Random Thoughts

Seriously simple, seriously delicious.

2011-01-01T11:03:00.005-06:00

One of my Christmas presents this year was a free range chicken(thanks dad!). I want to thank my friend Jules for giving me the recipe for the perfect roasted chicken. It turned out juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside. I think this picture makes it look like some predator ready to jump out of the pan and eat me. Which just makes the meal all the more awesome.
Want to know how I did it?

Roasted Chicken:
- massage the clean chicken with paprika, salt, and olive oil
- stuff something fragrant into the cavity...organic lemon or orange or an onion or shallots or garlic, you get the picture
-cook breast down, in a preheated 400 degree oven 15 min/pound
-the chicken is done when a meat thermometer says so
Seriously simple, seriously delicious.

I made these cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. I got the recipe here. Be careful, it makes a huge batch of addictive fattening deliciousness. I didn't have maple extract so I topped mine with a cream cheese icing.

Rudolph's Hide Away

2010-12-23T12:54:00.005-06:00

Last year I got the brilliant idea to assemble and decorate a Gingerbread House. It turned out to be more of a shack than home. This year,while visiting a friend's home, Jasper found himself admiring their popsicle stick reindeer and stable. Looking for something to fill the endless no school hours, we made a trip to Micheal's and dug out the hot glue gun. Joe and Jasper had a great time constructing the reindeer and the stable, while I turned a bridge into a sleigh.

I Love Molasses

2010-12-22T14:23:00.004-06:00

I love molasses, don't you? It's what makes plain boring white sugar that much better. It pairs with ginger to create a taste of home and comfort. Added to cornmeal it makes the best damn pudding in the world.

Here are a few of my favorite molasses recipes. The first two I've tried and the last one is on my must make list. Do you have a favorite to share?

Craving Molasses Cookies posted on Chickens In The Road. A fun website with lots of great recipes. I made these cookies for Sylvia and Jasper's teachers this year, along with my husband's best ever chocolate chip cookies, and placed them in a cute little holiday mug. Sylvia made individual name tags with a little personal note for each one. This is the first year we've made stuff for the teachers and I have to say it felt really great.

Indian Pudding from the Simply Recipes site. The First Unitarian Church in our town has a Wednesday night dinner and religious education night. Not usually frequenting churches(for fear of burning up) I was hesitant to join my dad when he offered to take us. I found a lovely, open congregation of people who were there to celebrate life regardless of a person's individual spiritual path. Even the education classes where cool...I could choose from Yoga,meditation, The Bible for Skeptics, book club, among others. They had creative classes for the kids and I even signed my daughter up for a year long class about sexuality. Seriously. Then, to top it all off, the little old man who made dinner made this pudding. It was like he knew I'd be there and wanted to be sure I was sucked in ;)
While I can't promise a spiritual awakening upon tasting this, I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility either.

This last recipe is one I have yet to make. However it was the impetus behind this post. I 'liked' this site on facebook and everyday I am rewarded with a new and lovely recipe. Today's may be tonight's dessert. Molasses Custard from Nourished Kitchen.

Water Kefir

2010-12-19T19:04:00.002-06:00

Great Kefir making resources at Heal Thyself.
Check out this video to get started.

2010-12-17T10:15:00.001-06:00

Great blog post by Vicki Noble.

Interested In Norwex?

2010-12-12T09:20:00.005-06:00

Crafts anyone?

2010-12-04T11:46:00.005-06:00

I'm not the craftiest person, but I LOVE looking at other people's projects and dreaming about doing them myself.

I ran across this blog today.... Frugal Family Fun ..... and instantly added this to my list of crafty sites to visit.
Not only is she crafty but her colorful and fun photography is enough to bring me back for more. Check out her toilet paper roll owls.

What's your favorite crafty blogs?

Abraham: GETTING INTO THE VORTEX: THE BIG ONE - Esther & Jerry Hicks

2010-12-04T11:08:00.002-06:00

If you are unfamiliar with this concept check it out here.

2010-09-12T18:19:00.002-05:00

Lately life has been kicking my butt. I went to one of my favorite online reading sites and came away with the following reading. I think it was pretty spot on.

