tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38275701763857559532024-03-05T00:23:27.609-06:00Jenny-BugA blog about me and the things I loveAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-69549677858875768782013-02-28T19:10:00.000-06:002013-02-28T19:10:32.875-06:00The Pioneering Spirit - or Something Like ItYears ago in college, one of my professors gave a writing assignment that was to be our reading autobiography of our lives. I LOVED this project, and it's one of the few papers I wish I had kept from my college years. Now that my nephew is beginning to discover literature and reading, I find myself reveling in all of the childhood memories of me in our living room with a favorite novel. Summers were spent discovering new worlds in books!<br />
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In elementary school, I remember being entranced by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Little-House-Nine-Book-Set/dp/0064400409/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362099815&sr=1-1&keywords=little+house+on+the+prairie" target="_blank">Little House on the Prairie</a> books. Stories of our forefathers intrigued me completely, and I got to further imagine what pioneer life was like when we'd visit my family's cabin in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.<br />
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The fact that we actually have running water and a gas stove in the cabin (not to mention a suburban we used to get up the mountain, a toilet and a shower) was irrelevant - it was closer to pioneering than life in the city was for me! ;) Hey, I had a great imagination. lol<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-35628287809618124682011-06-26T08:46:00.003-05:002011-06-26T09:07:17.339-05:00Summer Reading Season has begun! :)<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So, I got a Kindle the other day and have been LOVING it! I've uploaded about 20 books on it so far - all of them free. I'm having fun rediscovering old favorites: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (which reminds me of spending summers on the couch reading!), Jane Eyre, Emma, Wuthering Heights. :) Reminds me of high school and college assignments - all of which I loved. Well, that explains the English degree, right? lol </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglDe0F6c33yi7Jul55nwKTFsRhuVsMTaOddXwefNBbRWnQ1s2SPEXNEnCu50zouK12z0kfJxPWcYRwoqWRRv_t08s_1vWfMvEiLR92WEkyacL9WMDhb41FSfBJpcJYGRMfqgQls9MDjs/s320/034.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622527448379725394" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">At least I get it honestly - those books inside on the shelf? ALL of them my mom's cookbooks. ;) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-12139989529958376442010-12-04T13:42:00.008-06:002010-12-04T15:34:50.214-06:00Happy Holidays, and Catching Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjnhLh1z54bop49QuXXI3EKxig3pYHDLoNigpqoK0Kd6wJhWBdGjNq8IFNbDAFfRP2wX0ATrbgAHNmpsSPJqOqPXKlI1GA4aBrE6BQtxf-6NceFvQcx73kSlc851A-PX5tKcYube7BAU/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjnhLh1z54bop49QuXXI3EKxig3pYHDLoNigpqoK0Kd6wJhWBdGjNq8IFNbDAFfRP2wX0ATrbgAHNmpsSPJqOqPXKlI1GA4aBrE6BQtxf-6NceFvQcx73kSlc851A-PX5tKcYube7BAU/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546916653772902258" border="0" /></a>Howdy! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season - I always love the festive nature of this time of year. :)<br />Just wanted to add a few pics of my journey with Burke over the last few months since we arrived in Austin. :)<br /><br />Yep, -------><br />is the closest we will get to fall foliage in Austin this year, so had to snap a pic while I could. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEJeB7fbFQgSmwENL7Z7aWFB8ktMM3EJyBLZ6xwrHpsl8ZfDInErgNLiyBMNgCKn5ZLC2LAxBT1M2nE6sWmC2WXZ-8LKrMPXoCmM5e-FmR5EXb5a177xfsQRcx3Et6vIU-n4zcp47xUA/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEJeB7fbFQgSmwENL7Z7aWFB8ktMM3EJyBLZ6xwrHpsl8ZfDInErgNLiyBMNgCKn5ZLC2LAxBT1M2nE6sWmC2WXZ-8LKrMPXoCmM5e-FmR5EXb5a177xfsQRcx3Et6vIU-n4zcp47xUA/s320/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546927614489570018" border="0" /></a>A picture of Mr Burke back in July sporting his booties on a hot summer day. Hot pavement + dog paws = booties. He disagrees however, and will only humor me for about an hour with them on. ;)<br /><br />Burke and I have become quite the team in the months since we've been home. He's become such a focused, calm dog and I couldn't be happier. I'm still marveling at how calm he is - I was NOT expecting THAT from a lab. How lucky I am! He's got such a wonderful 'on/off' switch - he'll gladly lay around the house when I've got work to do all day, but he'll also gladly get up and go when I've got things to do around town, etc. So unflappable! All the traits of a GREAT guide dog. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94G_ER5RS07s_meSRH9ehZhABBEyBBMeYGM9lEh9QVSI32Z5asE9xPGmaaCeBrWQxzPQmYB8aG_F0kwhvQECYTxjHD7Xo32zuG6VTL2OoFUv0N2yF-OH4VbSlocixbYqRovEtREmTkJs/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94G_ER5RS07s_meSRH9ehZhABBEyBBMeYGM9lEh9QVSI32Z5asE9xPGmaaCeBrWQxzPQmYB8aG_F0kwhvQECYTxjHD7Xo32zuG6VTL2OoFUv0N2yF-OH4VbSlocixbYqRovEtREmTkJs/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546934243935657010" border="0" /></a>Burke's other job - modeling my knitting projects. I couldn't help it. The scarf looks GREAT against his black fur, don't you think? Don't worry, his manhood is still intact. No permanent damage done to his psyche. He really enjoyed the treat afterward. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmVd2wSL0hFoAm4K9hWnjFVvmZdqzCSyTwlaBKTZggfZstJmUYD3vX71INLPGD0o3bNfUZ2oZ-6WCBKfPdLRAGp2MGj1jJwCZFCAQ5iTydRVIVcxh6YJWTGGkzKcLcCg0guorWZMqfaY/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmVd2wSL0hFoAm4K9hWnjFVvmZdqzCSyTwlaBKTZggfZstJmUYD3vX71INLPGD0o3bNfUZ2oZ-6WCBKfPdLRAGp2MGj1jJwCZFCAQ5iTydRVIVcxh6YJWTGGkzKcLcCg0guorWZMqfaY/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546936252032699634" border="0" /></a>Burke and I met a new little friend - a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Jimi. He's as CUTE as a button, and the perfect opportunity for Mr Burke to practice his manners. Actually, he did really well meeting a little guy like Jimi - the pup was scared of the BIG HUGE dog. Now however, they can calmly coexist without either of them going spaztastical. ;) Provided the tiny pup toys are put away when Burke and I visit. No choking hazards for the big dog! :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dNx6hWnSRk2OSBalIzNtZVwTzryyY77P8yRiJrOF5CBTskzfyZO1jtjN1NVU-KrVTIVpeqbqZ9SU3HJwhKDGIUWHlaGaDKzewTW26QQeK9Nz9OF7tZZCW9xdeZgEVY0IVhzHqsX7Nzg/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dNx6hWnSRk2OSBalIzNtZVwTzryyY77P8yRiJrOF5CBTskzfyZO1jtjN1NVU-KrVTIVpeqbqZ9SU3HJwhKDGIUWHlaGaDKzewTW26QQeK9Nz9OF7tZZCW9xdeZgEVY0IVhzHqsX7Nzg/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546939050294420274" border="0" /></a><br />I had the chance to take Burke to the beach this year!! I had been wanting to, knowing what a water dog he seemed to be. He LOVED it - a chance to jump in the waves, run in the sand. . . .ah the life! :) And of course, the chance to watch the seagulls. Sure wish I had thought to bring something to feed them! Ah well. . . .there's always a next time, right?