Adventures with Grace

Eeek . . .but it's "Healthy Food"

2012-02-02T12:37:00.005-06:00

My girlfriend Kitty and I were just discussing this issue yesterday . . . about nutrition labels and portions and how food companies try to trick us (and succeed).

This is a product that I have bought many, many times . . although not in the last year or two.

I picked up a bag the other day . . . without looking at the label first . . a NO NO in my book these days, but I was in a hurry . . and you know how that goes.

You sprinkle this tasty mix on your salads that contains fruit and nuts to make them tasty and more interesting . . healthy right? wrong, wrong, WRONG!!

THIS why we read labels . . and THIS is why you need a food scale! It's really easy to look at this and say "oh, it has fruit and nuts and is ONLY 30 calories" (this is where they get you by the short hairs ...)

Look at the SERVINGS too ... there are SIXTEEN of them in this little 4 oz bag! Lets do the math ... 30 x 16 is 480 whopping calories . . added to your healthy bowl of lettuce and vegetables (and we haven't added the dressing yet ... EEK)

I remember making a salad for dinner for my husband and I and adding the entire bag between us . . it was NOTHING on the salad it seemed . . just a little extra crunch and flavor. That being so . . each one of us was adding an additional 240 calories, 12 grams of fat, 40 carbs and 32 grams of sugar . . . in the words of the infamous George Takai . . . OOHHHH MYYYYY!

Below is what a 7 gram serving actually looks like . . . would that fill you up? Me too neither!

And the really insulting thing is that it says on the front . . Great for Snacking . . the package contains less than two of my handfulls . . . a supposedly good snack.

The moral of this rant is . . this is why you READ YOUR LABELS, and compare SERVING SIZES to nutrition data and do the math . . then think about how you can do it healthier! Fresh non-sugary walnuts and fresh fruit (dried fruit packs a concentrated sugar whallop) . . . not only tastes better, it fills you up faster. Buy a good food scale too, one that weighs in grams and ounces and tares out the weight (meaning can stick a bowl on it, zero it out, add an ingredient . . and zero it out and so on).

They are cheap, easy to use and you will wonder how you lived so long without one!!

Losing my marbles . . .

2012-01-25T11:38:00.006-06:00

Wow! It's been since June that I played with my blog? Bad, bad, bad Grace!!! LOL

Let me start the new year off with my losing my marbles!!

Last January . . . after living for several months with the most awful pain in my right shoulder . . I finally gave in, quit whining about it and went to see my doctor. He confirmed what I already knew deep down . . I tore a tendon in my shoulder (lifting heavy things like railroad ties and fence posts . . without being warmed up and by being OUT OF SHAPE).

He put me into supervised physical rehab 3 days a week . . which turned out to be a turning point for me. I have struggled with my weight for YEARS . . . trying this diet and that one, only to lose some then gain it back when I quit the diet.

Part of the rehab of my shoulder were a series of strength training exercises to improve the range of motion I have lost . . much like regular circuit training in a gym. Much to my amazement . . my body responded to it like it was MADE to do this sort of thing . . who knew??. My therapist Gordon worked both sides of my body to create a balance and through this . . I lost weight . . . by doing NOTHING but exercising. Wooo . . did a light just go off in MY head. I knew all all this was possible . . I was an athlete in high school and college . . but somewhere along the way . . I fell out of this groove.

Soooo . . long story shortened (as much I can can . . . I love to ramble ya know) . . I went straight from rehab to a personal trainer . . same three days a week . . same 30 minutes each session.

I have LOST 70 pounds and 45+ inches to date!! Woo Hoo!!! just by weight lifting . . very little cardio (weights are where it's AT girls . . .) although I have fallen in love with kickboxing . . . especially when I am allowed to hit a real person (scary what that might say about me . . LOL).

My weight yo-yo's . . up, down, up, down . . . but eventually still down. I don't stress about it . . . I'm really in NO HURRY. I no longer DIET, or stress about it . . I JUST LIVE!

I KNOW NOW THAT THIS JOURNEY IS FOR LIFE! And I have met some of the most amazing people along the way (what a bonus!)

That brings us back to the marbles . . . goals are good! and sometimes I need reminding just how far I have come and how far I have to go.

Sooooo . . . on my kitchen window sits TWO jars . . one for representing pounds I have lost (one marble . . one pound) and one with pounds I need to lose. For ME . . it keeps me grounded and in check (and pisses me off from time to time when the marbles clink into the WRONG jar dammit) . . . but it makes it fun (and I'm all about FUN!!)

So here's for losing your marbles!!! (for the RIGHT reasons . . LOL)

Pete's Place

2011-06-03T06:45:00.006-05:00

If you love Italian food and you visit Oklahoma, then a stop at Pete's Place in Krebs is a must!

Established in 1925 by Italian immigrant Pietro Piegari, who started brewing his famous Choc beer and then later opened a restaurant in 1925. The rest is history! The Choc Brewery makes some of the finest craft beers you will ever sample and the food at Pete's is legendary.

We stopped at Pete's for dinner on our Memorial Day Model A putt up the Talimena Drive. Just the set-up is enough for two.

Your meal begins with an antipasto plate of Pepperoncini, Muenster Cheese and Olives, a HUGE bowl of salad and an endless basket of garlic bread!
My favorite! Ice cold Peach Beer from the brewery next door! They don't bottle the peach . . you have to come to Pete's to sample it.

The kitchen was HOPPIN when we were there! The smell was incredible when you walked by the door!

Mmmmm . . . all the spaghetti you can eat!

Pete's is located in a lovely, butter yellow house . . that is HUGE on the inside!

Lunch leftovers for the next day!

Just the set-up is enough to stuff you . . Antipasto, Bread, Salad, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Meatballs!

Mushroom smothered Ribeye!

We ate on the leftovers for two days! Cut up chunks of steak on crackers with cheese . . mmmm . . perfect road food.

Seriously, if you get a chance, visit the town of Krebs, the "little Italy" of Oklahoma. There is an Italian grocery store, Lovera's where they carry all things Italian and an amazing array of salami, sausages and hand-crafted cheese.

But especially, stop by and eat at Pete's, you won't be disappointed! . . and tour the brewery next door, it's a day/evening well spent!

http://www.petes.org
http://www.loverasmarket.com
http://www.chocbeer.com

A Memorial Day in Vintage Style!

2011-06-01T13:50:00.008-05:00

We have a 1929 Ford Model A that Jim has been dying to take on a long road trip. So, on Saturday, we packed our bags, an ice chest and headed out to Southeastern Oklahoma. We spent the first night in Macalster at the Happy Days Hotel (decorated in theme rooms from the 50's) very fun!

We had dinner at a GREAT Italian restaurant, Pete's Place in Krebs (also the home of the Choc Beer Brewery . . darn our luck LOL) . . I will post a separate blog on Pete's . . what a great place.

The next morning we headed to Mena, Arkansas and spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon slogging around the antique shops (found some great trinkets!)

We took the scenic Talimena Drive (http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com) on into Wilburton, Oklahoma and spent the night. We saw TWO black bears on the mountain! One was a cub at an overlook . . I scared him and he scared me (I threw a peanut butter sandwich at him and ran for the truck LOL . . he was running the opposite direction so no worries LOL). The other was a full grown Black Bear that was just standing by the road . . . I have a couple videos of him on my facebook page.

We had a great Mexican dinner at Adelita's, in Wilburton, they have several locations and it just happens that this one sits too close to both a church and a school to serve beer they said. . good food . .but would have been MUCH better with an ice cold Corona!!

The next morning we got up early and headed to Robber's Cave State Park (http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6415). Stupid me only took flip flops on the trip and had to hike the boulders in sandals LOL (But I DID it!!). Jim even got me to straddle an endless crack in the earth! You have to know that I am TERRIFIED of heights and my heart was beating so hard you could about hear it!! He was laughing so hard at me that he had tears running down his face (ass). I got attacked by a tree vine on the way down (told the people at the bottom it was a bear . . have to have fun with the tourists ya know)

We saw a bobcat and a few deer and enjoyed watching the buzzards playing in the wind -- they look like they have way too much fun doing that!

All in all it was a FUN trip! We didn't want to come back home, 427 miles in all (at the top speed of 45 mph). We decided we are doing it again in the fall, when the trees are in full color, taking hiking shoes and hiking the trails around Robber's Cave (they look amazing).

Here are a few pics from our adventure!

It was nice knowing him . . . I sure as Hell was NOT getting close enough to save him!

Monkey boy Jim . . going places I would NOT

Risking my life . . standing on a edge of a cliff (I swear, it was a LONG way down!!)

Looking over the edge (as close as I was willing to get!!)

A doe and her little spotty fawn, he was jumping all over the place like a little jumping bean!

The chef, preparing peanut butter and jelly sannys for breakfast!!

