Teensy & the Boys

I have a lot to learn

2009-08-19T14:33:00.003-05:00

My sister and I have been on some adventures, to say the least! When we were younger our adventures were more catastrophic because we had not mastered the art of control, but as we've aged over the years we are able to manage the collateral damage that occur in our adventures. We are truly and Lucy and Ethel team because if one gets in trouble--we both got trouble. I've rescued her and she me too many times to count.

When my sister was probably 8 or so, I would have been around 4 or 5, she went through a phase of not wanting to take a bath. If she did take a bath she certainly did not want to go through the whole ordeal of washing, combing, and drying her long hair. She devised this plan that she would hang out in the bathroom for the period of time that it would take to bath, then wet just the front of her hair and wrap it in a towel. No one, but me, knew this trick and she would get away with not having to bathe. Me I had to bathe and wash my hair and I didn't like to do it at all. That was until I hatched my perfect plan.

I devised that I would try her trick and get my hair wet, tricking my Mom and Dad into thinking I had cleaned up. "Will, bath time." "Ok, Dad..." Off I went reluctantly slumping along to the bathroom. Water on, front hair wet--set! This is where things started to unravel to me. First, I didn't stay in the bathroom long enough to bathe and wash my hair. Next, I didn't think to wrap a towel around my dry hair just exposing the wet portion. PJ's were put on and I marched right back out to the living room, it had been maybe five minutes.

I can remember my Dad slowly turning to look at me with this look of dazed confusion then slowly turn to my Mom and look at her as if to say, " what is YOUR son doing?" "William, I told you to go take a bath." "I did." "No, no you didn't." "Yes I did..." "So, you took a bath and washed your hair?" "Yes." "Then why is your hair only wet here and not all over her head." My sister was deer in the headlights bug eyed because I in the process of exposing her perfect plan of disgusting habits. "Um...I us...I" "You didn't wash your hair or take a bath, did you?" "No sir." "What in the world were you thinking?" "Well Sis does it all the time so I thought I would try it." "Oh she does...does she?" [thunk]I had just abandoned my sister and left her high and dry. On her way to bed, she pinched me and said, "Thanks a lot...idiot!" Mom and Dad were on to her game from then on.

This is pretty much how I roll, bumbling and fumbling my way through life. My sister, thankfully, still loves me and rescues me more than I deserve.

And just where have you been?

2009-08-11T16:10:00.006-05:00

If I told you I'm sure you would not believe me. As I am typing the cobwebs are actually [ack] choking me [gasp]. In all honesty I thought I was done posting on this blog and would totally devote any blog time to my cooking blog spoonbyspoon.blogspot.com, but it's just not in me to abandon this ship. I just need an outlet and a place to pull out memories.

This will be a short post, but I will not leave you empty handed I have pictures!!

Jesus Loves Me This I Know for the pictures tell me so

2008-11-25T10:14:00.011-06:00

In exactly five days little miss Teensy will be two...TWO!! I can not believe it. One of her greatest pleasures is to be in Bible Class and sing, especially now that her Momma is teaching her this quarter. These pictures were taken on Sunday and show just how much she loves her Bible Class. No need for comments, the pictures say it all.

Holding hands

2008-11-05T10:36:00.002-06:00

This morning when I woke up I woke up resolved, I had made my mind up before I went to bed that I would have a certain attitude and be committed to a certain attitude. I would be lying if I said that I'm excited about the decision that my fellow Americans made. I'm not going to grab a stick and start a revolution, or talk to everyone I know about how horrible this situation is and what in the world are we going to do. That really wouldn't be very productive, now would it, nor would it solve anything. Instead I think resolution is in order. Especially as a Christian who has three small sets of eyes watching my reaction and my attitude. It's especially true when things don't go the way "I" want them to go, should I pout and scream and call forth doom and gloom? Not at all. I think I should be resolved to pray for this country and those who lead it. I should be resolved to pray for the leader of this country no matter what. I want my new President-elect to be safe and protected. So, I'll pray for him and pray that his leadership is a turning point.

I know that this election will be the topic of discussion as long as I live, it is truly one for the history books! There is no doubt that it was an historic election. I can remember feeling a sense of apprehension when my candidate didn't win the last time (1992) and looking back made a critical error in not praying for my president. I don't want to be guilty of ignoring some one's need for prayer based on the fact that "he's not the one I wanted to win."

It's over now, we move on, nothing has changed in my daily routine. As I drove to work this morning it really struck home with me that nothing in my normal routine has changed or possibly will change. Would have, could have, and should have are all things that have no power other than the power of distraction. If you are reading this today and feeling somewhat like I do, look out for yourself and pray for your president, he's going to need it. Pray for every member of government as Christ prayed for the members of His government that were crucifying him! We, Christians, are called to stand out and be different, let's not be different by being ugly and rude and not supporting the person we didn't choose.

Freedom is a sweet, wonderful and under appreciated liberty. I hear the bells of liberty ringing and know that the founding fathers of our country would be proud of the process and revelling in the ability our country has to give opportunity to all who seek it.

These little piggies

2008-10-29T09:35:00.003-05:00

Miss Emma woke up a little early on Monday and spent some time with Dad. She sang and played in our master bath while I was getting ready for work. I noticed that she had torn her big toenail and didn't want it to go into the quick so I sat down and said, "let's clip clip." She knows the drill when it comes to clip clip.

"See this nail? That can give you a boo boo, Daddy is going to clip it so you won't get a boo boo." I decided to go ahead and give her other toes some attention and clipped all 10 little piggies. Baby feet and baby toes just shut me down. They are the most precious, wonderful, delicious thing in all the world. Love those baby toes, especially when they are attached to my kiddos!

"Emma...one day you'll get to paint your toes pretty." I opened Kendra's make up drawer and pulled out her hot pink nail polish and said, "see this is pretty." Emma was illuminated and very excited at the thought, "pittty...pitty toes." Overcome by the moment I just went ahead and painted those little piggies. She galloped and clopped around the house saying, "pitty toes" the whole time. When Kendra got up, Emma ran over to her and said, "Momma...pitty toes." She was super proud of her toes!

This little girl just gets deeper and deeper into my heart more and more everyday!

Cow Patty Pond

2008-10-22T08:43:00.009-05:00

Titus had Fall Break last Wednesday through Friday so Kendra and I decided to get away and go to Silver Dollar City. It has become our all-time favorite escape, we just love to go there and wander the day away. Of course going "home" means the logistics of seeing family comes into play and we have to do our best to get in our time with Mom and Dad My parents are divorced, have been since I was 21 We had a great time at the city, even though one day is not enough time to get everything in. Our family really needs at least two days. Titus was bummed because he only got to ride the train one time, we usually ride it a minimum of 3 times, which means we do the Mine Ride that many times as they are right next to each other.

I talked to Dad and told him we would be coming down to see him on Saturday afternoon. "Maybe Mr. T and I can go to the pond." My Dad, who loves to fish, is thrilled beyond his ability to express that Titus loves to fish with him. Dad doesn't get excited about much, but going fishing with his Grandson is one rare glimpse of him excited. When we got there Titus wasted no time in letting Dad know that he was ready. I had not even turned the van off before, "Poppa! Poppa! Let's get our pole and go fishin'" "I go to Poppa?" Levi was wanting in on the action. "Oh buddy, Poppa doesn't think he can handle both of you." My Dad has never changed a diaper in his life and has no clue what Levi is saying because his hearing is poor. Those two things are reason enough for him to leave Levi home with Graham and Mom. I decided to go along with them so Levi could go which made him very happy.

We drove about six miles to my Dad's friend, Schmidt's farm. My entire life I have never know any of my Dad's friends first name, just their last name which is kind of bizarre...is that just in my family? I don't call any of my friends by their last name. Anyway, this farm was in a very rural and remote area. "Turn here." "On this...path?" "It's their driveway, just turn in." It was a very bumpy, narrow, mile long path that led to their house. I could think of nothing other than how in the world they made it in and out of their house in the rain and snow and ice. I just couldn't get that wrapped around my brain. I noticed a sign that said, "Beware of Dog" and I usually like to heed such warnings. "Rock is a good dog." "You mean the one to beware of?" "That's just to scare people off." Turns out that Rock was a sweet, laid back black lab that belonged on this rural farm. Just pull up here on the grass out of the way.

"Where's the pond?" "We have to follow the trail to the pond." Call me crazy, but do YOU see a trail? I took this picture because I knew there was a blog post in the making. As Dad began to walk I did notice somewhat of a winding, worn, trail-ish path. I would not have found the pond had it not been for my Dad. This was not a horribly long walk, maybe a 1,000 feet or so. I almost forgot that there was a barbed wire fence to traverse before getting to the wooded area. I'm not a rugged Pioneer anything! I climb stairs, not fences. Why did the fence builder not put a gate up? I'm kind of a big guy, not as big as I used to be, but still 6'3" and 2noneofyourbeeswax is big. Dad stepped on one wire, then lifted the wire above it to make an opening. "Climb through." "Why don't they have a gate?" "Just climb through!" Needless to say, the first thing caught on this day was ME...by the fence. Snagged top and bottom, "you need to work on your fence climbing Son." "Very, very funny tell your friend he needs a gate."
There is something magical about seeing your Dad walk with your boys to participate in one of his most loved activities. When I became a Dad I hoped that my children would know thier Poppa and love him without reservation. My Dad is a great Poppa and my boys love him to death, Emma is in love with him too and next year this picture will have a bowed up Tom girl running ahead of them all!

The above picture is the cow pasture just on the other side of the wooded area. You had to walk through this gate [now there's a gate!] to get to the pasture after going through the wooded area. Dad is holding Levi because cow's live in this pasture. And while the cows were not even remotely interested in being around us and were far, far away, the...shall we say...evidence of their presence was ALL around. Huge cow patties I'm talking about cow poop! were all over the place. "Dada...look mud!" "DON'T STEP IN IT LEVI...THAT'S NOT MUD! THAT'S POOP FROM A COW!" This completely undid my phobic son. He refused to walk any longer, why is any one's guess. Maybe he thought the poop would just jump on him or something, I don't know. All I know is he was OUT on walking on the ground that was covered in poop. "Poppa...hold me...dhat poo poo get me!"

The pond was really big. I was in charge of casting for Levi and Titus was hanging out with his Poppa learning from the master. I cast into the water, "We catch a fish da-da?" "I hope so, we have to reel it in." Levi began to call at the top of his voice, "Here Nemo! Here Nemo!" The goal was to cast the lure, which had a bobber attached, into the pond and slowly reel it in. Not too fast, not too slow. That's the part I never get, what is that speed? If you know, you know, if you don't you spend your entire day casting into water and getting nothing but carpal tunnel. By some miracle the first catch of the day was from Levi's pole! "You got a bite, bub! You caught a fish! Let's reel it in." Levi gave me the pole, it was that or throw the thing into the water and run away--fast. I finally reeled in the fish and lifted it out of the water, "Get dat away from me! I don't want dat fish, peas top da da. " This was followed by a blood curdling scream. Levi had finally, painfully made the connection that all of this casting into the pond would result in this slimy, yucky fish attached! He was out. Dad came over quickly excited that Levi had caught his first fish and the first fish of the day. He thought that standing by the fish would some how help him over the fear of touching it. NO such luck. Levi was, as you can see, standing as far away from the thing as possible. "Peas top put dat back in the wahter."

I think I caught three or four fish, which brought the amount of fish ever caught to a whopping 6. Titus hit his lucky streak and began to catch fish. I got a kick out of Titus because he thought every bump, every wiggle or ripple of the pole was a bite. He is really focused when he's into something and he was into catching fish. The picture to the left is Titus first fish. Dad called it a bluegill, but Titus never got the hang of calling it that. "Poppa this bluetail...bluefish...what did you call it?" Bluegill are fun to catch because they resist. Catching fish is fun, it's the moments in between that drive me crazy. Titus had no problem getting the fish off the hook and throwing it back in the water. He eventually caught six before the boredom consumed him. "Let's go, Dad. I'm getting bored." There really wasn't much to do after that other than go home. I figured I didn't want to force him to stay longer than he was ready to preserve the love for this sport.

On the way back through the pasture Titus sang this:

Yippee Ci yeah
Cowpatty! Yuck!
I'm glad my boys have their Poppa and memories of fishing with him. These will last a lifetime and give them something to long for with their children. Only their Poppa, me, will be cooking and not walking through cow laid mine fields to ponds to fish. At least not as far as I can see.

The Lord said...

2008-10-07T07:23:00.005-05:00

Sunday was Noah's Ark day at church. Titus was really into the construction of the Ark and all of the details that went along with that. At lunch he told me he had drawn up some blue prints of the ark and would like to build an Ark when we got home. I agreed, having built 750 arks in my nearly 20 years of Children's Ministry work, piece of cake. I'm not sure what there is about Titus and his ability to completely dupe me into thinking what I've always done is what we will do at this particular moment--we didn't build just any ark...we had to build a 3-D ark that could house all of Levi's Little People Nativity animals and Mary and Joseph who would play the part of Noah and his wife. I was hoping that Titus would ask me who Noah's wife was and I would immediately tell him, "Joan...Joan of Ark" but it never happened. I'll save that tired old joke and keep it for later use.

Building an Ark in our house with the materials on hand was the challenge. We didn't have a supply of craft sticks (thank you Lord, the glue would still be drying) or shoe boxes...no, we had Kendra's supply of Scrapbook paper, scissors, Titus' blueprints, and a glue stick. My attempts to streamline this process went unsuccessfully, "Dad...I'm not trying to be angry at you, I'm...well I'm just not sure you are following the blueprint. I have it right here." Pressing on, with 6 year old mechanical engineer in charge. We built!

The first thing we did was build up the sides of the Ark. I folded the square scrapbook paper, carefully selected by the engineer because it looked the most like the wood that Noah used, "Titus how do you know what the wood Noah used looked like?" "DAD...my teacher told me and I saw the picture for myself in the Bible!" [thunk] "Sorry, just asking." The engineer and I laid down a floor, to match the roof--of course, and then folded about an inch of the side paper, gluing it to the floor. That made a good size U shape.

Next came the strips of paper we glued across the top of the boat to keep it from collapsing upon itself. It was pretty wobbly, but the strips of paper were enough to keep it all held up. After we glued the strips of paper on the top we had to make the roof, and glue more sides on the roof, "Dad, if there's no wall on top Noah and his family will get wet...it's going to rain for 40 days!" I'm really glad we were staying true to the exact specifications and needs for our Ark. After all, civilization lies in the balance of this boats ability to float!

After the top and sides were constructed, and the walls for Noah's house were built I had to think about how in the world I was going to get the sides of the boat to stick? I couldn't glue the razor thin edge of the paper because it wouldn't stick. What to do...what to do? Eureka! I took the square of paper, carefully cut by the engineer to be exact in size, and folded about an inch of the piece, gluing it on the floor. I made a flap which folded out and in and kept the sides pretty secure. Would the engineer buy it? Would the engineer be willing to accept that these sides are not secure and permanent? "Hey Bub, I put the sides of the boat he had excused his self to go to the little boys roomon for you. I made them fold down so...so you could put your animals in easier." "Thanks Dad, that's a great idea. The door isn't big enough for my animals, this is great."

The door was secured shut by one of Emma's hair clips. That engineer of mine! Beautiful, wonderful, creative imagination! You can barely see the pink clip, but it's there. After the animals were loaded into the Ark, Titus put it on his skateboard and played Noah for close to one and a half hours--the whole time we were at home between morning and evening worship services.

I don't know that this boat will survive the week, but I do know that the hour and a half we spent working on his creation, from his blueprint WILL last my lifetime of memories. Spending time with Titus as he opened his imagination up to full throttle is so fun to watch. His level of concentration when he is in full construction mode is unparalleled and a wonder to behold. I just am amazed at this creation of God. It gets me all excited to think about the wonderful things I'll get to do with Levi and Emma. Although Levi is my right hand in the kitchen, loves to crack those baby chicks!

Tripped out

2008-09-22T20:44:00.006-05:00

Growing up my Mom and Dad were friends with one couple, Rodger and Nancy Schmidt. Rodger and Nancy lived in town and we lived outside of town in the pink asbestos tile house on Route 1. The Schmidt's would come over and play cards, or Mom and Dad would go over there and just hang out, sometimes we would all go over as a family. Rodger was a Forestry agent and Nancy worked in the office of a paper company in town.

Nancy and Mom decided to join Weight Watchers and commit to go to the meetings each week to help each other out. My wife does Weight Watchers today and let me tell you it has come a LONG way from 1975. Mom had to weigh every single item she put in her mouth which mostly consisted of tuna fish. I don't think that Mom stayed in it for long.

On one of the night's that Mom and Nancy were at their meetings, Dad and Rodger were tasked with keeping my sister and I alive until they got home. There was a Monday night movie coming on and Sis and I were looking forward to watching it. Dad and Rodger were going to hang out in the kitchen and talk about whatever they talked about. Sis and I wanted to munch on some popcorn, so Dad decided to pop us some popcorn. We popped the corn on the stove until I was a teenager. We had a glass bowl that we used for our popcorn because it held a batch of corn perfectly.

Our house was set up like a shotgun house. When you came in the front door you were immediately in the living room, my sister's room was to the right of that. If you kept walking straight through the living room you were in what we used as a family room, and then just beyond that was the kitchen. Mom and Dad's room was off the family room and our only bathroom connected Sis's room and Mom and Dad's room. I had a teeny tiny room off my parent's room. Our TV was in the living room.

Our kitchen table was up against the wall, which meant we always had to move it out for us to eat dinner. It was right by the door that led to the family room. Rodger was sitting at the place where Dad always sat with his legs stretched out, arms folded. Rodger always kind of grossed me out because he produced an inordinate amount of spit and usually had this white spit string connected to his top and bottom lip. As he talked it would stretch out then go back down. Not fun to watch but unavoidable to stare at!

I had the bowl of popcorn and was walking into the living room all ready for the movie. As I was walking Rodger moved his foot and tripped me. I am not graceful and do not rally from those kinds of things with any type of agility which mean I fell face forward with the popcorn bowl in hand. The bowl broke and apparently I slit my left arm through a big piece of glass, cutting it.

My left pinkie had a gash from the first crease to about a 1/2 inch into my palm. My elbow was opened up like a smile, white bone sticking out and all, about 8 inches. "Oh my God, Son!" "Oh crap!"

"LESA GET TOWELS NOW WILL CUT HIMSELF!!"

"What happened...oh no, Mom's going to kill you."

"Get the damn towels now!!!"

"[Rodger] I'm so sorry are you ok?"

The heavy trail of blood from the kitchen into the family room was now pooling up and towel after towel was not stopping the bleeding. I think I was in shock because I don't remember ever crying one time. Maybe I should go with pure toughness and true grit? Who'd believe that, I was is shock."

"Lesa you stay here for your Mom. Rodger go start the car we have to go to the hospital. RODGER GO GET THE CAR!!"

"Right car, on my way."

"Daddy is he going to die? I'm scared Dad."
"Sis it's going to be OK, just wait here for Mom and tell her what happened. We'll be home as soon as we can."

We lived about 20-25 minutes outside of town and arrived in about 8 minutes. We lived in a small town and our hospital didn't really have an emergency room. Rodger pulled up to the South entrance. At this entrance of the hospital you had to climb two flights of stairs to get to the floor that led to the after hours care place. Dad made those 50 plus steps in about three bounds. He wasn't going to lose his only son, still bleeding like crazy.

Mom and Nancy showed up from their meeting and walked into the house to find my sister on the couch pale and a stream of blood that led from the front door to the kitchen with a large pool of blood in the family room. My Mom's first thought was that a robber had broken in and killed me and Dad while Rodger hid in the closet and sis hid under her bed. Mom's good at keeping a calm head and not jumping to conclusions like...say...murder--NOT.

"Oh my God...what happened here!"

"Mom...mom...Will is hurt bad...he cut his arm and bled and bled."

"Where is he where's your Dad."

"At the hospital."

I was rushed into an exam room and the Doctor on call was called. It was Dr. Olive, the resident allergist. He was a full fledged Doctor, but didn't really work on anything other than allergies. As he walked in he saw me and said, "what happened here.?"

"He and cut his arm when the bowl broke he was carrying. Is he going to be ok?"

"Oh yes, we'll take care of him."

"It's going to be ok, bud. The doctor's going to fix you up."

I always and still do have complete and total lack of fear when I'm with my Dad. He takes every care and concern away and i just feel safe and invincible. Dad was stroking my hair back and holding my hand. I was on the crunchy paper of the exam table just bleeding.

The doctor came back in and put three shots directly into the open wound on my elbow and two shots in my pinkie. "Let's give this a minute to deaden then I'll come back to stitch you up." When he came back in he told Dad I should turn away and look at him until it was sowed up. The beauty part of this is that I watched the whole thing in the reflection of my Dad's glasses.

I wore a bandage for about two weeks or more, maybe more. Dr. Olive did a really bad job stitching up my pinkie and now I can't completely close my pinkie and you can see a fold at the bend of my pinkie right at the palm. There are times that my pinkie will tingle and feel like it's asleep. I don't want to get surgery done to fix it because I fear it might make it worse.

As a 5 year old who just went through this horrible thing, it made it all better when my Robba took me to McDonald's for a Big Mac and fries...royal treatment for a royally horrible experience.

The pictures are of my elbow scar and pinkie scar as of today. As you look at my hand that is as far as I can close my pinkie to my ring finger, you can also see the crease, I wasn't bending my finger in this shot.

Suasage Cheddar Chowder

2008-09-21T21:57:00.001-05:00

This is the time of year when the mood for soup hits. Head on over to Spoon by Spoon for a great soup, Sausage Cheddar Chowder.

Down...Set...Munch! Munch! Munch!

2008-09-17T08:26:00.002-05:00

I'm still trying to get Spoon by Spoon integrated into my brain, so bare with me and come on over to see about a great dip--I'm not talking about my Sister either, although she is a dip and a great person so she's a great dip too, just not one that we'll talk about here.

I spring you spring we all spring for scoops!

2008-09-16T08:15:00.001-05:00

Come over to Spoon by Spoon and find out what all the fuss is about.

I have a new friend

2008-09-12T12:48:00.004-05:00

It's Spoon by Spoon my new blog dedicated to nothing but food. I may go on a tear about a restaurant, post a recipe, talk about spring loaded scoops, food stuff. I'm excited about it, too. I hope to do a series, inspired by other blogs called, "cook the book", in which I cook recipes from my favorite cookbooks. I love cookbooks and reading them is a delight.

I've posted my first recipe there and hope you stop by. Tell your friends about me too, love to have them join the fun. Have a great weekend.

I'm SO buying a ticket!

2008-09-10T12:16:00.003-05:00

I just don't know how much more I can take. It all started when I was awarded a great...award for my blog from Sherri at Tied Up In Ribbons which was so, so nice. Then, if that weren't enough, by the blessings of cyberfriendships and networking, Cindy who owns the Dove's Nest in Waxahacie, TX awarded me a cookbook from her restaurant that I've been wanting for ever. I was thrilled to know that this cookbook is on it's way to ME from THE author! Too much to handle, just too much. That book is in the care and custody of the USPS and I hope I am not among the casualties of dropped mail. I can't wait!

I had mentioned that I should buy a lottery ticket because the week was just so fun and wonderfully going my way. Well, hang on to your hat because it gets better!

This afternoon as I was eating my BowlAppetite! for lunch all the ladies, except one who is home with a migraine--ouch sorry for that and hope you are feeling better Jamie--, came into my office and handed me an envelope. I was wondering what was going on...it wasn't my birthday or my anniversary...I hadn't been fired (I didn't think) so it was all very curious. The card was a thank you for the support, friendship and work I do with them as part of our team. Very sweet card. But, there was waiting inside a beautiful piece of paper which read:

Will, You are a star with us!! You will soon be receiving the latest and greatest cookbook of all times--BAREFOOT CONTESSA BACK TO BASICS.

Can you believe it. Can you believe how sweet and awesome and kind that was of them to think of me and enough to buy me that book. It's being released on 10/28 and I can not wait to get it. I just can't wait. The good thing is I'll have already read and digested the Dove's Nest and be all geared up for another book.

I'm so buying a ticket this week. This is just great, absolutely great. I'm thrilled, beyond words thrilled that these two babies are coming home with me--soon.

I have decided to launch (listen to me say the word, launch like some mogul) a new blog called, "Spoon by Spoon" which will be a blog dedicated to nothing but cooking and cooking related duke. [Duke is what I say to mean stuff pertaining to] I hope to get some good pictures of food, the process of making said wonderful food, and just chat about it. I love reading food blogs and love even more cooking and such. I plan to definitely make recipes out of each of these wonderful books, and think I may work my way through the cookbook I wrote. There are just so many great recipes out there to make.

Now, here's the question...friends. How does one who has two blogs make each on connectible? Is that even a word? When I post on Spoon by Spoon I'll just post and have a link on Teensyand the boys? Two blogs, what am I thinking.

If I win the lottery, the next blog post will be from the Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. This is my dream vacation. I went there about 10 years ago and man oh man was it nice. I still remember everything about it and have longed to return. It's just wonderful and beautiful and the food...oh the food was delicious. It's my #1 spot for a dream vacation. I'll be staying in the presidential suite or a month long vacation. Kendra will be at the Spa having all kinds of people rub her in ways she's only dreamed of. That girl loves a massage! Pedicures, manicures, those rock things...she'll be in hog heaven. Me, I'll be wandering and eating, watching people and wondering how a place like this can actually exist.
Hasn't this been a fun week! It's not even over yet and it's a fun week.

I'd like to thank the Academy

2008-09-09T11:01:00.002-05:00

Actually I'd Like to thank Sherri from Tied Up In Ribbons for honoring my blog with it's very first award! I have to tell you that this has been a banner week for my blog. First I was given this award, which is awesome. I'm not used to getting awards so this was something that really touched me. Thanks Sherri for reading my posts and even more for remembering me enough to give me an award. How great was that? Second, I found out that the author of the cookbook I've been wanting for over ten years is actually coming to my house. That's right the author read my post and is sending me the cookbook! That's two, count them, TWO wonderful things to happen all in a week. Maybe I should decide to buy a lottery ticket this week...hmmm.

Awards don't usually come my way. I can remember in grade school getting these awards for most polite and stuff like that, but never anything given to me based on effort or merit. The fact that I wasn't a jerk and actually feel compelled to be nice and not ugly brought me that award. I lived most of my grade school life scared to death of people and socializing. I was a really shy kid and didn't really ever mix it up with a group. If a group of kids were playing in a center I never felt the compulsion to join them. It just wasn't in me. As a matter of fact, to this day I don't walk up to a full table and join in, it's just not in me. I would rather sit at an empty table and let those who join in, join in. That's kind of a freaky thing isn't it, or is it? I'm not very extroverted. There are aspects of my job which require me to be extroverted, but it is certainly not natural. I have total empathy and instant compassion for those children who just don't fit in or find it hard to assimilate to a setting--they are me and I get it.

When I was in 5th grade we had a spirit week type thing and one of the days was Best Dressed. It was on the last day of the week and the whole school was in an assembly for those who made the cut for best dressed. I decided to wear a suit. I went all out, no holds barred on this day. I even took a bath! This suit was a heavy weave, double polyester job. Light tan plaid, with a dark brown matching plaid tie. I thought I was the epitome of style and fashion. As a matter of fact I even wore brown socks! I think every single person in the school was shocked by the fact that I bathed, had socks that weren't white, and wore a tie! I was 10 and wearing a tie...at school...WHAT WAS I THINKING.

I have this memory of me standing on the stage in front of the entire school thinking, "why in God's name did I do this... I never in a million years thought I would be picked" The faculty panel had us all walk up and show them our attire. One teacher asked to see my tie more closely so I leaned down and held the tie out so he could see it. Turns out the kids in school who made fun of me had a whole arsenal of ammunition after that and really poured on the torment. I was used to being made fun of, it really didn't bother me because I really could have cared less about what they thought of me. Had I care I would have been devastated, but I really had no desire to be in their company or their friend and their opinion of me didn't matter one iota. Looking back I can see how that drove them crazy, my indifference to their stupidity, because I never reacted to them. I didn't know I was doing the right thing, I just didn't care if they were here or there they meant nothing to me.

I wound up winning for best dressed 5th grade boy. The honor bestowed upon me was just that, the honor of being best dressed boy. No certificate...no name in the paper...no shiny new car or life time supply of Rice-A-Roni, just the title. I felt a sense of pride deep within, just knowing that I had accomplished something made me feel great.

Now that I am an adult I find that I'm more sensitive to what others think about me. I've really ridden a roller coaster in my relationship to this blog and those who read. There was a phase when I felt that comments would identify this blog as a making it's place in cyberspace. I'm beyond that, sort of. I also signed up for Google Analytics which is this cool little widget thing that shows page views, what posts are most popular (Playing Opossum is the most viewed-who knew), etc. I haven't ever hit the 40 mark on visits, but I'm into the 500's on views, so that's kind of good. I'm resigned to being a blogger for the sake of telling stories and know that there are tens of people who read this blog weekly if not checking it daily. So I tell the stories that come to me and I'll have a great time doing it. I just need to channel that part of me in 5th grade that was immune to the taunts of others because I wasn't influence by them in any way.

Having said all of that I would like to share with you my TOP 5 Favorite Blogs, and hope that you will stop by and visit them soon. They really are great.

5. Ramblings of a Frantic Home Cook

This blog is a hoot. I love the way she writes and really love the food she makes. I have adopted her Amish Snickerdoodles as the snickerdoodle recipe of choice. Snickerdoodles are one of the most sentimental cookies in my life, my Mom's favorite, and the recipe I've always made is the recipe I know she loves. These babies, though, bumped them right out of the place. This is a great food blog. As a matter of fact, I would like to make my blog a little more food oriented, if that's ok.

4. Memaw Bakes Memories

This blog is great, too. I love how Memaw writes and even more that fact that she is doing her part to call us to be better people, on account. Her posts are all about her life and what's going on in her world. She has poignant posts, funny posts, general things about her life, but she digs deep to make her writing meaningful. I can tell she is pouring out her soul and connecting to her audience. I don't really know how Memaw found my space, but she commented which led me to go to her blog--we had the same format for a while-and I've been hooked ever since. She's in my Google reader and I always read her posts, usually try to go visit her blog and comment when I can. But I do read every post the minute I know it's up. Memaw is also the winner of my only Giveaway-ever. She won a cookbook that I wrote. When you visit, say I said hello.

3. Author Suzanne McMinn (Chickens in the Road)

I can't say what attracts me to this blog, but I really can't stop reading it. Suzanne McMinn is an author (aren't you glad I have the uncanny ability to point out the obvious? You are welcome) who writes romance novels. This website is dedicated to her journey back to her family homestead and her homestead state. She lived in a 100 year old farmhouse for a while and built her own home, which is really nice. Now she tells the ups and downs of establishing a farm--out of nothing. I get a kick out of reading her stories involving the addition of chickens, goats, a huge dog named Coco, and also the rest of the stories about her children. One very interesting thing about her is that she identifies her regular stars by number (Her sons, 15 & 17, her friend 51, and then Princess--the only girl child). It's a kick. The recipes that she posts sound good, and are really nostalgic Appalachian recipes that touch a part of my history with food. My Granny was an Appalachian cook. She is curious but I think, if I knew here we'd be friends. It's a lot of fun and a great place to see--she posts daily. I found her via my #1 favorite place to go. She sponsored a link on this page and the name was curious. One visit later I was hooked.

2. Posie Gets Cozy

I really want to be Andy and Alicia's friend or relative. She has the most exquisite writing style and I find myself reading her posts over and over. I was completely crushed when her dog, Audrie, contracted cancer and passed away suddenly. It just ripped my heart out. This was her baby, her child, and I mourned with her as she wrapper her heart around the grief she felt. She is the most accomplished seamstress, kneedleworker, quilter I have ever seen. It's just a great website. She also posts delicious food recipes, and has some super interesting crafts that I really wish I could make. When Mildred first directed me to her blog, Andy Paulson did a guest post about egg rolls I still want to make, I read posts from the very beginning to current and haven't missed a day or a post yet. As a matter of fact it was Andy Paulson's post about egg rolls that inspired Mildred to want to post which made me want to post and so it's all Andy Paulson's fault/credit that I'm blogging. Worth your time, even if you find you aren't interested in her craft. She writes the most beautiful posts, I love her wording. It is her craft at writing that I admire the most.

