Adventures with Paper Girl

Get your Velveeta now

2011-11-21T11:03:00.001-08:00

You're going to need it Thursday, or in the Paper-Dog family's case on Sunday- either way you will need it the day after you dive into all of the turkey and have your leftover turkey sandwiches.

For it is the day after Thanksgiving diner that I remember fondly from Memaw's with the Tautenhanners that we would have Velveeta cheese dip as children and I loved dunking my turkey sandwich in the dip. It must have been extra special because we didn't usually have cheese dip at our house in the little city.

But... get our family of four plus four boy cousins, a favorite aunt, a crazy uncle, a wonderful Memaw, a handy Pepaw, two bedrooms and one bathroom together on 13 acres and look out... cheese dip and card playing were sure to be on the agenda.

Even now over twenty years later I think about those years playing in that little house, being shooed into the pasture or just "outside" and am so nostalgic for a time when things like cheese dip could make a weekend magical. Maybe it still can.

Lulu, I think I have an addition to the grocery list.

Little slice of home

2011-11-16T10:07:00.001-08:00

I've been to Pavillions. You might remember that last week I had heard of this lovely store on the Hill called Pavillions. Well.. friends... I've been and it was a little messy, a little crowded for a Tuesday afternoon and a lot like Tom Thumb. I loved it .

It was like walking into the Tom Thumb on Hulen and I-20 in the Fort and it was just what I needed after trying in vain to find all of the tings I have been looking for in the grocery store for weeks. I'm not saying that I'm turning into a grocery store freak or anything, draw your own conclusion there, but when they had the big Thanksgiving baking pre-set pallet right in the front door... well- I was excited to see a little bit of Safeway safety just 1.2 miles from home.

Tonight we're having Lasagna for dinner. It's a recipe that I think I've shared before- one that the Paper Family loves- and that they request much more than I love making- for it makes much more than the three of us can consume in two sittings and then there I am with noodles and sauce stinking up my fridge... so I am considering making friends with the neighbors to see if they're in the mood for ooey-goey cheesey saucy pasta for dinner.

So here's a re-post of the recipe with a few updates- Lasagna 201

Ingredients- all approximate measures:

8 or 9 oz package flat homestyle dry lasagna noodles
2 jars of spaghetti sauce- I like Barialla Basil
1# ground beef
1 c water
15 oz part skim ricotta
1 egg
1# shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup water
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 T parsley flakes
Dash nutmeg
¼ c fresh basil chopped
Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350

Brown ground beef in a dutch oven or other deep pot- flavoring it with salt, pepper and garlic. Drain any excess fat. Add to the pot 2 jars of sauce and a cup of water. I use the water to rinse the jars so we get every last drop of tasty sauce. Bring to a low boil.

Meanwhile, mix together in a small bowl the ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, egg, ½ cup water, parsley flakes, fresh basil and nutmeg.

Assemble: Spray a 9x13 glass pan and a small side dish oven proof pan with cooking spray.

Put about a ½ cup of sauce in the 9x13 pan and ¼ cup into the small one to serve as the base. Lay 3 noodles side by side in the 9x13 to cover most of the bottom. Spread about a tablespoon of the ricotta mixture on each noodle, sprinkle with ¼ of the mozzarella, top with a generous ladle of the sauce meat mixture. Then repeat two more times in the 9x13 and use the remaining noodles and sauce in the small pan.

Sprinkle all remaining Parmesan cheese and mozzarella over the top of the assembled lasagna. Spray cooking spray on foil or use easy release foil to tightly cover the pans. Bake for 45 minutes covered. Then, uncover and bake for 15 minutes more to brown the top nicely. Remove from oven to rest for 15 minutes before cutting to give cheese time to settle.

Refrigerate any uneaten portion and reheat for lunch the next day or dinner the next night...

Uncooked lasagna can be frozen. Cover tightly with additional foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To cook, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking- I've never done it though-

We like to eat Lasagna with salad (ha) and garlic biscuits-

take a can of small biscuits- cut the dough in half to make 20 half moon shapes- dip the uncooked dough in a mixture of melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Bake for about 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven after you take the lasagna from the oven. Smells like heaven. Tastes pretty good too...

What's in a name??

2011-11-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me today as I was re-reading the wedding ceremony program from my BFF Duke's wedding this summer in an effort to clean up some of the clutter in the nest this afternoon that names are a really cool lot that we draw that we have little or no control over but which have much influence over us.

I have a two name family name- named as the legend goes after my mom's two favorite uncles. The Peep is named for her paternal great grandmother and is the fifth of her middle name on my mothers side. My sister HillDog is named for our great grandmother and for our mom's favorite grandfather...

Do we become our name I wonder? My sister is a little wacky- but her name has a wacky spelling- I am calm and demure- but my name is too- the Peep is movie star dramatic- and so is her name...

And what about nicknames? Duke has been with us for 20 years but we are the ONLY ones in her family to bestow Dukeness on her- Somehow in 20 years it never caught on anywhere else.

And there are Juniors. Some parents have no intention of calling their kids by their names- just calling them Bob or Rob or Jr. That's cool too. Those kids get to start out cool from the get go.

Now my preggers sister is settling on names with my BIL Bruder and Hallie-Jackon aka Shanequia is growing like a weed. Will she be a hell raising red haired pale faced little thing or a little spit fire they call Jack?? What if she were called Jack? What is in a name? What's in yours?? Please do share...

xoxoxo

Big Vons Little Vons

2011-11-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Vons is the grocery store that I tend to frequent when I have to go to the store. It's is part of the Safeway chain so it's like Tom Thumb back in the Big City. Nice and Clean. Stocked pretty well. If I have my 'druthers, Slick goes to the store since he does most of the fancy cooking, but sometimes we need bread, milk and eggs and I am relegated to the store. There is a Vons super close to our house that is more like a large convenience store attached to gas pumps, except that there aren't any gas pumps. Same number of parking spaces though. About nine. Little Vons is probably ok if all I wanted was truly milk, bread and eggs, but inevitably I end up with one or five things on the list that little Vons doesn't carry and I leave frustrated that I even stopped there. Inconvenience store if you ask me.

Big Vons... now there's a store. Even I will go to the store with a smile for Big Vons. It is the biggest regular grocery store I remember being inside. They have all kinds of things. Not fancy and exotic things like Central Market or clever things like Trader Joes, but lots of choices for regular people kinds of foods. Wild rice. I was looking for regular old original recipe Uncle Ben's Long Cooking Wild Rice last week to go beside roasted chicken with cherry sauce. Little Vons only has the pre-cooked reheat in the microwave version of wild rice. I don't like that kind. I like the old school orange box with the nice picture of Uncle Ben on it.

Had to go to Big Vons for it. And while I was there I had to get a can of cherries for the cherry sauce because apparently cherries that aren't in gooey mess but packed in water are not for stocking at little Vons either.

Just last week Slick told me about Pavillions. Apparently it's a super fancy Vons.

I can't wait to go... I wonder how big it is...?http://www.vons.com/ShopStores/Shop.page?

This was tasty Halloween dinner!

2011-11-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

For Halloween dinner we needed something I could make fairly quickly since I hadn't given it much thought and I was supposed to be printing the Peep's homework packet and was instead trolling my new obsession Pintrest- where I stumbled upon this delicious looking dinner- I am more of a save the-new-recipe-and-think-about-making-it-but-stick-with-tried-and-true-kind of a girl... I know you are shocked given my high level of adventures... kidding- but for some reason the creaminess spoke to me and I had to try it. SO off to Big Vons the Peep and I ran and an hour later we were having super tasty creamy chicken taquitos!

baked creamy chicken taquitos

Let me say: this is not my photo. Ours did look that wonderfully. But we ate them so quickly that there wasn't time for a picture. This is the photo from the tasty blog that I got the recipe from- and if you make them please let them know if you liked them because I sure did-

But just for your ease here is her recipe and my modifications in ( ) because you know the PaperPeople can't follow instructions...

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Printable Recipe

Yield: 12 taquitos... (somehow we only got 11. I know you are surprised.)

3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup green salsa (I wasn't sure what this was supposed to be so I got a can of salas verde from the Mexican aisle at Big Vons)
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice, juice from half a lime
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder (I just saw this so I forgot to put it in... )
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced (I was in too much of a hurry to chop garlic- we were trying to get out the door- it WAS Halloween- so I just used garlic salt)
3 Tbsp chopped cilantro (Same with the garlic- didn't want to chop...)
2 Tbsp sliced green onions (Ditto...)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I took raw chicken tenders form the store sprinkeld with garlic salt and canola oil and cooked on the grill pan on the top of the stove. They were really this and cooked really quickly while I was mixing up the rest of the ingredients.)
1 cup shredded Mexican flavored cheese (I just used a big handful :))
small flour or corn tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Preheat your oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (I used foil which I call ALUMINUM FOIL like it says on the box and which Slick calls TIN FOIL and which makes me laugh)

In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic. Once combined, stir in the cilantro and green onions. Add the chicken and cheese; mix thoroughly.

[If you decided to prep this in advance, refrigerate the mixture at this point until ready to continue.]

Working with a few tortillas at a time, heat them in the microwave between two paper towels until they are soft enough to roll, about 20 – 30 seconds. (My tortillas were really fresh so I didn't need to do this)

Spoon 2-3 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla as tightly as you can.

Place the rolled tortilla seam side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas until the mixture is gone. Make sure the taquitos are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Serve with salsa, sour cream or guacamole. (We served with all three and with cheesy chips- recipe follows)

**To freeze: Before baking, chill the taquitos on the baking sheet in the fridge. Once completely cooled, wrap each taquito individually with plastic wrap. Place in a labeled freezer bag and freeze. To bake a frozen taquito [no need to thaw first]: Preheat oven to 425˚F and bake for 20 minutes. Source: Adapted from Our Best Bites- and then from Penniesonalatter.com via PaperGirl

Now this is a super easy recipe so don't laugh. We were at Slick's current favorite Mexican restaurant- Lupita's in Redondo Beach- and were watching the Texas Rangers whip up on the St Louis Cardinals in game 5 of the 2011 World Series- no need to mention how the rest of the series went- and were starving so being the take charge kind of girl I am, I ordered Cheesy Chips. When they came to the table were skeptical right up until we took the first bite.

Cheesy Chips
Recipe:

Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread corn chips of your choice in a single layer. Cover with desired amount of freshly grated jack cheese. Bake in preheated 450 degree oven until cheese is melted and bubbly Serve with sour cream and salsa... yummmmmmmm.

We have a few neighborhood birds

2011-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

In many neighborhoods they have wildlife and ours is no exception, it's just that our species is exceptional.

We have the loveliest birds.

Peacocks.

Before we got here people warned us against moving to the hood of the loud birds- and when we first moved we noticed their morning wake up calls, but now we don't unless we are specifically listening for them and instead look forward to seeing them. The Peep and I usually see them in the morning if we are going to see them at all- though they will occasionally make a late afternoon appearance.

We've begun a Peacock Count and just so you know, today's is 10.

Carpool Line

2011-10-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

I promise not to have a million "we used to do things better in the Fort" stories... but carpool in the Fort, as crazy as it was, was super efficient compared to what the Peep and I see daily on the coast.