Attaining Your Goals Reading

Use this reading to assist in reaching, or possibly even defining your goals for the future. This spread attempts to identify core strengths you will need and challenges you will have to overcome to attain your goals and correspond them to the Animal Spirit that best represents them.
Scroll down to learn the influence of each Animal Spirit. Click on the images to see larger versions.

Outcome

Bear

Bear represents a time of reflection and stillness—a time of entering the inner cave of Self to contemplate life's challenges. Bear often appears during times of confusion and unrest—those unsettling moments when you turn to everyone you know for answers—everyone except yourself. Go within, ask the hard questions—then listen.

Issues to Address

Turtle

Turtle carries his home on his back, and his question to you today is whether your life is weighed down with “things” that serve no purpose. Everyone loves buying stuff, but do you use shopping, spending, and the acquisition of “things” as a substitute for passion, conviction, commitment? It’s worth thinking about, isn’t it?

Goal

Snake

Has Snake slithered into your world today? If so, you are being asked to undergo a major transformation. Are you willing to shed your old skin? Are you willing to let go of people, places, and things that no longer have a place in your life? Snake will help you make the grand transformation, then slide into a new life that's brimming with possibility.

Issues to Address

Moose

Moose represents incredible strength and longevity, as well as the ability to see the future. Moose antlers are among the largest of the antlered animals, and are like psychic antennae—giving Moose amazingly developed hearing, smell, and depth perception. Moose is bellowing at you to open your third eye and stop pretending that you don't know what's about to happen.

Primary Strength

Spider

Spider represents a connection between past and future, to remind you that the web you weave today is the web you will inhabit tomorrow. Are you spinning a balanced future? Spider is also a creator, spinning stories just as easily as she does a web. Spider in your reading asks you to consider the future you are weaving—does it include your biggest dreams?

Primary Weakness

Polar Bear

Has Polar Bear lumbered into your reading? If so, he's reminding you of the value of being flexible. Polar Bear instinctively knows how to conserve his energy and will observe a situation before he takes action. Once he decide it's the appropriate time to move forward, however, he has the strength, energy, and fortitude to face whatever dangers lie ahead. Having problems making a change? Polar Bear is here to help, and his message to you is: Take heart, have courage, build your strength, then MOVE!

Summer's Bounty

2010-08-06T13:11:00.002-05:00

Catch-Up

2010-08-02T13:44:00.003-05:00

Not ketchup or catsup. Rather I shall post some random tidbits from the last two months.

Here is a few pictures of my dinner last night. I stuffed pepper's from my garden with cream cheese, because everything taste good with cream cheese. I also made zucchini boats that I baked in the oven and topped with marinara sauce.

What else? Well I love selling Norwex. It's been a great first couple of months and I envision it getting better and better! If you haven't heard of Norwex you can check out their website at www.norwex.com and then shoot me an email at mia.norwex@gmail.com to order. 'Cause you'll want to order after you know about it. I promise.

How are my chicken's doing? you ask.
Well they are very well, though are not laying yet. I've been telling them that they need to start pulling their weight around here and either start doing the dishes or lay us some eggs! Maybe it's the stress getting to them, but no eggs yet. I figure they will start laying once they get their castle next week. I suppose you wouldn't want to pro create either if you where living in a box down by the river.
I did trade off two Rhode Island Red's for two bantams about a month ago. One is a buff orpington and one is a black Silkie(named Sookie......can't you just hear Bill yelling for his 'dinner'?....Soookiieee......). It took a little while for them to get accepted into the flock but they are holding their own.
The really cute and slightly annoying thing about my chickens is that, come 8pm, they roost on top of my car. This was kind of cute until the day I thought I was being followed around by a bag of manure, that is until I saw the large blob of poop that had melted into the top of my door. Really really gross.

Norwex

2010-06-09T14:13:00.003-05:00

I have decided to become an Independent Consultant for a company called Norwex. They make brilliant microfiber products that clean and sanitize with just water. They also make a line of organic and herbal based skin care products. Here is a link to there website: www.norwex.com

They have an awesome hostess program for those who wish to do an in home party. You can earn lots and lots of free items by inviting friends over to shop. It's a great way to help create a safer enviroment for you and your family by reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in your enviroment. Using these microfiber products also helps create less stress on the enviroment as well as your wallet!

