tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42265766716989101602024-03-13T05:10:10.411-05:00MomsLeap....Musings for Moms
Leaping Over Everyday Obstacles
Every DayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-52663210852683466372008-04-05T11:43:00.003-05:002008-04-05T11:53:48.280-05:00New Blog!I've started a new blog - you can find it here: <a href="http://www.WaffleTalk.blogspot.com">http://www.WaffleTalk.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />I started my MomsLeap blog a few months ago when my good friend Lundy asked me about starting a website to be called MomsLeap.com. It seems there was not a single decent resource website geared to Memphis moms. Life got in the way and months went by and neither of us was able to devote the time we needed to get this thing up and going. Of course, there's no such thing as an original idea, on the internet at least. So here we are and at least two moms' resource website franchises have launched blogs geared toward local moms. We've agreed that this is no longer the best use of our time, so are thinking about other possibilities for a new internet venture.<br /><br />Since this blog has meandered around, away from the special interest blog we originally conceived, I've decided to start a new one and rename it with something more general.<br /><br />I'll leave this blog up and will spend some time copying posts I think fit well into the new blog. I'm thinking I need to start a food blog, since that's a chunk of what I write about. The great thing about Blogger is that this is all free, so I might do separate blogs about food, day-trading, books, scrapbooking, my new consulting business, gardening or whatever else interests me.<br /><br />I started my very first blog a couple of years ago, with family pictures (geared toward our relatives). I have another one for our extended family, one for my son's school baseball team, and of course MomsLeap and now Waffle Talk! Lots of blogs.<br /><br />If you like what I've done, I promise you, you'll enjoy blogging. You'll get in the habit of taking pictures and actually uploading them to your computer! It's just a great creative outlet and fun to share with everyone you're close to. It's very easy to do, but give me a call if you need help getting started.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-80848580539686133592008-04-05T09:43:00.005-05:002008-04-05T10:31:51.494-05:00Waffle Talk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv2f3PX4HlQVEf2tR8-wXjnNwYzqYQF6S64EauwDDX8bB-T8gy21RIg_e0-To563QpEQV2p0Kauye4JwOTexlMLZELkIyJ9XYD2P2rKT04VI2eovFl_U5xJ95R4aMlAXtZKegIBiYkV4/s1600-h/Toco+Toucan.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv2f3PX4HlQVEf2tR8-wXjnNwYzqYQF6S64EauwDDX8bB-T8gy21RIg_e0-To563QpEQV2p0Kauye4JwOTexlMLZELkIyJ9XYD2P2rKT04VI2eovFl_U5xJ95R4aMlAXtZKegIBiYkV4/s320/Toco+Toucan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185776034575710466" /></a> I know you're wondering about the picture of the Toucan. I didn't have any great pictures to share, so I lazily looked in the sample pictures that came on my computer and found this. It reminded me of my upcoming trip to Brazil. Sure enough, the Toucan is native to South America. I doubt we'll see any in the city, but we are taking a side trip to the Iguazu Falls. They are only surpassed by Victoria Falls in Southern Africa. I wonder why I've never heard of them before. We've been to Niagara Falls and that was truly amazing, so I'm excited to see these. I don't know if we'll see the Toucan, but I've been told we'll see lots of wildlife, including very friendly monkeys!<br /><br />Speaking of Brazil - I'll be leaving two weeks from Monday. It's hard to believe it's almost here. I'm a little nervous about the travel - it's a brutal 24 hour trip. That'll be the farthest from home I've ever been if you don't count the trip back from Japan when I was only a year old (I was born there). My poor mother - I can't imagine traveling that far on a propeller plane (yes, I think it's before jets were commonly used, at least for lowly Air Force NCO families - I know, I'm getting old). She made the trip alone with three kids under the age of seven, including a one year old (but I'm sure I was a little angel). My daddy must have been otherwise occupied with Air Force business. I need to spend some time documenting their stories of Japan and other travels. I remember Puerto Rico well since we lived their while I was seven to ten years old. Those are the most exotic places we lived.<br /><br />Ok, on to the business at hand. I cooked THE easiest and best thing in the world last night. I didn't take pictues because it doesn't look as pretty as it tastes. It's a recipe from the Memphis Junior League's <em>Heart and Soul </em> cookbook. It's called Criolla's Barbeque Shrimp. I think it's an old recipe and I'm sure I've had it before, but must have forgotten. All you do is melt a stick of butter and stir in 1 tablespoon each of water, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Add salt and pepper and a pound of shrimp. Amazing. The recipe recommends dipping French bread in the sauce, but I made mashed potatoes and used the sauce like gravy (I'm still working on the 20 pounds of potatoes I bought on sale). I also dipped my broccoli in it. You cannot believe how incredible this tastes, and you can tell how easy it is. Try it soon - I promise you'll thank me.<br /><br />If you don't have the <em>Heart and Soul </em>cookbook, your cookbook library is not complete. I've never made anything from it that's not delicious. I should warn you that everything in it is packed with calories and fat, which, of course, is why it's so wonderful. The surly teenager didn't rave, but he must've liked it because he ate it when he came in from school and for dinner again a little bit later. I wonder if it would be good with chicken.<br /><br />I have a blissful day with nothing at all planned. Tonight's the big game, Memphis and UCLA in the Final Four. GO TIGERS!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-25311877305426959302008-03-29T17:53:00.003-05:002008-03-29T18:11:13.575-05:00Leah (aka Monkey Tooth)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0wn-LRiC7N1V5Seywy0uchIJjUvAds4tBpoURdq_oL4FIZWG5tkAM4F2tOeDlOpj46p4P_Pa7G67D7-DoMX2ZHlFnmFz4_klCeDKm2HAP0XPuB54ZrmCYa0MH1NlgINxq_7ydZUPgw/s1600-h/DSCN0776.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y0wn-LRiC7N1V5Seywy0uchIJjUvAds4tBpoURdq_oL4FIZWG5tkAM4F2tOeDlOpj46p4P_Pa7G67D7-DoMX2ZHlFnmFz4_klCeDKm2HAP0XPuB54ZrmCYa0MH1NlgINxq_7ydZUPgw/s320/DSCN0776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183301111210997970" /></a> I saw my sister and nieces this week. Leah is nine years old and in a major growth spurt. She ate like a field hand. She ate all the pizza pictured, plus an entree of pasta with grilled chicken and a root beer! Followed by some exotic coffee drink at Starbucks. <br /><br />Monkey Tooth comes from the movie A Series of Unfortunate Events. Last time I visited them in Little Rock, we rented that movie. Monkey Tooth is the youngest character's nickname - well, you'll just have to watch it. Meryl Streep's character is hilarious. She's wonderful. Isn't she overdue for a movie?