Elisharose News

As I sit in air conditioned comfort eating an organic salad while my children watch cartoons on Netflix

2011-08-11T17:19:00.002-05:00

While I love potstickers, I'm not sure that I want them to be my legacy.

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.

I just read this post of Missy's over at It's Almost Naptime 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.

Take it away, Missy:

Many of you may not be aware because it has gotten little press over here, but Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are currently experiencing the worst drought and famine in decades - yes, even worse than Feed-the-world-let-them-know-it's-Christmas-time time.

A couple of weeks ago I read this article, and the images have haunted my motherheart ever since:

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. 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.

Another couple walked for 22 days with their sick baby daughter – no sooner had they arrived at the camp than the child died.

Africa is complicated. Foreign aid is complicated. But if I were feeding my children mud I wouldn't give a care about political theories.

Several adoptive families have banded together to help. Please visit their website and please donate to one of the organizations they have links to.

Adoptive Families for Famine Relief

Note: You are welcome and encouraged to copy this post in its entirety on your blog.

Chicken Pot Stickers/Dumplings

2010-10-07T19:04:00.015-05:00

I may be a little slow, but I always make good on a promise.

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.

Behold the cast of characters. Please note that I later decided to add a carrot and some soy sauce.

There really is sesame oil in that bottle. I'm just a little low. Note to self: get more sesame oil.

That big thing on the right is a napa cabbage. I have used bok choy before. Both work well.

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.

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.

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.

You made need to add a little water every few minutes to keep it from sticking.

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.

Mix all the veggies together. When they are combined, add the ground chicken. It's not pretty, but it will be good.

Here comes the fun part. Making the little bundles.

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.)

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.

Get yourself a little cup of water handy. You will need it to seal the edges.

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.

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.

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.

Cute, isn't it?

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.

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.

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.

And here is your finished product. They don't call them pot stickers for nothing!

Serve them with a little dumpling sauce and enjoy!

Here is a more readable version of the recipe I use:

Chicken Pot Stickers/Dumplings

1 T vegetable oil
4 cups finely chopped napa cabbage
1 bunch green onions, minced
1 carrot, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons minced, peeled ginger root
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspon sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground chicken
60 wonton/pot sticker wrappers

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.

Add next six ingredients to cooled cabbage, green onions through garlic, and mix thoroughly. Add chicken and stir well.

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.

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.

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.

Have fun. Let me know if you give it a try.

Pretty

2010-10-05T07:53:00.000-05:00

We went to visit my nephew in College Station a couple of weekends ago and look what greeted us.

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.

Whew! It's getting hot around here.

2010-10-05T06:56:00.000-05:00

Not only do we have habeneros, but we have jalapenos. Aren't they cute?

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.

I'm Still Waiting

2010-10-04T06:43:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the new Sun Chips bag? It's supposed to be compostable. When placed in an active compost pile, it is supposed to break down in about 14 weeks.

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.

That was at least 12 weeks ago. Maybe more.

I dug it up last week and looks what I found.

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.

I left it out there to give it another chance. We'll see.

Anybody else have an experience with these bags?

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 17

2010-09-28T10:07:00.005-05:00

---1---

Happy October, y'all. Can anyone tell me what happened to the rest of September? It was just here a minute ago.

---2---

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!

---3---

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.

---4---

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.

---5---

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.

---6---

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.

---7---

My seven is going to have to be wishing you a good weekend. So....

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend.

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?

Tasty Turkey Tacos

2010-09-22T09:32:00.025-05:00

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 that age. She has a new food blog she calls Let There Be Food. You should check it out and see what kind of yummies she has over there. But first! Check out the tasty recipe she wants to share with you here. Take it away, Karen!

Greetings viewers of Julie’s blog! Mexican inspired food makes an appearance 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? I know I do.) It’s got all the flavors of Mexican food that I love and I can feel good eating it because it’s made with lean ground turkey and beans. It’s incredibly versatile, in my opinion. The first time I had it was in a taco salad. It’s also delicious as a taco filling, nacho topping, on its own with a side of corn tortillas, or on tostadas. I made turkey tostadas for a friend recently and she gave it two thumbs up, a “mmmm…good!” and a trip back for seconds. I’m certain you could use 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.

Tasty Turkey Taco Topping

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground turkey (I used 93% lean)

1 can ranch style beans

1 can Rotel – diced tomatoes and green chilies (I used medium)

1 cup crushed tomatoes

1 tsp adobo seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

1 medium jalapeño – diced

Optional: chopped cilantro to taste

Steps

1. Brown ground turkey in a large, deep skillet or wide sauce pan. It won’t look at all like ground beef – don’t let this freak you out.

2. Dice the jalapeño and add to the pan. Let cook for a few minutes.

3. When it is nearly all done, add seasonings to meat and pepper and stir to coat.

4. Drain a bit of liquid off the beans and the Rotel and add both to the pan.

5. Add 1 cup of crushed tomatoes. Keep the rest of the can nearby in case you want to add more tomatoes.

6. Stir it all to combine and bring to a boil.

7. Once it’s come to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes. It will reduce a bit and get a little thicker.

8. At the very end, toss in your cilantro and stir. Then serve and enjoy!!

Additional good news about this dish is that it’s super fast and super easy, so anyone can make it. It’s also adaptable for your personal flavor choices. My friend said she would like it even spicier than I’d made it. Sometimes I get nervous about heat and take out too much of the seeds and ribs of peppers. You can always find ways to add heat in, but it’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.

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!

Nutritional Info – ½ cup of mixture

Calories: 132

Fat: 4 g

Carbs: 10.5 g

Fiber: 3.3 g

Protein: 12.7 g

Vitamin C: 7.4%

Iron: 10%

Snakes Alive!

2010-09-22T06:14:00.002-05:00

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.

But snakes. Man, they send chills down my spine just thinking about them.

You can imagine the scream that came out when I ran across this guy while digging in my yard.

He was curled up in the lariope. He didn't mean any harm. He's actually a good guy to have around a garden.

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.

By far his best attribute, in my book, is that he eats slugs. Go forth and multiply, my friend.

We Have Turned a Corner

2010-09-20T15:59:00.005-05:00

They 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.

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.

Though still mostly green, the leaves have started to fall off the pecan trees. Fall is here.

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.

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.

So today I am enjoying the change of seasons. The subtle change. And wondering if there is a bigger one on its way.

It is Well

2010-09-18T13:41:00.004-05:00

I'm listening to one of my favorite old hymn remakes. It is by a band called Kutless. 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.

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.

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.

Oh, and I got my Dr. Pepper. : )

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 16

2010-09-17T07:45:00.004-05:00

---1---

I'm still not over the whole Dr. Pepper incident. I may have to go get one today.

---2---

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.

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.

---3---

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.

---4---

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.

---5---

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.

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.

---6---

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?

---7---

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.

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.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend.

The Pain of It All

2010-09-16T16:29:00.003-05:00

I 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.

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.

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.

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 Icee.

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.

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.

2010-09-14T20:09:00.002-05:00

So, I hopped in the car to get the boy from school yesterday and look what popped up.

OK. That was a misread. Once we got going and things stabilized, it was only this.

Welcome to mid-September in Houston, Texas. Don't forget to throw in the 70% humidity. Life is good in the sub tropics.

When a Comment Turns into a Blog Post

2010-09-13T15:53:00.004-05:00

I knew I liked her. I was just over visiting Missy at It's Almost Naptime. 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.

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.

I believe James 2:10. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

I know I have stumbled on more than just one point, so who am I to condemn.

If you want a good explanation of judgment verses condemnation and where we should stand on things, go visit her.

It starts.

2010-09-12T06:55:00.001-05:00

I picked the first of the habaneros.

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.

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 15

2010-09-10T06:40:00.003-05:00

---1---

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.

---2---

I harvested the bulk of my basil this week.

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.

---3---

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.

---4---

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.

---5---

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.

---6---

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.

---7---

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.

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.

If you see a firefighter tomorrow, say thank you. Come to think of it, if you see one any day, say thank you.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend.

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 14

2010-08-27T09:10:00.007-05:00

---1---

Just in case you were wondering...

...it's still hot here. I took this yesterday when I hopped in the car to pick up The Boy from school.

---2---

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.
---3---

I put up the last of the figs yesterday.

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.

---4---

I call this one Chickens in Philodendrons. 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!

---5---

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.

---6---

And would you look at that. The bougainvillea has returned. It's not as huge as it was, but it is coming along.

---7---

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, more of a schedule. Hopefully a more ordered existence will lead to more ordered posting. : )

See you soon!

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 13

2010-08-20T11:14:00.003-05:00

---1---

Dude. I just realized it's Friday. See how behind I am?

---2---

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.

---3---

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.

---4---

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.

---5---

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.

---6---

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.

---7---

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.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

Goodbye, Summer

2010-08-19T14:13:00.006-05:00

School 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.

We didn't do any vacationing this summer, so we headed out to the beach Tuesday.

I'm not much of a beach person, but we have to make our annual pilgrimage. We went to Surfside again this year.

Our beaches are not pristine. Too much run off from the mighty, muddy Mississippi. But they are our beaches and we love them.

We have plenty of wildlife to enjoy. We have a healthy population of brown pelicans.

We also saw Ridley sea turtles, dolphins, sea gulls, sandpipers, hermit crabs, and a lot of little fish. Don't know what they were.

Sandcastles were made. Holes were dug. And there was sand on everything. Like I said, I'm not much of a beach person.

But it gave my baby girl a chance to fish with her daddy. Something I always loved.

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.

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?

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 12

2010-08-13T07:00:00.010-05:00

---1---

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.

---2---

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.

---3---

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.

---4---

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 Painting With a Twist. 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.

---5---
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 the 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.

---6---

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.

---7---

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. 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.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary. (Correction: Conversion Diary usually hosts. Today it's Betty Beguiles.)

Have a great weekend!

Facebook Before There Was Facebook

2010-07-20T19:39:00.001-05:00

I 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.

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.

I got to thinking about it and was reminded of how my 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.

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.

Level Four

2010-07-10T07:25:00.002-05:00

Yesterday 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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, taken 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.

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.

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.

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.

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 11

2010-07-09T06:48:00.001-05:00

---1---

While the garden has mixed results this year, one thing we have been able to grow is butterflies.

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.

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.

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.

---2---

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.

---3---

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.

---4---

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 month 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.

---5---

Did you have a nice 4th? We went up to my uncle's lake house for our usual excite ment. 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.

---6---

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.

---7---

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.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 10

2010-07-02T06:27:00.002-05:00

---1---

The green beans were a bust. The tomatoes, only so-so. But man, I can grow some basil. I made the yummy pesto again this week. It was every bit as delicious as I remember it.

---2---

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.

---3---

His sister, our Aunt Sarah, 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.

---4---

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.

---5---

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.

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.

---6---

Speaking of not accepting growth, have you seen Toy Story 3? 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 Toy Story, it will hit a place in your heart. It's also very. funny. Go see it.

---7---

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.

Have a good weekend. Got any plans for the 4th?

2010-06-25T18:55:00.006-05:00

No, 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.

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!

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.

The winners are:

Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly
answer the door in your nightgown.

Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.

Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are
run over by a steamroller.

Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof

and gets stuck there.

Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take
any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's winners:

Bozone (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.

Foreploy (v): Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.

Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

Karmageddon (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.

Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

Glibido (v): All talk and no action.

Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature:

Ignoranus (n): A person who's both stupid and an asshole

The End of an Era

2010-05-18T07:32:00.000-05:00

OK, that's a little dramatic. I'm prone to that.

What I mean is, I think I am done with the regular installment of Tuesday's Tip. My tips are running thin. In fact, I don't even have one for today. I'm sure I will think of things every now and again, but they will from henceforth be know as Today's Tip. And they can be any random day, just to keep you guessing. : )

Neighbors

2010-05-17T07:23:00.001-05:00

I don't know if I have ever mentioned some of our neighbors. They have been here since we moved in, although I have to confess that I'm not sure if they have always been the same ones. They aren't particulary friendly and they all look the same to me.

I took this from my front porch. The vacant lot across the street from my house is a favorite breakfast spot. You see, we have guineas.

They can be a little noisy, but I don't mind. They are a fun addition to our neighborhood.