1. Confessions of a Pioneer Woman

This is my hands down absolute favorite blog--hands down. I've followed this blog ever since I knew blogs existed. I've read every post, studied every picture, salivated over every recipe. Her blog has been radically transformed from several sites to one mammoth site that is amazing. She incorporates a cooking page, photography page, home and garden page, and general page. I love reading about her punks, her husband who she adores, and her antics. She has led quite a life let me tell you. She has a way of telling a story that draws you in and connects you to her life. You may as well be sitting on her leather sofa in the middle of her ranch drinking coffee, it's that familiar. I've laughed out loud which I don't do often when reading. She hosts contests and I always enter hoping to win, but when over 10,000 people enter her contest your chances are slim and none! I get keyed up when I know I'll be away from the computer for a couple of days because I'll miss the Pioneer Woman! I'm hooked, like a fish. It's really great.

There are many other blogs I read, I really need to put that thing on the side of blogs I like so you can go shop around. It's really fun to browse blog land. You can copy that award to your page, if you want, or not.

Still holding my breath

2008-09-08T08:18:00.003-05:00

My enthusiasm over Ina's cookbook release, next month is overshadowed by the MOST amazing surprise and I am just thrilled! In this post I mentioned my long, long, standing desire to possess, "The Dove's Nest" cookbook. It's one of those things I have no clue why I never bought it because I have wanted it for years.

Last night, as I was reading through email posts, after a VERY long day, I was shocked to see three comments on my blog posts!!! Comments...on my blog? Memaw is really the faithful lone commenter on my posts, so to have three was just amazing. [Thanks Memaw for dropping a comment my way, for some reason it does matter to me to have comments left, even though it's not why I write, it is certainly something that I look forward to.]

Two comments left were from Sherri, who has been reading my posts for quite some time, came by way of Mildred. Her blog is great, she's super talented and her new blog format is Awesome. Click on over and see all of her amazing work, it's really cool. I've added her to my Google Reader--can I just say I love that thing!-and will be reading her pages for faithfully. The third post/comment blew me away and made me tear up! It was from...are you ready for this? It was from the Owner of the Dove's Nest and this is what she had to say:

"I am Cindy Burch, the owner and author of The Doves Nest Restaurant and cookbook in Waxahachie, Texas. A friend sent me the link to your blog and I am thrilled that you love my recipes. As a thank you for posting my book on your blog site, I would love to send you your very own copy. Please send me your address and I will ship a copy to you ASAP. Thanks again and I hope you can visit us in Waxahahcie soon. We were listed in the May issue of Southern Living as one of the best exits off Interstate 35...from Oklahoma to Laredo. So come on down.....
www.thedovesnestrestaurant.com"

I have to say I was stunned and moved to tears. This is huge...to me who NEVER has this happen. I'm just absolutely positively thrilled and excited that I'm getting this cookbook! And it's coming from the author, who will put it in an envelope and mail it and send it to me!!! I just can't believe it. So, I will now eat my words and say...I'M GOING TO WAXAHACIE,TX JUST TO EAT AT THE DOVE'S NEST! I can't wait to go. First on my list is to, locate Waxahacie, then the rest is down hill from there.

Sherri at Tied up in Ribbons also gave me an award for my blog...its' a good month for this blog! I'm trying to figure out the etiquette to accepting awards and all that, I'm really new to blog land and I don't want to offend the hand full of people who read my posts. Sherri, how do I do it? What do I do? Show me the way.

I will for sure be telling you ALL about this book when I get it. I'm holding my breath!!

Who let the DOGS out...

2008-09-05T08:56:00.003-05:00

Last night Titus and I went to a Pizza Party for a program Country Lane Elementary has called "Watch D.O.G.S.". I first saw this when we were filling out the myriad of papers and forms at Orientation--there were a lot of papers! I saw this D.O.G.S. and was immediately curious and signed up to be part of it. The Country Lane PTA is sponsoring this program but gave no other information about what it was. All I knew is that fathers and father figures were encouraged to volunteer one day a year to work with the school.

It was really great to see Titus get all excited upon seeing his new friends. Friends whose parents I didn't know, friends who did not attend the church where I work, friends...honest to goodness classmates. It was cool. He was running around the room, "Dad, there's Gracie...can I go say hi?" "Sure." "Dad, there's Connor...can I go say hi?" "Sure." "Dad move over Connor wants to sit by me." "Ok" I got to meet Patrick, Connor's Dad. Titus was working the room and living it up. I also heard other kids call his name and wave, he enthusiastically waved back and said hi. There was a part of me that was sad that I am missing this part of Titus life, but the other part of me was really, really excited that he was being himself and working the crowd.

I digressed. Back to Watch D.O.G.S. This is a national initiative sponsored by the Fathers.com website. The acronym stands for Dad's Of Great Students. Basically this program was inspired by a father whose child was in the horrible Jonesboro, Arkansas school shooting and wanted to do something. You can read about the nightmare on that campus here. This Dad started a program in which Father's and Father figures work one day of the school year and patrol the school, added security basically.

It's just one more feather in the cap for this school. I'm very impressed with all of the efforts that this school is going to to make themselves rise and be an empowering place in which students and families are called to be more, expect more, and do more in their town. It's a warm blanket in this cold world.

Meet the Teacher

2008-09-03T10:54:00.002-05:00

Last night Kendra and I went to our very first meet the teacher night at Country Lane. We were anxious to "meet" the teacher to say the least, well I was but I'm so easily keyed up by new experiences it's laughable. We got there twenty minutes early and didn't go to the room because we didn't want to interfere.

It's not been the smoothest start to our public school experience, but we are holding out hopes that the hill won't be quite as steep as it's been. It's nothing that the school has done, just the way we, well ok Titus, are adjusting to a school environment and the rules that come.

Mrs. Dunnam is teaching Titus, and has been very impressive. We have been in an almost daily email conversation with her about how we can help improve the adjustments Titus is making in class, at home. After last night I was even MORE impressed with her and saw the passion she had for teaching kids. My love for this school increased exponentially after last night--I'm so please that we live in the area that allows us to go to Country Lane.

One of the most impressive elements of our school is their Expectations curriculum which is being taught school wide. Here is the description of the expectation model, from the Country Lane wed page:

" The Great Expectations® teaching methodology is an eclectic approach to teaching that encompasses the very best of what is known about teaching today. Drawing from many learning theories, teachers do whatever it takes to teach students through an integrated holistic method. Students become self-directed learners, productive citizens, effective communicators, critical thinkers, and cooperative contributors in the classroom as well as society."

The basic tenants of this model, again taught school-wide are:

"All Children Can Learn

Building Self-Esteem

Climate of Mutual Respect

High Expectations

Teacher Attitude and Responsibility

Teacher Knowledge and Skill"

Is it just me, or is this impressive? I'm very impressed with this teaching model. Mrs. Dunnam said that every student will learn eight expectations and be able to recite them, as they will be living them. As a minister, I know that anything I want children to really, honestly, learn must be modeled before it's absorbed, applied, and implemented into their life.

I really can't say I remember my school, South Elementary, being concerned about this--character development. I have good memories of my school and loved it, but just don't remember ever hearing about citizenship and responsibility, etc. I'm so glad that my children will be influence by educators and in an environment in which accountability for actions, attitudes and expectations are clearly in place and modeled by all staff.

Kendra and I are looking forward to being involved with this school and will most likely be neck deep involved before too long, but that energy will not be wasted because I know this school is more concerned about Titus being a good human than it is about a test score. What a relief.

Hold Your Breath!

2008-08-27T07:49:00.003-05:00

Can I just tell you that I'm about to pop! Ina Garten is quite possibly my all-time favorite TV food personality. There was a time that Paula Deen was that person who stood on the pedestal of perfection, but she has fallen off. I still like her and still love her when she goes back to the recipes that inspired my love for her.

In spite of Paula's evolution into stardom, Ina has evolved and yet not changed. She has continued to stay the course and allow what she wants to shape her into being the Barefoot Contessa. My stomach is rumbling with that awkward confrontational feeling I get, please understand that I'm not slamming Paula Deen, I just see a huge difference in how each have embraced the celebrity endorsements.

I'm not a reader. The only book I've ever really read is the Bible (so that would be 66 books, right?) because I'm just not a reader. My Mom is a reader. Having said that, if you give me a cookbook I'll read it cover to cover and absorb every recipe trying to figure out how I can change it to suit my tastes. Do you do that? Do you change a recipe the minute you read it, knowing just how to make it your own? I've read hundreds of cookbooks and even more recipes, thousands of recipes. There's just something about cooking and putting together ingredients that make me feel inspired and full of hope. Love to cook.

Ina's cookbooks have a warmth that make you feel like you are reading your favorite Aunt's cookbook that she mailed you, "in advance" [Ina, if you happen to stumble upon this post and fell the compulsion to mail your...favorite nephew and autographed copy please do not hesitate] she has a great style of writing that invites you into her heat and opens you up to the passion that compels her toward another cookbook. The photography is worthy of a coffee table book and gives you great photographs. Some cookbooks make me feel like another person made the dish, say a food stylist, then dolled it all up like a Glamour shot, it's not real. With Ina's photographs I feel like she made the dish, handed it to the photographer and said, "it's ready."

There are some recipes in her cookbooks that I don't have any desire to cook, as it's not in my palate, but there aren't many of those. I've made several of her roasted vegetables, creme' brulee, brownies, cheesecakes, you name it. I just avoid the dishes that seem exotic or "gourmet" and any that have "ocean" things (salmon, shrimp, tuna, fish blech) just not a seafood fan.

I'll have to count my change and shake the couch out to see if I can come up with $35 plus shipping to get this book. Her web page is advertising the release date and offering a signed book...a signed book...to know that Ina Garten touched my book and signed it...actually put her hand on the page and signed her name...well I'd be giddy just giddy. Not as giddy as when Kendra and I were on our honeymoon and I hit a jackpot on the $.25 slots--that was giddy.

I have few vices and do few things to distract me from the schedule and routine commitments of my life. I don't follow, enjoy, or play sports. I don't "hang out" with anyone other than my wife and kiddos. I just don't do anything except pine away for cookbooks and cooking--that I love. Oh yes, and Ventinonfatnowhipwhitemocha's please stir that's a vice I crave and love love love. There's one other cookbook I've wanted for over 10 years and I just haven't bought it, I've dropped it in many an in basket on Amazon over the years, but never have bought it, why? Exactly, why? I guess it's the guilt I feel of indulging in something strictly for myself. I do that...a lot. I'll pick something up and walk around the whole store just waiting for the time to purchase and get it home only to be overcome with guilt and lay it down secretly, skulking out of the store. I start feeling guilty when I rummage through a store for more than twenty minutes, just looking, because I feel like I should buy something. It's a problem. Just add it to the list.

The Dove's Nest is a restaurant in Waxahachie, TX. I've never been to this restaurant or to Waxawhatever, but I have read this cookbook and devoured many of the delicious recipes within. I'd love to go to this restaurant, but won't make a trip to just do that. Someday. Maybe. My friend and fellow foodie, Kay Runnels who was my favorite person on staff at Heritage/Midtown had this cookbook and let me read some excerpts. I was and have been hooked ever since. To get this cookbook would be amazing. Why I haven't bought this book remains a mystery. Isn't it really cool looking, I just love this french Provencal style. Would love to have my kitchen look just like that (minus the live chickens and bunny running around).

I have started a wish list at Amazon.com and if I ever win the lottery I'll buy it right up. I have to start playing the lottery and get over this feeling of guilt.

Creative Cooking: Five Gallons of Bacon Gravy coming up!

2008-08-26T10:16:00.004-05:00

Growing up my sister and I were always at odds with one another. We fought quite a bit and it usually got out of hand as my parents were gone most of the time. Sometimes the fights got really ugly, but usually I would just back off because...well because she was tough as nails and could kick my tail!

When she got engaged, on the night she graduated High School, and began to plan the wedding I was thrilled at the thought of having her out of the house! I couldn't wait to get rid of her! She got married in August and I was finally free of the oppression. I was uninvited to the wedding...on the DAY of the wedding...because I refused to part my hair. I had a Beatles hair style and I agree that I looked like a dork, but that's how I rolled in 1984. I had showered and washed my hair for the occasion what more did she want! Mom and Dad made her take it back, she did reluctantly but reminded me of just how much she hated my guts.

About a month after being married the realization set in that she was married and that she was alone most of the time and that it wasn't as much fan as June Cleaver had made it out to be. One of the biggest drudgeries of her life was that of cooking. She hated to cook and has hated it ever since. I love my sister, but the girls is challenged in the kitchen. Her husband, Doug, has a Mom that is a great cook so I'm sure he was adjustign to life in his house with a bad cook. Sis just couldn't pull it off. She could pull off breakfast and they, often times, ate breakfast for dinner. It was also cheap and they were flat broke!

On one occasion when she was planning her breakfast dinner she decided to really go over the top and serve gravy. Bacon, biscuites, gravy, scrambled eggs what more could a husband want from a young, beautiful wife? One problem, she didn't have a clue how to make gravy. She didn't call me ( granted we had come a LONG way to being friends and liking each other by this time, but I could make gravy!) or my Mom, or my Grandmother, no she called the MIL because she thought her new hubby would love gravy just like Mom made.

"Vera? this is Lesa, I'm making gravy for dinner..."
"Gravy? Oh, are you having roast for dinner, how nice."
"No, no roast I'm cooking breakfast for dinner we are having-"
"Breakfast! For dinner?"
"Yes. Anyway I need to know how to make bacon gravy."
"...Ok. Is the grease in the pan?"
"Yes."
" Well honey, just sprinkle flour over the hot grease until it gets kindly thick, then add milk and bring it to a boil until it's thick and that's it. Don't forget to add salt and pepper."
"That's all you do?"
"That's it."
"Ok, well, thanks for your help."

My sister had fried a whole pound of bacon and thus had a pound's worth of bacon grease in the skillet. Vera failed to check on how much bacon grease there was in the skillet and my sister, being completly oblivious to the ratio required to achieve bacon gravy didn't think about asking, didn't ask. A pound of fried bacon will yield up to 1/4 cup of grease, maybe more. Bacon gravy requires maybe a tablespoon. There are 16 tablespoons in a cup! My sister was about to make eight times the amount of gravy she needed. She added about two cups of flour before it started getting thick enough to add milk, a gallon of milk! My brother in law was home by now and starving to death. My sister had used every pot, pan, and skillet in her kitchen and it was still not thick enough to make the right amount.

"I'm starving!"
"Honey, I'm working on it...dinner is almost ready."
"What are you doing?"
"I"m making gravy."
"Just get it out here, I'm starving."

The biscuits that were covered with gravy filled her plate. Doug, not wanting to hurt her feelings ate very single bite of the revolting sludge that she called gravy, and complimented her on it! And a half pound of bacon along with some scrambled eggs. No milk though because it was used up in the gravy making process.

About 2am my brother in law became sick. Sicker than he has ever been in his life! He had eaten so much gravy...bacon grease diluted with flour and milk...that he became violently ill. He vomited for almost a solid hour. He was sick, friends, sick as a dog. My sister called Vera, again [she did finally learn to NOT call Vera] and informed her that her son, her baby ripped from her home by this brazen hussy, had become ill. No less than thirty minutes later Vera was on the door step (they lived in another town) crying her eyes out. Black tears streaming down her perfectly done made up face. She had saltine crackers, sprite, and chicken soup for her baby and pretty much tended to her baby while my sister learned how to get...uh..."bacon grease, flour, milk, biscuites, milk, and eggs that have been partially digest by her husband" out of the carpeting that led to their bathroom.

My brother in law, 24 years later, is still not eating gravy-bless his heart. My sister has mastered a few things and managed to keep her family alive. She and I do talk about cooking on occasion and I've walked her through a couple of recipes, but I make sure I know how much of what we are dealing with. Bless her heart.

I'll take that Hot Pink number!

2008-08-21T06:17:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow marks the first week of our entry into Public School as Titus, our oldest, has begun kindergarten. Last week we only had one day of school, which is rather odd to me but, "who am I?" So far I would have to give the whole experience a B+. As far as the teacher Titus has, and his class, that's an A. I'll explain the rest (you were afraid I would weren't you?)

Country Lane is one of, it not the biggest elementary school in Broken Arrow. There are currently 1,000 students at Country Lane, which is fine, except each of those 1,000 students have PARENTS! On the same piece of land there is also THE middle school for the district, which has I can only imagine how many students, AND they are just completing a new building to house ALL of the 5th and 6th grade students. It's astonishing, really. Even more astonishing is that these, soon to be 3 schools have made ONE entrance, that's right one.

We live close enough to drop Titus off and pick him up from school each day. We were issued this hot pink number to put into our car so we could get 129 when we rolled up (he's a number!). The drill to pull as far forward as possible, until the teacher stops you, then have your child put into your car and pull off. When and only when you pull all the way forward will you and four cars behind you get your children. This is clearly stated and clearly the way to keep things smooth as there is one way in and one way out. Of course there are parents who feel like they are an exception or order and muck up the whole dad gummed process. Kendra waited in line from 3:20 until 4:15 because there were morons not following the rules.

I think if I were the principle I would have to go up to these no participatory parents and not allow them to be in the pick up line any more--it's over! "Sir, hi, I'm the school principle here and we are trying desperately to get these children picked up so we can go home and see our families. You have cause serious delays in this and we are no longer allowing you to pick up your child, I'll take that hot pink number. If you child doesn't ride the bus, you are welcome to park and come check your child out." Wouldn't that be great?

The whole school is magnetically sealed. The doors all lock by magnet and NO ONE is getting into the building before 8:30--NO ONE. I had to take snacks to school as part of our agreement to help Mrs. Dunnam (Titus' teacher) out. Titus had also not been relieved of his school supplies and was toting them to and from every day. I wanted to walk these into the room, set them down, and walk out--that's all. Let's just say that's not what happened, thus the deduction in points.

It seems that if there are two secretaries in the Elementary school office, then one will be sweet, helpful, and kind while the other is pissy, belligerent, and rude. This was the case at Country Lane. I would love to have a sticker that I can wear the first month that says, "New Parent...Be Nice." that way Miss Pissy would know to call up all of her grace and patience and fake the nice for five minutes.

"Can I help you?" "Yes, I'm here to sign in so I can drop off snacks and supplies for my son's class...and also need to drop him off at the gym to wait for school." Miss Pissy vaguely points to a corner to which I turn my glance in that direction. "Sign in." I knew I was supposed to, but didn't know WHERE in the office. I signed in turned and went out the door to the hallway and tried to pull the door open to get into the school. It wouldn't budge. I looked into the office where Miss Pissy was with a, "push the button and let me in." look...nothing. "You have to wait until 8:30 to get in NO ONE gets in until 8:30." Why didn't she just say that before! I stood at the door and pulled on it?

At 8:39 as I sat there staring at her she looked as Miss Nice, "can HE go take that stuff to the classroom or not?" "Sir may I help you?" "I'm just trying to drop off these supplies for my son, and leave him in the gym so I can get to work." "Thank you for doing this. Why don't you just leave these things here and I'll take them to her room. Who was it?...thank you. If you would, please take your son to the gym, if you would go outside. Thank you." "You are welcome." It really wasn't that hard, Miss Pissy could have done that at 8:15!! The snack weren't delivered until 2 HOURS after snack time!!! GRRRRR. I won't be doing that again I can assure you!

Part of me wants to be involved in the school and part of me doesn't. I know I will, and Kendra too, but I just don't' know how much. Now if they need someone to take pink numbers...SIGN ME UP!!!

First things first.

2008-08-13T06:36:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was, "Meet the Teacher" day at Country Lane Elementary for our oldest boy, Mr. Titus Andrew. He's starting Kindergarten on Friday and will be in testing today. Not sure what they will be testing, but I feel confident that my little boy is more than ready to start school. I'm not sure I'M ready for him to start school, but he's ready especially after yesterday.

As we walked the halls of his new elementary and Kendra's and my new elementary (in which we'll be lurking about until Teensy gets our of 5th grade which will be in about 9 years...I'll be on a scooter by then I'm sure) I couldn't help but be reminded of my days in school and the excitement of the first day of school. For me, it was a big event not because I would meet new friends or make new friends, but because it mean school lunch, new clothes, new supplies, and the bus ride with Matt, my one and only elementary friend.

My parents never let me wear the new clothes until the start of school. "Those are for school...no you can't wear them." I would always get three new pair of jeans, seven shirts, two packs of underwear, two packs of socks, new shoes, and a belt. We usually went to Sears for clothes or JC Penny. I can still remember the smell of my room with all those newly dyed clothes fuming up the place. Oh how I loved that smell. I didn't want to wash my new clothes before I wore them because I wanted people to know I had new clothes. I almost always got t-shirt (not many with printed stuff just basic colors and stripes) and not polo type shirts. My jeans were those Sears tough skin jeans. I found this photo of an ad in the Sears archive. I owned one of those leisure suits...hey it was the 70's and Dennis Weaver (McCloud) was cool!

Toughskin jeans are a phenomenon, let me just tell you. I think they are made with barbed wire and steel cable because these suckers are super...well tough. Wearing toughskins new was an experience because they were stiff as all get out. When you sat down in your toughskins they would sometimes pinch your parts and boy did that hurt, especially the back of your thighs. No matter the pain I had new jeans and was going to show them off. The flip side of this is that you have to wash toughskin jeans no less than 650 times before any fading begins to occur, and another 3004 times before they begin to feel worn in and comfortable. Kevlar has nothing on toughskin. My jeans were bright blue, no other color was acceptable because they wouldn't be blue jeans now would they?

Every Sunday my Dad would read the lunch menu for the week to me and I hung on his every word. "Monday: Pizza, golden buttered corn, cookie, milk." "MMMMMM" "Tuesday: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, seasoned greed beans, congealed salad, milk" "OH MMMMM that will be a good one can't wait for Tuesday." I went on like that every Sunday until 5th grade. I loved school lunch. I loved that every little thing was in it's own little compartment. I loved those lunch ladies all dolled up in their white suits. My lunch ladies all wore their own aprons and not the plastic ones of today. They were so nice, but I had the meanest nastiest grandmother--ever so lunch ladies seemed like Marry Poppins to me!

Me and sis always had to get ourselves up and ready for the bus. Mom and Dad were long gone by the time we rolled out of bed. My dad, in elementary school, would always lay out my clothes on the recliner. He laid them out as if someone had been wearing them and disintegrated. I could probably have figured out which sock to put on which foot and which shoe went on which foot, but it was really cool to know my Dad did that for me. I am pretty sure he ironed them everyday because I now know how he is about wearing clothes that aren't wrinkled and I must say I am the same way. Except when I go to Mildred's because she only owns an iron that's been converted to crafting purposes...and I'm sure she's given up on her ironing board long ago for more space to keep her duke.

I hope Titus has a great experience at school. I plan to be a presence at the school, helping in his classroom, helping with PTA and other things at the school. I just don't want to drop him off and be gone, I want to be there. I plan to have lunch with a lot and just spend time with him, when he doesn't' have time for me. That will be ok because I'm going to love watching him not have time for me. I wonder if a mother bird feels pride in watching their babies fly for the first time? I'm going to love watching him fly and at the same time my heart is going to be in sheer agony knowing that this little boy...this baby I bathed and lubed up and fed and took care of everyday before he went to Miss Diane's house is no longer.

Madeline my madeleine

2008-08-08T07:34:00.003-05:00

I've been intrigued...OK obsessed with with Madeleine cookies for the past couple of months. I have seen them, they are shell shaped cookies that look like yellow cake, and wondered if they were tasty or not. Then I heard or read about someone making cornbread Madeleine's and that was it...I had to get me one of those Madeleine pans. Thus enters the problem in that I don't buy things for myself. Since I've lost weight I have had to buy clothes that fit, but I just don't go out and buy myself things. I'll go pick them up and walk around with them but put them down and skulk out of the store.

I'm doing a dessert buffet for JBF 24 hour workers on Tuesday and had the menu all planned when I found out one of the owners, "everything sounds good, but I was thinking more fingery things." [thunk]Back to the drawing board. I want people to have things they don't normally get and I immediately thought about Madeleine cookies. You can change them up with just a tweak of the ingredients and all the blog posts i read made them sound super simple to make. One problem--you have to have the pan. Off I went to Williams-Sonoma and $54 later i had a Madeleine pan ($14)...all in one zyliss zester grater microplane and some Key lime lemon curd (for another recipe it was on clearance). I'm super excited about the zester grater thing--too cool. I was pretty excited about the pan, too. Mine is silver, bright shiny silver.

As I typed this post and scoured the Internet for pictures (thanks Williams-Sonoma for supplying the photos. Please visit their site and purchase something.) I realized I had been spelling Madeleine wrong...imagine that! It is spelled m-a-d-a-l-E-i-n-e which would explain the bizarre recipes and even worse pictures. I'll have much better luck researching the recipe with people who know how to spell the thing!

The recipe I found (with the wrong spelled name) was good. It's the one I'll post today. I highly recommend you getting yourself a Madeleine pan...these suckers took all of 20 minutes from start to finish to make that's it! I'm so excited about trying cornbread in them. More on that later.

Here's the recipe for Madeleine cookies. if you don't have a pan...you can cook these babies in a muffin tin (mini or not) and they turn out the same you just can't call them Madeleine's...you'd have to call them by her evil little sister's name...Agatha.

5 T. butter (melted and cooled)

1/2 cup flour

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1 egg

1/3 cup sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 t. grated lemon zest (or lime, or, orange, or you get it)

Powdered sugar for dusting.

Preheat oven to 375 (if your pan is dark go with 350). Spray pan with non0stick spray (I use the flour/nonstick spray).

In a medium bowl: sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl: add egg, vanilla, zest, and sugar and mix until blended. Add flour to egg mixture and mix until blended. Slowly add your melted butter and stir to combine.

Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into each mold. Bake until puffed and golden around the edges (about 12 minutes) 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and dust with powdered sugar. Now go to a closet and eat the whole batch. I used my small ice cream scoop because it's exactly a tablespoon (yes...I measured) and worked great. I had maybe two tablespoons of batter remaining, but didn't mess with it. You'll want to fill the molds to 2/3 full.

I've seen pictures with these babies dipped in chocolate. This made one batch of 12 large cookies.

Try these. If you have ever eaten a tea cake and said to yourself, "i wish it were crispier...and shaped like a shell" then you'd be in luck. Seriously, though they are good and do remind me of tea cakes (the good kind, not the ones that will absorb all of the saliva in your mouth and shut your salivary glands down).

Is anybody out there...

2008-07-30T08:25:00.002-05:00

I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post. It feels as if I should reintroduce myself, but hopefully you have been reading your top favorite posts in lieu of new posts. I hope to be getting back to the regular posting commitment I had started before summer came up and slapped me in the face. It was more of a Wrestle Mania 15 Smack Down. I can't remember a summer in which I've been this busy, this frantic, since I started doing ministry in 1991. I usually have the thoughts that most people have who are under pressure, "am I doing what I am supposed to do?" and can cautiously say that these thoughts have been coursing through my synapses with more regularity this summer than ever before. I will ignore them because next to being a Multimillion Dollar lottery winner, this is the only job I would really ever want to have.

The church where I work is a bustling, busy, scurrying here and there church always busy and always doing something. I've never seen anything like it. Usually I have down times in which I'm not as busy, but not here. I'm always planning, organizing, and executing something. I have this commitment to excellence in what ever I do, which I expensive and time consuming, and causes me great stress, but totally worth it. "Worth it"...remember those words Miss Sharon?

As I type these words I am constantly distracted by what else needs to be done and what else I need to be doing, so I can't really purge the the thoughts I have because I am always wandering away to another place to think of another thing that needs to be done. I know that there is a time which is coming when I will be put to ease and that is Sunday, September 7th. It's when our church launches it's Three Worship services, I'll be providing children's programming for all of those services. Getting read for that is very time consuming--ALL CONSUMING! There are a lot of thoughts trying to get out of my head, knocking on the door if you will. I hope to get them free.

My heart has been heavy with worry about my Dad's. First, Kendra's Dad has been facing some very serious health issues that are threatening his quality and length of life. My prayer is that he takes the very necessary steps to stay committed to the regimen that the doctors have prescribed to give him quality of life. Second, my Dad. He's having surgery on Thursday (I'll not be able to be there as I have a trip planned for my kids to OKC--ack!) and while it's "routine" there is not routine surgery in our family. The last time we had a routine doctor's visit, Emma Richele was cut out of her Mom's tummy! We don't' really have routine anything! My Dad and I are closer that we have ever been and I'm just not ready to not have him in my life or have my kids not love on their Poppa. I will regret the remainder of my days that I didn't have the Dad I've had these past five years all of my life. How I would have been different I'll never know. I have one of the sweetest women in all the world as my wife. I love her so deeply I cant' even begin to tell you where the end of that love is...I just can't see it. To comfort her in her sorrow over her Dad is just too much at times for me to bear. Pray for complete obedience and healing. Amen.

Do not adjust your monitor...

2008-06-23T13:35:00.004-05:00

Sunday 56 campers, six counselors and I joined the rest of the campers, counselors, and ministers at Camp Impact at OC. It is a great camp for 3rd through 6th graders. This year there are right at 300 campers which is a big camp for us in this environment.

I used to eat every meal in the campus dining hall and over the years became accustomed to it's...unique flavor. There were some really great things, it's a short list, like the peanut butter bars which I could have eaten 100 of. When the peanut butter bar lady died so did the peanut butter bar mojo--they were never the same. My breakfast of choice for the first 5 years of camp was a bowl of frosted flakes, which I love. I ate that until I got into a bad batch of milk and it turn me off the cereal at camp thing. It always tasted sour to me for some reason. You don't have to keep licking a skunk to know it's going to give you stinky breath! On to my next phase of breakfast; biscuits and gravy. I had those for nine years. Every morning two biscuits and gravy, coffee, and then water for the road. Two years ago I gave up on them because it was just not good for me to eat that kind of stuff...I did kind of like them. As much as you can like peppered gravy (re hydrated) and frozen biscuits.

Lunch and dinner were usually disappointing meals as the meat was some kind of processed pressed and coated substance. Nuggets, patties, strips, fingers...they were all the same just in a different shape or form. Not so good. There was one day when the served Turkey with yellow gravy. I knew the next day would always be tetrazzini day because they could use the left over turkey from the day before. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst) I'd say their food is about a 4.8 at best. Just not something that you love and crave for your next birthday dinner.

Last year I couldn't even bring myself to eat one thing at any time. It was just too gross. I opted instead for a Jimmy John's sub sandwich every day. The bread is baked fresh everyday and the meat is really good. Not that I loved eating a sandwich everyday for lunch and dinner, but hey, it was better than the school food. I probably should feel bad about it, but I don't not even a little bit bad about it.

The place was just across the street and allowed me to get there quick and fast. I tried to vary the things I ordered, but in the end i was just happy to eat these sandwiches instead of chocking down the camp food.

I don't think the food would be all that bad, if it were freshly prepared as it was, "back in the day." Everything today was a shade of white or yellow: Golden Chicken Nuggets, mashed potatoes with white gravy, corn, taco stack stuff. As I was walking by the dessert table I was stopped by what i could not believe. It really did gobsmack me to see this...this...thing on a tray over which the sign, "you asked for it." hung. Tell me, was this a threat? Here you are gentle reader: A marshmallow coated, fruit loop and marshmallow cube. I just couldn't believe it. The cube would move with the tongs as if the cube were alive, but man oh man was it not a sight. I didn't care if people laughed at me i was going to take a picture of this baby. It just stunned me to say the least.

I'll keep you posted on the interesting food creations over the next few days. I'm off to see if anyone has passed out from a sugar induced coma.. Did I mention they have an Icee machine?

This hit the spot

2008-06-12T07:08:00.002-05:00

[ This beautiful picture is from Tastespotting, posted by, "gottalittlespacetofill.blogspot.com". I didn't have my camera...I mean phone...handy.]

Summer is a crazy busy time for me and my family. Wednesday night's are especially hectic as we have 7 PM Bible Class at church. I usually work all through the day, pulling 12-14 hours, and don't stop just to attempt staying ahead of the game.

We usually have a Wednesday night meal at church and my family eats there because it's the easiest thing to do, not necessarily the most delicious mind you. Kendra called and asked if I wanted to join her at Taco Bueno for dinner with the kids, "...I had a big lunch today and I'm not really that hungry, just run through the drive through and get me a coke and I'll be fine." Translation: I hate Taco Bueno and can't really stand the thought of eating there--too gross for me. "Are you sure?" "Yes, thank you I'm sure." About twenty minutes later she pulls up with Wendy's--now I would have gone for Wendy's! Thunk.