<br /><br />We crammed a lot into one day and had lots of fun doing it. It will generate several posts, including Hannah (other amazing niece), Patio Redo, Ear Piercing and We Put the Fun in Dysfunction. Better get busy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-35547423859399890782008-03-29T17:34:00.003-05:002008-03-29T17:51:30.674-05:00Crabcakes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE4ly7mwvP-XNNc5ht6eUipNQ_uU-MaV_x7srqp7VGIfRAKpMfwl2uFEVjS2iZHhG7XM293jp-FM1twCeAviUT-HeqnCz4DySAMIJrrgynomrSJ909cmLIMbpNY0ICrlckptJua9nrWE/s1600-h/DSCN0667.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE4ly7mwvP-XNNc5ht6eUipNQ_uU-MaV_x7srqp7VGIfRAKpMfwl2uFEVjS2iZHhG7XM293jp-FM1twCeAviUT-HeqnCz4DySAMIJrrgynomrSJ909cmLIMbpNY0ICrlckptJua9nrWE/s320/DSCN0667.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183295875645864114" /></a> I'm making them again! I also have rosemary potatoes roasting in the oven. Feeling very Rachel Ray-ish (she's the current Betty Crocker in my book - I know, the foodies don't approve - she's a cook, not a chef). I'm not sure the rosemary isn't competing with crabcake aroma. Since I bought a boatload (by the way, it is "boatload", not "buttload" for anyone who wants to know) of potatoes, I'll be fixing those a lot for the next few weeks. 20 pounds for $2.99 - too good to pass up. If anyone wants some, let me know!<br /><br />Speaking of potatoes and butts, I pulled one out of the bag that looks like a butt. Don't you love that? I recently figured out that pototo eyes are called that because they look just like human eyes. I spend too much time gazing into potato eyes. They really are fascinating. Maybe I'll take some pictures and do a whole potato post. I really need to do a "The Virtues of Rosemary" post soon. It is an amazing thing.<br /><br />Oops, almost burned crabcakes! We'll call them crisp. I promise I'll share my recipe soon. I've had requests, believe it or not. They really are good, and I think they're authentic Maryland, or at least as close as you can get with locally available crabmeat. I get a pound at Sam's for $16 or so (in the plastic container with metal flip top), but it makes a good bit and you could stretch it with bread crumbs. I used to use the tuna can kind, and they're not bad, but these are better. We can't go back.<br /><br />I'll have to post my crabcake recipe at the same time as Renee K's amazing beef brisket. She's the Queen of Chocolate Chip Cookies - I've referred to her earlier. I've pushed this blog on my baseball mom friends - they're so kind and indulgent - I really should pay homage to them!<br /><br />Ok, enough about crabcakes. I'm off to find potato recipes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-18817487050171980812008-03-20T17:56:00.003-05:002008-03-20T18:18:14.163-05:00I Knew It!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77O3SNJTX6hldtgF04W27AzOBiIyIaE8bg2j0KPatHQdZ5AOWG0aIIUE5pMVp-zoVtKUhxUX8YTALZfPrBzYVW87AQRjnmIYOYt-U6NmboqXaGeAoVFE1Lux2WfpZI1LbIurGYSjxAiU/s1600-h/DSCN0748.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77O3SNJTX6hldtgF04W27AzOBiIyIaE8bg2j0KPatHQdZ5AOWG0aIIUE5pMVp-zoVtKUhxUX8YTALZfPrBzYVW87AQRjnmIYOYt-U6NmboqXaGeAoVFE1Lux2WfpZI1LbIurGYSjxAiU/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179962311009269890" /></a> Just today I read about caffeinated soap - it's called Shower Shock and it has 200 mg per shower - they say caffeine CAN be absorbed through the skin. See, a while back, I noticed a burst in energy after grinding coffee beans, and began to wonder if one could absorb caffeine by smelling it. I searched online and even emailed a coffee expert (he has a whole website with copious amounts of information about coffee). The coffee guy didn't know, but I was pretty sure based on my empirical evidence. Lots of medicines are now available through nasal spray, so it makes perfect sense.<br /><br />On to more coffee thoughts. This morning, I woke to find NO coffee (not even a little left in the bottom of the pot) and no Diet Cokes (I'm trying to give them up), so resorted to making iced tea. As soon as I was fit to drive, I went to Sam's and bought two big bags of Starbucks whole bean coffee. Since it's 6:00pm, I didn't grind any - just poured some into the jar for this picture, and feel a little pepped up just from that. I also bought a case of sugar free Red Bull - think of it as methodone for my Diet Coke addiction. One Red Bull in the morning - that's all. Actually, when I was training to walk the half-marathon a year and a half ago, I resorted to Red Bull or 5 Hour Energy to get me going on the long (6-8 miles) walks. <br /><br />More about Starbucks. I'm kind of a reverse snob when it comes to paying $5 for a cup of coffee at SB, but I've found that I really do like making the SB whole bean freshly ground at home. It's more expensive than Folger's, I suppose, but WAY less expensive than buying it already made at SB. Especially at Sam's, right? Somehow, I spent $385 today, with no major appliance purchases. Seriously. I did spend the $30 something on the SF Red Bull, plus pricy lump crabmeat and a big piece of salmon, and so on. Oh, and $40 on the coffee. All the $6.88's add up, don't they? <br /><br />Better get busy fixing the salmon with the bushel of lemons I bought!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-18476090331956379362008-03-17T19:08:00.003-05:002008-03-17T19:19:12.284-05:00Happy St. Patrick's Day! and more...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmBtVWLuSCiXNLWuWXZfsgPSqoFg-KheBvihEgE-XrplYN1polJjiMvd-fOfWmGSbABI77VeaNs29xFJwUPzx1XOJXfxbKM2UbU7v4BENzvE3IUQTP60g1gQ4f2dLKVV9yaR8rlfTu3M/s1600-h/st+patrick+parade.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmBtVWLuSCiXNLWuWXZfsgPSqoFg-KheBvihEgE-XrplYN1polJjiMvd-fOfWmGSbABI77VeaNs29xFJwUPzx1XOJXfxbKM2UbU7v4BENzvE3IUQTP60g1gQ4f2dLKVV9yaR8rlfTu3M/s320/st+patrick+parade.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178869594473784818" /></a><br />When I went on an appointment today, I got out of my car to a bed of clover! I have to say, clovers are weeds, and my yard is weed-free, so no clovers in my yard. M took my camera to work today - not sure why - some sort of crazy corp team building exercise, I'm sure. Wish I had my camera for clover. I grabbed a bunch, but it was a sunny day and the clover totally wilted in my car seat while I was at my doctor's appointment, so no clover pic. Just the one I copied from on-line. Not a bad one, but I always feel more original if it's my own.<br /><br />I wish I had time to look for a 4-leaf clover. <br /><br />I so love Pioneer Woman - she has the most amazing site - it's probably the only one I know I'd pay to visit - don't tell her!<br /><br />Made her great sandwich for kiddo tonight. Kitchen smells good, and I feel good to feed him something special. <br /><br />Mother & Daddy aren't good - spent entire weekend seeing after them. That's a whole other post - maybe a blog of its own. They're better. That's all I'll say.<br /><br />Gotta run - feel the need for something creative.<br /><br />If you find the time to comment, I love the encouragement....