This morning for example: there was a white car of indiscriminate make parked in the yellow zone, no driver. Just parked. People in their cars behind it trying to get our kids to school. Having to try to maneuver around it.

But that was NOTHING compared to the car that was three spaces in front of it. I tell you I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. The mom in the suburban was... putting on her make-up. In the car pool lane. Parked. In the carpool lane. With sixty or so cars waiting behind her to drop off their kids. She was parked. In the yellow zone. Putting on her eye shadow and mascara. The only thing I can guess is that the lighting in her bathroom is as bad as it is in mine and she was looking for some natural light- but really- can't you pull out of the line so the rest of us can get on with our day?? I have a list as long as Putter's tail of things to do today- and sitting behind you while you apply your (Sorry Ashley)- Blusher- is not on it...

And now for the rest of the day... off to get Halloween Candy. Have to wait for the last minute... lest I EAT it all!

Have a SPOOKY day.

We have Mov-ed

2011-10-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

We have mov-ed. Not just moved. But Mov-ed. Like across the country. Out of Tejas. Away from the rest of the Dogs. Perhaps this explains the lapse in the posting. Perhaps the year and a half of living apart from Slick explains the lapse in posting. You know... the cooking, the cleaning, the Peep tending... whatever the reason... the Papergirl is BAAAAACKKKK!!

So this is the new home base for the PaperGirl. I mostly operate from the middle floor. That's the one with the kitchen, but the bottom floor is the one with the Beverage Kingdom where the Diet Cokes are stored... so there is plenty of travel down there too... The top floor is reserved for sleeping and for dog chillaxing. Gus LOOOVES to lay on the balconies and keep watch on the 'hood.

Things are certainly different on the west coast. For one thing it's sunny. Almost every day. Even if it's foggy in the morning or the evening, it was sunny sometime that day where we are on the peninsula. Which I LOVE. I mean what's the fun of having a lid that opens on your car if you never open it? So now I drive with the sunroof open. A lot. Like every day. I almost never did that in Tejas.

The Peeper is loving the west coast. She loves her new school. They eat lunch outside. Picnic tables. Picnic Tables. That's right. I said picnic tables. I really like her school too. It's perfectly sized- three second grade classes- one administrator- just enough PTA friends that I can remember everyone's names.

I'm hoping to make a few changes to the Papergirl sight in the coming weeks so I hope you will enjoy reconnecting with the Paperfamily.

Missed you!

Realllllly?

2010-12-01T07:49:00.000-08:00

I never talk poorly about my clients, but since this guy's decided to go somewhere else, I'll let you in on what he's done.

He called me on Monday morning asking about a masculine invitation that he wanted to use as an announcement. I told him I'd be glad to help- and he should take a look around the website if he didnt want to come in in person- which he didn't want to do. Later that day someone totally unrelated to him- a name I didn't know at all sent me an attachment. Just a blank email with an attachment.

Hello virus.

I deleted it from the phone before it ever got to my computer. Then Dr. Strange love emailed later in the day asking if I had anything more masculine. I sell wedding invitations. There's not much masculine about that. I called him to see if I could be of help- this is all still on Monday. He asked if I had gotten the text from the mystery lady- I said that I hadn't recognized the name and had not opened it... out to Google mail trash to find it... I emailed him a link to a plain white card and asked him if he wanted to proceed. Did not hear back on Tuesday.

He just called- it's 10 on Wednesday. Wanted to know if I had printed anything- uh, no. As I explained on Monday, I don't actually print anything that's what my printing factory is for- and that as soon as he choose a type style, I'd gladly submit his order and a proof would come in 48 hours and ship after that... all of which I explained on Monday.

He said, and I am not kidding, "I need these this week." I said I definitely can not do that. I said again that I don't print anything here. Even with overnight shipping we can't get them here this week. He said, "Well I need them on Saturday." Hello. Then Wednesday's not a great day to start looking for them!

I totally understand rush orders. I'm working on one for my college roommate now, but really? Two days from now you want 75 fancy printed announcements with a really really long message on them. I am really sorry- but there's nothing I can do to help.

I wish I could- but unlike our Christmas Elf, Red, I have no magical powers.

It's like a lightbulb has come on...

2010-10-20T09:46:00.001-07:00

I suspect many families have some sort of menu planning process. Until yesterday ours went something like this: I would go to the store a few times a month and guess about what I might make for dinners and buy ingredients accordingly.

Each day we would then have the same conversation:
Me: “What would you like for dinner?”
Peep: “What are my choices?”
Me: “Whatever we have here… take a look.”

Yesterday that all changed. It was magical really.

I said, “What would you like for dinner this week?” The Peep said, “What are my choices.”

I wrote on the back of a school paper a list of about 30 things that I either knew how to make or was willing to try. Luckily I had a copy of the America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook sitting on the counter to help with list suggestions. I couldn’t have come up with 30 choices off the top of my head…

She picked something for last night, baked zitti, tonight fancy chicken, tomorrow traditional chicken pot pie, Friday homemade pizza and Sunday spaghetti and meatballs…

I am so excited to have a plan!

For those of you (my sister) who would like to see the list to get inspired... here you go...

Chili Fancy chicken Broiled steaks Wild rice Baked ziti Salmons Broccoli Eggs Spinach Spaghetti and meatballs Baked chicken Pancakes Pork tenderloin Quesadillas Chicken pot pie Grilled cheese Brisket Chicken and dumplings French toast Beef burgundy Meatloaf Pan seared salmon Risotto Shrimp and garlic Pot roast Macaroni and cheese Seared scallops Pizza Artichokes Brussels sprouts Corn Cauliflower Roasted potatoes Sweet potatoes Asparagus
Corn pudding

Life lessons from a 90 year old.

2010-10-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you Slick's mom for this article. Take 3 minutes and read it. It's worth it.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small sep.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29 What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift

True and Funny

2010-10-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this email yesterday and though I think I have read it before, and you have likely as well, I thought it was worth a refresher.

Adult Truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

I hope you live happily ever after... PaperGirl.

Ultimate Banana Bread

2010-09-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is the BEST banana bread ever. I love banana bread and I'm serious: This is the best ever.

It comes from the July/ August 2010 Cools Illustrated Number 105 "Ultimate Banana Bread" by Andrea Geary.

Here you go:

Use very ripe (black if possible) bananas.

You will need:
1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
6 large very ripe bananas peeled
1 stick unsalted butter melted and cooled
2 large eggs

3/4 cup ( 5 1/4 ounces) firmly packed light brown sugar (I use dark)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup walnuts toasted and chopped- OPTIONAL and I OPT not to use them

2 teaspoons white sugar

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 350 degrees. Spray loaf pan with non stick spray. Whisk flour, baking soda and salt together in large bowl.

2 Place 5 bananas in microwave safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and cut steam vents in plastic wrap with paring knife. Microwave on high until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 minutes. Transfer bananas to fine mesh strainer placed over a medium bowl and allow to drain stirring occasionally 15 minutes. (you should have 1/2 to 3/4 cup liquid.)
3. Transfer liquid to medium sauce pan and cook over medium high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove pan form heat, stir reduced liquid into bananas and mash with potato masher until fairly smooth. Whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.

4. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir just until combined with some streaks of white remaining. Gently fold in walnuts if using. Scrape batter into prepared pan. Slice remaining banana diagonally into 1/4 inch slices. Shingle banana slices on top of either side of loaf leaving 1 1/2 inch wide space down the middle to ensure even rise. Sprinkle white sugar evenly over loaf.

5. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean- 55 to 75 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes, then remove from pan and continue to cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

The next time I make it, I think I'm going to cook a little less because the ends are dried out on mine, but the second slice to the second form end slice are wonderful!

MMMM.

Lobbyist

2010-09-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not saying who... but someone is lobbying to sleep in the big bed insted of his kennel.

Busy Day

2010-09-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

So... Slick is often telling me I am up for Wife of the Year award. Today I think I will self nominate.

Morning meeting at the Peep's school about volunteering in the library, trip to the Rec Center to walk a little on the tread mill, home to vacuum upstairs and down, brush out the little dog's fur, put away two loads of laundry, post on facebook, talk to the neighbor, shred a ton of old junk, pick up the Peep, home for homework and snack, trip to jazz, trip to Tom Thumb, pick up at jazz, cook pork tenderloin with sauteed spinach and wild rice, loaf of ultimate banana bread in the oven, kid into the bed and dogs on the lookout for whatever just made a crash on the back porch.
I sure hope it's not another suicidal squirrel... two weeks ago on two separate days, we had little ones in the back yard. One day it was as we were headed out to school- tiny thing- wasn't sure what ti was- but the dogs brought it to my attention, no the less- they didn't care that the carpool line was getting longer by the second, they wanted me to check out what they found... and then several nights later- about 9:30- pitch dark for these parts- another one winds up in almost the exact place. That time, I happened to be talking to Slick on the phone and once again: Wife of the Year nomination... luckily on our 12 year anniversary earlier this month, he decided something sparkly was in order... award received.

I'm tired.

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Bacon, Onions, & Peas - Fine Cooking Recipes, Techniques and Tips

2010-07-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Bacon, Onions, & Peas - Fine Cooking Recipes, Techniques and Tips

Thinking of having this tonight at the beach house for dinner...

I'll let you know if it is as tasty as we think it will be !!!

Six or Sixteen

2010-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Slick is back at work and just called to check in.

The Peep just asked him, "So what'ch doin' with your bad self?"

Six or Sixteen? I'm not always sure.

Gus ready for anything

2010-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

That little fuzz ball Gus... he came into our lives quite by accident after Slick bid on him on a whim at an auction... and now we certainly love him to pieces...

He jumps into the shower, runs up and down the stairs with us and runs outside to see what's up when ever we head out toward the car.

He's been chewing on old corks from wine bottles lately, Putter never so much as sniffed them, and I can't keep Gus out of the giant crock that they are in on the hearth. I think that's what the brick part of the fireplace that comes into the room is called... any way - on the brick part of the floor- whatever that's called...

Mostly, he just lays on the floor wherever he falls and sleeps all day. That dog life... it's pretty hard.

A million years

2010-06-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

It feels like a million years since my last post. I am back up and running in place. Just wanted to update everyone on what the Peep and I did for dinner tonight. See, there's this resturant chain called Houstons. We didn't go there, but we went to an 85% knockoff in the Big City. The Peep decides she'll have the chicken and ribs combo, thank you very much. Then she proceeds to power down the ribs- tastes the chicken- pronounces it "way too dry" and goes back to the ribs... eventually asking for some of mine! That girl is something amazing. I just love her to pieces. Forgot my phone at home or I would have taken a pic. It was certainly something to behold.

Easy White Clam Sauce

2009-10-23T08:15:00.002-07:00

I have made this recently and it is super tasty. Thanks to Slick's mom and the 2000 Snow's Great Calm Cook-Off Cookbook. I wonder how she got the recipe in the cookbook... hmmmm.