Needless to say by the time we got home I was really hungry! Titus wanted to ride his bike and I didn't deny him this one love of his life. We were only outside maybe 20 minutes and it was time to go in and get ready for bed. Chubbers went down, Emma went down, and Titus was hungry. "Dad, what'ca makin?" "A cheese quesadilla." "Can I have one for after my shower?" "Sure." I had scoured the fridge and pantry for something to eat and came up with nothing that wasn't involved and I was ready to eat NOW! That's when cheese quesadilla came to my mind because it's fast...filling...and really good. Sold.

Titus likes his Quesadilla straight forward with just cheese and nothing else. I usually like to add shaved ham or something to the mix to give some more flavor. But what to do? Spice cabinet. I had recently bought some Fajita seasoning to make beef fajitas for a church pot luck, the recipe I was using called for fajita seasoning and I found this bottle at the store and had some left over. Not a bad plan I must say.

I decided to sprinkle some of this seasoning on my quesadilla and see what happened. The most prominent flavor coming through for me in this seasoning is cumin, which I love, so if you aren't a huge cumin fan I don't think this is for you. I can see me putting this on corn for a mexi-style side dish one night, or in refried beans to kick up the flavor--ok just give it flavor period. I'll be keeping this seasoning blend in my pantry for a while especially after the terrific results I had with the quesadilla.

Cheese Fajita Quesadilla

2 8" flour tortillas

1/2 cup shredded cheese

McCormick Fajita seasoning

Butter

Place a small skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, butter one side of each tortilla. Place the tortilla, buttered side down, in the hot skillet and immediately add the shredded cheese. Shake fajita seasoning over the cheese. Place the remaining tortilla on top of the cheese, buttered side up. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip over and cook 1-2 minutes more until golden and crispy.

I cut these into fourths and had some sour cream and salsa to dip. They were delicious! I could have eaten more than one, but resisted. Of course, you can use any size tortilla you want, and you could add an endless list of ingredients to this.

I also wanted to make you aware that Kraft is marketing hormone free cheese. I jumped on this bandwagon when I saw it. It's really good, not loss of flavor or texture, just a loss of all the weird stuff mass dairy farmers have been feeding cows for years. Why do they do that? This is what the package looks like. I think that Kraft is ONLY making hormone free 2% cheese now, but I could be wrong. Kendra has also found and loved Weight Watchers cheese, it's pretty good but not Kraft. I would still rather grate my own cheese like I did when I was a kid, but I just don't want to hassle with the mess. True it's much better, but not that much better I must say.

Here's an idea for you. Have a Quesadilla party! I jsut thought of this a few paragraphs up. You would need to borrow two or three griddles (you could use electric skillets) so everyone could whip up their quesadillas quickly. All you would need to have on hand are tortillas, and butter, plus cheese, and then have folks bring their own topping to add to the quesadilla bar. Chorizo, grilled sliced fajita beef or chicken, onions, mushrooms, peppers, ham, spinach, artichokes (I just thought about an artichoke spinach quesadilla: spinach, nutmeg, swiss cheese, and chopped artichokes--yum) just leave it up to the imagination of your guests. Then have salsa, guacamole and sour cream for the condiments and you have a party! Sounds fun.

One more recipe for you:

Fajita Marinade

1 bottle Kraft Italian dressing (15 oz I think, it was the "regular" sized one)

1 T Fajita seasoning (or one packet if you can't find the shaker bottle)

1 T cracked black pepper

In a zip top bag, add all of the ingredients, whisk with a fork. Add chicken breasts or beef and marinate for two hours up to overnight. Grill and slice for great fajita flavored meat.

This marinade is awesome! You aren't saying, "man this Italian dressing is really great!" You can't tell it was Italian dressing--promise. I like to use flank or skirt steak for my fajita beef and always use chicken tenderloins for my chicken. They cook super fast and I don't have to worry about under cooking them. You could use thinly sliced ribeye or sirloin steak if you wanted to.

Give this quesadilla a try...you wont be sorry. Man...I'm hungry!

Why

2008-06-11T06:09:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been completely stopped in your tracks with the burning question, "Why?" I really can't count how many times a day I have to this go through my head. You see, I have a problem. I watch people--a lot! I find myself at times lost in a trance as I'm gawking at folks. I really need to stop, I'm sure I'll be punched in the face someday.

My time is really, really limited as I'm in the throngs of one of the most stressful and busy summer's I've ever had in my career and I just don't have the time it takes to dedicate a long post...say about a super vacation. My camera...I mean my phone...takes forever to send photos to my computer so I can load them. Be patient, gentle reader, all is not lost as there is plenty of "stuff" rolling around in my head to keep us busy.

Why...

do hot dog buns come 8 to package and the hot dogs 10 to a package?
do people waiting for the same elevator HAVE to push the button already illuminated? Do they think it will come faster if more than one person pushes it?
did the 5th dentist cave on Trident? What gum does HE like?
do people always think it's their turn to go no matter what?
do banks charge you money for funds they know isn't there?
do we wait for the right step as the escalator rolls? Have you ever seen someone step on the first step rolling by...no.
Do CD's come enclosed in plastic as well as sticker closed on two sides? Do they HAVE to be that secure?
are all toys permanently secured to their packaging to point that you need power tools to free them so your anxious child can play.
do we believe people who say there are 10 billions stars in the universe, but touch a wall we are told has wet paint?
would someone taste something that you were just told, "this is disgusting, taste it."
do we look into other people's baskets at the supermarket and feel panicked when we see large quantities of one thing, wondering if it's going to be rationed.
can produce growers not keep our veggies from being poisonous? Spinach last summer...tomatoes this summer...what's next?
do drive up ATM's have braille?
do students who have open seating sit in the same chair on the first day as the last?
do we feel compelled to whisper in airports but flat out scream in a restaurant?
do waiters, assigned to your table, ask if they can help? Who else will if they don't?
do we talk louder to people who don't speak our language?
does an American speaking in another language sound like a total doofus, but english sound cool when spoken by folks whose first language is something else? French accents, German accents, etc.
aren't their B batteries? Couldn't the 9 volt just come along and be the B?
do we trust manufacturers who screwed up the first time think we will trust them with "New and Improved". They didn't do it right the first time!
does Hawaii have Interstate highways?
will we stop for trains? Shouldn't they stop for us?
do dogs look like their masters?
does the postal service have machinery that processes thousands of letters a second and send them out for delivery by people who saunter?
do women who run in a sport's bra not feel like they are running in their underwear? men don't just run around in a jock strap, thankfully!
are chips packaged by weight...just fill up the bag!
do we shop in the cold and frozen foods sections first?
don't we believe expiration dates?
what was the best thing before sliced bread?
do black olives come in a can and green olives in a jar?
does the cashier ask if we found everything we needed and not take action when we don't?
does the oil company set it's own price? electricity is subsidised and regulated by the government...can't car fuel become a utility too?
do we have general elections if it doesn't matter who wins the popular vote?
does day break and night fall?

Hurry out the door rice

2008-06-03T12:36:00.010-05:00

Do you find yourself busy as a beaver...a cranberry merchant at Christmas...a long tail cat in a room full of rockers? Are you sick of feeding your family through a drive through and find yourself just wishing that you could eat something that wasn't wrapped in paper? Well if you are in this boat then this recipe might just help you out. It's super simple, limited ingredients, and varied as your imagination can make it. This dish can have dinner on the table in lest than 30 minutes! How's that for getting your family out the door on on your way with a home cooked meal?

First the cast of characters:

1 lb. of ground beef (we had ground turkey on hand)

1 can of beef broth

1 box of Rice A Roni

1 stick of butter (you won't use all of the stick)

2 tsp. Garlic Powder (or 2 cloves crushed fresh)

2 tsp. Onion Powder (or 1 cup of chopped fresh)

Salt and Pepper

That's it, nothing more that you need to get dinner on the table lickity split!

Place your ground meat in a large skillet, into which you have poured 1 T. of olive oil and fry over medium heat until it is browned. Once you see the meat starting to brown, add your seasonings (and if using fresh veggies, those too) and continue to cook until the meat is brown. Remove from your skillet and place on a plate to rest while you get the rice a going.

Let's talk for just a minute about frying meat. There's not much in the world I hate more than wormy meat. When meat is fried un attended and cooks without beign broken up, looking wormy. It's just not fun for me. One of my good friends, Ana Marquez, who lives in Fort Worth, TX share a secret that her family uses in their restaurant business, a potato masher! That's right friends, a potato masher.

Using a potato mashwer allows the meat to be broken up, giving you an even texture and making your meat consistently smooth and no clumpy and wormy. I, for one, like smoothly textures ground meat and not all huge clumps. Maybe you are different, but I can tell you this--use a potato masher up until the "clumpiness" you prefer and you'll want to buy me a Starbucks gift card (worth $100 please email me for the address).

Look at this picture to the left, remember we're cooking turkey so that's why it's not more brown. But you can see the there is even texture, and that there are no clumps or worms. At this point you can add your sauce, taco seasoning, or whatever. Hey freeze the stuff and have it on hand for an even quicker week night meal! I think I'm done...are you convinced that you need to mash your ground beef? I sure hope so.

Ok, back to the show. When we last left our pan, it was lonely having just said goodbye to some perfectly fried ground turkey. Place two tablespoons (use the package directions on the Rice A Roni and go by what they say) of butter in your skillet and melt it. Pour in the rice and vermicelli and brown. You'll want to let this set for 1-2 minutes before stirring because you want to get the vermicelli browned and toasty. It's very important for you to not leave your post because you can burn this quick and then you would have to unwrap your food from paper through a drive-through AND clean up the kitchen to boot. Just stand there for 3-4 minutes and stir the stuff, ok?

My personal preference for "perfect" Rice A Roni" is to have some of the vermicelli browned but not completely browned all the way through. It is probably more of a fear that I will burn it, because I have burned my fair share of Rice A Roni over the years. This picture is of what I would call perfect rice. Now, you are ready to pour in the Beef Broth (instead of the water called for on the box directions.) which I love because it increases the beefiness of this dish 100% especially if you are using ground turkey! After you pour in the beef broth, you'll add the seasoning packet and give it a quick stir, so all the powder is completely mixed in. Add the ground beef, stir, cover, and cook it according to package directions. I think it's like 25 minutes or something, covered on low. How about this shot I took of motion? On a camera phone none the less. I love to read Pioneer Woman's blog and she takes motion pictures all the time and wondered if my phone...i mean camera...would do it--viola! It does.

While this is cooking, you have time to cut up fruit and throw in a bag of Steamfresh veggies to finish off the dinner. I usually put some crescent rolls in the oven because by the time the oven heats up and the bread bakes the rice is ready and the hot fresh bread is ready. You can do salad or whatever you like with this dish.

Here it is all done. If my kids didn't do convulsions at the sight of green stuff, I'd add some fresh parsley, or some mushrooms. It's really versatile and super easy to do. Plus the bonus is one dish, one skillet, that will fit in the dishwasher.

You could use Pork Rice A Roni with Sausage, and chicken broth to mix it up. You could do ground chicken, with Chicken Rice A Roni and chicken stock. It's really up to you to decide how far to take this. This dish is one of all my kiddos favorite things to eat because they all love ground beef, rice, and having them together with nothing else to corrupt is just bonus all the way around.

I do want to let you know how awesome these steam fresh bags are. I just love them because the veggies are perfect every time with out any failures at all. We usually dump the veggies into a bowl and season with 1T of butter and Mrs. Dash or whatever we have on hand, but you could just serve these from the bag on to the plates to save time and another dirty dish.

I love this medley because it has crunchy, sweet white corn, yellow corn, carrots, and asparagus. It is really good. There are a ton of varieties and they really, really do work. You can trust me on this. Do make sure you read which side needs to be up--it matters. Also holding it where it says matters, unless you like steam burns.

I'll be off for a few days, going to Silver Dollar City with the family for Titus' birthday celebration. You'll hear all about it when I get back.

Alley Cats

2008-05-28T13:08:00.003-05:00

Teensy & the boys, Kendra and I all went to the Mall on Monday. Teensy needed some summer shorts and stuff, she's growing like a weed and it's hard to keep her in clothes. I am looking for some flip flops to replace the worn out pair I've had for years. As I was rummaging through the Dillard's Men's Shoe department I saw these things. $199...are the not BOWLING SHOES?

Animal Crackers

2008-05-26T13:41:00.008-05:00

Ever since we've been in Tulsa I've been trying to go to the zoo. It's not that I HAVE to go to the zoo or die, it's just that I know kids love the zoo and being a Children's Minister...well you can do the math. The first time I attempted a trip to the zoo, I chose one of only two day that the zoo closes a year. Can't win the lottery, but I can choose one of only TWO days that the zoo is closed. My second attempt was rained out--that's when I gave up. I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't ever going to see the zoo.

I can remember going to the Springfield, MO zoo as a child. One particular trip is most memorable. My parent's good friends and eventual neighbors, the Schmidt's, went to the Springfield zoo with us one time. Roger was a particularly cocky fella always cutting up and trying to make folks laugh. I always thought he was a little on the odd side, but never said anything. This zoo trip, Roger was taunting the baboons rather relentlessly. Most people would make monkey sounds at them and stuff like that to which the stoic baboons would just sit resolute picking the gnats out of their friend. This particular taunting from Roger caught them on a bad day because one baboon defecated or excreted something and flung it on Roger with amazing aim and precision. Roger slowly turned hands extended as if he were about to take flight sputtering the substance from his eyes. I was gobsmacked! I can't say we ever went to the zoo with them, and I'm certain he never taunted a primate again.

As zoos go, the Tulsa zoo is fairly nice. I wouldn't say it's huge by the standards of the Fort Worth Zoo or other larger zoos in the country, but it's nice. The admission was very reasonable and the grounds well kept. As we rode the train around the zoo I did notice some exhibits that were no longer being used which has become overgrown and other clutter, but nothing to throw the towel in over.

At the chimp exhibit, we were bushwhacked by a zoo friend who shared some interesting facts about chimps. Unfortunately he did not do it in an interesting way or a very engaging way I must say. It was rather like listen to roll call at Ferris Beuller's school! Titus just stood there with this awkward, gotta get out of here, stance that only a 5 year old could pull off. He couldn't wait for this guy to stop talking so he could move on. If you are ever at the zoo and there is a zoo friend sitting down smiling, return the smile but do not under any circumstances stop and engage him--unless you are really interested in being bored out of your mind. The picture above is of Titus posing inside the frame of an actual sized Chimp, full grown. We tried to get him to make a monkey face but he was out it was all we could do to get him to do this.

One thing we enjoyed watching was the newest addition to the family, Chip, frolicking around with his Momma. Too cure to see that little guy clambering around and playing...then all of a sudden--hop on Mom's back for a ride to the shade. Titus and Levi were very interested in this exhibit, Levi kept making the monkey sounds and did a good job of it. This picture is of Titus, Kendra, and Emma looking at the Chimp habitat. Kendra is reading the Zoo Keeper's notes about these particular chimp's behavior and such. That was a very interesting part of this Zoo, the Keeper's Notes, because it helped you feel a better connection to the animals.

Next we went to the Polar Bear exhibit and I have to say, "Polar Bears are cool." This huge animal was swimming around in this Arctic exhibit, and was bigger than I had thought. I told Titus he was carrying a Coca-Cola and Titus got all excited, but I burst the bubble as soon as it as blown.

This guy kept swimming back and forth, back and forth over and over the whole time, I was beginning to think it might have been crazy, but there really isn't anything else to do but laps. Inside the exhibit you could go down to an observation pit and see the bear swim under water which was really, really cool. I would have to give, "Cola"[my name not the name bequeathed to him by the zoo] the prize for most interesting. It was very neat to watch him swimming and interacting in the water.

Our zoo has a bald eagle, I think Oklahoma City has one too. These things are quite impressive. I have been told that the only way to get a bald eagle in a zoo is if the eagle is handicapped. I don't think this eagle could fly at all because it kept trying to flap, flap, flap away, but just couldn't get anywhere--poor thing. Their talons are immense and really shocked me as to how big these fellas really are. This eagle didn't look particularly big, maybe it was a baby or something.

The Children's' zoo was closed, but the goat and sheep pen was open. I've never smelled a stronger concentration of crap than at this place---well maybe the fair, but geez this stunk! Titus was determined to pet a goat and sheep. Mind you that Kendra's Grandmother raises goats and Titus could have petted all the goats he wanted to at Granny's, but this was a zoo goat and that gave him 10 million extra cool points. He was a very proud boy petting that goat. The goat he chose to pet was licking salt. It was pretty warm, which made me wonder, "if I were a goat, would I want to lick a block of salt?" Maybe, but I don't want to be a goat--nope! I was nervous as a cat and ready to fumigate he and I by the time we left that pin. WHEW! They stink.

Emma was along for the ride the whole time and just looked around at where she was. She was ultimately relaxed and happy as long as we had drinks and snacks handy--she was good to go. She's easy going and always takes things as they come. We kept trying to get her to wear sunglasses, but she just wouldn't. I was teasing with her to keep them on and she was fully playing the game right along with me having the best time. She loves to play, I'm not doing what you say. We always get stares when with our kids because they are off the charts with cuteness. How, tell me, how can you not look at this face and say it isn't' cute? We love our Radio flyer wagon incidentally. It has flip up seats to hold to riders, or you can fold them down and have a flatbed. I would ask the Radio Flyer people to please allow the pull handle to turn the wagon, please? The front wheels on ours pivot, which I don't really like. How can you ride down a hill in this thing!

Kendra and I commented on the shock of so many teenager's being inappropriate with their girl/boyfriend. It was beyond just holding hands which is fine to what I would say is just groping. Where are these parents? Why did they not teach their daughters that they should not compromise their dignity or chastity...where are the Dad's to taught their son's to not "go out with" girls who think so little of their own bodies that they offer it up to just anyone? Where are they? There is beauty and wonder and honor and dignity in chastity. Please tell your sons that they need to respect girls and honor them and be turned off by girls who do, because they think so little of themselves. Please tell your daughters that no matter what they are wonderful, and beautiful, and that their chastity and dignity and honor is something that can only be given once, to chose wisely whom you honor with that gift and make it count. Sigh.

All in all the Tulsa Zoo was fun and I would go back. On the way out I pointed to Kendra and said, "look my favorite sign in the whole place." "What?" "Right there...EXIT." I got a whack, but it was a whack of, "I totally agree...but this was a great day and our kids had a great time and we are both really, really tired but our kids will never forget this" kind of whack.

Memory Lane: Big Spring Park

2008-05-21T09:55:00.002-05:00

My hometown is Neosho, Missouri. I was born at Sale Memorial Hospital just off the square in Neosho. As a little boy I can remember loving Saturday's because it meant, "going to town" which meant going to the square. Our square had a JC Penny, McGinty's, William's, Buster Brown, Ben Franklin, and other great shops that you could while the day away shopping from store to store. We always had Granny with us which was just a hoot, she loved to shop at Penny's and thought William's and McGinty's too expensive. Even though each of these stores had sales which made clothes cheaper and Penny's the fact that it came from "there" made it too rich for her blood. "They can keep those fancy clothes. I don't need no fancy duds--whom I gonna impress." Needless to say when I had opportunity to purchase clothes from McGinty's I thought I was really stepping out in style!

If you had to go to the bathroom while shopping you had to take yourself to the courthouse. You didn't ask a clerk where the bathroom was, you didn't look around and try to find it yourself, you just went to the courthouse, everyone knew it. Sis and I always went to the courthouse using the excuse that we had to "go" just to get free and explore. Our Courthouse is also the county seat for Newton County. Neosho has a rich history which dates back to the Civil War. It was actually the Confederate Capital for during the war. Being a person who loves nostalgia--I love thinking about my city being in the midst of the Civil War and the town square being burned down as the soldiers retreated (which it was). This Courthouse was built in the 30's ( think 1938). It's all limestone and marble. As you walk in the whole place just echos and resonates. The Jail is on the very top of the building. Sis and I always went to the very top to try and see a prisoner--no such luck. I always imagined what I would do if a prisoner came into the bathroom while I was there. I could get myself really worked up. It would be the ultimate rush and flush--let me tell you. I was kind of a fraidy cat. As I remember it, the courthouse looks exactly the same on the sides, so I don't know which side of the building this was. I'm guessing west side, because all of the sheriff's cars parked on the west side.

As will most town squares in our great nations it is struggling to survive. William's, McGinty's, JC Penny, Buster Brown, all have gone by the wayside closing. It is so tragic that William's and McGinty's closed because they were locally owned. So sad, but an unavoidable sign of the times in which we live. I think that the day is coming, and may already be here, when our town squares will once again the bustling and thriving hubs as we try to get back a piece of history to comfort us in "this age."

Big Spring Park was a wonderland for me. I love Big Spring Park. I have played for hours and hours in this great park. A little over three years ago we took Titus there and let him play in the wading pool that I played in at his age. I found myself very emotional, filled with nostalgia in seeing him love a place so dear to my heart. The picture above is a great shot of Big Spring Park, as you can see it really goes back quite a ways. There are hills surrounding the park with walking trails all throughout the woods. Legend has it that this spring, and the bridge, (smooth as glass rock bridge over 150 years old!) was THE location for slaves and wives to gather and to their wash. There is also a legend of a cave which has long been closed off and cannot be found. There are two legends. The first is of confederate gold and confederate soldiers buried in this cave, and the other legend is that there were several children who lost their lives in exploring this cave when it collapsed. I like to believe the the first legend as it's very adventuresome and exciting much more so than the dreary and depressing deaths of children.

I came across this flick'r post of Big Spring Park in Neosho! I have no idea who these people are, but boy am I glad they brought their camera to Big Spring Park. The white columns in the background are of the wading pool, which is in the very back of the park. This park was in it's prime in the 20's and 30's.

As a kid I can remember going to the park and playing on the swing set and slide, and teeter totter, then going to the wading pool. It was always packed and full of kids, but there never seemed to be too many, always room for more. Parks today are so "safe." Nothing like when I was a kid. The slide in our neighborhood is plastic...my slide was metal. Sliding down a stainless steel metal slide in August is sheer torture on your bare legs! It was more of a EEEEEOOOWWWW than a "WEEEEE!" There was a really cool rock "water house" where the boys and girls could go to the bathroom. When we went there with Titus it had been closed, but was still standing. I hope they never tear it down.

On one of the hills there is a white limestone cross (probably 20 feet tall) laid in the side of the hill which used to have tulips and daffodils that would grow just in time for Easter Sunrise service. There were also a lot of May Day and May Pole parties. Here is another flick'r shot of that area. Not sure who these people are either, but don't they look uncomfortable? The steps behind the columns go up to the cross. The columns are a sort of amphitheater type set up, very cool. This is area is in the middle of the park. As you look into the park (from the top photo) it would be on the right hand side right in the middle. The originators of the park obviously placed great importance on it's location and wanted it to be the center of attention, but it's place was lost years ago. Towns just don't celebrate like they used to, do they?

Here is another photo from the same flick'r group of Abbot Cave at Big Spring Park. This cave is in the very back of the park in the corner (behind the wading pool). This cave has a spring running through and is damp and noisy and so cool. As you go down these steps you feel like you are stepping into history to a time that has been long done. I can remember sitting on these steps, which go down to the underground stream, and wondering about the people who forged these steps. What were they thinking as they stood on this "new" entrance to the cave. Did they imagine generations of people walking up to this very entrance and going down to catch crawfish so girls could be scared out of their minds (girls can run FAST when boys come at them with crawfish!). What mementos were put into those steps by the craftsmen that only they knew were there but were placed there to leave a piece of themselves. I dont' know if you can tell or not, but between the boy and girl are some concrete walkways--what were they for? I have no idea.

My family enjoyed Memorial Day and 4th of July pic nic's under the shade of trees provided by the Big Spring Park. Those times with my Poppa, Granny, and Robba all were assembled for a massive family get together (rare for both sides of the family to come together) and enjoy the day laughing and having a great time. Robba brought German Potato salad and this fabulous layered salad which was so good. I usually tried to get mostly mayonnaise and bacon with my little bits of lettuce. Mom made this great salad with cauliflower (raw), green onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, peas, all tossed in this bacon ranch dressing (loved it!). Auntie Ilene's sweet tea brought in the Tupper ware gallon jug (remember those?) ice cold Nehi grape and other colas in the cooler. Grilled burgers and hot dogs. The best time.

Making memories is so fun. Being able to look at pictures, even if they are from people you don't even know, that take you back to a time when you had no worries or cares and were surrounded by the people whom you adored and adored you. Times when you could run free and have the cool grass keep your feet from being burned. Love the memories of my childhood and I love Big Spring Park!

Love that wake up face

2008-05-18T10:10:00.002-05:00

I just love a wake up face! I love wake up hair too! Miss Teensy is an early riser, like her Dad, and I usually get her up every morning and we go downstairs for breakfast.
She was somewhat confused why I was taking her picture and not acting the fool as I usually do. Kendra and I have always been extra animated and happy when we get our kids every morning because we want them to be happy and start their day off with joy and not grumpus. I think it helps them set the whole days tone. So far all of our kids are very happy when they wake up and ready for the day.
Teensy will lay her head on my shoulder and pat my back as we walk from her room to the stairs. We have a mirror on the wall right by the stairs and I always stop and say, "where's the beautiful girl?" She always reaches out and pats the mirror, "there she is the beautiful girl." That's another philosophy of mine. I want my daughter to hear me say she's beautiful and talented and that she looks great. I think that sets her self-esteem and gives her confidence. I also want her to know that people measure you more by what is on the inside than what is on the outside. If she measures and hears this from me then she won't have to look around to find those words. Some Dad's just don't compliment their daughter and so when they hear it from a boy it can get physical. I firmly believe that Father's can chart the course of a child's life for good or bad--huge burden and responsibility.
This sweet face is growing up all too fast. She's beautiful and talented and has a mind of her own. I know she's going to do great things and accomplish much more than her mother and I could have ever done, and as long as I can breath I'll be there to tell her how proud of her I am, how beautiful she is, and how much I love her. I do love you sweet, Teensy.

Control Tower

2008-05-16T13:21:00.002-05:00

About a month ago I was at Los Cabos with our church staff enjoying some chips and queso when..."crack." I broke a tooth. It's very difficult to pretend everything is all ok and fine, when half of your tooth is now in your hand. I discreetly disposed of the tooth then went about my merry way mowing through the chips. I didn't want to draw attention to myself or say, "hey I broke a tooth!" I just began thinking about how I was going to find the time to get in to see a dentist. I didn't have a dentist though even though I though I could go to a friend of ours who attends church.

Over the course of the next few weeks I hobbled along not drawing attention to my plight until it started to hurt. At first it would just kind of throb for a little bit, but two nights ago I really started hurting. I woke from a sound sleep in the middle of the night with this intense jaw pain. I'm not one to take medicine, but I had to get something for this pain. Advil to the rescue. You see I had quite a busy few days and didn't need to have this interrupt my plans, people were counting on me and I don't let people down if I can at all avoid it.

About 6:15 this morning I texted the Dentist who is one of my Deacons at church and asked if he could fit me in. Sure enough, he had an opening. One x-ray and it was all over. "It seems you had a cavity that grew down and decayed the tooth. All that was left was this shell and when something cracked that shell it was over. Here are our options..." "Options I don't like options, but I don't' like dental procedures either." "You can go to an oral surgeon to get it removed, or I can do it. There will be quite a bit of pressure and discomfort but I can do it." "Let's go for it."

Dr. VanBrunt set me up with a movie and hooked up the gas to begin giving me the shots to numb the area. Apparently I have two of my 4 wisdom teeth and now I have one!

The amazing thing about a dentist is their ability to stick both hands in your mouth, the assistants hand, and seven tools all freely moving. It's a phenomenon. "Are you ok?" Quick nod and a thumbs up. I was not having fun but I was making the most of it. "Will, are you sure your ok?" "Yes." "Your feet are sticking straight up and your hands are white...are you ok?" "Well it does hurt a little bit but I'll be ok, don't' mind my feet unless you see them up over the light." My tooth was huge and came out...I'll make it and be fine.

What I did realize is that I have control issues. I don't think it was that I was in pain as much as it was releasing control to him. As I laid there I thought to my self, "just relax...trust in him to take care of you." I really didn't want to allow myself to release control. Fine time to have a Dr. Phil moment when you are at a 45 degree angle with a grown man's hand in your mouth!

Trust...control...all things I need to work on. I need to trust people to do what they say they will do and release control and not think that my way is the only way--there are other ways. So that's my challenge...give up some control.

Thanks Dr. VanBrunt for helping me out and through a control issue. Need a good dentist? smilesoftulsa.com is the place to go.

Things I love

2008-05-15T09:50:00.003-05:00

I just love a wake up face! I love wake up hair too! Miss Teensy is an early riser, like her Dad, and I usually get her up every morning and we go downstairs for breakfast.

She was somewhat confused why I was taking her picture and not acting the fool as I usually do. Kendra and I have always been extra animated and happy when we get our kids every morning because we want them to be happy and start their day off with joy and not grumpus. I think it helps them set the whole days tone. So far all of our kids are very happy when they wake up and ready for the day.

Teensy will lay her head on my shoulder and pat my back as we walk from her room to the stairs. We have a mirror on the wall right by the stairs and I always stop and say, "where's the beautiful girl?" She always reaches out and pats the mirror, "there she is the beautiful girl." That's another philosophy of mine. I want my daughter to hear me say she's beautiful and talented and that she looks great. I think that sets her self-esteem and gives her confidence. I also want her to know that people measure you more by what is on the inside than what is on the outside. If she measures and hears this from me then she won't have to look around to find those words. Some Dad's just don't compliment their daughter and so when they hear it from a boy it can get physical. I firmly believe that Father's can chart the course of a child's life for good or bad--huge burden and responsibility.

This sweet face is growing up all too fast. She's beautiful and talented and has a mind of her own. I know she's going to do great things and accomplish much more than her mother and I could have ever done, and as long as I can breath I'll be there to tell her how proud of her I am, how beautiful she is, and how much I love her. I do love you sweet, Teensy.

A man a can...a plan

2008-05-13T10:19:00.002-05:00

My very first official job was working at Wendy's in Neosho. I had just turned 16 and needed to pay for my car, car insurance, and gas. I didn't really think I would get the job but gave it a shot. Dad dropped me off at the restaurant, which had just opened in our town right across from McDonald's, and waited in the truck while I went in to apply.

Our Wendy's was the traditional old style with the Tiffany lamps hanging over the marble type tables. There was a freshtastics food bar, which was all the rage, along with the Classic. Remember the Classic? The only thing different about the burger was the bun, which was kaiser-ish and dusted with cornmeal on top. I did like the classic burger. The restaurant was much more subdued than McDonald's which was busier and more hectic to me. I like Wendy's better anyway.

The Manager was in and had me fill out the application while I interviewed with him. As we were talking he said, "So, Bill, do you think you would want to work here?" "Sorry, it's Will, and yes, Sir, I would very much like to work here." "I'll be right back." Ok...where was he going? He returned shortly with two shirts and a ball cap. "You'll need to get some black shoes and navy blue pants...you start on Monday. Welcome aboard." Not being one to immediately process shocking things my reply was, "so I got the job? Just like that." "I like you and think you'll fit right in here." "Thank you."

No one was more shocked than my Dad. "You got the job! When do you start?" "Monday." With that we drove home. My sister and I scoured Joplin looking for black shoes and blue pants. We finally found black shoes at Tom McKann and Penny's had the blue pants. I was now ready for work...or was I? I showed up on Monday after school and walked in with my shiny new uniform ready to my new career in the fast food industry. The first day was spent reading this use manual on how to keep Wendy's Wendy's and not screw things up. Of all the things I read that day I'll never forget the layering process of how to make a Dave burger. By the way the burgers are square because Dave Thomas said, "we never cut corners!" Mustard on the burger. Top bun is white, red, green. Mayo, ketchup, pickle, onion, tomato, lettuce. It HAS to be in that order, whiteredgreen.

I usually closed the store because it wasn't busy and I wasn't fast so it was good match. It did mean I had to do all of the crappy stuff, like cleaning the grill and floors. It also meant getting to take home the left over apple dumplings that they used to make. I also had to scrub the next day's potatoes, and prep the chili for the next day.