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-17574772931032890642008-03-16T21:58:00.003-05:002008-03-16T22:13:50.410-05:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJu5CVIUSotq9oGhL4BLGKjGXhgF4cXo-2XR935GWDMQvs6tuE74eJw0qfNjqz2LyOiaE1TQjZ69C62cGpK9mdW7ljyRxC1_WVprP6KBB0czaN7_f1MwJiD3suEgbO0wocIQsfw0Iqhc/s1600-h/clover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJu5CVIUSotq9oGhL4BLGKjGXhgF4cXo-2XR935GWDMQvs6tuE74eJw0qfNjqz2LyOiaE1TQjZ69C62cGpK9mdW7ljyRxC1_WVprP6KBB0czaN7_f1MwJiD3suEgbO0wocIQsfw0Iqhc/s320/clover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178542060267791842" /></a><br /><br /><br />May the road rise up to meet you.<br />May the wind always be at your back.<br />May the sun shine warm upon your face,<br />and rains fall soft upon your fields.<br />And until we meet again,<br />May God hold you in the palm of His hand.<br /><br />St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Green is my favorite color. Maybe that's why. I think I might be Irish. Or Welsh. Maybe that's why. There's a whole long post (several, many, maybe) about my heritage. The main thing is that my mom was adopted and her birth records are sealed, so I figure I can be whatever I want. It's kind of fun. All I know is that everyone in the family I know is amazing and unique and so very cool! Of course, that's another post. Several.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-26515753920728622852008-03-12T22:56:00.003-05:002008-03-12T23:14:15.272-05:00The Answer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sojWFVBhsNJwFIL_XrI_HzxFaIBxD-oe3Xis2BbGaaAaWvw02ysXft0p-PnCUkif4ez-H8lI8OQewmCCxJ2Qg2NYaMjIwEhZsret5Y4ZQPnDa8D7tJBdqofUHi0-nlW8gfrW2hZ7qDA/s1600-h/orghomelogo.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sojWFVBhsNJwFIL_XrI_HzxFaIBxD-oe3Xis2BbGaaAaWvw02ysXft0p-PnCUkif4ez-H8lI8OQewmCCxJ2Qg2NYaMjIwEhZsret5Y4ZQPnDa8D7tJBdqofUHi0-nlW8gfrW2hZ7qDA/s320/orghomelogo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177070308119438802" /></a><br />I've found a happy place on the internet. I'm adding OrganizedHome.com to my link list at left. I was wandering around checking all the great links I find in my monthly O - Oprah magazine. Two featured websites relate to meal planning. They are mealmixer.com and relishrelish.com. They look great and offer free trials but there's a subscription fee. I marvel at sites that charge subscriptions - my web expert friend Lundy long ago realized that web advertizing revenue eclipses any subscription/download fees you might charge. And if you build a great site, they will come. Most folks know that newspapers and magazines don't make money from subscriptions, but from the ad revenue. That's why the fall fashion issue of Vogue is bigger than the old Sears Wishbook! That's also why you can find amazingly cheap subscriptions that barely cover the postage if you look around - Amazon had some great deals at the end of December - I think I got a year of Marie Claire for $3.<br /><br />Back to the great website: OrganizedHome. It has everything you could want. My current wish is for organization, specifically to cut the clutter. There's an article there that describes 5 different mindsets that contribute to a clutter problem. The frightening thing is that all 5 describe me! They are: 1) The Hoarder ("This might come in handy some day"), 2) The Deferrer ("I'll think about that tomorrow"), 3) The Rebel ("I don't wanna and you can't make me"), 4) The Perfectionist ("Next week, I'll organize everything perfectly"), and 5) The Sentimentalist ("Oh, the little darling"). <br /><br />Oh, my goodness - it's humbling when you see yourself in writing. I started today by gathering lots of great eBay stuff (part of my problem - oh, this might be worth something one day - they didn't even cover that in OrganizedHome!) and taking it to RightClick - a great little place near my home. They sell the stuff on eBay and keep 35%. Only problem is, each listing has to exceed $50. None of my stuff qualified, natch. And it's the wrong season for barely used football equipment. My short term plan is to take everything to the attic with the intention of going through it methodically, regularly, but with the reality being that it'll stay there until Mack and I die and Evans has an estate sale and totally random strangers are sifting through my underwear drawer.<br /><br />Enough of that. Check this great site - it's full of info, forms, ideas for FREE!! There's lots of good content. I plan to lurk around there - maybe even more than my beloved Pioneer Woman! She won the bloggie awards, by the way. No surprise!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-29697612984721667312008-03-09T11:30:00.002-05:002008-03-09T11:48:49.842-05:00Waffle Talk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl60ovokrz1eR_vlkB0tiR7T_Ag464rm2b2McaHb6f8S-bXLLNjoHAKnprXySk4_tBh57Pcye4wArguG2s8hbP03JxrYScyvGKSkH7tz_7-m2cZIxxva8TpTAOU8RwldlW3USJDcHadc/s1600-h/DSCN0649.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwl60ovokrz1eR_vlkB0tiR7T_Ag464rm2b2McaHb6f8S-bXLLNjoHAKnprXySk4_tBh57Pcye4wArguG2s8hbP03JxrYScyvGKSkH7tz_7-m2cZIxxva8TpTAOU8RwldlW3USJDcHadc/s320/DSCN0649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175780486490776994" /></a> Does anyone out there remember "Coffee Talk" from Saturday Night Live? The skit where Mike Meyers dresses up like his mother-in-law and frequently says he's "verklempt." I think the other baseball moms were too young to remember this, so when I fanned my face and said I was getting verklempt upon seeing Dori's very handsome son who's a freshman in the Merchant Marine Academy and came straight from the airport in his uniform to watch his little brother's baseball game. They have to travel in uniform - did you know that?<br /><br />In case you're not familiar with "verklempt", it's a Yiddish word which means choked with emotion. I looked it up just now in a very cool website called UrbanDictionary.com. It's so cool, in fact, that I'm adding it to my links list - at left.<br /><br />All this to say, my Waffle Talk title is a take on Coffee Talk. I haven't made waffles in two weeks. Last weekend I was ensconced at the hospital with daddy and sister. Disgruntled hungry teenager complained. Yesterday he wasn't home - he spent the night with friend from school so they could play in the wonderful snow. I should be at church right now, but being the "sleep slut" that I am (see Urban Dictionary's word of the day!), I woke up at 10:00, thinking I could hurry up and make it to church and when I walked into the kitchen and the microwave clock said 11:00, I had one of those Twilight Zone moments before I realized this is Spring Forward day. So I stayed in my pajamas and made waffles.<br /><br />I'm signing off now and am heading back to Urban Dictionary to find some other fun words!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-43743386951579322912008-03-07T16:04:00.004-06:002008-03-07T16:13:37.504-06:00More Snow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4dgRidDyD6YZXt5LzJEi7_eBF9ckLeIsi0cD0TKcjLJQnCXMzj9dAplXJE8y3pfiRQt2X-TrwI8iA39Vj9XIHai4K9bOGvtUUO3zHasUPjA0QF9nMnnUS7-6h0Dw4pH__n76Ai8FUEk/s1600-h/DSCN0733.