Easy and Tasty White Clam Sauce

2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup olive oil- I used basil flavored and it was super tasty
1 T Butter
2 6.5 cans Snow's chopped clams drained. RESERVE JUICE.
1/2 c dry white wine
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1T chopped fresh Basil
bit of pepper

In medium Saucepan, saute on med garlic in butter and oil until garlic is cooked but not burned. Add reserved clam liquid, wine, parsley, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 min. Add clams and cook another 5 minutes.

Serve over cooked linguine or other pasta and Parmesan cheese. Be sure to cook that linguine well- mine was more dent'e than soft...

Lasagna 101

2009-10-07T11:01:00.002-07:00

My sister asked for this recipe. Hill Dog: here you go!

Lasagna 101:

A combination of recipes from Ellie Morrison home cook extraordinaire, The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook and my own experiences.

Ingredients- all approximate measures:

8 or 9 oz package flat homestyle dry lasagna noodles
2 jars of spaghetti sauce- I like Classico Sweet Basil
1# ground beef
1 c water
15 oz part skim ricotta
1 egg
1# shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup water
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 T parsley flakes
Dash nutmeg
¼ c fresh basil chopped
Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350

Brown ground beef flavoring it with salt, pepper and garlic. Drain any excess fat. Add to the pot 2 jars of sauce and a cup of water. I use the water to rinse the jars so we get every last drop of tasty sauce. Bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, mix together in a small bowl the ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, egg, ½ cup water, parsley flakes, fresh basil and nutmeg.

Assemble: Spray a 9x13 and a small side dish oven proof pan with cooking spray. Put about a ½ cup of sauce in the 9x13 pan and ¼ cup into the small one to serve as the base. Lay 3 noodles side by side in the 9x13 to cover most of the bottom. Spread about a tablespoon of the ricotta mixture on each noodle, sprinkle with ¼ of the mozzarella, top with a generous ladle of the sauce meat mixture. Then repeat two more times in the 9x13 and use the remaining noodles and sauce in the small pan. Sprinkle all remaining Parmesan cheese and mozzarella over the top of the assembled lasagna. Spray cooking spray on foil or use easy release foil to tightly cover the pans. Bake for 45 minutes covered. Then, uncover and bake for 15 minutes more to brown the top nicely. Remove from oven to rest for 15 minutes before cutting to give cheese time to settle.

Refrigerate any uneaten portion and reheat for lunch the next day.

Uncooked lasagna can be frozen. Cover tightly with additional foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To cook, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.

Envelope Icing... Who knew?

2009-07-29T07:54:00.004-07:00

I have just seen a wonderful item for envelopes of all types- wedding invitations to Christmas Cards!!

Envelope icing! It is a sticker printed with pretty much anything you want- your monogram, return address or just pretty colors.

The sticker wraps around the envelope so that if you have your return address on it, it is on the back and the large rectangle where you write names and addresses is on the front.

Icing is available in a full array of colors- something to match everything! And if you are super organized with your addresses... they can be printed directly onto the icing for you! That means of you have an excel document of your Christmas list, you can send it in and all of the names come pre-printed on adorable stickers ready for you to send them out!

Save precious time and be super cute in the process! What about baby announ

cements? If you have the list of anything you are sending, they can be printed and sent to you!

Check with me soon to place orders for Holiday cards and let's get together to customize an Icing look for you!

25 more now... save later

2009-07-13T08:29:00.002-07:00

The following is a public service announcement:

Regardless of where you purchase your wedding invitations, PLEASE take the advise of the person working with you and order an additional increment- if they come in 25's, get 25 more than you think you need, if they come in 50's get 50 more.

This morning I had a bride contact me looking to get 5 more invitations. It's going to cost almost as much as her initial order to get the additional 5 she needs because we have to order 25 and pay shipping for them... if she's ordered 25 more at the time... it would have been an additional 5% of the cost of of her order! Yikes.

Getting Married in Vegas??

2009-07-03T07:51:00.001-07:00

Hosting a Las Vegas style party or skipping town to hit the strip for your wedding? Look no further than Announce, Invite & Delight for all of your Las Vegas Destination Paper goods!

We have super cute Save the Dates, Invitations with flair, programs and napkins to match. Fancy or frivolous, we have what you need to get your Vegas on!

So... double digit?

2009-06-03T14:08:00.002-07:00

So I am sitting in my newly messy and slightly organized office working when the Peep comes in because she needs help with her addition on the computer game she is playing...

"Mommy what is 12+73??"

"I will be there in a minute to help you figure it out."

She walks away and says, "Oh, never mind, 85..."

WOW.

What is a Wedding Paper Timeline?

2009-06-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Time lines. They've been around since... the beginning of time. Think on it. We use them all day every day. It is all about making a plan. Yours might go something like mine... Get up. Shower and dress. Eat breakfast. Drop the Peep at school. Go to work. Have lunch. Pick up form school. Cook something lovely for dinner. Relax.

Often people are unsure of all of the wedding paper needs and that is where the wedding paper timeline comes into play. It is a comprehensive listing of the optimum dates to consider and order all of the wedding paper... things you might not think about until the last minute... things like imprinted napkins, thank you notes with your married name, programs, menu cards... and of course Save the Dates and Invitations!

Visit the Paper Girl at her home on the web for more information and to create in 10 seconds your own Wedding Paper Timeline!

Kicking it Up!

2009-05-28T09:32:00.008-07:00

Since the Peep will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, I have started revving up business for the Paper Girl's Paper... Announce, Invite & Delight, LLC.

A little background: Founded shortly after the Peep was born and the Paper Girl realized that although she needed to stay home to take care of the Peep, the Paper Girl could not just sit around all day.

Today: Paper Girl was awarded a distinguished Dealer Award from one of the country's oldest and largest wedding invitation supplier, Carlson Craft.

A little information on the Paper Girl's Company:

How do we meet with you?

All of our meeting are by appointment- either at your office, at my office, or at a mutually agreeable location, like a Starbucks! I have many wedding albums and you flip through them to your heart's content and make a selection that will be perfect for your wedding.

What if I don’t want to meet, I just want to order from the website?

It is totally possible that we will never meet you. All of our invitations are offered through our website and you can place your order directly through it. We will contact you for payment, and other than that, you can do everything from the comfort of your home or office or wherever you have Internet access!

If you find that the ordering process is too daunting after you have made a selection, simply e-mail us all of the details- and we will gladly place the order for you!

Your tag line says Wedding invitations should be the easiest part of planning my wedding... What do you mean that invitations should be easy?

We have a successful proven wedding paper timeline available on our website. Brides who take advantage of our suggested time frames for their wedding paper have been the happiest. We know all of the questions to ask and what to have you consider before we meet to ensure you know what you are looking for before we get together.

Are there hidden charges for things like envelopes?
WHAT??!! Definitely not! All of our printed products come with envelopes free of charge- many of the wedding invitations actually include double envelopes. Black ink is included in the price for everything and it is clearly shown on the website what charge might be incurred with things like ink color changes. The website shows the shipping charge estimate for your product.

If you are in Texas, we are required by the state to charge sales tax.

Does that mean I have to be from Texas to place an order from you?

We ship out of Minnesota, though our offices are in Fort Worth, Texas. We can ship anywhere in North America with ease, and to other destinations with a little planning!

Let Them Eat Cake!

2009-05-17T14:56:00.002-07:00

I love cake.
I love all holidays that allow for the consumption of cake.
I love chocolate, lemon or white cake.
I love strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting.
I love birthday cake.
I love birthday cake for breakfast.
I love homemade cake.
I love bakery cake.
I love cake from McDonald's birthday parties of the 1980's.
I love fancy wedding cakes of today.

Yesterday we hosted a baby shower for the soon to be born Jay Jr. and true to tradition... we served cake!

Luckily that little luncheon was here in the Big City so I had to keep the leftover cake... and I just had what is the best cake move of ever- take one bite off of the cake with a fork.... then walk away...

Yesterday's cake was what I might consider my favorite bakery sheet cake right now- a lemon cake with soft fluffy butter cream frosting. These days we like getting it from Texas Star Bakery. They do not know I am giving them a shout out, and I hope they don't mind.

We have had fancifully decorated cakes form them in the past with 3-D flowers coming out of the cake- and I don't mean roses, I mean bluebonnets, daffodils, buttercups... these are really skilled decorators, but yesterday's cake just had polka dots on it and we added a few Fisher Price Little People Animals to spice up the baby shower. No matter- the cake was as fresh as if I had baked it that morning and is still just as wonderful today. MMMMMM. Cake for dessert tonight.

If you are anywhere within a 50 mile radius of the Big City... I highly recommend a trip to Texas Star Bakery. They might make other things than cake- but really who cares?!

Sad Sad Day

2009-05-01T13:17:00.003-07:00

Mayfset 2009 has been canceled by the Tarrant County Department of Health due to concerns of the Swine Flu.

Yuck.

Dang them.

Texas Girls

2009-04-28T14:14:00.001-07:00

I love my Texas friends. Here's why:

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Always bring the food.

FRIENDS: Will say 'hello'.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry
TEXAS FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave..
TEXAS FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing,
playing dominoes or cards and just being together.

FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' asses that left you.

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, 'I'm home!'

FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you're sick
TEXAS FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home.

FRIENDS: have you on speed dial
TEXAS FRIENDS: have your number memorized.

FRIENDS: Are for a while.
TEXAS FRIENDS: Are for life.

Well priced invitations!

2009-04-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

We have a new section on our Announce, Invite & Delight, LLC website called super budget friendly invitations... they are lovely invitations that are very reasonably priced!

If you are getting married and want to invite friends without breaking the bank, get to it!

Eddie V

2009-04-04T13:05:00.003-07:00

There is a new restaurant in the Big City called Eddie V's... it has quickly become a favorite of many of our friends... and the Peep. It is a growing chain that owns the Roaring Fork from Scottsdale where Slick and I enjoyed the Flinstone Rib...

We had a lovely friend in a couple of weeks ago and decided to take him there for a steak while Slick and I were having fish... you know Lent and all of that... but the Peep and Mr. Patrick wanted steak. Rib eye to be specific- medium, thank you. Mr. Patrick was such a trooper sharing his meat with the Peep- even when she wanted seconds.

Now her favorite thing to ask for is to go out to Eddie V's or to have steak on the grill at home. What have we created???!!!

Really?? Texas Girls??

2009-03-31T05:35:00.000-07:00

Three guys are lucky enough to get married all in the same month.

They recount their experiences here:

The first man married a woman from OHIO . He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.

The second man married a woman from MICHIGAN . He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done and there was a huge dinner on the table.

The third man married a girl from TEXAS. He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.

While I am absolutely against family violence, I think this is a good representation of many of us…

Duck... Duck... Yuck...!

2009-03-29T04:55:00.001-07:00

One of Slick's favorite things to get when we go out to dinner is DUCK. Almost regardless of where we go, if there is duck on the menu, he orders it. If it is a special for the night- look out- he is definitely getting it. I know this about him. I was served duck at his parents house on one of our early dates. I thought it was super cool. Made a big mess but was really cool with the sour cherry sauce and wild rice... I mean, my mother in law is a masterful cook and if she can serve Uncle Ben's Wild Rice then dang it I can to!

Over the vacation last week Slick had duck at dinner one night and the Peep was super curious. This curiosity was partly fueled, I think, by Mr. and Mrs. Mallard who have recently flown in and are vacationing at my parents pool, but who am I to speculate on the thoughts of a 5 year old...