Chili: The hamburgers that were cooked on the grill were passed through stages. The patties closest to the "cold bar" were the ones you used first. Four in a row no more than 12 patties at a time (if you were slow) on the grill. The patties would expire as far as being served on a bun, so they were put into a pan in the fridge below the grill where we kept the cheese and extra patties. The patties were never frozen. I had to dump all of the patties in this huge pot and chop them with two flipping spatulas. After that I opened the two bags that magically made the chili--chili. It cooked in a huge pot on the back stove. All day. I didn't eat their chili any more once I knew it was made with expired meat! I'm just that way. People loved the chili and we sold a ton.
Cleaning: Every night I had to put on a big stock pot full of water and bring it to a boil. Upon closing I had to scrub the grill until it was shiny and clean. That was a hard job, but I didn't mind cleaning. The huge pot of water which took forever to come to a boil, had three scoops of Tide dumped in. Then I had to pour that pot of water on the floor and scrub the floors clean. I really hated doing that.
Cooking: The coolest thing to cook was the chicken for the chicken sandwich, my favorite thing to eat there. They were fried in a pressure fryer. It was so cool. The sound of that chicken cooking away was just awesome, the sizzle. Loved the chicken sandwich.

We had our regular customers that came in every other night or every night and always got the same thing. Never too busy kind of steady and slow, I liked the speed. One night about twenty minutes before closing the Crowder College baseball team showed up, having just pulled into town from a game, famished. There are a lot of people on a baseball team! Every one of those guys wanted a triple. Half my grill was clean and ready to close. All of a sudden we had this rush! And when I say rush---I mean RUSH! I was so freaked out. My whole grill was completely covered in patties sizzling away, All three fry vats were churning out fries--ALL AT THE SAME TIME! It was just to much for me to handle, but I sucked it up and made it through the night. I really hated those guys for that.

The manager I liked left and an new jerk manager, Larry, came to work, he was a jerk! One of my all time favorite stories is the day he realized one of the evergreen shrubs in front of the store had died. It was brown...dead brown. "Will I need to talk to you." Oh crap...I was going to be fired, I just knew it. "Yes, sir." "As you know[here it comes...he knows I've been in the freezer drinking the frosty mix] we have a dead shrub [whew!] in our landscape." "I've noticed that." "Well...we can't afford to replace it, but we can't have a dead shrub in our landscape. " "Of course you can't." "Here's $10 go to Wal-Mart and get two cans of spray paint then when you get back paint the shrub." "Excuse me?" "I want you to paint the shrub." thunk "OHHHKAY." The whole way there I could not believe I was buying spray paint for a dead shrub...In a Wendy's costume! When I got back I painted the shrub with my Krylon evergreen spray. It looked horrible having a dead shrub painted green! And I knew I did it! That dead shrub was there for nearly two years after I left! That's a lot of spray paint!

The worst accident I ever had involved the fryers. There were three fryers-a total of six baskets, and the oil was cycled. The freshest oil was used for the fries in baskets one and two, then baskets three and four for back up fries, with baskets five and six for nuggets. The nugget oil was like molasses by the time it was changed. The process was really complicated for me and always a drudgery. One night I had to change the oil and accidentally poured the oil from vats one and two into the same place. Oil spilled all over the place what a Mess! My manager was so mad at me. I was kind of hacked at myself too because I had to clean that up. Took forever.

Soon after the fiasco with the fry oil I decided to move on and quit my job having secured a job at the toy store in the mall. That's another story for another day.

Snakes on the brain

2008-05-09T07:28:00.003-05:00

For the past week Titus has been carrying around this very realistic rubber, floppy, life-like (especially in a darkened hallway as you are stumbling your way to Teensy's room, early morning light brings LIFE to certain things) snake with him everywhere he went. His fascination with snakes started when his best friend, Justin, showed him his two corn snakes. His father lets them have snakes in their house as pets...I don't know what's wrong with them. I just don't like snakes. They have their space and I have mine...let's just coexist shall we? Having him tote this snake all over creation made me think of all the snake encounters of my life. Some encounters just burn into your brain and leave a mark that won't go away.

My Robba lived in Carl Junction, MO for several years. Robba was my Great Aunt, but I was raised thinking she was my Aunt. I'll have to peel the onion sometime on my Mom's side of the family...that's going to be a doozie! Robba was my favorite person in the universe, I just loved her to death. I would spend as much time as I could with her. In Carl Junction she lived on this hill kind of outside town. There were probably 12 or so houses on this hill and we knew almost everybody on the hill. Robba's house was the last house on the left at the top of the hill. They were very close to Shoal Creek, within walking distance. It was very woodsy and rural so a lot of beasts were around us all the time, country beasts. Among the many beasts that frequented her space were snakes. We were always finding snakes around her house. Robba would just get a shovel calmly walk over to the snake and whack it's head off, throw it over the fence and walk away. I would always just stand gobsmacked by her brute force and fear of nothing attitude. That must have been what David felt like when he faced down Goliath.

Like my son, I had a few pet snakes that I loved to tease people with, especially my cousin Gail. She was a brat, a spoiled rotten brat. She got to live with Robba full-time since Robba gave birth to her pfheh! Brat. One Summer day we were all out in force playing with our neighbor friends and Gail had to run home for something. As Gail was running to the house she saw what she though was my snake stretched across the driveway, she was just going to jump over that and have no reaction to my trick. As she was in mid-air right over the...fake snake...Gail realized it was a real snake! A real snake startled by the huge human jumping over it's sunning body. You don't block the sun when a snake is soaking it up. This think flipped and flopped and curled up--it was hopping mad! It still feels like all of this happened while Gail was frozen over the snake, but it sure put the fear of God into my cousin. She was scared to death of snakes.

"MOOOOM...MOOOM! SNNNAAKE!" Here came Robba and my Granny! My Robba was tough...my Granny was tougher...and them together defending one of their babies...look out. This snake had no chance! It was even worse because Gail was the ONLY baby on their side. Me and Sis were on the other side of the snake and that snake was in a foul mood. Robba had a shovel and Granny had a broom. The snake had five minutes to live. When my Robba and Granny were through with that snake is was sushified! You just don't mess with the babies.

One other time as we were on an adventure to the creek and walking down the dirt path to go do whatever we were going to do, we were stopped by a snake. A snake in the tree! It was a Cotton Mouth, one of the only venomous water snakes around. When threatened they display their ugly side! I do not know why this snake was in the tree. I do not know how it go into the tree. How does a snake climb a tree? All I knew was this snake...in a tree...was going to drop down into my hair and bite the crap out of me injecting its venom into me. I would die and vultures would swarm down to eat my poisoned dead carcass leaving the remains for the crows to pick at. Talk about scared. We were screaming bloody murder! I don't really know what transpired to get us connected with a competent adult, but I do know this snake was shot! No shovel involved...sorry. I'll have to talk to sis and see how all this unfolded. She'll remember, and probably know what we were all wearing.

When Kendra and I lived in Oklahoma City we worked for the Deer Creek church for a couple of years before moving to Texas. This was a start-up church in rural Edmond, close to the community of Deer Creek and Piedmont. It was country. Our church was built in a pasture. On one occasion, our pulpit minister, Darrel was in the auditorium during the weekday. It was unusual for him to be in the building during the week and even more unusual for him to be in the auditorium for that matter. "Will...Will...Come quickly Will...Will!" "What's wrong?" "I believe there is a snake in this room, right over there, but I"m not going to stay around to find out." "Snake?" "I saw it crawling...over there." You know you are in trouble when anyone finds comfort in my strength! Darrell made me look like a Green Beret! "Take care of that..I'll be over here." Take care of it? How was I going to take care of it? Shovel...I need a shovel...no shovel. OK, what next...broom. I'll get a broom and whack it to death.

NOTE: If I have something in my hand and am required to swing at another object to make contact...I'll miss. I found a broom and made my way into the auditorium. Sure enough there was the snake. I guess this snake didn't get the whole, youdon'tbelonginachurchbecauseyouaresatan lecture. I crept up on the snake, broom in hand, waiting for my moment. "How's it going?" "SHHH!" WHACK! Crap missed the snake. Now where is it? Over there. "Did you get it...Will...did you get it?" "SHHH!" Where's crocodile Dundee when you need him? One more time. If I don't' get it this time, I'm leaving and someone else can take care of it. WHACK! I got it. I Lizzie Borden'd the snake about 100 times. It was dead beyond dead. Luckily for me I had a broom and just swept it into the trash. Pish Posh!

One Sunday morning as Kendra and I were gearing up for services, she was in her classroom getting a bulletin board ready. Her brother Devin was in the room with her and they were chatting. "AHHHH!" Kendra doesn't scream-ever. She's not a sissy pants at all and for her to scream was big. "What's wrong." "Snake." Holy cow how many more snakes are there. This snake was not on the floor. It was in an expanding file. We had all of our letters in this file and just pulled out the letters we needed to make the bulletin board. As Kendra was pulling out a letter...SHE GRABBED A SNAKE! When she realized it wasn't a letter, but a snake [how long does it take to know you aren't holding paper!] she flicked it across the room. Thank God there were no children in the class. Guess which compartment the snake was in? Go ahead...guess. Give? S, that's right it was int he S compartment. I had some fun with that. I can assure you that she NEVER reached into a expanding file again--EVER!

One other time a snake got into our baptistery. Took a little swim. I just called Mac and had him come take care of that sucker. No way was I going to tussle with that sucker.

Mars and Venus in the Parenthood

2008-05-07T14:38:00.004-05:00

The primary difference between men and women in parenting is...Dad's allow this

to happen.

More Lessons

2008-05-06T13:24:00.003-05:00

Of course I thought of more lessons as I put last night's post to bed...and myself of course. Speaking of putting things to bed--we got a new bed! The upon which we have been sleeping our entire married life was purchased from a friend about three or four months before our wedding. Kendra moved into an apartment and didn't have a thing, so I bought her a mattress (which is on the guest room bed) and she bought the four poster bed. We found out that it was broken when we got it, we didn't want to know how it was broken! The mattress was given to us by my Step Mom. This is the first "NEW" bed and it's nice.

More lessons:

Your Mom's wedding china, white porcelain with a real silver bamboo inlay and rim, will create a 4th of July explosion in the microwave oven. This was the 80's when microwaves were the size of a Yugo and we just didn't know, ok. The plate was never the same.
Your dishwasher will not accept a dispenser full of DAWN dish washing liquid as the suds created are thick as meringue. It will take approximately 1 1/2 cups of Downey to take the suds away. Sorry Dad, thanks for jumping right in there and fixing that one.
When your best friend sneaks his girlfriend into your house while you are next door babysitting the punks and calls to say that they had...um...let's see how I can put this..."been" together... with each other...on your parent's bed! Change the sheets. I revealed this little tid bit of info at one of my Sister's and my infamous Father's Day lunch reveals. "Hey Dad, remember when..." This was one of those reveals. I just didn't know what I know now.
Thinking that a dog chain will stay on the ground as you mow over it is false! It will get sucked up into the blade wrapping itself around the rod causing the engine to explode. Thick Black Smoke will come out of the top of the mower. Your Dad will not say a word about it to you, but will also not let you use the new mower to cut Mrs. Cope's yard. I was fired...by my Dad...for a job I had mowing an old lady's yard! Blasted chain!
Unless you have a Polaroid camera and take a photo of the toupee which is on a foam head in the bathroom you were not supposed to use but thought no one would know until you touched the hair piece and it slid off onto the counter do not touch it. Well, if you do touch it for Pete's sake be gentle!
If you think you need a plumber...YOU DO!

Life Lessons..the hard way

2008-05-05T22:01:00.003-05:00

I could dedicate an entire blog on the lessons I have learned in life the hard way. Most of these lessons have left me in the dark universe of life with a spot light on me and the neon flashing, "laugh" sign buzzing away. It has to do with my being oblivious to the obvious--that's another blog too. So, here are some, just some, of the lessons I have learned:

Styrofoam cups DO NOT get along with gasoline. This lesson learned as I was trying to refill my Grandmother's lawnmower and couldn't find anything but a cup...a McDonald's Styrofoam cup. It melted faster than...water on a hot griddle.
Burning cotton balls on Formica sinks in your bathroom leave PERMANENT brown marks which will not come off. It was and still is the coolest thing in the world to see a cotton ball go up in flames. Please do not try this at home.
Running your Mom's favorite cheese cutting tool over a flame to heat the tightened piece of metal will not make it cut the cheese (I just giggled) but instead cause the wire to explode a piece of which will land on your arm giving you a painful burn. Sorry Mom, that's exactly what happened to your beloved cheese thingy. Whew I feel better now.
Cars have more than one spark plug. How many spark plugs a car has and exactly what cars don't have spark plugs can be answered by calling a mechanic or googling it. I found this out at the furniture store I worked in for four years, owned by my Sister's father-in-law. I made one casual comment about a spark plug and the whole group of those butthead men were on the floor in a grand mall seizure of laughter. Jerks.
If you get a painful chaffing and don't have any baby powder and your wife give you liquid talc--DON'T PUT IT ON YOUR THIGHS!! It's alcohol based and will burn like the fires of hell on your tender, raw thighs. It will not help if your wife is laughing at your pain.
It takes exactly two hours for 1/2 gallon of apple juice to completely rip through your digestive track and give you painful...cramping...explosive diarrhea the likes of which you have never seen. Apparently apple juice is a laxative and helps babies go poo when they get plugged up, and 20 year old adults who don't make the connection to this nuclear powered intestine clearing liquid.

That's enough for now. I'm going to go to a corner and suck my thumb now. Starbucks is too far away.

I knew you were coming...so I baked a cake.

2008-05-05T09:41:00.003-05:00

Life interrupted my getting this cake made last week when I started the craving for it. I decided I would make it last night and life began to knock at the door...would it be interrupted? I managed to keep life in tow and get the cake made at the same time. I'm really glad I did because it's one of my new favorite cakes. I love a really moist, somewhat dense yellow cake more than chocolate or any other cake for that matter. Pound cakes can, at times, make the list but usually are too dry for me. I don't mind a little crumb, but when all of your saliva is absorbed in your mouth and you have this chia pet experience in your mouth wondering how you will swallow this huge glob of cake...not so much a fan of it. I would say this is a coffee cake, but the glaze! Oh the glaze is awesome!

The whole thing hinges on buttermilk, friends. That's right buttermilk is the star of the show, but doesn't just slap you in the face. My Granny used to take a tall glass, fill it with crumbled cornbread then pour buttermilk over the whole thing and eat it for dinner. I still find that repulsive, but she just loved it! Cooking with buttermilk imparts a tremendous amount of moisture and a very distinct flavor which to my buds is tangy sweet. I love to use buttermilk in cornbread, pancakes, waffles, anywhere you have milk called for use buttermilk.

If you don't have buttermilk on hand don't go curl up in a corner and suck your thumb because you can make your own. Please do not go spend $5 on that can of buttermilk powder friends, just spend $1.29 on the huge bottle of distilled vinegar make sure you have milk on hand (most don't) and make your own. In your liquid measuring cup, add one tablespoon of vinegar to the cup then pour in milk to the one cup mark a quick stir with the measuring spoon and it will acidulate the milk and create buttermilk. For real. Just do it early in the baking process so the milk has time to get funky.

Buttermilk Cake:

1 (18.25 oz.) Yellow or White Cake Mix.

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup melted butter

5 large eggs

1 T. Vanilla

1/8 t. Almond Extract (I just use a cupful and call it good)

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 T. Good Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare bundt pan by greasing and flouring (I use baker's joy with great results). In the bowl of a stand mixer add cake mix, butter and buttermilk. Mix on low until moistened then medium for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes, add eggs one at a time, mixing until the egg is incorporated each time. Pour 1/3 of the batter into the bundt pan. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and brown sugar together. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the cake, then pour the remaining cake batter in the pan.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan and tests clean when poked with a cake tester.

Buttermilk Glaze:
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 t. Vanilla
2-4T. Buttermilk

Add powdered sugar to a medium bowl with vanilla and 2T. of buttermilk. With a fork, stir the powdered sugar until combined and moistened. If the glaze is too thick, add more buttermilk slowly until you get the consistency you like. I went with a thicker glaze so I only used 2T.

The glaze reminds me of cream cheese frosting, but thinner.

This cake is so good, especially with coffee and a good friend to chat with while you enjoy.

Playing opossum

2008-04-30T09:42:00.002-05:00

[I haven't forgotten about that cake...promise. I've not done it yet, but don't' lose heart, it's coming because I'm craving it. Stay tuned.]

I haven't' really lived in all that many places in my life, certainly haven't traveled the globe. I lived at the pink house from birth through 7, then moved to Pineville Road for about three years, finished out elementary school there. After Pineville Road we moved to Lincoln street where we lived for two years, through 5th and 6th grade. After that we landed at 313 Glenview Place. This was the biggest house I had ever lived in and seemed to me like a mansion. I lived in Southwest Missouri and folks in these parts build housed into hills, it's almost a have to more than a get to. We have a lot of hills. Our house looked like a one story, but had a complete first floor in the ground. The entire back of the house was exposed, and it was big. I really loved our Glenview house, the whole downstairs was mine after Sis left the house. It had a living room, two bedrooms, and a full bath (can you call a bathroom a full bath if it has a standing shower, no tub, sink and toilet?). Upstairs we had two living rooms and three bedrooms. It was a nice house.

The Glenview house provided a lot of memories for me, some I'd soon rather forget. Our neighbor's the Schmidt's had two children late in life and were the kind of parents that thought nature would do a better job raising them than they could. To say these kids were wild is an understatement. When I read Lord of the Flies I totally pictured these kids living in that jungle. Heather was the oldest, beautiful brown skin and dark brown hair. In she summer she would turn the deepest darkest brown and had an awesome tan. Her brother, Alan, was had the same melatonin blessing. Their Dad, Roger, was had that good tan gene which I envy. Alan and Heather lived outside most of the summer months and would come to our house to graze in our kitchen for grapes and fruit with their parents didn't buy for some reason. I loved Alan and Heather and their wild side. Before Alan was potty-trained he would walk around with a shredded diaper all the time because he climbed the chain link fence surrounding his back yard. Once he ate these poison berries and drank a whole bottle of ipecac to get it out. A tough cookie.

We had an opossum problem one summer, seemed these little buggers were interested in our trash and other treasures. Our road dead ended because there was a railroad track that cut through town. It was really overgrown and woodsy, so I imagine these opossums were rail riders. My encounters with wild animals is few and far between, since I'm a city boy. I kept hearing this odd noise on our deck as I watched TV. Summer meant I was home alone from 7:00 am until around 4PM. Intruders were not on my list of fun summer activities and to hear this continuous noise outside the door...got me a little twisted. I'm not the most brave person in the world--OK I'm a chicken! I knew enough to know I had to find out what this noise was before I called the police and went to my basement room to hide in the closet!

The intruder was an opossum! The little bugger had fallen into our trash can and couldn't get out. When you have an opossum in your trash can you want it out. How do you get an opossum out of a trash can? I certainly didn't know. I didn't want to tip the can over as I didn't want IT to come at me. He was hissing and all, "I'm gonna fight you human scum" wasn't' really having the best day. What to do. I had an idea. I went in the house and got some yarn from Mom's craft closet. I fashioned this noose and planned to catch the opossum and fling it over the deck--2 stories! I was hoping that it had cat like reflexes but was wanting it out of my trash can more. I didn't want to snag it around the neck (I know you were thinking that ) because I didn't want to choke it or have it's tiny little head slip out and free that sucker to attack me. The whole time I remember thinking, "...why isn't this thing playing dead? I thought they played dead?" I guess his opossum mommy never told him to do that but rather, "go out fighting don't be a wimp! It's high time we quit hanging from our tails and get something done." Don't' you just hate activist parents?

I got the noose around the tail, since they hang from their tails it shouldn't be too bad to pull it from the can to freedom. I slowly lowered the string down into the can...slipped it on his tail and yanked. I had caught an opossum (in a trash can!) NOW WHAT? He was not at all in favor of being snagged and the hissing got louder and louder. I was a nervous wreck. Calming myself down I said, "It's almost over....it's almost over...just count to three and flick it up and out the can over the deck." One...two...three FLICK! Like a pro hammer thrower in Track and Field I hoisted that thing up out and over the deck in one fail swoop. Ran in the house and shut the door. I wanted so badly to slide down the door into a puddle and just recoup, but I felt I needed to wash my hands A LOT.

About three hours after I heard this uproarious screaming outside. Alan and Heather were up to something and it was good. I went outside to see what was going on to find Alan and Heather. They had been in their back yard playing when they discovered something under the cattle tank, their dad bought a 50 gallon tank for a pool--an opossum with a string on it's tail! They were taking turns holding that string and spinning in circles. Screaming with delight. The opossum was completely sprawled out like a flying squirrel fingers stretched out hissing for dear life. Round and round and round and round. When Heather got too dizzy, Alan took over. This opossum had been spun for hours and toyed with and played with. "Will! Will! we found this opossum! It has a stahwing on it!" They would turn it loose then run after it, only to catch it by stepping on that string.

I convinced them that they needed to turn it loose. "We have to take the stahwing off." "NO! No you don't that would not be a good idea. Just let it go and be free you've had enough fun for the day." "Ohhkaay." Turning free I can honestly say I've never seen an opossum run faster than that thing ran. A straight b-line for the woodsy tracks. He wasn't coming back...no trash was worth the hell he went through.

Feast your eyes on this...

2008-04-28T20:11:00.002-05:00

Can I just tell you that I have a new friend and didn't even know it. I am an avid food blog reader and have seen one blog that had a "tastespotting" thingy in their widget section passing it off as their cool trick I'd never be able to attain.

Well my new lone poster, Memaw over at Memaw Bakes Memories commented on my needing to check out tastespotting. HMMM...off I went to check it out. Pure-D heaven to my eyes let me just tell you. There are some fantastic pictures of food over there friends, none of which were taken with a camera phone I'm sure!

I've added the widget to my space and hope you will check it out soon...maybe right after reading my page today. It's really cool. Thanks Memaw for stopping by to read and comment about my little page and adding another wrinkle to my unusually smooth brain! I learnt sumpin today! Yeehaw!

Tomorrow be ready for...another great recipe. I hope I have enough time to make it tonight...my camera phone is all charged up and ready to go!

Good night sweet prince and princesses.

I said...Cassoulet not Robert Goulet

2008-04-28T08:53:00.003-05:00

What a weekend. When I left the office on Thursday I had no idea that my Friday through Sunday would be such a bevy of activity. I did know that Kendra had a weekend trip to Kansas for a Ladies Day and that she was leaving on Friday ( I assumed it would be Friday afternoon). I also knew that she was going to have her Bunko party on Thursday night and that I would have to manage to keep Teensy and the boys upstairs for the party. What I didn't know was, "What time are you leaving for your Ladies thing?" "I have to be at the church by 11:30." "11:30!" "Yes...we've talked about it." "I didn't know you were leaving at that time...I have to work tomorrow (Ministers have to rotate through a Friday work schedule)." "I'm sorry I thought you knew." "I did know and I didn't know...is Cailyn coming?" "Yes." Little things like this really throw me off my schedule. I like to know what's coming down the pike. By the time we got home I had already swapped Fridays with a Friend and wrapped my brain around the next 72 hours. Kendra was really looking forward to going on this trip, and I was really looking forward letting it happen by watching the kids. We all survived with no injury and it was good. Her absence from our home Friday and Saturday made all of us miss her and helped Teensy and the boys know how good it was to have Mommy home.

We made some really great food for Bunko. I'll share the recipes with you and hope that you will make them, even if you sit back and scratch your head with this, "I aint tryin that stuff" look on your face. Give it a whirl you will surprise yourself.

First up: Cassoulet (KASS-OU-LAY)
1 whole Rotisserie Chicken
16 oz. Turkey Kielbasa, sliced in 1/4 inch slices
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup Carrot, diced
1 Tablespoon minced garlic (4 cloves)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 1/2-2 cups Chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (19 oz.) cans Cannelli beans, drained
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Remove skin and debone chicken. Loosely chop and set aside. In a large stock pot, add olive oil, celery, onion, and carrot. Saute over medium heat until onion is clear (5-7 minutes). Add sausage and cook 3 minutes to heat through. Add remaining ingredients except bread crumbs, cheese. Stir well, taste and add salt and pepper to personal taste, I added about a teaspoon Kosher salt and about a tablespoon of fresh cracked pepper. Place in a 9x13 pan, top with bread crumbs and cheese. Bake at 350, uncovered for about 40 minutes.

If you are on weight watchers, which Kendra is, a serving of this is only 9 points. It's hearty and delicious. I am not a stew person but loved, loved this dish. I think the combination of sausage and chicken comes together so well. I also think this would make a terrific Crock Pot dish. I would saute the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic with the Olive oil then add everything to my crock pot and cook it all day on low. I think it would work. You would want to play with the breadcrumb topping by maybe toasting it with some butter in the skillet you used for the veggies. It's really good, trust me.

The photo is courtesy of Southern Living ( I could never take a picture that good). We also made a Spring Salad which was super. This was a Southern Living recipe, just search spring salad. It's spring lettuces (I by the Organic Mix at Sam's), bacon, grapes, Crumbled Feta, Pine Nuts, and steamed asparagus all mixed together and tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.

I can't imagine anyone not being excited about coming home to this meal. Don't forget the crusty bread! We had that, too, with dipping sauces (balsamic and Olive oil with cracked pepper; sun-dried tomato and olive oil). Those girls were really treated royally by my hostess with the mostest! I can't believe I just said that!

Tis the season

2008-04-24T09:57:00.004-05:00

I have just recently wrapped my brain around Google Reader. I tried it a while ago and we didn't get along very well, then I decided to give it another try and we are getting along much better. Turns out that it was me...go figure! Now, instead of going to all of my favorite haunts to see if they have a new post, I can just look at one spot, Google Reader, on igoogle--my google homepage. I've also added Google Analytics to my page to monitor the activity of my blog, turns out there are more people coming by than I thought. Just so happens more don't want to comment than do, that's ok with me. What can't Google do? Having carved a good 30-40 minutes of my day free, I can post on my blog. So far, I'm on a steady roll with a post every day this week. That's how it used to be when I first started.

Going to a wedding anytime soon? This seems to be the season for attending weddings. We'll be going to five or six this season alone. I can't tell you how many baby showers, bridal showers, and weddings we attend each year. Kendra and i always try to find something unique and special to give to the guests of honor. For bride's to be we love to give them practical things that will help them settle into being married.

There is a certain time in a bride's life, and groom too, when the new appliances aren't really all that fun anymore, and the excitement of being "newlyweds" begins to wear down because you've spent the last six weeks addressing than you cards. And, have now realized your new husband has not even a clue how his underwear made it from the bathroom floor, where they were dropped as he got in the shower back into his dresser! That's when our gift kicks in and keeps on giving.

Here's just one idea for you to give to a new bride. An ovenmit, the long kind so arms aren't burned, into which you have stuffed some handy tools (spatulas, spoonulas, whisk, french spoon) and a recipe for Custom Casserole.

Ingredients:

Base:
1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream

1 cup milk

1 cup water or any of the following liquids: chicken broth, white wine, sherry

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Choose one from each category:

Sauce Makers:

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of celery soup, undiluted

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can Cheddar cheese soup, undiluted

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

Choose one Fish/Meat/Poultry:

2 (6-ounce) cans solid white tuna, drained and flaked

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

2 cups chopped cooked ham

2 cups chopped cooked turkey

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

Choose one Pasta/Rice:

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 cup uncooked rice

4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

3 cups uncooked medium shells

Toppings:

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs

Choose one Frozen Vegetable:

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1 (10-ounce) package frozen cut broccoli

1 (10-ounce) package frozen Italian green beans

1 (10-ounce) package frozen English peas

1 (16-ounce) package frozen sliced yellow squash

1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn

Choose one or more Extras (Optional):

1 (3-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives

1/4 cup chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped celery

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles

1 (1 1/4-ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix

PreparationCombine 1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper with Sauce Maker (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes). Stir in Pasta/Rice, Frozen Vegetable, Fish/Meat/Poultry, and if desired, Extras.
Spoon casserole mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking dish; sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
Cover and bake casserole at 350º for 1 hour and 10 minutes; uncover and bake 10 additional minutes.
Chicken Casserole: Cream of chicken soup, broccoli, rice, chicken, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs.
Ham Casserole: Cream of celery soup, Italian green beans, wide egg noodles, ham, garlic, and 2 portions Swiss cheese.
Turkey Casserole: Italian-style diced tomatoes, spinach, medium pasta shells, turkey, onion, garlic, mozzarella cheese, adn breadcrumbs.
Vegetarian Casserole: Italian-style diced tomatoes, yellow squash, rice, olives, 4 portions celery, 4 portions bell pepper, garlic, parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs.
Yield
6 servings

Hand write this on a recipe card and stick it in the oven mit. For a new bride who loves to cook, or a new groom who read a 400 page cookbook on the drive home from Sterling City's Wedding Shower for he and his wife (who me? guilty...one of my altime favorite cookbooks even after 12 years) as they began their journey together. Having an aresenal of go to recipes that do not scare the dog duke out of a new cook, but equip them with the confidence to begin branching out.

ATTENTION ALL NEWLYWEDS: Comeplete meal kits that have become their own aisle at most grocery stores are a joke! Please, Please, Please...one more time...PAAAALEEEASSEEEE do not purchase these. It is so easy to "whip" up a great, easy meal with your own two hands and will be much healthier and better for you.

The Ladies Class I taught in OKC gave me an acrylic box full of their hand written recipes which they have loved over the years. Each lady submitted their top five/ten recipes and each one is handwritten. This is one of my top favorite cherished items in my kitchen. The bos is a little worse for the wear (my son thought of it as a play toy), but the recipes are still entact. Love that box full of recipes.

Now go out there and ignore the Bridal Registry...they will not use that egg and muffin toaster!!

No rest for the weary

2008-04-23T10:47:00.003-05:00

Today is Administrative Professionals Day--Happy Administrative Professionals Day. In honor and to honor the fantastic team I work with I made them breakfast as a surprise this morning. I knew it was going to be hard to pull it off because I had to re-mulch the front flowerbed and get the yard cleaned up, plus some touch up painting around the house. Kendra's having one of her 10000 bunko groups over tomorrow night and we wanted things to look good. I found black mulch and Lowe's and it's really cool I must say. I tend to get lost in a wandering stupor when I go to places like that and take too much time to get something that should be jiffy quick. I really want to have a good gardening karma, but I just don't. I didn't really grow up around it and it just never rubbed off.

Titus and Levi helped me out (as much help as a 5 and 2 year old can be), which was really great. I enjoyed spending the time with them and being patient and steady. My Dad had a short fuse when I was growing up and I can remember all too many times his sending me in the house to get him out of my hair because I frustrated him. I don't want that memory to be my son's memory. It took us about three hours to get the yard done.

After a quick shower and dinner, I watched American Idol (I don't want to miss that puppy) and helped get the kids to bed. It was around 9 when I went to the store to get groceries for the food I had planned to make. I got home about 10:30 and started cooking. Not being a night owl at all I had a rough time staying on task I just wanted to go to bed. I made a double batch of Chocolate Chip Muffins (turned out VERY good) and also made Piggies (sausage rolled in a crescent roll). It was about 11:30 and I knew I couldn't go any further. After cleaning up I got to bed by midnight. Alarm set.

5AM!! I got up at 5AM and made the other two items I was serving: Poppy seed cake and Gorilla bread. Poppy seed cake is simple and straight forward, I use a lemon glaze over and not in the cake. Gorilla Bread is over top decadent indulgence. If you like monkey bread then you would love Gorilla bread. Regular canned biscuits that get flattened, then are wrapped around some cinnamon sugar and a cube of cream cheese and placed in a bundt pan. The bundt pan is also enrobed in brown sugar, butter, pecans and more cinnamon sugar. It only takes 30 minutes to make and is just out of this world. You can find the recipe at Food Network's website, just search for gorilla bread.

Having all of the stuff done; Poppy seed cake, Gorilla Bread, Piggies, Chocolate Chip Muffins, and tossed fruit I headed over to the office. Everyone was surprised and pleased with what I did and knew they were loved. It's fun for me to cook and get recipes together, and then see people enjoy them so much--love that.