The story goes that they used to belong to someone who let them run free. The owners moved and left the guineas. They roam in about a 3 or 4 block area. I don't know where they nest. We lost a couple during Ike. Our count has been between 2 and 5 over the years. There are people who put out feed, but they mostly forage around in yards and flower beds.

I'm not sure if they are considered wildlife. They are more like livestock. Whatever you call them, they are fun to have in the neighborhood.

My Privilege

2010-05-16T07:08:00.002-05:00

Hot on the heels of the Art Car Parade, I made a day trip to Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas. It is also home to one of Aunt Sarah's oldest friends. They were neighbors in Monroe, Louisiana for nearly 50 years. Jerry lived in the house behind Aunt Sarah. They raised their kids together, buried husbands together, and beat a path between their houses. Monday last it was my privilege to reunite them.

Aunt Sarah moved to Houston almost 5 years ago. They hadn't seen each other since then. Jerry had to move to an assisted living facility awhile back. Her daughter lives in Nacogdoches, so she chose to do so there. Knowing her dear friend was in Texas was almost more than Aunt Sarah could stand. She was dying to see her. I put it off and put it off. The trip to Nacogdoches from Houston would take about 2 1/2 - 3 hours - each way. I knew it would be hard enough on me, but how much harder for an 86 year old woman?

Well, at Easter I just really felt like we needed to get it done. It took some scheduling on the part of all of us, but Monday was the designated day. Hubs gave the car a once over and some mighty fervent prayers went up. We were off.

And all was well.

It really went amazingly well. The weather was nice. Aunt Sarah had no trouble with her back. Time on the road went very quickly. And how can you beat this as a reward?

Aunt Sarah was so emotional when she lay eyes on her friend. It was very touching.

They got to visit for about 4 hours before we had to head back. It was an emotional parting, but we vowed that we would do it again. How could we not.

2010 Houston Art Car Parade Adventure

2010-05-14T10:35:00.006-05:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this, but it has taken me this long to recover. : ) Seriously, it was a some kind of exhausting fun.

Perhaps the best part of the day was the weather. It was cloudy with a very pleasant breeze. The last time we did this we almost fried right there on Allen Parkway. We were very pleased with the conditions of the day.We were probably the tamest of the entries there. We were just plain cute.

I fully expect to get a call from Pixar announcing they want to include us in their next installment of the Cars franchise. I mean, come on! Look at us!

Anyway, the parade festivities begin with sitting on Allen Parkway. Allen Parkway is a beautiful street that leads from downtown Houston to the River Oaks neighborhood. It's twisty and hilly and tree lined. It is blocked off and the cars line up and wait while the masses who are hungry for eccentricity wander about and check out the cars.

I should add here the the Art Car Parade is sponsored by The Orange Show. Houston has a big folk art community. We're weird. I love that about Houston.

There are representations for every aspect of society as well as from some just plain loony people. There were schools, businesses, people who wanted to legalize marijuana, families who decorated the family van like sock monkeys. It takes all kinds.

This guy covered his Jeep with crushed cans and pull tabs.

There was the classic cock roach car. He's been around for years.

Not all art cars are cars.

These guys were next to us while we were lined up. They kept us in a dancing mood.

I didn't take as many pictures as I should have/would have liked. But you get the idea.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we only made it through half the parade. One of our batteries died on the road. It was a tragedy. We got towed by a jeep that was painted like a tiger. We ultimately got it going and made it home, but we missed the return trip down Allen Parkway. But it was a fun and exciting day. Several friends stopped by and we ate lots of cupcakes and deviled eggs. That makes every day better.

Off to the Parade

2010-05-08T08:26:00.001-05:00

Today is the Houston Art Car Parade. We are off to hang with the lunatic fringe. It's where I feel most comfortable. Details to follow.

Have a great Saturday!

2010-05-05T04:02:00.001-05:00

It may not look like much to you. It's functional, to be sure. It is one end of my clothesline. It's getting quite a workout in this sunny, dry weather we've been having.

But it is also home sweet home to several families of sparrows. They each take an end and set up housekeeping. I hear their little cheeps as I hang out my laundry.

One of those little things that make the days a little sweeter.

The Coming Harvest

2010-05-03T19:06:00.000-05:00

I can almost taste it. We have lots of things setting up around the yard right now.

I have lots of little tomatoes.

I actually have plants that produce 4 different colors or tomatoes. They all have fruit on them. Some more than others. I have an issue with sun in the yard, so they are scattered about. I have very high hopes for a reasonable harvest.

The citrus is setting up nicely.

This particular one is an orange. And it's not mine. I'm babysitting it while its momma waits to close on her house. They had to move into an apartment for a few months and there just wasn't room for everything there. It's very nerve wracking watching someone else's plants. I'm so worried something will happen to them.

I still have some lettuce we are eating on. I don't expect it to last much longer as the days are getting quite warm. We are expected to crack 90 degrees later in the week.

There are a few beans that are growing but not exactly thriving. We'll have to see whether or not they make it. I have some onions about ready to be picked. I'm just hoping they are doing wonderful things underground. I've never grown them before and don't hold out much hope.

And of course, there are the girls. They are happy as clams in this weather and doing their duty. Eggs every day.

Next up, the herbal garden.

Guess This Fruit

2010-05-02T06:06:00.002-05:00

Do you know what these are?

Maybe this will help.

Maybe not.

They are loquats. They grow all over Houston. I have one in a pot. This is the first year we have ever gotten fruit on it. I grew up with one of these trees in my backyard.

When you cut them open, there are a couple of large seeds. It's not a great picture, but this is what they look like:

They are tasty. A little like an apple but with the texture of a grape. But they are hard work. There is not much flesh in one of these.

Most people who have these small, evergreen trees in their yard don't even bother to pick them. My daughter's piano teacher's husband is from Jordan. When he got to Houston, he was shocked to see them growing all over the place. Apparently, they are quite a delicacy where he comes from. Go figure.

I picked what few we had and am eating on them. We didn't get enough to do anything with, but you can make a jelly out of them.

Ever heard of or seen a loquat?

Check This Out

2010-05-01T17:48:00.007-05:00

Everyone on my block is moving lately. Don't know what the deal is, but they are.

The across the street lady just moved to Florida. She said she had always wanted to live on the beach, wasn't getting any younger, and decided it was time to get it out of her system. She's a widow with a very spoiled Golden Retriever.

As evidence of that I show you the case of dog food that she gave us. Not sure why she didn't take it with her, but the offered it to us and we took it. Our dogs are eating high on the hog for awhile. Check this out:
In case you can't read that, it says duck and sweet potato.

On the side of the case is this:

Nice to know that if I get stumped for dinner I can just crack open a can of this and we are good to go.

My Gift to You

2010-04-30T09:17:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry. I just can't seem to keep up. But you have been so loyal in coming back despite long absences on my part. I will make it up to you right now. For that and any other evil I may do in your life. Ever. I am going to share with you a recipe so simple yet so delicious that not only you but everyone you ever make this for will seek me out to personally kiss my cheek and bow before me. Today I give you: Creamy Chicken Enchiladas.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (I usually put 2-3 chicken breast in a slow cooker)
4 oz. chopped green chilis (they come in a little can)
7 oz. green chili salsa (a.k.a. salsa verde and also comes in a little can)
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 t salt
12 corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Mix chicken with chilis and salsa.

Separately, mix salt and cream.

Soften the tortillas by turning in a hot, greased skillet for a few minutes each or just zap them in the microwave for a few minutes.

Fill each tortillas with a few spoonfuls of the meat mixture and roll them into enchiladas. Place them in a 9 x 13 pan. Pour the cream mixture over the top. Then cover with the cheese.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is golden.

Serve with black beans and guacamole.

Enjoy!!!

Tuesdays' Tip - D3

2010-04-20T07:12:00.001-05:00

Previously posted (mostly) October, 2008

I take a boat load of supplements. I started taking most of them because of my Meniere's Disease. I ran across this vitamin protocol a couple of years ago. It has really helped me control my vertigo. It's a lot of pills to take, but it beats vomiting on the floor of a grocery store trying to explain to people that it's my ear, not a head injury that is causing my bizarre behavior.

I take others either because my doctor recommended them or because I am old, had my kids late, and want to avoid falling apart before they graduate college. I thought I would spend a few Tuesday's telling you what I take and why. So without further ado....

Today's tip: Vitamin D3

My doctor is a big fan of D3. In fact, he said he personally takes 2000 IU of D3 a day. That's a little more than I do, but after his recommendation I may increase.

Vitamin D3 does all sorts of good for you. Technically, it's not even a vitamin because the body can produce it. It's what your body produces when it is exposed to sunlight. It's the Sunshine Vitamin! It is a hormone that helps your body metabolize calcium and phosphorus. It is also good for your immune system, your nervous system, your teeth and bones, your joints, and your heart. Some studies even conclude that it is a potent cancer fighter. Is there anything left?

Studies also show that most of us are deficient in vitamin D3. Regular exposure to sunlight will give us all we need, but most folks are scared to death of the sun. Fortunately, there are supplements available. Just make sure you get D3. Talk with your doctor about how much you should take.

You can read more about it here.

Signs of Life

2010-04-19T14:44:00.001-05:00

Although our "arctic blast" made it look like our yard was mostly dead, spring has sprung and there are signs of life all over the place.

Flowers are blooming.

Sadly, the bougainvillea has lost it's former glory. This:

has turned into this:

It is on the list to be whacked down to the ground. There is a little shoot sprouting near the base. I'm curious to see how far it will get this year.

All sorts of things are shooting up around here. Not the least of which are these:

Building has started in my neighborhood again. This was taken from my backyard through my next door neighbor's yard. Although it looks like one unless you look at them squarely at the front, this is really two separate houses. There is another one going in behind them.

I must say, I am very grateful that 3 houses are going up at once instead of one at a time. Building a house is noisy business. I'm glad it will all be over at once and not drawn out over many, many months.

Next up, edible garden-y things....

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol. 9

2010-04-15T23:51:00.003-05:00

1

I have decided that my son doesn't have a single OCD bone in his body. As most of my skeleton and a few other vital parts are heavily OCD, you can imagine my stress. Who opens a Kool-Aid package from the bottom? Seriously? One of us needs some serious help and I think you know which one.

2

Our weather has been nothing short of stunning lately. However, we are beginning to miss rain. Well, I am anyway. I am tired of the coating of pollen on everything and tired of my husband's sniffling and sneezing. Not to mention dragging the hose all over the yard.

3

The hose dragging is in an effort to keep all of my baby tomatoes growing as they should. They are just darling. I have such high hopes for their future. And the basil is taking off already. Oh, and the beans are sending up little tendrils. Spring is already looking much better than fall. We'll have to wait and see.

4

I am sooo very excited. One of my dearest friends has a contract on a house almost across the street from me. While I am friendly with my neighbors, I haven't had a real friend in my neighborhood since before I was married. I'm trying to hold off celebrating too much because it ain't over till it's over. Something could always go wrong. But so far, it is looking like it's going to work out.

5

I love Missy. She tells it like it is whether it is about cute, white mules for Easter or something far more serious. Yesterday she had some mighty powerful words to say. You can take a look at them here. All I can add is, "Amen!"

6

We are going to be in the Art Car Parade again this year. I'm thinking we will make it more of a party this year as it is on my son's 15th birthday. If you are in Houston on May 8th, come stop by for a cupcake.

7

I wish I could think of something fabulous to share for a number 7, but I'm empty. I'll try to be more interesting next week. : )

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesdays' Tip - Quinoa

2010-04-13T05:11:00.001-05:00

This post (mostly) originally posted in June, 2008.

Today's tip is something I recently found lurking in the back of my cabinet: quinoa.

I bought it awhile back. I saw it sitting on the store shelf, thought I remembered hearing some good things about it, threw it into my cart, and promptly forgot about it. Then a couple of nights ago I was having a foodie block and started digging in the back for something interesting and there it was!

Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is a grain. (The girl said it should be pronounced queen-wah. It starts with a "q"!) To quote quinoa.net it "comes from the Andes Mountains of South America... It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization. Quinoa was known then, and still is known, with respect, as the mother grain...

Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein.