So over dinner I mentioned that we had a duck in the freezer at home and Slick- who is really the one in charge of our larder- was genuinely surprised. I decided then that when we returned home I would thaw and prepare the duck with cherry sauce that Slick so likes.

Thursday was the big day.

I checked in with Slick early in the day to see when I could expect him home for dinner and put the duck into the K2 sink with cool water to thaw.

Then I went looking for my duck and cherry sauce recipe. It is really Slick’s mom’s recipe. According to the recipe card, she shared this information with me in June 1999. For those of you keeping score at home, that was Slick’s first birthday after we were married. I went all out, duck, champagne, strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. And Slick was sick and ate and went directly to bed. That was the last time I remember making duck.

So armed with my 10 year old recipe, I gathered the ingredients- all of which were in stock in the house. I must have purchased the cherries when I got the duck knowing they went together. Man am I a planner or what?

So duck thawed, rinsed, dried, cleaned, quacking at the Peep who was not as amused I thought she would be, the duck went into the oven. Look at those orange slices. Look into the cavity of the bird to see it is stuffed with onion and oranges. Notice the scoring of the fat laden skin. I was on a roll!

Then to the cherry sauce. Pretty easy. Look at the full plump cherries! I am a natural! The Peep tried the sauce. Again fairly unimpressed but I assure her that it will be tasty on the duck at dinner. She is such a trooper that she agrees and starts playing computer games at the kitchen counter to keep me company while the duck roasts.

The recipe says cook for 30 minutes then 20 minutes per pound and the last 20 minutes apply a little of the glaze to the duck. I follow al of these directions. Then I check my favorite yellow cookbook and it says cool 45 minutes then 30 minutes… so apparently I need to cook the bird somewhere between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes… After 2 hours in the oven, it still is not reaching the needed 180 degrees! We decide to take it out anyway. Man it is lovely. Brown and sparkly in the way that only food cooked in animal fat can be. Gross, I know, but seriously.

I plate the quarters and Slick and I head into the dining room to eat… the Peep had given up a while before and eaten cheerios…

We sit down. We say a blessing. It went something like “Dear Lord, please don’t let the duck kill us.” But I can’t remember it word for word.

Then Slick begins a lovely dinner of duck, wild rice spiked with cherry sauce, sautéed zucchini with garlic and steamed broccoli. I have one bite of the duck and remember why it must have been that I never made it again.

I can't stand duck. One bite. I had one bite.

The wild rice was right on. Thanks Uncle Ben.

Happy Spring... Happy List

2009-03-27T07:50:00.003-07:00

Welcome back friend.

We have missed you.

I see that you have brought little green buds to the trees and crape myrtles.

I love that about you.

Welcome Spring.

Things to be Happy About this week:

1. Clearing your head
2. sharing
3. being barefoot in the grass (soon!)
4. baby leaves
5. tulips
6. organizing your goals, closets and life
7. a tan people notice
8. looking forward to Easter ham
9. pink stuff
10. preparing to make egg shaped cake balls!!

It may be funny today

2009-03-24T07:49:00.005-07:00

It may be funny today. I thought it was funny yesterday. And Sunday. Slick not so much. but it might be funny today.

Last week Slick got his new crackberry for work. The Blackberry 8830 or something. It is pretty cool.

While on vacation last week in sunny Florida we turned on the navigator and went all around the Tampa/ St. Pete area and had a great time. Until we tried to go to the Tampa Children's Museum. Apparently whoever posted all of the exciting reviews on line that we looked at Sunday morning neglected to mention that it was closed. And demolished.

We arrived there just in time to see the dump truck out front and it was lovely. New plan. Let's go to the Dali museum and then the pool at the hotel. Great. Change the location on the navigationized fancy phone. Uh-o. Phone slipped into Slick's vat of diet Pepsi from the bagel shop. I immediately started laughing. I couldn't help it. It was funny. Slick was NOT amused. So neither was the Peep. Then I was in trouble. Jeez.

Back to the hotel to try to dry out the fancy phone. Turns out it eventually worked, but the guy at the Verizon Wireless store told Slick it would not last long- that since we were already there- on a Sunday afternoon- go ahead and get the new one for a small fee.

Check. Slick needs to sync to the computer system at the broadband company before meetings the following morning. USB cord into the bag.

We get back to the hotel with a couple of hours of sun left and hit the pool.

It is really funny how the Peep is just as happy in the pool of the hotel as she was on the beach the day earlier. I am thinking we should just go to a hotel next year and stay there the whole time...

Any way. We head into the hotel to sync the phone and computer... to discover that the Verizon Wireless guy put the wrong USB cord into the bag!! It is now 6:00 on a Sunday night.

We head out and find wal-mart across the street form a Target. The Peep vetoes wal-mart and we head for Target. The guy in the electronics department says they don't sell USB cables. They just don't have any demand for them. Really?

Slick and I look around and find a nice Wii accessory that plugs into the computer with the right connectors. $10.83 and we are in business, we hope.

By this time the Peep is pretty tired- and she is not the only one. We grab a nice Italian dinner and head back to the hotel- I think for the fifth time that day- by now it is after 9. Slick and the Peep work on the computer while I packed and at 10:00 I heard him tell the Peep to cross her fingers... Happily it worked- but not before we lost the whole day to a Clark Griswold inspired day of antics.

Thankfully the rest o the trip was calm and relaxing!

The Peep goes Country

2009-03-11T13:01:00.003-07:00

Here is the Peep a few weeks ago at the Big City Stock Show. Now you Houston/ Woodlands/ Spring Folk- I know it is nothing like the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo and all of the fancy singers and such that you have... but in the big city... it is what we do for fun in January.

Posing so beautifully with the Peep are no doubt two Junior League members- possibly ones I know- but maybe not. The Junior League of the Big City is paid for dressing up as Hoss and Elwood and walking around all year getting kids and parents excited about the Big City Stock Show.

Thanks friends, this is a keeper!

Squirrely

2009-02-18T08:49:00.002-08:00

We have a million billion squirrels in our neighborhood in the big city. Partly because we live in an old neighborhood and partly because the neighbors keep their dog indoors... At any rate The Peep and I saw a super funny squirrel activity yesterday!

Putter Rooster is more social than other dogs in the neighborhood and when she has the chance to go outside, she likes NOT to stay in our yard like the well behaved dogs, but to go visiting. Visiting the neighbors. Visiting the neighbors neighbors. Visiting across the street. I think you get the idea.

So when she is outside on purpose, we have her in the harness- her kryptonite- and tie her to the rope that extends to the end of our yard, but not into the street. The rope is a good rope. Cotton and soft. So soft in fact that apparently it is a fine bedding product for squirrels. Ysterday the Peep and I saw a squirrel trying to take the rope, which is tied to a post on our front porch- I know what you are thinking- CLASSY- up the tree to it's squirrel house!

Now I thought it was funny and called the Peep over. Mistake. Last week on Wa Wa Wubsy a couple of beavers ate part of the tree house- one stick of the tree house to be specific and the tree house fell down. The Peep is concerned that the squirrels will pull out the post from the porch and the house will fall down!

I am more worriedthat they might try to adopt a dog...

I know you ALL care!

2009-02-15T17:58:00.001-08:00

Well it has been ages since I had time to send you an update on the Quick books fiasco! Mostly because every waking moment- well maybe not EVERY waking moment- but FIFTEEN HOURS of last week I was on the phone with technical support!!! FIFTEEN HOURS!!!

Holy Cow!!

Why would I want to pay??

2009-02-04T07:30:00.002-08:00

Why would the customer service representative at a software company get miffed at me when I said I did not want to pay for technical assistance from a more qualified person??

How is this logical at all??

I called for help (after looking for weeks on their unhelpful website for information.)

I followed her instructions.

The program would no longer open. At all.

Then she suggested I needed a service plan to speak with a technical assistant. No thanks. I'll talk to him but she jacked my program.

Hello?? I was on the phone from 3:15 PM yesterday afternoon until Hilldog came over at 5:00 to relieve me so I could meet with a client- and Hilldog got off the phone at 7:30!

And the technical assistant is supposed to call back this morning! 5 minutes ago.

I wonder if he will call??? Takers??

The Peep loves burgers

2009-01-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

There is a hamburger place in the big city known for having the BEST burgers in the world! A few weeks ago the Peep decided she was ready to try one and we called Hill Dog and went. Immediately. Here you see the Peep waiting for the call of her name signaling the burger is ready.

Here you see her chowing down on the cheeseburger, plain and dry. Without pickles.

What an adorable girl!

Makes the parents proud!

From the what is with people file... and a tasty recipe!

2009-01-28T18:32:00.002-08:00

What is with people??

Slick, the Peep and I ventured to our neighborhood wing and pizza joint across from the college in the big city tonight for, what else, wings and pizza.

The restaurant is on a busy road with parallel parking so I did the driving. Somehow Slick and I both did our drivers ed classes in Texas, took the driving text at the same DMV and both have valid licenses, but he CAN NOT parallel park.

So I was in Slick's white hot car parallel parking when three people emerged from an academic building and headed for the compact car with a hatchback in front of our space.

They started loading their gear into the hatch-back portion of the car. And then all piled into the 2 door car. All while I had to patiently wait for them to get the @#%$ out of my way so I could finish parking!

I know you know- you pull next to the front car.

You put your car in reverse.

You back into the spot and straighten at the last minute.

Then you PULL FORWARD to center yourself in the area between two cars! I had to sit there while CLUELESS or RUDE, take your pick, finished and vacated their spot.

HELLO!

Let us all become more self aware from this story. Which incidentally is NOT a complaint since I have started leading a NO COMPLAINING life... Thank you Elaine, for the NO Complaining Rule suggestion.

Now for the recipe:

Duke's Soon to be Famous Lemon Squares

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix in a food processor with the plastic dough blade in palace until it is coarse sand's texture: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 2 sticks of butter cubed.
Press into a 13x9 baking dish with either clean hands or the flat part of a measuring cup. Bake about 22 minutes.

While the delectable crust bakes, combine really well in a glass bowl: 4 eggs beaten, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/3 c fresh lemon juice and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Let sit while the crust finishes baking.

As soon as the crust is golden brown, stir and pour the filling over the hot crust and return to the over for about 22 minutes longer.

Remove from oven, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cool before cutting with a plastic knife dipped in hot water.

16 List from BC

2009-01-25T11:44:00.002-08:00

Months ago BC sent me a link for Facebook that I recently figured out how to post... thought I'd share it here too... Something about how you list 16 things you like and send it to 16 friends...