Wedging myself in a rock staircase!

These were so cool looking!

Bear damage!!!! (that's my story at least)

I thought these looked like big green hairy butt cheeks!

On the way to the cave

Trail marker to the cave

She's looking shiny and pretty thanks to Route 66 Tint & Toys in Bristow (great detail job . . THANKS!)

I know . . the crack looks small here . . but stand on top of it . . it went down to CHINA!! (I could have died. . . honestly)

Watch Out! There are Chupacabras in Oklahoma!

2011-05-30T19:23:00.003-05:00

So . . we were driving down this little sleepy country road somewhere out of Wilberton, OK (near Robber's Cave) . . and all of a sudden from this house . . comes a REAL LIVE CHUPACABRA!!

Although . . it could be a domesticated Hyena also . . . who knows?

Go ahead . . Google "Chupacabra" . . . you know you want to!

Who says that nature doesn't have a sense of humor?

2011-05-30T18:59:00.002-05:00

Just plant a carrot patch! (rocky soil helps). It's GREAT entertainment.

Who knew?

2011-02-25T23:14:00.003-06:00

Banana Distribution? in Oklahoma? . . who knew? (maybe that explains Frank's tomato truck . . it is right across the street . . . hmmmm)

An afternoon in the city!

2011-02-25T22:50:00.006-06:00

My friend Holly and I decided to bum around Oklahoma City today . . we headed to the Stockyard district using my trusty iPhone's GPS maps (snort . . ) and got distracted by the fascinating old Farmers Market area.

We happened upon a gorgeous old building that displayed the faint painted letters "FARMERS PUBLIC MARKET" and by the signage around it, hoped it contained antiques. (not true, huge sigh) . . but being the nosy ol' broads we are. We marched in and treated ourselves to a self tour of an amazing building.

People were carrying wedding items in by the armload, (they were getting ready for a bridal show) so we just boldly blended in and walked around like we knew what we were doing!!

We met the handyman upstairs who said we were welcome to nose around . . the only ones he that aren't welcome are the homeless (I thought he said "holiness" . . at which I turned to Holly and said . . "now what does he have against the holiness?" . . when she got done giggling, she said, "No, he said as long as we're not HOMELESS" LOL

He told us the owner has put over a half a million dollars restoring the building and they still haven't hardly scratched the surface. It says booked for events for almost a year in advance. I wish I would have taken more pics of the building inside and out. But all I had with me was a little Kodak digital camera . . why I left for a road trip without my big camera . . who knows??

There are the most amazing hand painted murals everywhere. The entry is painted a most wonderful deep tomato red . . truly an amazing building. I can't wait to revisit and watch the remodeling progress. It does the heart good to see people appreciate and bring back to life historic buildings. If you get a chance, wander in, they don't mind . . it's on the way to the stockyards and is truly a feast for the eyes.

You say "Tomato" . . I say "Banana" . . .

2011-02-25T22:40:00.006-06:00

Dear Frank,
Please rethink your advertising agency, that is not a tomato. (and by the way . . let them know that using an octopus for a model was a bad move)

My Heart . . .

2011-02-15T14:44:00.004-06:00

Since February is the month of love (by retail standards at least LOL) . . I thought I would share one of my very most favorite pieces of jewelry with you.

It never fails to brings comments when I wear it and I treasure it above even very expensive pieces of jewelry I own . . in fact I think if the house was on fire and I could only save ONE piece of jewelry, this would be it.

It is made of clay by the then 10 year hands of my son, Nicholas . . and very carefully, scratched in the back are the initials "N.V. 1993", and the love shows in every bubble, flaw and fingerprint it contains.

I love all the fun stuff the kids have given us through the years . . . and treasure each one and the thought and effort that was extended to make them. Jim and I both actually still display and use most of them.

After all . . how can you NOT treasure a gift that was given purely by the heart?

2011-01-23T23:27:00.002-06:00

It is late, I cannot sleep . . . so I am up dreaming. Of green grass, warm earth and gardens to be.

The wood stove is crackling, the house is quiet and I am surrounded by stacks of gardening magazines . . the new Burpee and new Gurney's catalogs . . . dreaming.

"What shall I plant this year?" It always holds so much possibilities (I never have enough garden room LOL).

Last year, I planted corn . . won't do that again. While it was satisfying to watch it visibly grow in the Oklahoma heat . . the valuable real estate it occupies and the fighting the ear worms is not worth it. I think this year, I will concentrate on items I can put up for the winter. We have really enjoyed the quarts of tomatoes, pickles and jams earlier in the year.

This year, I think I will put into practice "Square Foot Gardening" pioneered by garden guru, Mel Bartholomew . . which is getting the most out of what space I have.

I remember reading about SFG in the 80's in The Mother Earth News (for which I just purchased a subscription . . . another danger of not sleeping . . . internet shopping!!)

So far, on my list for spring is LOADS of herbs, green beans, peas, more cucumbers (the pickles were the BOMB), a smaller, climbing variety of cantalope and loads of green onions and salad greens . . . Ooooo and potatoes . . . and GIANT heirloom tomatoes . . . .

I think I need a bigger garden!

It's bound to happy . . . .

2011-01-17T14:49:00.003-06:00

Only I would get a fortune cookie with a typo.

I got this several years ago and found it yesterday when I was cleaning out a bunch of boxes in the garage (explains the time worn appearance of it!) . . I've kept it because it always brings a smile to my face and makes me happy LOL.

When you really think about it though . . it works. Just exchange the word "happen" with "happy" and see the fun you can have.

I forgive them their mistake . . after all, with all the millions of fortune cookies they make in a day . . it's bound to happy.

Mmmmm Smokey Paprika Chicken & Cinnamon Beans (this is for YOU Kitty!)

2011-01-07T12:34:00.005-06:00

The wind is howling outside and snow is coming our way . . . I thought it was a great time to play in the kitchen!!

This is for Kitty, who's hubby has been recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and swears he will now starve to death!! Also, she says he is on a bean kick these days LOL

Cinnamon Beans!
This is an old favorite in Jim's family. The original contains a lot of bacon, so I reworked it without the fat & bacon and was very surprised at how good the flavor still was. For those of you who are still allowed to eat bacon . . throw some in (directions at the end) . . the flavor combination is amazing.

I have also paired it Smoked Paprika Chicken . . . (I'm on a self discovery of what's new in the spice isle these days) . . . Smoked Spanish Paprika is world's apart from the regular Paprika or Hungarian Paprika that you have always used. . . . unbelievable aroma and taste!!!

So here goes (Kitty . . PAY ATTENTION!!)

First . . the Cinnamon Beans

You need: Get our your crock pot and a non-stick frying pan first
3 cans of pinto beans (any brand, I use WalMart generic)
2 cups of low sodium chicken broth 1 medium onion, chopped into small pieces
3 T. Olive Oil (more or less . . I tend to cook by the seat of my pants and not measure anything)
2 T. Roasted Saigon Cinnamon (available at WalMart) this has much more depth than regular cinnamon

Open the beans, drain and rinse them in a colander and toss into your crockpot (on High until crock warms, the turn down to Low)

Over Med High heat, put your olive oil into the fry pan and when it gets a shimmery look, throw in your chopped onions, turn heat down to Med and keep stirring them around until they are transparent (about 5 min)

Toss in the 2 Tablespoons of cinnamon onto top of the onions and stir around until onions are well coated and the smell begins to "bloom" . . about 30 seconds (heating your spices brings out the very best flavors).

Slowly stir 2 cups of Chicken Broth (for my vegan & veg friends . . use a dark beer . . it adds a wonderful taste to the beans)

Add about 1 tsp of pepper and salt (or you can salt later at the table if you are on a limited salt diet)

Bring this mix to a soft boil, stirring constantly and then pour on top of the beans in the crock pot . . give them a stir and let them mingle for a couple of hours . . . Mmmmm

For those that can have bacon . . chop up a half of dozen strips of a good smokey bacon and fry until not quite crisp . . stir into the beans right after the onion mix & cinnamon mix . . . Yummmy!!

Serve over fried potatoes or corn bread . . or side by side with the chicken recipe below.

Smoked Paprika Chicken
2 Boneless chicken boobies, diced into quarter sized chunks
3 T. Olive oil Chicken Broth
1 medium onion, diced
2 tsp. Smoked Spanish Paprika (don't be a cheap ass and use regular paprika . . just won't WORK!!)
Salt & Pepper

Ok, same routine as the beans
Heat the olive oil up in a pan, stir the onions until transparent (about 5 min)

Toss in the Smoked Paprika and stir until onions are well coated, about 30 seconds . . SMELL THAT?? Amazing isn't it?

Pour about a cup of chicken broth in the pan and make sure all the little bits of spices are well stirred into the mix.

