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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Auld Lang Syne

Things have been not so good around here lately. So this is what I do when stressed.



I've been baking sugar cookies. I never got around to it at Christmas time, so now is a good time as any.

We are having a low key New Years. Today would have been my Mama's 66th birthday. I miss her so much it hurts. I have high hopes that 2012 will be better to us. I'm not really making any resolutions, although I do have plans to blog more, take more pictures, and just document our life better. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Red Maples

Really enjoying the beautiful fall colors!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Family Time

It was a great day for a picnic!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Love One Another



Love one another

And you will be happy

It's as simple

And as difficult as that


Katie Bug





There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Unique

Decide who you are and revel in it.............

Friday, August 19, 2011

Country Drives



Photography Is Truth

I wanted to share some recent pictures I took. I have vowed to not leave the house without my camera. You never know what you will find.

I love old doors...



The colors in my new umbrella make me happy


Not the best shot, it's very grainy, but I love this street at night




Rural Georgia

My absolute favorite animal to shoot are cows, could only find horses this day though.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Cheesecake? Yes, please!


Crust:

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
3/4 cup finely chopped vanilla wafers
2 tablespoons melted butter

Filling:

1 1/2 lbs cream cheese
1 1/3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions:

Crust Directions:

1. Mix all nuts and vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter and press into a 9 inch buttered springform pan, trying to line the sides as much as possible about 1 1/2" up the sides of the pan, set aside.

Cheesecake Directions:

1. All the filling ingredients should be at room temperature.

2. Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy with an electric mixer set on low (keep the setting at low during the entire mixing process).

3. Add the sugar a little at a time and continue beating until creamy.

4. Add one egg at a time and beat after each egg.

5. Add flour, vanilla and lemon juice, mix well.

6. Add the sour cream and beat well.

7. Pour cream cheese mixture into the springform pan.

8. Place on the top rack in the middle of a 325 degree F preheated oven for one hour and 15 minutes.

9. When time is up turn oven off, prop open oven door and leave in oven for one hour.

10. Remove from oven and let cool then refrigerate for 24 hours.

11. Remember this important tip : A cheesecake should season. The wait is worth it. The flavor ripens and becomes enriched.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

My Son, The Artist

Here a few of my son's latest paintings. He is only 14 and does such a great job. For some reason I couldn't make them bigger. Blogger has been acting funny for me all day.



This is John Lennon




He certainly doesn't get his talent from me. The other night his Facebook status said, "I've always wanted to be a painter, now I am." Awwwwww

Inked

So, apparently "now a days" the way to profess your undying love is to get matching tattoos.


It made for a cute picture!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Crocodile Tears

Is anyone following the Casey Anthony trial? I've been watching it from the start. Most days I only gets bits and pieces in and have to catch the recap with Vinnie Politan. I believe they said that the defense plans to wrap their case up tomorrow. Still no word on whether or not Casey will take the stand.

She was so stone faced today in court as her dad broke down. While this entire family has their quirks, I feel so sorry for George and Cindy. They truly are heart broken over the death of their grand daughter.

Casey isn't fooling anyone, I think that jury sees right through her. I will be glad when it's over and maybe there will be justice for little Caylee. Also, maybe my laundry will finally get caught up and dinner done on time. Oy Vey!

Fruit Pizza, Yummy, Yummy

There are so many ways to make this yummy pizza. Here's my take on it.

Preheat oven to 350. Take a roll of sugar cookie dough and roll it out to a large circle. I hope you have better luck with this than I did. Next time mine will be a rectangle. Ha!

Bake the cookie for about 12 minutes until lightly brown. I put mine on a greased pizza stone and had no trouble with sticking. While the cookie is browning mix a container of Cool Whip, 8 oz package of cream cheese, and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.

When the cookie has cooled spread the cream cheese mixture on and top with your favorite fruit. You can also glaze this with orange juice and sugar but I like it without.
The entire time I was making this fruit pizza I had this Wiggles song stuck in my head so I just had to include it!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Velveting Chicken

Ok, I may be late for the party when it comes to velveting chicken, but I'm so happy I stumbled across this technique. I love making Chinese food at home and for the most part I feel like I've got the flavors down, but not the texture. Ya know how...well...velevety the chicken is from you favorite take out place? That's what I'm missing. Now I know how! It's called velveting (imagine that) and it's so easy. I won't even try to explain it, I will just leave the link. Go there now, you'll be glad you did.

YUM YUM

Monday, April 18, 2011

A Mother's Prayer by Tina Fey


First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.”

-Tina Fey

Monday, April 11, 2011

Love This Idea!


I ran across the coolest idea tonight. We all have old 35mm negatives laying around. I even have new ones because I still shoot with film. I usually just toss them in a drawer and forget about them. But what about making lamps with them?

Learn how here....groovy

Saturday, April 2, 2011