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOct8PWK14pFqbZUErk_eH_x8rocMaxW6GbLoD9tkhEdsEmxtNG1FgCkBDf3dR_al0pfv_pTYME4FBOMy66W1DNbL63YKF3K4uceej3x3dGeYR3Z66wDlG7QrEzOo8nfYiXLmJFgGJJIA/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOct8PWK14pFqbZUErk_eH_x8rocMaxW6GbLoD9tkhEdsEmxtNG1FgCkBDf3dR_al0pfv_pTYME4FBOMy66W1DNbL63YKF3K4uceej3x3dGeYR3Z66wDlG7QrEzOo8nfYiXLmJFgGJJIA/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546941354037135474" border="0" /></a>And finally - Ms Sadie and Burke - after a fun romp outside at my parents' house over Thanksgiving. They have so much fun together. Sadie is more of a 'people' dog, doesn't really care about other dogs. But I think she enjoys playing with them every now and then. And. . . .the glass on the door? Nose prints. ;) On both the inside and outside - from curious dogs looking out at squirrels, birds, deer. And of course us, because we MIGHT be doing something fun that they are missing out on. lol<br /><br /><br />Christmas photos to be coming in the next blog post - when I have a chance to take some! I have an outing planned next weekend and then of course whatever our plans are for Christmas. Can't wait - maybe Burke will let me try a Santa hat on him. ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-3452088731821139932010-05-09T11:46:00.002-05:002010-05-09T12:37:10.500-05:00Finished my first week of training! Some observationsWow, what a busy and wonderful week it's been since I got here to New York! It was complete with meeting lots of people I hope to keep in contact with and of course, the best of all, meeting my new four-legged buddy, Burke. Every day he and I become more and more of a great team where now he looks to me for direction instead of the trainers. He's so adorable - those eyes when he hands me a toy to throw. . . .melt! :) <br /><br />Apparently this little boy has a thing for tennis balls and the cuz. Throw that for him, and he's your friend for life. Burke will fetch tennis balls long after you are exhausted from throwing - I don't think there's a limit. <br /><br />I'm thinking Master Burke may have had a girlfriend in the kennel where he stayed before he came to me - Rhythm is the ONLY dog he will get up out of a down/stay to say hello. No other dog, male or female, will he do that. It's so sweet, but at the same time sad, since after the 23rd when Rhythm and her mom go home, we won't see them again most likely. He'll have to find himself another girlfriend in Austin, I suppose. ;)<br /><br />I'm hoping to find out more about his background, who raised this sweet dog. Hopefully the puppy raisers will be willing to keep in touch with me, because I would love to keep them up to date as to how their sweet boy is doing. :)<br /><br />Lastly, I can NOT wait to get Burke home and start working with him in our neighborhood, etc. There's nothing like being in a familiar environment to relieve stress. I'm in HIS home area, but I'd like to be in MY home area for a change. We're doing really well though, in a few short days we'll be on our way back to the Lone Star State and we'll be settling in just fine. I can't wait to show him off to my friends and family - that will be so much fun!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-72476273613264030102010-05-04T13:05:00.002-05:002010-05-04T13:17:27.054-05:00Just a quick update for youI got to NY yesterday and have been on the go ever since!!! We immediately had a lecture on some of the equipment we would be using (harness, training collar, leash) and were handed our new leashes. Tomorrow we'll be getting our dog in the afternoon sometime - I'm so excited!! This morning I went on a walk with a trainer holding the harness in their hand so that they can gauge my pace, tension, the amount of correction I will apply Plus it was essentially a '20 questions' type thing - they want to know all about the city I live in, where I will be travelling, what I will be doing with the dog. <br /><br />There is so much information given to me, I feel like I'm on information overload! I know it will become second nature to me, but for the moment, it is almost overwhelming. Ah well - I REALLY enjoy it here, and love the people I'm working with, and the other students as well. So. . .I am going to be running along now to our next activity - I believe another lecture, with yet more info on dog care. :) Until next time. . . .Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-20884549470631815802010-04-29T14:35:00.004-05:002010-04-29T14:44:43.368-05:00Almost Ready!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_5NxSdK8t1ABT5STA4w_vhH2vu_ifR7LrdWMudrWqIaVCXqlC-UBfIIKcRHCyixqL77SFC0OFK1c9UV3qAdbKSsxkgWRM6K6Ea617fYG-rPIGiHuaf2D1Irv_US6oaJEQSYIHA7qgIs/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_5NxSdK8t1ABT5STA4w_vhH2vu_ifR7LrdWMudrWqIaVCXqlC-UBfIIKcRHCyixqL77SFC0OFK1c9UV3qAdbKSsxkgWRM6K6Ea617fYG-rPIGiHuaf2D1Irv_US6oaJEQSYIHA7qgIs/s320/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465645964190096098" border="0" /></a><br />In a few days I will start my journey to NY for my first guide dog! I'll be adding entries and photos to my blog as often as I can, just to journal my experiences along the way - through meeting my new dog, my training, and the outings the dog and I will share together. I'm so excited, I can hardly wait! Plus, I don't get to travel out of state much, so this will be a fun treat. :) <br /><br />With that in mind, I'm looking forward to seeing what NY is like in the spring - what flowers may be blooming, any different plants, flowers, trees than what we have here in Texas. Hopefully you can help me identify them! ;) Stay tuned!