1. I love cows. Cows are cool. And tasty.
2. So are Knotty Knotes.
3. I love when the weather permits the opening of the windows for some fresh air.
4. I love the feeling after the house is clean.
5. I love that the Peep is getting rid of some baby toys to make room for her big girl life.6. I love caramel apples.
7. I love when the tulips start to poke out of the mulch because they are Slick's favorite flower.
8. I love daisys in vases all around the house.
9. I think it is funny when the squirrels play tag in the yard.
10. I love a freshly vacuumed car.
11. I love meeting for lunch. Or Dinner.
12. I love that my sister lives 4 blocks away. I hope she moves soon. But not too far away. Something we can get to in a car. Like not Hawaii. Or London.
13. She probably won't move to London because she has lost her passport. In her house.
14. I have lost my sanity. In my house.
15. I love taking a 30 minute nap. Every day possible. Like today.
16. I'm not sure working form home is working out all that well for me. It's 2:38 and I'm on facebook, have a load of wash in the washer and dryer, have a kid taking a nap and a dog that REALLY wants me to nap with her on the couch. I just might.

Happy Things this week

2009-01-20T07:08:00.001-08:00

Been a while.

Time to get happy.

Ten things that make me happy this week:

1. An adventure at the grandparents house
2. Watching baby chicks hatch
3. Watching the Peep "lead her cow for judging"
4. Pink Cowgirl hats
5. cinnamon rolls from a can
6. white cream gravy
7. cold noses snuggling with you
8. fast cars
9. sidewalk chalk
10. Slick's return to the big city

A trip to the stockshow!

2009-01-18T15:43:00.003-08:00

The Peep, Lulu and I went to the Big City to the Stock Show today. It was fun and a beating all rolled into one!

The peep was up at the crack of 6:00 because she did not want to be late... we got her back into bed to have her reemerge at 7:30 calling for everyone to get up!! We had to get going soon!

After a tasty country breakfast complete with gravy, thank you Lulu, we made it at the early time of about 11:00. On the way inside I laid down the law. We were here to loo and have fun, but we would not be buying any hats, boots, chaps, tractors or horses. Ok by everyone.

We met Lucy 3 in the information booth and we had no more than said hi and given her hugs then she asked the Peep if she wanted to go get a pink cowboy hat...!! At least the Peep had the good sense to look at me before yelling yes and running off with Lucy 3 into the exhibition area...

Ten minutes later she could not have looked cuter in a pink straw hat- which I will say she kept up with by herself for the remainder of the day!

Off to look around and after a couple rows of hats, boots, tractors and salsa makers, the Peep was ready for animals!

We passed through the stage and food area and stumbled upon the Ballet Folklorica and watched for three dances- they were cool and the Peep was fine to leave knowing they traditionally preform at the Big City's Mayfest... We hit the FFA Barnyard to check on the big momma pig and her 16 piglets, the goats, the checks hatching before your very eyes and the guinea foul.

Then a trip to the magic show and a look at cows, longhorns and a few goats.

The Peep wants to know why we don't have a cow. I said because we live in the city... I don't think she's going to take that as a good answer for long!

Things I learned living in Texas.

2009-01-14T04:08:00.000-08:00

Slick was talking to someone in the "East" this week and they might have suggested that Texans talk rather slowly and move at a similar pace. Wonder what she'd think about this??

Thanks Lodie for the tidbits in the first ever e-mail I have gotten from her.

A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.
It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!
People actually grow and eat okra.
"Fixinto" is one word. It means when I get to it, which is right about now.
There is no such thing as "lunch.” There is dinner and then there is supper.
Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.
Backwards and forwards means "I know everything about you."
The word "jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"
You don't have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is, you work until you're done or it's too dark to see.
You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH EM. Same with potatoes.
"No. d’ ew?" is a common response to the question "Did you bring any beer?"
You measure distance in minutes.
You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, animal or month.
You carry jumper cables in your car --- for your OWN car.
You only own four spices: salt, pepper, garlic salt and Ketchup.
The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports and motor sports, and gossip.
You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit "a bit warm".
You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good stew weather.
Fried catfish is the other white meat.
We don't need no dang driver's Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive..

0 for 2

2009-01-11T09:37:00.002-08:00

Slick likes to cook and I like to eat. And Slick likes to choose restaurants and we both like to eat. Last week we were 0 for 2.

The first night last week we went to dinner it did no even start out well... the Peeper sitter was 30 minutes late after a case of food poisoning the night before- yikes!

Slick had reservations at 3 of our favorite COW restaurants. We chose the one in Downtown Big City because the Legendary Stock Show is coming to town soon and we did not think we would be able to get in for a few weeks.

We sit and the young lady who comes over asks us How we are? Great we say. Is this our first time at the Cow Ranch? Nope we say. We are old hat and we are excited for some cow. Excellent she says. Then How are we? Well... we just told you we were great. Still are but now thinking you are a moron!

Then our waiter comes over- an 89% dead ringer for my cousin David-Fred. Freaky. We order my favorite indulgence- Still Bottled Water. David-Fred II might never have served it before. Slick's 209 G and T comes with a dry lime and so does my Fancy H2O. Nice. Dry limes. Yum.

The Happytisers come- strange Calamari Worms- not at all what we remembered from a previous trip- with catsup mixed with jalapenos- "cowboy cocktail sauce?" Poor guys...

Then forever- and two bottles of water later- thanks to Slick keeping my glass full- out comes our cow. Mine is so tough that while the server is waiting and I try to saw through it to show him that it was indeed cooked to perfection, I have to get a new knife that is tighter in the handle...

Slick's cow looks nice- it was supposed to come with cook's butter on the top... We were thinking that the cow would be hot enough to melt the butta... I guess we were wrong.

When Slick asked David-Fred II what the deal was- that our food felt cool and that it seemed that it had been sitting waiting for us for a while... DFII said- "What you are tasting is exactly right. You really have a good taster." Well duh.

Then the next time DFII comes over I tell him how hard my "untenderloin" is. I am a girl who has had a fair share of cow. I know a good tenderloin. This was suitable for a shoe. DFII's response- I am not kidding- "Well out of every 100 tenderloins, there are always a few that aren't up to par." It was all I could do not to laugh in his face. We were paying good money for bad food. DFII did offer to get me a new fillet of sole but I was almost full of the tasty but cold cheese grits. No thanks- I don't need another under par tenderloin tonight.

Apparently DFII thought we were fair complainers so he told the manager who gave us some random discounts off of our meals- like 45% or something equally strange- and on out way out- the manager walked in the other direction away from us and hid in the kitchen.

Chicken.

More musings of try number two soon!

If you give a kid a camera...

2009-01-09T07:46:00.003-08:00

For her birthday the Peep got a couple of the If You Give a ... books. You know the ones- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and the like.

I would now demonstrate what happens if you give a 5 year old your new camera...

She will take pictures of the Jelly Bellys that Slick received from one of his vendors.

She will like the colors so much, she will go around looking for other things colorful to take pictures of.

She will find a bowl of random ornaments and take their picture too.

This will remind her that it is Christmas time and there are many things around the house decorating.

She will go on a spree taking pictures of those as well.

The next thing you know there are 20 or so pictures from all different angels of the downstairs of the house, including several unflattering ones of you and the family which must be deleted immediately!

Slick, Me and W

2009-01-06T11:35:00.003-08:00

Slick and I were reading the paper this weekend and laughed out loud at this Associated Press compilation of one liners from W over the past few years.

We thought you might like it too.

President George W. Bush will leave behind a legacy of Bushisms, the label stamped on the commander in chief's original speaking style. Some of the president's more notable malaprops and mangled statements:
- "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.
- "Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" - January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.
- "They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too." - Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Va. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.
- "There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." - Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.
- "It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber." - April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.
- "I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves." - April 18, 2002, at the White House.
- "There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." - Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.
- "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defense spending bill.
- "Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." - Sept. 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
- "Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge." - April 20, 2005, in Washington.
- "We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job." - Sept. 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Miss.
- "I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." - Sept. 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Miss., in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
- "It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war." - June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
- "Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die." - Dec. 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- "These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved." - June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.
- "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." - September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.
- "Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech." April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.
- "The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." - May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.
- "And they have no disregard for human life." - July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.
- "I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office." - June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.
- "Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." - July 4, 2008 in Virginia.
- "The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer - prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them. It's good to come down here." - Sept. 3, 2008, at an emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast.
- "This thaw - took a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw." Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, La., as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.

Thanks Lulu for the following...

2009-01-03T07:48:00.001-08:00

To Those of You Born 1930 – 1979

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?
Because we were always outside playing...that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill; only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-Boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. If YOU are one of them? CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?

Good Morning

2008-12-20T05:38:00.002-08:00

Putter Rooster woke me up with the "Buddy Wake Up Game" this morning at 6:02. For those of you who are not familiar with that particular game, it goes like this:

The Peep wakes up and calls out, "Mommy, I'm still asleep. Come wake me up!"

Then I go into her messy messy messy room and find two stuffed animals, buddies, to play with to "wake her up."

The buddies say things like, "We can't get her to wake up," and "it's a school day today, I hope I get to be the sleeping time buddy!"

Eventually the Peep gets up and we start the day.

Putter's version involves rolling around on the bed on her back scratching off all of the shedding fur onto our white blanket and sneezing a lot.

Man kids are fun.

10 things...

2008-12-15T17:27:00.002-08:00

Where is the cold coming from??? Yikes!!

10 things to be happy about:

1. the beach
2. a beach towel
3. coconut scented tanning lotion
4. Miami Vices by the pool
5. G & T by the pool
6. a warm pool
7. new shades
8. a convertible
9. lying on a hammock in the shade of a palm tree
10. birds of paradise in the flower beds

Whew. Where have I been?

2008-12-11T07:19:00.005-08:00

So sorry for the LONG delay in posting. We have been having loads of fun in the Big City and I have not taken the time to let you know all about it.

Let me see... The Peep turned 5 as I mentioned and we have a wonderful party which was recorded for posterity by my wonderful friend Allie Cat after my camera died a horrible death during the first five minutes of the party. Here you see the Peep and a few friends with the stars of the party a couple three of the cheerleaders from the nearby college.

Here you see Allie Cat's two boys enjoying hot dogs.

I love those boys!

The very next week was Thanksgiving and in traditional crazy family style we went to the extended family celebration in Central Texas for an afternoon of delicious food and fun with the family. We returned home that evening to our crazy neighbors pyromania leading to a fire in the back yard for smores, hot chocolate and the telling of lies, jokes and stories. The Peep was in rare form by the fire improvising songs about the day, the fire and Christmas.

The Crazy Cat lady and her super nice husband took the Peep to the movies to see Bolt- which Slick and I understand is super funny. The Peep had a wonderful time being a princess for the day with them and it extended into the next day when the Crazy neighbors gave her their birthday gift make over princess style.

Then we hosted lunch for 20 of our most fun family and friends and Busia made 2 delicious turkeys for Thanksgiving Part 2.

The next week Slick whisked me away to Arizona for a few days of much needed R&R including facials and massages for both of us and new bright red toenails for me.

Here you see Slick enjoying dinner one of the nights Fred Flintstone style with what turned out to be the MOST MOST MOST delicious meat I have ever eaten. I would move to Arizona to eat this meat more often. It was that good. And funny.

Just a public service anouncement.

2008-11-23T13:50:00.003-08:00

THANKS TO THE CRAZY CAT LADY FOR THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND TO SLICK FOR ALWAYS HAVING THE RECIPE AT THE END ON THE SIDE OF THE REFRIGERATOR.

IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN
Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.

Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.

Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

**Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas.

However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include:
- Dizziness , nausea, vomiting, incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

Slick's Recipe for Delicious Margaritas:
64 oz limeade
6.5 oz tequila
3.25 oz cointreau

Mix all ingredients in a pretty pitcher. Pour into kosher salt rimmed glasses and repeat.

Have a great thanksgiving week.

Happy Monday!

2008-11-17T15:08:00.003-08:00

Time for a Monday Happy List!!!

Peeper on born on day...

This week is the Peep's 5th Birthday so we are pretty birthday'd up here in the big city! She just sang "Happy Birthday to Me" to herself and we took the cupcakes for the class from the oven just a few minutes ago.

Happy List for the week:

1. Homemade cupcakes
2. Bakery cookies just for you
3. Pizza with the class
4. Paul Frank house shoes
5. A front yard birthday party
6. presents! presents! presents!

7. fancy dinner for your birthday

8. Birthday Cake for Breakfast!!
9. party store poppers
10. purple paper plates

Peeper the week of Halloween!

Roller Skating Queen!

2008-11-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

The Peep went to Lego's birthday party and had a great time ROLLER SKATING!!

SASSY.

Happy Weekend!!

2008-11-07T12:51:00.005-08:00

Happy List for the weekend!!!

1. Halloween Candy!

2. Figuring out the eliptical!

3. Creamy tomato soup!

4. Exclaimation points!

5. being too jazzed to sleep

6. Dairy Queen

7. a clean house

8. the lines a vacuum makes on thr carpet

9. fresh sheets

10. friends visiting

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-11-03T16:49:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween!!!

Error!

2008-10-30T09:25:00.004-07:00

Busia called and let me know there were two errors in the Halloween post!!! Aunt Frances's husband's name was George, not Frank as reported.

And the mirror we have above the "bar" is really from Busia's parents house- not from Aunt Frances's house. Though she is pretty sure that all of the sisters: Stella, Frances and Josaphine had the mirrors... I love when all of the sisters have the same things!! Memaw and Big Auntie had several things that they both had- and I think Aunt Iris and Lucille had some of them too and possibly Aunt Velma and Cleo or Queen had some of the "good stuff" too...

I love family names!!!!

Thursday Crazy Thursday

2008-10-30T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ten Happy Things- besides it being Halloween Eve- my actual favorite day of the year- because the house is spooky and filled with candy...

1. treating everyone with respect- regardless of who they vote for
2. voting
3. almond tea
4. believing in yourself
5. bake at home pizza
6. dog beds
7. sharp knives
8. the Harry Potter series
9. picnics
10. using the good dishes on non-holidays

Happy Hallowwweeennnn

2008-10-27T17:52:00.006-07:00

The Peep and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween! We have been decorating for a couple of weeks; but watching "Martha Stewart's Halloween Special" which aired in 2007 on Fine Living Network for a year. It is sponsored by Krobel. And birth control pills. And the "talk to your kids about sex" campaign. And a winery in California that was giving away a trip for 2 to be winemakers for a day.

Last year.

At any rate- my crazy neighbor loves my mantle and I do too so I thought I'd share a picture.

You can see that it is already a lovely shade of Halloween black so it really needed little adorning.

But you know well enough to know that that did not stop me; I adorned away. And then I took it off and started over and decided to stick with the spooky black understated candles on several footed cake plates and silver and clear glass candlesticks with jet black tapers. I don't think you can see it well, but there is a black garland on the top of the mantle too- you know- like Christmas garland- but in spooky black...

Hope it gets you in the Halloween mood!

The last picture is the top of Slick's bar. It is a lovely piece of black furniture that we keep all of the non-refrigerated adult beverages stored inside. Hanging above it is a 190's mirror that was Slick's Aunt Frances and Uncle Frank's.

I love that mirror.

And in the reflection of the mirror you can catch a glimpse of one of Aunt Frances and Uncle Frank's crystal lamps. They have giant crystals (think Pollyanna) that hang from them but we don't have them on right now... they make the lamp's so heavy I am not sure there is a piece of furniture in the house that could support them!

And by the way- if you live anywhere remotely close to us and can get here by car, this week would be a good one to stop by because Lulu and I are hosting a luncheon on Tuesday and the house looks as good as it ever has... and smells pretty dang good too!

Rain, Rain.

2008-10-15T10:17:00.003-07:00

When I was sitting in the carpool line today waiting for the Peep, light rain started falling and I was taken by the fact that I could not remember the last time I had just sat and listened to the rain.

It is a lovely sound falling through the leaves where birds and squirrels are snuggled up together against the dots of cool water. It made a nice pattern on my windshield and was cool and refreshing coming through the air vents.

I hope it comes and goes quickly today so that the tailgate party tomorrow will go off well... in the meantime, let us all take a minute to relax and let the rain fall on us.

Flash

2008-10-10T06:53:00.001-07:00

Who in the world can help me regain my Flash Player ability.

I am willing to pay.

Big.

Ten Things

2008-10-08T21:47:00.002-07:00

My poker friends just left for the month and while I am still up I thought I'd throw out a 10 things to be happy about list since it was so fun to be with them here at the house in the Big City.

1. Drinking from Waterford glasses for no reason at all
2. friends cooking
3. knowing the rules, and following them
4. loving your friends
5. reunions
6. volunteering for a good cause
7. for fun necklaces
8. warm brownies
9. Tito's
10. the babysitters

Cowgirl Peeper

2008-09-28T07:54:00.004-07:00

The Peep and Slick went together to the boot store to get a new pair for the Peep. She still has the fancy boots from last fall, but they are far beyond fitting though she still insists on wearing them around the house from time to time. The last time she got a couple of blisters and the next day she and Slick hit the local boot store together.

They found her a sassy pair of boots and she has taken them off only to sleep since, and even then, she sits them right next to the bed so she can put them on immediately when she wakes up with her gown! And for Zoo school since you have to wear kicks there- and so she has Shocks for those days...

Here she is going to school 2 weeks ago-

and here she is showing off the shoes she was wearing with that dress :)

Memaw's Chicken Spaghetti

2008-09-22T10:18:00.002-07:00

I made this last week for a committee meeting of about 45 people and it was well recieved. Slick and Chief don't like it so we don't have it too often... and with all of that cheese... better not to have it all of the time!

Enjoy!

4 Chicken Breasts
1 onion
¾ c butter (I did not use any the last time I made this and it was plenty tasty)
1 ½ to 2 lbs Velveeta
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies
Large can mushroom slices drained
Large can English peas drained
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 pound of spaghetti

Boil chicken breasts with ½ of an onion, a couple stalks of celery and salt, pepper and garlic until done. Remove chicken. Discard vegetables. Reserve the broth for cooking the spaghetti.

Let chicken cool to touch and then remove from bone and chop into bite size pieces.

Chop other ½ onion and sauté in butter if desired.

Cook spaghetti in chicken broth with enough water added to make a big pot!

Reserve about 3 cups of broth after pasta cooks.

Chop Velveeta into smallish pieces, stir into hot drained spaghetti. Add Worcestershire, peas, mushrooms and un-drained Rotel tomatoes. Add chicken. If the spaghetti is too thick, add reserved broth ½ cup at a time to loosen it.

Bake entire concoction for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 in a greased casserole dish.

Tastes even better the second day…

MMMMM... FALL COOKING

2008-09-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is a beloved recipe that we have been making since 1989 when a neighbor made it for us in a Christmas set of cookies and goodies. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. We have slightly decreased the amounts of spices over the years and it is now perfect.

Pumpkin Bread

3 C sugar
1 C Crisco oil
4 eggs

Beat until creamy

Add:
2 tsp salt
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cloves
¾ tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree
2/3 C hot water
2 tsp lemon extract

Slowly add 3 1/3 C all purpose flour

Bake in 2 or 3 loaves for about an hour or in one large bundt about 65 minutes at 325 degrees.

Careful or you might eat the whole thing...

From Chief:

2008-09-11T10:01:00.002-07:00

Now that he's 60 Chief has started giving advise. He has been giving advise for years, but we don't always listen. This is what he sent to me today. I thought it was worth sharing.

HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM IN THE SOUTH
1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's, used, size 14-16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, on top of a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Bubba, Big Jim, Duke, Slim, & me went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they went after the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.
Cooter

The Dark Side of the Fridge

2008-09-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

Several days ago Slick was getting healthy and decided to make tea.

In a Wal-Mart glass jug with a pink plastic spigot on the front.

And then he had to run out of town to Minnesota for a couple of days.

And the tea sat unnoticed by me in the fridge.

And drained from the jug. Into the fridge. Where it froze to the water reservoir in the back of the fridge behind the crisper that we did not know even existed but which might explain why our water dispenser had stopped working after internally freezing.

So Slick was playing golf all afternoon and I was defrosting his literally iced tea from the refrigerator. What do you get after melting iced tea? That's right. Cold liquid tea that runs into the cheese drawer requiring over an hour of dis-assembly of the three crispers and countless wiping out with a formerly blue now "tea stained" brown sponge.

And during all of this, the fridge kept beeping at me to let me know that the doors were open longer then the fridge thought necessary.

Man I hate tea.

Time capsule

2008-09-07T08:15:00.004-07:00

This week we have had a lot of stuff!

It was the Peep's first day ever of dance at the studio recommended to us by the crazy neighbor.

Then we had Chief's 60th birthday.

Then we had Slick and my's 10th wedding anniversary.

Then the Peep was at a college concert with Pat Green.

Then we had over 40 people in the front yard for the 'wurst tailgate ever.

Then the Peep had a stunt done especially for her by the collegiate cheerleaders. The guy holding up the super cute Tiffany yelled to the Peep during the stunt, "Hey Peep... this stunt is for you!!"

Then Slick and I "did calendars" like we try to do every Sunday morning and I realized this is going to be another crazy week!

Here are Chief and the Peep from last weekend in San Antonio. Happy Birthday Chiefie. We love you.

Time in a bottle

2008-09-02T07:10:00.006-07:00

What a beautiful wedding! We were in San Antonio this weekend for my cousin CL's wedding to the beautiful SL. While I will get into the details of the wedding soon, I thought you might like to see the evolution of the Peep over the last couple of months.

Here she is the first time she wore this dress at Miss Mariam's wedding in March.

And here she is this weekend, the last time she will wear the dress which was precariously short...

Man how time flies!!

A super funny e-mail I got from the crazy cat lady...

2008-08-28T07:45:00.002-07:00

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as NBA 5.0, NFL 3.0 and Golf Clubs 4.1.

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,Desperate.

DEAR DESPERATE,

First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system.

Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and don't forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.) Also do not attempt to reinstall Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck,
Tech Support.

Rocking Peeper

2008-08-27T19:01:00.003-07:00

The Peep has been carrying around Slick's shuffle all day calling it her i-pod. Then this afternoon she remembered she has a Fisher Price Kid Tough MP3 player. She went on a scavenger hunt looking for it and found it with a dead battery in my night stand- stashed after some vacation suitcase unpack pre-party throw around, I am sure.

So she has been rocking to the tunes all evening in the car and at home and just a few minutes ago I went upstairs to see if she was indeed in her pajamas as I had requested no less than four times... to find her in her zebra gown from Christmas in Cowtown- her favorite- with her fisher price pink kid safe headphones on jamming with her Barbie guitar by the light of her artificial aquarium.