Quinoa's protein is of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein, with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal ... similar to milk!

Quinoa's protein is high in lysine, methionine, and cystine. This makes it an excellent food to combine with, and boost the protein value of, other grains (which are low in lysine), or soy (which is low in methionine and cystine). "

Wow! And may I add that it is quite tasty, too. I made it into a pilaf. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook the basic quinoa. I used chicken broth instead of water and it was really good. I cooked some green onions, garlic, peas, and carrots in a little olive oil and then tossed the whole mess together. I would love to show you a picture of the finished product, but the boy said he liked it even better than the bulgur I make. It didn't last long enough to be photographed.

A box is less than $3.00. I used about half a box for dinner. If you don't have a 14 year old boy in your house, that is a pretty good sized bowl of quinoa. Those little seeds plump up nicely. It is very light and fluffy. Oh, and it's gluten-free if you are watching out for that.

There are lots of other recipes on the web site. I predict it will become a regular at our table.

Enjoy!

My Thorn

2010-04-12T07:19:00.005-05:00

I have Meniere's disease. I have mentioned it before, but I have never really explained the impact it has not only on my life but also on the lives of my family members. It has been a ride.

The Meniere's Foundation web site has this to say about the disease:

Meniere's Disease is a progressive condition of the inner ear. It affects men and women equally. It usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, but can occasioanally affect people outside this age group, including children.

The main symptoms of Meniere's Disease are:

Vertigo - dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Hearing loss or over-sensitivity to loud sounds
Tinnitus-noises in the head-which is generally low-pitched or rushing
A fullness feeling in the affected ear.

Many people with the disease are 100% disabled, unable to work, drive, or take care of themselves. Other people my only feel slight dizziness periodically. The cause of Meniere's Disease is unknown and currently there is not a cure.

Now, to be clear, those who have the disease do not experience all the symptoms at one. But I'll get to that in a minute.

I first developed symptoms of the disease about 11 or 12 years ago. I had been having some other sinus issues, but nothing extraordinary. While shopping at Target one day, with my then 3 year old son, I begin to feel unsteady. It got increasingly worse until I couldn't really walk straight. Then I noticed that I was very sick to my stomach. I stumbled my way to the bathroom where I called my husband to come and get us. He brought a friend with him to drive the car back home. As unnerving as that experience was to me, what bothers me most when I think back on that day is that while I could hardly stand up and certainly couldn't walk straight and had a very small child with me alone in a huge, public place, not a single person asked if I was OK or needed some help.

Anyway, it passed fairly soon. I called my doctor who had me come in. He decided it was probably a result of my sinus issues and the ears are connected to the sinuses and yadda yadda, these things happen.

The next episode resulted in my one and only ambulance ride. I was on field trip with my son's preschool class. We were at a local grocery store and that unsteady feeling started again. I was walked over to the little cafe area. I got progressively more dizzy to the point of landing on the floor vomiting. Paramedics were called. They kept asking me if I had recently suffered a head injury. All I could tell them was, "I think it's my ear."

At the hospital I had my head scanned for the first time. Nothing there. : ) I was given something to settle my stomach. It took a few hours, but the episode passed.

And this has pretty much been the pattern since then. I am a ticking time bomb. I have the constant ringing and whooshing in my left ear. I have diminished hearing in that ear. Those are the only daily symptoms I experience. Other than that, I am perfectly normal. But occasionally, usually without prior warning, I may suddenly experience extreme vertigo.

If you have never experienced vertigo, it is really hard to explain. Dizzy only begins to explain the sensation. There is a profound sense of movement where there is none. If I try to focus on something, it flies across the room. But then it comes back to place and flies again. Of course, not really. How frustrating that must be for those who must watch me stumble and fall and drag me to the bathroom. In their reality, everything is fine. Nothing has changed. I am experiencing my world spinning out of control.

I have gone through times when I had one of these episodes a day for several days. I have gone days without one. I have gone weeks, months even. And most recently, I have gone years. It has probably been 2 - 3 years since I had a real attack of Meniere's. Until a couple of weeks ago.

I woke up just after 5 in the morning with that familiar feeling. Now, I must add that if I lay on my left side and remain still, the vertigo subsides. So I stayed in bed. Sometime late that morning I simply had to go to the bathroom. My husband helped me stumble in there. It was such an ordeal that I just stayed. I lay on the bathroom floor. These things usually last for a few hours and then I sleep it off of another few hours and everything is back to "normal" again.

That didn't happen this time. I lay on that floor until bedtime. (Let me tell you something, let your tired, old bones lay on a bathroom floor for 12 hours. Your bed will never feel as soft as it does when you finally get back into it.) I woke up still unsteady. It wasn't until that afternoon that I could see a light at the end of the tunnel. It did ultimately pass and things returned to "normal" again.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

I have accepted this as part of my life. By all appearances, I am a normal functioning woman. I am independent. I am vain and concerned about my appearance. My body moves freely under my control. I have no appliances that I must drag around with me to ensure my health or well being. I am poised and confident. But I know that at any given moment I may suddenly not be able to walk straight or wind up on the floor vomiting and not be able to do a single thing about it. I may be at the mercy of others to help me with the most basic of functions. It can be quite humbling.

I have found a vitamin regimen with which I have had great success. I believe that is part of the reason I have gone so long between episodes. I take a ton of pills twice a day, but that is a small price to pay for being able to function on a daily basis. I also try to avoid excess salt.

I have asked God to heal me of this, but He has not. I don't hold that against Him. I have accepted that this is my thorn. As long as I struggle with this, I can't be too proud. Too independent. Well, I can, but I have to know that I may shatter my image at any moment. I wouldn't say that "I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties" just yet, but I can relate. While given the opportunity, I would definitely choose for this to be taken from me, I try to embrace the chance to rely fully on God and those who must tend to me when I am weak. And as thorns go, mine could be a whole lot worse.

Do you have a thorn? Tell me about it.

And do you know anyone else who had Meniere's? It is much more common than you might think.

The Hat

2010-04-11T07:37:00.001-05:00

As promised, here is a picture of the hat I decorated for Aunt Sarah for Easter. She bought a hat from the dollar store. It was white with a fuchsia edge. I couldn't abide by that to go with her pretty pastel outfit. The result:

And here is the pretty lady in her hat:

Y'all have a good Sunday.

What?

2010-04-10T08:15:00.001-05:00

I'm one of the last of the red hot bargain hunters. Seriously, I'm legendary. 9.99 is my favorite number. As such, I scout out different sites around the web of the wide world looking for great deals.

I regularly stop by the Today's Deal at Amazon. (Incidently, the deals are seldom great enough, but I have to check!) Friday's deal, which was apparently a good one because it sold out so quickly, had this description:

Panasonic ES8228S Linear Vortex Nano Arc Foil Shaving System

Seriously? What is a linear vortex nano arc? And what separates a shaving system from a razor? I'm clearly living in the dark ages of hair removal.

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-04-09T06:57:00.004-05:00

---1---

So...it seems that I have forgotten that I have a blog. I will try to remedy that over the next few days. I don't think I have been excessively busy. Just a little distracted.

---2---

There have been illnesses. Most recently of the spring cold variety exacerbated by the pollen. We have an excessive amount of tree pollen right now and a limited amount of rain to wash it out of the air. It has been a dry spring at my house. But the weather has been beyond glorious, so it is hard to complain.

---3---

I also had an attack of Meniere's. I haven't written much about this condition I deal with, mostly because it has been quite a while since I have experienced the most annoying of symptoms - vertigo. That experience requires a post of its own, so I won't elaborate now.

---4---

The pecan trees did finally bud. I was beginning to wonder if they ever would. They are smart little boogers. The don't leaf until the danger of frost has past. They have only been showing signs of life for a couple of weeks now. I can now breathe a sigh of relief that we are, in fact, done with winter. Can I hear an amen?!

---5---

One of the things that has distracted me is my yard. My son is a Boy Scout and in need of merit badges. When I discovered there was a gardening merit badge, I decided to take full advantage of that situation. We are nearing completion of a nice water feature for our yard. He also has helped me dig out some beds and plant some flowers and vegetables. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.

---6---

I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it seems that the enormous split leaf philodendrons that have taken over certain parts of our yard are coming back. They were decimated in the freeze. Nothing but stumps sticking up in areas that were previously completely covered in foliage. I was thinking it might be nice to rip them out and try something new, but they are back. I'm sure it will take them awhile to regain their former glory, but they are all sprouting new leaves.

---7---

Don't ever ask me to do anything for you that might require a hot glue gun. I get waaay carried away. Aunt Sarah asked me to decorate a straw hat that she bought at the dollar store. She wanted it to match her Easter dress. Heaven help me. I must post pictures of the thing. I didn't like the color of it, so I completely covered it with satin and stuff. I didn't buy a thing. My baby girl has been every sort of fairy and princess over the last few years. I have tulle and satin and silk flowers and ribbons and feathers and most of them are now glued on aunt Sarah's hat. She deemed it "gorgeous" and won herself first prize at her building's Easter parade. Can't do much better than that.

What have you been up to?

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Tuesdays' Tip - Salt

2010-03-16T06:41:00.001-05:00

What's in your salt? No, seriously, have you ever looked? If you are using America's favorite Morton's, you are getting sugar. That's right, sugar in your salt. Salt, calcium silicate, dextrose, and potassium iodine to be exact. The calcium silicate is a "free-flowing agent".

If this gets under your skin like it did mine, you may want to consider switching to either sea salt or kosher salt. They are purer salts.

Kosher salt itself is not necessarily kosher. It is used in the curing process of kosher meats. It has mild flavor. It's flaky and adheres well to the rims of margarita glasses as well as fish. It doesn't contain the additives regular table salt has.

Sea salt is typically made from evaporated seawater. It too is free from additives.

Of course, I'm sure we all should cut down on our salt intake, but we don't need to be taking in more than we bargained for. Go for the simpler alternatives.

Tuesdays' Tip - Sweat It Out

2010-03-09T08:21:00.001-06:00

Antiperspirants stop, or at least slow down, the operation of the sweat glands. And many of them contain aluminum. We went over some of the hazards of aluminum here.

On the other hand, a deodorant's job is to slow down the growth of bacteria. It allows the body to function normally and just controls odor.

There is some controversy as to whether or not antiperspirants increase your chance of breast cancer, but personally, I don't want to use anything that stops my body from functioning the way God intended.

I use a deodorant made by Tom's of Maine, but there are several on the market. Go out and find a scent that you like.

Live healthy!

Tuesdays' Tip - Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

2010-03-02T07:27:00.002-06:00

Last week I posted about flax seed and its benefits. YD was brave enough to comment that she doesn't use whole wheat flour. I'd be willing to bet she's not alone.

Baking with 100% whole wheat flour can produce some pretty heavy breads. If I dare make biscuits with whole wheat flour, I hear about it. "Why are the biscuits brown? Biscuits are supposed to be white."

I am here to suggest to you whole wheat pastry flour. It is ground more finely and therefore lighter than regular whole wheat flour and every bit as good for you: same amount of fiber, just slightly less protein. You can probably substitute it in most recipes for your all-purpose flour and never be the wiser. You can certainly go halfsies with it. It's a good compromise and available from several sources. Check it out.

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-02-26T06:53:00.001-06:00

---1---

The weather is starting to change. While our nights have still been either cold or freezing, the days are sunnier and warmer.

I know I seem inordinately concerned about the weather, but these 3 months are some of the longest for me. This winter has been particularly cold and cloudy.

---2---

I read The Apothecary's Daughter this week. Maria recommended it. I am recommending it myself now. It was just a lovely book. Very Jane Austen-y. I couldn't put it down. If you need something to transport you to another place in time, this is a good fix for you.

---3---

Our laptop is dead. I really think it is the switch. It was giving us trouble and only coming on occasionally. I got to where I just left it on all the time. Every now and again it would get tired and turn itself off. The last time it did that it just never came back on. I am mourning it's loss. One of my favorite things to do is curl up in bed and surf the net. It can't really do that with my pc. : (

---4---

This week was my baby sister's birthday. She and my brother are 2 weeks shy of being a year apart. February is a busy month for us. I felt like such a dork. She lives and dies by texting, so I sent her a happy birthday text and told her I would call her later. Well, later never came. I ended up sending her an e-mail in the middle of the night. The next morning I looked at my phone and had a message. (I don't spend a lot of time on my cell. I usually just keep it in my purse unless it is being charged.) It was from a friend of mine who apparently I wished a happy birthday the day before. Awesome. Not only am I so lame I couldn't get around to calling my sister on her birthday, I couldn't even text her.