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-16980001653797048522010-04-01T11:29:00.006-05:002010-04-01T11:56:58.948-05:00Back at it again!Wow, it's been THAT long since I last blogged? Guess the last few months got away from me! LOTS of things have happened since my last post, all good stuff.<br />To begin:<br /><ul><li>I'm getting a guide dog next month! A month from tomorrow (or thereabouts) I leave for New York to attend <a href="http://www.guidingeyes.org/home/">Guiding Eyes for the Blind</a> for about 3.5 weeks of intense training with my new pair of eyes. I am beyond excited, and am planning on blogging about the entire experience. I mean to do more photo-blogging, so am taking my camera with me. I've never been to that part of the country, so the whole thing will be an adventure! :)</li><li>For transportation and some practical reasons, Ms Sadie-dog has a new home with my parents out in the country now, and is apparently loving it. She's currently hard at work training them in how to live with a furry dog who sheds enough fur for another whole puppy. lol<br /></li><li>Currently, I am working as a tech writer/web marketer for a friend's business - that has kept me busy lately, but I'm so glad it's working out in terms of being gone in NY for a month. My friend is a Guiding Eyes graduate, so knows the routine there, but how lucky am I that this job fell into my lap basically, and will truly fit in with my plans for the next few months!! :)<br /></li></ul>In addition to all that, I'm loving this spring weather! I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter - not sure what I'm doing other than cooking something good and possibly yummy for dessert. Lemon chiffon again perhaps? ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-32791750409566939942009-06-24T22:31:00.004-05:002009-06-25T19:46:54.243-05:00Musical InstinctI just watched an interesting program on PBS -<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/">The Musical Instinct</a>. It talked about how music influences us in ways we aren't even aware of, even from before we are born. Every culture has different styles of music, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">diffent</span> tonal scales, different <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">insturments</span>, but it effects us all in the same way. Researchers have found groups of people who have not been exposed to any kind of music whatsoever in their lives who have responded to happy, sad, and scary music when presented with it in the same way a person would if they'd been around it their entire lives. Beyond that, everything in the universe, whether it's a black hole, a star, the ocean, or the human body, everything has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rhythm</span> and pitch. Music is a sort of illustration of how everything, everyone is interconnected with one another.<br /><br />Music is such a part of my life in many ways - I play the piano, taught myself a little guitar (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> now I don't remember ANY guitar!) and was in the high school choir. I've always adored classical music, and now pretty much enjoy everything but rap. The interesting thing I never gave much thought to until this program - I don't care for angry music at ALL. Possibly because I'm just not an angry person, I simply can't identify with it. I'm not one to get angry, or be angry or hurt more than a couple of minutes. I have to more past it - I'm too happy, optimistic and can only identify with that kind of music. Kind of a neat journey into the personality of ourselves and others is what music affords. :)<br /><br />So, what's your musical personality? Does the music you listen to reflect your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">personality</span>?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-65794695375447387322009-06-23T10:51:00.002-05:002009-06-23T12:40:21.851-05:00A Nifty New Widget! Plus a couple of book reviews!I just added a widget for <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/">Shelfari.com</a> with some of the many books I've read in the last few years - I love how it looks like a book shelf! If it makes my blog too slow to load, feel free to let me know. I get so spoiled by not having dialup. Anyway, Feel free to browse through them and suggest something if you want! <br /><br />Just a couple of book reviews while I'm on the subject: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chocolat-Joanne-Harris/dp/B001G8WU4Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245772864&sr=8-2">Chocolat - by Joanne Harris</a><br />A lovely book i thought was as good as the movie. It's about a woman and her daughter who move into a small town in France to open up a chocolate shop. This is a very conservative town, and the church are constantly at odds with this woman over her opening of a shop full of 'temptation'. A fun read, though I am so glad I had the audio book available, as I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the reader pronounce the various French words, names. All in all, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sharper-Your-Knife-Less-You/dp/0143114131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245778429&sr=8-1">The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry - by Kathleen Flinn</a><br />Ok, admittedly when I first saw the title of this book, I thought it was some sort of murder mystery. I could not have been farther from the truth!! My mom suggested the book to me, and I loved it. It's about a woman to goes to the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Over the course of the book she presents some of the recipes she made, along with some of the techniques she learned - hence the title of the book. If you have ever read <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em> then this book will remind you of it. I give this book 5 stars out of 5.<br /><br />There are a few others I'm reading right now, and I'll publish my reviews when I finish. So again, if you would like to recommend anything, go right ahead!! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-83019639692162703522009-05-31T15:04:00.000-05:002009-05-31T15:57:45.821-05:00A Trip to the Botannical GardensI finally made a trip to the <a href="http://www.zilkergarden.org/">Zilker Botanical Gardens</a> here in Austin - a beautiful walk which I'm SO glad I went early in the morning! It got hot fast. I'm curious to know what it looks like in the fall; the wintery look is beautiful as well. :) I'm not sure what several of these flowers are, so if anyone knows, pipe up! :)<br /><br />These flowers are at the entrance to the Green Garden - I loved the color. Not sure what they are though.