We bought Teensy some walking shoes a few weeks ago and the store where we were had these shoes which I immediately loved and almost bought (three sizes too big) Teensy a pair. I just loved the creativity. Can you tell what these babies are without me telling you? Give up? See below for the answer.

It an itsy, bitsy, teeny, weenie, yellow, polka-dot bikini SANDAL! How cool is that?

Party Favor

2008-04-22T10:57:00.005-05:00

Our pulpit minister celebrates his 40th birthday--today. His very outgoing and over the top wife wanted to plan a surprise birthday party for her beloved and approached Kendra and me in February to see if we could help with the food. We love them both very much and agreed without hesitation because we feel that "they" were very much a part of the human side of this move from Fort Worth to Tulsa--God made it happen.

This wasn't going to be just ANY surprise party. There was a professional party planner, a committee which consisted of: the caterer, the decorator, the game show host, the MC, the vidographer, the sound technician, the baker who was going to make the cake, and the wife who fronted several thousand dollars for this event.

My focus was food and I really didn't put much else into thought--just food and nothing but food. It was all I really needed to focus on, as a helper bee I tend to get distracted in the assistance of others and allow what I need to do to go down the toilet. I've always been a helper bee. I can remember being one of the last students at my desk still working while the other kids were playing and stopping so kids could get an impression of my awesome pewter Superman belt buckle. I wish I still had that buckle!

To make this event a little more special, I decided to try something I've never tried before in having servers walk around with trays full of food, not buffet tables. Would it work? The theme for the event was, "through the decades" focusing on the lifespan of our guest of honor. Beginning with the 60's and moving up to current day, each corner of the room would be decorated with iconic elements of that era. At one of those corners I put the drink station (punch, Orange tea, and water), then the cake station, and the other three stations were cold food tables. In the picture on the left you can see how the screen was decorated. it was very cool.

Cold station food:

Fruit Salad: Mandarin Oranges, Grapes, Red and Green Apples, Pineapple, Blueberries, and Strawberries. I made a mint infused simple syrup consisting of equal parts sugar and water into which I placed a hand full of mint, brought all of that to a boil and cooked it until it was clear. Then I let it cool and tossed the fruit into the syrup, it just barely coated the fruit and made it really good.

Veggie Tray: We had mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, New potato wedges (boiled in Zataran's creole seasoning), carrots, broccoli and pepper strips. I served that with a bowl of Garlic and Ricotta Dip (my cookbook calls it Garlic Yogurt dip). I love this dip and have been making it for over ten years.

Cheese ball: This is my standard cheese ball that I have made for years. It's the tried and true go to cheese ball I always make and always use. The tray we found at target. Kendra and I wanted to put the cheese ball on a pedestal then surround it by crackers. Well, we couldn't find a pedestal so we made one. We took a melamine plate, turned a bowl upside down then used foam tape to attach and viola--cheese ball pedestal. It looked really cool.

I only have my camera phone to take pictures most of the time because I do not have the wherewith all to keep a camera at the ready. This tray of snacks wasn't the best one we presented, but I wanted a picture of the hot foods to show in this post, and just took this one in a rush. I'll work from left to right and talk about each one. They were all delicious if I do say so myself.

Mini Reuben: I read a recipe for a Reuben snack and adapted it for my own purposes. We were expecting 3-400 so I had to make around 500+ of each snack to have enough. I started with Reuben cocktail bread then placed a slice of corned beef onto the bread. After that I put a 1/4 inch slice of Swiss cheese and baked that in a 350 oven until the cheese melted. After it came out I put a dollop of thousand island dressing, sauerkraut and green onion. I don't like Rubens because I don't like any of the components that make it. But, these were great! I would recommend them for your next party.

Spinach Puffs: I love spinach puffs. It's a very basic snack. Spinach, onion, garlic, stuffing crumbs, nutmeg salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese all mixed with egg and baked. They are really tasty.

Sun-dried Tomato Tapenade roll: This was my personal favorite. Puff pastry (my first time working with this! Can you believe that?) rolled into an 11x13 inch rectangle. The tapenade was sun-dried tomato, olives, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil food processed into a somewhat thick paste. I spread the pastry with the tapenade then rolled it in each direction to meet in the middle. Baked at 350 until it bubbled and hit with Romano cheese as it came out of the oven. So good.

Sliders: All the rage right now are mini-burgers. These puppies are everywhere. The guest of honor loves hamburgers so this seemed a logical choice to me. Simple hamburger mini sized. I made a sauce of Ketchup, Dijon Mustard, and Mayonnaise mixed with Steak seasoning and slathered it on the burger. They were very popular.

Six Cheese Sausage balls: Kendra and I love sausage balls and these were our version of the sausage ball but we added six cheeses and Italian seasoning to them to make them a little more sophisticated. The cheese got all crispy on the outside and stayed tender and delicious. The trick to sausage balls is to make sure the sausage breaks down and gets incorporated into the cheese and biscuit mix. That's critical. I have a friend in Texas who puts cheese whiz in his sausage balls, but have never taken the leap into that one.

All in all the event was a success. 32 hours of cooking, plating, and cleaning all came together to make a stunning party. Catering is really about loving your food more and knowing you are presenting a good product because when the event happens you usually don't' get recognized as such. The food stands on it's own.

Another is better...or is it? PLUS A GIVEAWAY

2008-04-21T09:04:00.006-05:00

This is my 101st post since starting this blog. I've been watching and waiting for the time when the 100th post would come along, not sure when or if it would ever come along. And this morning I was about to post something else when I noticed that I had 101 posts! HUH? 101 posts! how did that slip up on me? I went back to the dashboard and noticed a couple of drafts that I needed to delete (if it doesn't' flow it needs to go, KWIM?) which took me to 100. How cool is that a milestone. I really love milestones because I love nostalgia and sentimentality and now this is no longer just a "thing" I toy with deleting but a real deal sentimental favorite that I'll keep just because I keep things I love.

I'll never forget when my beloved Honda Accord hatchback five speed rolled 100K. I pulled over to the side of the road and sat in my Honda and just soaked up the moment...loved that car. Getting rid of it was the biggest mistake of my adolescent life. Sure the sunroof which had been added after the fact had to share a fuse...sure the seats were getting torn from sun rot and the often leaky after-market sunroof...sure the baby blue paint was starting to show signs of grey...sure it had 100K...sure it was paid for--but I was going away to college and I didn't want it to break down (it hadn't' broken down, except for that one time on my 22nd birthday) on me after all. EVERYONE in my family told me to keep it and get it fixed up (new brakes, clutch, etc.) and it would go for another 100K. New would better, actually in my mind another is better.

Kids don't really know how to be rational or complaisant. It's often times that "another" is better than what they have. It's not that what they have is bad or wouldn't work, but another is better and there needs to be no rationalization or qualification because another is all that is sought. It's a crazy and bizarre syndrome of which I am afflicted and to this day fight (that's why I have 10 coffee mugs and just bought another one Saturday). My grandparents and Dad don't have this affliction, I think there is a generation of folks who don't' have the another is better affliction. My grandmother has sat in the same chair for 30+years. Could she use a new one--yes! Does she want one, NO. There isn't a, another is better, thing with her. Maybe it's because she never had an opportunity or the resources to get another and had to make do with what she had. My Poppa wore the same engineer overalls his entire life (obviously buying a new pair when they wore out), with matching cap. Usually no shirt, just the overalls a t-shirt and his cap, in the winter he would put a flannel shirt over the overalls. He didn't need anything else because he had what he needed and didn't care about another. Is that why appliances are crap now a days? Crap because they know they don't have to make them last 40 years because "we" have the credit resources to replace them....is that it? I may be onto something.

Before I left for school I was determined to get another car. Did I shop around, no. Did I know what I wanted, yes..another! I found myself on a mega car lot and got sucked into a used car salesman's speel. Such a sucker. I purchased a Chevy Corscia four door with a hatchback. It was a bizarre and odd car and the beginning of the downward spiral in my car purchases. If ever in the history of bad cars there as a lemon--this car was it. This car was a piece of junk. I only had it a year and a half and it was a nightmare the entire time. The worst part of this car were the windshield wipers because they would attack one another. If cars have personalities (I think they do) then my car had schizophrenia. Windshield wipers are critical elements to a car that, like the Swiss Guard, need to be always on alert and ready at a moments notice. Who uses their windshield wipers when it's not raining--NO ONE. Wipers are only needed when they are needed! Mine would begin to wipe and do their things for two or three swipes...then the left wiper would just swing over and smack the right wiper and the brawl was on. Nothing like a windshield wiper cat fight! I hated this car the entire time I drove it, except the first month because it was new and, after all, another is better, or is it?

My next car was a Nissan Stanza, rolled in some negative equity on it from the lemon. Drove that a little bit and grew tired of it's blahness, so I traded it in on a Plymouth, rolling in even more negative equity, which raised the bar of bad cars, traded that one in on an Altima (negative equity mounting even more) and drove it happily for five years until we traded it in on a Taurus (negative equity? You bet)--bad car. The Taurus was traded for an Expedition, loved that car, we drove it until it fell apart, traded that one in on another Altima and had planned to drive it until Teensy decided to be created and come into the world. Which brings us to the Quest (still carrying the negative equity from the 75 cars I traded) we drive now.

I've had a bad car karma and it's all because I thought another is better. How can I get away from thinking that another is better? I don't know...I just don't know. Maybe someday Oprah will do a show, "Another Isn't Better, next Oprah" (love when she says, "next Oprah). She always seems to take these things on and just make sense of them and work them out to where you can wrap your brain around something that was millstone around your neck for years and conquer it. Oprah is the veritable snip to your millstone. One show and SNIP gone move on. She's amazing, isn't she. Just ask Mildred about how Oprah snipped her millstone. AND ask her how Oprah's show called her...OPRAH'S SHOW CALLED HER!

Now...for some fun stuff. To celebrate the 101st post of this blog: I'm going to have a giveaway! What will I give away--a coffee mug? NO, just kidding. I wrote a cookbook to benefit my 2nd child's adoption and I will give away a signed copy to a lucky winner. I only have 8 copies left, so quantities are limited. All you have to do is leave a comment and a lucky winner will be selected. Good luck.

The Dam Trip

2008-04-17T10:47:00.007-05:00

Last weekend, Thursday after pre-school, well all loaded up in the van headed to Poppa and Graham's for a get away. Poppa wanted to take Titus fishing because Spring is a good time to go. My Dad is thrilled beyond his ability to express in any way that that Titus enjoys fishing. He thought when he had a son that his son would be an angler as well and love the sport which he loved as a lad--that didn't happen. I did give it a try but...it's a really long story and I need to stay focused on this one. I'll tell the story some other post--promise. Anyway, Titus was busting to get to Poppa's house and go fishing. My Dad has been catching fish at grand lake for about a year and a half and taking them to the pond to stock it. He has carp, bass, and other fish beings caught at the lake in that pond. It's a perfect set up for an anxious five year old who loves to fish with his Poppa.

We had not pulled into the driveway and unloaded when, "Poppa come on let's go fishing!" Of course that was music to my Dad's ears, "Hang on sport, let's get unloaded, don't you want to go tomorrow?" "NO! Now, Poppa please let's go fishing." Dad got the fishing duke you need to fishing on a pond in the middle of a pasture, and his camera and headed off with my boy who was so totally and completely beyond excited he couldn't stand it. I have a feeling my Dad was so totally and completely excited he couldn't stand it either, but he would never let on that HE was excited.

They were gone probably an hour or more when I heard the door open, "DAD...DAD...I caught seven bass! SEVEN! and we had to watch out for the cow poop--it was huge!" "That's awesome, Bub." Dad had two shots of Titus holding his catch. When you catch bass you admire and release so you can catch them again. When you catch carp, you kill them and eat them (well I don't as I don't really like fish). He was so excited, "Hey bubba...come on let's go play...I caught seven fish and it's was awesome! The cow poop was huge and everywhere!" I wasn't sure if the fishing or the cow poop was higher on the made my day list.

Dad mentioned that he wanted to take us to the spillway so we could see the water. Kendra and I had that slow motion turn and look, "spill way....to see...water...ohhh-K." It's been raining in our neck of the woods, typical spring weather, and the water is really high. To the point that there is a considerable amount of flooding that has happened. Grand lake is a man-made lake, made possible by the Grand River which was dammed in 1937-40. The Grand River Dam project, GRDA, produced a dam that was Oklahoma's first facility to produce electricity by hydroelectric power and is also the worlds longest multiple arch dam, 51 arches and 21 spillways. The dam is over a mile long and quite a sight. All of this information, by they was is thanks to a quick Google search done about ten minutes ago.

Friday morning we got up and made it out the door by 11. We stopped at Dairy Queen (there are two restaurants in Seneca where you can safely eat this is one. It is the ONLY nationally recognized fast food place. My Dad has always loved road trips. We used to load up in the car and just drive to see the country side. We would drive for hours and hours, which was so horribly boring to Sis and I. Kendra was hoping to stay home with Teensy, but no such luck she didn't nap and had to go. "So Poppa, how long is this trip?" "Well...about twenty or thirty minutes." Kendra was suspicious. "You said that the last time it took us an hour to get to the place you wanted to eat...are you sure?" "[chuckling] yes, it's just the other side of Grove." Kendra looked at me with that, we are screwed look on her face. It's a good twenty five minutes to Grove, provided cars are actually accelerating. You see people in Seneca and Grove like to allow gravity to accelerate their cars. You know how you can put your car in drive and have it kind of move? Well, that's exactly how they travel--ON THE HIGHWAY! It really takes me on the fast track close to insanity. Once in Grove the dam is another twenty or so minutes away. The whole journey there took about 45 minutes to reach.

I did realize that saying, dam, is fun. Fun because it sounds like a bad word, but really isn't since it's a real deal retaining wall for water. So, while on this dam trip we got to say dam without my Dad's furrowed brow of disapproval. En route we saw an alpaca farm which was kind of cool, those animals are pretty impressive and the farm was really neat. We didn't stop just drove by in a rush to get on with our dam trip. As we drove I saw a sign for, "The Dam Hotel." "I have to stop and get a picture of that! how cool is that." The dam hotel is in Disney, Oklahoma. I wanted to get out and see if they had a shirt that said, "I love my dam shirt." but we didn't stop.

There was a really cool Dairy Whip counter that I wanted to stop at as well, but we didn't. These dairy counters are peppered all through my stomping grounds and part of my child hood. I love going up to the white painted cinder block building, reading the menu written on plywood, mounted to the side of the building. Then you go up to the tiny stainless steel counter and look at the teenager whose hair is pulled into a pony tail, wishing she were anywhere but in Disney, Oklahoma at the dairy whip. The sliding screen window is pushed open allowing the smell of cold air and Clorox to fill your nose. "Help ya." The burgers are always great there, crispy buttered and toasted buns, greasy grilled fried hamburger patty. It's such a tremendous part of my childhood--I love it. I'm guessing these started to spring up when Dairy Queen became huge hit and folks thought they could do the same thing too.

Upon seeing the dam I have to say, it was cool. Very 40's with the rounded concrete arches and such. I had this, "now what" feeling as we drove over the dam. We saw the dam...there was water on one side and just a tiny little stream on the other. My Dad did say that he and his Dad used to come to this spot and fish in a wooden boat. I had a quadrillion questions, but knew that Dad wouldn't really purge so I just asked a few and tried to satisfy my unbelievable hunger for more nostalgia. I get little trickles every now and then. "Let's go on up to the spillway." It, too was a bridge, but man oh man was it cool. This picture to the right shows all of the gates open allowing the water to, spill out. The engineers have calculations of exactly how much water passes through the gates per second and know how fast the river can recede if the gates are open and such. I didn't care about that--the power of rushing water was awesome! We pulled off the side of the road onto a graveled space and got out to take a peek. Get a closer look. I had Teensy so I wasn't allowed to get too close. I'm not sure if Kendra thought the pull of gravity and rushing water would suck her out of my arms or what, but I had to stay back. It's a mom thing.

This picture, to the left, shows the ferocious rush of water. The mist rising from water crashing through to freedom and the sound of the water rushing was quite a spectacle. I could have stood at that spillway for the rest of the day and just watched the water spill. It was really cool. I noticed something interesting while on this dam trip. With every car that stopped (there were about eight or so) while we were gawking only the men got out and went to look at the sight of rushing water. The women stayed in the vehicle read the paper, made their grocery lists, filed their nails, picked their toes, biding their time until their man got back into the car. It was kind of funny to me. Do you think when the Israelites were crossing the Red Sea that things were slowed down by all the men who stopped, gobsmacked by the sight of this Sea parted like fine hair, just held back. All the while women were, "watch out for that rock...don't touch that fish...let's go you don't know how long this water will hold back...sir, will you please get moving it's JUST water." That struck me as funny. I see the same expressions on men when they are planted in the strategically placed chairs of department stores as their women rummage through clothes completely gobsmacked by the beautiful sight of all the pretty fabrics and smell of dye. Just love people watching.

When we got home, Dad went to pick up grandmother as she had not seen Teensy since she was in the NICU. I have to say I was shocked at the sight of my grandma. For my whole life my grandma didn't change. She had this timeless age about her. I'm not saying she was Dick Clark or anything, I'm just saying that she has aged gracefully--until now. She looked old. At 92 the reality is that she is old, but she looked old. Her hands were not the hands of my grandma. Her face was beginning to get that sunken look, just looked old. She, however had not "changed" that much as she was up to her old self which told me that she was still Grandmother. She loved seeing the boys and Teensy and they just looked at her like they look at all of the old ladies who want to love on them at church. Lean in and take it with a smile. Chubbers was a little more vocal, "go way meeee...no wantchyou."

After supper I took her back home and had a good chat. "See that hotel?" "Yes ma'am." "Well Tig (my cousin Tiger) had this girlfriend stay the night with him after they had a date and he had won all this money playing bingo...well he got up the next morning and she had up and left him high and dry and taken all of his money." I didn't have heart to tell my grandma that he had probably hired her for the night and she took more "tip" than she should have. I don't blame her, you haven't seen my cousin! I was stunned to learn (the hooker story did kind of catch me off guard) that he was a Grandfather! He's only 40 and the grandfather of 3! Holy buckets!

My hometown was very much different in a freaky kind of way. The Pizza Hut that I grew up going to was a nail salon, there's a new one down the road. The McDonald's is still the same, thank God. My high school had added on and changed, but Senior Hill was still there. After dropping her off and saying good bye I drove away wondering if that would be the last time I ever saw her, but put that aside. I had the same feeling I had as a kid and we dropped her off from church, which was very strange. It was the feeling of empathy or sadness, I just get consumed and full inside with this, "I hope she's not lonely" feeling. Hard to express, have you ever felt that way? Can you put it in better words? Hope you know that of which I speak. I love my Grandma and wish her life had been more joyful and happy and that she had shared her love for life with others so that their lives would be happy and joyful. That didn't happen and it's been sad, really sad. But I've tried all my life to build happy memories and rest assured that I did everything I could to be doing the right thing. No regrets.

Time warp

2008-04-01T10:46:00.002-05:00

It's hard to believe that March 2008 is no more. I haven't been a friend to this space, but hope to be better in updating my posts. I'm currently working on that which screams the loudest, and this space doesn't say a word.

I read a blog yesterday and saw that you could donate to her Starbucks card, love that idea. Now, just how do I get that on here? HMMMM. Something to work toward. I'm going to be taking some pictures (not with my phone) of our recently renovated Children's Wing and let me just tell you it's astonishing how different it looks!

Today is my birthday, that's right April 1st of all days! So far so good, it's been good and folks have remembered. I think my clan is going to go out to eat tonight and that's always an adventure.

More later. Just stopped by to say hello, I'm still here. See you soon.

Iowa, no wonder it's corn country

2008-03-14T07:08:00.003-05:00

Having finished my first trip to Sterling City with the sole purpose of meeting the family of my newly "engaged" beauty, Kendra and I had to plan a time for us to go to Missouri to meet "my family." This would not be nearly as traumatising since my family...well-- the recognized family, could all meet at one table in the back room of Olive Garden. Finding the time and shaking free from our lives in Oklahoma City was the problem. Kendra had met my Mom, smiled and said, "Hi...I'm Kendra nice to meet you." to my Dad who, full of profound wisdom and non-stop talking said, "Hi." And she had also met my Sister, although not officially.
Unannounced to me, since I"m completely and totally clueless when it comes to the advances of women, Kendra had a "crush" on me for quite some time. I just thought she was really nice...really, really nice. She had and has this electrifying smile that I would rather watch than any fireworks display because it's more sparkling. Her smile couple with her laugh are all it takes for the cares of this world to completely melt away and seem for an moment to not exist. I love to see her smile and I love to hear her laugh, it's two of my favorite things about living on this third rock from the sun. Many of our friends were getting married to the point that it seemed like every weekend we were getting an invitation to a wedding for someone we knew. That coupled with the fact that I worked for THE most beautiful Church of Christ in all of Oklahoma City meant a lot of wedding were planned there. To make extra money I would do custodial work (you usually got $3-500) for the weekend weddings and for two day work that wasn't half bad.
Kevin Billips and Chaney Luke were getting married at Mayfair and I was doing the custodial work. Sis had come down for a weekend and she was hanging out in the office while I was scraping the watermelon off the driveway. That's the down side to working college student weddings, their friends think it's funny to put watermelon rinds under the wheels. You see when you try to drive off--you don't and the tires just spin...and spin...and spit chunks of hot molten melon rind onto a concrete circle drive used my every elderly lady of the church...who would notice a melon rind riddled circle drive and go into orbit because the beautiful pristine Mayfair was marred--with a fresh melon scent. Kendra was hanging out, with Karen, in the office talking to my sister. After I was done and ready to leave I went into the office and chatted for a minute with Sis and Kendra and Karen and then Sis and I headed off. "That Kendra girl...do you know her." "Yeah, we're friends." "She's really, really nice and I think she likes you. You should ask her out." "Whatever, we are just friends she'd never go out with me I'm not athletic or jockey and she's a total athlete." "You should listen to your Sissy, she likes you--a lot." "Whatever! Let's just do eat and talk about something else." "OK...but she likes you" "SIS!" I really hate it when my sis is right.
My roommate, Jeff had asked his girlfriend, Sharon to be his bride to which she enthusiastically said, "YES!" and they had asked me to officiate the ceremony. This would be my very first ceremony to officiate. Not scraping melon rind of a circle drive---old hat! I had never paid attention to the words of a ceremony..too busy watching all the action of weddings. They are great places to gawk at folks. Sharon had told me she wanted something traditional, timeless, the trend was to be non-traditional and uber cool ( I blame it on the Young & Restless weddings). I had this book of weddings and such from like 1947 that I thought timeless. After all it's nearly 50 years old! That would work it had to work because I didn't have any other options.
The wedding was in DesMoines, Iowa. Kendra and I planned to drive up there since we were both good friends with Jeff and Sharon. I'd never been to DesMoines, had a vague idea how to get there and figured that a whole entire state couldn't' be that hard to find. Needless to say I made it as far as Kansas City before getting ridiculously lost! It was in Kansas City that I encountered my first gas station where the attendant was encased in Plexiglas. I was wishing I had a plexiglas case because that part of town was scary. "Sir.." "You must be lost. What are you doing here?" "We are looking for DesMoines do you know where it is?" "Iowa." "Ok...where's Iowa?" The attendant told me how to get back to, "my side of town" and on to I-35 which took me straight North to Iowa. It was a little over two hours. I think all total it was like six hours of driving one way, not too bad.
Iowa is an odd state. It's been 13 years since I've been there, but it's a funky state. The city of DesMoines (the capital building is beautiful incidentally) has a lot of highways running through it and you exit these highways to the side streets. The odd thing is you exit left and each of these exits have stop lights! What's up with an exit ramp having a stop light? I still don't' get that. Of all the things I remember about that trip, driving wise--that was it!
We found our hotel got settled in[STOP! Kendra and I each had our own room.] and began to meet people we would never meet again...all of Jeff and Sharon's family. Jeff's Mom, Dad, and sister were in town and hosting the rehearsal dinner. The wedding was that night and we all went off to the church. This church was typical church of Christ, but built on a hill and quaint. It smelled like it had been shut up for twenty years...all musty and old. The auditorium sat about 150. I had never conducted a ceremony before and was totally winging it. We practiced the walking in and seating and such, all as planned. When everyone felt comfortable about the ceremony we went to the basement for the rehearsal dinner.
Jeff's parents wanted to bring a little Texas to Iowa (they were from Houston) and so they had decorated the tables in Texas. Jeff's sister brought all of her cowboy boots that she had worn through the years and thought it would be cute to use them as centerpieces! These old, worn, dirty boots were on top of a table I was supposed use for food! In the boot were plastic bluebonnets and some other flowers. I just looked at Kendra and rolled my eyes. We could not believe dirty boots. Kendra leaned over to me and said, "Look they brought a little Texas terd with them." That was all it took for me to lose it! The boots had crap on them! Turns out barbecue joints in Iowa have no clue about doing Texas style barbecue. Amazingly they do Iowa style barbecue. Never heard of Iowa style barbecue? There's a reason.
After the dinner we went to a casino to gamble and part all night. Kendra and I were less than impressed and spent our allotment of "crazy cash" and went back to the hotel to get some rest. We were whopped and had a gut full of family we didn't know.
The next day the mood was decidedly tense. Everyone was nervous and on edge. Weddings do that to people, they get all keyed up. There is really no reason to be keyed up at a wedding because as long as they say, "I do" it's a success. Just don't catch anything on fire! One of the lines of the ceremony which I was using from a nearly fifty year old, timeless and traditional wedding book, went something like this, "Jeff...do you take Sharon...in forward and reverse blah, blah, blah." I didn't go into the words of the ceremony at the rehearsal because I thought it more important to get who was going to stand where. Seemed like a good plan to me.
Jeff, the groomsmen and I all walked into a song and stood there, this was after all of the family had been sat. Jeff's sister was one of the bride's maids and they were all in. The Maid of Honor was going to walk in to a song, Sung by Jeff's sister, then Sharon was going to enter. The song Jeff's sister sang sounded like the National Anthem at a baseball game! So much so that when she was through singing all of the groomsmen said, "Play ball!" It was met with mixed reviews. I just stood there smiling. As Sharon rounded the corner she was a vision--all brides are beautiful on their wedding day. Sharon was so nervous, she was crying the whole way down the aisle. Jeff had a, "what have I gotten myself into" look on his face. As she stood there sobbing, holding her Dad's arm I asked who was giving her away and such. Then Jeff took her arm and she stood with him. Jeff was a joker and rarely took things seriously, "Sharon...pull my finger." That one comment took her from crying to laughing. Laughing uncontrollably. She managed to get herself under control until I launched the forward and reverse torpedo at her and she lost it. I vowed never to use that line again. It was really bad, really, really bad. I've since adapted a pretty good ceremony that I like to use.
The wedding reception was in the foyer of the church. The 100 plus guests didn't fit into the foyer very well. The cake, from the local grocery store, was just barely placed on the table and the gal from the bakery was still touching up the boo boo's when we all walked in to the foyer. The long tables were covered in white cloth with sheer white tuleing. The cake topper was a Precious Moments Bride and Groom. There was the typical nuts, pillow mints, cheese cube tray, veggies with the dip (not in a pretty bowl, but in the container it came in) typical wedding punch...but this...this I've never seen in my life! I have yet to see this either. Where you would typically see a grooms cake there was...a huge punch bowl full of Gardetto's Mix. Kendra and I both just stood there in awe. "Is that trial mix? For a groom's cake?" "I think so, honey." "We are not doing that at our wedding." "Ya think?" We couldn't wait to get back home.
The drive home we talked about our wedding and how we wanted it to be, mostly about how we didn't' want it to be. We set the date on the way and got more and more excited about our wedding. WE HAD A DATE! It was actually going to happen and be a reality. It was really fun planning our wedding. We decided to stop in Missouri and spend the night with my Dad and Peggy (they had only been married a year) to meet the family and then head back to OKC on Sunday afternoon.
Dad and Peggy had just built and moved in to a beautiful house in the country. It was a great house. We got to Dad's about 11:30, he had been in bed for a good three hours by the time we got there. I knew we would be late because the wedding would go long and the drive was long. I asked Dad not so set the alarm, but he didn't listen. "Just use the code." I had no experience using an alarm pad and didn't really know how to work the dang thing. As Kendra and I stood in the hall trying to punch numers--BLAM!...BLAM!....BLAM! The alarm went off. My Dad busted out of the bedroom in nothing but his underwear, "What are you doing." "Hey Dad, just trying to get this thing to shut off." He turned off the alarm and went back to bed. Kendra was frozen! She had gazed into Medusa's eyes and was frozen. Actually the sight of her future father-in-law in nothing but his underwear had the same power as Medusa.
This was our first trip to Joplin since the engagement. So Kendra spent the whole day Sunday with her hand extended. She never stopped smiling. I'm surprised she didn't get a cramp in her cheeks from smiling. My Grandmother came to the house for lunch after church. "Grandma, this is Kendra Rushing. She and I are engaged and planning to be married in March." "Mrs. Spoon, I'm Kendra it's nice to meet you." "Uh-huh." That's all my Grandmother said, "Uh-huh." Meaner than mean, my Grandma is, but I still love her. "What's wrong with your Grandma?" "Nobody knows...nobody knows." My sister overheard us, "she's a mean ol'witch, that's what's wrong with her. See the wart." There's no love lost between my sister and my Grandma. She actually did have a war on her head! We still laugh about that. It's since been removed, but for our entire childhood and up until about six years ago was there.
Having met both sides of the family, warts and all! We still decided to get married and build our own life together. I was looking forward to the next several months and more foreword to my new life. A life not lived in loneliness. I had been lonely everyday of my life up until Kendra and I fell in love. Just knowing we were together, and planning to get married, the thought of having someone who wanted to be with me, and enjoyed my company, laughed at my ridiculous humor, and loved me--Me was just more than I could take. I didn't know how all this married stuff would work out, but I knew it would be OK because I had that smile!