Toss in the chicken chunks and stir to coat Continue cooking, stir chicken once in a while, until all the chicken is white and no longer transparent. About 3-4 minutes on med high.

Remove the chicken chunks from the mix (don't be slow . . things are cooking fast now) and whisk in a bit more broth to make a thin gravy.

Continue simmering until the sauce reduces and makes a thick sauce . . throw the chicken chunks back in and continue cooking for another min or so . . . until chicken is well coated and there hardly any liquid in the pan (don't overcook or your chicken will get tough)

Salt & pepper to taste

Easy as that!

You can pair the chicken side by side with the beans or mix together for a very tasty, unique Chicken Chili

p.s. . . Kitty, don't tell Robert that there is cinnamon in the beans until AFTER he eats it!!! (we both know how he is . . ROFL)

The Hound from Hell . . .

2010-12-17T17:33:00.003-06:00

I bought a new iPhone today . . . fiddled with it all day (got absolutely NOTHING accomplished!) and finally got around to taking a photo.

Now, I am not certain whether I need more phone practice or I should worry about the the dog?

What do you think??

It's a bird, It's a plane . . Oh Noooo . . .

2010-12-06T15:56:00.001-06:00

Someone dropped off a box of cookies at the office (for which we are EXTREMELY thankful for!!) In the box were a variety of gingerbread men . . . and the "thing" on the right.

I was forced to put it out of it's misery . . . along with its companion (along with a cup of coffee) . . YUMMMM. But we are still uncertain what it was.

Any guesses???

Shades of Mr. Bill LOL

End of the Season

2010-11-26T18:13:00.005-06:00

Great times with great friends. I hate to see the end of the outdoor entertaining. But, the last party of Fall is always the best!

The air is crisp, the fire warm and the friends plentiful!

Every year the week before Thanksgiving, we deep pit meat for the holiday. This year, we invited friends to bring their turkeys and briskets and throw them in! It takes 4-5 hours for the coals in the pit to burn down to cooking temp (then 12 hours to cook) . . . which allows plenty of time for trading lies around a bonfire, endless rounds of horseshoes, beer, food and laughter! The weather cooperated for an evening cool enough for a fire but nice enough to not have to wear a coat!

We roasted dogs and feasted on homemade mac n cheese, couscous salad, bratwurst, pecan pie and fresh made salsa and chips.

Many thanks to good friends Dave & Holly Jamin, Ray & Lori Haworth, Walter, Andi & Felicia Gourley & Lu Brown . . . we really enjoyed the evening . . we hope you all enjoyed your delicious smoked treats for Thanksgiving!!

It could work . . . I think

2010-11-13T08:14:00.003-06:00

I bought this totally awesome vintage chalkboard at a yard sale for $4 whole dollars! (go me!)

I scrubbed it down, shined up the frame.

Now, what to put on it??

Since it most likely started its life off in a school, I thought it would be appropriate to honor its roots and draw something "educational" . . . like HOW TO MAKE A PIG FLY!

I got out my chalk and started doodling. Now, I don't know if the math is quite right . . . but in theory it should work . . right?

Either way, it makes a great addition to our living room wall and is always a conversation piece when someone new comes to visit!!

Toad Jam "There's something in my shoe"

2010-11-12T08:35:00.002-06:00

He was just lookin' for a place to stay warm! This is what happens when you leave your shoes on the porch too long . . . nature moves in!

I pried him out and put him in the garden, I'm sure he's thinkin' . . "what a bitch"

Who cares about the steaks

2010-11-12T06:39:00.007-06:00

This is for Lori . . . who nags me about updating my blog . . . who would see posts like these if she would grow up and get a FACEBOOK page dammit . . . but since she finds FACEBOOK impossible to use, I am reposting here JUST FOR HER!! (LOL . . . LOVE YA!!)

I just got a box of Omaha Steaks . . . now the best part of getting a box from Omaha Steaks (at least in my opinion) is the DRY ICE in the bottom of the box WOO HOO

My house is looking like a mad science experiment! I have cups on the windowsill smokin' and bubblin' . . . the toilets are smokin' . . the dog's water dish (insert evil laughter).

Seriously . . this stuff is SO COOL

Who cares about steaks! I have new toys!!

I posted it Omaha Steaks fan page on FB . . here is what they told me LOL

Omaha Steaks Thanks for being a fan and enjoy your order, Kala! We do not recommend playing with the dry ice. It can be harmful/dangerous. ;) ~ TawnyNovember 3 at 11:34am ·

I told them that's what kitchen tongs are for . . . duh . . . they just don't know how to have good ol' fashioned fun!

I sent my dad a box of steaks too . . . he called to thank me for the dry ice . . . so I guess I come by it naturally ROFL

Yummm Salmon Night

2010-10-18T17:30:00.005-05:00

I have the very BEST clients LOL

A very lovely client of mine (Elaine Geerdes) thoughtfully brought me a slab of fresh Alaskan salmon when she picked up her printing a while back. I stuck it in the freezer and waited for the "right" moment to bring it out (BTW . . . that is code for "when Jim is gone"). When Jim goes flying for several nights . . I go cooking! All the stuff I love that he won't eat (like Salmon).

I stopped by the store before heading home this evening and picked up a bunch of fresh cilantro, a clove of garlic, a lime and a bag of white long grain rice . . my mouth was watering on the drive home.

I started a pot of rice and the outside grill. When the rice was done and resting it was time to throw on the salmon (brushed with olive oil and garlic). Into the rice I tossed a handful of minced cilantro, the juice of one lime and let it sit. I sauteed some red onions, chopped garlic and capers in a little butter to dress the salmon and tossed the rest of it into the rice.

I am in HOG HEAVEN!

I snapped a cell phone pic and texted my best friend (it took her less than a minute to call and demand I box it up and send it over LOL . . . NOT! . . . sucks to be you Kitty. . that's what you get for being 1500 miles away!!)

I have some great movies saved on the DVR . . . just me and the cat and 3 dogs (who are ALL gazing with adoration upon my plate)

Bon Appétit

Making something old new again

2010-10-10T15:05:00.003-05:00

I always look for old chandeliers at yard sales but rarely see one this great. It was the perfect size and shape to make a candle chandelier!

I wish I would have taken a "before" picture, but at least I got one during.

I ripped out all the wiring, took it all apart and cleaned it with acetone and then painted it black (black paint and a glue gun can fix just about everything.

With the addition of citronella votives . . it makes a GREAT patio or garden chandelier. I think I will hang it from a tree on side patio (I'll post a pic when I do.

The COOLEST yard sale find . . EVER!

2010-07-27T17:14:00.009-05:00

I love yard sales, they are treasure troves of marvelous stuff. I am not a professional shopper, and only tote home useable or interesting vintage items that suit my fancy.

Today I purchased an item that I admired for it's sheer "uniqueness" and since I am a graphic artist, it spoke to me in other ways.

While looking at a pile of frames, I found a framed gravestone rubbing. You could tell the gravestone it came from was very old and English (written in middle english -- Chaucer style).

It was well framed and I thought it would look cool in my office. The old guy that had it said "I tried to read it but I don't understand most of the words". (Middle English contains a lot of odd spellings and the "u's" were printed as "v's")

So I read it to him:
In modern English, retaining the literary style it says:
Good friend, in Jesus sake forbear (forbear meaning refrain in modern times)
To dig the dust enclosed here
Blessed be the man that spares these stones
and cursed be he that moves my bones

He was like "that's cool, I didn't know what it meant" and said he really like the way it looked when he bought it at an auction awhile back.

I took it home, removed it from it's frame and cleaned the glass. The rubbing is done in black crayon which in 1962 was most likely the preferred medium . . it flakes slighty when you scrape it with your fingernail. Wedging it tight into the frame were old pieces of rolled up newspapers (dated 1963)

On the back, in pencil is a note that says: "Grave Stone Rubbing" Edwina Powell did this rubbing all morning in the winter of 1962 at cemtary [sic] near Westminster Abby"

The saying on the rubbing nagged at me all the way home, so I started looking for pictures of gravestones at Westminster Abbey to see if by chance there was a photo . . no luck. So, on a whim, I typed in the last line on the rubbing and BINGO!! I found it at Trinity Chapel NEAR Westminster Abbey!

And . . here's the bonus part . . . this rubbing is of the gravestone of none other than William Shakespeare who died April 23, 1616 at his home in Stratford Upon Avon.

How flippen' cool is that?

I paid $2.00 for it . . . my favorite yard sale . . . so far

It's alive . . .

2010-07-25T07:04:00.004-05:00

I was picking green beans in the garden and caught something out of the corner of my eye.

I thought it was a snake at first glance.

We are going to let it keep growing so see just how big it will get!

Lori made me do it!

2010-07-24T21:35:00.006-05:00

My friend, the best and fabulously talented (and loyal) Lori Haworth called and asked if I would teach her how to can tomatoes . . . so over she trots with 150 pounds of those buggers!