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4dgRidDyD6YZXt5LzJEi7_eBF9ckLeIsi0cD0TKcjLJQnCXMzj9dAplXJE8y3pfiRQt2X-TrwI8iA39Vj9XIHai4K9bOGvtUUO3zHasUPjA0QF9nMnnUS7-6h0Dw4pH__n76Ai8FUEk/s320/DSCN0733.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175124924157551986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nWidr7L0trqn9y9sh6tyGVXTphF9SyTJezH6Catnxwf7DGsnmZJa9H0X28TOvm5UCyK2KcKkf8OMSExug2wqVwWdV7ntdhIj8nFLfMKvewFCMXwaNrOsraif3RsB9IC-QEy3puc8R4c/s1600-h/DSCN0734.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nWidr7L0trqn9y9sh6tyGVXTphF9SyTJezH6Catnxwf7DGsnmZJa9H0X28TOvm5UCyK2KcKkf8OMSExug2wqVwWdV7ntdhIj8nFLfMKvewFCMXwaNrOsraif3RsB9IC-QEy3puc8R4c/s320/DSCN0734.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175124541905462610" /></a><br />As you can tell, we've had quite a bit of accumulation since I posted about an hour or so ago. I checked the news and they are predicting 2-4 inches for Memphis. Quite a bit for us. It is still coming down pretty heavily.<br /><br />I suppose it's all those years of conditioning as a kid wanting to get out of school, but I just get so excited when it snows. Especially now that I don't HAVE to go to work. Back in the day when I was doing CPA work, it was unthinkable to stay home from work this time of year. Every single time it snows, every partner in an accounting firm offers to chauffeur his employees if they're afraid to drive in the snow. I took advantage of that once or twice!<br /><br />The corporate tax deadline is March 15th, so the CPAs are really under the gun, and then of course April 15th is looming, and we all know what that means. That reminds me, I've got to get started on ours!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-11566195170671751902008-03-07T14:46:00.006-06:002008-03-07T14:56:06.019-06:00Snow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBX1j_FRI35quuB2rDjl1Fhe02jP9rcwAzKes2JEYcKIAaEMyCc9CCbsByNfNBIxoioPvNGycMV-E_5mzDyjWOwBP3FlQ05MXcYjaQ2cCHiXLAnV4zJlYy32tb0l1hGqkpdNXfFC015o/s1600-h/DSCN0730.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBX1j_FRI35quuB2rDjl1Fhe02jP9rcwAzKes2JEYcKIAaEMyCc9CCbsByNfNBIxoioPvNGycMV-E_5mzDyjWOwBP3FlQ05MXcYjaQ2cCHiXLAnV4zJlYy32tb0l1hGqkpdNXfFC015o/s400/DSCN0730.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175104200940348738" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I just this minute took this photo. Went outside in slippers with wet hair just for you! After some on and off snowing and sleeting this morning, it's finally really coming down. Hopefully I'll be able to snap a picture with these daffodils covered in a blanket of white very soon. It is unbelievably good luck to have the snow come on a Friday with no school to start with, nowhere to go (no family members in the hospital for a change), and a fridge full of food. Any Memphian knows the grocery stores are flooded with people stocking up at the first hint of snow.<br /><br />Diana called and said she couldn't go to Archiver's tonight with the weather situation and I was relieved. Every Memphian also knows that the city comes to a screeching halt when the snow comes (once everyone's been to the grocery store). Now, if our power will just stay on!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-343193884691196762008-03-07T12:02:00.003-06:002008-03-07T12:19:30.091-06:00The Scream<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwFmQIgRHw3lIVgn6oSXWdPUPf_FDVGWtlDu9WCP9pxXx8z_6G7TGSdAye8za3CITfrEVxkhGO-c3V-BDe1iKwVb6twhGwpGiejOWgBVI7E1yMbzgFJmbpW70Z1K_A-LeP69yPRdpZ2Y/s1600-h/The+Scream.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwFmQIgRHw3lIVgn6oSXWdPUPf_FDVGWtlDu9WCP9pxXx8z_6G7TGSdAye8za3CITfrEVxkhGO-c3V-BDe1iKwVb6twhGwpGiejOWgBVI7E1yMbzgFJmbpW70Z1K_A-LeP69yPRdpZ2Y/s320/The+Scream.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175061753778562354" /></a> Here's how I'm feeling. In case you don't know, this is a painting by Edvard Munch called "The Scream." He painted it in 1910 using tempera and pastels on cardboard. I found that interesting - he must have been a starving artist at the time and couldn't afford canvas.<br /><br />Actually, I'm just on the verge of this. After spending six days at the hospital taking care of my daddy and sister (they're both ok), I'm at loose ends. When I finish this post, I'm going to sit down with my Hip Household Organizer (see previous post) and try to make a good list. Have I told you I'm a list maker? I'm sure I have a thousand lists all through the house. I even have a little post-it note on my computer desktop. An image, not the paper thing.<br /><br />I slept till 10 this morning, so am feeling rested and as soon as I can get my thoughts organized, I'll be fine.<br /><br />Strange thing, I was just about to say I was hoping for snow and I looked outside, and what do I see, but snow falling! I could use being stranded at home for a couple of days. I'm supposed to go to a crop at Archiver's with Diana tonight, but if the snow accumulates, I won't go. I haven't even checked the weather reports this morning. My friend Mary and her family are headed to San Antonio for spring break. I hope they won't have any trouble traveling. Her husband is fearless, so I'm sure it won't deter them. He went with their son to Philmont last summer. It's the big Boy Scout camp. It's the real deal when it comes to roughing it. They hike for miles and miles in the mountains with only a backpack. No rest stops with toilets and showers and real food (well maybe one along the way). Well, I'm really wandering with this post. I'll have to get her to remind me of some of the very interesting details and do a whole post on it later.<br /><br />Back to snow - school's out for spring break today, so no worries about going anywhere or kiddo driving in this.<br /><br />Ok, I'm finishing up here and sitting down to get organized. Happy Snow Day!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-5837264544233858922008-02-29T22:03:00.003-06:002008-02-29T22:33:24.936-06:00Baseball and Thankfulness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUxEg1xRts0yI38H7uY95d30c3lr3yV1qPPq0hdBBj5hMdNK7eg-YBA9qTQ4nVO7F8k-6DzkqNY2Rx7eubx5f7_62YJPSszHtfkqafOAue0Qy_r2Qr_IGrHVOpB_V0GSyjMVPVzda0Sw/s1600-h/DSCN0690_edited-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUxEg1xRts0yI38H7uY95d30c3lr3yV1qPPq0hdBBj5hMdNK7eg-YBA9qTQ4nVO7F8k-6DzkqNY2Rx7eubx5f7_62YJPSszHtfkqafOAue0Qy_r2Qr_IGrHVOpB_V0GSyjMVPVzda0Sw/s320/DSCN0690_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172619205255392466" /></a>I'm just back from about six hours at the baseball field, and loved every minute. We had a double header scrimmage against another high school. It was lots of fun catching up with all the families. It was one of those strange weather nights - cold at 5:00, then kind of warmer, then colder and very foggy. Strange foggy.<br /><br />Some of the parents arranged a cookout so there was lots of good food. Gosh, that first hotdog of the baseball season tastes good!