEskeGlcY5MpNVkGgf5vorSBxy4tT2QBRsMIkP/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuc0uNCLQnGOGBIBZfoxdY9Qhgw6o4pHjalbdDiPq2WoWUSwsQytFpv6jiVqaJ41pKb98iDw82hcgLtYMjIJbyP3gdzFxH0K_302w9YXEskeGlcY5MpNVkGgf5vorSBxy4tT2QBRsMIkP/s400/IMG_3306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525463790730206642" border="0" /></a><br />Mix all the veggies together. When they are combined, add the ground chicken. It's not pretty, but it will be good.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrAv94wAgnAUl9LNM6QwWd6zlCrUTyDllRfQKaJ5UcwQLyBVEXjhGlq2WBqIIpZMFYDmrnhCaD03Z5gWYowwdk5yIvj9Nw5BYx567KL1R5UnKa4Z6pryHeI1eQo-if9o5jK1EkyXx9knR/s1600/IMG_3308_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrAv94wAgnAUl9LNM6QwWd6zlCrUTyDllRfQKaJ5UcwQLyBVEXjhGlq2WBqIIpZMFYDmrnhCaD03Z5gWYowwdk5yIvj9Nw5BYx567KL1R5UnKa4Z6pryHeI1eQo-if9o5jK1EkyXx9knR/s400/IMG_3308_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525464398705945634" border="0" /></a><br />Here comes the fun part. Making the little bundles.<br /><br />I used most of 2 packages of pot sticker wrappers. This recipe makes 60 dumplings. (FYI, if you are feeling really ambitious you can make your own wrappers. I was not feeling ambitious.)<br /><br />The wrappers do dry out, so I recommend using a damp cloth under them while you make them and only take out as many as you will be using. Keep the rest in the package until you are ready to fill them.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNYem-ZlwuVjMXzs5qS4HwIdc9F7J_lWwnAQRqZHwschbcfMYxtrZVtvG9TGGbaMOQR7MBBXYVZchZNxKcBKiEM_JUuMndSNp4nf1RahAslLmyeyKkjWCJSeo28cXUcNebfhuDqF27MvS/s1600/IMG_3310_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNYem-ZlwuVjMXzs5qS4HwIdc9F7J_lWwnAQRqZHwschbcfMYxtrZVtvG9TGGbaMOQR7MBBXYVZchZNxKcBKiEM_JUuMndSNp4nf1RahAslLmyeyKkjWCJSeo28cXUcNebfhuDqF27MvS/s400/IMG_3310_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525466027258302242" border="0" /></a><br />Get yourself a little cup of water handy. You will need it to seal the edges.<br /><br />Place about a dab of your mixture on the wrapper in the middle. I used an iced teaspoon. You will have to play with it. Too much and it will ooze out the sides. Too little and, well, what's the point? It should look about like this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-G-s35RAeDv0fjuwOVB2pezD7tA_UrXJ9K6uQuwM85saN4VnJ2UI5eq42AFzT-N1Ep7jTpae3smWHP7YFU992iMK80Fb3ISrqGKT7TJCQiso8viDh-A1Fhwnzm7OGyk9C-GYFrunwW50/s1600/IMG_3315_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-G-s35RAeDv0fjuwOVB2pezD7tA_UrXJ9K6uQuwM85saN4VnJ2UI5eq42AFzT-N1Ep7jTpae3smWHP7YFU992iMK80Fb3ISrqGKT7TJCQiso8viDh-A1Fhwnzm7OGyk9C-GYFrunwW50/s400/IMG_3315_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525466947019679090" border="0" /></a><br />Dip your finger in the water and rub in all the way around the edge of the wrappers. Fold it over and press the edges.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxXTOpVE51VSGGa8b3o-Viys5XtGvyAx5cAFNPhFck124qCvYqWjHgJ0FF8bdzBnDO4gNCRYvO6dZAzd7K2C-AxnK-2Tr7TSMp_KK4cloNoyTxhk_yN5rlpvKRmfVyP0sWGIMrovnQImz/s1600/IMG_3325_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxXTOpVE51VSGGa8b3o-Viys5XtGvyAx5cAFNPhFck124qCvYqWjHgJ0FF8bdzBnDO4gNCRYvO6dZAzd7K2C-AxnK-2Tr7TSMp_KK4cloNoyTxhk_yN5rlpvKRmfVyP0sWGIMrovnQImz/s400/IMG_3325_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525468098526198242" border="0" /></a><br />Now, if you like your dumplings crispy, you could stop here. My son would be happy if I deep fried everything. I don't. So let's make some pretty edges. I crimp them sort of like I do a pie crust.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MSa1NTYWk-ajn51XYZpUKjxH3jcfwruMTG7fV50YtUJZFAfvCoB_3RpzLU9Vz1BRRedob-SICkeSXOouh9lOMBTGRfCtN_stswTw0ch67i51AG8gXstIEMvImmdtePLHhdRe-O8eYqe0/s1600/IMG_3314_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MSa1NTYWk-ajn51XYZpUKjxH3jcfwruMTG7fV50YtUJZFAfvCoB_3RpzLU9Vz1BRRedob-SICkeSXOouh9lOMBTGRfCtN_stswTw0ch67i51AG8gXstIEMvImmdtePLHhdRe-O8eYqe0/s400/IMG_3314_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525469109243956306" border="0" /></a><br />Cute, isn't it?<br /><br />Now, at this point, I would make a couple and cook them up. Taste them. See if they need anything. I thought mine needed a little salt, so I added a tablespoon of soy sauce. Once it's to your liking, it's time to get busy and make some to freeze.<br /><br />I usually make them three or four at a time: lay out the dough, drop the goo, seal them up. I place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Don't let them touch much. Leave them in the freezer just until frozen. Then you can take them out and put them in a freezer bag. Then you can take them out as you are ready to use them. Since they were frozen individually, you can take out 2 or 10 at a time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BPCrP9nBD88ZFoYPwDGEuwvlyijCEGusvH1PRuttqpvD4-fidEj2OD0N4DoYgaL2hvcf8gJz3JLV2jqPmeSSf0wRQd8GD_eh2hEFSBpTk2B2DoWSe5_Z2ydUjqtUoN7RdTWSGPHxQRgp/s1600/IMG_3327_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BPCrP9nBD88ZFoYPwDGEuwvlyijCEGusvH1PRuttqpvD4-fidEj2OD0N4DoYgaL2hvcf8gJz3JLV2jqPmeSSf0wRQd8GD_eh2hEFSBpTk2B2DoWSe5_Z2ydUjqtUoN7RdTWSGPHxQRgp/s400/IMG_3327_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525471104308242754" border="0" /></a><br />When you are ready to cook them, heat a couple of teaspoons of oil in a skillet with a medium heat. Place the pot stickers in the skillet. You will want to keep the skillet covered. Cook for about 3 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned. Squooch the lid over a bit and pour in about 1/2 cup of water. Cook for another 3 minutes.<br /><br />And here is your finished product. They don't call them pot stickers for nothing!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ-1t3xR8wnbK0Hoc8njzG2_2l674zTDgzPK3Bb0Z1nTGHlM_iWuJPdhmO51nu9bjoLtiDjZNPGFYc7wYJE307KouoXMdNtffoMoK-6E55q6PhU4Ti3_HzJ9hnpGA4lZvfeJKPWpCsOF9/s1600/IMG_3330_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQ-1t3xR8wnbK0Hoc8njzG2_2l674zTDgzPK3Bb0Z1nTGHlM_iWuJPdhmO51nu9bjoLtiDjZNPGFYc7wYJE307KouoXMdNtffoMoK-6E55q6PhU4Ti3_HzJ9hnpGA4lZvfeJKPWpCsOF9/s400/IMG_3330_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525473398031969234" border="0" /></a><br />Serve them with a little dumpling sauce and enjoy!<br /><br />Here is a more readable version of the recipe I use:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicken Pot Stickers/Dumplings</span><br /><br />1 T vegetable oil<br />4 cups finely chopped napa cabbage<br />1 bunch green onions, minced<br />1 carrot, peeled and minced<br />2 tablespoons minced, peeled ginger root<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspon sesame oil<br />2 garlic cloves, minced<br />1 pound ground chicken<br />60 wonton/pot sticker wrappers<br /><br />Heat 1 T oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage. Cook for 9 minutes, stirring frequently. While cabbage cooks, you may need to add water 1 T at a time to keep cabbage from sticking. Spoon cabbage into a large bowl and allow to cool completely.<br /><br />Add next six ingredients to cooled cabbage, green onions through garlic, and mix thoroughly. Add chicken and stir well. <br /><br />Working with a small number of wrappers on a damp cloth, fill each wrapper with about a teaspoon of mixture. Moisten the edges of the wrapper and fold over. Crimp the tops and press down on the counter to give them a flat bottom. <br /><br />If freezing: place bundles on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze. remove from cookie sheet and place in a freezer bag until ready to use.<br /><br />When ready to cook: Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a skillet. Place desired number of dumplings in skillet. Cover. Cook for 3 minutes. Move the lid over just enough to pour in about 1/2 cup of water and cook for 3 minutes more. <br /><br /><br />Have fun. Let me know if you give it a try.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-72563543079220107162010-10-05T07:53:00.000-05:002010-10-05T07:53:00.463-05:00PrettyWe went to visit my nephew in College Station a couple of weekends ago and look what greeted us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qTF8RfJJBo1cu8HBXeIoUdbd4Pwh4h5n-sSS_Be5qahOc21I-zx4qgTpMl_4YN2mereCPsP6JCtkz_RMFyfW2NNXSPEtma3Z1yK0s2i7zTKaqON-yf5IlSfr-1oLEK_sPlvWTpSKeH-Z/s1600/IMG_3277_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qTF8RfJJBo1cu8HBXeIoUdbd4Pwh4h5n-sSS_Be5qahOc21I-zx4qgTpMl_4YN2mereCPsP6JCtkz_RMFyfW2NNXSPEtma3Z1yK0s2i7zTKaqON-yf5IlSfr-1oLEK_sPlvWTpSKeH-Z/s400/IMG_3277_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524018928142519746" border="0" /></a><br />It was one of the most vibrant rainbows I've ever seen. The funny thing was that we could only see about half of it. We picked him up for dinner and on the way, we saw the other half. But the first half was no longer visible. Go figure.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-36568002994115532512010-10-05T06:56:00.000-05:002010-10-05T06:56:00.602-05:00Whew! It's getting hot around here.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3zUUgLa99i0Sufo_BXzv6FfrWkTpB-6lz4kKY11U8qfUmo94rnrx7vw67Wru4JRvAS1RrIdDWHIXfKYIIOWhcyYZAGt0G3s_jl_I2EbTQin_zl17rggxJOFZH3yCX8P3VRHcF8Kiv8C6/s1600/IMG_3295_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3zUUgLa99i0Sufo_BXzv6FfrWkTpB-6lz4kKY11U8qfUmo94rnrx7vw67Wru4JRvAS1RrIdDWHIXfKYIIOWhcyYZAGt0G3s_jl_I2EbTQin_zl17rggxJOFZH3yCX8P3VRHcF8Kiv8C6/s400/IMG_3295_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524024953220312530" border="0" /></a><br />Not only do we have habeneros, but we have jalapenos. Aren't they cute?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQm3RLWc-SalvH3-pZmqh7msZ8Yflppt_yfFZkXkmZLRF61f1Z8LYhkpxVhds-5amMZdbYgA1J8Ht3DORE6NPJRwsBSWKR-bCf5z7GDcLJAMLhg-7TJd5Sx6xMEBhj1veFMHf18cSzrgR/s1600/IMG_3294_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQm3RLWc-SalvH3-pZmqh7msZ8Yflppt_yfFZkXkmZLRF61f1Z8LYhkpxVhds-5amMZdbYgA1J8Ht3DORE6NPJRwsBSWKR-bCf5z7GDcLJAMLhg-7TJd5Sx6xMEBhj1veFMHf18cSzrgR/s400/IMG_3294_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524023945056459202" border="0" /></a><br />My broccoli and cauliflower seem pretty happy. We'll see how that goes. I also planted some cilantro. The tomatoes aren't growing as much as I would like, but I know I got them in late. We'll see what happens.