Rock out Peep!

Hppy Late Birthday

2008-08-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last week was a special birthday around here- but I was so consumed with my own business I did not take the time to mention it- and I feel terrible!

Happy Birthday, Busia!!

We had a lovely dinner Sunday evening of cold cucumber soup with shrimp and avocado, hatch chili chips- if you have a Central Market within 100 miles of you, get some, NOW!

We had requested popovers, grilled flank steak with chipotle butter, grilled corn on the cob and green chili mac and cheese.

For desert we feasted on creme caramel and fresh peach pie with a side of homemade fudge.

All washed down with a vintage Pahlmeyer red and a tasty white.

Happy Birthday!!

Monday. Happy Monday!

2008-08-25T17:36:00.004-07:00

My friend the crazy neighbor and I went to lunch today at the fancy luncheon place here in the Big City and since it is a Monday, the Peep was along too. The lunch experience caused her to ask for chicken juice for lunch... Consommé!!!

Happy List:
1. Kids who go fancy places
2. Kids who order the special desert of the day with changes
3. Chocolate Chip cookies
4. Kids who start back to school
5. Chef's Salmon Special
6. Popovers
7. Great parking
8. Football starting
9. blooming crepe myrtles
10. big birthdays

Monday... Rainy Monday!

2008-08-18T14:01:00.003-07:00

Time for a happy list since I am not HOT HOT HOT...
1. white nectarines
2. headlights on the vacuum
3. hummingbird eggs
4. reclaiming ones self
5. strawberry cake
6. birthdays as adults
7. football season anticipation
8. believing in yourself
9. afternoon pick-me-ups
10. new pens and pencils

Was it a sign?

2008-08-17T19:38:00.004-07:00

So this summer the Peeper's zoo school has been off on Wednesdays so that she can have a relaxing summer with her family and friends. Don't tell her- she has still been going to the regular preschool that she always goes to three days a week. She loves it and I hated to have her sit with me all the time getting all out of whack so she got to keep going all June and July and August. This week there is in service on Thursday and Friday- two days I need most for her to be in school- but thus is the life of a busy mom...??

Anyway- all of that to say that on Wednesdays this summer she has had the opportunity to have some different breakfasts than during the school year- things like chocolate chip waffles. Last week she asked for blueberry muffins. Always ready with a Betty Crocker Duncan Heinz whatever twice the blueberries mix and a teaspoon of almond extract, I made a batch. They were super tasty.

Thursday I was going to spend all day working on one of my volunteer jobs. I dropped the Peep at school and hit it back home, grabbed two of the day-old muffins and sat at the computer. Just as I sat down, someone called my cell phone I had forgotten in my purse in the kitchen and while I went to catch it, Putter ate one of the muffins.

I walked in to the office and she was licking the paper towel...

So I was wondering... is that a sign that I was supposed to only eat one muffin??

Sunny and not (quite) as hot

2008-08-13T07:13:00.005-07:00

What a lovely week- it is sunny and warm- but only in the 90's... while I am certain it will get back to the 100's sooner than later, it has been nice to go outside and not be stifled by the heat immediately. The peep has ridden her bike this week "all the way to the gates of the college up the street" and last week all the way to Hill-Dog's 4 blocks over! Very fun!

It's almost back to school time so I must send you to HillDog Teaches- I am sure she will be back up and running with wonderful stories about her kiddos. She was in her classroom yesterday for the first time since summer started to discover that the whole school had been painted... un-planned and unorganized. The painters tore off all of the bulletin boards and dropped them in the middle of the rooms of every teacher. Everyone is scrambling to remake and rehang EVERYTHING. The Peep and I are going up to help this morning...

Time for happiness:

1. Opportunity knocking

2. fields of corn

3. fresh pencils

4. comfy chairs

5. clean floors

6. running a corporation

7. neighbors

8. gravy

9. sweet tea

10. old friends

P.S. Hi Theresa :)

Happy List

2008-08-05T15:43:00.004-07:00

Been missing the happiness. Glad to take the time to add it back to life...

1. Mild Wisconsin Cheddar
2. product for your hair
3. cheeseburgers and wavy fries
4. movie popcorn
5. poppy seed dressing
6. parasol tables
7. stamps from a machine at the post office
8. dates with your spouse
9. spelling sherbet correctly
10. warm peach crisp

So Slick made Peach Crisp this week and it was SOOOOO good. I love hot peaches with vanilla ice cream. Here's the recipe form Food and Wine July 2008

ACTIVE TIME: 30 MIN TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 40 MIN SERVES: 12
ingredients
TOPPING
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
FILLING
3 pounds peaches
1/4 cup cornstarch
Ice cream, for serving (optional)
directions
make the topping: In a food processor, combine the flour, sugars, oats, butter and salt and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

make the filling: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the peaches and blanch for 1 minute to loosen their skins. Transfer the peaches to a large rimmed baking sheet. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and cut the peaches into 1/2-inch dice.

Transfer the peaches to a large bowl and sprinkle with the cornstarch. Toss well to coat and let stand for a few minutes.

Preheat the oven to 325°.

Butter and sugar twelve 5-ounce ramekins and arrange them on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Spoon the peaches into the ramekins and sprinkle with the topping.

Bake the crisps for about 1 hour, until the filling is bubbling. Remove the ramekins from the oven and increase the temperature to 400°. Bake the crisps on the upper rack for about 8 minutes, until the topping is browned. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream, if desired.

Right- like you won't add ice cream if given the option... seriously...

SUMMER FUN!

2008-08-04T07:35:00.003-07:00

Swim lessons from the cute college students near our house were FUN. The peeper had a great time and has aquired a little bit of a tan line!

Here is our bathing beauty-

Waiting to see...

2008-08-03T07:54:00.001-07:00

Slick is still here in the Big City.

He canceled his flight arrangements per the “instructions” this morning after being up much of the night worrying about it.

He still could be called at any time to go to the northeast until the contract is signed between the Big Bad Broadband Company and the Union… now we will be in a wait to see mode for who knows how long.

Thought you’d like to know…

CRAZY DOG!

2008-08-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

Putter Rooskey likes Dwayne the Mailman.

Maybe a little too much.

We have a walking mailman and a slot in our front door for the mail. We used to have a tacky gold colored rusty mailbox on the wall beside of our front door but I did not like it and finally took it down after we lived here about a year.

EVERY DAY Putter waits for Dwayne. She gets up form one of her 25 naps of the day to sit in the front window waiting for him to appear. She runs to the door and "helps bring in the mail" by grabbing it, barking and running into the game room next door to the front door because the windows look out onto the front yard and she can show Dwayne how helpful she is.

Or something like that.

One day I was in the front yard when Dwayne happened by and just took the mail from him. I mentioned how excited Putter gets when he comes and that she likes to run around with the mail in her mouth all over the downstairs spreading it like Easter eggs for us to find. He said, "Yeah, I have five or six aggressive dogs on my route." AGGRESSIVE?

My sweet tri-colored-slightly overweight-though-not-as-much-as-she-was-since-we have-been-feeding-her-diet-dog-food-for-three-years-beagle??

OK, there was about 18 months when she did not like the crazy neighbors much- but I think she is mostly over that now that the Cooking Momma knows where the treat jar is in the pantry...

Welcome Back!

2008-07-31T20:18:00.003-07:00

I almost forgot my password!

It has been TOO LONG since I logged on and let you know how things are going.

In a word: Busy. I know we all lead busy lives and I hate to say that I am busy when so many of my three readers do more in their days than I, (two boys, working full time outside the home, three kids) so I will say:if you have a scheduling or organization tip that you love, please SHARE! So far I have been using Outlook Calendar and it gets me where I need to be on time- I just seem to run out of day before I run out of "to dos."

Last week Slick, the Peep and I made an unscheduled trip to the Land of Lincoln for Papa's brother's funeral. It was wonderful to see so many of "The Family" there, though the circumstances were sad. Brother lived a long and full life leaving a wife of I think 55 years and a lovely daughter as well as many many nieces nephews and cousins.

The Peep was a dream to travel with watching her "little TV" portable DVD player on the plane both ways and sleeping in the other double bed in the hotel room like a princess. She especially loved the door that connected us to Busia and Papa's room! I think they had as much fun with it as she did!

Missed you all!

Great Day!

2008-07-14T08:02:00.002-07:00

Summer Fun! The Peep and I are having a fun day... Slick called and invited up to his office at the Big Bad Broadband Company and out to lunch!!! This is not not not what the Peep is wearing... Have a great day!

Smarts

2008-07-12T15:05:00.002-07:00

I can't get the Adobe Flash player to work on my vistafied computer. I have been trying for about 45 minutes. I have downloaded and installed and downloaded and installed and rebooted and downloaded and installed.

Uber frustrating for a girl who is just trying to see the Kevin Costner trailer for the new movie coming out in August and then to see the web page of the restaurant Slick and I are trying to go to tonight. Seriously. How can I know what to wear to dinner if I can't see the restaurant and the menu?? Comfy pants? Sassy jeans? Sassy shorts?

I have announced that someone smarter than I will have to figure it out.

The Peep just made the following announcement: "I can help, I am smarter than you."

And Slick said: "And so it begins..."

Indeed.

Paint Maker

2008-07-11T14:53:00.002-07:00

Hill Dog and I just picked the Peep up from school. She was sitting in the back of the play ground with two other girls playing with sidewalk chalk. They were "making paint."

The Peep told us all about it in the car. "You know,"- she said matter of factly. "You make chalk dust and put it in a shovel or bucket or clam shell or something and then add water and then you have paint." The Peep had it on her hands because she was the one mixing the paint. Hope was the one who gave out the recipe, but she had already been picked up when we got there. Mean girl was painting her war stripes on her face when I was driving away and the whiner was asking if we were going the Chuckie Cheese for dinner. Uh- NO.

So there you have it. The Peep is a chemist. Or an artist. Or a mess maker. I am not sure which- but man, she sure is cute!

Rested and Ready to Make 'em

2008-06-27T10:45:00.004-07:00

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and thoughts last week while HillDog, Lulu and I were at Market. Thank you to Chief and Slick for the relief in the booth from time to time! There were only several thousand attendees and only 1,500 of them that we talked to... we handed out samples and information sheets until we were blue in the face... to match our shirts.

Man- to see us we looked pretty good.

There were hundreds of people- you know I am an exaggerator- but this time I am serious- hundreds of people told us they love the Knotty Knotes. We are hoping that from the hundreds of the samples and order forms we have distributed that we will start getting orders...

There were a few orders at market- but "fewer than twenty."

That said- HillDog and I are counting paper right now and have had to reorder paper to make the the orders!!! Yeah!!!

Here you see that sorority sisters are as wonderful as real sisters and that they are there for you whenever you need them!!

Thank you friends and thank you family. I still think we are on a great path, we just need to keep plugging...

I love you all!

We're ready!!

2008-06-19T16:02:00.002-07:00

It has been a long two weeks of going to the warehouse in Dallas and then this week going to the World Trade Center to set up... but I think we are ready!!
We practiced taking an order today and are ready for the real thing tomorrow!!