<br /><br />Lots of batters were hit by pitches - that's not unusual early in the season. Or mid-season. Or the end. It's always scary. One kid got beaned (baseball-speak for hit in the head/helmet), but luckily all those guys were all right. One kid who wasn't all right was a fielder for the other team who was hit in the mouth by a ball deflected off his glove while he was trying to field it. Two of his teeth were knocked out. The guys walked out to second base, where it happened, and kicked around in the dirt for about five minutes, and naturally did not recover the teeth. We didn't know what was going on, exactly, on the sidelines. We decided all the moms should have gone out and gotten down on our hands and knees and felt around for the teeth (how else could you find them in the dirt?) until we found them. Besides, can anyone with a Y chromosome ever find his socks, much less two little teeth in the dirt?<br /><br />I don't mean to make light of this at all. We are praying for a speedy recovery. One of the dads said he was in the emergency room and they were waiting for an oral surgeon. Which brings me to the title of this post. I try to remember to be thankful at the end of every baseball game. Thankful for our strong, healthy, good boys. Thankful for a safe environment (including our beautiful ball field) and skilled coaches and supportive families. Thankful for the great education our boys are receiving. Thankful for all the great friends I've made over the past four baseball seasons.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-48117101315557000492008-02-28T09:28:00.006-06:002008-02-28T09:46:01.127-06:00Cool Project + Great New Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVrRLp98RpNcs3t00I2D9xGP5vbNDlKZBTZbhgsvblvwhnvdZQExOThZ1KQaFq9nQPWfz-elc1iqZGotQyRJlqIjDk7cFaKK_WMcLLUI7VBbDXpkel1q5s9RJxx-g7AluNcwIv34F-lo/s1600-h/frame1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVrRLp98RpNcs3t00I2D9xGP5vbNDlKZBTZbhgsvblvwhnvdZQExOThZ1KQaFq9nQPWfz-elc1iqZGotQyRJlqIjDk7cFaKK_WMcLLUI7VBbDXpkel1q5s9RJxx-g7AluNcwIv34F-lo/s320/frame1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172053472117319506" /></a><br />http://aherncentral.blogspot.com/2008/01/altered-itemme.html I ran across this great project while checking one of my favorite blogs today - Emilie Ahern. I've added a link to her blog at the left and here's the link to her project shown here. <a href="http://aherncentral.blogspot.com/2008/01/altered-itemme.html">http://aherncentral.blogspot.com/2008/01/altered-itemme.html</a> She's a great photographer and is very creative - you'll find lots of fun ideas there. This whole blog thing has become very addictive for me. I hope you'll like some of my great finds.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-43042289001294248462008-02-26T21:34:00.004-06:002008-02-27T17:50:09.588-06:00The Love of Books (bibliophilia)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijObYsgJb9VLGmTcmRGhNcdFT7lxA1R_T8qb-88lh6ybP5s7fRfJI-JF96-KB3SNqWF1ViWaR7QbSJw3RsYZ48m4KBod3WGGSwE68IgOsdnZjkUdwi0AcmL2_-3nanCae2fscDmUyu8I/s1600-h/DSCN0722.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijObYsgJb9VLGmTcmRGhNcdFT7lxA1R_T8qb-88lh6ybP5s7fRfJI-JF96-KB3SNqWF1ViWaR7QbSJw3RsYZ48m4KBod3WGGSwE68IgOsdnZjkUdwi0AcmL2_-3nanCae2fscDmUyu8I/s320/DSCN0722.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171500224495019826" /></a><br />"Instead of going to Paris to attend lectures, go to the public library, and you won’t come out for twenty years, if you really wish to learn." Leo Tolstoy <br /><br />"The closest thing we will ever come to an orderly universe is a good library. <br />Ashleigh Brilliant <br /><br />"It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must, without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful." <br />Vincent van Gogh<br /><br />"If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it." Toni Morrison <br /><br />"Only in books has mankind known perfect truth, love and beauty." <br />George Bernard Shaw <br /><br />I love books and libraries. Even more than scrapbooking but not as much as food. I spent some time at the main branch of the Memphis Public Library today, and now I have lots to read. <br /><br />Check my latests lists (to the left) - Favorite Books and "Books to Read". Let me know your favorites.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-33987598787490296762008-02-26T19:28:00.005-06:002008-02-26T20:16:48.060-06:00One More Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBPDUWCJcf0nay0xF68vb8Wgzx_-FDRJmckjkqVTRLM5SrZrO8nJF1BBgJUaG8tDaBHkF3ax0luO-c6xDunlsRU-c3LpCWCeR2LVzPdTspebWU8NjZ9fCbarBDh0_mcwW8sS7rUm8RR4/s1600-h/DSCN0716.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBPDUWCJcf0nay0xF68vb8Wgzx_-FDRJmckjkqVTRLM5SrZrO8nJF1BBgJUaG8tDaBHkF3ax0luO-c6xDunlsRU-c3LpCWCeR2LVzPdTspebWU8NjZ9fCbarBDh0_mcwW8sS7rUm8RR4/s320/DSCN0716.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171471697322239762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRASzojc68qS0ZxeI-R28GcVNORoe207167-Y6JZoh7MfWN0hhSpMZDS5pkn2va81OKLg-AyLwkEYJRw_LZuTBrjP8x78sY1taXLGR-eeeK4I2l5E-vrz3rMk7NWDtLa8Jyy1IEiZFeRk/s1600-h/DSCN0719.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRASzojc68qS0ZxeI-R28GcVNORoe207167-Y6JZoh7MfWN0hhSpMZDS5pkn2va81OKLg-AyLwkEYJRw_LZuTBrjP8x78sY1taXLGR-eeeK4I2l5E-vrz3rMk7NWDtLa8Jyy1IEiZFeRk/s320/DSCN0719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171471701617207074" /></a><br />Ok, this time, three minutes later. Maybe we'll call this Carol's Rule of Three. Try three times before giving up. If you give up, try again three minutes later. I like it.<br /><br />Now, to the point of the post, and to tell about the successfully uploaded pictures. I used two packets out of my Homemade Gourmet box today. First was coleslaw mix. It calls for 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of vinegar in additon to the mix and 2 pounds of shredded cabbage. I find it interesting that they call for pounds versus heads or cups - a reflection on the trend of buying that kind of thing in a bag (measured by weight). <br /><br />Here goes. It was very easy to mix up (especially with pre-shredded cabbage), and when I tasted it just after mixing, it was way too sugary. The directions said to let it sit for an hour or two. I did this, tasted again, and it was still very sweet. Nothing some extra vinegar won't cure. Even with the mayo, it could use a little creaminess, I think. Cole slaw is a very personal thing, and I usually have mine on top of a Corky's barbeque sandwich, so who knows. It may be a Texas thing since the company is based in Texas, as evidenced by the names of their products - "Texas Cornbread" and "Texas Cobbler." Even though I made both of these today, the cole slaw doesn't go with the chicken. Not for me. On to the chicken, here goes...<br /><br />The chicken is phenomenal - hungry, but picky, teenage boy gave his thumbs up (better than a Michelin star). It's definitely more complicated than the cole slaw. I used the garlic lemon seasoning mix. Here's what I did, but I'm not sure I could duplicate it. I tend to complicate things. I'll just tell you what I did - then you're on your own. Before I start, do you ever just pull out the stuff you have and try to find a recipe that will use what you have (I'm not a good planner-aheader-grocery-shopper)? Food Network is a good site to visit - you can enter key-words, but it seems there's always one ingredient I don't have, so I just venture out on my own. In my mind, that's where the great cooks begin. Here's my path to greatness...