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-19860572537270774302010-10-04T06:43:00.000-05:002010-10-04T06:43:00.353-05:00I'm Still WaitingHave you seen the new <a href="http://www.sunchips.com/">Sun Chips</a> bag? It's supposed to be compostable. When placed in an active compost pile, it is supposed to break down in about 14 weeks.<br /><br />I bought a bag of them this summer. They were quite tasty. Now, granted, I don't have much of a compost pile. It doesn't get enough sun or water, but it is plenty hot around here. It's mostly a place where I place yard waste and stuff I clean out of the chicken house. I dutifully put my bag out there and covered it up and waited.<br /><br />That was at least 12 weeks ago. Maybe more.<br /><br />I dug it up last week and looks what I found.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGtNWUmcrlPjw7mAEneEE5ruRAGm6xzY0rochoRf8X2zGfsqJih2247sFSL48s_iSB2Z92uZQeQ30bilVJjKE58pFxfDBEg1apYt3CX3n2f0MyJzuncb46eeXrbvwoinGQBQpPGBosyO-/s1600/IMG_3293_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGtNWUmcrlPjw7mAEneEE5ruRAGm6xzY0rochoRf8X2zGfsqJih2247sFSL48s_iSB2Z92uZQeQ30bilVJjKE58pFxfDBEg1apYt3CX3n2f0MyJzuncb46eeXrbvwoinGQBQpPGBosyO-/s400/IMG_3293_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524017703729995826" border="0" /></a>I don't know if a lot happens in those last 2 weeks, but so far the bag looks pretty much the same as when I buried it. <br /><br />I left it out there to give it another chance. We'll see.<br /><br />Anybody else have an experience with these bags?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-71119624662884676952010-09-28T10:07:00.005-05:002010-10-01T08:40:19.867-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 17<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />Happy October, y'all. Can anyone tell me what happened to the rest of September? It was just here a minute ago.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />I was on a bit of a roll there with posting. I'll try to keep it up. I have several things I need to share with you. I think we will be making potstickers here in a few days. I don't know how authentic they will be, but they will be tasty!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />So today was supposed to be the official end of Bloglines. I've been using Google Reader for a few days and am already happier with it. Why is it that we sometimes have to be forced into making a good change? I wasn't thrilled with Bloglines, but I stayed with them because that's where I started. It was easier than changing. That annoys me about myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />I've been sending out mailers for my Christmas business. I'm sure people look at them and think, "What? It's not time for Christmas!" Those decorations don't come ready. Someone has to make them and that someone is me. It would really help me out if you could get those orders in early. Thank you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />We are in the middle of planning a pirate party for the girl's 10th birthday party. She is not that into pirates, but she thought it would make a fun party for both boys and girls. She wants a big party at the house. If I have anything to say about it, this will be her last kid-type birthday party. She is a party animal and loves to have everyone over. However, I think after 10 is the time to down-size. I'm going to push for dinner and a movie with friends next year. Maybe a sleep over. We were able to successfully transition the boy by offering bigger gifts with less party. Here's hoping it works for her as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />I'm continuing to collect habeneros almost daily. The jalapenos are also getting big. I planted some broccoli, cauliflower, chard, and a couple of tomatoes. I'm really late on the tomatoes. I don't know if they'll do anything or not, but it was worth the try. We'll see how it goes. I have planted them all in the front flower bed. It's where there is the most sun, but I have resisted planting vegetable smack dab in the front of the house. I quit resisting and just did it. We'll see what happens.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />My seven is going to have to be wishing you a good weekend. So....<br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hey - can anyone tell me what is up with my date and time? If you will notice, it says I posted this on Tuesday. What's up with that? Everything I can find has the right date on my computer. It also has the time - 10:07 - wrong. Is it Blogger or me?</span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-23701144125797740222010-09-22T09:32:00.025-05:002010-09-23T12:30:31.659-05:00Tasty Turkey Tacos<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >As promised, today I have a guest blogger posting. (My first!!) Her name is Karen and she is one of my favorite people in the world. Although she is a grown-up lady, I have known her since she was a darling teenager. I tend to think of her as just th</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >at age.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >She has a new food blog she calls </span><a style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;" href="http://lettherebefood.wordpress.com/">Let There Be Food</a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >. You should check it out and see what kind of yummies she has over there.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >But first! Check out the tasty recipe she wants to sha</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >re with you here. Take it away, Karen!</span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">Greetings viewers of Julie’s blog! Mexican inspired food makes an</span><span style=""> app</span><span style="">ear</span><span style="">ance in my kitchen at least once a week. Because it’s a frequent kitchen flier, it’s important that I give it a healthy twist so I can eat without any of the guilt and all the enjoyment. So today I bring you Tasty Turkey Taco Topping. (Don’t you just love a good alliteration?</span><span style=""> I know I do.) <span style=""> </span>It’s got all th</span><span style="">e flavors of Mexican food that I love and I can feel good eating it because it’s made with lean ground turkey and be</span><span style="">ans. It’s incredibly versatile, in my opinion. The first time I had it was in a taco</span><span style=""> salad. It’s also delicious as a taco filling, nacho</span><span style=""> topping, on its own with</span><span style=""> a side of corn tortillas, or on tosta</span><span style="">das. I made turkey tostadas for a friend recently and</span><span style=""> she gave it two thumbs up, a “mmmm…good!” and a trip back for seconds. I’m certain you could use</span><span style=""> this as burrito or enchilada filling as well. However you eat it, I hope it’s as tasty for you as it is for me. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z3piYzdjNybdG2lDixuZbGqEUweTgUqHSljYm96_quUFe9E4Np35wie5R_aPa21HuyEGgk54rZDs3INiP4xah-Ik47RQUNa8ODjEopCfsxm-sZ952LzDz9sg5EsCPyMrZ42ZPHcTKpi9/s1600/Turkey+Taco+Topping.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z3piYzdjNybdG2lDixuZbGqEUweTgUqHSljYm96_quUFe9E4Np35wie5R_aPa21HuyEGgk54rZDs3INiP4xah-Ik47RQUNa8ODjEopCfsxm-sZ952LzDz9sg5EsCPyMrZ42ZPHcTKpi9/s320/Turkey+Taco+Topping.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520119883412952050" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><b style=""><u><span style="">Tasty Turkey Taco Topping</span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Ingredients </span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 lb lean ground turkey (I used 93% lean)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 can ranch style beans</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 can Rotel – diced tomatoes and green chilies (I used medium)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 cup crushed tomatoes </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 tsp adobo seasoning</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 tsp garlic powder</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">1 medium jalapeño – diced</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">Optional: chopped cilantro to taste </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="">Steps</span></i></b></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Brown ground turkey in a large, deep skillet or wide sauce pan. It w</span><span style="">on’t look at all like</span><span style=""> ground beef – don’t let this freak you out. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Dice the jalapeño and add</span><span style=""><span style="font-family:georgia;"> to the pan. Let cook for a few minutes.</span><br /></span></p><p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:arial;" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2ABh_urb9V9ziGOF6b67BfmNPAbBLPsPBzDTBIbGZVoarhuc3IY_zGgf5iSle9931R8vITYlPFA-Kmtzgv0cJzC_fYuS4BRyDrV_Bl3k-E7_0Z-NfYUCFrba3PWlj7mOOXjJTG3cJ-04/s1600/Jalapenos+1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2ABh_urb9V9ziGOF6b67BfmNPAbBLPsPBzDTBIbGZVoarhuc3IY_zGgf5iSle9931R8vITYlPFA-Kmtzgv0cJzC_fYuS4BRyDrV_Bl3k-E7_0Z-NfYUCFrba3PWlj7mOOXjJTG3cJ-04/s320/Jalapenos+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520123895636816098" border="0" /></a><span style=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pNE07Al0xqsegqa-T0YSwt2az9E0uNKuPTPoFMOC5R4_xaAXz9TJ2Q-948axAx5PbQnH4z1TmKW4PzM-fmoh44xv_uW1ybOhCRInDZc3AnaCzJFlBoua_-BLoDDiXB1UR1k01TFpkmKH/s1600/jalapenos+2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pNE07Al0xqsegqa-T0YSwt2az9E0uNKuPTPoFMOC5R4_xaAXz9TJ2Q-948axAx5PbQnH4z1TmKW4PzM-fmoh44xv_uW1ybOhCRInDZc3AnaCzJFlBoua_-BLoDDiXB1UR1k01TFpkmKH/s320/jalapenos+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520124417053488658" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">When it is ne</span><span style="">arly al</span><span style="">l done, a</span><span style="">d</span><span style="">d </span><span style="">seasonings to meat </span><span style="">and p</span><span style="">epp</span><span style="">er and stir to</span><span style=""> coat</span><span style="">. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Drain a bit of liquid off the b</span><span style="">eans a</span><span style="">nd the Rotel and add both to the pan. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Add 1 cup of crushed tomatoes. Keep the re</span><span style="">st of the can nearby in case you want to add more tomatoes. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" face="arial" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Stir it all to combine and bring to a boil. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Once it’s come to a boil, reduce the heat a</span><span style="">nd let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. It will reduce a bit and get a little thicker. </span></p> <p class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""><span style="">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">At the very end, toss in your cilantro and stir. Then serve an</span><span style="">d enjoy!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style=""><span style=""> <span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><span style=""><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ud_BQJ3Thrc5Gl5oY3Rqlf8G4ZwPenTP6QWWJLCRckA01pKFoISgXFvSjV2Hp6c3_kTuAjVfp9p1AhoeZc5EREUuDWW84EgFa7xfPAdACNohP1i97Vk4X0qrUNWqmMVxocxCTcclcDey/s1600/Cilantro+to+taste.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ud_BQJ3Thrc5Gl5oY3Rqlf8G4ZwPenTP6QWWJLCRckA01pKFoISgXFvSjV2Hp6c3_kTuAjVfp9p1AhoeZc5EREUuDWW84EgFa7xfPAdACNohP1i97Vk4X0qrUNWqmMVxocxCTcclcDey/s320/Cilantro+to+taste.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520121527078506434" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="">Addition</span><span style="">al good news about this dish is that it’s super fa</span><span style="">st and super easy, so anyon</span><span style="">e can make it. It’s also adaptable for yo</span><span style="">ur personal flavor choices. My friend said she would like it even spicier th</span><span style="">an I’d made it. Sometimes I get nervous about heat </span><span style="">and take out too much of the seeds and ribs of peppers. You can always find ways to add heat in, but it’</span><span style="">s soooo hard to take it out or balance it out. I think adding a variety of peppers would be a fine addition and if you put in any from the bell pepper family, it wouldn’t really impact the heat level too much. If you wanted more heat, you could leave in more seeds or add a second jalapeño or a Serrano. Anaheim peppers are also good for flavor without a huge heat impact. I think they have more of the warm, toasty heat and less of the pass-the-milk-my-mouth-is-on-fire heat. Of course, you could also substitute ground beef or ground chicken as the protein. I think it’s important to stick to a leaner meat, so that you don’t have to drain the fat out between step 2 and 3. Because you are adding other liquids to the mix, it will keep it from being too dry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHQdqXsxO7K_YercKrmepF05qWPEz6O7L81WmVv5iy8jYhnlbWsZaXpabZBaIQDU8KLEB_0sodVI0gCvAt3oRrFuZ-y2a3jzN0_WTm2leeVv2Ldd-Elt5xF9uySY12p0sZLcDJaf_rLPW/s1600/Turkey+Tostadas.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHQdqXsxO7K_YercKrmepF05qWPEz6O7L81WmVv5iy8jYhnlbWsZaXpabZBaIQDU8KLEB_0sodVI0gCvAt3oRrFuZ-y2a3jzN0_WTm2leeVv2Ldd-Elt5xF9uySY12p0sZLcDJaf_rLPW/s320/Turkey+Tostadas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520122713049588450" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">For me, there is something about this mixture that I think tastes just great with spinach, so spinach and cheese are my layers of choice whether I'm making soft tacos at work for lunch or tostadas for dinner with friends. It always turns out being a healthy and comforting meal to eat. Let me know how you serve your tasty turkey taco topping! Happy eating!</span><br /><br /></span><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" align="left">Nutritional Info – ½ cup of mixture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ciENjllh-I-qtUnnKVUGlWT1w5z815XEqzlWPEDpfqPm_QOQBtzjq0uNY6TV2dtH-FK3aNlxAJwHwYUrJU4NdfJgZvokMthokfqZWGw8tQ8AYSoYRWYANa5EBLvnqaRHRWq9P6qWp8rH/s1600/Ingredients+Turkey+Topping.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ciENjllh-I-qtUnnKVUGlWT1w5z815XEqzlWPEDpfqPm_QOQBtzjq0uNY6TV2dtH-FK3aNlxAJwHwYUrJU4NdfJgZvokMthokfqZWGw8tQ8AYSoYRWYANa5EBLvnqaRHRWq9P6qWp8rH/s320/Ingredients+Turkey+Topping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520124733360296722" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style="">Calories: 132</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style="">Fat: 4 g</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style="">Carbs: 10.5 g</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style="">Fiber: 3.3 g</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" align="left"><span style="">Protein: 12.7 g</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="">Vitamin C: 7.4%</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style="">Iron: 10%</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;font-family:georgia;" align="left"><span style=""> </span></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-27326700804518319822010-09-22T06:14:00.002-05:002010-09-22T06:14:00.082-05:00Snakes Alive!If you have known me for more than about 10 minutes, you know that I don't have any affection for creepy crawlies. No one even comes to check on the blood-curdling scream a good 2-inch Texas cock roach solicits for me. They know the scream and what brings it on.<br /><br />But snakes. Man, they send chills down my spine just thinking about them.<br /><br />You can imagine the scream that came out when I ran across this guy while digging in my yard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetAzOfR7FHRNGwxBzE7wLLQIJ83OqeZveOydnusV2pPcvrEuQWzQha1rtpuYpGxzzlxdlZp5b9cyhDDwDAmyLTj-4PAqSSxp5dR7aT-53xrelGAiR3goRhk6wG_tqEti5AWg7TsGhmQTF/s1600/IMG_3253.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetAzOfR7FHRNGwxBzE7wLLQIJ83OqeZveOydnusV2pPcvrEuQWzQha1rtpuYpGxzzlxdlZp5b9cyhDDwDAmyLTj-4PAqSSxp5dR7aT-53xrelGAiR3goRhk6wG_tqEti5AWg7TsGhmQTF/s320/IMG_3253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519107585754267986" border="0" /></a><br />He was curled up in the lariope. He didn't mean any harm. He's actually a good guy to have around a garden.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWgr62SjjqK066ddzVZvyojbEAcT9qgkt97yFZJQbQK6lKO7bs2Y2KN5u3z_gn5XMNHhnje27rn1BX4313PzC8yYpQRJP6BhSrXAGDl7Se4N2Xy2jeDwnzjz0kduddIEofsA6dMliiDMG/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWgr62SjjqK066ddzVZvyojbEAcT9qgkt97yFZJQbQK6lKO7bs2Y2KN5u3z_gn5XMNHhnje27rn1BX4313PzC8yYpQRJP6BhSrXAGDl7Se4N2Xy2jeDwnzjz0kduddIEofsA6dMliiDMG/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519108627880105986" border="0" /></a><br />He is a Texas Brown Snake. Clever name as he is a brown snake found in Texas. He was a little guy. Only about 10 inches long.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Io3gpKuDHbF6jtQnrOqg77PPtv9ihNLrRmnrMBrd5O6w_K4IROpg7J1JyoJRn-yR-OO0skdM7ZDeiMdpYt7p8a_IDSXPS-oUf9Q365WS60lZUQMCTjjDwEipt_S9F-mYjKPbf9AisfM/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Io3gpKuDHbF6jtQnrOqg77PPtv9ihNLrRmnrMBrd5O6w_K4IROpg7J1JyoJRn-yR-OO0skdM7ZDeiMdpYt7p8a_IDSXPS-oUf9Q365WS60lZUQMCTjjDwEipt_S9F-mYjKPbf9AisfM/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109250521194562" border="0" /></a>By far his best attribute, in my book, is that he eats slugs. Go forth and multiply, my friend.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-11387271084141112272010-09-20T15:59:00.005-05:002010-09-20T16:12:01.545-05:00We Have Turned a CornerThey say there are two seasons in Houston: August and the rest of the year. I don't quite hold to that, but I understand the sentiment. It is generally pretty warm here with August usually unbearably hot. Temperatures in the 90's continue until September. Until.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpw-Lo50qpBJUbx2CLHqr4yYcCHJIskZ-zP0GLZeBMjRHtBCQbdvhcEOMnJDaDmf_0J6mM3sIEOIO_u1aQ-65TuRfPko9z1Ipw5C5k57zflkIlfJZSyWhJptvmjpAw2VznwcPDA1_RuVk/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpw-Lo50qpBJUbx2CLHqr4yYcCHJIskZ-zP0GLZeBMjRHtBCQbdvhcEOMnJDaDmf_0J6mM3sIEOIO_u1aQ-65TuRfPko9z1Ipw5C5k57zflkIlfJZSyWhJptvmjpAw2VznwcPDA1_RuVk/s320/IMG_3266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519105043486006418" border="0" /></a><br />I think today marks our until. We had a little front blow through today. It brought a little rain. Very little. But it brought with it the coolest most refreshing breeze.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGUcaPJX0SYplFZhl4r0FTisDBR_kjLuSlXoXytd2R03UgtD38tjOdTbA2sgBA2CztVFxTa5R7XZUHEjKoB8oO1q-ll1XtGMht5rPmdt1_qqF_dEom_gbrXE99OyTM9EEjXVKIFO6KdP5/s1600/IMG_3267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGUcaPJX0SYplFZhl4r0FTisDBR_kjLuSlXoXytd2R03UgtD38tjOdTbA2sgBA2CztVFxTa5R7XZUHEjKoB8oO1q-ll1XtGMht5rPmdt1_qqF_dEom_gbrXE99OyTM9EEjXVKIFO6KdP5/s320/IMG_3267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519105412819088802" border="0" /></a><br />Though still mostly green, the leaves have started to fall off the pecan trees. Fall is here.<br /><br />We don't get brilliant colors here unless we get a surprise freeze early on. Last year was pretty. We had an unusually cold winter and the trees treated us because of it.