Let me know if your interested in learning more or booking a party. I would also love to hear any testimonials from those of you who are already using Norwex products.

I like the honesty, but now I don't like the cup.

2010-04-24T08:19:00.006-05:00

Beware all ye who enter here

2010-04-22T08:17:00.002-05:00

Try not to be fooled by the cleverly placed fruit loops or bulldozer. For you will surely be trapped under the well hidden basket of doom.

Treasure Map ....Check!

2010-04-15T09:51:00.002-05:00

Last my family and a great friend sat around our dining room table and created our Treasure Map. Paper flew, laughs abound....fun was had by all.
My map this year is much more spiritual based, where last years was more material focused. Of course most of the magazines at the table where goddess magazines plus last years we'moon....so go figure. lol.
Everyone's year looks to be full of travel, financial abundance, love and spiritual growth. Should be fun time!

Did you do your map? I'd love to hear about it.

Chicken Coop

2010-04-06T13:20:00.005-05:00

Jasper next to our new coop. This is only their summer home. We will be adding another level so they can have a place to lay and a warm place to roost for the fall/winter.
It looks a bit shabby and well, it is. But they like it and they aren't on our porch anymore. Which is awesome. Especially since one, I believe it was Monster Truck, had taken to perching on the side of the box and pooping on the floor. Needless to say we are all happier with this new arrangement.

Facebook contest

2010-03-31T10:08:00.002-05:00

Do you have a Facebook account? I entered a photo contest in hopes of winning a boudoir photo session with a local photography company. I would love it if you came and voted for me.
Go to this page, become a fan and find me in the contest photos I believe I'm #31.

Sunny Day Playdate

2010-03-23T14:03:00.002-05:00

I took the chicks outside to play while I cleaned their box. Who knew chickens pooped so much! Geez.

We have Chickens! (finally)

2010-03-20T12:30:00.001-05:00

6 of them to be exact. Rhode Island Reds.
Patty, Nugget, Betty and Monster Truck....guess which one Jasper named?
We still need to name two so if you have any suggestions leave them in the comments. :^)

Vernal Equinox....3-20-2010

2010-03-20T08:41:00.002-05:00

Spring is around the corner. Which is hard to believe here in Iowa. I'm looking out of my window at snowy landscape wondering where the 60 degree weather went. Seriously, it was 60 on Wednesday. Mother Nature is such a tease.

Here is an article written by a local astrologer about the upcoming Equinox and the energies it will bring to our lives.

VERNAL EQUINOX 3-20-10

Cathy Lindsey

www.AstroEyes.com

AstroEyes@aol.com

Vernal Equinox – First day of Spring! The Vernal Equinox occurs when the Sun reaches the zero point of Aries. It is when the Sun cross’s directly over the Earth’s equator. Equinox means “equal night”. Because the Sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world. This is a time of balance! This is a time of birthing the “new”. This is a time for change and growth.

This is a very powerful Spring Equinox. It is happening within the orb of the Galactic Center, a portal to the Universe.. Also referred to as the “heart” of the Universe. With the Equinox being a portal to the Universe also, this is a powerful time to listen and receive the energies and the messages that are being sent to you. Feel what is in your heart.

Astrology for the Vernal Equinox – The Sun has just gone into Aries and is joined by Uranus and Mercury. Aries is about courage, passion, initiation and going on crusades to make things happen. Uranus is about thinking outside the box and into the future, it is about humanitarianism and making changes where they need to be made. And Mercury is your voice! This powerful Sun is saying to use our courage, our passion and our Voice, to speak what is in our hearts and to be a part of the changes that need to be made for all humanity. With this happening in the 10^th house (the public house) it is time to bring this out to the public and Speak it!!