It took us all day to peel, chop and can. We make most of into quarts and a few in pints. She wanted hers plain, I made mine with onions, peppers, garlic and basil in the jars (Italian style!)

We set the canning pot on the patio so we wouldn't heat up the house (that was a GOOD move!) .

Right now, we really hate tomatoes! Our feet hurt, our backs hurt and my fingers are sore from the tomatoe acid . . . but looking at those rows of jars and imagining home canned tomatoes all winter and all the wonderful things we can make with them . . . YUMM!!

And just before Lori left with her haul . . . she says "Hey, I know where we can get a couple of bushels of peaches . . . " Oh boy! here we go again!

It's official!

2010-07-23T17:19:00.005-05:00

I'm late getting this on my blog for all those who have asked!!

The wedding went off without a hitch. The entire family pitched in and everyone did their job. There were no fits, no snits . . only extreme happiness and as always, when our entire family gets together . . . loads of laughter! (I'm sure a few bars in Catalina didn't know what hit them after the wedding! especially Luau Larry's -- boy, was THAT fun!! -- who knew that Aunt Kristin could bark exactly like a seal? -- got pics I have been THREATENED not to post)

The island was so beautiful (and so was the bride!!) and the weather so nice that no-one wanted to come home.

Now . . . we have the prep for the reception on August 7th (I'm not off the hook yet!! . . . wish me luck . . dinner for 100+)

The new Mr. & Mrs. Leveridge

Standin' on the corner . . .

2010-07-15T07:17:00.003-05:00

in Winslow, Arizona!

We are on our way to Catalina, Island to marry off our daughter! It has been a fun road trip so far! We spent the night in Winslow, AZ on Route 66. They have created a corner to replicate the Eagle's song . . "Take it Easy"

You can read more about it here
http://www.standinonthecorner.com/

and . . being the good tourists we are . . we had to stop and take a picture!!

Parked directly behind our car was indeed a "Flat Bed Ford" (no sign of the girl though . . .)

Tor & Jim, standin' on the corner !! (such a fine sight to see . . .)

Yummm Friday night CSA dinners

2010-07-02T22:54:00.004-05:00

Picked up my CSA bag today (lots of sweet corn . . which makes Jim VERY happy) Tonight we had Artichoke & goat cheese fritters, (I will post the recipe when I get it just right . . still experimenting!) garlic buttered sweet corn and 3 kinds of salad . . green, crunchy cabbage salad and a chunky salad of tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers.

I love Friday night dinners in the summer!

Grans Troll Bell

2010-07-02T08:28:00.002-05:00

Digging through the boxes from Grans garden shed, I found this great troll bell carved from wood. (the tongue is the bell clapper) I imagine she brought it back from Ireland on one of her many trips there. Jim says it's creepy . . . I think it is hilarious! It's getting a good home in the vegetable garden (maybe it will scare the birds away!!)

New Candle Lanterns from Trash

2010-06-27T12:03:00.005-05:00

I found five old solar lanterns in a box in my mother in-laws garden shed. After a cleanup and new batteries . . we found they work but the light was really faint . . . these are some of the first solar lights on the market . . they have a soft, faint yellow light. Compared to today's solar lights they are dim and pathetic. Jim said "toss them" but since they are all metal and glass and a really cool design, I thought I would tear them apart and make candle lanterns out of them . . they turned out AWESOME! Actually, I like them better as candle lamps than solar lights!

The tops are held on with two screws and the insides were easy to pop out. The space where the solar panel was left a great hole for the candle to vent.

The candles are old baby food jars that another artisan on Etsy sent me for the cost of the postage. I have about 100 of them that I am going to make into hanging candle lights for the trees. I took them to a local candle shop and had them all poured in bright tropical colors. (I will post the hanging lights when I get to making them in a week or so . . .)

The bottom of the lanterns had a great cross piece that I hot the jar to . . they can be popped off easy to put a new candle on when needed.
They came out GREAT . . . they are way brighter than the solar lights ever were. I am thinking of putting two in the guest bathroom on a shelf . . they would great in there!

It amazing when you can something you were going to throw away and make something new and better! (makes me want to yard saling!)

Tonights dinner courtesy of Fisher Farms CSA

2010-06-26T20:14:00.006-05:00

Friday and Saturday night dinners are my favorites! Friday is when we unpack our surprise bags of vegetables from one of our two local CSA's here.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Before the growing season begins, you pay a share to the local CSA farm, they use the money to plant their crops and during the season you receive a weekly bag of fresh from the farm vegetables. By the end of the season, the produce you receive more than pays for the share cost . . plus, you get to try all types of vegetables you may not normally buy. If there is a CSA near you, don't hesitate to join . . . you can't get produce this fresh unless you grow it yourself.

On Friday, we normally eat an all vegetarian fare . . . this Friday we had fresh sweet corn, so tender it about melts in your mouth and a tomato, onion, basil & mozzeralla salad.

We ate until we popped!

Saturday dinners are usually a combo of CSA goodies and what can be scared up from one of the local farmer's markets. (we skipped Bristow's market today and headed to Tulsa for the Cherry Street FM).

We had sweet corn again, pod peas from our own garden, a cherry street vinegarette potato salad, a huge plate of tomatos & onions with fresh basil and White balsemic vinegar and bratwest off the grill (washed down with a bottle of "V" from the local Stone Bluff Cellars . . . Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmmm

Can you tell summer at our house is all about the eating?

Mmmmm . . .breakfast from the Farmer's Market

2010-06-19T09:49:00.003-05:00

Don't you love farmer's markets?

I woke up early today and gathered up a box of herbs to take the Bristow Farmer's Market. I included Flat Italian Parsley, Sage, Sweet Marjoram, two types of Basil, and Winter Savory. My car smelled like perfume all the way to town.
I came home with new red potatoes, fresh bread, lemon/poppyseed cake, green beans, blueberries from JoAnn & Willie Peeper (my neighbors just up the highway) and red cabbage (Bob Wyatt said his wife Kris calls it "fish taco cabbage" . . . which just gave me a GREAT idea for dinner!! (thanks Bob!)
When I got home, I had breakfast on the patio (Homemade blueberry jam, stillwarm, sweetened with honey on toasted home baked bread and an endless pot of coffee) . . . .
mmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmm!. . . .

I love corner fruit stands and farmer's markets and all the different goodies you find! It is a new adventure each week. I love the smells, the sounds, the mingling and visiting with townsfolk . . . it seems to bring out the best in people!

Earth Day -- Forty Years Later

2010-04-21T17:54:00.011-05:00

Tomorrow, April 22nd, is a day of historical signficance for me. On this day, forty years ago, I sat cross-legged in a Southern California park and listened raptly to my grade school teacher explain about the FIRST Earth Day celebration.

I'm sure to many students that day, it was just another speech from a teacher that went in one ear and out the other. But to me . . . it has colored and changed every aspect of my life from that day forward.

In April of 1970, the Los Angeles County school system was in the midst of a five week teachers strike. Now, for most students, it was a free ticket to play . . an unexpected vacation from the confines of school (we didn't care about striking teachers . . LOL). Things unfolded just a bit different for me though . . . at my school (Rhoda Street Elementary in Encino, California) we had a few teachers who would not cross the picket lines to teach at school, but through their caring and dedication to their students, donated their time teaching kids in the local parks. One teacher in particular holds a special place in my heart . . . I TRULY wish after all these years that I could remember her name. What I will NOT forget, is the lasting values she taught me in a make-shift classroom in the park. Her selfless donation of time to gather her students in the park every day, taught me many things . . . one in particular was about a new movement taking shape . . Earth Day. That lesson has stayed with me my entire life and has shaped everything that I do . . including my own business that focuses on environmentally friendly printing, recycled papers and papers you can plant (yep . . . they GROW as they recycle)

As a ten-year old, five weeks of classes in an open air park was sheer heaven in inself . . little did any of us know of the historical significance that April 22, 1970 would forever hold in history.

A bit of background on Earth Day: In 1969, U.S. Senator and Earth Day founder, Gaylord Nelson, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishmetn and force this issue onto the national agenda. "It was a gamble," he recalled, "but it worked." Senator Nelson was later awarded the Presidental Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor give to civilians for his role as Earth Day founder. Ten years later, on Earth Day 1980, Senator Nelson said "My primary objective in planning Earth Day was to show the political leadership of the Nation that there was broad and deep support for the environmental movement. While I was confident that a nationwide peaceful demonstration of concern would be impressive, I was not quite prepared for the overwhelming response that occurred on that day. Two thousand colleges and universities, ten thousand high schools and grade schools, and several thousand communities in all, more than twenty million Americans participated in one of the most exciting and significant grassroots efforts in the history of this country."