The Courtship of Kendra Rushing Part Deux

2008-03-11T10:28:00.004-05:00

Have you ever looked back over the chapters of your life and asked yourself, "how did I ever get here?" That's exactly how I feel now as I am reflecting our Kendra's and my 12th anniversary. How did I get her to say yes? I really don't know what I did or didn't do to get her to say yes--if for sure wasn't drugs--FOR SURE!
I knew Kendra was the girl for me (even though she was the only girl I ever dated--except for one ill-fated failed attempt at a date) and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and no one else. She was the girl for me. I don't really remember us shopping around for rings as we were getting more and more serious in our relationship. We spent every possible minute together and really couldn't think of doing anything else, but just hang out. She came over to my condo for dinner at least three times a week and after dinner we would listen to a Vince Gill CD on my boom box and just be together.
Through our limited conversations about rings and such IF we were to get married, I had a pretty good idea about what kind of ring she wanted. I wanted to pick the ring out for her on my own since it was my symbol to her of my pledge to her for our union. I landed on wanting to purchase the ring set from Bailey Banks and Biddle which is the place I had purchased my first gift of jewelry. I really liked that store and especially the guy that worked there named Doc. Doc was a straight talking New Yorker who didn't cut any punches and was free to tell me how every other Jewelry store in the mall was "*%$^%&$" DELUXE. Of course I believed him. I found this pear shaped diamond engagement ring which was set into a ring guard. The ring guard had 1/2 carats of baguette diamonds which gave the total diamond weight of the ring 1 carat. It wasn't too big, she didn't want something gaudy, and it wasn't too plain, it was just like my gal--simple, beautiful, timeless, and elegant. I had one credit card with enough credit to buy the ring. $5,500 was a lot of money to spend on the ring, but she was going to wear it her whole life and I wanted it to be nice. I really wanted to spend more, but just couldn't.
With the ring in hand I had to hide it until the big day of..."the question!" Most guys I know use the top drawer of their dresser for hiding valuables. It just so happens to be my underwear drawer and my safe! I stashed the ring into the very back corner under my shorts and felt safe in knowing she would never find it there. That brings us to the big controversy of our relationship. Since this is my blog and I'm the one typing I'm going to tell my version of what I think happened and you must believe me you simply must. It's true, exact, non-fiction, real time accounting from my mind which is like a steel colander!
Kendra was coming over to my condo and cleaning up my place and doing laundry to help me out and I think to show me how awesome she would be as my wife, taking care of me as any madly in love wife would do fer her man. I was loving it, the clothes on my floor around my full hamper would magically be removed and placed back in the drawer or closet clean and I wasn't doing a thing about it! That was awesome!
Kendra's and my friend, Karen, was a stick tight and hung out with Kendra all the time. She was also one of the people who kept pushing us to date and "hook up." Karen was a hoot and we did have a good time when we were together. Well...Karen was constantly asking us when we were going to get married. "For Pete's sake Karen we just started dating!" "[please read with a heavy west Texas drawl]Karen...he's not gonna ask me to marry him this soon...it took him three months to kiss me." That was true, what they both didn't know was I had a ring in my underwear drawer and was waiting for just the right time to pop the question.
What I didn't know is that Karen and Kendra were tearing my house apart looking for a ring. A ring which they say was happened upon as Kendra was putting away my clothes. A ring which they spun around in a circle screaming over when they found it. A ring which they did tell me they knew was in my underwear drawer until a year after we were married. Women are tricky. I contend, and hold to being a fact. That this CSI search was going on all the time. The neatly folded and stacked pile of underwear which hid the ring was underwear I didn't wear so It would never have to be disrupted or disturbed. I contend that there was mashing and poking going on in ALL of my drawers in search of the ring.
I wanted the big day...the big question to be a special time and a special occasion. Something memorable and meaningful that we would both love to tell our friends. That's where the problem comes in--I hate and can't keep presents in stow for more than a month because I would implode. The big question came on a night after Vince Gill had finished singing to us and she was about to go home, the part I hated--going home. She was about to go, we were saying goodbye and talking about our plans for tomorrow when, "wait right there. I'll be right back." "Where are you going?" "Hang on!" I ran into my room (it was three steps into my room from the living room) opened the safe and retrieved the box. Opened the lid and got onto my knees. As I crawled into the living room on my knees Kendra just looked at me with that look that I still get today, "What in the sam hill are you doing!" "Kendra...before you leave I just want you to know that I love you more than anything. I can't really imagine how I could live my life without you because I love you so much." "Awww...I love you to." "Well...hang on....Kendra I was wondering if you would be willing to spend the rest of your life with me as my wife?" That's when the ring was presented (which she knew was in the safe). She's not a very good shock faker, "Of course...oh I love it....it's beautiful." Needless to say, we didn't say goodbye for little bit longer. She kept looking at her finger and staring at that ring.
Next stop...Des Moines, Iowa

Weekend Round up

2008-02-25T08:10:00.003-06:00

Things have been kind of busy lately which has kept me from visiting this little space in cyberworld. There is a lot going on right now which is all anticipation of things to come. I kind of like living in the time of execution, that time when you are gearing up for and getting ready for something to happen. Kendra and I are getting ready for the JBF sale which starts next week. This sale is something else. You take the baby and kid things that you no longer need, outgrown, doubles, etc. and have an opportunity to sell it at above garage sale prices. We usually make out fairly well at these sales and have a lot of stuff to get rid of. Kendra has been working on getting the clothes entered in to the computer and last night we sorted the cards, which will go on the clothes to identify whose item it is. We will also be working the sale in addition to having our items for sale. It's a hectic two weeks, but we like it.
I made a casserole last night to take to a family who just had a baby. This thing is GOOD! I'll make it again, soon and post the process--you'll want to make it. It's a basic chicken and rice casserole, but you use sherry and chicken broth for the liquid in making the rice, rotisserie chicken, and then for the topping...crushed fried onions and crackers!!! It's so good. I could have eaten the whole thing, but resisted. I was really starving because I hadn't eaten a lot all day.

We went to Jimmy's Egg for lunch. When we go to Jimmy's I always get: Pigs in Blanket, I think I've tried their biscuits and gravy once. Biscuits and gravy are one of my all time favorite breakfast foods to eat. I was comforted when we sat down and the table smelled like bleach. I am border line phobic when it comes to restaurants and "catching something." I worry especially at these places because the waitresses...who bring your food out and handle your beverages is also the same person who just finished busing the table next to you and didn't stop to wash their hands. That just grosses me out. The waitress who took care of us was not on her best game because she sat a piping hot cup of coffee right in front of Teensy. It was a refill and she sat it down, Kendra didn't notice (I think I was buttering toast for the boys--they were in rare form) and Teensy grabbed the cup spilling it all over her legs. Kendra felt horrible, Teensy was screaming and the waitress was just standing there with a very dazed and confused look on her face. We didn't say anything to her and just took care of our baby. She's fine now, her legs were a little red, but not bad. I was keyed up to say the least and couldn't enjoy my food. Once we were finished terrorizing the joint, we headed home to get ready for a baby shower.

We usually don't' take our children to baby showers, one of us usually go and the other stays home. Since our kids really like Nichole, whose due soon, we decided to take them. Emma was good, still recovering from her coffee exfoliation. Titus was really well behaved (he's been taught his whole life how to handle showers and things of that nature at church) but Chubber's was on a tear. He is a very busy two-year old and not afraid to be as loud as feels like he needs to be to get his point across. Fortunately for us he liked the punch. It was one of those ice cream 7-up punches. I usually don't' like them and feel like they are a cop out for doing up some really good punch, but this was good. He had a permanent milk mustache on his lip. He also liked the cake and that kept him occupied for most of the time. Once the cake was finished and his third glass of punch was drunk he started to get, "twoish." Three cups on a folding table (the card table type) that are 1/8 to 1/4 full can still make a huge mess when the table it turned over...onto a purse...and mom's shoe. It was a commotion and a mess and my blood pressure just kept on rising.
After church we had a Chili cook off to attend. I'm not a big chili fan, and usually get my fill in the early part of winter. One pot of chili is all I need to get my fill for the year. I just wasn't interested in shopping around the room for chili. Titus loved the bowl he had. Levi found someone who kept giving him cornbread. He had no plans to eat it, I think he was going to keep taking it as long as it was being handed out. There was one station that had Three-way. What's three way? It's spaghetti covered in chili then topped with cheese and onion. Pretty good, but something you need to grow up on to really love. By the time we got home it was bath and bed time. I had the casserole to make so I did that and cleaned the kitchen.
I did get a chance to go to Target with Teensy on Saturday to buy the groceries I needed for the casseroles. I really, really love going to Target. I love stopping in at the Starbucks, and then strolling through the store sipping my coffee. It's very relaxing and I just love it. I had to pick up some deodorant while I was there and was met with some shocking and unsettling discoveries. They didn't have my deodorant! This is the kind of stuff that really get my apple cart all upset. It takes me years to find a deodorant I like. I use Anti-Persperant/Deodorant. I have always like the Sure...Arrid...Ban powder scents. I don't like heavy looming funky fragrances just too loud for me. I do like a scent though I can't explain why I just know I do. There wasn't a powder scent to same my life! So I had to go through the whole process of new deodorant hunting. It's so grueling. All of the brands that you would associate with men purchasing: Speed Stick, Right Guard (you get the picture) have all of these really odd and bizarre names. None of the names indicate what something is going to smell like, rather it identifies some type of bold and daring adventure. Mountain Peak...Arctic Blast...Fresh Burst just to name a few left me standing at the deodorant aisle in a stupor. I just wish I could get Ban A/D Powder Fresh that's all I need nothing more. Oh well, this won't the be last time I have to go on a search for new products.

Welcome...Tooth Fairy

2008-02-06T10:54:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday was a milestone day in our family--Titus lost his first tooth! Of course it is not your typical process, which I've come to accept that atypical IS our typical, because we did not have a clue his tooth was loose. That's right...no clue! We all got up and went through our normal frantic push to get everyone out the door all in as good a mood as possible, and when we got to school it wasn't five minutes that I got a call to come back to the preschool office. I wasn't expecting to hear that my son was goign to lose a tooth, didn't even cross my mind. Kendra met me in the hall, "Titus has something to show you." Great...what's happened. Did he sharpie on the wall? Did he build "somefing" that destroyed something else? What coudl it be. Then I saw his face. It was the face of a child who is beaming--bursting with pride. I could tell this was big..a big deal to my boy. He slowly walked up grinning like a chesire cat and said, "my tooth is loose!" "Your tooth is loose? Which one?" He showed me and what do you know is was not only loose it was wiggly! How did we miss a wiggly tooth?

"We are going to have an activity and pull it Dad. I'm going to tie a string to it then tie the other end to the door and SLAM it!" Ms. Patti, his teacher quickly put the kibosh on that. I knew that this tooth would consume him and this tooth would get no relief--sure enough by lunch the tooth was gone. There was one minor emergency when Titus was showing off his tooth and dropped it on the flloor-losing it...for the second time! His entire class and our custodian were crawling on the ground looking for the lost tooth which was found. His tooth is itty bitty, so it was hard to find.

I had just under six hours to figure out how the Tooth Fairy would visit our house. Since we are going to be dealing with some 60 teeth I didn't want to start some precident I wasn't prepared to repeat SIXTY times! I've heard of some folks who sprinkle glitter on the pillow and window seal of their child's room to show the fairy has come and gone--great idea! I didn't have glitter. Being a Children's Minister I've come to hate glitter because children+glitter=Diasaster! I have a $500 Wool Suit with a permanent glitter mark on the pants leg because some snivler slammed into my leg with glue covered glitter. I'm not goign to get on my soap box, which will be hard to do--resist...resist...resist. I think I'm over it. I also wanted to buy gold $1 coins and put a gold coin under his pillow--didn't make it to the bank. I may still go the coin route, I really like that idea. I can do that 59 times!

In the end, I took the path of least investment...a dollar bill under the pillow and a tooth in my underwear drawer with the pacifier that was Titus' favorite "passie." I'll keep that first tooth forever and it will be in my underwear drawer right along side the other precious things. Any of you who wonder where Dad's stash precious things..check the underwear drawer first you are sure to find a treasure trove!

The next tooth is loose, but not wiggly loose so we have some warning that it's on it's way out. His first tooth to come out was the lower Central incisor, and other central incisor is the one loose now. These were his first teeth in, do you loose teeth in order of their "eruption?" I read a dentist website that said teeth erupt! Doesn't that sound harsh and painful--Eruptions! Our pediatrician in Fort Wroth, "Dr. Ghee" said teeth itch when they are...erupting. I thought that was interesting..how does one come to know that teeth itch? Was there someone who actually remembered getting their first teeth in and saying, "boy those suckers were itching like crazy! I couldn't wait for them to erupt!" Just how to doctors come up with this stuff?

We've had the hardest time getting Titus into a routine of brushing his teeth in the morning and at bedtime, jsut a battle. I've off handedly told him that the tooth fairy pays more for clean, brushed teeth, than she does for dirty unbrushed teeth. Maybe that will work. When he gets up in the morning he has some stanky breath, it's oppressive to say the least. It smells like something has literally died in his mouth. Any hints on helping us get through this milestone woudl be apprecaited.

Don't worry, there aren't 59 more, "We've lost another tooth!" posts coming your way. I will for sure post on Levi's first tooth and Teensy's first tooth but those will be several years away..so there's time.

Super Bowl

2008-01-31T10:14:00.000-06:00

I just found out, or realized, this morning that the Super Bowl is on Sunday. I'm not the biggest football fan because I have no idea about the game, could care less about the teams or who is what or where, sports just don't make sense. I've tried to get into football and other sports but they just don't make sense to me. I'm much more into competitive cooking competitions (where's that super bowl? It would be a much better named event for sure!).

When I was in college I attened a Super Bowl party which was the most boring party I've ever attened in my life. Since I was on a Christian School campus we could not ignore the fact taht we were going to skip worship to watch football, so we had a devotional replete with communion for thsoe who didn't go in the AM. It was really, really boring. I've also hosted Super Bowl parties for youth kids and young families, but never watched the game, snacking and chatting was much more fun to me. There are some who really, really get into this whole football thing--it's ridiculous to me.

However I do realize this is a good time to have a party and eat a lot of great food. I have fallen head over heels, super craving, for this Corn dip that I ate copius amounts of at a Christmas party in December (good time to have a Christmas party, huh?). It's super easy to whip up, you can make it a day ahead, and when the party's over and everyone is gone you can stand over your sink and eat the rest of the dip with a spoon before cleaning the bowl. You have my permission.

I'm trying to incorporate more pictues into this blog, but I am never with a camera. However I do have a camera on my phone, and I'm never without my phone so these picture are courtesy of my camera phone. I hope they aren't too devastating to look at, but at least you get the general idea.

Here's what you'll need for the dip:

15oz can of Mexi-Corn (some places call it fiesta corn)

15oz can of White Corn (shoepeg corn)

4 oz can of Green Chilies

1/2 cup chopped green onions (I used about 4 stalks of green oninon)

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1/2 cup Mayonnaise (the real stuff)

1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt

1 teaspoon Garlic Salt

1 Tablespoon Fresh Cracked Pepper

Open the two cans of corn and pour into a colander to drain. Place the two cans of corn along with the green chilies in a large bowl. I like to use a spoonula (it's a spatula and spoon combination which I love) to stir the ingredients together. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Give it a taste and adjust to your liking, you may want to add more Lawry's or more garlic, or more pepper, or more of everything. The flavors will get somewhat intesified as it sets, so keep that in mind.

This will seem kind of runny at first, but once it sets a little, you'll see it becomes thicker. I haven't used frozen Mexi-corn, but think it woudl be better with thawed frozen corn, both kinds. This is good, but it might be better. I love how this tastes so I haven't played around with the recipe. I can imagine that adding jalapenos instead of green chilies woudl be good, or the frozen corn, thawed. You could try what you like. If you can't find the mexi-corn, I would suggest you add good yellow corn, and 1/2 cup of finly chopped red bell pepper.

Iusually garnish with a few green onions and some more cheese. Cover it tightly with Saran wrap and put it in the refrigerator to cool overnight or at least two hours. Serve with Frito's Scoops.

The Frito's Scoops make this dip really come out. I put a dollop in each one and just pop it in my mouth. I've also tried this with crackers (I found some new Pretzel crackers from Keebler--good!) and Pretzel crisps. I forgot to garnish this dip with the green onion, but you can see how pretty it is. We got that Tulip bowl in Kendra's and my wedding shower. I've loved this bowl since I saw it. I think it's Mikasa. It's super heavy and thick which has helped it not chip. The oval shape is interesting. It's a good vessel for this dip. Of course, you know I can't make this dip and place it in any other container. This IS the corn dip bowl. I'm kind of weird like that. I just had this on Tuesday, but I'm getting a totatl craving for this stuff. Resist, my tongue is still raw from eating so much of the salty chips. Feel the burn and have more CHIPS!

Twisted Sister

2008-01-17T19:46:00.000-06:00

My sister and I are great friends...now. There are times that I will call her and say, "what's going on?" because I know that there is something brewing or recently exploded. We are connected and bonded, ready to do whatever either of us need no matter the sacrifice. She's the first person I call in a crisis because I know she'll move heaven and earth to fix it, and she to me as well. It's a great, beautiful, wonderful relationship for which I'm very thankful.

There was a time when my sister despised the air that I breathed and would torture me relentlessly. She was twisted let me tell you. I'll give you just a few, brief glimpses into my sister's twistedness:

She convinced me to eat a root, once. Straight from the ground dirt still attached. I was five and believed she would pay the $10 if I did it. Wrong!
Our septic tank once backed up and made this really fowl smelling little sludge pond. She convinced me to walk through it for...you guessed it $10. Wrong! No money. NOTE: Do not run into the house onto the freshly polished wooden floor your mother just spent two hours polishing with feet covered in feces. It makes for one mad momma!
When I was seven, I was washing my hair in the sink (which was a usual custom because I could avoid a bath if my hair was clean) and she drew a smiley face...on my butt cheeks..with a permanent marker! It was NOT funny (but is now). She then gave me a barbecue bristle brush to clean it off! What's worse than permanent marker on your rump? Raw skin from a metal brush exfoliating the first two dermal layers off.

It actually wasn't until she left home that we began to bond, or begin to like each other. When Sis was pregnant with Kirstie, my sister was put to bed for the last six or seven months of her term because her body was trying to abort Kirstie. I basically moved in with her and cooked her meals, did her laundry, ironed Doug's shirts, babysat her kids so she wouldn't lose the income, I was her. I did it without a moments hesitation and would do it all over again if I knew there was a need.

As kids, Sis and I were left alone the better part of a day. Mom and Dad both worked and would leave and the butt crack of dawn to get to their jobs. Sis and I would be on our own to get ourselves ready and to school. Summer's meant that we were home alone all day from us up until around 3:30 when Dad got home. Mom got home around 5:00, which became later and later as she was promoted to higher positions in the hospital. There was a couple of years where we went to baby sitter's, but...I'll just have to post about the evil baby sitter's--you won't believe it.

Sis was convinced that she was my boss and could order me to do whatever she said. For the most part I didn't resist, but every now and then I would find my back bone and stand up to her. It always resulted in physical violence and a lot of pain inflicted upon me, but I felt it was worth it to prove a point. Mom and Dad were kept oblivious to our..."ways" because we didn't want to go back to the sitter's--evil sitters.

Most of the time, however, we were able to co-habitate together. Our Summer days went something like this:

7:30: Me up and ready to begin my TV watching. Grab the gallon of milk, bowl, spoon, and Honey nut Cheerios's. Plop down on the back jack. Incidentally, this is a back jack. Ours was rust red, we had two. You could use them as you see in the photo, as a floor chair, or flip them over and lay on them, my choice. I could lay on that back jack, have my hands free to eat cereal, and watch TV--slothful bliss. My back jack was disgusting from the milk drips, sloths don't care about milk drips.

9:00: Sis up, joins the TV and cereal brigade.

11:00: Still watching TV, cereal up and lunch made. WTBS is given up because the great old sit-coms have been replaced by the movie that even siding companies would not air. It was time for our soaps anyway. ABC all the way: Ryan's Hope, All My Children (lunch happens during commercial breaks), One Life to Live, General Hospital, then the Edge of Night.

3:15: SCRAMBLE!!! Dad's home in 15 minutes and we have to look like we did something other than watch TV all day on our keesters.

Dad was a creature of habit. He pulled into the drive, picked up the paper, got the mail, came in to set his lunch pail on the counter in the kitchen, "hey kids...what did you do all day? Looks like you just got started.", sit in the recliner and read the paper to page two which is where he would fall asleep until around 5 when would get up and get dinner started. That's how it was my entire life, you could set your watch by it. Friday's were a little different because he would go by the bank and cash his check, that bought us a good twenty or thirty extra minutes.

One particular school day, Sis and I had one of our famous encounters. It was report card day and she wanted to see my report card. "No, you can't see it." "William...give me your report card, I'm your boss." "YOU ARE NOT MY BOSS AND YOU CANNOT SEE MY REPORT CARD!" I was a not so good student through grade school and intermediate, when I started a regular hygiene routine in the 7th grade, my grades improved dramatically as well. This back and forth yelling eventually led to a head lock situation. Sis had ME in the head lock. "I'm not letting you go until you admit I'm your boss!" The report card was now dead in the water because it had become a I'm your boss and going to prove it battle. "You aren't my boss, let me go!" This went on for a good five or ten minutes (I don't recommend a head lock for longer than five minutes as it gets really uncomfortable). I managed to wrestle my way into my room. That was my domain, I knew where everything was and it disgusted my sister to be in my room.

We fell on my bed, me still in the head lock her still insisting she was my boss. We were reaching the 15 minute mark with the whole head lock thing when I hit the wall-I was done. I grabbed a Bic pen from my desk and held it to her throat. "I hate you, you are the bottom of the scum barrel. If you don't' let me go I'm going to stab you. I hate you." "I hate you too, creepy little jerk. Don't ever--EVER ask me for another thing as long as you live. JERK!" With that she released me and left me to my room. I never admitted she was my boss. Dad finally got home and felt the tension, "what's going on?" "William is a jerk, a low life scum bag (they come in a barrel you know) and I hate him. We've been fighting." "He's the only brother you'll ever have, I wouldn't start hating him now." I was still in my room...feeling very, very, very remorseful that I had used such violent language and threatened my sister's life with a cheap pen. Dad went outside to smoke and tinker which left us to our selves.

I couldn't' take it. I walked out of my room just as my sister was walking down the hall. We both burst into tears and began to cry. "I don't hate you, sis. I love you. I'm sorry I threatened to kill you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "I don't hate you either, bubba, I love you too." We cried and hugged, those arms which had just minutes before held me in a much more violent fashion had now become arms of security and comfort. I still need those hugs to this day. I still need to feel those arms around me because everything is ok when I get a hug from sis.

I've wished a thousand times that "times" were different, but the actuality of it is I wish it were all the same. If I had one minute different there's not telling how my present would have changed and I like where I am and who I am. I especially like the bond I have with my Sis. We are close and we take up for each other and forgive each other before we even have to. That's what siblings should do because we have to stick together. I'd like to think that I would stay connected with her even if our relationship was challenged beyond it's breaking point, because I love her and know that, she's the only sister I'll ever have. She's the only sister I'd ever want. Twisted, yes. Stubborn, yes. Mischievous, yes. My boss, NO WAY!

Now I lay me down to sleep

2008-01-08T20:53:00.000-06:00

Well I've had this post bouncing back and forth in my head for a few days, several actually. It's just been bugging me to come out and live will all the other things that have crawled out of my head. I don't usually post two days in a row, and lately I haven't posted two weeks in row, but tonight I just have to get this story out.

Kendra and I are going to the Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando, FL later this month and we are getting excited. It will just be the two of us for one week, the longest we have ever been away from our three kids together-ever. I've been away to camp but we have never both been gone at the same time. Poppa and Graham are coming up for part of the time and Aunt Lesa will be in for the last half of the time. I've been planning this conference for at least 6 months, so I'm glad it's finally here. I'm hoping Spoon luck doesn't come our way, we have the ultimate worst luck when it come to pre-planned anything because it never goes the way it should.

Kendra and I have often talked about our fear of leaving our children orphaned if both of us were to travel together and die. It's kind of harsh, but we will both be on the same plane and should the unthinkable happen we will both be taken away at once. It's sobering and makes you stop to think about what would happen. I don't want anything to happen at all, but the thought is looming and I just need to be prepared and ready. I'm a preparer and get readier kind of guy.

We have plenty of life insurance to take care of the bills and then get the kids set up with trusts to take care of them through college. I have been looking online at a will website and plan to get that done this week or next, just to make sure. My family knows what I would want in the event I should die, and we have arranged for my sister to take custody of teensy and the boys until they are old enough to be on their own.

So, the deep thoughts I have been pondering are, what will my kiddos miss out on if I'm not their daddy forever? If something were to happen to me, and they were to go live with Aunt Lesa and Uncle Doug, then they would be changed--in more ways than one for sure. But what influences and things would they miss out on if I weren't their Daddy? What things do I want them to know and not forget? How would I talk to them about their first heartbreak? Their first car wreck? What would I say on each of their graduations, or their wedding days? I would miss their life, and I would like to think that they would not be better because of it, arrogant huh?

So, here's just a sampling of the things I would hope my teensy and the boys have in their hearts, in the fiber of their being that will make them who they are better than they could have ever hoped to be:

Compromise: There isn't anything that will destroy you faster than compromising. If you choose to be associated with people who are constantly wanting you to compromise what and who you are, then you don't need to be around them. If you want to be around them, then you have to have the courage to stand up to them and not compromise who you are or what you believe. You gain more respect and strength from being a person who doesn't' compromise than from someone who has no ground to stand upon because they didn't believe in themselves enough to stand up.
Integrity: Shaping your integrity might seem to be this huge, abstract, ominous thing, but it really isn't. Integrity is putting the suffocating earth worm back on the grass after a drenching rain, it's putting the shopping cart back in the "right" place and not just by your car. It's putting the things in the store back where they belong and not leaving the milk with the trash bags because you remembered that you didn't need it. Integrity is doing the right thing, all the time, without expectation of a reward, other than knowing you did the right thing. These little things will prepare you for the large things that challenge you to compromise your integrity.
Dress: Don't ever thing that a pink, black, or red bra will be invisible under the white t-shirt. It is so don't do it. Black shoes...black belt. Brown shoes...brown belt. If you have on khakis or slacks of any kind, the socks must--MUST be the same color as the pant. Wrinkles of any kind mean you don't care about how you look. If you don't care about you then why should you expect anyone else to care about you?
Avoid buffets!
Wash your hands after coming in contact with any public thing! Hand rails on the escalator..elevator buttons...door handles. The secret to good health is proper hand washing.
If you are a booger farmer...don't eat what you grow.
Anytime you ask yourself or your friend, "does this make me look cheap?" the answer is, "yes." You should have never bought it in the first place. If that friend says yes, then they are no friend at all. You should not dress like you are desperate or for sale.
Chastity: People can take a lot of things away from you, and probably will. Your education and your virginity are things that no one can take away from you. Being a person who loves themselves enough to stay pure and not compromise themselves for love, but instead saves themselves for their life mate has made a wise decision. There is more, so much more to making love than the physical pleasure, it's the least of the many things you will share with your partner. Save your self for marriage.
Deal breakers: When you begin to date there are some deal breakers that no matter how nice or how reformed they may be, these are deal breakers. If the person you are interested in dating is not a christian--it's over. Move on they are worth your time as far as a relationship goes. You don't' need to date a project. If the person you are interested in dating is not a virgin--it's over. Move on because they have intimacy issues that you don't need to worry about. If the person you are interested in dating is disrespectful to their parent(s) then it's over. They won't honor you and love you as you deserve to be honored and loved. Move on. If the person you are interested in breaks plans with, for any reason other than life threatening issue, it's over. Move on because they won't honor you and Cherise the time they have with you when all they have is time. If the person you are interested in dating has all of the above...find a brick wall and firmly place both palms on the wall, shoulder length apart and as quickly as you can drive your head into that wall!
Faith: The Lord wants to be your friend. He is not to be feared, or avoided, but instead should be loved and adored. The Lord can take you to places you never imagined or dreamt of. The Lord has great plans for you and created you to do something amazing. He doesn't waste his time and he doesn't make mistakes--you are here on this earth at this time to do something great that only you can do.
Check your zipper right before you speak to any group of people.
Help the elderly at the store. And for heaven's sake--smile!
If someone is rude to you, pray for them. You never know what kind of day that person had before you, but you can certainly determine how their day will end after you leave. Make a lasting impression on that person and show them how the Lord changed you.
Second Guess: If that small voice in your head says, "I probably shouldn't do that." Don't listen to that small voice, I attribute it to the voice of the Lord and I yield to it's guidance on many things.
Thankful: Be sure to thank the Lord for everything. If you begin to notice and thank the Lord for the parking space closest to the door that just opened, then you will be able to broaden your spectrum of thanks and see how bountiful the Lord blesses us each day of our life. Noticing the small stuff prepares you to see the big stuff. Remember, the Lord has great plans for you.

I know there is more, but my brain is giving up. It's screaming, "it's out already, shut up. Give me a break...!"

I love my children more than life or words can ever express. I know I've let them down, but I try every day to make it up to them. I want them to know everyday that their Daddy loves them with all of his heart. I'm so very proud of each and every one of my babies and would do whatever i could to see their lives lived full of happiness and free from pain.

Love you,

Daddy.

Brooks babble...Rivers run deep.

2008-01-08T10:35:00.000-06:00

Who you callin a brook! Guilty as charged. I am a babbler. I've always been one to be chatty Cathy, especially when I'm in awkward situations. Man can I ever talk about nothing like it's something. Kendra gets keyed up when she knows I'm going to be in a potentially awkward situation because she will say, "don't start babbling. Just sit there and hold my hand." Truth is that I don't even know I'm babbling until I look into her eyes and see that, you are babbling. Probably the most famous babble episode, among the throng of countless babbling episodes, was when we tried to set up our friend Lealon with a girl. She was a sweet girl who was looking for a good man, and Lealon was a decent guy with a desire to find a good girl. Well Kendra and I tried to play matchmaker.

The horrible event went down first at my condo. Lealon and I lived next door to one another. The girl, for the life of me I can't even remember her name--probably didn't give her a chance to say her name, let's call her...Cathy! Cathy met us at my place and we were all going to go to a nice dinner and just enjoy each other company. There were two great Italian restaurants in Oklahoma City, Tommy's and Bellini's (sister restaurants), Tommy's was closest to our place so we decided to go there. I loved their four cheese linguine but usually got their chicken Marsala which was just the most wonderful and delightful dish ever created. I conned one waiter into giving me the secret once (cost me double tip) and now can make their chicken Marsala at home. Soo good.

The ambiance of both places was very subdued. Dimly lit with ambient light, cloth covered tables, cloth napkins, wine glasses used as water glasses, wait staff in stiffly starched aprons with crisp whit shirts and ties. It does kind of bother me that a female waitress wears a man's shirt and tie because they can dress appropriate to their gender and not look all goofy in a shirt and tie. I digress. The atmosphere was very relaxing and causal, just the perfect place for love to ignite it's spark in two souls. Unless their mouthy, awkward, scared that no one will talk and ruin the whole evening friend is at the table.

I started talking about nothing, then decided to elaborate on nothing a little more until I was in a full on out of conscious rambling random buffoon. I can't really recall what I talked about because I talked about everything. I'm sure I went into a rant about how people were dressed, how each of them were dressed and why they decided to dress that way, do they shop for clothes on sale..blah blah blah. I do remember seeing Kendra, Lealon, and Cathy just staring at me like I was coming down off of some hallucinogenic drug, or the mushrooms in my Marsala had been the kind you DON'T eat. The date didn't go very well at all and love found a more quiet, less spasmodic table to woo and work it's magic upon.

Babbling on an on is for sure a problem. Babblers are not very considerate of their peers, we who babble just go into to rant because we feel insecure in our surrounding and feel that this verbal abuse of air space builds a wall that won't allow people into your most protected spaces. I've spent a good many years trying not to be a babbler, I'm a recovering babblholic. There are times when it just happens, but now I try to take the course of my much older, steady, certain, cousin the river. I try to listen and observe (I'm the world's best observer) and not say much. I try to answer question directly and immediately with out commentary. If there is a way to answer the question with a simple, "yes" or, "no" then that is what they get. I know that deep down in my heart I'm a brook prone to babbling and holding the ears of my peers captive.

One of my friends and for sure the one man who has had the most profound affect on me as a professional is Darrel Rickard. He was the minister of the first church I "officially" worked for and taught me so much about how to minister to people. I've been working on a post dedicated to him since I started this blog and hope it is able to come out some day, with such deep and connected feelings it's hard to pen the words in such a way that you present the picture you want. Who knows that day may be here before you know it. One of his sayings was, brooks babble...rivers run deep. The first time I heard it I knew that I would never forget that phrase and would use it forever, just like whiffenpoof! Love that word. Darrel grew up with grandparents who had deep Indian heritages and they shared some of those feelings with him of which was not talking just to talk..babble!

I have this other curse which is being an gatherer of random and useless information on varied and sundry subjects. I'm no expert on any one subject but know a little about a lot of things. Being a storehouse of random and useless information means I can usually talk about things with come certainty of sanity. I trick a lot of folks! Mildred and I share this randomness. We can talk about nothing for hours and hours upon end. It's actually pretty exciting when we can talk about things that need to be discussed.

This is my last paragraph so I'll apologize for snaring you with this random babbling post--Gotcha! Please don't' hate me because babble, most folks who know me don't really care that I babble and find it somewhat comforting that I do what I do. Maybe in some vicarious sort of way I put them at ease with my babbling because they know they will be off the hook to input. That is unless they have the babbling brook syndrome too.

New Skin

2008-01-04T13:22:00.000-06:00

Of all the people who avoid change, I'm it. I don't really like change and find routine to be soothing and comforting to me. One of my biggest challenges in the morning it deciding what to wear. Mind you, as a man my pants choices are: blue, brown, black--period! It's the shirts that get me into trouble because I go over and over the shirts in my closet (I probably have over 200) wondering if anyone would remember that I wore that shirt two weeks ago, or a month ago. I have this ridiculous fear of criticism about what I wear and the frequency of it being worn. That all goes back to my high school days, when I began to care about clothes, showering, etc. I noticed that all of the popular people never wore the same thing twice, it was always different, and somewhere in my mind it clicked that I should be the same way. Isn't that ridiculous. Most people don't even notice that kind of thing, but I do. At any rate, I say that to say that I would love to have just one outfit that I am totally comfortable in and just stay in that. Johnny Cash always wore black, Mr. Rogers always wore khakis, a sweater, and a blue oxford shirt, Captain Kangaroo always wore his red coat, see you can get away with wearing the same thing--you just have to always wear the same thing for it to be ok.