<br /><br />But our usual change of seasons is subtle yet noticeable. I don't mind that really. That's sort of how I like my change. Subtle yet noticeable. I'm not much for big whirlwinds of obnoxious, life-altering change. Sometimes that's how changes come though. <br /><br />So today I am enjoying the change of seasons. The subtle change. And wondering if there is a bigger one on its way.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-326060864735956042010-09-18T13:41:00.004-05:002010-09-18T14:07:38.972-05:00It is WellI'm listening to one of my favorite old hymn remakes. It is by a band called <a href="http://www.kutless.com/">Kutless</a>. Typically, as a band they are a little hard for my taste. I saw them opening for the Newsboys once and my brain about fell out of my head. But my son got one of their cd's and let me listen to it. This song about did me in.<br /><br />I love love love old hymns. And I love it even more when they are remade for the kids today. I love that our great musical heritage is being preserved. As far as I'm concerned, the revival of these old songs just proves how great they were. The words speak to us even in the craziness of the 21st century.<br /><br />So today, even though I am sitting in a screaming "play place" as I type, it is well with my soul. I share this with you so that it may be well with you, too.<br /><br />Oh, and I got my Dr. Pepper. : )<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lGHZySOi7sY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lGHZySOi7sY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-84323393510870835132010-09-17T07:45:00.004-05:002010-09-17T08:59:46.917-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 16<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />I'm still not over the whole Dr. Pepper incident. I may have to go get one today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />I have a fully decorated Christmas wreath hanging in my living room. It has been there for days. I am waiting for my business cards and giant postcard mailers to come in. I am hoping to be wildly busy with Christmas decorations in the next few weeks.<br /><br />I've been putting together a web site for the business and have been overwrought by the fact that I don't have more pictures of things I have done in the past. I know I took pictures. At least, I thought I did. I've done some really cool things. Some huge things! I can only find shots of the most basic examples of my work. It's been frustrating.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />The habaneros are still coming in, but I have totally dropped the ball on a fall garden. I have a tomato plant a friend gave me 2 weeks ago still sitting on my kitchen window sill. I may go grab a couple of broccoli just for fun, but it's doubtful there will be much to report in the way of produce. I have decided to devote some of the weekend to tending to the yard. I didn't water enough during the dry summer. Some of the plants are a bit crunchy and need some looking after. Oops.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />Stay tuned. I have asked one of my favorite people in the world to do a guest post soon. She has recently started her own food blog. I'm sure she will treat us to something very tasty. Be on the lookout.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />Hubs and I have been playing Scrabble together online. It's about the only way I'm ever going to get him to play Scrabble with me. I love board games. The girl likes them, but only certain ones. The boy goes through phases when he really likes them and then doesn't want to have anything to do with them. I pretty much only get to play them with my BFF or if there is a hurricane.<br /><br />Anyway, playing online is different than playing at a table. You can try different letter combinations that you would never try if you were using tiles and a board. I have played words that I didn't know were words simply because it is so easy to type and check to see if you might have accidentally made a word. I would like to think it is expanding my vocabulary, but I know better.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />What do you all do to check on all of the blogs you read? I have always used Bloglines. No, it's never been particularly reliable or great, but it's what I started with and I am a creature of habit. I am forced to find something to replace it though. Bloglines is shutting down on October 1st. Any suggestions as to what I should use?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />We have had NetFlix for quite awhile now. It's been great. We recently set it up on the Wii. Now we can watch from their "Watch Instantly" menu right on the TV. I'm not sure how I feel about that.<br /><br />The kids have been glued to the TV for over a week now. My son is a little more diversified. He likes to watch documentaries on weapons and sea life. But the vast majority of shows they are watching are animated and stupid. I have let it go thinking that it was a novelty and therefor a little exciting, but when the newness wore off they would get back to life as we knew it. I may have to intervene. It is taking too long.<br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-7935587894201432122010-09-16T16:29:00.003-05:002010-09-16T16:44:41.577-05:00The Pain of It AllI had to go to Sam's yesterday. I was cooking for a crowd at church and needed the super economy size of noodles and salad. As I have mentioned time and again, it has been pretty dang hot around these parts. Yesterday was no exception. <br /><br />I don't drink much soda any more (it used to be an all-consuming habit of mine), but I enjoy a Dr. Pepper now and again, preferably served from a fountain. In fact, Dr. Pepper is the only major brand soda I can even tolerate. Yesterday I was thinking that my suffering in the heat, especially at my advanced age, deserved the treat of a tall, ice cold, fizzy beverage of the Dr. Pepper variety. I had my baby girl with me. Sam's has a heck of deal on a giant slice of pizza and a soda. The girl has no interest in soda and we usually split a piece of pizza, so I could be satisfied for cheap and life would be good. I couldn't have been more wrong.<br /><br />I got my pizza and giant cup and headed over to the row of fountain drinks and...WHAT!!. Seriously? The only choice with an "out of order" sign on it was the Dr. Pepper. Now, I am fully aware there are worse tragedies in the world, but this seemed almost epic at that moment. I went back to the counter and asked for a refund. The darling girl looked at me like I was out of my mind which I was as my dreams of tall, ice cold, fizzy beverage were dashed on the jagged edges of an "out of order" sign.<br /><br />After consulting with her superior she told me I would have to go to the service desk or I could have a bottle of water. While any other day of the week I might have chosen that over the Dr. Pepper anyway, yesterday was not that day. I told her I didn't want water. I wanted a DR. PEPPER! She offered me an <a href="http://www.icee.com/home.html">Icee</a>. <br /><br />Now I fully realize that is a more than fair trade. An Icee is an upgrade for any normal and reasonably sane person. That wouldn't be me on my best day, but I took it just the same. <br /><br />So I ate my pizza, enjoyed the company of my baby girl, and sulked as I sipped my Icee. I still haven't gotten over it.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-54343764375555410102010-09-14T20:09:00.002-05:002010-09-14T20:14:03.287-05:00So, I hopped in the car to get the boy from school yesterday and look what popped up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNThMZzWG-IBGs-I75L56eNkjttC5d_ctOV-eEzMQpo9LtH5O7fMWlwmZKufjenegOecO_Edmxr5XpYr6KnCiT3lb_wGP3P4OPX_r6Py3qQnFnAT24KkHm49vRMClp9IfVA_GCm6J13z0N/s1600/IMG_3250_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNThMZzWG-IBGs-I75L56eNkjttC5d_ctOV-eEzMQpo9LtH5O7fMWlwmZKufjenegOecO_Edmxr5XpYr6KnCiT3lb_wGP3P4OPX_r6Py3qQnFnAT24KkHm49vRMClp9IfVA_GCm6J13z0N/s400/IMG_3250_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516941607149481874" border="0" /></a><br />OK. That was a misread. Once we got going and things stabilized, it was only this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyShIEjIG5iTCkNQ621yN90CyOnerj1toZnijHYYDvqZY0kLtcwssF5T_T0bZkPkvIsZSXG4l5CraR24woarUn9rTG92UbvgU3YED5sliHMnRTALQXZRSzUjSzGgyiWjsYuarzvNF00zk/s1600/IMG_3251_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyShIEjIG5iTCkNQ621yN90CyOnerj1toZnijHYYDvqZY0kLtcwssF5T_T0bZkPkvIsZSXG4l5CraR24woarUn9rTG92UbvgU3YED5sliHMnRTALQXZRSzUjSzGgyiWjsYuarzvNF00zk/s400/IMG_3251_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516941455936793826" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to mid-September in Houston, Texas. Don't forget to throw in the 70% humidity. Life is good in the sub tropics.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-50119339858592340952010-09-13T15:53:00.004-05:002010-09-13T22:27:24.407-05:00When a Comment Turns into a Blog PostI knew I liked her. I was just over visiting Missy at <a href="http://www.itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/">It's Almost Naptime</a>. Great lady and a hoot and a half. Anywho, she put down on paper (computer screen?) exactly what I have thought and tried to preach with my life for years. Her topic: judgment verses condemnation.<br /><br />I used to work in retail visual merchandising. As she said, some of my favorite people on the planet are gay. My guys knew exactly where I stood on the subject of their lifestyle. They also knew I loved them deeply.<br /><br />I believe James 2:10. <span style="font-style: italic;">For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.</span><br /><br />I know I have stumbled on more than just one point, so who am I to condemn.<br /><br />If you want a good explanation of judgment verses condemnation and where we should stand on things, <a href="http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/09/walker-and-i-were-just-having-one-of.html">go visit her</a>.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-20436557419959431602010-09-12T06:55:00.001-05:002010-09-12T06:55:00.523-05:00It starts.I picked the first of the habaneros.