"Sit-ins" in the '70's were the protest medium of "norm". So a political sit in on April 22, 1970 was not out of the ordinary, however, what it acheived was. Millions of Americans, from all walks of life, Republicans AND Democrats, young and old, flocked to parks and the streets to demonstrate, work together and rally against the decay of our environment. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. I feel so honored to have been included from the inception.

I think that a lot of people have the attitude that Earth Day and the "green" movement that is so rapidly growing is a fairly new thing, and a passing fad. As a person who has celebrated every Earth Day for forty years, I find myself troubled by those who jump on the "green" bandwagon only for financial gain. This is our future . . our very survival on this beautiful blue orb we call home depends on US. How we take care of it now will depend upon how our future generations survive. This means many things . . . reducing our carbon footprint and leaving a cleaner, healther Earth is the first step each of us can take.

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states "The longest journey begins with the first step" My challenge is to all of you . . take the first step. Change ONE thing in your lifestyle that will make an impact on the Earth . . . reduce, reuse, recycle and remember that EVERY day is a day to celebrate Earth Day!

Peace, love and green thoughts!!

Gracie

My girls . . .

2010-01-25T16:23:00.003-06:00

They are both so lovely (inside and out). Tor on the left, Jill on the right

New Year's in Wyoming

Assmaster

2010-01-25T16:16:00.003-06:00

The smallest of things amuse me . . . I picked up the mail and was paging through it and saw this. I have to admit . . my first thought was "Oh no, what has he ordered in the mail now?" then I realized it was a "BassMaster" advertisement. LOL!

Frog Balls!

2010-01-25T16:12:00.002-06:00

We went to Wyoming for a late Christmas (New Year's) get together. I am LATE getting pictures up (sorry family).

This is what greeted me the first morning I stumbled upstairs for coffee and was looking for coffee creamer.

Mmmmm . . . frog balls (don't you love the interesting things lurking in other people's fridges?)

Miss you . . Love you . . .

2010-01-20T11:01:00.005-06:00

Dear Mom,

It has been 1 year today since I held you hand and whispered in your ear that it was ok to leave us . . . I miss you more than ever.

I see you everywhere and in everything. I thought about you when I got up this morning and smelled my paperwhites on the dining room table and knew how much you would have loved them and when I saw your bunny sitting in the same spot on our fireplace that it sat on yours and in the same spot it sat on your mom's fireplace. It gives me great pleasure to use the things you loved and that your mother loved and tell their stories to my daughter, thank you for giving them meaning.

On the way to town, the tears streamed down my face at the bare branched trees against the morning sky and how you marveled in their beauty . . winter lace you always called them. I even miss the way you annoyed the hell out of me at times . . . that is what family is for LOL.

I guess I just wanted to say you are not forgotten, you are fondly talked of often . . . at dinners and family events and always with a smile.

Love you always . . .

Christmas Day in Oklahoma 2009

2009-12-27T09:17:00.005-06:00

We had prepared a huge Christmas eve feast for family and friends and they all got stuck in Oklahoma City in the blizzard. Our daughter Tori and three of her co-workers (tor is on the left) were snowed in the mall where they worked. All their cars were buried and they had to hike in the snow up to the Fairfield Inn where Bath & Body Works graciously put them up for the night (no dinner though . . . every surrounding eatery was closed up, so they had Pop-tarts from a machine for Christmas eve dinner!)

We got up Christmas morning, put on our winter gear, loaded shovels and drove to the city to dig her out. It took us more than two hours to drive the turnpike at 40 mph. I stopped counting abandoned vehicles at 220 LOL!

Above, our front porch and below is the road in front of our house (old 66)
This what the main highway (new66) looked like . . solid snowfloor

Jim & Tyler digging out cars of the Crossroads mall parking lot. Along with Tor's Jimmy and the cars of the three other girls, they dug out two additional cars nearby

There were a couple of folks taking advantage of a large open parking lot to do some "truck skiing"

Highway 240 going into Edmond

Intersection in Edmond (most intersections were blocked with stalled cars and huge snowbanks)

A line of cars and trucks blocking an on-ramp to I-35

It was an exciting Christmas Day! We got back home about 6 p.m., warmed up the leftovers and are looking forward to leaving for our trip to Cody, Wyoming on Monday! (will send pics from the road trip)

Oklahoma Christmas

2009-12-27T09:08:00.004-06:00

According to the weather experts here, this is one of the worst blizzards in Oklahoma history. Maybe it was because of the 40-60 mph winds that came with it, but we didn't think it was all that bad (maybe that's because we both grew up in Idaho . . . where they have REAL snowstorms and blizzards!)

The night beforeDuringA white Christmas!

Butternut squash and cranberry casserole

2009-12-19T08:51:00.005-06:00

Mmmm . . this is great hot or cold and can be made ahead of time and baked later.
Try it, even Jim who swears he hates squash likes it.

Pre-heat oven to 350 and spray coat a rectangle glass baking dish

Ingredients
Small butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
1/4 hot water (or red wine for a tastier version)
2 medium onions quartered, then cut in halfs (small chunks)
Small jar (6 oz.) whole peeled garlic cloves
2 T. Olive oil
2 T. Chopped fresh oregano leaves (can used dried)
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Salt & Pepper

Pour hot water or wine over cranberries and let them sit until you assemble the rest of the ingredients.

Peel and dice butternut (easier if you peel first then cut in half and scoop seeds), throw in a large bowl
Cut onions into chunks, throw in bowl with squash
Add entire bottle of garlic cloves
Add olive oil and herbs
Drain cranberries and add to bowl

Toss well and place into baking dish in an even layer.

Bake on 350 for 1 hour and 10 min (check towards end, you may want to increase or descrease cooking time depending on if you like your squash firmer or softer)

You can add salt and pepper to taste when served or sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar or splenda to brighten the taste of the squash.

Makes about 8 servings
Enjoy!

Ow! . . . . I mean Owl

2009-12-14T08:24:00.005-06:00

We were zipping along a windy road, somewhere in the mountains and like most country roads, you see a number of animals that didn't quite make it across. Just a fact of country life. We saw this "lump" in the distance, barely being missed by passing cars and when we passed it, it looked up at us. That is all it takes for me LOL, I am a sucker for an injured animal on the road. I was afraid that someone would run it over so we turned around to pick it up.

It was the most pathetic thing I have seen in a while. He was just a handful and weighed barely anything. His eyes and feet were the biggest thing on him. We took him to a nearby road off the highway (he most likely swooped down in time to get bonked by a car). We waited a bit to see if he would recover and when he did, Jim put him on a pile of rocks. He had a bloody beak, after checking him out, nothing appeared to be broken, he just was stunned from boinking a car.

We googled owls when we got home and we think he is a Flammbulated Owl, which is native to the Ozarks and the western US. He was about the size of a softball and almost as round.

Brrrrr

2009-12-14T08:08:00.003-06:00

How cold is it when the springs coming off the hills freeze?? This was "somewhere" in the Ozarks (can't remember exactly where LOL)

Wanna buy a Ra Bite?

2009-12-14T07:34:00.005-06:00

While shopping in Van Buren, we stopped in a great store call the Main Street Connection. They had an old sign on the wall that I didn't see until we were walking out . . . it made me giggle all the way down the street. I finally walked back and asked the lady if I could take a picture of it.

She was thrilled to tell the story! She said she purchased it from an old guy up the road near where she lives, when she stopped to ask him to buy it, he said, "I think it's spelled wrong, let me make you a new one" . . she insisted on buying the original. (it's NOT for sale, I asked). Apparantly the old guy wasn't sure how to spell rabbit, so he stopped a truck on the highway and asked him, this is the spelling the trucker gave him. The gap between the FO and the R is because there was a tree growing where he wanted to nail the sign up and that's why he left the gap. The shop owner pointed out that she especially like the extra efforts like the "dot" in the middle of the O.

She showed me another great original work of "art" that she purchased at a local flea market. This one is hanging in the back of her shop. Apparantly there wasn't enough room for a capitol "D"

If you are near Van Buren, stop into the Main Street Connection in old downtown and let Marcia know you saw her on my blog!

Shopping in Van Buren

2009-12-14T07:28:00.002-06:00

We decided to take a weekend off and head to Van Buren, Arkansas for a day of antique shopping. We are looking for a mission oak style dresser for our bedroom. We didn't find the piece we wanted but we got some quality stocking stuffer shopping done! Old Van Buren has a gorgeous restored downtown and it was all decked out for Christmas.

I love a good sign!

2009-12-14T07:23:00.002-06:00

Sign on a BBQ joint just outside of Fort Smith, Arkansas

Uh Oh!

2009-12-10T09:22:00.003-06:00

When I got up this morning and looked at the temp (a balmy 5°) I told my husband we need to check the well house for a lightbulb (he said it's done) and check all the outside faucets to see if they were turned off and disconnected (famous last words)

When I went out to feed and I walked back up to the house, this gorgeous ice sculpture was waiting for me!