So you feel like you are here...

this is everything in my car last week.

this is the shelves in the garage getting ready for the trip.

Here are the shelves in Lulu's truck.

Here is part of the booth.

Another part of the booth.

The cute sales people...

Friends

2008-06-17T07:08:00.003-07:00

So I have this friend.

I have known her since freshman year of undergrad. She is a lovely tall blond academic with a heart of gold and red lipstick. She is quick with a prayer and quicker with a hug. She knows I have been crazy busy with life- really who isn't- and she sent me the most lovely expression of friendship last week.

She knew that I would be insane with paper this week so she sent flowers last week so I would be able to enjoy them!

Thank you, friend.

Its Crazy!

2008-06-16T05:40:00.002-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Slick last Saturday. We had a lovely day of trying to get a few things at the Nordstrom Men's Sale- and the Peep and I were successful in getting a gown for her and shoes for me. Thanks Slick.

Happy Father's Day to Chief, Papa and Slick. Each of you is a wonderful dad and we are blessed to have you in our family.

WARNING: this may be my only post for the week. I am letting you know in advance because I know it is going to be crazy. I have a client tomorrow and setting up THE booth at the WTC Wednesday and Thursday and MARKET STARTS FRIDAY!! We could use a few prayers for people to like the knotes enough to want to sell them in their sores and place orders...

For now:

This Week's List:

1. fancy pizza
2. raspberry jelly
3. birthday blueberry pie
4. playing cards
5. the US Open on Father's Day
6. gardenias
7. foot prints
8. a new box of staples
9. filing everything
10. Barnes and Noble

Lucky 13 Happy List

2008-06-10T08:32:00.004-07:00

It's been crazy. I am sorry for the long delay in getting back to you but I have been trying to get Knotty Knotes launched.

Market is next week and there is literally paper all over our house. I feel badly for Slick- he went out of town last week for 4 days and came home to the devastating effects of Hurricane Knotty Knote all over our living room, dining room, kitchen and guest room. Thankfully Market is next week in Dallas so the devastation will be partially cleared out then when I take the "show on the road" as they say.

I don't know who they are, but I think that they say show on the road.

Anyway. I would like to take this moment to thank all five of my loyal readers for their patience and help through this launch. In the form of the Happy List- this week with Lucky 13 items...

1. My Webmaster has been a dream. His lovely assistant wonderful to work with in producing more professional looking photos than I make.
2. The Peep helping with stamping SAMPLE onto the... samples.
3. Hill Dog for helping everywhere- especially in Office Depot yesterday with my $400 purchase.
4. Thank you to Lulu for counting and tying knots and agreeing to be the Boss to my Owner status.
5. Thank you Chief for the sales training- we need to refresh...
6. Thank you to the investors for their money.
7. Thank you to Busia and Papa for the moral support and ribbon cutting.
8. Thank you Gran Gran for coming to help with the sample assembly.
9. Thank you Mayhem friends for the talking through during Mexican Train and Quick books advise.
10. Thank you Duke for the phone calls and e-mails of encouragement.
11. Thank you Cooking Momma for the hugs and Diet Coke breaks.
12. Thank you Big Daddy for the phone installation.
13. Thank you Slick for picking up the slack around the house and coking lots of dinners.

Dog Tired

2008-05-29T10:34:00.003-07:00

You might have heard the phrase Dog Tired. I can tell you Putter-Rooskey is DOG TIRED today.

I went outside to look for duct tape- which I can not find- to repair the soaker hose my parents so graciously gave me for free. I now know the adage "you get what you pay for" in real terms. Three holes... if you think three holes in a soaker hose is nothing... let me tell you- all of the water squirts out of the holes at an alarming rate and the end of the hose never even gets wet. I digress...

Anyway- Putter Dog followed me to the back and sprawled on the driveway. Before I could get back out with my camera, she had relocated to the grass. And upon approach with the camera... she turned over for a tummy scratch. Man she is worn slap out form laying on her bed all morning.

It's Happy List Time!

2008-05-27T19:48:00.002-07:00

Ten things to be happy about this week...

1. Knotty Knotes
2. chicken salad from scratch
3. summer peaches preferably from Edgefield, SC
4. grilled hot dogs
5. Capistrano
6. knowing where you stand
7. pedometers
8. worn in hats
9. bulbs growing
10. brilliance

Working to get Knotty Knotes ready for the World Trade Center "Market" in June. I hate to brag and everything- but if you check out the Press release from the WTC yo might find mention of Knotty Knotes making their debut at Market. Just a little something else to be happy about...

Hello New Jersey!

2008-05-22T19:27:00.004-07:00

We're back.

Lulu and I were gone a couple of days. To the Big Apple.

We HAD HAD HAD to go to the National Stationery Show to check things in the business out. We were scouting to see if we needed to exhibit there next year. We were stealing ideas from other wholesalers about their booth design and construction. We walked and walked through row after beautiful row of paper goods and stationery and cards and invitations.

It took two days.

We were there for three.

On the third day... Lulu tried some new things.

We went to the top of the Empire State Building. Lulu doesn't do heights. She did on day three. Then we had to rush rush rush back to the hotel to check out by our late time of 1:00 because the dang line was just SO long that we were not able to leisurely look out along the sides of the city- but we were up long enough to snap this shot of ourselves. That is not a fake backdrop in the background! That is the REAL New York sky with the puffy clouds and everything! We even said Hello to New Jersey from up there!

Then we walked forever trying to find Lulu some cheap t-shirt souvenirs. She thought she had seen them a block up from our hotel at Grand Central Terminal.

She was wrong. Long wrong. We walked to Times Square.

Carrying our carry on bags.

Mine containing a computer... then got a t-shirt, lunch (Lulu suggested a place called Subway- I said- that is the REAL subway...) and then it started raining! We had to make a quick decision. Get soaked before our flight since there was nary a cab to be had or take the subway back to GCT.

You're right. We took the subway!

At the airport Lulu and I were interviewed by the New York Post on a story about AMR deciding to charge for all checked bags for poor souls in coach. We were of course against it.

See Lulu's inclusion in the story here. I know, they spelled her name wrong. Not to worry. I e-mailed the author and told him that it was an error! He replied that he was terribly sorry and he must have gotten bad information form the reporter to whom we spoke. I am thinking he should print a correction. Odds are probably against it, though...

Happy Birthday Kitty!

2008-05-20T05:00:00.001-07:00

Today is our good friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Kitty Girl!

Love you!!

DeDe

You know what I'm saying?

2008-05-17T15:49:00.002-07:00

Vernacular. Dictionary.com calls it "the language or vocabulary peculiar to a class or profession." I am thinking it is also a particular language or vocabulary for a family.

I know we have words that we have made up and/or use differently than the rest of the civilized people in the big city. Today Lulu said we could put the "quiatus" on something. She was saying we could put a hiatus on it- and stop talking about it- be quiet- put the "quiatus" on it.

The holiday in February with hearts and flowers: Vollentimes. Memaw was the perfect vernacular speaker. Happy Vollentimes Day to us all.

Tored. Being worn slap out. Lulu and I are TORED TORED TORED from working in the flower beds all afternoon. They look goooood.

What kinds of vernacular do you have?

Mayfest? FUUUUN!

2008-05-15T09:17:00.002-07:00

Mayfest has come and gone but I have just downloaded (uploaded?) the pictures. Here you see the Premier Big City Family Festival in full Peep fun! It was a couple of years ago that the Central Committee came up with the cute idea to have the photo opportunities in the park to mark your progress from Peep to grownup.

The Peep loved getting her picture taken!

Almost as much as she loved getting her face painted on her leg. Thanks to Miss Becky the wonderful face painter who is willing to paint a shin.

And if you ask the Peep what her FAVORITE part of Mayfest is... she says the ice cream from the ice cream stand. The stand looks like the cones they serve. Here she is with a funny smile showing off her ice cream. Already she, and the rest of us, are looking forward to Mayfest 2009!

Love the Zoo

2008-05-14T07:46:00.002-07:00

Today is the Peep's last day of Zoo School for this school year. Slick and I are going up at the designated parent time to see all of the kids in the classroom, share snack and hear a song. Or something like that.

She is really excited to go back in the fall- which is apparently cool with them- as there is a three year revolving curriculum. I thought Museum School would be a good choice- until I found out it is only 2 hours long.

I mean, what can I get into in only 2 hours a week?? Hello??

And there is not currently a museum as it has been demolished to make way for the new and improved museum. So last summer when we went to the zoo and looked around and said hey do you think this would be fun to do every week for 3 hours Peep was like YES!

Well when we drive by the construction zone of the museum... it is a little harder to sell.

We have loved the zoo time- learning about the animals, meeting new friends, going into the zoo almost every week and having animal visitors in the class room! A penguin the first week! And snakes, a porcupine, an alligator, a macaw... the list goes on!

Thank you to the zoo genius who thought getting edZOOcated was a good idea. It has been great for all of us!

Baby it's really cold inside!

2008-05-12T07:03:00.003-07:00

Dare I say that on Saturday after the AC brainiacs left that the downstairs was... cold?! They claim that all of the ducts are now (again) connected and even on the hot hot hot Saturday, we were shivering!

Which leads to Sunday. A lovely Mother's Day by any standard. Made even more lovely this year because the Peep and Slick did all of the dishes. Heaven. I really don't mind doing dishes but it was wonderful to sit and visit and know that they were being handled by a 4 year old and her daddy!

So things to be happy about today- along with tons of clean dishes:
1. French silk pie
2. Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls
3. Hash brown quiche
4. Cards signed in many colors
5. Sisters agreeing to share the spotlight
6. Vacation Drinks
7. Champagne with lunch
8. fresh pineapple
9. all of the family at one table
10. pink polka dot plants

Baby It's Cold Outside

2008-05-07T11:50:00.002-07:00

Someday our AC will be fixed.

Not today, like I thought when I made the appointment yesterday with the AC company.

Not last week when they came out and spent about 4 hours here tuning up the two units.

Not the last 6 times they have been here over the course of the 22 months we have lived here- not to mention the bi-annual trips to tune the units.

Not the time they installed a package unit the size of a Volkswagen beetle in the back yard. Not the time they came over and replaced the heat exchanger in the attic.

Man they have been here lots of times. And yet, we are still providing a nice climate controlled environment for the wildlife in and around the big city.

And now I look bad about it- and have for quite some time- as anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I am more than accommodating for service people.

When they called today to let me know that their smallest technician was assigned to the case because our crawl hole is only 24 inches square- but that he is no longer available today because of the trouble he is having with some other unit... all I said was "Great, when can he come back?" When last week's technician said "Wow, I am overwhelmed by the amount of service you need," I said talk to your boss and send someone else. When the bozo who tuned our heater in November said we needed a new heat exchanger and that he was going to turn off the gas to the house 24 hours before the first cold spell of the winter: "How much or the new heater?" When the install team said the duct work was sealed and secure but the plumbers the next day said AC was blowing under the house- I called and said "Send someone out, please."

Everyone who knows me has said we need to fire the AC people and get someone else. But from what I can tell everyone else is a schiester too unless you hassle them and man this sure has been a hassle... I'll let you know if we are really truly fixed on Saturday. I have little faith that we will be...