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ioQr9kd5SmA9bCGuIiJf-K2-cWGbaIMUm3wBMoejH2BDc9EBwK7uCUh_PJK_mhShz3iwYvAK95To-BUtNsCfe_IrlmSjKyTlDK4oC3atSUuEkY1tHenDu4qm5q9N-psYDK-BK65XU38U/s1600/IMG_3247_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ioQr9kd5SmA9bCGuIiJf-K2-cWGbaIMUm3wBMoejH2BDc9EBwK7uCUh_PJK_mhShz3iwYvAK95To-BUtNsCfe_IrlmSjKyTlDK4oC3atSUuEkY1tHenDu4qm5q9N-psYDK-BK65XU38U/s400/IMG_3247_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515376145890853474" border="0" /></a><br />They are really quite large as these little peppers go. I don't eat these myself. I think there is a certain irony in that which I seem to be able to grow best is not even something I can eat. At least the Hubs is happy.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-46003338299280624972010-09-10T06:40:00.003-05:002010-09-10T06:40:00.353-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 15<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />I'm a lousy blogger. Just thought you'd like to know. Oh, you noticed? Well, thanks for coming back to check on me now and again.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />I harvested the bulk of my basil this week.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGMUquIy5qoIMIXrxsa9f8Khghyphenhyphen656IFyy6BUbU_9yblxshS_PRADJ7WHYNFs4iU9ZKaVd5xjq_fTDm54LW1Xqe4zGQ2XPRGpP2lXN1sC96evQjNPC-TvcsFM0s2W2CW2xgTkxJjgUs-7/s1600/IMG_3191_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGMUquIy5qoIMIXrxsa9f8Khghyphenhyphen656IFyy6BUbU_9yblxshS_PRADJ7WHYNFs4iU9ZKaVd5xjq_fTDm54LW1Xqe4zGQ2XPRGpP2lXN1sC96evQjNPC-TvcsFM0s2W2CW2xgTkxJjgUs-7/s400/IMG_3191_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515109891358228850" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't take the plants down completely. We still have quite a bit of warm weather ahead of us, so I'm hoping for some more fresh basil before the season is done. It was a good bit dried. Certainly enough to get me through until spring.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />My hopes that September and the schedule that school brings would slow things up a bit for us. Those hopes have been dashed upon the rocks of reality. It could be that we are even busier than before. I hope once we get used to the new routine that every day won't be such a flurry of to do lists. I'm going to hold onto that thought anyway. A girl's got to have a dream.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfnksh46eXZaF2iP5ZU40FHPlgZmLC_mxDUanX-OJkgXjDDp9ZYdSbh5lOM-iJlzRhMtuGhJyFgURyzKEbg1cT8q60UPw-IBQmTFmtzAsJp_0shTPLKByI_jVVj_04UliDlQ9UAw3e34_/s1600/IMG_2797.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfnksh46eXZaF2iP5ZU40FHPlgZmLC_mxDUanX-OJkgXjDDp9ZYdSbh5lOM-iJlzRhMtuGhJyFgURyzKEbg1cT8q60UPw-IBQmTFmtzAsJp_0shTPLKByI_jVVj_04UliDlQ9UAw3e34_/s400/IMG_2797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515112346506949138" border="0" /></a><br />I just thought you needed a random chicken picture. I love my Muffin. She's such a good chicken. She's been molting this past month. She's about done. Poor baby lost all her tail feathers. She's still pretty though.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />Beth Moore isn't doing a regular study this fall. While I'm sad about that, she is doing a 3-part series called Fall Forward. The first one was this week. I went with some girlfriends. She had Travis Cottrell, who usually travels with her, as opposed to her usual praise singers who usually open her Bible studies here in town. It was the first time I have had the privilege of hearing him perform. Man, can that boy sing. He made wonderful choices in music and did an excellent job performing them. We had an amazing praise and worship time. So often in situations like that the music can be too loud for me. I thought he did an excellent job of balancing it all so it was loud enough without being too loud. If you ever have the chance to hear him perform, go for it. You won't be disappointed.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />My baby girl is fast approaching her 10th birthday. She is all arms and legs. And hair. She hates jeans and long pants in general. She prefers skorts to just about anythings else. You know, the little skirts with shorts underneath. Well, girlfriend must have hit a growth spurt while I wasn't looking. There will definitelybe some new skorts in her birthday haul. She's as skinny as all get out, so they never get too tight on her, but the ones she has now are riding up a little too high. Her cute little bohonkadonk is going to be hanging out soon. I am constantly amazed at how things seems to just suddenly become too small for the kids. They seem just fine one day and can't get them on the next.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />Tomorrow is September 11th. A year after the attacks, my son was asked to pose for some photographs for a friend's art students to paint. There was an exhibit and some NYFD members came down for the event. I look at the pictures from that day and can't believe how much he has grown since then.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKycgAfnB4X4tMuKmIGSQQ4WsYcIe1x7NN0-dAAjxf8UsRBJq4te8zFnWv-oc8FHv3Rr65XYsbyxRSkTrw2oF7gNuP5-tEgC0eifxY1r4EVOeIFQnQHhTiQ_wn0GoNQMdhv6ebfmzEJ54/s1600/9-11nyfdjac2jpg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKycgAfnB4X4tMuKmIGSQQ4WsYcIe1x7NN0-dAAjxf8UsRBJq4te8zFnWv-oc8FHv3Rr65XYsbyxRSkTrw2oF7gNuP5-tEgC0eifxY1r4EVOeIFQnQHhTiQ_wn0GoNQMdhv6ebfmzEJ54/s400/9-11nyfdjac2jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515118371688889170" border="0" /></a><br />I remember the fireman on the left saying that on that day he was off-duty and at home taking care of his kids. He could see the attacks from the window of his apartment. He saw the burning buildings and called his wife to come home. He had to get in to work.<br /><br />If you see a firefighter tomorrow, say thank you. Come to think of it, if you see one any day, say thank you.<br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-89222428071050924302010-08-27T09:10:00.007-05:002010-08-27T09:29:56.684-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 14<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />Just in case you were wondering...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQSkT-Grh_TUQB7sr3peXwHNCJ9VJQG-kYj9DOLtsJW5u5MxLGvXOITu1kWnTRxzVeVDSc2QsLFAQ3RLlPMSqxlM_qp5ePCTuaoDd9aDDt4Nqc94rdWbj3NzOUhkK9XRpRoPLu4jP8fBy/s1600/IMG_3155_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQSkT-Grh_TUQB7sr3peXwHNCJ9VJQG-kYj9DOLtsJW5u5MxLGvXOITu1kWnTRxzVeVDSc2QsLFAQ3RLlPMSqxlM_qp5ePCTuaoDd9aDDt4Nqc94rdWbj3NzOUhkK9XRpRoPLu4jP8fBy/s400/IMG_3155_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510092454798072818" border="0" /></a><br />...it's still hot here. I took this yesterday when I hopped in the car to pick up The Boy from school.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />Speaking of which, high school seems to agree with him so far. That is a small miracle. If this sentiment lasts, that will be a major miracle.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />I put up the last of the figs yesterday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGynFYSPII4x7xioyPfff2zVFZhr31R5_9S8D9-T27JVnoU-oDIB7jesaKuuVE5FsXWXluwKYbMBJ3rP-TkurmJ3jl-iXp0kxafx1F0m6fR2INTLMECJTIGR4aZcUTdVNoZ8c3BifyOaLs/s1600/IMG_3165_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGynFYSPII4x7xioyPfff2zVFZhr31R5_9S8D9-T27JVnoU-oDIB7jesaKuuVE5FsXWXluwKYbMBJ3rP-TkurmJ3jl-iXp0kxafx1F0m6fR2INTLMECJTIGR4aZcUTdVNoZ8c3BifyOaLs/s400/IMG_3165_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510093810701164402" border="0" /></a>Glad to have them out of the freezer. Not as happy as Aunt Sarah will be to receive her share, I'm sure. Don't you just love my kitchen wallpaper. You don't? You aren't the only one. I really like, but I sure got some interesting comments when I picked it out - 18 years ago. I still like it, but wouldn't mind a change. Not today though. Too much else on my plate.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv8fL73nY5EzEIunKWr7FD1uogAByI8MKltlyWozIZn5u4siFTxGq8dI0_bhkRKdr4Uw_AZV9EmO-nqFF2ou4Wi1GH9uFvPnx5x0mh3KJENv4yb5X2Uk1xd9FhlslF_4sxHjQ_rI9vWcO/s1600/IMG_3166_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv8fL73nY5EzEIunKWr7FD1uogAByI8MKltlyWozIZn5u4siFTxGq8dI0_bhkRKdr4Uw_AZV9EmO-nqFF2ou4Wi1GH9uFvPnx5x0mh3KJENv4yb5X2Uk1xd9FhlslF_4sxHjQ_rI9vWcO/s400/IMG_3166_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510094881981702610" border="0" /></a>I call this one <span style="font-style: italic;">Chickens in Philodendrons</span>. I was halfway hoping that these huge monsters (the plants, not the chickens) would not survive the big freeze we had last winter. They have come back to their full glory. Given the amount of shade we have in the yard, I should complain. They are pretty. They are just so huge!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />I don't know if you can tell, but here is a portion of our habanero crop. They haven't started turning yet. This is as far as I take them. Well, I'll pick them. After that, Hubs is on his own.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTbOJUfiQI0LyVVuVh1Klu3-NpOYjonBhmQgbTuArj0KrOcYLojJQ3IMG7GZ8F_ep-54c15lP7DlA3nHCZBl01ZpbhVIa9LTObZhEwyacBxABUBLKNq1quLd7NMH3ZB-mAw8F5jEGvFNn/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTbOJUfiQI0LyVVuVh1Klu3-NpOYjonBhmQgbTuArj0KrOcYLojJQ3IMG7GZ8F_ep-54c15lP7DlA3nHCZBl01ZpbhVIa9LTObZhEwyacBxABUBLKNq1quLd7NMH3ZB-mAw8F5jEGvFNn/s400/IMG_3167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510095715777470882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />And would you look at that. The bougainvillea has returned. It's not as huge as it was, but it is coming along.