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP0qbffPw9griq2NDgTyT1UdWY7GhS8LjWw5LTX0vkjNh3CpagccEv2TsSByMAlVcwFHNY-rC1EFmcsSdzi20YASYb1Tx6HJS0H-KiOeam5utVehHvYR0VY_zvIBabaP2DgdYaLMom70/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342030080140386242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP0qbffPw9griq2NDgTyT1UdWY7GhS8LjWw5LTX0vkjNh3CpagccEv2TsSByMAlVcwFHNY-rC1EFmcsSdzi20YASYb1Tx6HJS0H-KiOeam5utVehHvYR0VY_zvIBabaP2DgdYaLMom70/s320/021.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuItAhuvSRfIWkbB_gCad_gKCXkjxiX990US7lpmbfdEwOYh9h8ylQLsEiVD-TTm8MkxV5Hppu02_vMNXoNmMWE9Dkp4l1_Zv9OuBH674EXP1Jn9-bG1ygUa6i-BaTomYlPw0S25Ir_94/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342033024319933650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuItAhuvSRfIWkbB_gCad_gKCXkjxiX990US7lpmbfdEwOYh9h8ylQLsEiVD-TTm8MkxV5Hppu02_vMNXoNmMWE9Dkp4l1_Zv9OuBH674EXP1Jn9-bG1ygUa6i-BaTomYlPw0S25Ir_94/s320/023.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p>This was the prehistoric garden - I didn't get to see any dinosaur tracks, but the plants looked nice. They are apparently ones that were around at the time of the dinos! Cool, huh? </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342038548222250130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvoYF-KylMAtJulvZzdC611R-uWOsUbK-3QPhrhSaH348QCK_MNjqw8Jwliv9DV0JxeQFErPz9Ahs6gJ1yJjT4vM9ZGgFoXjLgYpc8CyJ8LINib1rVvq_DZXDZJW0CJNeQOHexDrKal0/s320/039.JPG" /><br /><br />These are around the Rose garden.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342065154120059778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtpOWbdakbP5DplqO9PuNudbXr9dwqpMAnKMC5pRk1RMsVnO0M5BUMBQ0W6KuyR2sJquK7Zo_Oai4Rw2HutPpxd3E6xhlr7dm8uyzoOmXtDfe7MGQGEx4eteZOrwY2ppXFofUNH0zh7g/s320/027.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342067356651879362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujMvEDJPoad33ealwX43TWPrsUGtBnZ-0oB7dXxrKzOLlkegbZBzNgdsWAnfiIubRdCUFDFI9Qy8DfH05JeqgQD7wmXsFKGy6twPtb_wOULF8sgqCR_qiFeWprFHpryH5eq941ovdtA/s320/030.JPG" />I just LOVE yellow roses!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342067737249518994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEujT6ItPK9o1VK_P8Yl0jOO91Vb_3QvcxPD67gPuw83aDI_-PkOeaXlAQgQFuIhPlInzegJSqz_JGccTAxvP6_kPcS7oVdbwq6kdLM2em8cgkenxTRYyBaGWsl3b0ievxZS2M9fmWos/s320/033.JPG" /><br /><br />Nice calming waterfall.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342068178557295122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkL5MV-1NnDXIfHAiU4nycIPi_67hV052HIlurHkH1Smug0vng7Y9mAQ660GnvoaJ-oRbKLiEHhiYSNg9QK_EygvbeQ0cRlK6c4ScaDTyBDva_A9RvWbBuxQOmMNsZ4CYqgqiOFuXC1c/s320/038.JPG" />I love the yellow flowers - I have no idea what they are, but I see them quite often. Anybody know?<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342068677419567778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kUbhDcn6yr12mjaJiOPa5vY1__G-Vl1TlbHoCqbK8G84oU7ci9vTd4DHYZCpsXFXY7dm1hxCPeYWJUl5Q-OM_AGDif-09INTt-zOf-wS42jJ0WG0_H40oH-ulwuegcfRXUzfyQ3458g/s320/041.JPG" /><br />Into the forest primeval. . . . .wonder if this is the wrong turn where I got momentarily lost? It's along the butterfly trail - with plants that attract butterflies.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342069066629017602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB3qnXb325-zoAgexButCgCHE-px8c6dEaMmZbOyx0tl5v-AEPlbOA76b0OTUVSRZChtx3bTPhM2f2F1DMfC_vBibmf9xJu8z2-mW41axrYQ-AwVnM2L5W8AWbyp2Klan7hfbaiJFTgM/s320/040.JPG" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-6668244192812372232009-04-29T21:21:00.005-05:002009-04-29T21:36:16.777-05:00Photo Challenge: NatureOne of the message boards I frequent has a fun 'Shutterbug Challenge" every Wednesday - someone picks a topic and people post pics relating to that subject. Some are easy to do, some are. . . .a challenge. I'm going to try and include my pics in my blog every week from now on - so we shall see my progress! This week's challenge just happens to be nature.<br /><br />This first pic I took years ago, but it's one of my favorites - in the Davis Mountains of Texas. It's a prominant part of the horizon when we're in our cabin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9798UVnM4lNL3d63m7ErRIyPZXCCFnmK29yhyGYce4aeW_wAdahIsMeLlDzHpujJvfQVPUIuYg0DLMJvMZ5flJCmj3_db3Heg1tN1VS1w9GrxD-ThbzW9EL7GJvVMV7vSXW7aPHL6Ays/s1600-h/IM000063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9798UVnM4lNL3d63m7ErRIyPZXCCFnmK29yhyGYce4aeW_wAdahIsMeLlDzHpujJvfQVPUIuYg0DLMJvMZ5flJCmj3_db3Heg1tN1VS1w9GrxD-ThbzW9EL7GJvVMV7vSXW7aPHL6Ays/s320/IM000063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330305338277754098" border="0" /></a>A rose by any other name. . . . . . .<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyuUXSBnfkUZ9pB-dx0JqW8vB8xjaonJqBADPtdT9IyOL1jn6fgPtBkhvN0vmNUpDepmvUXxbVlbc96wBhvWnxnFV6LvOgqAgHCUhlw9yWUo2h7zGce5fJpVzGJRecDez5BvrPQeuCjE/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyuUXSBnfkUZ9pB-dx0JqW8vB8xjaonJqBADPtdT9IyOL1jn6fgPtBkhvN0vmNUpDepmvUXxbVlbc96wBhvWnxnFV6LvOgqAgHCUhlw9yWUo2h7zGce5fJpVzGJRecDez5BvrPQeuCjE/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306131858486738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzos36nnoMONtW6KA2Hu_vqIbYXV5N1zgA14VjmiTDYFHHwb3DwnkzP8YFRsuIiSFJAJo2isgDmzsYXzw8g3WXvyz-QIQ4OngNZKeDfZRklzqLozOH8Y1xkhacX-45AmvasOqIQJ-19tU/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzos36nnoMONtW6KA2Hu_vqIbYXV5N1zgA14VjmiTDYFHHwb3DwnkzP8YFRsuIiSFJAJo2isgDmzsYXzw8g3WXvyz-QIQ4OngNZKeDfZRklzqLozOH8Y1xkhacX-45AmvasOqIQJ-19tU/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306768306186290" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-27357402014006236552009-04-13T14:59:00.005-05:002009-04-13T15:22:19.080-05:00Birdsong Blog - Part 1I just started taking a birdsong course specifically designed for visually impaired people. Since about 80% of birdwatchers identify birds by hearing, as opposed to actually seeing them, what better group of people to tailor a birding class for, right? I'm so excited about it - especially with it being early spring. The birds I hear chirping every day now have always fascinated me, wondering what birds they are. Since this course is self-paced, I essentially have all the time I need in order to complete it. There are four assignments for the course, and I thought it would be fun to include them in this blog as I go along.