Lucky enough the water was still running through the connections and it didn't freeze into the house.

Check your faucets (before the temps dip)

Lucy's new dad!

2009-11-22T14:54:00.002-06:00

Last night, Lucy was delivered into the hands of a young man (college grad) named Michael. He lives in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area and was so excited to include Lucy into his life.

He has a fenced backyard, no other pets, so Lucy will get his undivided attention. Another plus? he lives less than a block from the local dog park (pictures coming soon!)

I am so pleased! In slightly over three weeks, Lucy has gone from a panic striken, grossly neglected dog to a happy, bouncy, slightly goofy fur bundle of joy!

Good luck to Michael and Lucy! and THANK YOU to all who called and inquire about her and especially to PAWS!

Rescue dogs are the best . . they are grateful for their homes and the attention given to them. If you need a dog, bypass the breeder and pet stores and check out your local dog pound, shelter or dog rescue group. You won't regret it!

We named her Lucy and she needs a good home . . .

2009-11-14T15:10:00.009-06:00

The PAWS adoption clinic did not go well for her. It was the day after she was plucked out of the bushes and she spent the entire adoption clinic cowered in her cage and growling at everyone who came near. (read the post below this one to learn about her story)
I am happy to report that almost all of the nasty ticks have fallen off and that she has put on a lot of weight (eats like a piglet right now . . I'm sure she still wonders if each meal is her last LOL). She is happy, bright and a delightful pup to be around. She adores playing and soaks in the hugs and kisses. She is completely social and loves everyone she meets. I am sure the next adoption clinic will go well for her.

She loves playing ball and will bring it right back to your hand. She caught on to sit very quickly but like most puppies there are too many distractions for stay to mean much. She caught onto the doggie door very quick and as of the last 3 days has gone outside to do her business without a fuss or accidents.

She is great around the cat, curious but not threatening, in fact the cat scared her to death the first time he turned around and faced her (Monster has raised a LOT of dogs!) She gets on well with our dogs (my jack russell Scout is a cranky old thing though . . and will be happy when she leaves and can resume her queen status)

She is a good girl and deserves a family that will love her. For adoption information, you can call me here 1-800-276-7754 or contact PAWS at pawspals@msn.com

Doing the right thing . . .

2009-11-07T12:55:00.003-06:00

Even if it means you are late to where you are going, smell like a dog and may have fleas.

Friday afternoon, as I waited at the drive up bank window, I watched a small young dog walk from car to car in the parking lot and stop and look up into every window.

Even from across the parking lot, I could see that she was in bad shape and looked so forlorn and confused at every car she looked into. I was late already for a holiday show where I was setting up to sell my cards, but my heart absolutely melted on the spot.

When I finished my transaction, I pulled into the lot, parked my car and went to find her. When I whistled at her, she turned towards me, tucked her tail and slinked away. When I got close to her, she bared her teeth and appeared -- for lack of better words -- hysterical with fear. I finally backed her into a corner of two fences and sat on the edge of the flowerbed near her. Every time I stretched out my hand, she panicked, bared her teeth and screeched. I was so torn . . I was already late, but, could not bring myself to give up and leave her there.

You could see that she was skin and bones and hadn’t eaten for a obviously a while, so I walked back to my truck and found the bag of carrots and a mozzarella cheese stick that I was planning on eating on the way to the show. After a few bites, she decided I was an ok human and let me pick her up. This dog by looking at the breed (near we can determine a boxer mutt mix) and size should weigh about 20-25 pounds, I bet she didn’t weigh 10. She had ticks the size of raisins and every bone was sticking through her skin.

I was envisioning my husband killing me at this moment (we have 3 adopted dogs already). I took her to the local adoption shelter (www.paws pals.com) and asked if they would take her and as luck would have it . . they were holding an adoption clinic in Tulsa the next day. They fed her, dipped her and gave her puppy shots and seemed to think she would be adopted before the day was over. I offered to “foster” her if she wasn’t adopted and needed a home to rehabilitate in (again, envisioning what my husband will say) . . so we shall see.
I will add a picture as soon as I have one.

She is so sweet, despite the obvious neglect and abuse she as suffered. I am always amazed at the ability of a dog to forgive and still be loving after all that. Humans have a lot to learn.

I made it to my show . . a little late . . a little smelly LOL and I’m sure I have a flea or two . . . But some things are worth the effort.

A rare treat . . .

2009-10-31T17:24:00.005-05:00

I was driving down the road, about 5 miles from the house a couple weeks ago and out of the corner of my eye I see an eagle standing in a field. What caught my eye at first was the huge mob of ravens that were obviously giving something a hard time (that's the official job of a raven you know)
When I looked closer, I see a Bald Eagle in the middle of flock protecting his breakfast. What a thrill . . and of course, I didn't have a camera with me! I headed to the house, ran in and grabbed a camera and headed back down the highway. He was still there! (minus his raven friends) Yeah me!

I wish I would have had a bigger lens LOL!
He was in a field just off Highway 66 outside of Kellyville, Oklahoma.

What a beautiful bird!

I'm a proud Mom!

2009-10-29T10:13:00.002-05:00

I am proud of BOTH of my kids! They are amazing people!

My son Nick, is on his third tour of duty in Saudia Arabia, he flys KC-10 tankers for the U.S. Air Force. He just made Captain and will get his official promotion in June of 2010.

Here are a couple of (old pics . .) (need some NEW ONES . . NICK!! . . that's a hint for when he reads this LOL) when he was stationed in Vance at Enid, Oklahoma.

Cats are strange . . .

2009-10-29T09:31:00.005-05:00

And our cat Monster is no exception to the "strangeness" of cats.

Of all the places in our house that would appeal to a cat -- soft beds, chairs, couches with snuggly blankets always draping over them -- he loves the bathroom.

This morning, I caught something out of the corner of my eye and there he was . . tucked in BEHIND the bathroom door.

Getting ready for a wedding!

2009-10-26T01:31:00.005-05:00

It's official! (has been for several months . . but I am REALLY behind in my blogging LOL)

Tori & Tyler are getting married on July 17th, 2010.

They want a small family only ceremony on Catalina Island and a HUGE deep pit barbecue here in the backyard a few week later . . boy, do I have my work cut out for me!! She wants a casual, make it look like Martha Stewart did it affair (hah!)

(I see a backyard remodel in my future!!)

I was honored that they asked me to take their engagement photos (not to mention I come cheap). We drove ALL over the state of Oklahoma looking for prime fall color to take pictures and ended up taking these at the Tulsa Historical Society's Rose Garden.

How'd I do??

Recipe for Green Tomato Relish

2009-10-25T20:57:00.003-05:00

Green Tomato Relish

INGREDIENTS
24 large green tomatoes
3 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
3 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
12 large onions
3 tablespoons celery seed
3 tablespoons pickling spice (tied in a cheesecloth ball or bag - do NOT add loose)
3 tablespoons mustard seed
1 tablespoon salt
5 cups white sugar
2 cups cider vinegar

DIRECTIONS
1. In a grinder (I use an old fashioned crank grinder - you can buy them in antique stores) or food processor, coarsely grind tomatoes, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and onions. (You may need to do this in batches.) Line a large colander with cheesecloth, place in sink or in a large bowl, and pour in tomato mixture to drain for 1 hour.

2. In a large, non-aluminum stockpot, combine tomato mixture, celery seed, mustard seed, salt, sugar, and vinegar. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Sterilize enough jars and lids to hold relish (12 one-pint jars, or 6 one-quart jars). Place your rings and lids into a bowl of very hot water while you wash your jars. Pack relish into sterilized jars, making sure there are no spaces or air pockets. Fill jars within an inch of the top. Place lid and screw on ring gently but not too tight.

4. Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot or canning pot and fill halfway with boiling water. Carefully lower jars into pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary, until tops of jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Bring water to a full boil, then cover and process for 30 minutes.

5. Remove jars from pot and place on cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, listen for the pings as they seal. Once cool, press top of each lid with finger, ensuring that seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Jars that don't seal need to be refrigerated and used immediately.

Relish can be stored for up to a year.

Enjoy!

Green Tomato Relish

2009-10-25T20:28:00.003-05:00

As I was picking (and picking and picking and picking) the last of the tomatos, I was thinking what I was going to do with all of these . . and then I thought of the the amazing green tomato relish my mom would make at the end of the garden season. Nothing ever went to waste at the end of the gardening season . . there was always a recipe and use for everything.

Growing up, we grew a huge garden (almost a half acre in size) and canned, dried and froze everything for the winter. Our basement was lined with shelves and row after row of home canned goodies. My personal favorites were canned peaches, apricots and mom's relishes and pickles. My dad is 86 years old and still grows a huge garden and still cans his own food.