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU0j6cehmmg8AzmAqhXA9f98zi1-1Cu-4FOLELE6fLOIa30fvuuC7fVGSt0bINV0nfybGkCvuXYbtv7vE-vIZCdzsHLDjxVOqWLl8vh9Sqb4Gk7F4IOW4VlBKkX1ttnjUzoQiYN6Iv8gG/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU0j6cehmmg8AzmAqhXA9f98zi1-1Cu-4FOLELE6fLOIa30fvuuC7fVGSt0bINV0nfybGkCvuXYbtv7vE-vIZCdzsHLDjxVOqWLl8vh9Sqb4Gk7F4IOW4VlBKkX1ttnjUzoQiYN6Iv8gG/s400/IMG_3168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510096259717752194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />We are getting settled into our home classroom. We will begin school in earnest next week. We just sort of eased into it slowly this week. We both have to get used to being on a schedule. Well, <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> of a schedule. Hopefully a more ordered existence will lead to more ordered posting. : ) <br /><br />See you soon!<br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-28303837307718799252010-08-20T11:14:00.003-05:002010-08-20T11:27:49.082-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 13<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />Dude. I just realized it's Friday. See how behind I am?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />I survived my reunion. It was really pretty awesome. So many faces. It's amazing that after lo these many years and very little contact with most of them how we just fall back into the laughter and chatter. I went to school with some really good people. Some really crazy people. There has been some serious talk of not waiting 10 years this time. There will definitely be something at five.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />I got a sunburn. I am by no means a sun worshipper. I tan well and don't burn if I watch myself. I didn't pay close enough attention to back at the beach. The funny thing is that it didn't really start hurting until the following evening. My husband is dutifully applying aloe vera. I am hoping it doesn't become a disgusting mess of peeling flesh. I'm not used to this and I don't like it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />I am not ready for school to start. I'm not talking emotionally. I have done virtually nothing to prepare for the next week. There is a pretty good chance that the first few days of "school" will be spent cleaning out our school/breakfast room and organizing my life.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />My son, on the other hand, is a little better prepared. Uniforms bought, school toured, classes assigned. You will never waste a prayer on that boy. A successful school year is a good place to start.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />Thankfully, I'm the only one who is so far behind. I am meeting with some lovely ladies this afternoon who also homeschool their children. We will be discussing field trips and possibly classes we can have for our children. Always looking for ways to get invovled with other kids and moms. This is a very nice group of people we have known for years. Our kids already play together regularly. I'm grateful for the support during the school year. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />My yard is crunchy. It has been unbearably hot and pretty dry round these parts of late. I still have a few herbs growing well. The habanero bush is heavy with hot potential. I need to get some tomatoes in the ground if I want to have any for fall. We found 2 more Monarch caterpillars this week. Other than that, it's a sad state of affairs in my garden. We'll see what the fall brings.<br /><br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-33468536446340151132010-08-19T14:13:00.006-05:002010-08-21T07:58:36.624-05:00Goodbye, SummerSchool starts Monday. I have mixed emotions about that. And mixed involvement. The girl is going to be homeschooled again. The boy is starting high school. For a number of different reasons, we have decided to send him to school this year. I have a number of different emotions about that, but most of them are positive. I hope this will be a good year for all of us.<br /><br />We didn't do any vacationing this summer, so we headed out to the beach Tuesday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWZoVm3qbWqfccipzvpnNE9Kyvs0oZtLLKf26TH8jRCXOnZWzqEQkohVxsZtZxWu0dEQLFpHx2viCj9nJsmi2A1k-_V-VXQ-8e-ChPOnhmpKGW6W-Hf-4D4nZf0m5YE5OrQRRixY1LCzh/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWZoVm3qbWqfccipzvpnNE9Kyvs0oZtLLKf26TH8jRCXOnZWzqEQkohVxsZtZxWu0dEQLFpHx2viCj9nJsmi2A1k-_V-VXQ-8e-ChPOnhmpKGW6W-Hf-4D4nZf0m5YE5OrQRRixY1LCzh/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507202505057081682" border="0" /></a>I'm not much of a beach person, but we have to make our annual pilgrimage. We went to Surfside again this year.<br /><br />Our beaches are not pristine. Too much run off from the mighty, muddy Mississippi. But they are our beaches and we love them.<br /><br />We have plenty of wildlife to enjoy. We have a healthy population of brown pelicans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjbNqw_sWTnlh4W20yXG6PqBaUN214Exyk9BCUatlkIMg_QXdvkQlJJ1hfC7aIs4_Fr0ctdtbxq24LJy2gEPqlQmJDsppKtWJBOM7UIEYBv_e7J_92BxjhAQQGVrWySQ8OkX9fqaxCOwD/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjbNqw_sWTnlh4W20yXG6PqBaUN214Exyk9BCUatlkIMg_QXdvkQlJJ1hfC7aIs4_Fr0ctdtbxq24LJy2gEPqlQmJDsppKtWJBOM7UIEYBv_e7J_92BxjhAQQGVrWySQ8OkX9fqaxCOwD/s400/IMG_3117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507203084579434546" border="0" /></a>We also saw <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/ridley/">Ridley sea turtles</a>, dolphins, sea gulls, sandpipers, hermit crabs, and a lot of little fish. Don't know what they were.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTQ5CxrKcQczWntV745fZ3xUV-2Da5yyeb4mMYGtY2SJSE_qA5o6nida6-rRG-UQf_pcG5d0eWw2MchYO2N3qhZ0PqufaAczY9Js9FpfgWXrmt3V57aLgczlapCskOxkt5BgK5xTFr9tg/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTQ5CxrKcQczWntV745fZ3xUV-2Da5yyeb4mMYGtY2SJSE_qA5o6nida6-rRG-UQf_pcG5d0eWw2MchYO2N3qhZ0PqufaAczY9Js9FpfgWXrmt3V57aLgczlapCskOxkt5BgK5xTFr9tg/s400/IMG_3101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507204081861139426" border="0" /></a><br />Sandcastles were made. Holes were dug. And there was sand on everything. Like I said, I'm not much of a beach person.<br /><br />But it gave my baby girl a chance to fish with her daddy. Something I always loved.<br /><br />And it gave my boy and me a chance to walk along the beach together. We looked for shells. He showed off for me. We talked. Just a little. He's not much into serious conversations right now. I will brave all the sun and sand for the chance to let us just hang out a little before he takes on this great adventure called high school. Life will be next. I know I will blink and he will be grown.<br /><br />We came home with a sunburn, a slight case of heat exhaustion, and a lot of sand to clean up. Oh, and the memory of my enormous baby boy showing off in the waves trying to make his mommy laugh. Why does that make me cry?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-4970416614862528802010-08-13T07:00:00.010-05:002010-08-13T14:16:53.893-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 12<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />OK. So. How has your summer gone? Mine has gone by. I have talked to several people who have expressed the same sentiment: this summer has had more obligations that most. Everyone has been crazy busy. We are no exception. I don't know what the deal is. My hope is that the school year will somehow provide some order and a chance for recovery. I'm done.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><br />Tonight is the first leg of my 30-year high school reunion. While I will probably get a kick out of seeing some old(er) faces, what really excites me is my BFF is coming in town and we get to hang out this weekend. I miss her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfthSWawkdz6Y84mdKKSquKb7b_rDNdznqEo3rovRTws8b520p7tdoT0ATmbrt3zPVbfoTi89iSftSDlOJpLRXOX-zsD6JqgQHmtM5Z44BkzXjOFJ59_tRYr4w8KyQm6PBYyUm4yYpwIM/s1600/IMG_3055_edited.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfthSWawkdz6Y84mdKKSquKb7b_rDNdznqEo3rovRTws8b520p7tdoT0ATmbrt3zPVbfoTi89iSftSDlOJpLRXOX-zsD6JqgQHmtM5Z44BkzXjOFJ59_tRYr4w8KyQm6PBYyUm4yYpwIM/s320/IMG_3055_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503829144468156610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We hatched more butterflies. We have certainly done our part for the butterfly community this year. And we have a lovely flower bed full of milkweed and pentas to help maintain said community. Say hello to one of our hatchlings. The last batch were black-winged swallowtails.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />I got old while I was away, too. While everyone was very generous in their well wishes for my birthday, by far the most fun I had was the night before my actual birthday. My sisters and mother took me out for a night of cupcakes and painting to this fun place I just discovered called <a href="http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/">Painting With a Twist</a>. You should really check to see if there is one in your area. Such fun. There was one brave man there, but it was total girl fun. They have snacks and you are encouraged to bring your own. Then you paint a masterpiece. Well, sort of. You are guided step by step through painting whatever the selection is for the evening. We did a version of Monet's Poppies. (I typed "poopies" the first time. haha) I was pleasantly surprised at my creation - until I added the poppies. They have a fix it class I may go to and try to do something more with it. It was a hoot and a half anyway and would do it again in a heartbeat. Gaze upon our great works of art.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj034aHMIb9YI_TDTf-WFwdBhNi4XKIqvpVs97iu35EaoyYSh08PKqPwaqJJ4W4o9dXM-5ZTIGiyVyMlSzcUsNVdSMKDefOK4VeJgUkbEsTVOFIWoKQCC612AYxi4dwJNA9e2RkBolHkN-5/s1600/IMG_3074_edited.