---5---

The book I'm supposedly reading now is called The Shack by William Young. It's actually been on my bedside table since early last summer. I pulled it out when I finished my last book. I'm stuck. I know what is supposed to happen next and I'm not sure if I want to read it. The youngest daughter of the man in the book is about to be kidnapped and murdered. I don't know if I am up to reading it. I have a young daughter. I'm not sure if I want those images in my head, no matter how the story ends. I have enough disturbing information from the news and life in a big city. Has anyone read it? Do you have any advice or opinions on the book?

---6---

I know this will probably surprise you, but apparently I frustrate my 14-year-old son on a regular basis.

---7---

Bible study got canceled this week because we had a possibility of icy conditions. As sad as I was to miss, I was secretly a little excited that I may have a chance of getting caught up on my homework.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesdays' Tip - Flax Seed

2010-02-23T07:21:00.002-06:00

This post originally published April 8, 2008

Today's Tip is: flax seed!

Flax seed is an ancient and awesome little plant. You can weave linen from its fibers. You can press the seeds for oil. And for our purposes here, you can grind the seeds to make a wonderful additive for lots of tasty dishes.

Flax seed has Omega-3 fatty acid. Yes, that wonderful nutrient that is in salmon that helps our hearts, lowers cholesterol, and is a great cancer fighter can also be in your baked goods. I throw a couple of tablespoons in most things I bake. Cookies, muffins, bread. As long as you are using whole wheat flour (and I know you are!), you won't even know it is there. I love spiking the food with extra health boosts and no one knows it's there. I'm like the health fairy. (Michelle - maybe you can help me make a health fairy graphic!) But I digress. You can also sprinkle it on your breakfast cereal or on your salads. It has a nutty taste.

You can find it in your grocery store either with the other baking supplies or in the health food section. A box that will last you a good long time, depending on how much you bake, is only about $2.50.

Live healthy!

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-02-19T06:55:00.002-06:00

---1---

Guess who came to visit this week. The Sun!!! I can't tell you what a difference it made it my attitude and energy level. We have still had very cold nights and not quite warm enough to suit me days, but sunny cold days are a whole different animal than cloudy cold days.

---2---

I'm feeling all kinds of validated. I took the girl in for a dental check-up this week. I have talked about the problems we have had with her teeth. He molars came in without enamel. The poor thing has already had extensive dental work. Somewhere along the way we discovered xylitol. We do not use any fluoride at all. Her toothpaste has xylitol in it and I mix it into her chocolate milk as well. Her dentist gave her a high five and told her everything looked good. The work previously done is still holding and there are no new issues. Yeah!!

---3---

We made sugar cookies for Valentine's this year. They were so yummy and so cute. I always dread making these cookies as I remember it being such a pain. Funny, but every time we actually make them, I'm surprised at how easy it is. I need to try to remember that part because my baby girl loves to decorate cookies.

---4---

I miss Lent. The church we are going to now doesn't have much in the way of observances or celebrations. No Ash Wednesday service. We would never have known it was Palm Sunday except that our wall calendar said it was. I miss that.

We went to a different church this past Sunday because it was Scout Sunday. The church we visited was much more liturgical and traditional. I liked it. Oddly, the congregation is much more liberal than I am comfortable with, so there will be no talk of heading over there, but it made me think again at how much I am missing some aspects of worship.

---5---

Speaking of Scouts, did you know that the Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100th anniversary? Pretty cool.

---6---

Are you watching the Olympics? I have to confess that I haven't watched a blessed thing. I know how pitiful that sounds, but I just haven't. I have friends who are glued to the TV at this time.

A friend lent us the entire collection of Stargate the series on dvd. The kids and I have been hooked on that. (My husband has already seen all of them.) That's pretty much it for us these days. What are we missing?

---7---

I have been watching the pecan trees. Still nothing. They don't typically start to bud until after the danger of frost has passed. Just the same, I just may venture into the yard this weekend. There is so much that needs to be cleaned out and trimmed back. My cauliflower is still happy and I saw a little something on one of the broccoli plants. And I want to get some tomatoes in the ground. I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a great weekend. For 7 Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Tuesdays' Tip - Aluminum Free Baking Powder

2010-02-16T02:15:00.001-06:00

This post originally published April 1, 2008. No fooling!

*********

The tip for today: aluminum-free baking powder.

In trying to live a less toxic life, I found that there were lots of bad and unnecessary things in normal things that I use around the house. One of those things is aluminum in my baking powder.

We want to reduce the amount of heavy metals in our lives. There is some argument about their effects on our bodies, but most people agree that they aren't good. Some studies show that Alzheimer's patients frequently have high levels of aluminum in their brains. There is no requirement for aluminum in the diet, so I know I don't want it in there.

There are several sources for aluminum-free baking powder. I just use Rumford brand because it is at the grocery store and easily accessible. Bob's Red Mill is also in most stores.

FYI: I also avoid aluminum cookware whenever possible. Aluminum can leach into your food from the pans. And you might want to check your antacid. Many of those have aluminum in them, too.

Live healthy!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T06:54:00.000-06:00

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-02-12T05:41:00.006-06:00

----1----

Sinus headaches are the pits.

----2----

This week our little homeschool group went to see the Narnia exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Can I just say again how in love I am with the Narnia series? I didn't read them as a child. The first time I read the books was to my kids. I immediately fell in love with them. I don't know if I would have gotten as much out of them as a child as I did as an adult, but they really spoke to me. The scene in Prince Caspian where Aslan is talking to Lucy about not following him because the other kids gave her a hard time brought me to tears. I get misty just thinking about it.

The exhibit was cool. Of course, going with kids meant that I didn't get to linger over things as much as I would have liked, but it was good just the same. There were quite a few things from the movies there. The costumes are amazing. So much detail. The weaponry and props as well.

If you have a chance to go see the exhibit, go. You will even get to see C.S. Lewis' actual wardrobe. (Not nearly as grand as the one in the movie.)

----3----

It's cold. Not 20 inches deep in snow cold, but wet, nasty cold just the same. Last night I made one of my all time favorite soups. It helped. I haven't shared a recipe here in awhile, so here you go. My gift to you:

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(adapted from the Mansion on Turtle Creek Cookbook)

3 T oil

4 corn tortilla - cut into small squares

6 garlic cloves – finely chopped

1 T chopped, fresh cilantro

1 C fresh finely chopped fresh onion

1 can crushed tomatoes, pureed

1 T cumin powder

2 t chili powder

2 bay leaves

2 qts. chicken stock

2 chicken breasts cooked and cubed o

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Optional: cubed avocado, shredded or cubed cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oil in large saucepan. Sauté tortilla with garlic, cilantro, and onion. Add tomato puree and bring to a boil. Add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, chicken, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring frequently.

Garnish with avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips. Serves 8-10.

----4----

Anxiety is much more productive than depression.

----5----

Bible Study is good for both my mind and my soul.

----6----

My baby brother turned 37 this week. He's 11 years younger than I am. When your baby brother is closing in hard and fast on 40, it makes you feel a little older than you want to feel.

----7----

As you can tell, it's been a slow week. I think we are all suffering from seasonal affective disorder or depression or it's just too dang cold and we're sick of it disorder. I couldn't be more ready for spring. It's not even so much the cold as we have had so few sunny days. I need sun. I'm solar powered. : )

Have a lovely weekend.

For more quick takes, hop on over to Conversion Diary.

The Time of Reading

2010-02-11T04:50:00.000-06:00

I like to read. OK, I love to read. But I don't do it all the time. I am an episodic reader. I go through these spurts when I read a lot of books. Then I won't read anything but magazines and blogs for the longest time and then, back to reading books. I can't explain it. It's just a pattern I've noticed.

Right now I'm in one of my Times of Reading. I have read 3 books since the new year turned and am on my 4th. Of course, that means my knitting is suffering, but I'm really enjoying it. Here's what I've read so far.

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns

I loved this book. It was written from the perspective a 14-year-old Will Tweedy. That's what everyone called him, too. Will Tweedy. Even his grandpa called him Will Tweedy. It's set in rural Georgia around the turn of the century. The dialogue is all written in the vernacular of the area which really messed with my head, but was endearing just the same. Being the good Southern girl that I am, I enjoyed peeking in the windows of people who very easily could have been members of my family just a couple of generations ago. I highly recommend this book.

Back home Again by Melody Carlson

This is the first book in a series called Tales From Grace Chapel Inn. It's a sweet book and a quick read. It's about 3 sisters who have grown up very differently who are drawn back together by the death of their father and their subsequent inheritance of his aging Victorian home. I enjoyed it because it touched on dreams of my own.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and AnnieBarrows

Again, I loved this book. It's historical fiction. I love historical fiction. It is set in the days after World War II. It's a novel, but it's written as letters between all the characters of the book. And what characters they are. They are the heart of this book and what make it so hard to put down. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

What I'm reading now, you can't read for another week. I'm special. I won an advanced copy of Keeping the Feast by Paula Butturini. (Thanks, Susan!!) Look, it's so cool.

I don't know if you can see across the top of the cover, but it reads "Uncorrected Proof for Limited Distribution." How cool is that?

I've only just cracked the cover, but I'm already enjoying it. There are a lot of food references in it, so you know I'm going to enjoy that.

I'm looking for other good books to read before this passes. Any recommendations?

Oh, Glory!

2010-02-10T11:41:00.002-06:00

Look! It's a miracle! I have cauliflower growing in my garden!

However pitiful they may be, I still have a couple of cauliflowers and several broccoli plants that didn't get eaten. They have never amounted to much, but they haven't died either. I almost never pull anything up that has any sign of life to it, so there they sat. Now, in the bleak midwinter, they are starting to show signs of life. The onion sets are still there as well. They haven't perked up the way the broccoli and cauliflower have, but they are hanging on for dear life. I'm very excited.

And now it's time to plant tomatoes!!

Tuesdays' Tip

2010-02-09T02:11:00.001-06:00

This post originally published March 11, 2008.

**************

Today's tip is: Plan ahead.

Being homeschoolers, we are home A LOT. I love being at home, so that is not a big deal for us. But even though we are home a lot, you would be surprised at how often I am surprised by everyone's need to eat! I try to plan ahead for such events.

I usually set a day aside every so often to fill our freezer with individual servings sizes of things we like to eat. I make chili, tomato sauce, muffins, soups, even potstickers. I brown ground meat and put it in a freezer bag. Then I can throw together something fast if I need to. I freeze most foods in separate portions that are then available whenever we get hungry. Usually it is for lunch, but sometimes it turns out to be dinner!

It works well for us and keeps us from grabbing something we shouldn't eat at a fast food place.

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-02-05T07:06:00.003-06:00

----1----

Goodness. This week has flown by. Partly because I spent part of it still recovering from my whatever you want to call it. I proudly announced Monday that I was going to live and was definitely all but over it. I went to bed, snuggled myself down, and promptly clogged up and started coughing. I ultimately had to isolate myself in the den to cough the night away. I greeted the morning not ill, but terribly sleep deprived. I still sleep sitting up but am otherwise claiming victory.

----2----

I know that I will get absolutely no sympathy from those of you in latitudes farther north, but I'm about tired of this and am ready for some spring. They are predicting more cold weather for next week! We have been gray and rainy and just a little too chilly all this week. And now it is supposed to be freezing again. I'm going to go strangle that stinking ground hog.

----3----

I'm doing better. I'm not doing best, but I'm doing better. I'm being more careful about what I eat and how much of it I eat. I have already dropped a couple of pounds and feel like I am heading in the right direction.