<br /><br />My first assignment was to go for a walk and describe the birds I hear along the way. With that in mind, I put Sadie on leash, and we went for a stoll in our local park. Since I live in suburbia, I get a mix of the suburban birds plus some of the ones more commonly found further into the city. I was able to recognize a mourning dove or two on our walk, but also a few wrens. I swear I heard an indigo bunting, but I'm going to have to investigate - I am not positive they would be hanging out in my area or not. They aren't one of the types I hear about a lot around Austin. Finches and sparrows seem to congregate around my apartment complex, because I hear them constantly! It's like constant background music. :) I'm actually waiting to hear a mockingbird - it's our state bird - surely they live around the state capitol, right?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-75605249612879418612009-04-12T20:39:00.005-05:002009-04-14T15:50:21.418-05:00Knitting: A work in progress!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd4e69RhJJtnBnJTboDWpOt8XxjQHNq76f-0L8bF5DSX7vDfZGSMhCIPDzzgS8lJDfyAzbE3Q_v3T3CGzbvU-R8RsQ6aX3yCV_UOf-wErFivQN0YIcDIgTqbQOfDVElOtCrJ8D7hu8J4/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd4e69RhJJtnBnJTboDWpOt8XxjQHNq76f-0L8bF5DSX7vDfZGSMhCIPDzzgS8lJDfyAzbE3Q_v3T3CGzbvU-R8RsQ6aX3yCV_UOf-wErFivQN0YIcDIgTqbQOfDVElOtCrJ8D7hu8J4/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324650221053112706" border="0" /></a><br />I've just finished yet another scarf - I love this color, and the fringe I added as well. This is one of several scarves I've made, all of them strangely in some hue of purple. I just realized that they all seeom to be in that range - I don't have a preferrence for purple, but I just happen to have picked up a few skeens that I really liked. :)<br /><br />My next project is learning to knit hats. If I can figure out how to use circular needles, hopefully I'll start cranking out hats in no time. My ultimate goal is to donate hats, scarves, blankets to charities. There are so many groups of people that need this sort of thing, and yet the majority of what's donated are to premies (mostly hospitals) and underdeveloped countries. What so many people don't consider is the vast amount of people here in the United States that desperately need our help too. Look at any of the Indian reservations, Appalachia, and even the homeless in our own cities , etc and you will find people living in unimaginable poverty. It would be nice if more would be done for these people. So, with that in mind, I shall attempt to use my knitting to help in some way. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-2519250980177810852009-04-12T20:25:00.002-05:002009-04-12T20:29:54.723-05:00New Blog Name??At first, this blog's title was intended to be cute, funny - a friend's nickname for me modified a bit to make it interesting. Now, however. . . .I would like to change it. Any ideas? my blog is just for fun, no one subject matter - just whatever subject happens to cross my mind. So, I'm open to all ideas! Anybody got any? ;) Send 'em my way!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-11279479680653574192009-04-11T10:46:00.003-05:002009-04-13T22:42:37.825-05:00Banana Muffins - Yum!I made thse this morning and tried out a new recipe. They we4rere really good! They are an Allreicpes.com find - and a great one at that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8pFYdBlLtxcru9pyF9dEQY7ssS2JYrRDEcjceai_FORbnsW0ixT8FnRF4d_llHzfsCeseiG6Ajq3ri4OsBgsY4hKCQ_6rHNBBvxhjiHSqXs3G29B53BA-LKpumN9anzR5P-yy-0ST-Y/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8pFYdBlLtxcru9pyF9dEQY7ssS2JYrRDEcjceai_FORbnsW0ixT8FnRF4d_llHzfsCeseiG6Ajq3ri4OsBgsY4hKCQ_6rHNBBvxhjiHSqXs3G29B53BA-LKpumN9anzR5P-yy-0ST-Y/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323461254535470258" border="0" /></a><br />I have NEVER put muffins in the paper cups, and now I think I'm a convert. It certainly makes cleanup a LOT easier. :)<br /><br /><ul><li> 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</li><li> 1 teaspoon baking powder</li><li> 1 teaspoon baking soda</li><li> 1/2 teaspoon salt</li><li> 3 large bananas, mashed</li><li> 3/4 cup white sugar</li><li> 1 egg</li><li> 1/3 cup butter, melted<br /></li></ul><ol><li><span> Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. </span></li><li><span> Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans. </span></li><li><span> Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes, and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped. </span></li></ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-44271985972430384672009-04-10T16:34:00.001-05:002009-04-13T22:43:13.414-05:00Lemon Chiffon Pie - lemony heaven!I made this today - it was supposed to be for Easter, but I got too excited about it. ;) What can I say - it's the foodie in me! This is a recipe Samantha got from the Fannie Farmer cookbook - so thanks to her for giving it to me!<br /><br />Lemon Chiffon Pie*<br /><br />1 graham cracker crust<br />1 envelope unflavored gelatin<br />1/4 C cold water<br />4 eggs, separated<br />3/4 C sugar<br />1/2 C lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)<br />2 T grated lemon rind<br />1/4 tsp salt<br /><br />*Lemon can easily be replaced by lime, orange, or grapefruit!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn0-t4G3rtnKYMNQbUINUb9wPWilhorcQD-pQTE-IVGXsTP6XZ0XsgLTGJDCunjhV8vJ1fPTZjQ68VxI4qlWBuXMbpux7lxgKdOhd1lvy7EWwz0SaF3kncmOfRfpADeljuiQ0Ki5OVeM/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn0-t4G3rtnKYMNQbUINUb9wPWilhorcQD-pQTE-IVGXsTP6XZ0XsgLTGJDCunjhV8vJ1fPTZjQ68VxI4qlWBuXMbpux7lxgKdOhd1lvy7EWwz0SaF3kncmOfRfpADeljuiQ0Ki5OVeM/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323203956594406210" border="0" /></a><br />Don't these look wonderful? The picture came out a bit darker - my kitchen lights and the white cutting board confuse the camera, I think.<br /><br />Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small bowl. Stir and let soften for several minutes.<br />Put yolks in heavy saucepan and beat well.<br />Add 1/2 C sugar, lemon juice, rind, and salt.<br />Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.<br />Remove from heat and stir in gelatin, stirring until dissolved.<br />Pour mixture into bowl and chill, stirring occasionally until mounds slightly when dropped from spoon.<br />Beat egg whites til soft peaks form and add 1/4 C sugar til peaks are shiny and stiff.<br />Fold whites into lemon mixture til blended well.<br />Spoon filling into pie shell.<br />Chill several hours or until set.