Somehow my cats become uber-talented when they stay with my parents. Either Grandma inspires them or the fresh Michigan air brings out their bright sides. Whichever it is, I got an email from my Siamese this morning....
*****
Mom,
When are U comming bac to grandpa and grandma's house? Tia is embarrrraaassing me. I hear things R a little roug where u're, at but things R worrs here.
Tia and I decided2 take a nap on sofa and all thhe sudden that biggger girl (I think her name is Cinder) let out a screech. I just got offff the sofa & went 2 your room and hid. Tia hissed at that girl & then startted to run at herr hissssing and grandma and grandpa thought she wa going 2 bite Cinder. Grandma gave Tia a time out and I'm glad. Shhhe deserved it. I, onn the other hand, hav been the perrrrrrfect house guest.
Maybee u could write tooo Tia and tell her hat you're putting her in a report like you'''re doing to tha "kid" where u r at this week.
Your most affectionate and lovable cat,
Mr G
PS Please exuse my typ ing. U know how MY paaaws are toooo big for the keys and I M drooping litter all over it.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
As a Juicy Reward Insider, I'm telling ya...
Tomorrow Tropicana is having one of their Limited-Time Promotions, the chance for Juicy Rewards members and newly-registered members to win a 13" MacBook Pro.
Wouldn't you know it? I just bought my 13" MacBook Pro three months ago... Which probably won't matter cuz I rarely win sweepstakes anyway. But I will say, I love my MacBook Pro. Everyone should have one! So enter!
Anyway, for only four Tropicana points, we can enter to win the MacBook Pro tomorrow, October 7, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. Central Time. No purchase necessary, but there will be Official Rules for more details, including how to enter by mail.
*Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. MacBook is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All rights reserved.*
Wouldn't you know it? I just bought my 13" MacBook Pro three months ago... Which probably won't matter cuz I rarely win sweepstakes anyway. But I will say, I love my MacBook Pro. Everyone should have one! So enter!
Anyway, for only four Tropicana points, we can enter to win the MacBook Pro tomorrow, October 7, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. Central Time. No purchase necessary, but there will be Official Rules for more details, including how to enter by mail.
*Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. MacBook is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All rights reserved.*
Thursday, September 2, 2010
My nephew Zack gets it
My brother-in-law Dick sent an email this morning about an answer my nephew Zack gave in his homework this week.
The email....
"Every once and a while your children say or write or do something that make you stop, think, cry, praise, and wonder.
Jenn [my sister] was reading over Zack’s homework assignment this morning, and this is what she found:
Thy will be done? May the next generation continue God’s purpose?
Hit me right in the heart.
His spelling may need assistance, but his spirit soars above mine.
He is just like my father. Richard Sr. and Zechariah John are soul mates. These words could just have easily come out of my 69-year-old father as my 11-year-old son. I feel as if I am generationally sandwiched between two unusual men of God.
I am SO proud of them both!
Dick"
The email....
"Every once and a while your children say or write or do something that make you stop, think, cry, praise, and wonder.
Jenn [my sister] was reading over Zack’s homework assignment this morning, and this is what she found:
Thy will be done? May the next generation continue God’s purpose?
Hit me right in the heart.
His spelling may need assistance, but his spirit soars above mine.
He is just like my father. Richard Sr. and Zechariah John are soul mates. These words could just have easily come out of my 69-year-old father as my 11-year-old son. I feel as if I am generationally sandwiched between two unusual men of God.
I am SO proud of them both!
Dick"
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Turns 1!
My second niece, the youngest of my four nephews and nieces, turned 1 last Saturday.
She's so sweet and cute! And I can't believe it's been one year already!
She's so sweet and cute! And I can't believe it's been one year already!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Who's the Savvy Auntie? That'd be me.
My brother came home this weekend from his business trip to the annual Snap-on convention at Disney World in Orlando. He bought a "Cinder" beach towel for his 4-year-old daughter (my niece) and a Tinkerbell plate for his 1-year-old daughter (my other niece).
He said that the 4-year-old, E.Anne, felt slighted because A. got a Tinkerbell item. (E.Anne recently added Tinkerbell to her collection of Disney princesses. She even went to a fairy day camp a few weeks ago; I need a picture or two from that outing). So even though she got a Cinderella beach towel, which she is thrilled to use, she still pouted that her sister got Tinkerbell. "Big ol' bottom lip," my brother said.