----4----

Do you ever play those stupid games on Facebook? I am so obsessive about them. I have just reached a level where I am satisfied with my THIRD FARM. I have 3 stinking farms. I play and level up and get everything I want and then...what. I can't delete them. I've worked too hard on them. They aren't worthy of my obsession anymore. And my crazier and more dedicated friends continue to send me gifts. I hate to just delete them, but I have no desire to spend any more time on the farms. Oh, and I have a 4th farm that I got so I could be someone's neighbor. I refuse to look at it. Or my fish tank. Or my amusement park. I set them up to help out someone, but I won't be roped in. I won't. I'm done. Well, except for my cafe. : )

----5----

I'm working on my second installment of "what's for dinner". I am once again making a list of the dinner possibilities that are currently possible given what is available in my fridge and cabinets. It worked really well over the last 2 weeks. With leftovers I was even able to stretch it a couple of extra days. I'm on a roll.

----6----

I got to go to both the makeup and the live session of Bible Study this week. I think this is going to be a good study for me right now. There is homework this time, so, of course, I am already behind. That's not good, but I can keep doing the homework after the live sessions are over. The homework is the best part of the study. It's intense. There is a lot of looking up scripture and a lot of questions, but I really enjoy it. Good stuff that Bible. You should read it.

----7----

We never buy anything new. Well, almost nothing. Nothing significant anyway. We bought this wiz bang neato sewing machine a few years back. All computerized with all the bells and whistles. It uses computer cards and does embroidery. We could have purchased a scanning tool at the same time for a considerable amount that would have essentially given me limitless possibilities for embroidery patterns. We didn't though. I didn't really feel like I wanted or needed it at the time.

Well, that was then and this is now. Today UPS delivered a big brown box full of possibilities. We purchased a never been used scanning set up. We had a request from the scout troop to make customized neckerchiefs. Perfect excuse to upgrade the sewing center. I'm not sure what else we'll use it for, but now that it's here I'm going to have to try out its capabilities.

For more Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesdays' Tip

2010-02-02T02:08:00.000-06:00

This post originally published March 3, 2008

**********

I have fibroids. They are lumps and masses of various sizes that grow primarily in my abdomen and breasts. Not only are they the source of much aggravation and some pain, they are most likely the source of my years of infertility and the cause of my 2 miscarriages. I don't like them.

In investigating what to do about these nasty things, I found out that they probably caused an abundance of estrogen in my body. This was confirmed by my doctor. Another thing I discovered was that abundance may, at the very least, be exacerbated by some of the chemicals in the cosmetics products that I have been using over the years. Those chemicals are parabens.

Parabens are chemicals used by the cosmetics industry as preservatives. They are found in make-up, shampoo, moisturizers, sunscreen, and other personal care products. The most common ones are the evil sisters ethyl-, methyl-, propyl-, and butyl-paraben, but there are others. They are xenoestrogens which means they mimic estrogen. This post could get really long as I try to explain xenoestrogens and the havoc they can wreak on your body. I'll refer you here if you are interested in learning more. If not, let's just try to avoid them, shall we?

What I find most amusing is that no one in the major cosmetics industry will admit that these things could be dangerous (they have been found in breast cancer cells), AND YET if these same companies have lines of products where a portion of the proceeds go for breast cancer research, they don't have parabens in them. Hmmm.

Read your labels. Of course, the fewer ingredients the better. 100% natural or organic products will not have parabens in them. Some of the labels now will say that they have no parabens. I use the house brand at Whole Foods for lotion and conditioner and the label clearly says “no parabens.” I also don't wear a lot of make-up, but what I do wear I either get at Whole Foods or here. I noticed in an ad last week that Physician's Formula has a new line of products called Organic Wear that boasts itself paraben-free. I haven't checked it out yet. There are other sources as well.

There is also the option of making your own beauty potions. (Or having your lovely sister do it for you! ) Check out some recipes here and here. There are lots of other books, too. It's fun. Get together a bunch of girlfriends and make a batch of yummy oils. There will be enough estrogen in the room that you'll never miss the parabens.

It Gives Me Hope

2010-02-01T10:25:00.000-06:00

My son has always been rather impulsive when it comes to money. If he has any, he must either spend it or give it away. If he has an amount of any consequence, he must be taken to the store as soon as possible to spend said money on whatever he fancies at the the time. When taken to the store, he will then go to that which he intends to buy. If he sees anything else on the way there or on the way to pay for it, his mind will change. Perhaps 4 or 5 times. While it may not be what he went in for, he will always come out with something. Anything. He has had a few instances of buyers remorse, but really not too many. He has spent his money and is satisfied. I don't understand it or its source, but there it is just the same. I worry about his financial future.

But then there is the game of Monopoly.

We don't play often, but whenever we do, he beats the pants off of us. Seriously. He goes after the game with the same gusto he throws into real life and real money. He throws money around like nobody's business. He nearly bankrupts himself in the process. But then. I'm never quite sure how it happens, but suddenly it seems that he is on an upturn. Before we know it he has started collecting exorbitant rents that are cleaning us out. It doesn't take long before there is no turning back. He has the upper hand in the worst way and there is nothing we can do about it. How did it happen? He was this close to being out of the game and here he is accepting our properties in return for his rent. It gives me hope for his future. I don't know if he'll be a real estate mogul or what, but he may just come out on top after all.

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-01-29T01:20:00.005-06:00

---1---

How did we get to the end of January? I mean, come on. Isn't it bad enough that it is 2010! I'm just saying.

---2---

Bible Study with Beth started up again this week. This spring we are doing A Heart Like His. It is a study of David. For those of you who don't know, I get together with about 3,000 of my best girlfriends and we meet on Tuesday nights to study God's Word. Jesus and girlfriends. It doesn't get much better than that. Only this week I didn't go. : (

All day I kept telling myself, "You can do this." But the closer it got to time to leave, my body kept saying, "You can't do this." I'm not saying I was sick. OK, maybe I am. I had a scratchy throat and was so tired and achy. No fever though. I just wanted to sleep. And breathe. Breathing is good.

Thankfully, Beth is kind enough to offer make-ups, so I won't miss out on anything.

---3---

We live in a two story house. The den is upstairs. When my children we very small, I remember carrying trays of snacks up to them and consciously thinking, "Should I be doing this? Am I totally spoiling them?" I even expressed this concern to a friend of mine who said, "Maybe they will bring trays to their children."

While I wasn't down for the count this week, my activity level was not what it usually is. In their constant quest to be as different as possible, here is how my children responded to this.

My daughter: brings me a tray with hot tea and toast.

My son: comes to my bedside at 9:30 in the evening and asks me if I could please go make him a roast sandwich.

---4---

We are experiencing another cold snap. We have been told not to cut back the dead stuff on the previously damaged plants until the danger of frost has past. I guess we want to make sure things are good and dead before we remove them. I'm really looking forward to it though. I'm all about fresh starts and new beginnings. Monday is my favorite day of the week. I love the idea of having another chance to get it right. I'm excited about the day when not only I will feel well enough to do it, but the weather will be warm enough. I love new green things sprouting in my yard.

---5---

The church we have been going to has been without a head pastor for 18 months. Sunday the Pastor Nominating Committee is introducing the candidate they have chosen. I'm very anxious to see what direction they are hoping to lead the church. We are not officially members there and have been kind of waiting, not only on our potential move, but also to see how this church is wanting to change. They are at a real crossroads. Many things have changed there in the last couple of years. There is an opportunity to reinvent themselves, to become a vital part of the community. I hope they are willing to seize that chance and be bold for Christ.

---6---

It is official. Despite having no appetite, I chose to eat anyway during my illness. And usually my choices were not good. That brings me to an official 10 pounds I have gained. OK. Next week, we begin in earnest.

---7---

And why can't I learn this lesson for good? You know, my family wants to eat every night. Every. Night. I go through these periods when I just can't think of what to make for dinner. I struggle mightily with finding something that will satisfy both me and them.

Last week I made a list of all the possible dinners we had everything in the house to make. I posted it on my fridge. Every day I was able to make a decision based on that list. It made everything so easy.

This is not the first time I have done this. I get the same result every time. Yet. Yet I never do it for more than a couple of weeks before I fall back into my pattern of not knowing what to cook for dinner. I'm going to try harder this time. Really, I am! Maybe it will keep me better organized, more cheerful around dinner, and help with those 10 pounds. Maybe.

For more 7 Quick Takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

Have a good weekend!

2010-01-28T11:02:00.000-06:00

A little homeschool humor.

Tuesdays' Tip

2010-01-26T02:06:00.000-06:00

This post originally published February 12, 2008.

*************

Most people who are concerned about their health prefer to filter their drinking water or have at least considered it. But have you considered filtering your shower water?

If your water is from a municipal water source, you are probably showering with chlorinated water. Chlorine is used in water treatment to reduce and kill bacteria and viruses found in water. By its very nature, chlorine is a toxic chemical.

The EPA lists the following dangers of chlorine:

Chlorine is a potent irritant in humans to the eyes, the upper respiratory tract, and the lungs.
Higher levels of chlorine have resulted in mild mucous membrane irritation, chest pain, vomiting, cough, and toxic pneumonitis and pulmonary edema .

Chlorine is extremely irritating to the skin.
Acute animal tests in rats and mice have shown chlorine to have high acute toxicity via inhalation.
Workers chronically exposed to chlorine gas have exhibited respiratory effects, such as eye and throat irritation, and airflow obstruction.

Animal studies have reported decreased body weight gain, eye and nose irritation, nonneoplastic lesions, and respiratory epithelial hyperplasia from chronic inhalation exposure to chlorine.

Yikes! In addition, here is what the author of the Maker's Diet has to say:

"Avoiding contact with chlorinated water is of the utmost importance. This includes bathing water and drinking water. Chlorine kills bacteria, friendly and unfriendly, in the intestines. it can be absorbed through the skin. I recommend installing a shower filter to remove chlorine." -from: Patient, Heal Thyself; Jordan S. Rubin, N. MD., PhD.

While it is bad enough to drink the chlorine, the shower makes it even worse. Chlorine is not only absorbed through the skin, but also re-vaporized in the shower where it is inhaled into the lungs and transferred directly into the blood stream. Drinking filtered or bottled water only does half the job. A shower water filter is an affordable solution to the problem.

I use one that we got at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, but they are available from many sources. Just make sure that they filter out chlorine. Not all of them do. They are easy to install and you can shower with peace of mind that your skin and hair will be better for it as well as your insides

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-01-22T06:15:00.002-06:00

---1---

I had the most fun Tuesday night. I got to meet up with a bunch of Houston's lady bloggers. Missy over at It's Almost Naptime and Amy at Mom's Toolbox hosted (hostessed?) the event at a local restaurant. There were so many fun ladies there. We had a great time. If you want to see the crowd, check out these links:

Missy
Michelle
Beth

---2---

I also got to get together with some old friends on Saturday night. One of the ladies I go to Beth's Tuesday Night Bible Study with married off one of her daughter's. Her husband played guitar in our band for, what, 18 years. We've known the family for years and love them dearly. It was like old home week. In addition to celebrating the happy couple, we got to hug and catch up with some people we haven't seen in too long. It was lovely.

---3---

They're back!!! I have been forced to accept the fact that I have put on weight. I have gained a good 8 pounds over the last couple of months. I could blame it on Christmas, but I know it started before that.

I have not been very disciplined of late in my eating or exercising. First of all, it's been pretty cold. It's no secret that I'm a weather weenie. I hate the cold and have not been taking my walks. It's warm now, so I have no other excuse than laziness. I need to get on that.

I'm a little extra sensitive to this because a few years back I lost about 45 pounds. I've been really good about keeping them off. Well, except until lately. But I'm working on a plan.

---4---

I have a piece of flair on my Facebook page that reads, "If you met my family you would understand." Truer words were never spoken. That's all I'm saying about that.

---5---

I'm cheap. Like a sickness cheap. Target had these little digital cameras on sale just before Christmas. I went to get one for each of my kids as a Christmas gift. They were out. I got a rain check. They didn't get any more in before Christmas, so I printed out a picture of the cameras and stuck them in my kids' stockings. I'm sorry, but I wasn't going to pay an extra $12 each for something that I could get for the sale price if I was just patient. I realize it was a stretch to ask my kids' to be patient as well, but $24 is $24! Well, they finally came in this week. They got their cameras and all is right with the world. And I got my deal.