<br /><br />Here is the result:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMmE6npKfvM76yBxKNl0ei4B4rzIHGtwwTN8F0cTi0sDuy7Eh0S0Qila824gI-_LrCblCIaVZbJ6RH8RMT7dYvQV2BLHA8NKq_17l73gFAgCvFR17IKUEuwgWTcxaNzPFAx2WXM90f1Y/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMmE6npKfvM76yBxKNl0ei4B4rzIHGtwwTN8F0cTi0sDuy7Eh0S0Qila824gI-_LrCblCIaVZbJ6RH8RMT7dYvQV2BLHA8NKq_17l73gFAgCvFR17IKUEuwgWTcxaNzPFAx2WXM90f1Y/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323203017332014290" border="0" /></a>Yep, I cheated and bought a premade graham cracker crust. They're so easy to make, and they taste exactly the same. So. . . .why not? ;) It's SO YUMMY! I hope I'll be able to make it till after dinner before I cut into it. ;)<br /><br />Oh, please excuse the browning bananas in the upper left corner - they will become banana muffins shortly, so stay tuned!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-18301437351445679172009-04-09T19:23:00.000-05:002009-04-10T06:28:47.164-05:00Aaaaah, spring is in the air!Yep, it's that time of year. What with our current 90 degree temps here in Austin, it forces me to get my brain in gear and start thinking about what plants to put on my balcony. Granted, it usually doesn't result in too many plants in residence on the porch, but I do love looking through seed catalogs. :)<br /><a href="http://www.jungseed.com/">http://www.jungseed.com/</a> is one of my favorite seed websites. Thanks to Samantha (<a href="http://chaosdogs.blogspot.com/">Green Acres</a>) for telling me about it!! In fact, it's where I got these johnny jump ups:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkMFOaaEXAUV-wcaPpAXFeJfKbMHlGpdI2Ze6qD2Gy4kYonrdjAQ8sLR-jLCOE_x1714jffVJyoduW8TJr_O3axzD0d8DeE9fYY9BegKznWIU5J3Y0m372PFWb0Tm3pbvbVQgmZGHUNY/s1600-h/Picture+403.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkMFOaaEXAUV-wcaPpAXFeJfKbMHlGpdI2Ze6qD2Gy4kYonrdjAQ8sLR-jLCOE_x1714jffVJyoduW8TJr_O3axzD0d8DeE9fYY9BegKznWIU5J3Y0m372PFWb0Tm3pbvbVQgmZGHUNY/s320/Picture+403.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322885389365512866" border="0" /></a>So this year, some of the things I am planning for the moment are: <ul><li>turk's caps</li><li>herb garden</li><li>potted cherry tomatoes<br /></li><li>cactus planter</li></ul>Maybe not all of these things, but I love the way the Turks caps pop out with their redness, and in a terra cota pot they should look stunning. They shall be my first order of business!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-71765400221120578022009-02-28T14:41:00.000-06:002009-02-28T14:48:47.231-06:00The Welcome Table<p>I was thumbing through Maya Angelou’s book <a title="Hellelujah! A Welcome Table" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hallelujah-Welcome-Table-Lifetime-Memories/dp/1400062896/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214409024&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Hallelujah! The Welcome Table</a> - a wonderful book filled with recipes and anecdotes of her childhood and beyond living in the deep south. I attended our annual family reunion a couple of weeks ago, and the combination of this book and the reunion got me to thinking - what foods remind you of people in your life, memories that are important to you? Is there any food that brings tears to your eyes when you eat it, thinking of this loved one? Food is such an important part of our lives, not only for fuel, but for the memories shared as we sit around the table with our families. It’s a sort of history of who we are.</p> <p>Here are a few of my food associations/memories throughout my life so far:</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicken and dumplings</span> reminds me of my great-grandma Flossie. It’s such a comfort food, I love it! I don’t have any specific memory of her making it, just THAT she made it, and I enjoyed it.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meat loaf</span> reminds me of my Grandma B - my mom basically uses her recipe, grandma hated to cook, but she could make some meatloaf, complete with vermicelli!! I remember having it on Sundays when we would come over to her house after church.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pork roast</span> I associate with my maternal grandmother - pot roast, pork tenderloin, those are connecte to her. She would always fix those when we would come over for dinner. And really these I also associate with my mom, as she makes them equally delicious!</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Baked chicken</span> is one of my mom’s specialties I think - it’s always so comforting, and feels so homey when you smell it in the oven.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Iced tea with Tang </span>is from my grandma again, this was one of the things that defined summer for me. Cold tea with a hint of orangey sweetness. Iced tea is a summer staple of our family - especially sun tea!</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cherry pie</span> I will always associate this with my grandpa and by extension my dad, as mom would always make Grandpa a cherry pie for Father’s day when we were growing up. <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> It’s one of my very favorite pies!</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Snickerdoodles </span>because my great-aunt Mary would ALWAYS make snickerdoodles and bring them to family reunions. Even now, every year SOMEONE makes them - it’s almost not a family reunion without these little delightful cookies making an appearance! Come to think of it, it seems like they were always around when we would visit Aunt Mary’s house in Del Rio.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tiramisu</span> is my friend Vicki’s favorite. . . .fortunately for me, we can’t go to a restaurant and NOT order it if she sees it on the menu. <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> Heck, I’m not complaining!</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pistachio pudding</span> because my friend Karin’s mom used to make this, and I loved it. Love the color, love the summer dessert memories it conjures up - swimming, roller skating, mall outtings.</p> <p>Anything barbecued always reminds me of my dad barbecuing and now my brother Nathan! Since I live in an apartment, it’s hard to barbecue. . .so I always look forward to having it at their houses.