<br /><br />I sliced up one huge chicken breast. In a non-stick skillet, I melted butter till sizzling, then added raw chicken slices (note to self - bleach the countertops). I sliced 4 big green onions (my neighbors brought them the other day) and tossed them in. I threw 2 tablespoons of the Homemade Gourmet garlic lemon seasoning in. I cooked all this on medium-high until the chicken started to brown. At some point, I decided to add a couple of teaspoons of minced garlic in the jar - it browns quickly. I took the chicken out. To the pan I added 1/2 cup white wine (Sauvignon Blanc), juice of one lemon, more butter and a couple of spoonfuls of capers. A little more butter, then I turned off the burner. <br /> <br />I served the chicken with a little sauce over the top of the chicken and seasoned rice(same garlic lemon seasoning. It really is good. I'm going to eat now...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-9433357954214322112008-02-26T19:21:00.005-06:002008-02-26T19:28:33.845-06:00How Many Times......how many times do you try to do something before you give up? Specifically, on the computer? For me, it's probably three. I've just tried three times to upload a picture to this blog (clearly something I've done before), with no success. I'll try later. Too bad, because I was in a blogging mood. I've been cooking, so the food-photographer wanna-be was raging. One success, one not-so-much. <br /><br />More later, when Blogger (I KNOW it's them, not me) is working properly. Life lesson: It's usually not about me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-20361983971676849802008-02-25T19:20:00.004-06:002008-02-25T19:44:19.621-06:00New Favorite Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixCNXEzj79OglXp7KSMfVvD2hGVxtansmBbCSE86RzHvkCudK5NcdEum1DMXHPXuncCFY8gaaCVX5DvWd_qRSB7PTYd_v8Qu_LKXwskaPgh9flS_PO1c92QgAoP-jCT_FB1KLMXBO79s/s1600-h/just-us-blog.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixCNXEzj79OglXp7KSMfVvD2hGVxtansmBbCSE86RzHvkCudK5NcdEum1DMXHPXuncCFY8gaaCVX5DvWd_qRSB7PTYd_v8Qu_LKXwskaPgh9flS_PO1c92QgAoP-jCT_FB1KLMXBO79s/s320/just-us-blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171098589218268818" /></a><br />For those of you new to the world of blogging (see previous post - "What's a Blog?"), I want to talk about my newest favorite blog (I still love you, Pioneer Woman!) I've added the link at left - it's called "Just Us." This is probably the first blog, besides Lundy's, I started reading regularly. I was reading Creating Keepsakes, my favorite scrapbook magazine, and found the reference to this blog. Elizabeth (author of "Just Us" blog) is the Scrapbooker of the Year (SOY), a huge honor in SB World. I should back up and tell you that many of the blogs endorsed/accompanying a magazine are very dull and just serve a promotional function for the magazine. They're seldom updated. More and more, I'm reading that frequent updates are the key to a thriving blog. <br /><br />I digress. I clicked on "Just Us" and was pleasantly surprised. Elizabeth posts nearly every day and she always includes beautiful photos, often of her scrapbook work, but sometimes just great people pictures or other fun stuff. She's so original and beautiful and downright sweet, not unlike Pioneer Woman.<br /><br />Elizabeth also includes music on her blog. That can be irritating if you don't share similar musical interests. It interferes with any streaming music if you do that. It turns out that I like Elizabeth's musical choices better than my own! If you don't know about Pandora.com, try it sometime. It's like a radio station that you tailor to what you like. It's too hard to explain in this post, but really a simple, brilliant concept. I'll add the link to Favorite Links at left, in case you want to try it. Warning: It uses band-width. My friend Keith explained that to me when I joyfully showed him my work-place fun with Pandora. The place in which we were working used a borrowed wireless connection and I was unwittingly turning the friendly neighbor's "high-speed internet" into "a stroll in the park internet" connection. All that to say, when it's just me here at home, I pull out all the stops and stream whatever music I like, usually the "Just Us" playlist.<br /><br />Ok, all that to say, take a look at "Just Us" - it's worth your time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-86233736125001928772008-02-25T18:30:00.004-06:002008-02-25T19:19:27.322-06:00Nothing to Eat!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-4LIAGDdlVZsWSI6YZUosVpo-R_Frhz1Vfl-awM8YzZgW7No5Jk8hYPRKkEiH9iGgTBJtaZoQgLOtwLu7B04SHRBIttwCJOKpDnhyphenhyphenFnifJlRZ_X8ISvioJknHTaYch2iOCsFyNZ05A/s1600-h/DSCN0670.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH-4LIAGDdlVZsWSI6YZUosVpo-R_Frhz1Vfl-awM8YzZgW7No5Jk8hYPRKkEiH9iGgTBJtaZoQgLOtwLu7B04SHRBIttwCJOKpDnhyphenhyphenFnifJlRZ_X8ISvioJknHTaYch2iOCsFyNZ05A/s320/DSCN0670.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171080052139419266" /></a> After spending no less than $500 on food last week (well, $300 of that was at Sam's and included plenty of non-food items, I'm sure), I had nothing for dinner last night. The picture is of the great kit of seasonings and mixes I bought from Homemade Gourmet. It has lots of ideas, but I have to actually look in the box and pick up all the handy recipe hints included, and maybe remember what I decided on when I stop by the grocery store. I bought chicken on my way home today, gambling that I'll be able to pull something out out the box to combine it with. I'll let you know. <br /><br />Just to be safe, I have some hamburger patties - that never fails to please the kiddo. Speaking of Sam's, don't you just love their stuff? My current Sam's favorites are lump crabmeat, Tuscan Bruschetta, mini-cucumbers that aren't bitter in the winter, fresh salsa and great strawberries for a bargain. I always buy a big thing of bananas, too - they're something like 98 cents - the only thing there for less than $9.88! Everyone says CostCo's better, but I hate to drive out to WolfChase (unless it's for the two amazing scrapbook stores), and there's a Sam's practically five minutes away from me on Covington Pike. Have to go during the week - it's a zoo on weekends. And don't ever go when they have a tasting event - I promise you, half of Memphis' families feed their kids there. The normally sweet old ladies hawking their samples get very grouchy that weekend when the kids are swarming around like catfish. It's kind of funny and sad at the same time.<br /><br />Gotta call. Aforementioned kiddo's on the way home from baseball practice so I've got to start the aforementioned hamburgers! More later...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-40780729137920668142008-02-22T16:49:00.004-06:002008-02-22T17:02:44.824-06:00Cats are Predators<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50_p_6khJSFTQ5WIX6PnuEaKvOT5Dhnoy_-IH1qaQWXkAGbjQ67B811cybOq3AgoCYDnwNKgZTUyAomU1Wddn1LaAVY26H9Qpb_cbzHCT3tObrOaqCzr9olppRmkC2q-tI-hUOBWgfmI/s1600-h/DSCN0676.