Any interruption into my normal steady routine gets me all a twitter. I get ready in the exact same order, everyday and do not vary my routine at all. It's really bad when I have to remember to take something, because "remembering" isn't in my routine and I usually forget to take it. I'm such a creature of habit, but I like it. I park in the same parking spot/location at every store I frequent(Mall, Target, Wal-Mart) and do it without thinking. I even park in the same spot when we go to Joplin to the Mall I've been going to my entire life--that' pathetic huh! It drives Kendra crazy because she doesn't think about it she just parks where ever she feels like it and call it a day.

I haven't ever been really in love with my blog skin, and wanted a different one. I what reading one of our missionaries blogs this morning and noticed I could get a free blog template...so I went shopping! I am pleased with this skin, even though I lost my counter ( I didn't need it anyway) and my click thing (easily retrieved). I really like it and hope you do too. If you hate the skin you are in, go shopping and see what strikes your fancy. Just look at the top of your screen and you'll see a place that you can click to go straight to the place I found this new skin.

I wouldn't look for this skin to go away anytime soon, unless something even cooler and more, "hey this is you" comes a long. Happy Friday!

Ride the wave.

2008-01-03T09:40:00.000-06:00

Having wrapped up our West Texas journey, we returned home Thursday night for some rest and a brief moment of relaxation before our next holiday wave come in. Friday afternoon Nonny, Aunt Lesa, and Drew came to stay with us until the new year, Kirstie and Colton would arrive Saturday night, Poppa and Graham were coming for Sunday lunch and Christmas with Teensy and the boys.

Our boys love it when Nonny and Aunt Lesa come because they get to play until their hearts are worn out, then go some more. The first order of business was a trip to the grocery store for food. Now when I say food, I'm talking snacks, drinks, party food, regular food, pantry staples, then the special foods that I wanted prepare. One of the great and fun things about shopping with my family is that we are immediately sucked in to new stuff. Sis and I have this from Nonny, it's a hoot. Following our trips down the aisles the bill was over $700! Can you believe that? Needless to say we were set for our weekend.

We needed to get some dinner and most every place in town was slammed busy because it was the dinner rush. Billy Sim's barbecue was right by Wal-Mart so we jumped in there. I normally don't recommend going to Establishments named after someone who became famous for something else. Apparently he's a football player of some renown. In addition to recommending you not go to establishments named after someone who is famous for something else, I tend to avoid places in which you smell like the food you just ate upon leaving. I knew the minute I walked through the door I'd smell like a smoked pig for weeks! There is another place in our town called Ron's Hamburger stand where you smell like grilled onions for the rest of your life. I just don't think you should smell like food!

I need to back up and say, that not even an hour into our fun, Chubbers had an encounter. Two of his most cherished people in the world are his Nonny and his Aunt Lesa. He goes into a hysterical, screaming, joy filled, gleeful sprint around out house just venting the joy he feels knowing they in his house to see him. Well, he was spinning around our kitchen performing for them when he tripped and broke his fall with his head...on our wall. He was millimeters away from the corner which would have opened his head up big time. We all saw it happening in slow motion unable to prevent it or stop it, paralyzed to the certainty of pain. His head was swelling up and turning black. It was horrible. We called a good friend of our who is an ER doctor and he said that there is an artery running along the bridge of your eye brow that is often busted, which causes swelling and blackens the eye. No wonder you get a black eye when punched! He wasn't interested in having anyone deal with him and certainly didn't want to have his picture taken. This is the picture of him protesting my attempt at taking his picture. "No take me head pitchure DA DA!" Chubbers is one tuff nut, and didn't slow down. There is a dent in our wall by the way.

One of Drew's favorite things in the world is French Toast. We make Hawaiian bread in our bread machine then use that sweet bread to make French Toast--he loves it! I'm not sure anyone who loves French toast wouldn't love it made with home made Hawaiian sweet bread. I don't have any pictures of the recipes I made, I wanted to take photos but didn't have a camera handy. I'll post my top three favorite recipes from the weekend next. You'll want to try these great dishes, they are super.

The Dust Tastes Nasty

2007-12-28T08:39:00.000-06:00

Teensy and boys along with Mom and Dad have just returned "home" from West Texas. We left on Friday morning, December 21st. Getting the Spoon's ready for travel away from home is daunting and makes me want to find a dark corner, assume the fetal position and rock soothingly as I suck my thumb. We started packing on Thursday so we could leave on Friday. Had we started packing on Friday to leave on Friday we would have left Saturday morning. Just to drag you into the aneurysm inducing trauma too here's the rundown.

Gifts: We had to pack all of the gifts purchased for Kendra's family. This included: Poppy, Granny, Uncle D, Kendra (yes, his wife shares the same name as my wife, isn't that...special), and Uncle D's kids, Brylee, Reece, and Kendal, Grandma Greenfield, Grandma Rushing, Aunt Mimi, Uncle Randal and Aunt Janette. Having wrapped and secured those gifts it was time to dig out all of the gifts that Santa had dropped off early to our house which needed to be taken to Granny's house so our children could believe in the magic of Christmas. PLUS, oh I'm not done yet (and you are already looking for a corner aren't you?) we had to get our gifts to our children out and ready to pack.
Teensy: Since we were going to be gone for seven days we needed to pack two cans of formula, a case of bottled water for her cereal, drinking, and bottles, enough cereal (two boxes) for her breakfast, lunch and I just need a little tide me over snack, food, teething medicine, gas medicine, diapers, wipes, shampoo, outfits that were guaranteed to make her look just absolutely adorable because, after all this was her debut in West Texas. Clothes, Lord we packed enough clothes for her to change three times a day. Then there were the toys, blankets, pack and play for sleeping, and night night pj's. Oh yes, and a coordinating bow for every outfit, except the pj's because it really balls up the whole sleeping thing. Most of this went into her hot pink with white polka dot duffel bag that will be her luggage until she's old enough to tell us she hates it.
Chubbers: Chubber Chubber needed two changes of clothes per day, he could have used five changes of socks per day, but we just let him eek out on one pair per day, pj's, his special cream for eczema, special lotion, special soap, special shampoo, special spray for his beautiful curly, velvety soft hair, special comb that helps him not scream the entire time we are coming this luscious locks. Tooth brush and the toothpaste he'll use, Tylenol because his two year molars decided it would be a good time to burst through his gums, great timing molars! We of course could not forget the gucky, his special security blanket which travels with him everywhere. A pack and play for him since he sleeps in a crib still and would fall out of a traditional bed. Blankets, sheets, and a pillow so he could smell hom e as he slept. Toys, movies, and shoes. Plus jackets for windy, cold and windy, and the coldwindywhyintheworldareweoutinthiscrap jacket. This packed in a grey toned camo duffel.
Mister T: Titus was the least of our worries as he's the most content in most situations. He's a well seasoned traveler. When it was just the three of us we drug him all over timbuck too. He's a great traveler and a good sport when it comes to going because that's what he's been doing for his entire life. We packed pj's, clothes, play clothes, two pair of shoes, movies, games, and toys for his entertainment. He shares Emma's soap and shampoo, and of course his toothbrush and toothpaste. He usually takes along an animal but decided they could all stay home since he would be with cousins. Worked out pretty well animal free. And a pillow. This was all packed into a green and black camo duffel.
Snacks: This is no small feat. We filled a laundry basket and two insulated bags full of the things that our kids like to snack on. They are huge snackers and eat almost all day long. There is snack restriction from 5:00-5:30 while Mom is cooking dinner but other than that they are free to eat at anytime they wish and we make sure they have healthy snacks at their finger tips. Go-gurt, grapes, three boxes of different crackers, cheez-it's, Frosted Mini-Wheats, cookies (Mom made chocolate chip!), Sugar wafers (they aren't healthy for everyone but me loves them), Capri Sun Roaring Water, four cases of Diet Coke, Christmas snacks we made, Strawberry Newtons, and Chocolate. Nesquick for Chocolate milk in the mornings. I think I've covered everything.
Mom: All of her clothes fit into a hanging bag, then her toiletries bag, make up bag, and hair dryer. A pillow.
Me: One duffel filled with all of my clothes, shoes, house shoes, and my kit bag which had the essentials to my survival. Chief among the essentials is Claritin because there is something about West Texas my body doesn't like and I get sinus trouble every time I go so these pills are gold!

All of this fit into our van, along with us, how I did it was a Christmas miracle. We were off by 9:30 Friday morning and 1,000 feet into our journey had to turn around because Mom forgot her camera. We were on the road again by 9:50. The trip there was grueling because it took forever! 13 hours in the car with a 14 month old, 2 year old, and 5 year old is grueling. The mistake was in our choice of route. We chose to go through Oklahoma City, then Fort Worth, which is where the whole problem started. Fort Worth was a mistake. Traffic is always an issue but this particular day was among the worst traffic days in recent memory. It took us over an hour just to navigate through Fort Worth form Texas Motor Speedway to I-20 headed for Weatherford. It should have only taken us 25 minutes at least 35-40 at most. By the time we were through the Fort Worth traffic I was a fuming, angry, keyed up, road raged Daddy. If one more care had pulled into the fast outside lane and made the decision to drive slow I would have exploded! We pulled off and ate dinner to give me some time to cool down. Fort Worth was only half way and we should have already been there. We pulled into Granny's drive way at 9:40. Then we had to unload--EVERYTHING! I didn't get to bed until 11:30 that night and I was exhausted.

We haven't been to West Texas for Christmas since Titus was a baby, he's only had one Christmas at Granny's. Granny was able to have Christmas with all of her grand babies under one roof. This was all the gift she needed, but she enjoyed the things we brought her other than her grand children. Granny had not seen Teensy since she was in the NICU so needless to say she had changed a lot since she last "saw" her. Pictures just don't' do for Granny's ya know.

Kendra's family has lived in their house for over thirty years, so most of Kendra's memories are in this house. It was cool to have our kids under the same roof enjoying Christmas that their Mom enjoyed when she was their age. We made sugar cookies for Santa and used the same cookie cutters Kendra used. This kind of stuff makes me happy inside and comforts me because I'm huge on nostalgia and memories. Most of my family traditions aren't practiced at Christmas with Granny, but I don't mind being involved in their traditions and giving mine a break.

Christmas morning in my family always meant home made hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls, and pigs in a blanket. After we enjoyed that we dug into the gifts. Someone was always designated "Santa" and sorted out all of the gifts. We usually opened one at a time watching the expressions on each package opened. All of our Santa gifts were wrapped under the tree in one special paper. All of the other gifts from family were wrapped in different paper. Kendra's family opens family presents on Christmas Eve, then on Christmas morning the kids walk into the living room and see all of the Santa gifts just set out. Opened, assembled, batteries installed, grouped by child. It's a pretty stark difference and not easily over come. Making sure my wife is happy, and my kiddos are happy is VERY important and takes precedence over this tradition. Personally I would like to combine the two and settle. Have family presents on Christmas Eve, but have the kids find wrapped Santa gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. I don't really push the subject, but maybe someday.

Our kiddos had a great time playing with their cousins and we had a great time visiting with family. There is nothing to do in this town, but be with family, chat, reminisce, and relax. Sitting around the kitchen table, drinking Folgers coffee and reminiscing is a great prescription for hustle and bustle. Stopping to know that the fiber of your being is woven together with memories of family, and celebrations, and the foundation upon which "you" are is strong because you have time to be together and close and tell those you love, "I love you."

The dust in West Texas still tastes nasty, but being with your family at Christmas is delicious. I love you Teensy, Chubber Chubber, Mister T, and Kendra! You are what makes my year bright.

Memory Lane: Go, Go Granny

2007-12-19T10:25:00.000-06:00

Fleeter Ann (Robinson) Hill was my Mom's grandmother. She raised my Mom from birth because her mother, Pauline, couldn't. I've never really been told what the reason was just that she couldn't so there you have it. My Granny had seven children but raised so many of her own grandchildren it wasn't even funny. I still have the hardest time deciding who is and isn't an aunt, great aunt, uncle, cousin, it's just all messed up.

I spent so much time at my Granny's house, had just the best time ever there. She lived at the foot of South street in the teeny tiniest house. There's one specific story that I need to pull out, but I have just hundreds of other stories knocking on my brain's door that it's hard to keep on track with the one I want to share.

Granny was feisty to say the least, stubborn, set in her ways, and always a very colorful person. She wore her hair pulled back into a bun, a perfectly woven tight bun, not a hair out of place--ever. She usually had on a sweater with her dress and wore white keds tennis shoes. Granny was the antithesis of pretentious. She chewed Good Money tobacco. This tobacco was in a figure eight shape and she would cut off a, "chaw" of the stuff and chew it. I'm assuming is was the long leaves of the tobacco plant twisted. She carried a Foldgers coffee can so she could spit out her 'backy' juice. It was the most disgusting thing, but none the less a part of my Granny and I loved her, sumtotally!

Saturday's were spent going to town with Granny. We always went to town with Granny on Saturday's. When I was younger we would go to the square, where she would shop at JC Penny's and the hardware store, etc. Sis and I would go across the street to the courthouse and try to see into the jail, never did get a peek, but it was a great adventure for us. As we got older and Wal-Mart came to town we would go there and then to Consumers market for groceries. Granny usually got the same things each week, predictably.

One Saturday when my sister was in high school we were at consumers. As we picked up Granny and headed to town she was complaining about her clothes being too big. She was just a tiny thing and I don't think I ever saw her buy new clothes. Granny was always devastating my sister in public, asking her how big her boobs were, shoving panties and bras up in the air to see if she needed any. Stuff like that would just send my sister into orbit to the planet mortification! I really loved watching my sister melt into a puddle of humiliation and the look on my Granny's face like, "what did I do?" Great. This particular Saturday would prove to be one my my fondest memories from my childhood because it involved the humiliation of my sister.

We were at Consumers and Sis and Granny were in the produce section when, "Lesa, I need to find a bathroom." "What's wrong Granny?" "The elastic in my underwear just gave way and I'm losing my drawers." "WHAT!"" Just get me to a bathroom." As luck would have it the bathroom was just behind the aluminum produce doors. Just as my sister and Granny walked through the door into the back room Granny's panties gave way and were piled up around her ankles. To make matters worse one of the cute guys at my sister's school that she liked was standing there jaw dropped, eyes popped having just witnessed an 80 year old ladies underwear fall around her ankles. "Hey Lesa, everything ok?" "Yes, we are fine. Granny come on." "Ma'am can I help you?" As the boy was leaning down to help my Granny with her panties, she stepped out of one side and kicked them up to her hand. "No! you don't need to help me. We are just fine. Thank you." As my Granny stuffed the underwear into her purse and turned to exit, my sister was just frozen in humiliation. Not only would she have to spend the rest of the day with her Great Grandmother shopping commando, but she had just encountered a peer--a cute have a crush on you peer--who witnessed the whole debacle.

I still laugh when I think of this story. It's one of my favorite stories of all time. Incidentally, Granny's underwear kind of peeked out of her purse the rest of the shopping trip and my sister just stayed back head hung low, hoping that she would die before Monday rolled around.

I'll have more great Granny stories. Merry Christmas.

R.I.P my friend

2007-12-12T14:24:00.000-06:00

My friendly, feisty, spunky, ever-present (until today) fish, Otis died today. Otis was my office fish and came to be my friend when I worked in Texas at Heritage. We had to do a unit in one of our Bible classes with fish and I bought several beta's, Otis was the only surviving one. Several of those little suckers leaped out of their containers to sudden death, kamikaze crazy fish!

Otis was special to me because he had some really cool tricks. He would flip his smooth black rocks at the side of his bowl every so often, which always got my attention. Other than swimming around and flipping rocks, he was quiet and reserved.

I'll miss my friend. Thanks, Otis, for three good years of love and support. I'll miss you.

A titch more Teensy

2007-12-07T09:03:00.000-06:00

Well we've finally scraped up all the dried on frosting from the beating our kitchen took last Friday for Teensy's party. It was a lot of fun having many of our friends and family take the time to join us for the celebration of her first birthday. Levi and Emma both had less than spectacular first birthday's when compared to Titus' first birthday. His first birthday was literally a three ring circus. We had clowns, a ring master, decorated our church fellowship area in Texas to look like a circus, ordered custom made lollipops, and had a pinata (in Texas everyone has a pinata at their birthday, not sure why) the size of a small man (this thing stood about 4 1/2 feet tall for real). We had a lot more time and resources for Mr. T's first birthday, with Levi and Emma we just felt good about having a birthday.

Kendra made her smash cake and cupcakes for the guests, I made chili and green chili cheddar cornbread muffins. We had all the fixings to make Frito pie, too. One of my good friends from Texas, Sharon (who lurks about this blog now and then, HI Sharon!) who hails from Nebraska had never tasted or heard of a Frito pie! I couldn't believe that she had never had a Frito pie! For those of you who are deprived of this fantastic, crave-inducing delight, a Frito pie is simply corn chips, chili, and cheese layered together. Some folks put onion and peppers on, but me I like it just straight up. Corn chips, cheese, chili, more corn chips, chili, cheese. It is just fantastic. For the next several years anytime Sharon had not tried or had anything we would always say, "you've never had a Frito pie!" I'll have to post my recipe for Chili, it's really good an easy to make.

Back to the party. Kendra is amazing to me. She can get an idea or what my Granny would call a wild hair and just pull it off. For Teensy's cake, she wanted to make fondant ribbons for each cupcake and for Teensy's smash cake. Well we've never touched fondant, worked with fondant, other than to peel it off the cake we were about to dive into at weddings. That was not going to stop my sweet wife from tackling the project. We've watched enough Ace of Cakes and Food Network challenges to have visual memories of folks working with fondant. I made the butter cream frosting for the cakes and proceeded to make the ribbons. First she tinted the fondant to the specific colors she wanted, then rolled the fondant dough out to about 1/8th of an inch. She cut the dough into 1/4 inch strips ( it looked like fettuccine noodles) and each strip was cut into 6 inch sections. She would fold each strip into a loop (to look like a tear drop). These loops she arranged on the cupcake in a circle, then placed two or three loops standing up and viola! Ribbon. It was really cool. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the ribbon to post at present.

Here is a close up of the decimated smash cake. Teensy pinched all you see eaten with just two tiny fingers. The above shots of her are how we present all of our children on their first birthday, waist up naked wearing a party hat. She is chewing on a fondant ribbon in each shot. The hat is made of felt, each scallop has a tiny rhinestone on it, and the plate matches the hat, as well as an ice cream bowl which will come out later. It all comes in an heirloom box to keep for years to come. The high chair is the same chair that Titus, Levi, and now Teensy all sat in for their first birthday. It has a permanent place in my sentimental obsession, we can never get rid of that chair. I will also be on a mission to persuade all of my children to have their children sit in the chair for their 1st birthday (it is ridiculous, but my genetic make-up is 80% ridiculous and 20% starch). Those little polka dots were purchased in the cake decorating section and matched the colors Kendra used for the ribbon perfectly.

We have seven Christmas trees in our house at present. We have one in our formal living room, which is decorated with all of our sentimental ornaments. Then there is one in the kitchen ( you can kind of see it in the background) which is decorated in red and white with gingerbread. Kendra can flat decorate a tree! Then we have a snowman tree up stairs in the game room, Levi has a cowboy tree in his room. Titus has a tree that is all blue. Blue ornaments, blue lights, blue ribbon--blue! The tree in our room is kind of a vintage tree with copper bulbs, vintage looking hearts and such. Teensy's tree is awesome. It's a feather boa tree. The tree rests upon a shelf which is right by her changing table. We found a kit with Barbie ornaments and then some brushed metal ornaments. The topper is a tiara, which fell as I see--need to work on the fixing of that. The picture frames on the shelf have her brothers and her Momma holding her. The picture of Momma and her is in a tiara frame. Her room is Mint green and pink. I'll have to post some pictures of her room. Very cool.

Our kids are growing up with a deep love for celebrating and being excited about doing stuff. Kendra and I both want to celebrate that we are a family and we make everything a party. When we go to Target, it's a party! No matter what we do we try to make it a fun and exciting adventure and not a drudgery. Hopefully happy memories are being built as our kids carefully lay the foundation of their lives out in the Spoon house.

Teensy turns One!

2007-11-28T09:46:00.000-06:00

I really have the hardest time wrapping my brain around the fact that our little miss has been in this world for 365 days! Watching her brother's and her grow is like watching sand pour through an hour glass, so fast, so quick, so hold on a minute I'm just not ready.
You can read about our journey with her starting here then you'll have to go here for more but, then you will be caught up. With all that we've been through you would think she's 30! As we were climbing the mountain Kendra and I thought we would never reach the top, but now it seems we've reached the summit, slipped and are now sliding down hill out of control, it's just going too fast.
She marks the end of her first year of life with some really terrific and unique "Teensy" things that only she can do.

She doesn't have teeth, not even a sign that teeth are in her future. Most babies have a full head of teeth by one, but not our little miss. She's going to wait, thank you very much.

When she is in full grin there are two perfectly symmetrical dimples right on top of her cheeks. Perfect little drops in her sweet little cheeks. Those dimples!

Her steel blue eyes glimmer and shine brighter than any star in the universe. Mildred talks about German glass glitter ALL the time, well it has nothing on the baby blue's of my princess.

Carbs! Lord oh Lord does this gal love bread. Crackers, toast, biscuits, pizza crust, rolls, crescents, you name it--she loves it! Teensy must have her bread fix as we eat dinner, nothing will suffice until we put bread on her tray. She extends her thumb and index finger to pinch up the piece of bread and then as she pops it in her mouth give the satisfactory moan of approval.

Mobility. Teensy is not sitting up on her own now, she would just rather lie on her back. I'm not sure it is due to the scoliosis she has or what, but she is just not sitting up. As for crawling, well she's not a conventional crawler either. She prefers to lie on her back and arch up onto her head and feet, like a bridge, and push. There's no place she won't get b doing this and by of course rolling. If she sees a tag, she will get there and let nothing stop her! She loves tags.

Brother's. Teensy loves her brother's. There's nothing that can make her laugh harder or longer than her brother, Titus doing many of his famous stunts. Chubbers brings her lots of laughs too, but they are short lived because Chubbers is convinced that she is in need of being dealt with. He will attempt to change her, feed her, lift her up to "holds you", or change her clothes all of which she completely ditests. The only thing that she hates worse is the sight of a Kleenex coming at her nose.

Right foot. There's something about a shoe and sock on her right foot that she hates. The minute we put her shoes and socks on, she's working to free that foot. Aside from the positively delicious taste of sock, she just likes to have that one foot free. I wonder if she will be the kind of gal who has to have that one foot out from under the covers?

Stillness. There's not much of that. She's in near constant motion. When we have her on her changing table, she's trying to buck off. The only time she's still is when she's sleeping. Which by the way she flips to her tummy to sleep. We don't put her on her tummy she just flips over, I would have to stand by her crib and flip her back which I won't do as I am fairly accustomed to sleep in my ever increasing old age.

To say that Teensy changed our life is like saying that electricity is just a passing fancy. Kendra and I are stunned by this amazing lady who has shown us more about living life that we could ever learn in a lifetime. She has taught us to completely and totally surrender control to God. There is absolutely no way that we could have made it through the last 365 days without the constant stability of our Lord. His strength, power, and assurance is all that we have had to be carried through. Every obstacle placed before us in the last year has not been a mountain because God made them molehills. Kendra and I both surrendered our selves to the Lord's care in the first few hours of our drama. I knew that facing the thought of losing my wife and unborn child, which I had no idea I had made, was beyond my ability to comprehend and control so I gave the control over.

I love you little miss, with all of my heart and soul. When I gaze into your eyes I see hope, fortitude, resolve, strength, and love for a life you have just begun to live. When I hold you in my arms I feel the future and know that tomorrow is going to a better place because you have lungs to breath and a heart that beats. I have no doubt you will do amazing things because I know you will be in the hands of a God who made sure you came into this world with pomp and circumstance and He just doesn't waste His time. Happy birthday my little Teensygirl.

Thumbprints

2007-11-19T07:30:00.001-06:00

It's that time of year when my heart calls me to the kitchen. I just love to bake and cook around the holiday's. I wanted to share one of my all time favorite cookies with you. The first time I had this cookie was at Mildred's house. She is a great cook and I can't even begin to tell you how many recipes I've taken as my own which she gave me. It really drives her crazy which is another good reason to continue doing it. I did give her credit when I wrote my cookbook, for one recipe--beefy rice, which is so delicious.

When Emma was in the NICU at St. Francis I made these cookies for the staff as a thank you and expression of our profound appreciation for their dedication to all of the babies that came through their loving hands. This picture of her is from November 30, when she had been in the NICU just a few hours. She held my finger at 4:00pm, for the first time. I will have a post dedicated to her on her first birthday, in 11 days.

Kendra and I tried to keep a macro vision when we were there mostly because our Teensy was doing so well compared to the other babies that were not doing so well. It just changed our perspective. We were totally focused and in tune with her, what she needed, how many grams her poop weighed, etc. But there was also this overwhelming sense of, "it could be so much worse." We had hundreds of people praying for our girl daily, as we were too, but we didn't know who was praying for the other babies. I kept a prayer list in Teensy's isolette chamber drawer just so I knew. The nurses didn't care because they knew why it was there. We ran into one of those babies at our Trunk of Treats in October and it was so cool to see the family, remember them, and get a chance to tell them that this church prayed for their baby.

When I made these cookies, I would usually make a triple batch, for each shift. I can get about four dozen cookies out of a batch, so I was usually cranking out at least 12 dozen cookies every time I made them. There were only two shifts, night shift was second, day shift was first. We took the cookies in a red toile tin with a promise that if the tin was returned empty it would be filled up again. We tried to take something every week, it became every other week after a while, but it certainly left an impression on the nurses and doctor's who cared for the babies because they knew that someone noticed them and appreciated their hard work. The most amazing thing about our 40 days in the NICU was that we were never known as anything other than, "Emma's Parents." Their whole focus was on her and her care not on the food and gifts we brought to them. As a parent we felt totally helpless, which is not a feeling that Kendra and I handle well. We had to do something and bringing baked goods was just the very least we could do. Those nurses have our undying gratitude and appreciation that will never fade with time.

There is a great candy cane company that only opens for one month at Christmas (it's in Minerva, KS) and they make the best candy canes I have ever eaten in my life. Mom's gets scads of them and has leftovers every year which I gladly eat, I love candy canes. Mom brought up all the leftovers we had and we gave them to the staff for Christmas, which they just flipped out over because it's not very often you get a home made candy cane for pete's sake.

Dr. Anderson was Teensy's neonatologist and I just can't say enough good things about him. We love him. When he ate these cookies it took him back to his home town. He told us he was from the North and that these cookies were made "up there" all the time and he hadn't had any since he had been in Oklahoma. I was thrilled to be able to give our babies doctor the cookie that took him back to his roots. I wanted to make other cookies, but knowing these were his favorite I just couldn't do anything other than these cookies.

I love the fact that they are bite sized, some people might try to make two bites out of them, and you can just pop them in. They are light and buttery with just at slight hint of almond, from the icing. But the most predominant flavor is the raspberry. I'm getting one of the worst cravings for these cookies as I type. They are so good.

I hope you try them and add them to your cookie collection for holidays. They are super easy. We have a v-shaped cutter from pampered chef and it is perfect for drizzling the glaze on the cookie. If you ever wondered what you were going to do with that thing, here you go.
Cookie Ingredients:
1 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup raspberry jam**

Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons water
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Combine butter, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour. Beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour. (I never do this step, but as disclosure it's in there.) Heat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. I use a small spring scoop (like an ice cream scooper). Place 2 inches apart onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 teaspoon jam. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely. Meanwhile, stir together all glaze ingredients in small bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

**Substitute 1/2 cup of your favorite flavor jam.

Ahoy me harties!

2007-11-06T11:48:00.000-06:00

It was a balmy day on the choppy sea as Captain Hook glared over the bow of the Jolly Roger for his nemesis, Peter Pan. Their long standing rivalry was begun after Captain Hook lost his hand, in one ill fated confrontation with Peter. His life would be complete if he could just have one good swipe at Peter Pan with his hook, or yea even his sword which is always at his side. Even though he was watching for this flying menace with the most serious concentration, one eye is always peeled for, "Tic Toc" the alligator that had a, shall we say, taste for Captain Hook. Hook knew, in the back of his mind, that his end would not be at the dagger of that malcontent Peter, but by razor sharp teeth of an alligator. His hope was that day would never come, or at least too soon.

Just as surely as the sun rises in the east, Peter shows up causing Captain Hook grief. Buzzing around like a fly--swooping down to tease Hook as he messes with the plume of his hat. Peter delights in seeing the choreographed swaps of Hooks hand flailing about. This man who prides his self on order and, "good form" is completely undone by this boy who terrorizes him to no end. Why is it that he can't stay on Neverland Island and leave the seas to Hook. Of course it is because Hook rarely ever sets foot on dry land, the Jolly Roger is his land, and Peter wouldn't have any fun at all if not for Hook and his ranting and raving as he swaps the empty air trying to catch Peter.

Most days are spent in a carefree fashion, Peter spending his time fluttering about with Tinkerbell. Peter is oblivious to the affections that Tinkerbell has for him, instead thinking that she is after all, a silly fair incapable of having more than one emotion at a time. You would think that there aren't enough adventures to keep Peter and the lost boys busy, but it seems that Neverland has an endless supply of adventure for these boys who will never know the cold steel blade of a razor against their adult cheeks. There is a part of Peter Pan that knows when the adventures end so does his childhood, which makes him all the more eager to never try to find the end of adventure. He never seeks to end the rivalry with Hook, or reveal the true identities of the lost boys, those secrets are kept in Peter's heart. Peter's family is the company of the Lost boys and without them he would have no companionship.

There is Tiger Lily, the proud Princess of the Picaninny tribe, but Peter finds their order and sense a little close to "grown up" for him. He knows that Tiger Lily is a true friend to him and is also oblivious to her affections as well. Tiger Lily would defend Peter to her death, an oath she almost made come true. You see there was one occasion when the tension between Hook and Peter took an uncomfortable twist, convincing Tiger Lily that she needed to take matters in her own hands and deal with Hook on her own. It would not be on her own terms however for she made the mistake of challenging Hook on his territory. There wasn't a mouse on board the Jolly Roger that Hook didn't know about and tolerate. Even though Tiger Lily channeled all of her Indian stealth to lurk through the choppy waters of Neverland, the minute she touched the boat, Hook knew something was up. With the knife in her mouth, Tiger Lily's only goal was to end the feud between Peter and Hook. The ambush that awaited Tiger Lily was upset by Peter Pan who flew in at just the right time to capture Hook's attention away from his beautiful friend.

Tinkerbell could do little to help Peter rescue Tiger Lily from the danger ahead, deep down in side she didn't really want to do anything because one less beautiful girl casting her glance toward Peter was just fine with her. Peter was for her and her alone. Tinkerbell, an expert at mending pots and kettles knew how to use that skill to mend broken hearts. She wanted Peter Pan to be for her and her alone, but she knew that true love would drive Peter from his childhood and straight into the throngs of adult responsibility. Nothing else could ever distract him from his life of leisure as the chief child on the island of Never land. Had she not witnessed first hand, the time she almost lost him, she would never have believed any ones tale. There was indeed a time when Peter nearly gave it all up for true love.

Peter would often fly to England in search of a great bedtime story. The summer, spring, and fall months were perfect times to hunt for good stories so he made his trips most often during those seasons. Everyone had their windows thrown open to receive the cool breeze of the night air. Peter's ears were tuned in to hear the perfect story. He heard many stories, but none caught his ear like the one's he heard from a particular townhouse in Kensington. He found them at the Darling home. Wendy, John, and Michael were indeed luck to have a mother like Mary Darling. She was the best of all mothers, kind and gentle; full of compassion and love for her children. She would enter their room at night, dressed for her own night's slumber, but wanting to give her sweet children one last story to stoke their imaginations for a night of wonderful dreams. Peter loved to listen to Mary's stories and would lose himself in the fact that he was afraid of women and resisted any adult that would come his way. Mary was different, she was kind and loving and the way in which she spoke to her children put Peter at ease of her persuading him into his own life of adult hood. He would land like a feather on the stoop and open his mind to her voice as she told the stories that dreams are made of.