</p> <p>Anyway, I think it’s fun to look back at all these food memories - it serves as an autobiography of sorts. I remember at one of our family reunions years ago, I made the comment that all we ever do is ‘get together and eat at these reunions!” Um. . .the problem with that is what?? <img class="wp-smiley" alt=";)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" /> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-45877889355968411522009-02-28T14:39:00.000-06:002009-02-28T14:41:13.853-06:00A Few of my Favorite Things<p>This was inspired by a post my sister-in-law made on <a title="Texas Andersons blog article" href="http://www.texasandersons.org/article175.html" target="_blank">their blog</a> and then my brother’s <a title="Tao of Foo article" href="http://taooffoo.com/2008/03/30/in-response-to-things-i-love/" target="_blank">response</a>.</p> <p>These are some of my favorite things - things that are either my joys, touchstones, or just sure to put a smile on my face. <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> </p> <ul><li>Food: There's hardly anything I DON'T like, but these are some of my favs - just about anything barbecued (chicken, steaks, burgers); any kind of cheese; Chuy’s jalepeno ranch dressing, any kind of Mexican food, my blueberry muffins (with so many blueberries you have to pick through them to find the muffin part!); almost any meal had with family and friends, something about the socialization makes it even better! </li><li>Places: The Davis Mountains; Texas Hill Country - expecially when bluebonnets are in bloom; The British Isles - I want to go there someday with someone who can drive and I’;ll get some spectacular pics; </li><li>Music: Where to start? Classic Braodway (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, My Fiar Lady, Gypsy); some classical music; the older U2 stuff, Enya; Celtic Woman - just to name a few! </li><li>Literature: Lord of the Rings trilogy; anything by Shakespeare; Maya Angelou, Betty McDonald </li><li>Miscellaneous: Family- all of whom I don’t get to see nearly as often as I would like - and I’m looking forward to meeting my new nephew!; friends (here’s to friends I can chat with on the phone for hours on end!); my dog - who I wouldn’t trade for the world, she’s such a loyal, loving companion; relaxing on the couch with a good book and a glass of iced tea; cooking dinner and playing music in the background - it feels so homey! </li></ul> <p>I know I’ll think of more, but these are just SOME of my favorites!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-86100834636106785802009-02-28T14:38:00.001-06:002009-02-28T14:38:55.205-06:00Mountain or Beach?<div class="snap_preview"> <p>For the most part, there are two kinds of people: mountain people and beach people</p> <p>Me? Mostly moutain. <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> I love the <a title="Davis Mountains" href="http://www.davis-mountains.com/" target="_blank">Davis Mountains</a>, and I don’t get to go to our cabin there enough. I find that I love hot, dry climates like west Texas. I love the heat, not crazy about humidity. I love the fact that at the cabin it could be in the 90s and you don’t really feel it much. I also love the peace, tranquility. There’s nothing better than kicking back with a good book, glass of iced tea and laying out in the sun to read. <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":)" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> I know a lot of people think west Texas is brown, barren, nothingness. To me, however, I think there is beauty in the different colors of the mountains, the different species of birds, plants, not to mention some spectacular photography. </p> <p>Don’t get me wrong. . .I enjoy going to the <a title="beach" href="http://www.nps.gov/pais/" target="_blank">beach</a>, getting in the water, the sand, etc. But there is something about the mountains that speaks to me more. </p> <p>How about you? Which one calls to you?<br /></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-52684511126111239482009-02-28T14:33:00.001-06:002009-04-13T22:44:18.394-05:00Polka Dot Pasta Salad<div class="snap_preview"> <p>This has become my all-time favorite pasta salad. It’s from one of the <a href="http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/">Gooseberry Patch</a> cookbooks and I’ve adapted it to the things I like best. It makes a great meal! <img class="wp-smiley" alt=":D" src="http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" /> </p> <p>Polka Dot Salad</p> <ul><li>1 1/2 c cooked rigatta pasta or other spirally pasta </li><li>1 cucumber peeled and cubed </li><li>1 c carrots, chopped (coined) </li><li>1/2 c sliced radishes </li><li>2 c cubed ham </li></ul> <p>For the dressing:</p> <ul><li>1 c Ranch dressing </li><li>1 T chopped parsley </li><li>1 T sugar </li><li>1 T vinegar </li></ul> <p>Suggestions:</p> <ul><li>1 can peas, drained </li><li>sharp cheddar, cubed </li><li>cherry tomatoes </li><li>sliced green olives </li></ul> <p>Prepare pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and set aside. Combine ham and vegetables and add pasta. Combine Ranch dressing, sugar, vinegar, and parsley. Toss with pasta mixture.<br /></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-64647775848319490142008-08-31T12:00:00.002-05:002009-02-28T13:53:20.282-06:00Pecans and NeosporineOh the life of a visually impaired dog owner. ;) <br /><br />So I came home from walking Sadie last night - we happened to take a cross country route around my apartment, something we haven't done in a while. Came home, walked in the door, and I noticed that the poor dog was severely limping, not putting any weight at all on her back paw. In a panic, I looked to see the problem, and found the paw was severely cracked, very hard, but not bleeding. So, I had her wait while I got the vet wrap, Neosporine, and essentials to clean the wound - meanwhile trying to convince myself that an emergency vet visit was not in order. When I got back to Sadie, I noticed 2 pecan shells on the floor next to her. <br /><br />Yeah. . .was prepared to clean and wrap pecan shells! I can just see me going to the vet with her paw wrapped. I need more excitement in my life, ya know? :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-37018340786637861272008-08-28T14:45:00.000-05:002009-02-28T14:24:31.463-06:0013 Fun and quirky facts about meThis is an idea/challenge from <a title="Momster's 13 Fun and Quirky Facts" href="http://momsterme.blogspot.com/2008/08/13-fun-and-quirky-facts-about-me.html" target="_blank">Momster's</a> blog! A 'getting-to-knoiw-you' of sorts that will hopefully spark some interesting discussion. The challenge to you is. . .take this idea and post it on your blog, but say where you got it from. . .like a track back. Try it out - it's not as easy as it sounds!! I DOUBLE DARE you to try it! :)<br /><ol><br /> <li>When I studied abroad in London during college, I traveled from Paris back home to London one weekend with no money on me, no cell phone, nothing. The weekend in Paris proved to be a little more expnesive than I had planned, and took the train back to London - where the rest of my travelers checks were. Oh the things kids do sometimes! When I returned to my host family's home, my host mother - upon me telling her what I had just done - proceeded to CHUG her giant glass of wine just to calm her nerves. ;) Blind girl, traveling in Europe, no money? Nah, not stressful at ALL!