I learned to can food at an early age, (it was my job when I was little to listen for and count the "pings" as the jars sealed) and it's been awhile since I canned myself so I dug out all the equipment out of the attic and dug up mom's recipe and went to work . . . and was comforted by the familiar smells and nostaligic sound of jars pinging as they seal.

I put Jim to work grinding the tomatos, peppers and onions while I washed and sterilized jars and got the sugar, vinegar and spices boiling (what a WONDERFUL smell).

I am so glad I grew up learning these things, although as a teenager, I would have never guessed that I would be thankful for learning how to preserve garden produce and how to cook from scratch (and without a cookbook) . . but have been VERY thankful every day of my adult life since.

My dad gave me a love of outdoors, gardening and how to do it organically long before it was fashionable and my mom taught me how to can and cook. One of my most treasured items is a notebook in my mother's handwriting of canning recipes, secrets and favorite things . . . she taught me to cook from my heart and by taste, rarely using a recipe. Thank you Mom!

Jim is eyeballing these and making a list of everything he can use them on . . hotdogs, bratwurst, beans . . . . Mmmmmm! Any bets how long they last?

I will post the recipe in a minute if anyone want to try it . . . enjoy!

The end of the garden

2009-10-25T19:42:00.004-05:00

The weatherman is forecasting freezes into the 20's next week and rain this evening and into next week, so we thought it was a good afternoon for garden cleanup (ewwww)

So, we trimmed the strawberry patch, picked ALL the tomatoes (mostly green) and what was left of the pathetic green pepper plants. Tossed the remains to ed (who is a VERY happy and well fed goat today.

And put the beds to rest with a layer of sawdust . . . waiting for next year.

Next year's plans are for a bigger, fenced garden with the addition of 2-3 more beds, benches and walkways (yeah, rabbit proofing . . now if I just squirrel proof it)

I love shopping on Etsy

2009-09-23T14:31:00.002-05:00

I sell my greeting cards on a site called Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/)

I also buy my fair share of stuff there too! Check this out! It is from an artisan in Belgium named "TwoTreesBelgium" (http://twotreesbelgium.etsy.com/). Go check out her work.

I can't wait to get this . . it is TOO hilarious!

I hate when someone leaves the lid up . .

2009-09-10T21:46:00.002-05:00

You never know what you'll find . . . .

Uh Oh . . .

2009-09-07T20:18:00.002-05:00

Suppose they taste bad?

Best Friends . . .

2009-09-06T22:06:00.004-05:00

My daughter Tori (on the right) and her friend Felicia (left) have been best friends since first grade. It is such a nice thing knowing that they will always be the best of friends.

2009-09-06T21:30:00.003-05:00

Spent the day at Lake Keystone with good friends Walter & Andi and Mitch & Beenie . . . always a great time. Too bad the sun eventually has to set and we have to go home.

Have you seen my turtle?

2009-09-06T21:25:00.002-05:00

Dude, you lost your turtle at the lake . . .where do you think it is?

Those overalls are handy for a lot of things!

2009-09-06T11:52:00.005-05:00

Bib overalls are the BEST garden tool! They have a great harvest pouch on the front!

Yummy! I can eat these all day long . . . almost better than jelly beans (I said almost . . . I haven't gone completely insane)

The Jello shots were brutal Beenie

2009-09-06T11:36:00.005-05:00

Beenie critiques her Jello shot!

Joni made em . . . oooo baby . . . . someone said they would grow hair in places you never had it before!! (I should have been afraid at that point)

Andi's Big 50

2009-09-06T11:19:00.005-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDI! . . and Barb . . and Happy 31st Anniversary to Walter AND Andi . . . it was an EVERYTHING PARTY! . . .aren't those the best kind?

The cake LOOKED great . . . on everyone . . . no idea HOW it tasted!! (too many Jello shots by that time)

Pete wanted a pool . . .

2009-09-06T11:05:00.004-05:00

Joni said she wanted Boobies, Pete said . . "we could have a pool for that" . . . (you should see their great pool!)

The Big Ass and the Sweet Bitch

2009-09-06T11:01:00.002-05:00

We brought wine to the party . . . Andi said (and this is a quote) . . . "the Sweet Bitch is for me . . the Big Ass is for Walter" ROFL

Kitty's place - Downtown Denver

2009-08-31T20:49:00.003-05:00

Dear Kitty (she's my BFF in northern, California)

Why didn't you tell me you had a store named after you in downtown Denver? (and that it sells adult videos and other "recreational" devices . . . you'd think after all these years . . . you would confide EVERYTHING to me!!!

Downtown Deer

2009-08-30T00:03:00.002-05:00

We were driving through downtown Craig, Colorado (not a small town) and had to stop for a Mama and her babies strolling through, we followed them down an alley to take their picture and they ran into someone's back yard (so that's what has been eating the flowers!)

Sorry for the crappy pic . . it was almost dark

Sunset at the Colorado border

2009-08-30T00:01:00.003-05:00

Great sunset on the Colorado/Utah border

Stopping for critters in the road

2009-08-29T23:58:00.002-05:00

Deer in the road, just out of Dinosaur, Utah . . . they just stood in the middle of the highway until we honked at them . . . I guess cars don't scare them

So, we were thinking of buying this great bed and breakfast

2009-08-29T23:56:00.003-05:00

It has potential . . . . (and a great view)

Surely there is an explantion for this

2009-08-29T23:52:00.003-05:00

Couldn't find a reasonable explanation for a giant green dinosaur, wearing a hat, eating a watermelon next to a grill of a giant burger, a large weiner and large vegetables . . . ??? This is one of those WTH moments.

Vernal, Utah

2009-08-29T23:43:00.003-05:00

We think a Petunia salesman made the town one hell of a deal . . . there were pink petunias everywhere . . it was so pretty. Apparantly every year, the town of Vernal, Utah plants petunias EVERYWHERE . . it is like a pink & purple petunia explosion. The pictures don't begin to show the beauty of them all. (who gets to water all of these??)

The middle of nowhere . . .

2009-08-29T23:30:00.002-05:00

There is a whole lot of NOTHING when driving through the Bonneville Salt Flats before you get to Salt Lake City. I wish I would have stopped to take pictures of the rock "graffiti" on the sides of the road. People have stopped and spelled things with rocks that range from hearts, I love you, their initials to giant peace signs (and a huge penis made with rocks) . . it was VERY interesting.

It would suck to break down out here!!!

The Martin Hotel - Winnemucca, Nevada

2009-08-29T23:16:00.005-05:00

Growing up in Idaho and living for a time in Northern Nevada and Bakersfield, CA gives you a DEEP appreciation for Basque food . . . it is truly a dining experience that everyone should try.

We were saddened to hear that a favorite haunt in Winnemucca, the Winnemucca Hotel is no longer serving Basque food . . but our second favorite the Martin Hotel in operation since 1898 is still serving up the same great family style food (and PLENTY of it).

Good Basque food is always served family style, meaning you sit at the same table with total strangers and pass the bowls around the table. We sat with a great group of folks from Oregon, several of whom were experiencing Basque dining for the first time.

First course is bread and soup, since it was Friday night, a wonderful thick clam chowder was served. The next course was hot corn & peppers, hominy salad and beans, and then a green salad with the house dressing and a HUGE bowl of garlic mashed red potatoes. Next was the tongue (yep . . cooked cows tongue!) I prefer the pickled tongue as served in California, this was in a gravy like a beef stew, still good . . but not as good as the pickled. Main course last . . I had the prime rib, Jim had the lamb chops . . . all served with copious amounts of red wine and laughter.

Mmmm Mmmm Mmmmm . . if you go away hungry . . you are doing something WRONG!

Auburn to Reno

2009-08-29T23:07:00.003-05:00

Auburn, California is a gorgeous little town, I wished I would have taken more pics. We stopped by a trailer sales outfit to look at their little teardrop trailers (wishing and dreaming). (have NO IDEA what the giant chinese man is all about, but he looked really cool!)

On the road from Auburn to Truckee, just before Reno, pretty country!

Leaving CA (Mmmm tamales on the road)

2009-08-29T23:02:00.004-05:00

Before we leave Nick's . . a trip to Chepo's Tamales in Elmira is a must. No one there speaks ANY English . . but that doesn't stop us from taking home the BEST TAMALES I have ever eaten! If you get a chance to go by there, they are located at 6092 A Street & Hazen in Elmira . . don't worry about the communication factor . . it really isn't a problem LOL.

Hold up two fingers, say 2 dozen pork, nod your head when asked "Caliente?" . . it's all good.

(Lori, the blurry pic of tamales in a box are YOURS . . (if they make it home!!)

And . . we're eating again!