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj034aHMIb9YI_TDTf-WFwdBhNi4XKIqvpVs97iu35EaoyYSh08PKqPwaqJJ4W4o9dXM-5ZTIGiyVyMlSzcUsNVdSMKDefOK4VeJgUkbEsTVOFIWoKQCC612AYxi4dwJNA9e2RkBolHkN-5/s400/IMG_3074_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503831735364643650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br />In honor of said 30th reunion, some of us have changed our Facebook profile pics to something from high school. This is from my junior year. It is the dress uniform from my high school drill team. We were th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy1qpplnwS2Rq901OjFBsz39E26kIS_vr0Autt1ZmzpFZ6bcuzWuL6jNw62KoTZdg8SY8auXCP_FLiszsyg82OteuHTAo2ng4eKdY2QLLEzawHWzvyBTYVdP19Bj9Ihk46maKhFBwDS2M/s1600/fixedbellepic.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy1qpplnwS2Rq901OjFBsz39E26kIS_vr0Autt1ZmzpFZ6bcuzWuL6jNw62KoTZdg8SY8auXCP_FLiszsyg82OteuHTAo2ng4eKdY2QLLEzawHWzvyBTYVdP19Bj9Ihk46maKhFBwDS2M/s320/fixedbellepic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504520714841493922" border="0" /></a>e Bellaire Belles, a drum and bugle corp. I grew up down the street from the high school and spent most of my years listening to the girls practice and dreaming of the day I could join their ranks. When my time came, I had the joy and privilege of playing the snare drum. It was pretty much everything I had dreamed it would be. But then I got bitten by the performance bug. I ditched the Belles my senior year to devote my time to modern dance and drama. And that was fun, too. I am so glad I got to do both. Unlike too many people, I have really fond memories of high school. It was a good time.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />---6---</span><br /><br />My son announced at the beginning of the summer that he was going to save up to buy a PS3. That's some kind of infernal video gaming device that is more to his liking than the family friendly Wii we have. (Wii we. haha. I have a real potty mouth today.) He got himself a couple of little jobs, so he was on his way. He now has a new air soft gun, some ammo for said gun, and a new pair of shoes. He has no savings. As you can well imagine, I am shocked beyond belief. Not. This child has never been able to save more than the price of a pack of gum. He will give the money away before he hangs on to it. My daughter, on the other hand, still has some of her birthday money - from last October!! If you can explain this, I am listening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span><span>The heat is oppressive. I am doing my very best to not complain as we had a wretchedly cold winter. I don't want another one of those. I would much rather suffer by the pool than suffer huddled next to the space heater</span><span>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>And I have about decided that having a generous neighbor with a pool is better than having a pool yourself. Fortunately, we have that. I hope my kids appreciate them as much as I do.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /></span>For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>. (Correction: Conversion Diary usually hosts. Today it's <a href="http://www.bettybeguiles.com/">Betty Beguiles</a>.)<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-9370124731751675232010-07-20T19:39:00.001-05:002010-07-20T19:39:00.393-05:00Facebook Before There Was FacebookI was talking with my son today as we drove down the freeway. We passed a truck that had two enormous antennae. As with everything, he had a strong opinion if not intimate knowledge of the purpose of each. I said they reminded me of the old CB antenna we had on our family car when I was growing up. He had no idea what I was talking about.<br /><br />I told him how in the 70's it was all the rage for the common man to have a CB radio in their car just like all the truckers did. His grandfather, my father, had one. His handle was the Texas Kingmaker and he thought he was the coolest thing in a Pontiac. It was a way to communicate with others on the road of life, so to speak. A way to connect.<br /><br />I got to thinking about it and was reminded of how <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">my</span> grandfather used to hold up in his bedroom every evening. He had a little telegraph device by his bedside and he would sit there and tap and listen and tap and listen. It was a way to communicate with others. A way to connect.<br /><br />I guess we haven't changed all that much in these few generations. I suppose in days gone by people sat around on the porch or campfire and did their connecting. We are too spread out for that now. Too many people are too many different places. I, for one, am grateful for the advances in communication devices that have allowed us to still hang out in the evening and chat. We tap and listen and tap and listen. It's a way to connect. I like it. And I type much better than I use Morse code.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-17382878724559710882010-07-10T07:25:00.002-05:002010-07-10T07:25:00.933-05:00Level FourYesterday I spent the day in one of the seven levels of Hell. It was a day that combined two of my least favorite things: a child's birthday party and the mall. You can see the recipe for disaster in the making, can't you?<br /><br />When I got the invitation I thought, what? A birthday party at a mall? Different. That might work. Maybe. At least, there will be air conditioning.<br /><br />I got clearance to bring our house guest along. Now, previous to this I have asked this child how many times she has been lost. She wanders and seems somewhat oblivious to who and what is around her at times. I should have brought a leash. <br /><br />But I get ahead of myself. We start by meeting in the food court of a busy mall in the middle of summer. I need to mention that this is one of the biggest malls in the 4th largest city in America. While I can't even begin to guess how many people were there, I can tell you that they were all talking - loudly. Very. Loudly. <br /><br />There were tacos. There were giant cookie cakes with large amounts of frosting. And there were kids. This was actually a party for 2 girls. The guests ranged in age from 7 to 16. Other than eating, the only activity for the party was a scavenger hunt. Two teams armed with a list and a camera were sent out to terrorize the mall. Since I had no intention of leaving my two girls in the mall without my supervision, I got to accompany their group.<br /><br />The teenagers in the group were more than a little determined to take the prize. The little kids were basically along for the ride. And what a ride it was. The teens would run from spot to spot stopping only to record the shot and then move on quickly. Now, I have successfully instilled in my poor daughter a great fear of being lost, or worse, <span style="font-style: italic;">taken</span> in a public place. She would have collapsed from exhaustion before she would have let those big girls out of her sight. She was terrified every time I caught up with them. Sadly, her little friend has not had the benefit of a paranoid mom.<br /><br />We slow moms were behind the thundering herd who regularly left our sight as they rushed from place to place. We'd catch up, count heads, and move on. One time, as we got in sight again, I found but one girl: my daughter's friend. She was rushing down the mall - alone. I'm running after a running 11 year old screaming her name. Did I mention how loud the mall was? It took awhile for me to catch up with her, but we were both relieved. Several phone calls later, we reconnected with some very freaked out kids who knew they had lost one of their own. A few tears were shed. A new buddy system was instated. <br /><br />Just about the time I thought I could not do this for another moment before bursting into flames, they completed their list and headed back to base. Victory.<br /><br />We were invited to continue the afternoon with window shopping, but both the girls were more than a little fried and ready to get home. I did not argue with them.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-40027274197299593132010-07-09T06:48:00.001-05:002010-07-09T06:48:00.486-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 11<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxJAQgVOWdWag_vF8TPYmakGbQimhJT0UtMt3WOd6HmAm-M-a8Cf3YHPAtCcUopmY2jgVYkp1AjvzWXey3LF41BeWX8kX8VrzBurM3VCI7gD9DITZVtPK8WRmZqmLyTrhe5SZkkmo1IMo/s1600/IMG_2963_edited.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxJAQgVOWdWag_vF8TPYmakGbQimhJT0UtMt3WOd6HmAm-M-a8Cf3YHPAtCcUopmY2jgVYkp1AjvzWXey3LF41BeWX8kX8VrzBurM3VCI7gD9DITZVtPK8WRmZqmLyTrhe5SZkkmo1IMo/s320/IMG_2963_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731479395462338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---</span><br /><br />While the garden has mixed results this year, one thing we have been able to grow is butterflies.<br /><br />The girl has always wanted to get one of those kits where you order caterpillars in the mail and watch the miracle of transformation in the comfort of your own home. I try to avoid such things opting for viewing creatures in their natural state as much as possible.<br /><br />We decided to plant a butterfly garden. Our local mega-nursery puts all their plants on sale at 50% off at the beginning of the summer. We went and bought a bunch of milkweed plants in hopes of attracting a few monarchs.<br /><br />Turns out, we didn't need to attract them. As we were standing in line at the checkout desk, my observant little one noticed a very small caterpillar down near the roots of one of the plants. We even found a few more when we got them home. As you can well imagine, not all the plants made it into the yard. We kept 2 back to set up our butterfly habitat in the living room. We successfully hatched two Monarch butterflies. It was every bit as exciting as she hoped it would be.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---2---</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPxH4xz4otx9VdhsuWTE7ao5vOSpL5MzvCMvDT9IUvgKuGm1Uc4PC7MVYGK7IjdXlVwcZiFU_iFQAf-PO3fQFe2BMELfBl5KepemfqpW0qaCqI-envCmpmFWqgjsq-X6JwYB_PSWthrIa/s1600/IMG_3010.