</li><br /> <li>I don't like mimes. they creep me out. I'm legally blind. . .so sitting there in an audience at a mime show? Kinda boring. I feel the same way about silent movies. nothing happens!! Not a fan of Charlie Chaplin at all.</li><br /> <li>I am the master of little trivial facts. Why all this stuff is crammed into my head, I do not know. Ask me a question and I will spout factoids about almost anything. One thing for sure, I ROCK at Trivial Pursuit. ;) That's the only thing its helped me with.</li><br /> <li>For the longest time, the only music I liked was classical. When my parents would be playing things like The Rolling Stones or The Beatles, I'd go into my room and put on Mozart or Beethoven.</li><br /> <li>I DETEST clutter. Unfortunately in one of my 'I've got to get rid of this, I don't have room for it" I've thrown away some sentimentally valuable things, so have had to curtail my anticlutterness. ;)</li><br /> <li>I'm very specific about how nachos should be prepared. I know several people who prepare them incorrectly - this unlawful proceedure involves dipping the chip into each of the condiments piled on the plate. Unheard of! I feel it is my duty to not allow this to happen. ;) It's WRONG I tell you!</li><br /> <li>On a field trip in high school with my visually impaired class, we stayed at a hotel in Dallas where we met <a title="Ronnie Milsap" href="http://www.google.com/musica?aid=61wZKq5V7HI&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result" target="_blank">Ronnie Milsap</a>. At the time, I had NO IDEA who he was, not being a country music fan. In fact, so much so, that recently I had to ask a friend of mine "Um, who was that guy we met. . . ."</li><br /> <li>I love to knit. Have loved it since I started about a year ago. While I haven't wavered from the simple scarf thing, I'm branching out and trying new ideas and starting new projects. But, my love of colorful soft yarn is fulfilled, thanks to the cool yarn shops here in Austin. ;) My favorite thing is knitting while watching tv or a movie - quite efficient, eh?</li><br /> <li>I LOVE practicing piano. I'm one of the few people who play piano who (that I have found anyway) loves the finger exercises commonly played on the piano - most notably the <a title="Hanon" href="http://www.amazon.com/Virtuoso-Pianist-60-Exercises-Technique/dp/0793525446" target="_blank">Hanon</a> collection. I think it's cathartic, it feels like a warmup before a workout. </li><br /> <li>I can read and write Latin. I took 5 semesters of Latin in college, and still recognize quite a bit of it. As far as vocabulary, I think it's really quite amazing how it helps in deciphering words. Granted, I can't find anyone to converse with, but I loved it. Especially the bits of grafiti found on the walls of Pompeii - I LOVED translating them! It felt like it brought those people, who lived centuries ago, back to life!</li><br /> <li>I am deathly afraid of clowns. My grandmother used to collect clowns, and when I would walk by her clown collection, my heart would skip a beat or two. I never told her about this, I didn't want to hurt her feelings - she LOVED her collection! But for me? Nooooo thanks!! I can do without them. ;) I saw Stephen King's <em>It</em>, and <em>Something Wicked This Way Comes</em> and I think that goes through my head. </li><br /> <li>When I was a kid, I was deathly afraid of pirates. Well, nore specifically the pirates in Peter Pan. My teacher for my visually impaired class took all of us to see the high school performance of Peter pan - twice. And. . .twice, I ended up on her lap. The second act starts with the curtain opening up on the pirate ship - and it freaked me OUT! </li><br /> <li>I go through what seems like a gallon of fresh brewed herbal tea per day. I'm always making iced tea, always. In the winter, I will have several cups of hot tea a day, but the INSTANT it gets a little warm, out comes the iced tea. I love it, I'm addicted. :)</li><br /></ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-42364428745270661712008-08-08T13:54:00.003-05:002009-04-13T22:44:51.719-05:00Orange Sunshine Cake<p class="MsoNormal">Several years ago, I got this recipe from my sister in law – and it’s become a family favorite.<span> </span>Light, summery, and refreshing – a wonderful cold cake!<span> </span></p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Cake</strong></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">1 box yellow cake mix<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">1 can mandarin oranges + ¾ juice<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">½ C oil<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">4 eggs</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Frosting</strong></span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">8 oz cool whip<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">vanilla pudding powder<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="padding-left: 30px;">1 can crushed pineapple</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Mix cake ingredients and spread in 9x13” pan.<span> </span>Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.<span> </span>Cool and frost.<span> </span>Refrigerate for 30 mins.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3827570176385755953.post-20483016380617615762008-07-20T11:56:00.003-05:002009-04-13T22:43:54.507-05:00Strawberry Slush - Mmmmmmmmm summertime!This recipe reminds me of summer!<br /><br />20 oz frozen unsweetened strawberries - thawed<br /><br />Two 15 oz cans crushed pineapple<br /><br />3 C orange juice<br /><br />cold 7-UP or Gingerale<br /><br />In a blender, combine 1/2 of the strawberries, 1 can unsweetened pineapple, and half the orange juice. Blend til smooth. Pour into ie cube trays and freeze til solid. remove ice from trays and place in glass. Pour 7UP over ice cubes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07266349340303564791noreply@blogger.com0