hiattus: blogger late, than never

okay. i realize that my last post was in july.  it has been a busy 5 months.  i finished up the fall semester of graduate school and was accepted into my program. if all goes as planned, i should be able to complete my master of education in health education and promotion by spring '13. between driving to columbia 2 days a week, managing 3 daughters, a husband, a new puppy and a full time job- i have been a bit neglectful of my blogging goal.  about a year ago, i decided that i really wanted to start a blog...you know, just keep record of all of those fun and interesting tid bits of life.  well, ha!  those tid bits get lost in the shuffle of miscellaneous items that seem to endlessly stack up on my kitchen counter.  lucky for me, i have an amazing husband who was thoughtful enough to throw me a suprise 40th birthday party in august and present me with a beautiful new camera for my blogging experience.

  ha, again!  i think i have taken a total of 7 creative photographs since receiving this awesome gift.  however, big sister has decided that she has quite a passion for photography (this may actually turn into a career goal for her) and has taken some amazing photographs this fall.  thanks to her, we have a visual of all of those tid bits. 

middle sister is the singing, musical instrument playing one.  during this time of year, we get major brownie points for our time in the audience...taking up large sections of seats with siblings and grandparents in tow.  note to self:  turtlenecks are not appropriate concert attire when attending with 600 other parents. whew!

one more share.  this one from little sister, who is the artist of the family.  we actually had this one made into a canvas which we have proudly displayed in our house.  personally, i think it could be at the Nelson, but that's just me.  enJOY! 

Too bad it's already a memory

Cool antique store in Appalachicola. I am a sucker for old nautical junk!
I love the worn colors...

These are my attempts at "artistic photography".

Think I'll keep my day job.

Good times, St. George Island!

i'll have a side of patience with that, please.

what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger
eventually, everything becomes history
i can do anything for 1 day

HA!  i have actually said these very words.  the ones i distinctly remember NOT saying were "Lord, give me patience" because through life i have learned that if you ask for patience, you invariably get opportunities to grow in your ability to be patient...long lines, crying babies, crabby neighbors, slow traffic.  Here's the funny part.  Our recent family vacation was a series of stress-inducing, patience-building opportunities.   We chose to drive the 16 hour trip in 2 days.  First mistake.  From Mid-Missouri to Mid-Alabama was the goal.  We got a late start on Friday afternoon and did not arrive in Birmingham until midnight.  Stopped at the first group of hotels to find that they were all full.  Not a problem.  There were plenty of other options.  We hit the next exit.  Full.  The next exit.  No vacancy.  The next and the next.  All the way to Montgomery.  This is normally about an hour and a half drive.  But after stopping at every available hotel along I-65, it took about 2 1/2 hours.  There was a baseball convention in Birmingham and every hotel within 100 miles was sold out. Go figure.  We did finally find a place to stay south of Montgomery and crashed about 3 am.  Patience.
Next day, we headed out for the beach.  Only 7 more hours.  Holiday traffic.  Arrived at the beach later that evening.  After enJOYing 2 great days on the beautiful island of St. George, a gigantic storm blew through the area and knocked the power out to the entire island.  The reports say it was a possible waterspout in Apalachicola Bay.  And we thought we left the tornados behind in MO. 
http://www.wmbb.com/story/14986758/st-george-island-power-outage
Like I said, patience.  We were completely dark for 2 nights, 2 very hot, sleepless nights.  But I must say, during the day...a cooler of beer and a flat of fresh oysters makes you forget.  We finally got 70% power by Thursday.  That meant a bit of up and down emotions as the power would come on and off randomly.  Lots of booing and cheering going on.  Ultimately, the beach was amazing.  Sanddollars, starfish, scallops, shells, shops, and OYSTERS all fresh from the bay.  Gotta love the gulf.

What I learned from this vacation:  I AM stronger.  It IS history.  And I can do anything for 4 days.  Also, a week on the beach with your family is not nearly enough time...enJOY!

cooking with kids

We are off and running this summer...doing cooking classes for lots of area kiddos.  It is a lesson in organized chaois, i tell you!  I am learning as much as they are; like how you can cut almost anything with a paper plate and a plastic knife, that electric skillets make great stovetops, that it is fun to shop with someone else's money, and that fresh green beans in veggie fajitas and eggplant in meatballs are fantastic.  My job is different everyday and that is one of the great things about it.  I am the "newbie" and I still get excited for the challenges and experiences. 
Here is a cool little recipe to try with your kiddos this summer:

Veggie Meatball Subs
1 eggplant, peeled and quartered
1 bunch of carrots, washed
1 box of brussell sprouts
2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
2 eggs
1/2 loaf day old bread
1 tbsp. italian seasoning
spaghetti sauce
shredded cheese
hotdog buns

Shred all of the vegetables into a large bowl.  Tear the bread into small pieces and add to the veggies.  Add eggs, ground meat, and seasoning.  Combine all ingredients and shape into little meatballs.  An icecream scoop is a great tool to help make the balls uniform in size.  Cook in an electric skillet or in the oven at 350 degrees until internal temperature is 140 degrees.  Those mini meat thermometers are super handy!  Once the meatballs are cooked, add spaghetti sauce and heat through.  Put 3 meatballs on a hotdog bun, top with some shredded cheese and wah-lah!!!  Dinner is served.  EnJOY.  

old dog, new trick

Let the graduate school begin.  On Monday, I officially started summer school.  i am in the process of figuring out my first online graduate course.  i now know what Blackboard is, how to post on a discussion board, what a thread is and how to create one.  Gee...what a crazy thing it is to feel so old in the academic world.  my post-graduate hours are over 15 years old.  i am hoping they might still consider them for transfer because i am entering into the same program again.  we shall see.  conducting all business online is great, but also prohibits me from actually talking to or reasoning with or pleading my case with any actual person.  hmmm...need to figure out the best way to type big sad eyes.  More to come.  But I really think I am going to enJOY this course.  We began with introductions and most of the people in the class have backgrounds that parallel mine, so I think I am in the right place.  Wish me luck...

the trouble with girls.