---6---

I need a book to read the kids. I have read a lot of novels to them, but the last book I read was a biography of Squanto. I loved it. The kids did, too. It's made me think I want to read more biographies. It has to be something that will hold the attention of both a 14-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl. Any suggestions?

---7---

Completely ignore #3 for a second. I have discovered lemon curd. I mean, I've had it between cake layers before, but I had the opportunity to try it on just plain old toast. It was really good. I love lemon anyway, but this is a lovely new way to experience it. Sadly, I have a fresh jar in my fridge. Must. Start. Walking.

For Quick Takes, hop on over to Conversion Diary.
Have a good weekend!!

The Sad, Sad State of Affairs

2010-01-21T13:10:00.007-06:00

Houston is basking in delightful temperatures this week. Mid 70's. Ah.

While we are recovering from the shock of the arctic blast, my yard it not.

Remember this glorious bougainvillea that clung to my back fence?

Now it looks like this.

Not so glorious.

The enormous philodendrons now are sad and limp.

The nephthytis that crawls up the tall pecans now hangs limp over our heads.

Most of these will come back on at least some level. That is my hope anyway. But I'm already looking through my gardens books. If this weather holds - which is unlikely - I'll be itching to get out in the yard and make some pretty.

How is your garden fairing this winter?

Tuesdays' Tip

2010-01-19T02:02:00.001-06:00

I have been very negligent about keeping up with the Tuesday's Tip. I thought while I work on my groove I would rerun some of the old posts. There was some good stuff there and most of it is pretty easy. So here's the first rerun.

****************

Kefir

I have added kefir to my diet. Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." It really helps sluggish digestive systems.

It is an ancient food. Anything that has been eaten for literally thousands of years has got to have something going for it! It is more nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, and it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and B vitamins.

You can make it home if you like, but it is available in most grocery stores now. I buy an organic kefir at Whole Foods. It is thick and tasty and makes a great smoothie. And it helps balance out my insides. Of course, the unflavored variety is the best, but it does come in many sweetened flavors that make it more palatable. Kefir has a little more “zing” than yogurt.

I am lactose intolerant, but the beneficial yeast and friendly bacteria in the kefir culture consume most of the lactose (or milk sugar). I don't have much trouble with it.

Kefir, it's what's for breakfast. (But I also like to take a swig any time I open the fridge. Yum.)

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-01-14T13:30:00.006-06:00

---1---

The weather is much nicer this week. No arctic blasts. Temps are in the 60's and our beloved humidity is back. I know, those of you who don't live here can not understand our love/hate relationship with humidity. While it makes the hot hotter and the cold colder, it also makes our skin softer and keeps our noses from bleeding. I am a much happier woman this week.

---2---

My yard is a mess. That aforementioned arctic blast trashed all my tropicals. I can't help but wonder which, if any, will experience rebirth in the spring. All may be lost. It could be time for some new landscaping. Or it may be time to just dig out everything. We'll see how I feel when the time comes.

---3---

My friend, Evan, is running the half-marathon this weekend at the Chevron Houston Marathon. Go, Evan, go!!

---4---

I made a batch of Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls for Christmas. Two batches, actually. They were quite yummy. Wendy has posted a recipe change that sounds like it would give them a yummy upgrade. I'm all about tweaking recipes. Check it out.

---5---

A lot of things have been going on with the kids of some old friends of mine: babies, weddings. It has allowed me the opportunity to get together with some people that I haven't seen in too long. It has been fun. It always pleases me to know that when you see people you have a real history with, even if it has been too long since you laid eyes on each other, you can pick up just where you left off. It almost makes me look forward to my 30 year high school reunion this year. : P Has it really been that long?

---6---

I just finished reading Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. Good book. Really enjoyed it. But it was written in the dialogue of turn of the century rural Georgia. Hits all up inside my head now! I have a terrible time talking with someone who has an accent (different from my own). I don't mean any disrespect, I just take it on as my own. I start thinking with an accent. The limited time I spent in England resulted in me thinking with an English accent. Now I'm thinking with a serious Southern drawl. I have some sort of Meryl Streep complex or something. Bothersome.

---7---

Finding seven quick things to write about is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I'm still trying to get back in my groove posting anyway. This is good.

Y'all have a good weekend.

But what can I do?

2010-01-14T13:13:00.005-06:00

I'm sure you are all asking yourselves that as you watch the images come out of Haiti.

Of course, first and foremost, we should all pray. Pray for those whose lives have been upended by the earthquake and those who are ministering to them.

Secondly, we can give money. While there are many worthwhile organizations (and I'm sure, many who are not), one that I trust is Compassion.

They are having a special deal right now, see:

Not only are they reputable and already there, but they do all their work in the name of Jesus. I encourage you to do what you can.

Want to hear something funny?

2010-01-12T08:40:00.003-06:00

I have mentioned before that I hide things in my kids' food to try and get a vegetable in them occasionally. One of the things I do is steam cauliflower and puree it. I then freeze it into ice cubes and put the cubes in a baggy in the freezer. Whenever I make mac and cheese, I throw a couple in. It blends into the sauce and no one is the wiser.

Well, the other day I was making said "white paste" as I like to call it. My daughter comes into the kitchen and says, "Mmm, do I smell macaroni?"

Um, not exactly. : )

Someday, she is going to taste cauliflower for real and say, "This tastes familiar..."

2010-01-11T08:20:00.005-06:00

Aw, shucks y'all. Wendy Darling has bestowed the Beautiful Blogger Award on me. The award does come with the some responsibilities.

1. I must thank the person who bestowed this honor upon me.
(Thanks, Wendy!!)

2. Copy the award and place it on my blog. (See, I did that.)

3. Link to the bestowers’ site. (Go visit Wendy.)

4. Enumerate seven interesting things about myself. (Like you don't already know more than you ever wanted to know about me.) I don't know how interesting they are, but here they are:

1) I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat.
2) A good soup is one of my favorite meals.
3) I knit, but I don't crochet more than a chain stitch.
4) I sew, but not as much as I should.
5) I have been married 23 years.
6) I hate cold weather, but I love cold weather clothes.
7) I have seen the Tour de France come in to Paris on the Champs Elysees.

5. Nominate seven bloggers that I find beautiful. Here are my nominees: Michelle, Karen, Maria, Lacy, YD, Tipper, and Megan.

7 Quick Takes Friday

2010-01-08T00:09:00.001-06:00

--- 1 ---

I don't know if any of you ever read Conversion Diary, but it is an interesting place to stop by every now and again. She hosts something called 7 Quick Takes Friday that I thought I might try my hand at, especially since I've been so absent.

--- 2 ---

It is almost the new year here. I always have trouble getting into the whole new year thing until I have wiped Christmas decorations off the map. I have gotten all the wreaths and garlands from the properties I do all put into storage, but I always try to preserve some of the better looking red bows. It makes me feel better not to throw away over $400 worth of red ribbon. I need to string it up in the garage until next year. THEN it will be the new year.

--- 3 ---

Having said that, I am really ready for a new year. I have fallen way off the good health wagon and need to climb back on in the worst way. I am overdue for my yearly checkup and would like to drop the few pounds I added during the last couple of months before I have to weigh in for the record.

--- 4 ---

It's cold. Really, really, really cold. Colder than it has been in 13 years. And I don't like cold. That's all I have to say about that.

--- 5 ---

I just want to give a shout out to God. He does such a great job of taking care of us. I drive a 15-year-old minivan. We knew the transmission was going to go out one day, but we just really didn't have the money to spend on a what if. Well, God timed it so that when it went out we had an able-bodied young man staying with us for an extended period of time who considers such things a fun challenge. He actually asked if he could try and fix it for us. Not only did he do it, but he did it for a fraction of what it would have cost us otherwise. Awesome. And my FIL had an extra car to lend us while such work was being done. Timing is everything and my God has some timing.

--- 6 ---

My baby is growing at an alarming rate. Recently, we discovered that the only pair of shoes that actually fit her are her crocs. Over the course of about a month or so, we got her 3 new pair of shoes.

Do you detect a pattern here? No worries, all of her clothes are pink, too, so they all match.

--- 7 ---

My BFF blazed through town on New Year's Day. We grabbed a cup of hot tea and enjoyed a quick chit-chat. I just love her to death and wanted you to see how cute she is. We made the poor guy at Chick-fil-A take our picture. We really threw him off guard. I hope he has recovered.

Have a happy Friday!

I prefer hurricanes.

2010-01-07T10:58:00.004-06:00

So, we are bracing ourselves for more wild weather here in SE Texas. Our lovely sub-tropical climate will be host to temperatures in the teens over the next couple of days. Brrr.

It is not quite the new year at my house as my dining room table is still filled with red bows, so I will leave the blogging to some others. Here are some links to entertain you until I get back at it.

God Must Be Laughing - thoughts on our lovely weather

Four Warm, Cozy Soups - because this weather calls for soup and the Pioneer Woman never disappoints

Your Daily Dose of Cute - OK, this was from back in November, but cute is cute.

Christmas Miracle - because who can't use a good miracle now and then.

2009-12-29T14:37:00.003-06:00

Have you ever wondered about the face you would make if you were trying to take pictures in front of a tree with a 14 year old boy? It looks something like this:

Same Song, Second Verse

2009-12-23T16:43:00.002-06:00

I originally posted this last year. It seems doubly true this year. My little elf as been so helpful this Christmas - and so insistent about what is done. We have been busily baking and decorating and shopping and wrapping and making sure everyone feels the joy of the season. It has been a very special year for me in a lot of ways. As the girl gets older she's a much bigger help and has more of her own opinions. What a joy it has been watching her grow.

*************

I love Christmas. I love the decorating, the baking, the parties, the shopping, the cards, the music, the quiet time under the tree. My first job was at The Original Christmas Store. While I don't like to start at Halloween, I love the whole Christmas season.

In one of my former lives, I decorated stores, malls, and parties. I did it all year round, but there was always Christmas. When I left that life, I brought a lot of the accoutrements home with me. I have always gone completely overboard decorating the house. I like to pretend that I do it for everyone else. After all, we have Christmas at our house all day. We have people for breakfast and dinner. But I know the truth: it is really just for me. No one really comments or seems to care about the decorations. No one ever really helps much either. That is, until now.

My daughter has inherited the Christmas gene. She loves it. She went out with me all over town to hang everyone else's decorations. She helped in any way she could. She wanted to be a part of it.

Sunday we finally started decorating at our house. She was beyond thrilled. Quite frankly, this year I was just a little tired. We had a grand time putting up the tree. Ours is a tall and varied tree. It has gold beads and tapestry bows on it. It also has a strange mix of ornaments that the kids made, that I made, that people have given us, and that we have collected over the years. It really looks quite elegant from a distance, but when you get close to it you see that it is a family tree. I like it. So does my girl.

I went ahead and put some garland on the mantle. I announced I was tired and maybe we could finish tomorrow. I was told to sit down and rest. She then pulled the ladder up to the mantle and proceeded to decorate the garland herself. And may I say she did an excellent job. After we finished the mantle, we called it a night.

Monday we put out all the little figurines and knick-knacks on all the tables. She then came down with a fever and slept most of the day. Now, I usually drape garland down the stair rail and hang it over the window and door frames. Like I said, I go all out. While she was down for the day, I secretly thought we could just forgo all that this year. Our tree was lovely and together with the knick-knacks, it just seemed like enough.

When the girl came down this morning, I said, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here." Her response? "Not really."

What? She pointed out that we usually have garland over there and over there and up there and and and.... *sigh* I have created a Christmas monster in my own image. While she watched a show on TV this evening, I went down and added four more garlands. That is only half of what I normally would do, but it was enough. When she came down she I got a hug and kiss and a "thank you for decorating the house, Mommy."

I am so thankful to have someone to decorate for and with. Just like me, she carefully opens each tissue paper bundle and remembers it from last year. We make quite a pair. We are sentimental fools and love every minute of it.

What a Fun Weekend

2009-12-07T20:09:00.008-06:00

Not only did we get snow, but I finished the last of the 29 properties I had to decorate this year!

Most were pretty ribbons and bows.

We did a few wreaths, but only a couple of new ones.

And not only did we get snow and I finished all the properties, but I got to meet me a gen-u-ine celebrity. I had to sit in the frozen food section of a grocery store for 3 hours to do it, but here we are.