The Sun, Mercury and Uranus are also Opposing Saturn and squaring Pluto. In other words, the Sun (our core shinning brightly) and Mercury (your Voice) has come in, on this Equinox and joined the Cardinal “T” square that is becoming very tight this summer. With the Aries Sun and Mercury along with Uranus at this equinox it is about passion and change for all humanity, and speaking it!! Taking a stand, even if it is out side the box to some people. The sun and Uranus are opposing Saturn which represents tradition, and the way it has always been. The Sun, Mercury and Uranus are saying that we need to change some of the old ways that are no longer working. This is being squared by Pluto. Pluto really only cares about your heart and soul. Pluto doesn’t like secrets or ego or greed. A square is a growth aspect, as long as you take care of the things that are squaring it. So this is about change……not fear, not gloom and doom, but change On the high side, we have Uranus saying “lets bring in some new ideas, that we haven’t done before, even if they seem a little “out there” and lets make sure all humanity is involved, we are all equal and listen to the guidance we get from the higher realms. Saturn on the high side is the “Elder energy and knowledge”, the Wise one’s, the Wizard. So we can pull on all that high Saturn knowledge and that guidance from the “Elders”. Pluto is saying, it is all about Heart and Soul, with no secrets! Manifest and Create the Higher sides of this Cardinal “T” Square and the Aries Sun and Mercury of the Equinox will give us the courage and the passion to take it to the higher level and just Speak it!!!

We also have a Taurus Moon and a Cancer Ascendant at this Equinox. Taurus is about the Earth. It is about loving the beauty of the earth and about creating beauty. The Cancer Ascendant is about nurturing the Earth, Mother Earth and all its inhabitance including the Fairies and the Earth Elementals. As you can see, there is a great emphasizes on the Earth energy. With Venus in Aries (ruled by Mars) there is a blending of the feminine/male energies, the love/and passion, the creativity/and intensity etc.

Neptune and Chiron are still conjunct at the Equinox. We have Neptune, which is the highest spiritual and creative planet and all about unconditional love, in Aquarius which is thinking out side the box for all humanity, sitting/ and blending with Chiron which represents the “wound of the Earth and Humanity.” They are in the 9^th house of higher knowledge, religions and philosophy. What is this wound that is being represented in this

Equinox? With Jupiter sharing the 9^th house with them, and Jupiter representing the masters and master teachers……the wound has to do with knowledge, using your mind to think and absorb knowledge. It is time to step back from being “sucked” into the computer, the TV or your Ipod and think, expand your mind, get involved with the Earth, be part of the changes that need to be made, and create a beautiful reality.

A Quick History – The “T” square that this Equinox is a part of, is very similar to the aspect that was happening during the mid 1960’s. The 60’s of course are best known as the “Hippie” area. At that time we had Uranus and Pluto sitting together opposing Saturn. Today, we have Uranus opposing Saturn (same as in the 60’s) being squared by Pluto. Same 3 planets, in a major aspect. If you think about it, part of the themes of that area were: unconditional love for all Humanity, thinking out side the box, and into the future, speaking your truth, and making changes where things needed to be changed, creating beauty and Peace, and love and taking care of the Earth and all the Earth Elementals. Sound familiar? The “seeds” were planted during that time, so they could be activated during this time, in us, the “light workers”. Those of you who were not around during that time and are here today, received those “seeds” by proxy.

So let all these wonderful energies sprinkle down on you today. Meditate on what you are hearing, seeing and feeling. Manifest and create a beautiful reality for yourself, for the Earth and for all Humanity.

Treasure Map 2010

2010-03-15T08:25:00.002-05:00

It's time to prepare for making your treasure map. Head on over to Tracy's Astro Salon and read all about it.

I love to eat!

2010-03-13T07:26:00.002-06:00

Read this blog post.

2010-03-12T10:13:00.002-06:00

Check out this great site for an online tarot reading. It's been pretty accurate for me so far.

New

2010-03-04T16:46:00.004-06:00

In the last few weeks I've gotten a large new tattoo, chopped off about 6 inches of hair and dyed it red, and I just bought a new jacket. I think all the inside work I've been doing is starting to show on the outside.
I made a little movie with the pictures from my tattoo sessions. I spent all morning doing it and then it wouldn't work. So no slide show for you. Instead here is a couple pictures of the process. I will post a finished shot once it finishes healing.

I'm a winner.