I am going to rant here for a minute...I am sick to death of women and their cattiness towards each other.  Okay, let me rephrase that, their cattiness behind eachothers backs.  "My best friend's sisters boyfriend heard from this guy, who told this girl..."  
I mean seriously ladies.  Are we still in junior high, or what?  Why the competitiveness?  Why the mean-spirited comments about one's children?  Why the need to call, text, facebook, email ME to tell about a certain situation in which you have not even been witness to the wrongdoing.  You were simply a 3rd, or 4th, or even 5th party to the person offended or doing the offending.  YET, you make it a point to further that gossip--lots of times even prefacing what you are about to say with the actual words "I know this is gossiping, but".  GIVE ME A BREAK!  I do not claim to be faultless when it comes to listening or spreading some of trash talk, but the more I try to take notice of it; the more it makes me sick to my stomach.  My JOY is squelched when I participate in this behavior.  It takes up much needed brain space that I could be using on interesting projects, stimulating conversation, or simply enJOYing my life and those around me.   SO, here is my official notice.  From this point on, I will no longer listen to your two-faced "story telling".  I will confront you with yourself.  I will turn the story around on you and make you aware of how damaging your words can be.  I will not passively hold my opinion.  I will stand up for justice and not be afraid to stick up for what is right!   ( that being said, if I have not a single friend left on this planet after tomorrow... it's been nice knowing ya)

Lemons #2 thru #11~ Meyer Lemonade

Middle Sister and Little Sister squeezed all 10 lemons.
I think Big Sister even got in on the action.
Who doesn't enJoy a bit of lemon squeezing?
The finished product was amazing! It really is true...If life (or your sister-in-law) sends you a box of lemons~ make lemonade. Only about 40 more to go. Next up, candied lemon peel and a tarty lemon tart. Stay tuned...

Lemon #1~ guacamole, of course

The 50 Lemon Challenge

so my wonderful brother and sister-in-law sent me a very fruity food challenge. Oh, I am up for a good challenge.  Stay tuned...





by the way, before the lemons arrived...we made this tasty little treat for dinner.  Mussels are such an amazing addition to any pasta dish...so are beans (my new favorite add-in)

just a few thoughts.

I haven't posted those pictures of the finished Valentine box.  Needless to say, little girl did not win the prize.  It's ok, she made her box just like herself...creative, unique, and beautiful.  She loved it & that's all that matters. 

I am collecting food quotes and thought I'd post a few.  enJOY!

Eating in its proper context is not the problem. God gave us food for nourishment, strength, and even celebration. But, when pleasure becomes unrestrained, there's a problem.

Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?  ~Author Unknown

The belly rules the mind.  ~Spanish Proverb

When baking, follow directions.  When cooking, go by your own taste.  ~Laiko Bahrs

A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat.  ~Old New York Proverb

We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.  ~Alfred E. Newman

inspired.

My youngest daughter, little girl, informed me that there will be a Valentine Box contest at school. Hhmmm...nothing I like better than a bit of friendly competition. Since we have yet another snow day, I thought we might as well get started. I found this cool idea online at one of my favorite blogs www.OurBestBites.com and had to give it a try. These are the ones out of crepe paper. Cute.

These are all of the designs...2 out of crepe paper, one out of a long piece of fabric and one out of felt. The idea is pretty much the same and because I am not yet savvy enough to post a tutorial, you will just have to take my word for it... easy! It's basically a twist and roll idea. I will put the finished project up with photos of little girl actually working on it (I am not a cheater mom) later this afternoon.

New Beginnings...

When I was a little girl, I kept a diary.  Then as a teenager, I journaled.  When I got married, I used one of those Wedding Planner books and recorded all of the details   Through each of my pregnancies...again, I kept a written record of each week, doctor's appointment, name ideas, and such.  I have a calendar on the wall in my kitchen and each December, I replace it with a new one and tuck the old one in with my Christmas boxes.  I guess I figure it might be fun someday to go back and recall all of the things we did, appointments we kept and milestones we shared as a family.  But as far as my personal journaling, after daughter number 3 was safely delivered...I must admit that I have not taken the time to record.  And I do miss that part of me.  I had the opportunity to serve on a National board within my Church a few years back and I had an email rapport with a number of gals across the country.  This was a time that I could write and share, but never the less, I did not save any of these the way my handwritten notes are saved.  I have enJOYed blogs for the past several years...reading what others put out there, often stumbled across when searching for something to cook or eat or craft with my girls.  But I have been hesitant to do one myself.  It is much easier to keep my private thoughts tucked safely in a notebook.  But...I keep feeling the pull to do this.  There are plenty of opportunities out there to engage our brains...we just have to look for them.  This is my year to "Stretch" ... and beginning a blog is just one of the things on my list.  Hope you enJOY!