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPxH4xz4otx9VdhsuWTE7ao5vOSpL5MzvCMvDT9IUvgKuGm1Uc4PC7MVYGK7IjdXlVwcZiFU_iFQAf-PO3fQFe2BMELfBl5KepemfqpW0qaCqI-envCmpmFWqgjsq-X6JwYB_PSWthrIa/s320/IMG_3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491730417078491122" border="0" /></a><br />It was so exciting that when we found the bounty of black winged swallowtail caterpillars munching on my parsley, we brought them in and started afresh with our butterfly project. We have three plump and juicy and very pretty caterpillars happily munching on flat-leafed parsley.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />As if the Butterfly Project wasn't enough, we also have a little bowl of tadpoles. We have already released one. Despite the fact that we have had nearly endless rain for over a week, we actually got these guys from the neighborhood nursery. They have several ponds full of tadpoles and offered them to anyone willing to take them. Never ones to turn away free creatures, we came home with a cup full of them.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />Speaking of rain, oh. my. goodness. We were in drought condition a couple of weeks ago. We have already gotten more rain in the first week of July than we usually get in the whole <span style="font-style: italic;">month</span> of July. It started with Alex. He was way south of here, but he spread those rain bands wide and we benefited from them. Tropical Depression #2 came ashore yesterday, I believe. That brought even more rain. I'm not really complaining ... yet. We needed the rain so badly and it has really dropped the temperatures. But I am about ready for a few days of dry weather.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx7vsABalTFbcYKsrw1EZNZxelKrJ0ueaBg314c4dqiVOPagGmSL1T4Wb3W56eZe2V09CtJROaY1D5D-6EKyMKsfazR5AKNA-UnPIkdfnYWsSkyYLd5ygl3g20oKJ0Rv818iOPcbmq8o9/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx7vsABalTFbcYKsrw1EZNZxelKrJ0ueaBg314c4dqiVOPagGmSL1T4Wb3W56eZe2V09CtJROaY1D5D-6EKyMKsfazR5AKNA-UnPIkdfnYWsSkyYLd5ygl3g20oKJ0Rv818iOPcbmq8o9/s320/IMG_2989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491735871580141778" border="0" /></a><br />Did you have a nice 4th? We went up to my uncle's lake house <a href="http://elisharose.blogspot.com/2008/07/high-powered-holiday.html">for our usual excite</a><a href="http://elisharose.blogspot.com/2008/07/high-powered-holiday.html">ment</a>. although the day started with rain, it cleared up nicely. There was jet-skiing and fireworks and oh, so much food. It was nice to see everyone, too. And sunsets one the lake aren't too shabby.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />My boy is away again this week. He'll be back tomorrow. He's camping with the Boy Scouts. I'm trying to get used to not being in contact with him for days at a time. This should be the last time he's away this summer. It's hard growing babies.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />While he is away, we have a friend of my daughter's staying with us. Yes, for the whole week. She used to live in the neighborhood, but moved to a Houston suburb last summer. It's not the first time she has stayed with us, but it has been the longest. It has been a great time for my girl. They have so much fun together. But we have both learned how set in our ways we are. Having someone around all the time who doesn't necesarily do things the way you do is ... um ... a learning experience. <br /><br /><br /><br />For more Quick Takes, head over to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-77081580125682005692010-07-02T06:27:00.002-05:002010-07-02T06:27:00.573-05:007 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 10<span style="font-weight: bold;">---1---<br /><br /></span><span>The green beans were a bust. The tomatoes, only so-so. But man, I can grow some basil. I made the <a href="http://elisharose.blogspot.com/2009/09/pesto.html">yummy pest</a>o again this week. It was every bit as delicious as I remember it.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />---2---</span><br /><br />It's fig season. I do OK with figs, too. Every day I go out and pick a peck or two. I'm going to make a quick batch this weekend to send to my father-in-law. He looks forward to the fig preserves each year more than anyone I know. He's 82 now, so I'm glad to do whatever I can to make his days sweeter.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---3---</span><br /><br />His sister, our<a href="http://elisharose.blogspot.com/2008/07/and-then-there-was-sunday.html"> Aunt Sarah</a>, will be celebrating her 87th birthday tomorrow. I don't know who is more impressed with that: me or Sarah herself. Wow. She's still going great guns. Her eyesight is not what she would like, but she keeps plugging along.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---4---</span><br /><br />So I'm going to try to expand the Christmas decoration business this year. It has been occupying a great deal of the space in my mind lately. I need to hop to it if I'm going to get people on board before I actually have to start decorating. Pray for my planning. And my sanity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---5---</span><br /><br />My boy went on his first mission trip a couple of weeks ago. By all accounts, he was a hard worker. He painted a house. With others, of course. They were in New Mexico and were treated to a performance by Pueblo Indians.<br /><br />It is very hard for me to see my boy as old enough to start having the kind of experiences he is starting to have. I was just his age when the world started opening up to me. I want it for him, but I just can't believe my baby is not a baby anymore. He's still so young in so many ways. But I am so anxious to see the man he will become.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---6---</span><br /><br />Speaking of not accepting growth, have you seen <a href="http://disney.go.com/ToyStory/"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Toy Story 3</span></a>? I won't tell you anything about it other than I loved it and sobbed more at that movie than I have at any movie in recent memory. If you have kids, especially ones that grew up watching <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Toy Story</span>, it will hit a place in your heart. It's also very. funny. Go see it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">---7---</span><br /><br />I hope Alex didn't cause anyone too much grief. I totally have enjoyed the breezes, rain, and cooler temps we have experienced this week as a result of the faraway storm. It has been a blessed relief from a very hot summer.<br /><br />Have a good weekend. Got any plans for the 4th?Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4336030712568153308.post-3478611920362270572010-06-25T18:55:00.006-05:002010-06-25T18:59:37.835-05:00No, I'm not dead or gone. Just crazy busy. It's been a busy summer so far. Things do promise to slow up here soon.<br /><br />In case you don't have e-mail and don't get funny things like this, I just had to post these. I think they are very clever and quite funny. Enjoy!<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />The winners are:<br /><br /><b>Coffee</b> (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.<br /><br /><b>Flabbergaste</b>d (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.<br /><br /><b>Abdicate</b> (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.<br /><br /><b>Esplanade</b> (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.<br /><br /><b>Willy-nilly </b>(adj.), impotent.<br /><br /><b>Negligent</b> (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly<br />answer the door in your nightgown.<br /><br /><b>Lymph</b> (v.), to walk with a lisp.<br /><br /><b>Gargoyle</b> (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.<br /><br /><b>Flatulence </b>(n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are<br />run over by a steamroller.<br /><br /><b>Balderdash</b> (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.<br /><br /><b>Testicle</b> (n.), a humorous question on an exam.<br /><br /><b>Rectitude</b> (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.<br /><br /><b>Pokemon</b> (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.<br /><br /><b>Oyster </b>(n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.<br /><br /><b>Frisbeetarianism</b> (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">and gets stuck there.<br /><br /><b>Circumvent</b> (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.<br /><br />The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take<br />any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br />Here are this year's winners:<br /><br /><b>Bozone</b> (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.<br /><br /><b>Foreploy</b> (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.<br /><br /><b>Cashtration</b> (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.<br /><br /><b>Giraffiti </b>(n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.<br /><br /><b>Sarchasm</b> (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.<br /><br /><b>Inoculatte </b>(v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.<br /><br /><b>Hipatitis </b>(n): Terminal coolness.<br /><br /><b>Osteopornosis</b> (n): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)<br /><br /><b>Karmageddon</b> (n): its like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.<br /><br /><b>Decafalon</b> (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.<br /><br /><b>Glibido</b> (v): All talk and no action.<br /><br /><b>Dopeler effect</b> (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.<br /><br /><b>Arachnoleptic fit</b> (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.<br /><br /><b>Beelzebug</b> (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.<br /><br /><b>Caterpallor</b> (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.<br /><br />And the pick of the literature:<br /><br /><b>Ignoranus</b> (n): A person who's both stupid and an asshole </span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569192730586121863noreply@blogger.com3