Night after night of stories went off without a hitch until one night when Peter lost his shadow. Shadows are mischievous little scoundrels. Peter had to have his shadow, although it would help to not have a shadow as his shadow gave him away to Hook often times as he swooped down for his daily dose of torment. One just can't live without a shadow, however beneficial it is to tormenting Pirates. Not being familiar with chartering the skies of the Darling children's rooms, Peter bumped into a Chiffarobe, moved since his last visit. Peter had never seen anything more than the back of the Darling children's heads as they were frozen in their beds listening to their mother's stories. Their white linen sleeping gowns glowing in the moonlight. That would all change as he swooped down to catch that ornery little shadow.

To be continued.

Up Jump The Devil

2007-10-25T22:26:00.001-05:00

My best friend in the whole wide world is Mildred. Halloween is a perfect time of the year to share with you one of the most wonderful joys of my life, more than a golden ticket from my favorite Barista, more than 90% off at my favorite store, this tops of my list of things I love--scaring Mildred. I just can't tell you how awesome it is. One thing to understand about scaring Mildred is that Mildred is a tough ol'bird. She's not afraid of tornadoes or walking in the baddest part of town at midnight, oh no bring it it on for her. She has no fear of "natural" things. No, no, see she's afraid of things that don't really happen in the natural world. I'll explain.

When Kendra and I lived in Oklahoma City and were working at Deer Creek we were good friends with the Triplett's. We spend many hours together; Mildred and her family, Kendra and Me, and the Triplett's sitting around either one's home and laughing until our belly's hurt and our tear ducts were dry. So much fun. I think for Kendra and Me the Triplett's house was our favorite place to hang out because we loved their house! It was in a very nice neighborhood of Oklahoma City called Blue Stem and the house was our dream of an absolute perfect house, now we say we would add one more bedroom since Teensy's surprise arrival almost a year ago (one month and 4 days to her 1st birthday). The floor plan was totally open and inviting, as were the Triplett's. I loved the kitchen and really liked cooking in there.

On one of our fun nights we were all cutting up and having a ball when Larry, sorry Pat and Larry Triplett, walked in the kitchen with this horrendous old man mask, that looked a lot like this one. Well Donna nearly dropped her contents! In addition to being really fun to scare she is even more fun to startle! It's really too easy to startle her, but it's still fun. Of course after she was startled we all got a HUGE classic Mildred lecture. As the night progressed, I decided it was time to pull out all of the stops. Mildred was at the sink, which had a window looking out over the side of their property. The street lights gave a blue haze to the dark night sky. I put that mask on and snuck around to the window and waited for her to get totally engrossed in a conversation. At just the right moment, up jump the devil! I popped up and caught her eye. She threw up her towel screamed and spun around! It took me a good five minutes to get off the ground because I was laughing so hard. She refused to look out that window any more that night, and really didn't want to go to the sink. The other thing to remember about Mildred is that when scared it usually marks her for life. Call her today and ask her about that night I jumped up at Pat and Larry's and we are RIGHT back to that night, and I get the same lecture as if it had just happened.

When Mildred's husband was on an out of town trip, for business, Mildred came over to the house to hang out with us. We always ate too much, laughed a lot, and just had fun together. This night was no exception other than we had decided to watch the Blair Witch Project. It was ALL the rage in 1999 and it seemed EVERYONE was talking about it. We started the movie about 10 or so. You have to understand that I'm not, so not, a night owl. I turn into a pumpkin around 10 and it just gets worse and worse at the night wears on. It drives Kendra crazy and Mildred too. I have never been a night owl, I'm a morning person. I say that to say, Blair Witch put me to sleep.

It didn't put Mildred to sleep, it put her in a state of absolute marked for life sheer terror. What makes this movie so believable is the way in which it was shot, like a home movie all bouncy and rough, not like a really fancy high dollar production. There is a part of the movie where this person is in a tent and children are all around the tent banging on it. Mildred was wrapped up in a blanket, peeking out with half an eye--totally and completely horrified. This movie ruined her.

The next day she was still ruined, still marked, still mortified that she had allowed her mind to open, even a crack, to the images and sounds of this now horror classic. It was all she could talk about. Mildred lives in the boon toolies about twenty minutes from civilization and the thought of her going back to her house...alone was all she could do. She just knew that little children would pop up and surround her house banging on the walls or something. She stayed with us for three days and then went over to the Triplett's for another three days. I really believe that she's still haunted by this movie--it really ruined her. I'm sure, not that she ever reads this blog, that she will get all tense and keyed up just reading this post. It's ok Mildred, they are all actors. My friend Tracy tells me that this happened in her neck of the woods. Since Mildred and Tracy are friends I'm sure it will come up in conversation (have you asked her about it yet, Tracy?)

Lastly, Mildred had not been on the world wide web for long when this happened, even though it seems she has been there ever since All Gore invented it. I had been after her for some time to get an email account set up. She has dial up which is totally frustrating to ALL of us, especially her. A few years ago I came across this cool picture of a kitchen/dining room and the challenge was to find something wrong with this picture. It came to me in an email, but I found it here and I'm so glad I did. Well the fun thing is as you stare at this picture you realize nothing is wrong, so you lean in closer, and closer when--up jump the devil! this monster face jumps up at you and screams. The first time I saw it I have to admit I jumped. I knew it would be fun to send to Mildred because she just simply could not resist the desire to find fault in this picture and there would be a for sure nose print on her screen. The only sad thing is I was not there to witness the shock. Mildred used to stay up into the wee hours of the morning pouring over the web and checking and responding to email. She was in this two peas in a bucket group and spent a lot of time there doing something. Well...sure enough she opened the picture and took the bait the picture was there and she was nose to nose with the screen when--up jump the devil.

She screamed, threw herself back from the computer in her rolling chair and ran out of the room. I'm sure her hands were close to her face, or covering her eyes. She was Ruined. She did not have her speakers on, or up one, because had that happened I think she would have completely dropped her contents and never touched her keyboard again. She knew she had to get that thing off the screen, but it kept poppin up and she just couldn't do it. So she covered her eyes and side step-slid, into the room waving her free arm around trying to find the computer. She finally managed to smack the screen and slide her hand down to the button to turn off her computer. I got the biggest lecture from her, lord o lord did I get a lecture. "William! I can't believe..." I really don't know what she said because I was laughing too hard. This happened at least seven years ago and she still won't open an attachment from me! How's that for holding a grudge.

Nowadays I just get my kicks out of making her think I'm bidding too early on her ravenous compulsive vintage ebay wallpaper purchases, but you gotta do what you gotta do. See since she has dial up and gets her connection dropped I get the supreme joy of doing her bidding--literally! It's just more fun that I have the ability to share, scaring Mildred. One more thing, Mildred....Boo!

Caped Fear

2007-10-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

My Sister and I are four years apart in age, which is to say I basically grew up alone. We lived in the country at the junction of 76 and 86 highway in Neosho. These two highways came together at angles. If you picture a pie shape, our row of house was in the center right before the tip of the pie. There were six houses on our highway and none of them had children my age. I can't remember one time that I had a friend over in the seven years we lived there, except for Corbin Cornell whose mother dropped the reluctant lad off for a one hour trip into town. My cousin, Tiger, would come over but only on holiday or special occasions. I say that to say, my best friends growing up were my imagination and TV. I would get lost in my world and play for hours and hours on end and if I wasn't playing in my world, I was watching TV.

Saturday mornings, I would get up before the sun and make my way into the living room to watch TV. I can't tell you how many hours, collectively, I watched the color bars just waiting for the flag to be shown followed by the guy to com on the air and pray for the day. After the formality of the station revving up for its day of broadcast Super Friends came on, my favorite show! The Legion of Doom and the Hall of Justice was just awesome. I liked Aquaman the most, Hawk Girl and the Wonder Twins drove me out of my mind crazy--didn't like them at all. The Wonder Twins never did anything but get into trouble and cause the Super Heros more work. Gleek their mascot monkey was better than them. I wished them back to their home planet of Exor more times than I can count and wished the Wendy and Marvin would come back with Wonderdog.

I'm not sure why this popped up, but; there was a time in my life when I wondered to myself at what point the world became color. I had watched a lot of black and white TV and also color shows came along so I just knew that at some point in history things must have been black and white. Makes sense to me, how 'bout you? Pleasantville helped me out a lot in living through my thought process.

Super Friends entertained me for hours, I would just get spell bound wondering if my super friends would be able to survive the Legion of Doom's diabolical schemes. Even though Aquaman was my favorite superhero I would pretend to be Superman more than any other superhero, didn't swim much so Aquaman was just not an option, and since every super hero I became had a cape my dad made me a one to be superman. This was not a flowing red cloth cape...no, no...it was a heavy scratchy tweed cape. That's right lime green, dark green, yellow, and white striped tweed cape with a button to attach. I didn't care because that cape would transform me into Superman, Batman, or Hong Kong Phooie, and I would have super powers just like them. None of the super heroes, however, ever had an older sister who got her kicks out of waiting for her little super hero brother to come running through the house only to grab my cape and watch me flail to the ground--flat! She loved that! I hated it! Every time I wore my cape I ran around in fear of my pesky sister grabbing my cape. Dad thought he would fix the problem by writing a note on my cape, "Don't Tug on Superman's Cape" was written on my green striped tweed cape with Marks A Lot Black Marker. It was kind of the cherry atop my pathetic attempt at being a super hero. I still have that cape in my Mom's cedar chest and it still has the warning, thanks Jim Croce, for all to see.

I knew when the Super Friends would be showcased by the villain showcased. If Bizarro, Brainiac, Lex Luthor (who founded the legion), or Toyman were on it woudl be Superman's day to shine. If Black Manta was on Auqaman would be the lead of the day. Cheeta and Giganta were the arch enemies of Wonder Woman and if Giganta was on it meant that Apache Chief would guest appear to help Wonder Woman out. Riddler, Scarecrow, or Solomon Grundy meant that Batman and Robin were on their way. Sinestro's yellow ring always battled against the Green Lantern's green ring. Just loved the stuff!

Watching those shows now I see how hokey they were, but back then I ate it up! I still enjoy watching the old shows and remember most of the episodes and get all keyed up just like I used to.

I usually watched my shows until the beginning of American Bandstand, and we left to go to town with Granny. I was never interested in American Bandstand and really, really loved spending the day with my Granny.

Vacation long ago, go

2007-10-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

The Summer of 1974, my family and I had been waiting in our green station wagon for our turn to get into Silver Dollar City. We knew we were close because we had passed the horse ranch which my sister and I always wanted to visit, "we aren't here to ride horses we are here to go to Silver Dollar City", but knew would never happen. We loved Silver Dollar City. We loved the walk up to the tram stop in parking lot C, we loved seeing the long green snake pull up, "howdy folks, welcome to Silver Dollar City, Please wait until the tram comes to a full and complete stop before loading, watch your head." The Silver Dollar City was the first of many rides that I looked forward to. I can still remember the heat of those metal seats burning my legs as I slid into the bench, scrunching close to my Dad. Mom never let me ride against the edge because she was afraid I would fall to my death...on a tram going no more than five miles an hour!
There weren't many rides compared to Six Flags (ST. Louis) or Worlds of Fun (Kansas City) but they were great. Sis and I always made our way to every one full excitement and anticipation. There was: Fire in the hole, Run a way mine train, Rube Dugan's Diving Bell, and the Train. Of course, you can't forget Marvel Cave which wasn't really a "ride" but totally cool to walk through. Mom never stepped foot in the Cave, Dad had to go. Mom just shopped while we did the cave.

The center of town was cool because we could ride a real mule driven stagecoach, or go through Tom Sawyer's tree house (which is closed), and stood mesmerized and all keyed up because the Hatfield's and McCoy's were at it again. I really believed the story and always had a tinge of fear that those guns were loaded. The Sheriff wanted to deputize me and I was reluctant because I just wasn't ready to defend the city against the bad guys. I remember well when the Plunge came to SDC and it was just awesome! I didn't care about getting wet back then, now I do care-A LOT! Plus the apple butter house was right by it and you could sample fresh apple butter--HOLY COW that stuff was good.

Vacations for my family were always an adventure because something had to go wrong. Thinking back it was as if our car knew we were getting ready to go somewhere and decided it would just breakdown. We always packed a cooler with bologna and bread, mustard for Dad, and drinks chips. We never ate out on the road, Dad didn't want to stop he just wanted to get there. We would stop for critical bathroom breaks (most of the time on the side of the road) because I had reached the point of no return. On our only trip to Florida, which we drove to, my family loves to point out that I had--HAD to stop in every state to, "leave my mark." When nature calls you just can't tell it to leave a message.

Silver Dollar City meant funnel cakes. I just love funnel cakes and looked forward to eating them every time I knew we were going. There is one place in the park that I prefer to get my cakes from and don't really thing the other places do justice, it has to be that place. It also meant salt water taffy. Watching that taffy machine crank out fresh batches of taffy just brought joy to my heart. Plus, they give you free samples and for a boy who wasn't allowed to get souvenirs or was given spending money--free samples meant a lot! We did by the souvenir glass mugs because it meant cheaper refills. They have since become plastic mugs, but the glass ones were really cool. SDC has unfortunately become a fan of huge skillets that cook a goulash kind of conglomeration, which I am OUT on-Totally! I just can't stand the smell or sight of these huge vats of mixed up food stewing away. This picture does not do justice to the "real" sight of such a thing. I can't really describe it other than to say it looks like some took a compost buckets contents and decided to cook it over an open fire and add stagnant swamp water to it. BLECH!

We also ate lunch in the lost Mine, I don't think that I've eaten in any other place at SDC--ever. The Mine is a cool place, underground below the Fried Chicken place. You eat on tin plates and drink out of tin cups. The cornbread is just the best I've ever had. It is a buffet, but it feels like a cafeteria. Love the Mine. The Mine also had a special table which slowly crept up as you ate. By the time you were through eating it was about four or five inches higher than before. It was really fun to watch people who didn't know the table grew and see them try to fight off the feeling that they are losing their minds. So cool. By the way the picture to my right, taken from the SDC website does not--NOT portray the true visual experience of the Mine because the food does not look that good.

Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor is a true old fashioned ice cream parlor that I love. The blackberry ice cream would make anyone decide it's ok to be fat! I'm telling you it is incredible. They make the stuff right there on the sight in huge ice cream churns. They look just like the wooden bucket ice cream makers we all know, only super sized to 10 gallon not one gallon. So cool to see these things churning out such delectable confections--I'm a huge fan of ice cream. Just love it and Hannah's is the best place for Ice Cream ever!

Around 1980 or so I had a brush with celebrity. I will never forget walking by Grandpa Jones in the Park, "Hi Grandpa!", "Howdy son." He said, "Howdy son" to me--Me! Silver Dollar City had just built this huge amphitheater and showcased the Darlin Band from Andy Griffith fame. Grandpa Jones had come as a special guest. So cool to see a real live celebrity. The amphitheater called Echo Hollow opened after the park closed which meant you could stay a little longer and then go enjoy a good show. I loved the fact that the band that played with Andy Griffith was actually playing for me Live! They were really great and we always enjoyed the show. I don't' know who does the show now, but for the longest time we went to see the Darlin's at SDC. When I was a kid the end of the park was Echo Hollow but it has since grown on beyond.

We just wrapped up a trip to Branson and SDC where we took Teensy and the boys and it is just as I remember it. So much has changed and the park has really grown up, but so much is still the same as I remember it when I was a kid. Knowing that my boys can walk the same paths that I walked at their age and ride the same rides (some have been removed though, but that kind of ruins the nostalgia) is awesome. We had Teensy last year when we went to SDC and didn't know it. This year she rode in a stroller and not in her Momma belly! I got tickled at Kendra because she commented that, "these hills aren't as bad this year as they were last." There are some really steep hills you have to walk, and when you are pregnant and don't know it it's really bad!

I had the same feeling of melancholy when we left the park on Friday, a week ago, as I did when we left park in 1974 and years following. When would I get to come back to this wonderland and enjoy the freedom of fun. Waiting another year just didn't seem fair to me. These memories wrap around me like a warm blanket and just keep my soul cozy. Silver Dollar City is a good, good friend.

Memory Lane: Etta Caywood

2007-09-25T09:20:00.000-05:00

One of the sweetest ladies I have ever in my life met was Etta Caywood. She was the mother of my loser uncle David. He married my Dad's only sister, Auntie Ilene, and they had two children, Tiger and Julie. While David wasn't worth the powder it would take to blow his brains out, Etta was a jewel. My heart is so happy right now as I'm pulling up all of the Etta love I have for her.

Etta always sat on our pew in church. She sat next to my Grandmother and drove her crazy. Etta was a fidgeting non-stop mover. She was always adjusting the white sweater that she had permanently draped over her shoulders, or digging in her purse for the Fig Newtons she ate during church, or getting her finger nail clippers out for a quick trim. She was just fidgety and Grandmother hated fidgeters. Etta made change in the collection plate. In the Church of Christ we celebrate communion every Sunday and immediately following communion we pass the collection plate to get funds. Each week as the plate came by Etta would place the plate on her lap drop in her bill and take out the change. Grandmother would just huff! Loved it. At some point in the service Etta would lean over to Grandmother and say, "Newton...Velva?" Oh how that made my Grandmother's blood boil. I've posted this before, here.

Etta looked like Granny Clampet from the Beverly Hillbillies with Queen Elizabeth's hair and Aunt Bee's wardrobe (does that do it for ya?). Her lips always glistened and were very taught, I think from false teeth that were not quite a right fit. She also had a constant smile on her face and was just absolute sugar sweet. She smelled of Ponds Cold Cream, with an ever so slight Fig newton aroma. Etta had an elastaband watch with a Kleenex stuffed in it. I can't quite figure out how one old lady with a used Kleenex and clean up a 10 gallon spill and still use the Kleenex when I have to have a shop vac and 10 rolls of paper towel. How do they do that?

Etta's house was warm and wonderful. She lived on the Corner of Hearall and Delaware. Her house was built into a hill, as most homes in Neosho were. It was a White house with a perfectly manicured lawn. She had a stone wall surrounding her property which only went up to about two maybe three feet. Atop the wall was an old fashioned fence. It was like wire hanger wire made into connected arches, very cool. You parked on Hearall, walked to the gate, stepped down about four steps to the walk and went up to her house. The house was a white asbestos tile home, very tiny. It only had a living room, bedroom, bathroom, dining room, and kitchen which was the smallest kitchen I've ever seen in my life. I would guess the kitchen floor was 3x6, literally one person could stand in that kitchen and no one else. There was a door in the kitchen which took you outside to the yard. The two car garage that faced Delaware Street was bigger than her house. It had all kinds of wonderful stuff in there, but I wasn't' allowed in there. Had she been my Grandmother, you better bet I'd be in there.

Etta's kitchen being so small, she kept her refrigerator in the dining room. She had Milkmaid wallpaper and a linoleum that had turquoise and gold glitter in it.

There were three things that stood out in my mind which came from Etta's kitchen. First, popcorn balls. Her popcorn balls were hands down the best popcorn balls I have ever eaten in my life. Every Halloween we made a bee line to Etta's house for popcorn balls. They were the size of softballs, sweet, not sticky, somewhat salty, and all perfectly shaped and wrapped. She only made them on Halloween and they were a treat. I don't really like popcorn (gets stuck in your teeth) or sticky stuff that much, but I would eat her popcorn balls. I'm getting a craving for them right now, blast! Secondly, her grilled bologna and cheese sandwiches. She always put about two-three tablespoons of butter in her cast iron skillet, made three cuts in the bologna and fried it in the butter. As the bologna was cooking she buttered the super soft white bread, the bologna was put on a blue Melamie plate while she cooked the cheese sandwiches. I didn't really care for the fried bologna and cheese sandwiches because they were served with tomato soup which I despise. The sandwiches were ok, but I prefer my bologna cold with iceberg lettuce, white bread the kind that sticks to the roof of your mouth, mayonnaise, and cheese thank you very much. Last, but certainly not least: Macaroni and Cheese.

Etta's macaroni and cheese was off-brand Kraft macaroni and cheese, never anything else but that. She always served it in shallow soup bowls. Tiger and I would be called to the table and there sat our macaroni and cheese. She cooked the noodles until they were very, very done, no al denta here more like al mooshay. The milk, butter, salt and pepper were added as well, but no cheese. As we sat down she would come in with her sweet, lovely smile, "would you like some cheese?" "yes please." At that point she would take the envelope which had been carefully cut open with scissors and sprinkle some cheese over my bowl of macaroni. Hands down this is the most bizarre way I have ever, ever eaten mac&cheese. I wanted desperately for her to just dump that cheese in the pan and serve it like every American in the universe does, but she was so sweet I just couldn't say anything.

I truly loved this sweet, sweet lady and hated how her only son treated her and how her only grandchildren hated her. It was my goal to let her know how much I loved her and I have to this day longed for her to be my "other" grandmother. Had I had her and my Granny to love me there's not telling how my life would have been different however I have no desire to be the spawn of her wretched and horrible son. I'll have a post about him...maybe.

In the kitchen with Moron

2007-09-18T21:07:00.000-05:00

I've posted many, many times my love for cooking and as a matter of fact I can smell the aroma of brownies filling the house as I type...mood music! Before I actually had somewhat of a clue in the kitchen I made some horrific mistakes and still cause my family to cringe at the thought of them. Hey what can I say...I'm a Moron. So...here I share two tales from my vast collection of cooking disasters created in the kitchen's of my youth.

Grilled Cheese briquette anyone?

I really like grilled cheese sandwiches when I was a kid. My favorite thing to do with grilled cheese was try to get all the melted cheese out of the sandwich then devour the cheesy, toasty, buttery bread...mmmm. Etta Caywood always made fried bologna and cheese sandwiches, not my favorite. I'll have to post an Etta's kitchen story soon, before I forget--it's a humdinger. The coldest possible glass of milk had to be on hand and guzzled, I guzzle my milk and do not slowly sip because it gets tepid too quick.

Mom and I were at Grandmother's house, which in and of itself was just amazing, I think because Mom was getting some sewing help from Grandma. Again, it's such a bizarre thing for this event, I might have just blocked the whole memory out...except for what was about to happen. I have to check the brownies...they smell done. Sure enough...where was I--oh yes. I was really hungry and asked Mom when we would be leaving because I was hungry. It took a lot of nerve to get me off the couch and into the "other" room as I wasn't' really allowed in parts of Grandmother's house other than the sofa or outside.

"Mom...when are we leaving? I'm starving." "You're hungry? Well you just ate dinner didn't you?" "Yes Ma'am we did but I'm still hungry." "Well you can go make yourself a cheese sandwich--don't make a mess!" Grandmother had allowed me into the kitchen! Allowed me into the fridge...the wardrobe had opened and I was surely stepping into Narnia. It was the only time I ever, ever felt free at her house.

I got the bread, margarine, cheese, knife, spatula, and cast iron square griddle out for my culinary adventure. Keep in mind that I'm around 9-12 here, Poppa was dead and he died when I 8, so it was for sure after that, and had no clue about making a grilled cheese sandwich. I thought I had all of the principles of grilled cooking down, but oh how wrong I was.

1. Turn on gas stove to full throttle, NASA hot.

2. Place skillet on stove to get smokin hot.

3. Butter bread with cold margarine which tears holes in bread.

4. Waft smoke from smokin hot griddle and slap on said holy bread.

5. Stand amazed at the amount of smoke created by this simple step.

6. Place cheese on bread as it is emitting a rather choking black smoke.

Dilemma...how does the cheese melt? It must melt on the skillet.

7. Use spatula to scrape black bread from skillet and flip over onto skillet allowing cheese to make contact.

8. Note: Cheese when burning at a high rate will actually flame up. When that happens scream!

"HELP! HELP! FIRE!" "What in God's name...!" Grandmother and mother were both in the kitchen which had a dense Jersey like fog hanging over it and quickly sprang into action. "Son...what were you thinking?" Holding back the tears...it was shear terror I assure you. "I was just hungry and didn't know how to melt the cheese" Grandmother wasn't happy at all and let me know it. While everyone else in the family can laugh about it (I'm snickering right now) I don't think Grandmother has yet to laugh about it. I never did get to eat.

Paul Prudhomme...you are safe!

About 1985 or 6 I was enamoured with Creole cooking especially blackening. Blackened chicken was everywhere! Paul Prudhomme was the quintessential Creole cook and lead, I think he might have even invented, in teaching the world about blackening. I was all for it, until I learned that it is hot...really hot and i don't do hot--at all.

I pulled dinner duty usually and tired to shake things up a bit when i cooked, wanting to try different things and not just have the same old same old. One particular night...sis was gone and Mom was working late which left Dad and me home alone. I couldn't talk Dad into a pizza or anything else outside of our house and offered to cook. Blackened cube steak sounded good.

I had no idea what blackening seasoning was, but I knew it looked red and then turned black. What seasoning in our pantry looks red? Lawry's seasoned salt, of course! I poured about 1 cup of the seasoning in a plate to dredge the steaks in. I got the skillet ready (medium heat is as high as I ever go--lesson learned) and dredged the steaks in the salt. They fried up great...looked just like blackened meat.

"Here you go Dad." "What's this?" "Blackened cube steak." "Bl...ack...ened? Do you know how to do that? I didn't think we had the stuff to do that." "OHHH YEAH we had everything we needed." Dad's first bite was also his last. "PFFFFSSSTD This is horrible, it tastes like crap." He was right, it was horrible. The steak tasted like a salt lick, nothing but pure salt. It was disgusting. "Don't try that again--ever, ok son?" "Ok Dad."

I'll have to get Mildred to tell you about the time I convinced her to corrupt her delicious, mouth-watering cherry cobbler. I feel a guest post coming...are you up to it Mil?

The Don Juan named Ronald

2007-09-13T21:16:00.000-05:00

My sister was always very concerned about her image and her status in the whole scheme of high school life. She was determined to run with a crowd that met her high standards of living, even though we were not "of means" like the kids she wanted to run with. She had a lot of friends and got into her fair share of trouble... those are stories for another day.

When sis started dating she set her sights on the boys who were of means, regardless of their 'coolness." One such stud was a boy named Ronald (picture the love child of Dudley Moore and the guy from Mad comics...got it? Ok, moving on.) Ronald's dad owned one of the nicest department stores in Neosho, they carried very nice clothes and my parents would never spend what the clothes in that store cost. He just so happened to attend our church, too. Bonus! Mom and Dad would let her "go out" with a good church boy from school whose parents owned a department store downtown.

The first date that sis went on with Ronald was a hay ride for church. It was Fall, the air was cool and crisp with the smell of fallen leaves filling the air...the beauty of scents that stir up the memories of fall were far out weighed by the dense, thick, heavy odor of that wagon full of hormonal teenagers looking to get whatever they could get. Ronald was among the hopeful. See, sis had been kind of flirty at school which automatically leads a hormonal boy to the conclusion that "she" is a doorknob--everyone gets a turn! What they didn't know is that sis was about as far away from being easy as you could get. She was a prude, with a sharp left hook!

As Ronald and sis snuck off to the seclusion of darkness I'm sure he was ready for his night of 1,000 pleasures with all of his hopes and dreams coming true through my sister. He did manage to kiss her, but when his hands thought they were the yellow pages and he would let his fingers do some walking, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" She put the kibosh on that boy's dreams lickity split. She was not giving up anything to him, let a lone anyone else who hadn't proposed and married her! Poor Ronald dejected and let down went back to the wagon with shattered dreams and a date that had the pursed lips of disapproval. Sis can give you a cold stare that would cause the sun to shutter!

Back at school on Monday, Ronald began to spin a tale, a huge false tale that put him in the club of "men" those men who flexed their muscle and showed their girl a thing or two about how the west was one. Yep, ol' Ron had his way with, "that Spoon girl" and then dumped her. One more notch in the belt of the Don Juan, named Ronald. The only problem with his plan was the fact that gossip when planted in fertile soil will grow like a weed, think Seamore's pet in Little Shop of Horrors. The rumor came back to sis, she was devastated. The devastation lasted for approximately 45 seconds before the rage set in. She was hot! When sis is hot, she gets revenge no holds barred!

One of her best friends at the time was Karen, a very ornery gal I must say. She and Karen really got into some doosies. Well...they cooked up this plan to get Ronald back, and good. All they needed was a night that we, Mom, Dad, and me, were gone...Friday night, our weekly trip to Joplin took hours.

"Ronald?...hey this is Lesa...good...say I was thinking about the hayride....no, don't be sorry because I've been thinking that I was wrong to turn you away...right...what are you doing tonight? Mom, Dad, and Will are gone, you could come over if you wanted too....10 minutes great...wear something sexy." The trap was set! Ronald lived just up the hill from us. He ran as fast as he could to our house and made it in like 8 minutes.

Our house on Pineville Road was great. We had a big back yard, with a nice patio and sliding glass doors. The patio led into our den area which had a two step entrance into our laundry room, which connected to our kitchen. There was also a two step entrance into our formal living room which lead to our kitchen. Basically it was one big connecting circle.

Sis had put on a shirt and shorts...then a robe to make it look like she was naked. Karen was going to hide in the laundry room and run back up for Sis if ol' hormone tried to make a break for back door. Oh yes...there was a pistol and a shotgun involved. Sis had my Dad's Reuger in her robe and Karen had Dad's shotgun and hid in the laundry room. They were going to get him and get him good!

Ronald made it to the house in record time, driven no doubt by his pent up hormonal teenage charisma. "Hey beautiful...pant, pant, pant...came as quick as I could. So no one is home?" "Nope, not a soul come on in...you look nice tonight." "Let's go into the den and get comfortable, I'm going to go to the bathroom, get comfortable." "OK, beautiful." As tiger bounded off onto an adventure into the 100 acre wood, so did ol' ron bounce into the den and strip down to his bikini briefs. RED SATIN BIKINIS.

When Lesa saw him standing there in all of his dorky glory is was all she could do not to bust out laughing, but she had a plan to execute. "Ronald...before we get started I have a question to ask." "OK, anything, you can ask me anything." "Well, do you know who started the rumor that you and I slept together at the hayride?" "What? no, I don't' know, let's not talk let's just get started." "Well, it's been bothering me because you and I both know that nothing happened on that hay ride, and well...I know it was you who spread the rumor." "I wouldn't do that to you beautiful." "Oh yes you would, you wanted to look good didn't you, you wanted your friends to think you took advantage of me and had your way with me, I now exactly what and why you did what you did. You pig. I'm going to get you back for it and tonight's the night."

That's when she pulled the Reuger out of her robe and pointed it straight at him. I'm sure, sure Ronald emptied his contents right their on the spot! "Oh my Gosh, Lesa, holy cow, now wait a minute here, I was only joking, I didn't mean it, honest. Is that thing loaded?" "It can get the job done. Do you know how embarrassing that was to me? Do you have any idea how mad I am and hurt I am that you ruined my reputation?" "I'm so sorry. I'll go fix it on Monday I promise, I swear I'll fix it, please don't' kill me, please."

It was at that point that Ronald decided to make a run for the back door. As he was running toward the door, Karen leaped from the laundry room holding the shot gun, "HA! Don't move creep!" "OH crap!" Ronald was standing in our den, wearing nothing but red satin bikini underwear as two girls were holding him hostage at gun point.

Karen was a tough ol' gal. She was a tomboy deluxe. Played softball, basketball, I think she might have played football if the coaches would have let her. She looked like the love child of Erin Moran (Jonie from happy days) during the perm years, and Andre the giant. Not a beautiful person, but no one ever said anything because she would beat the crap out of you.

"Please don't kill me, please don't kill me I'll do anything, please." He was crying and convinced that Lesa and Karen were going to shoot first and ask questions later. "You better go back to school on Monday and tell everyone you know that you didn't do anything to me, I'm letting you go this time, but if I ever hear about you talking about me behind my back again, I won't let you go." "OK, thank you, oh crap, thank you."

Lesa and Karen watched Ronald run home, up the hill in his red satin bikini underwear as he was trying to hold his clothes. The laughed and laughed and laughed. Ol' Ronald had been punk'd by the best and would never forget that night again.

He did as he said and tried to reverse the story, but the damage had been done. Sis was a marked woman, but she didn't care because she would start dating my future brother-in-law soon anyway.

There were times that Karen and Lesa would look at Ronald during church and close one eye, raise their gun fingers in the air and mouth, "bang." His eyes would get as big as silver dollars and he would turn away.

I can still laugh out loud as I think of this story. It never gets old or tired, I just love it. I have a beautiful mental picture of every second as it ticked away, and just love every detail. I wonder if old Ronald ever met anyone, he probably made darn sure they didn't own a gun!