My brother noted that the Tinkerbell plate was the only item he could find for A. He knew it was going to be an issue (what a perceptive dad!) but he said that was all they had for A. that wouldn't get "broke, swallowed, soiled or spoiled."
Luckily for all parties involved, Aunt Jackie is going to Disney World in three weeks for a work conference as well. I told my brother I'd find E.Anne a Tinkerbell item of her own. And something un-princesses related for A.
To this my brother noted that E.Anne is not looking forward to the party for A. this weekend (it's her first birthday on Saturday). He said it's hard for her to see her little sister get all the attention and presents, and asked if I could help out. Duh. I asked if he thought he was dealing with an Amateur Auntie. He said, "No! I know we roll with the best of the best!!!" I told him that I bought books and stickers months ago for this very special day; it's all under control.
This is about transitions through some difficult stages in a 4-year-old's life (i.e. sibling rivalry). Do I see it as spoiling the 4-year-old? No. It's about keeping some peace so the cheers for the 1-year-old's celebration can be heard. The 4-year-old will be kept in the party for the 1-year-old but with a couple $1 items to keep her hands busy so the 1-year-old can tackle her own pile without help (hopefully). Things will change as the years go by and both are able to comprehend and understand the importance of each celebration. For now, we work with the 4-year-old's level of understanding.
He said that the 4-year-old, E.Anne, felt slighted because A. got a Tinkerbell item. (E.Anne recently added Tinkerbell to her collection of Disney princesses. She even went to a fairy day camp a few weeks ago; I need a picture or two from that outing). So even though she got a Cinderella beach towel, which she is thrilled to use, she still pouted that her sister got Tinkerbell. "Big ol' bottom lip," my brother said.
My brother noted that the Tinkerbell plate was the only item he could find for A. He knew it was going to be an issue (what a perceptive dad!) but he said that was all they had for A. that wouldn't get "broke, swallowed, soiled or spoiled."
Luckily for all parties involved, Aunt Jackie is going to Disney World in three weeks for a work conference as well. I told my brother I'd find E.Anne a Tinkerbell item of her own. And something un-princesses related for A.
To this my brother noted that E.Anne is not looking forward to the party for A. this weekend (it's her first birthday on Saturday). He said it's hard for her to see her little sister get all the attention and presents, and asked if I could help out. Duh. I asked if he thought he was dealing with an Amateur Auntie. He said, "No! I know we roll with the best of the best!!!" I told him that I bought books and stickers months ago for this very special day; it's all under control.
This is about transitions through some difficult stages in a 4-year-old's life (i.e. sibling rivalry). Do I see it as spoiling the 4-year-old? No. It's about keeping some peace so the cheers for the 1-year-old's celebration can be heard. The 4-year-old will be kept in the party for the 1-year-old but with a couple $1 items to keep her hands busy so the 1-year-old can tackle her own pile without help (hopefully). Things will change as the years go by and both are able to comprehend and understand the importance of each celebration. For now, we work with the 4-year-old's level of understanding.
Blueberry Cobbler
I have a bunch of blueberries I need to use. And I need a dessert for tonight's birthday dinner for my friend Beth.
This is what I'm making.... Picture of final product to come....
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 T. vanilla extract
1/2 lemon, juiced, OR 1 1/2 T. lemon juice
1 C. white sugar
1/2 t. all-purpose flour
1 T. butter, melted
1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour
4 t. baking powder
6 T. white sugar
5 T. butter
1 C. milk
2 T. sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Directions:
Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish. Place the blueberries into the baking dish, and mix with vanilla and lemon juice. Sprinkle with 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of flour, then stir in the tablespoon of melted butter. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups of flour, baking powder, and 6 tablespoons sugar. Rub in the 5 tablespoons butter using your fingers, or cut in with a pastry blender until it is in small pieces. Make a well in the center, and quickly stir in the milk. Mix just until moistened. You should have a very thick batter, or very wet dough. You may need to add a splash more milk. Cover, and let batter rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spoon the batter over the blueberries, leaving only a few small holes for the berries to peek through. Mix together the cinnamon and 2 teaspoons sugar; sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the topping should come out clean - of course there will be blueberry syrup on the knife. Let cool until just warm before serving.
From AllRecipes.com: [Full recipe here]
This is what I'm making.... Picture of final product to come....