Do you recognize her? I'm the one on the left who looks half asleep. I have no excuse other than I was probably half asleep. The lovely, photogenic one on the right is none other than The Pioneer Woman herself, Ree Drummond. She was in town to sign her cookbook.

This woman is a complete pro. As gracious as the day is long. Smiles and thanks for everyone. Really seemed very genuine and sincere.

Sitting in the frozen food section of Georgia's Market for 3 hours netted me 2 new bloggy friends and a freshly knitted scarf.

Here are the friends. This is Jenna from Newlyweds.

She was there with her mom taking a break from her twins boys (: O) to meet Ree. She was just as sweet as she can be and cute as a bug. She helped the time go quickly.

As did Denise.

She is from Kopecki Korner. She is a very newly wed, just this summer, and a laugh riot. Her husband works for Blue Bell, so I'm pretty much going to make sure we are friends for life.

It was fun. It was almost relaxing. And I have a little piece of bloggy history on my kitchen shelf.

The Great Winter Storm of '09

2009-12-05T19:21:00.007-06:00

First there was Ike and now this....

Not only do pigs fly, but it snows in Houston.

Can you believe? We had real snow - in HOUSTON!

Look at my poor bougainvillea covered in snow.

Look at the philodendrons weighed down with snow.

Look at the backyard.

Look at my silly children.

OK, some are sillier than others.

A good time was had by all. It will be 70 by Tuesday. No complaints here! That's the way I like my snow. Short and sweet.

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About How We Celebrate Christmas **

2009-12-03T20:58:00.004-06:00

** but didn't care enough to ask.

I'm sorry I have been so absent, but Missy was kind enough to not only post this but offer it up as blog fodder for the rest of us. I decided to take her up on it in hopes that it would get me back in the swing of things. I've been driven out of my mind by the dye in the red velvet bows. Maybe this will bring me back to the land of the living.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Both, please. But we'll all have a hollier, jollier Christmas if they are made with Lactaid.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He just sets them under the tree. He thinks they make a much more exciting display that way.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White and only white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Depends on whether of not we make it up to the hundred acre wood and shoot some down or not.

5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I finish putting up everyone else's! They should be up this weekend.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Do I have to pick just one? That is part of what I love about the holidays - the food!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Probably just the excitement of the day and all the visiting and family involved.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? About 4th grade, but I fought it as long as I could.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I don't, but the kids do.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Very well, thank you.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Well, if you mean the little flurries we get here - love it!! If you mean the miserable drifts that I see on the news - live in the South to avoid it at all costs!!

12. Can you ice skate? Depends on what you mean by that. I can stay vertical. Most of the time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I might have to go with my Kitchen Aid mixer. It's been a favorite for over 10 years now.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Oh, I guess if I were really pressed, I would have to say THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST!! (I stole that from Missy, but it was too good not to.)

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Upside down pear gingerbread. With whipped cream, of course.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Having ALL the family over to the house.

17. What tops your tree? Usually a star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Yes.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I adore Christmas music, but my all time favorites are Oh, Holy Night, Mary, Did You Know, just about any of the old hymns, and Silent Night when sung in a darkened sanctuary with little white candles held high.

20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I'm kind of take them or leave them on the candy cane issue, unless they are crushed into some white chocolate bark. Then it's definitely a yum.

21 Favorite Christmas Show? Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

22. Saddest Christmas Song? Saddest? Is there a sad Christmas song? Any one at the right time can make me cry, but not from sadness.

Need a Christmas break? Go ahead, copy this post and fill it out on your blog. And let me know about it so I can go see what Christmas looks like in your world.

Other Growth

2009-11-17T09:50:00.002-06:00

While our fall garden may be stunted, the neighborhood is not. Here are some scenes from my back deck.

These are 2 "houses" that are being built behind us. I say "houses" because they are being built on lots that are a mere 25 feet wide. That is more townhome than house to me. Where once there was one house, there will be three. *sigh*

If you look past my next door neighbor's house and into the next yard, you will see an excavator and a little bobcat. The house and awesome-beyond-all-hoarder's-belief garage is going away. Two fabulous new homes are to be built on that lot soon.

It is not very quiet around here these days what with all the banging and air compressors and smashing going on. I'm also feeling a little encroached upon. Those houses in the back are built right up to the alley and are hovering over my backyard. More motivation to get out of here. So again - *sigh*.

Fall Garden Update

2009-11-16T08:40:00.005-06:00

Well, it's a pretty sad state of affairs. The beans are all gone. The squashes are all gone. The tomatoes are all stunted save this one volunteer that came up in a pot.

This is a pitiful broccoli plant after living in my garden for many weeks. It's not dead, but it has hardly grown at all.

The herbs are doing OK, but they always do.

I did manage to harvest 5 lemons. They aren't the monster Ponderosa lemons I got last year. These are Meyer's, but they are pretty good sized.

I also got 4 satsumas. The tree is a dwarf. I don't know if a dwarf tree makes a smaller fruit than a full-sized tree. but these were pretty small. I would have had a few more, but the furry freeloaders stole some.

They stole a few limes, too.

The limes are very small. I believe the variety is called Thornless Mexican Lime. I got quite a few of them for the small tree that it is though. Maybe 20.

And of course, the habanero plant is still going wild.

The hubs made his first batch of sauce with these bad boys a few nights ago. I got him started with the carrots, onions, and garlic. As soon as he started blending the peppers, I had to retire to the second floor. The fumes were positively deadly. He likes it though. Go figure.

And the Japanese beetles got the pecans!

And the chickens have been molting! No eggs.

It's been a rough fall for food production.

Hope you had better luck that we did.

No, really.......

2009-11-14T08:26:00.002-06:00

...it is beyond crazy here.

If you have been around here for long at all, you will remember that this is a busy time for me. Here's a reminder. And another. This year, thankfully, there are even more properties than last year.

But I'll see what I can do. I miss hanging out here.

Even though it's 70+ degrees outside...

2009-11-04T07:34:00.002-06:00

...I have been snowed under. The last couple of weeks have been beyond crazy. I'll try to get back to it in a day or so. And though I can never be completely Wordless, I will leave you with this Wednesday pic. Because a Barbie Musketeer should brighten everyone's day.

It is finished!

2009-10-16T22:38:00.003-05:00

Wow!! Megan succeeded in getting over $1,000 in donations for the Vega family.

Y'all are awesome. Hop on over to Sorta Crunchy to check out all the details.

Good job, everyone!

Oops

2009-10-14T20:54:00.003-05:00

OK. If you have tried to participate in the raffle, you know there have been some changes. Poor Megan has been struggling with PayPal all week. She has come up with a good solution/compromise.

In a nutshell, she is accepting donations for the Vega family. Some contributors will be randomly selected to receive a gift. You can read more about it at Sorta Crunchy.

I hope everyone who considered entering the raffle will still consider donating. Many already have.

But perhaps the best news is, Gabriella is going home Friday!

The Good Side of the Internet

2009-10-12T09:58:00.004-05:00

There is a raffle of epic proportions going on over at Sorta Crunchy. Sweet Megan is blessing the family of a 4-year-old darling who has had a stroke. She suffers with myocardial bridging causing restrictive cardiomyopathy and is in need of a heart transplant.

Megan has put together a fund-raiser/raffle to help out the family of this precious little girl . There are some amazing gifts for:

The Little Ones - with t-shirts and onesies and so many cute things.
The Princess in Your Life - featuring crowns and other lovelies.
And for Mama - truly an amazing package that also includes a prayer shawl from my needles.

Please take a look and read about Gabriella. And buy a ticket, or two, or three. This is what Megan hopes to accomplish with this effort:

We hope to be able to alleviate some of the financial toll that has come as a result of Gabriella's stroking by paying off the Vegas' bill at the Ronald McDonald House at the Phoenix Children's Hospital
In the hard days ahead filled with speech therapy and adjusting to life post-stroke, we want to provide relief from the burden of coming up with an answer to the "what's for dinner?" question by providing restaurant gift cards
If you have ever walked through a major life crisis, you know that even the smallest of needs can seem overwhelming. We hope to meet some needs on a practical level for the Vegas by purchasing grocery and gas gift cards
The part of Gabriella's brain most affected by the stroke is the speech center. She has many days of speech therapy ahead. Insurance covers only 60 days of outpatient therapy, and the family will be responsible for $25 for each of the insurance-covered therapy session. Last Monday, Kristi wrote that they are asking God for means to be able to pay for extended speech therapy sessions. Any monies raised that go above and beyond meeting the needs listed above will be donated to the trust set up by the Vega family to offset costs of Gabriella's medical care not covered by insurance.

So hop on over there and try your chances. Not only might you win a great prize, but you will also be part of what life is supposed to be like: people helping people.

Thank you so much.

What Were You Doing Nine Years Ago Today?

2009-10-07T07:03:00.007-05:00

I was lying in a hospital bed recovering from the surgical delivery of my sweetness baby girl.

Happy Birthday, my Sweetness. You have added such joy to all our lives.

If you want to know Where Babies Come From, you can read about it here.

Pig Flu (and others) Avoidance

2009-10-02T10:00:00.004-05:00

The following message was posted on my homeschool group page and credited to Dr. Vinay Goyal. It is a lot of common sense that is not so common. Thought it might help you all stay well this fall and winter.

The only portals of entry of the HiNi virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications) . This is not a joke. Make it a ritual habit...
make it part of your daily routine... DO NOT BE LAZY...!!!

2. "Hands-off-the- face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. If this method is not possible, blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Tuesday's Tip

2009-09-29T09:22:00.005-05:00

Today's Tip: oregano oil.

Have you ever tried oregano oil? No, not to cook with, but I suppose you could.

Oregano oil is great at fighting infections as it kills many kinds of bacteria, fungi, and parasites. I use it on my teeth.

I have really soft teeth that are prone to infection. A friend told me about oregano oil and I haven't had an infection since. I put a drop or two on a tooth when I feel a little tinge that might mean trouble. When I can't stand it anymore, I swish water in my mouth for a second and then swallow. (Try it once and you'll understand "can't take it anymore." This stuff is stout.) I do that in the morning and evening for a few days.

It is also good for the control of candida, possibly athlete's foot, and other infections.

Let me say that oregano oil is very potent stuff. If you use it for any of these applications, you should only use it for 2 -3 weeks and then stop.

Let me also say that I am not an expert, much less a doctor. Or even a dentist. I share this information only from my personal experiences.

Here are a few articles that tell you more about oregano oil and its possible uses:

OreganoPro
Oil of Oregano
Bnet
Home Remedies Web

As with any home remedy, I hope you do further research on your own if you want to use oregano oil.

All God's Creatures

2009-09-23T08:09:00.003-05:00

What kind of Urban Pioneers would we be if we didn't have a few brushes with the wildlife in the area. Thanks to Princess, we get our share of close encounters of the wild kind.

This is Princess.

She is a lab mix and supposedly belongs to my daughter. She is a pretty sweet dog, but she is a whiner and I just have no tolerance for that.

She is an inner-city dog. But she is also a hunter. Not trained, of course. That hasn't stopped her instincts from taking down squirrels, birds, rats, and 2 of my chickens. This weekend she brought me this:

Dropped it right at the front door. I thought the thing was dead. But it is an opossum. I stared at it awhile and tried to decide what I was going to do with the thing and it moved ever so slightly. It was playing dead. Cool, huh?

My husband and son were out of town, so I was left to deal with an all too alive but possibly injured wild thing with teeth and claws. So I did what every red-blooded American woman would do. First, I called and yelled at my husband for not being there when there was wildlife on the porch. Then, I called my mother.

She talked me down and convinced me that he needed to be isolated for the night. If he was mortally wounded he might crawl away and die under my house. That would be even less cool. I agreed and went and got the kitty carrier.

I was glad they play dead because I was able to sort of roll him into the carrier. I gave him (her?) a bowl of water and a strawberry.

When I checked on him in the morning he had eaten his strawberry and was crawling on the cage door trying to get out. As soon as he realized I was there he quit moving. I opened the cage and took that pitiful picture. OK, so maybe he wasn't as ferocious as he looked the night before.