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50_p_6khJSFTQ5WIX6PnuEaKvOT5Dhnoy_-IH1qaQWXkAGbjQ67B811cybOq3AgoCYDnwNKgZTUyAomU1Wddn1LaAVY26H9Qpb_cbzHCT3tObrOaqCzr9olppRmkC2q-tI-hUOBWgfmI/s320/DSCN0676.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169942452741662162" /></a><br />My most important task today was to buy cat food. They picture the huge (16 lb.) bag of food as an injured antelope in the Sahara. They'd kill and eat my family if they were big enough. I can see why people prefer dogs. Only thing is, they are easy. And our back yard is not fenced. I go round and round on the cats v. dogs thing, and I think dogs go better with Republicans, but that's neither here nor there. The cats are easy. They can manage the weekend alone. Big advantage.<br /><br />I need to tuck the big bag of food into the airtight container so they don't rip the bag open like a poor zebra's belly - I'll have a mess to clean up. If anyone knows of a cat-lady who needs two more....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-89082189038440430262008-02-22T14:00:00.002-06:002008-02-22T14:11:13.578-06:00Heavenly Hyacinths!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4k9VujRO3xLKySBdLzuD-w2-SZ8yJsyUk3eCZ-b7-sLsnxp3vqD6yW7WtKqfbOxMq_Pt0G7MgAUI5JDvPooH7YNrVhap0PfuViR_hqzUMA_rlsgfvAJmu4J7XRkNchpcFtJaa6vqeF0/s1600-h/DSCN0673.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4k9VujRO3xLKySBdLzuD-w2-SZ8yJsyUk3eCZ-b7-sLsnxp3vqD6yW7WtKqfbOxMq_Pt0G7MgAUI5JDvPooH7YNrVhap0PfuViR_hqzUMA_rlsgfvAJmu4J7XRkNchpcFtJaa6vqeF0/s400/DSCN0673.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169897213851133330" /></a>I went to Kroger to buy cat food, only cat food. As I passed the produce section toward floral, I pushed my cart into a cloud of heavenly fragrance. At first I thought it must be lilies and then I saw the $4.99 potted hyacinths. They were half price. I bought this beautiful specimen. It has four amazing blooms. They were in several colors from purple and pink to this lovely very light pink - almost white. It was the Kroger on Sanderlin and there were only a dozen or so left. Beware: If you decide to go, remember that the tennis tournament is going on and traffic is a little hectic. What a sports weekend we're having in Memphis!<br /><br />Let me know if you get in on the flowers, and if you ever have any luck with them coming back the following year if you plant the bulbs. I have a pink hydrangea in my yard that has struggled but survived for a number of years from a poor, usually short-lived grocery store plant!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-87115026824503780672008-02-22T10:55:00.005-06:002008-02-22T11:15:59.300-06:00To-Do Lists + Reality TV<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpAU6Vy7kFR2Fv3DXHUsA2EirVpXYs-lEdi9V_eNdHpZ5UM_2BbeK87nBAH7RIlaCXtpzUFJpz8EmHuM0tOiK8OA7RQobRFWKY9FNdalcX-r6I0whF5b89gvoZi9lrli9MR4vXRUibds/s1600-h/hip-household-organizer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpAU6Vy7kFR2Fv3DXHUsA2EirVpXYs-lEdi9V_eNdHpZ5UM_2BbeK87nBAH7RIlaCXtpzUFJpz8EmHuM0tOiK8OA7RQobRFWKY9FNdalcX-r6I0whF5b89gvoZi9lrli9MR4vXRUibds/s320/hip-household-organizer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169850699355317634" /></a>Here's my list for today - only the most important things. I started the walking in circles thing and couldn't find my Hip Household Organizer I made at Archiver's a couple of months ago. I really love it - it's nice and big and has lots of pockets and room for all kinds of stuff. It would help if I could find it. Finally found it in guest room after reaching near panic stage because it has my Brazilian Visa application and I have to turn that in this weekend. I have to get two more passport pictures taken today to go with the application. And the cats are down to the last few morsels of food. If I don't get food for them today, I suppose they'll have to live for a few days on all the food they scatter around on the floor. A million things to do, and here I sit blogging. Avoidance?<br /><br />I just heard on the radio that the Tigers/Vols game tickets are going for around $3,000 on an auction they're doing for charity. I'll try to post you on the final selling price.<br /><br />Speaking of the game, I will not be making a prediction. My prediction about Yau-Man winning Survivor (see previous post) was completely wrong - he was the third person voted off last night. Of course, he was a big target because he is full of integrity and is beloved by everyone. I hate it when the nice people get voted off and the mean people win. At least Johnny Fairplay (he is diabolical and a VERY BAD actor) was the first to leave. So now I don't care. I have to say the challenges were great last night. I'm really surprised no one suffered a broken neck in the island version of football. It was brutal. The coconut toss was very clever, too. Very much like basketball with a twist. I wish they'd do a 30 minute show without all the drama and scheming and drawn out tribal councils and just show the challenges.<br /><br />Now that the writer's strike has ended, we'll get some real television. Can you believe the proliferation of reality shows? I'm not the only one in my circle of friends who's addicted to them - just look at Juli's blog (JustFindYourJoy - see link at left) - her list of favorite tv shows is not unlike mine.<br /><br />All for now - GOTTA get busy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-42378962465944680482008-02-21T18:14:00.005-06:002008-02-21T19:02:49.520-06:00Go Tigers Go!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9OWaKMwA0eoa7PQbEhrZqfi_eDCU-J3BRk2vtVylwwCOmWFCGSIIi-gj837hUavR3w68wU26w9T2peBmrOjuXiMjBo2_KhT4v-BIrfYv2aaXclLn2ShDySoDXI5lloWWBQoip3PkIr8/s1600-h/tigers+basketball.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9OWaKMwA0eoa7PQbEhrZqfi_eDCU-J3BRk2vtVylwwCOmWFCGSIIi-gj837hUavR3w68wU26w9T2peBmrOjuXiMjBo2_KhT4v-BIrfYv2aaXclLn2ShDySoDXI5lloWWBQoip3PkIr8/s320/tigers+basketball.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169593426519319922" /></a>I'm not much of a sports fan (except for son's high school baseball and the World Series), but who can live in Memhis and not be excited about Saturday's game? I halfway watched the game against UAB last weekend where we pulled out a win at the last (literally) second. It made me nervous, but I read one of my million magazines and watched the game with one eye. Memphis and Tennessee were ranked number 1 and 2, respectively, going into last night's game. They both won, so we have the perfect storm. It's bigger than the SuperBowl. Seriously. For those of us in Memphis, anyway.<br /><br />I used to love college basketball back in the day, when I was a "Memphis State" student. I was there when we went to the Final Four - in the Keith Lee days. On the rare occasions when I watch, it really gets my heart pounding. I like basketball because it's pretty easy to understand. I've tried and tried and have given up on football. I probably know as much as I do about baseball (not that much in the scheme of things) from years of keeping the scorebook for kiddo's team. I really do love that. People who know me give me a strange look when I start up about how much fun it is to keep score in baseball. It really keeps you in the game.