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 T. vanilla extract
1/2 lemon, juiced, OR 1 1/2 T. lemon juice
1 C. white sugar
1/2 t. all-purpose flour
1 T. butter, melted
1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour
4 t. baking powder
6 T. white sugar
5 T. butter
1 C. milk
2 T. sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
Directions:
Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish. Place the blueberries into the baking dish, and mix with vanilla and lemon juice. Sprinkle with 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of flour, then stir in the tablespoon of melted butter. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups of flour, baking powder, and 6 tablespoons sugar. Rub in the 5 tablespoons butter using your fingers, or cut in with a pastry blender until it is in small pieces. Make a well in the center, and quickly stir in the milk. Mix just until moistened. You should have a very thick batter, or very wet dough. You may need to add a splash more milk. Cover, and let batter rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spoon the batter over the blueberries, leaving only a few small holes for the berries to peek through. Mix together the cinnamon and 2 teaspoons sugar; sprinkle over the top.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the topping should come out clean - of course there will be blueberry syrup on the knife. Let cool until just warm before serving.
From AllRecipes.com: [Full recipe here]
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Recycle already, will ya?
I did change a few of my ways during my 18 months living in California.
Recycling, for one.
I lived in graduate housing at Fuller and they provided recycling bins, which happened to be just downstairs from my apartment. It was easy to drop recyclables off anytime I was leaving the apartment.
Then I started doing some study on creation care and our responsibility to care for the earth that God loves, and recycling became not only something easy and/or trendy to do, it became the right thing to do, one simple change in my life that would help me be a better steward of the earth and its resources.
Since moving back to Nashville, I started recycling anything and everything that I could. And discovered how easy it was, even though recycling bins were no longer right at the bottom of a set of stairs from my home.
I sort paper, glass, plastic, metal and cardboard into bags and boxes in my basement as I collect it all and when those are full, I put them in the trunk of my car and drive a mile down the street to the Nashville Metro Public Works Recycling Drop-off site at Dupont Hadley Middle School. I don't have any fancy labeled recycle bins; I just use and re-use plastic grocery bags. It takes seconds out of my day to put something in the basement and it takes a couple minutes to throw the items in the recycling dumpsters at the drop-off site.
And I've noticed a significant drop in my actual amount of trash that has to go out for the trash collectors every Wednesday. Which is a really positive feeling. I can see my recycling making a difference in the amount of trash that will just go sit somewhere.
Recycling is such an easy thing to do when you simply make the decision to do it; I don't understand why more people don't. Maybe it's personal conviction and understanding of the topic of creation care and recycling that make it an easy decision for me. Perhaps for others, they're too lazy to do it or they don't know how easy it is.
Need to find recycling in your area? Do a search here: [Earth911.com] The site also has some really great tips and articles on recycling, reusing and re-purposing.
Some times I think that what I'm doing right now isn't enough. But it's more than I was doing three years ago. And that's just a good start.
Recycling, for one.
I lived in graduate housing at Fuller and they provided recycling bins, which happened to be just downstairs from my apartment. It was easy to drop recyclables off anytime I was leaving the apartment.
Then I started doing some study on creation care and our responsibility to care for the earth that God loves, and recycling became not only something easy and/or trendy to do, it became the right thing to do, one simple change in my life that would help me be a better steward of the earth and its resources.
Since moving back to Nashville, I started recycling anything and everything that I could. And discovered how easy it was, even though recycling bins were no longer right at the bottom of a set of stairs from my home.
I sort paper, glass, plastic, metal and cardboard into bags and boxes in my basement as I collect it all and when those are full, I put them in the trunk of my car and drive a mile down the street to the Nashville Metro Public Works Recycling Drop-off site at Dupont Hadley Middle School. I don't have any fancy labeled recycle bins; I just use and re-use plastic grocery bags. It takes seconds out of my day to put something in the basement and it takes a couple minutes to throw the items in the recycling dumpsters at the drop-off site.
And I've noticed a significant drop in my actual amount of trash that has to go out for the trash collectors every Wednesday. Which is a really positive feeling. I can see my recycling making a difference in the amount of trash that will just go sit somewhere.
Recycling is such an easy thing to do when you simply make the decision to do it; I don't understand why more people don't. Maybe it's personal conviction and understanding of the topic of creation care and recycling that make it an easy decision for me. Perhaps for others, they're too lazy to do it or they don't know how easy it is.
Need to find recycling in your area? Do a search here: [Earth911.com] The site also has some really great tips and articles on recycling, reusing and re-purposing.
Some times I think that what I'm doing right now isn't enough. But it's more than I was doing three years ago. And that's just a good start.
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