I called the TWRC. They are a life saver for ninnies like me who have more compassion than actual know-how. They said to bring it in and if he was OK, they would release him someplace safe. They will even e-mail me and let me know what the outcome was.

The ride over there was a...fragrant one. When I dropped him off, I commented on how stinky he was. They told me that opossums can excrete a "death scent" to enhance the whole playing dead experience. Awesome. I may have to air out the van.

And here is the little darling safe in the care of the TWRC workers.

Isn't he charming?

Live long and prosper, buddy. But please do it somewhere else.

If you are interest in learning a little more about the Virginia Opossum (That's what we have here in Texas. Go figure.), you may check it out here.

This Year's Plan

2009-09-21T10:04:00.002-05:00

We are a house divided.

No, not like that, silly. : )

We are doing things a little differently education-wise this year. After homeschooling both our children for the last 4 years, we have one in school and one at home this year. And it is going well.

My son is now attending a very small. (very. small.) private school. He is one of 7 students in his whole grade. They had an open house last week and by all accounts, he is settling in nicely.

He is one who does well with structure. I, um, well, not so much.

Don't get me wrong. I can do structure...if someone else is doing the structuring. I love deadlines and lists. But in my daily life, I like to do what I like to do when I like to do it. I have enough of the artist in me that I like to work with the muse. The girl is more like me in that respect. We manage to accomplish our lists as we float along the day.

My boy does better with a set and predictable schedule. He has gone to school before and seems glad to be back. I'm getting used to being available to pick him up at 3:00 every day.

Perhaps the best part of our new arrangement is that the girl and I are really getting into things in a way that we haven't before. My kids are 5 years apart. We had a difficult time finding things to do together. There is a solar system taking shape in my kitchen that would have been a battle of the wills before.

So this is our current arrangement. We have always said that we would take this schooling thing on year at a time. This is what we are doing this year. And so far, I like it.

At least I Can Grow Something.

2009-09-20T08:51:00.003-05:00

Well, mushrooms and these.

Do you recognize them? I wouldn't except that I have a chilihead living in my house. Hubs is crazy for the heat. These are habeneros. They are some of the hottest peppers out there and I have a bush of them. The only food producing plant in the yard that is thriving, save my herbs. At least, Hubs won't starve.

2009-09-18T20:32:00.006-05:00

Sad broccoli.

Sad cabbage.

Happy chickens.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-16T09:43:00.002-05:00

Getting Our Vitamin D

2009-09-14T20:40:00.006-05:00

We escaped this weekend. We realized that it was probably our last free weekend until the Rapture or the end of October, whatever comes first. ; ) So we loaded up the RV and headed south.

It was a quick trip, but just what we needed. We hadn't been to the beach all summer. And we hadn't been since the hurricane. This weekend was also the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike.

We actually went to Surfside which is a little south of Galveston. It didn't get the brunt of the storm. Still, the beach was littered with bits of brick and more glass than I have ever seen at the beach. Tons of shells, too.

But we had lots of lazy fun.

We collected shells,

made sand castles, surfed,

(did you notice the oil rig?)
fished, and caught weird little creatures. Don't worry. We let him go. If anyone can identify him, we'd sure like to know what he was.

The coolest thing I didn't get a picture of: we saw dolphins! They were out in the water when the kids were playing in the waves and in the little inlet where we fished off the jetty. I had never seen a dolphin in the wild before. Very fun.

But we are back with our noses to the grindstone. It's already shaping up to be a busy fall.

Remembering

2009-09-11T13:18:00.000-05:00

Today, with many others, I am remembering.

I remember feeling vulnerable in a way that I had never felt. Like a collective vulnerability. I am also thinking of those who feel that way every day.

I am remembering those who lost loved ones that day and continue to feel that loss every day.

I live near downtown and for a long time I could actually visualize planes crashing into our buildings every time I looked a them. But time has softened that fear. Too much, I think.

I’m glad for the opportunity to feel that way again. It makes the peace that occupies most of my days that much sweeter.

I am also remembering that then as now, God is in control. He is on His throne and He is here with me.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3

Tuesday's Tip

2009-09-08T15:55:00.004-05:00

Today's tip: bag it!

I live in a metropolis. I don't know what it's like where you live, but we have a considerable population of homeless. They are on the corners of most busy intersections with their signs and ragged clothes and vacant faces.

I also have children. With compassionate hearts. I have one, too, but it has been hardened by years of overexposure to ... well, too much. It is still compassionate, but with a thick, cynical shell.

These things together make for a difficult situation as we make our way around town. A couple of years ago I came up with a solution: our homeless bags.

Here is what we fill our bags with:

a water bottle
water flavoring
crackers
cookies

I usually buy a 6-pack of water. Then I buy a box of the flavorings. Since they come in boxes of 12, we put two in each bag. I buy a box of crackers and we divide them among the bags. They usually come in 8's, so some bags get one and some get two. I also add some kind of cookie. This time I got some Little Debbie's. I have also gotten animal crackers. Everything is individually wrapped and non-perishable.

Some of the other things we have added at different times are:

candy canes at Christmas
toothbrushes (you can get a pack for $1 at the dollar store)
toothpaste
little cans of fruit (make sure you add a spoon)
napkins
bandaids

We keep a larger bag of them in our car. When we see a homeless person on a corner we are passing, we hand them one. My children are happy because we are helping the seemingly helpless. I am happy because I am helping without feeding a bad habit. Call me cynical, but I am. I just told you that!

I have never failed to get a smile from someone who has received a bag. And that can even crack my cynical shell just a little.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Hummers

2009-09-06T06:56:00.001-05:00

Do you have them? We do...in spades. And what fun they are to watch!

We have one feeder in the front and one in the back. Each feeder is "owned" by a very territorial little dude who sits in a nearby tree and waits for someone to try to drink from his fountain. If anyone dares, he swoops in and shoos them away.

Here is the front porch resident.

Can you see his tiny self there? He sits in that pecan tree when he's not feeding and waits.

I copied a few of these hummingbird facts from World of Hummingbirds. This is only a sampling of my favorites. There are many more. Go read them all.

Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light.

Hummingbirds have no sense of smell.

A hummingbird will use its tongue to lap up nectar from flowers and feeders.

A hummingbird's tongue is grooved like the shape of a "W".

Hummingbirds have tiny hairs on the tip of the tongue to help lap up nectar.

Hummingbirds do not drink though their beaks like a straw. They lap up nectar with their tongues.

Hummingbirds have very weak feet and can barely walk. They prefer to fly.

Hummingbirds like to perch.

A hummingbird can weigh anywhere between 2 and 20 grams.

A penny weighs 2.5 grams

A hummingbird baby is about the size of a penny.

Females will lay a clutch of two eggs.

Hummingbirds can live for more than 10 years.

Male hummingbirds are very aggressive and will chase another male hummingbird out of its territory.

A hummingbird wings will beat about 70 times per second.

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly both forward and backwards.

Hummingbirds can also hover in mid-air, fly sideways and even upside-down.

A hummingbird's wings will rotate in a full circle.

Hummingbirds need to eat on average 7 times per hour for about 30-60 seconds.

A hummingbird will visit an average of 1,000 flowers per day for nectar.

Hummingbirds eat small soft bugs for protein.

Hummingbirds pollinate flowers by rubbing their forehead and face in each flower as they get the nectar.

Many plants depend on hummingbirds for pollination.

Cool, huh? Tell me your hummingbird stories.

Garden Update

2009-09-04T15:40:00.006-05:00

Well, the garden is starting to take shape. I added a few broccoli plants, a couple of cauliflowers, and a cabbage.

I have about given up on corn. Only four came up and only two of those are of any decent size. I replanted in the four squares that didn't even come up, but once again - nothing. Someone may have had a hand in their demise.

I planted some corn during the spring and ended up with two rotted, stunted ears. Corn may not be my thing.

The cucumbers are getting going. There are even the beginnings of buds.

The beans, though looking anemic and quite pitiful, are growing pretty well and starting to bloom. I hope to see some little beans soon.

You can see my neighbors pool through the fence. It is a saltwater pool with a little fountain. I have noticed that sometimes my car gets sprayed over the fence. I'm starting to wonder if perhaps my little beans may be suffering from some saltwater exposure. : (

It's still early yet. All my babies are being nourished with John's Recipe. I'll keep you posted.

Pesto!

2009-09-02T07:28:00.002-05:00

I have always been able to grow basil. I pick a little here and there and then usually end of drying a big mess of it at the end of the season.

This year I had a particularly large bush and guests in the house I needed to feed. Looking for something a little different, I decided to try some pesto. I know, after all these years and my many food adventures, I have never made fresh pesto. This was the year.

Well, all I have to say is - what took me so long! It was a big hit and so. very. good. Next time I make it I will make sure there are not 7 hungry mouths to feed. In fact, I won't even tell anyone! I will just hide in a corner of the house with my jar of pesto and a loaf of bread. Of course, the resulting garlic breath will give me away. But by then it will be too late! Bwahahaha!

Here's the real deal.

Start with 2 cups of fresh basil.

Cram it into a food processor with:

1/2 C pine nuts
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 olive oil
4 cloves of garlic
1/4 t salt

Whir the dickens out of it until it looks like this:

Toss it with your favorite pasta, spread it on your favorite bread, or eat with a spoon. Mmmmm.

Enjoy!

Tuesday's Tip

2009-09-01T08:03:00.001-05:00

Today's tip: get yourself one of these.
It's a microplane and it is my new favorite kitchen toy.

Hubs has threatened to steal it for his woodworking, but I have it under lock and key.

Let me tell you what this does for Parmesan cheese. It turns it into fluffy air.

I will never zest a lemon with anything else. It was such a satisfying experience.

It also works well with ginger root.

I got mine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. They have such great coupons and are on my beaten path. You can also find them at Amazon and other places that have kitchen tools.

2009-08-26T07:49:00.000-05:00

He was riding a bicycle with training wheels at age 2.

He was riding a 2-wheeler at age 4.

Now this.

He's down to one wheel.

I guess he'll be walking soon.

I Read a Book!

2009-08-24T21:08:00.006-05:00

Sadly, it doesn't happen as often as it should.

Thanks go to sweet Lacy over at Razor Family Farms who had a giveaway that I won!! The prize was this delightful little book.

I thought it was going to be a novel, but it was actually a collection of memories of growing up in the Depression. It blessed my simple-living heart. I'm sure I romanticized it in my brain that so longs for life in the country, but I was continually touched by the simple, hard-working, family-oriented life she led.

One anecdote that I just loved was one she told of when she was grown and all citified. Her two year old son swallowed a bobby pin. As the doctors mulled over the possibility of surgery to remove the pin that was slowly losing its plastic tips, the only things preventing the child's insides from being shredded, Mildred called her elderly aunt. I won't share what happened, but you can bet her aunt's idea was a lot less invasive and equally effective.

It was also a great book for me to read during this particularly busy time as I could read a chapter, put it down, and not be lost whenever I got the chance to pick it up again. Each chapter focused on a different aspect of their life.

This really is a charming little book that I highly recommend. It was a hard life during a hard time. She could have walked away from it wishing never to look back. Yet she shares her memories with a sweetness and even fondness that proves to me that we have gotten too far away from how it really should be, even if it was hard. Hard can be good.

The Fall Garden

2009-08-20T20:38:00.007-05:00

When it became evident that we probably weren't going anywhere for awhile, I decided that I would try my hand at a fall garden.

Hurricane Ike coupled with the lady next door really wanting some sun on her pool means that my trees are a bit thinner than they used to be. I actually have a decent amount of sun on the side of the driveway. That has been the biggest problem with growing something other than pecans and figs on my little patch of urban frontier: no sun.

I had the hubs build me a raised bed.

Then I took a page from the Square Foot Gardener and laid it out thus.

That will give you a pretty good idea of how big it is.

I have already planted my pole beans and fall tomato plants. There were some squash type plants that the lady at Buchanan's swore would grow now, so I am trying a cucumber, zucchini, and a yellow squash.

I planted 3 hybrid and 4 heirloom tomatoes. They are already growing. I'll keep you posted on their progress.

I also have plans for onions, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuces, but they will have to wait until the weather cools a little. I may even try some sugar snap peas, but you can't plant those until December in these parts.

Any other fall garden attempts out there?