2009-08-28T00:33:00.005-05:00

Jim, relaxing at Pasta Pomodoro

Tor, waiting for dinner

The minute we tied up the boat . . . everyone said "we're starving"! Nick wanted to go to the little outdoor Italian restaurant "Pasta Pomodoro" in North Beach, SF . . . everyone ordered something different. . .then we drove back to Nick's to take a nap . . it's a rough life

Fond farewells . . . .

2009-08-28T00:23:00.004-05:00

Saying goodbye to someone you love sucks . . . . period.

We love you Gran! We hope you enjoyed the sail, we hope you laughed at our memories on the boat, we hope you enjoyed the flowers we sent with you and your silver owl. (LuAnn hopes you remember how to swim . . . LOL)

Thank you for being you! I really, really, really miss you . . .

On the water . . .

2009-08-28T00:11:00.004-05:00

Heading out to sea on Ara's sailboat (those are my feet)

Craig untying the down haul line and raising the sail

Hanging out . . . drinking beer . . . and great conversation

golden gate bridge to the right, downtown SF to the left

Wards off bad JuJu (we think)

2009-08-27T10:59:00.003-05:00

While wandering up and down the slips at the marina . . . we see this (we can't explain it either)

Ok . . now we eat . . .

2009-08-27T10:47:00.005-05:00

says Ara in his lovely thick Romanian accent . . . we went to his favorite restaurant at the Marina, appropriately named "Fish"

We had pints of locally brewed "Anchor Steam" beer, fresh Ceviche, chowder, grilled sardines and calamari pasta, outside on the patio. . . Mmmmm

I like Oklahoma . . .but, I really, really, really miss the ocean.

Oooo . . the pretty boats

2009-08-27T10:38:00.005-05:00

Went to check out our friend Ara's sailboat last night . . . we are taking it out today for a day trip to spread Mom's ashes around Angel Island. (Ara on left, Jim on right)

Ara is Romanian born and is a hoot! He is a NASA engineer, Jim has been helping Ara with a project to photograph and log BP aerial patrols, Ara is writing the software for photo recognition for Jim's aerial patrols (boy talk . . I just nod my head a lot) he is also working on a moon project for NASA that is fascinating (again, I just nod my head a lot and look like I get the gist of it all LOL)

The fog creeps in on little cat feet . . .

2009-08-27T10:35:00.003-05:00

It sit on silent haunches,

Looking over harbor and city,

And then moves on.

Carl Sandberg

Elvis lives . . .

2009-08-27T10:27:00.002-05:00

I want my portrait done in Jelly Belly beans . . . . I wonder how many it would take?

p.s. I bought a CASE of factory seconds for you Jelly Belly fanatics back home!!! (if they make the trip back [insert evil laughter here]

It seems like all we do it EAT!

2009-08-26T11:49:00.003-05:00

Eating again LOL! This time at Tognazzini's Dockside Restaurant & Fish Market in Morrow Bay. The view was truly "dockside" you could watch the boats unloading their catch and bringing it straight to the restaurant, doesn't get any fresher than that!

The chowder was fabulous, the calamari and shrimp were to die for!! Yumm, Yumm, Yumm!

Jurassic Park??

2009-08-26T11:43:00.003-05:00

So, we are driving this winding road from Atascadero to Morro Bay and come across a pasture full of dinosaurs (and one lone donkey . . imagine what was going through his mind??), and I thought to myself . . "good thing they fenced them in"
[click on picture for a larger version]

Hero worship

2009-08-25T17:36:00.003-05:00

Standing between Jim on the left and Nick on the right is Loni's neighbor boy "Klay" . . . who is airplane CRAZY and is in awe of pilots and planes.

He actually stared Nick awake this morning because he was so excited at the thought of meeting a real Air Force Pilot. He was so excited to have his picture taken with TWO pilots . . . he will have a story to tell at school today!

Nick left him two patches off his flight suit . . . he will be in little boy heaven!

2009-08-25T17:29:00.003-05:00

Nick & Jill at Splash in Pismo Beach . . Mmmmm . . . awesome clam chowder

http://www.splashcafe.com/index.html

Welcome to California!

2009-08-25T16:43:00.005-05:00

Woo Hoo! We're at the border!

Windmills out of Tehachapi, California

The endless oilfields in Buttonwillow, just out of Bakersfield

We found the S.S. Minnow . . .

2009-08-25T16:41:00.002-05:00

Apparantly, it is now located in Blyte, California . . LOL

Pics along the way

2009-08-25T11:15:00.007-05:00

Ok, time to catch y'all up . . finally purchased a card reader for my camera.

Here is a handful of pics from Oklahoma to New Mexico, including where we broke down just out of Albuquerque. We lost the hitch pin on the Exursion and almost lost the u-haul trailer.

Thanks to a fellow traveler who was hauling race cars back to california, who lent us a hitch pin . . we were back on the road in record time.

Windmill in Weatherford, Oklahoma

The HUGE cross in Groom Texas on I-40/Route 66 . . largest cross in the Western Hemisphere

Beautiful red mesas, just out of Sky City, New Mexico . . the colors were AMAZING!

Jill, taking five (or 45, or 90 . . .) nothing like napping in the sun on a road trip

Fixing the hitch pin (in the rain)

On the road

2009-08-24T09:28:00.002-05:00

without a camera cord (all these great pics and I didn't bring the usb cord for my camera (WalMart trip . . again)

Just leaving Winslow, Arizona, next stop . . . Arroyo Grande, CA

Pics later!!

How to exercise a Jack Russell Terrior

2009-08-14T17:32:00.005-05:00

All summer long, these black and white dragonflies fly back and forth by the dozens in my yard. My Jack Russell, Scout, is determined to catch them. (see the one I circled in red in the photo)

The funny part is, I think they tease her on purpose, they will zip low right above her head and when she jumps to catch one, they "pop" upwards just out of her reach.

We set up lawn chairs on the edge of the patio and watch her trying to catch them (boy, do we need to get out more or what??).

She will jump and chase until she is worn out, then goes and plays in her pool of water to cool off . . silly dog.

Huge Hairy Ants (in my yard no less . .)

2009-08-14T17:24:00.004-05:00

So . . . I was out back in the yard, scouting a sunny location for a photo shoot of my 2009 Holiday cards when THIS waltzed scross my bare foot. It was over an inch long and VERY hairy.

I snapped a quick pic and ran to look it up on Google.

This species is "Dasymutilla Occidentalis" . . commonly call the Cow Killer Ant because it bite is so painful it is said to kill cows (read above . . I WAS BAREFOOT).

The males have a set of transparant wings, the females are wingless (this little beauty is a girl). I went to go find a jar so I could show my husband but that little sucker could move fast and was gone by the time I got back to the spot.

(I also put shoes on)

Unusual Art

2009-08-03T06:36:00.002-05:00

This is the work of Czech photographer, Vlad Artozav.

Who would have thought that you could express so many emotions with NAILS?
Go take a look at this guy's art . . it is really unique

http://www.designswan.com/archives/the-story-of-nail-art.html
http://www.photoforum.ru/user/5808/photos.0.0.date.desc.0.0.0.1.en.html

Ewwwwww!!!

2009-07-17T20:23:00.000-05:00

I went out the garden to pick tomatoes and Ewwwww!!

It was the invasion of the Tomato Horn Worms . . Ewwwww

So I got a bucket of hot, soapy water and sent them all swimming . . . Ewwww

Last New Mexico post . . animals

2009-07-09T12:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a "Cantalope" on the open range

I can't remember which one of our kids first referred to "Antelope" as "Cantalopes" . . . the name has stuck and now (at least in our family) they are officially all Cantalopes now.

There were Elk everywhere . . . these were on a side of a mountain just outside of Angel Fire. Have you ever heard the sound an elk makes? . . . check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzWmKlZtrU (not my YouTube post, but what a cool sound) to hear it in the wild is AMAZING!

Wild Turkeys . . when I pointed at a flock on my side of the road and my husband glanced over to look . . two flew in front of the truck from his side . . if he didn't slam on the brakes, I would be posting about that turkey in our windshield that we ate for dinner!

Yummm . . food over a fire

2009-07-08T09:37:00.000-05:00

Why does food cooked over a campfire and outdoors taste so much better?

We had our usual "Breakfast Burritos" (sausage, potatoes, eggs) wrapped in those fabulous fresh flour tortillas we got in Taos and a big pot of coffee. (Yummm)

Dinner was leftover tamales and fresh caught trout baked over the fire . . . doesn't get much better than that!

Oooo the pretty flowers

2009-07-07T12:52:00.000-05:00

So many pretty flowers . . . I spent more time taking pictures than fishing (obviously, I am better at that).

Check out the bee on the cactus flower! That was a lucky shot!!

Here are a few more of the pretty New Mexico flowers.

The white ones are really cool, each flower opens up for one day only then dies. The petals look like hearts.