<br /><br />Well, I'm getting off track. Back to basketball. If you've heard rumors of tickets going for $10,000, here's the truth. I just checked eBay, and 2 tickets went for $500, 4 for $710 - those were the only two completed auctions. Someone's offering two for $7,500 and that auction's set to expire tonight. It looks like the market's not there. Of course, one thing I've learned through my experience in the business world - asking and getting aren't the same thing! It's still early, though, and this is just eBay, but I think it's a pretty good indicator of the market value. I'll be watching from the comfort of my den, although if anyone knows of any parties with a huge TV and fun people involved, let me know - I might just crash the party! I have a feeling lots of parties will be popping up this week.<br /><br />I hope to write a jubilant post on Sunday morning after the big game. If not, I'll probably post another picture of waffles and make no mention of the game. For all the U of M fans out there, let's show our support, wear blue and enjoy the ride!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-7012085283541450022008-02-20T18:56:00.005-06:002008-02-20T19:22:05.415-06:00Food = Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdvfhdFg9irTX__YaH5TI2FJRCmr2R9N755RP5ZV2ADAZQnOe15aZz3nfUJG_Ka2fWzRkazNTRWV6eKOc7v1Xp0LbAH088CbAdP4d-HbS-mRmggu6ZVn4Z1cQU4-LB0E-VxxThpgCAgs/s1600-h/DSCN0667.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdvfhdFg9irTX__YaH5TI2FJRCmr2R9N755RP5ZV2ADAZQnOe15aZz3nfUJG_Ka2fWzRkazNTRWV6eKOc7v1Xp0LbAH088CbAdP4d-HbS-mRmggu6ZVn4Z1cQU4-LB0E-VxxThpgCAgs/s320/DSCN0667.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169231223337313618" /></a>I've been thinking lots about communication lately. This blog is a new form of communication for me, and now that my loyal friends are reading it and saying such nice things to me about it, it's no longer a one-way message. <br /><br />For a couple of years now, I've been missing all the conversations I used to have with my son. The teenage years have taken a toll on the mother-son talks. I remember all the hours of bedtime stories, the million questions (when is that - around seven or eight years old?), and all the sweet words we exchanged. I really miss all that, so very much. My friends with older children assure me that they come around again. I'm waiting for that.<br /><br />In the meantime, the best way to tell him I love him is through food. He never raves about anything I fix, but when he mutters "This is good" or asks me when I'm going to fix a particular thing again, I know I've succeeded. I'm not kidding myself - he doesn't really appreciate it now. He even prefers other moms' meals. I no longer make the best chocolate chip cookies - that honor goes to Renee K. But I know there are a hundred ways to make Maryland crab cakes and no one's will be quite like mine. And now that he's driving to school, I've been trying to have his dinner ready when he walks in from baseball practice around 7:00. I'm no June Cleaver, in fact, I'm about as far from that as you can get. No, seriously. But I do love my son. And I'm learning his language. Food.<br /><br />The first picture is of the crab cake sandwich I made for him. The second picture is of the other, not-so-pretty crab cakes. They're far from perfect (the best ones went on the sandwich), and falling apart in places, unevenly browned and they caused me pain when they spattered on me while they cooked. Now, if that's not a metaphor for love, I don't know what is. Not sure what unevenly browned represents, but you get the idea.<br /><br />One other thing, and then I'm going to eat. My new dream job is to be a food photographer. If anyone hears of an opening in this area, let me know. I have no credentials except I love food and I love to take pictures of food. It sits still and doesn't complain and poses for as long as I need. This makes me think of my friend Martha Hopkins' cookbook. It deserves its own post, so I'll write more about it later.<br /><br />I'm off to eat the not-so-pretty crabcakes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wfnH2PvbjdFKZ13g-LNXeUplKeiOkIl5nLX-I4DEo9GpUAcobiRgRUlpbhDFmpmwo0c5FQ2jhKR_54mFC6ZTCBe60lSfpAnJYe2Iv1_H1GcfRXMwAb2CPcsCEgY9dBgxSjj777Flfns/s1600-h/DSCN0668.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wfnH2PvbjdFKZ13g-LNXeUplKeiOkIl5nLX-I4DEo9GpUAcobiRgRUlpbhDFmpmwo0c5FQ2jhKR_54mFC6ZTCBe60lSfpAnJYe2Iv1_H1GcfRXMwAb2CPcsCEgY9dBgxSjj777Flfns/s320/DSCN0668.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169236325758461282" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4226576671698910160.post-2936171623031750582008-02-17T12:53:00.003-06:002008-02-17T13:03:55.144-06:00Flowers and Weeds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGqIf092S8z1_Fb1grmL_w2_phVVthdDpP5NmkjWGevuVRW1sZ_lblsv0Cw0EYYDwkEHr8bpfQ-G-vTVdAr_eEaTAjXTRhGF8r1etavdUVqiPsZIY7QhThmrSM8VXAhwyX0kLk-_0_OM/s1600-h/DSCN0657.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGqIf092S8z1_Fb1grmL_w2_phVVthdDpP5NmkjWGevuVRW1sZ_lblsv0Cw0EYYDwkEHr8bpfQ-G-vTVdAr_eEaTAjXTRhGF8r1etavdUVqiPsZIY7QhThmrSM8VXAhwyX0kLk-_0_OM/s200/DSCN0657.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168024869543996818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjM6jWVg332K8kFUOILnbLtLOAAs1hyphenhyphenYBoUVCdkfGvG__0bgWwj1PMiZOw2qXQlDk4abrdm9SGtHjgrWpMZ1gov6tdBZ-ddkfUu5vVUxQmKy8FE9yp9bF4Tbj-Z_dX2M2goCSOH3QvqY/s1600-h/DSCN0656.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjM6jWVg332K8kFUOILnbLtLOAAs1hyphenhyphenYBoUVCdkfGvG__0bgWwj1PMiZOw2qXQlDk4abrdm9SGtHjgrWpMZ1gov6tdBZ-ddkfUu5vVUxQmKy8FE9yp9bF4Tbj-Z_dX2M2goCSOH3QvqY/s320/DSCN0656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168024633320795522" /></a> The same day I noticed the daffodils blooming, I also saw the dandelions. Did you know "dandelion" comes from the French for "lion's tooth" since that is the shape of their leaves? Did you also know that a weed is any plant you don't want? I'm sure there are some life lessons here - the good with the bad, the yin and the yang, weeding out the stuff we don't want in our lives - you get the idea. I always think about spiritual lessons in the garden.<br /><br />Speaking of gardening, I can't wait to get outside and dig in the dirt this time of year. It's too early to plant annuals, since we always get a frost. I think the day the experts say is April 15th. When I used to do accounting work, it wasn't difficult to resist since I was working dawn to dusk. For now, I could cut back the monkey grass, mulch the flower beds (right on top of the leaves I never raked, and maybe plant a few pansies or just pull up the summer stuff I never got around to.<br /><br />For today, I'm headed off to my "niece" Christine's birthday party at The Incredible Pizza Company. She's my BFF Angela's daughter and we tease about time-sharing our boy and their girl. Better run - party starts soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0