2010-02-28T08:22:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to thank Pam from A love of NEW recipes for choosing me as her giveaway winner.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

2010-02-28T07:54:00.008-06:00

I love Cajun food. My favorite being boudin, which is ground up pork liver, heart and sometimes head meat plus seasoned rice stuffed into a casing. Oh sausage and your intestinal casing, how I do love you. My grandparents brought it back a couple of times when I was younger. I haven't had it since then but I do keep very found memories of this exotic tasty treat.
While I'm not to excited to work with ground organ meat and intestinal casings, no matter how delicious the results might be, I have been working on perfecting my gumbo. It's a simple and tasty meal that's easy to make and freeze, plus it serves up well at parties.
Making the roux is the hardest part but it's really not as scary as people seem to make it.

Here is my (loose as always) recipe, adapted from this recipe.
A note about okra - sometimes I use it, sometimes I don't. I think it's an authentic addition that helps thicken the gumbo and add nutrients. If you want to use it chop it up and throw in at the end with the thighs and vegetables or sauted with the veges. 3 or 4 large okras will work.

1lb chicken thighs, skin on bone in adds good flavor.... just pick the offensive parts out later :)
1 package andouille sausage cut in pieces ( I use Amy's chicken andouille)
4 cups chicken stock or water
4Tbs butter
4Tbs flour
1 onion chopped
3 or 4 carrots diced
2 or 3 stalks of celery diced
a couple cloves of garlic minced
1 tbl cooking oil
cajun seasoning.... I make my own but you can buy it at Penzey's or the grocery store.
salt

I suggest using a large heavy bottom pan. You can usually make everything in the same pot. Have everything chopped and ready to make before you start. Plus have an extra bowl ready to transfer stuff as you go.

Heat oil over medium heat and add the chicken thighs, cook till done.
add the sausage in the last few minutes to warm up.
Remove and set aside
Add the onions,garlic,celery,and carrots. saute for about 10 mins.
Remove and set aside with the thigh/sausages.

Now you make the roux. I like mine dark so that's how I'll tell you to make it, but do what you will.
Melt the butter stirring constantly.
Slowly stir in the flour to the butter. Keep stirring it will be paste like.
Stir this until the mixture becomes dark, it will look almost burnt. This could take 20 mins or an hour. I've heard it either way. Mine usually takes closer to 20.
Take off heat and add the broth , continue to stir, yes this is a lot of stirring. It's a work out.
Put back on the heat, add all the ingredients, including about 1-2 tablespoons of cajun spices and some salt. Simmer for as long as you want...20mins to an hour or more. Serve in a bowl with rice.

Just because......

2010-02-08T09:46:00.006-06:00

Here are two recent stories that help illustrate what an interesting person my son is, while at the same time paint me in an unflattering light. That is the way of parenthood is it not?

Jasper is sitting in the backseat while we are dropping his dad off at school this morning. As we are pulling away I belch. From the backseat I hear " You are the best belcher, Mom! I hope when I grow up I can belch as good as you."

I bought a pineapple at the grocery store the other day per Jasper's request. I went to cut it at the table as he stood by watching and eating a few pieces as I cut them. I was pretty engrossed in getting the fruit out as well as my usual mind chatter. As I went in the kitchen to throw some peices away Jasper says "Look mom, I have something stuck in my teeth." about 4 times. Finally, without looking back I said " I see honey, we'll get it out in a minute" Jasper responded with a truely innocent and amazed tone of voice "You have amazing eyes."
It took me a minute to realize that he wasn't commenting on my beauty, but rather my ability to see him with out actually looking at him.

Yes, I'm patting myself on the back.

2010-02-04T15:34:00.001-06:00

So I might not be throwing all my non traditional foods out but that doesn't mean I'm doing nothing good. I just wanted to brag that I completed a personal goal of mine and jogged 4 miles....in the cold no less....today.

Challenging Challenge

2010-02-01T19:27:00.002-06:00

So today was the first day of the 28 day Traditional Food challenge. I open the email to see what the first small step in changing my eating habits were and well quickly hyperventilated and decided to not do it. The first step and they did say, small steps, was to through out everything in my fridge,freezer, pantry that has sugar, refined flours, perservatives, ect.
Hello! I realize that that is the basic of traditional eating but that is a cost prohibitive change. To much to soon for this already booked women. I will be trying to make more yogurt and fermented items this month, but no drastic food wasting challenges for me. Nope.

Family Night

2010-01-30T09:07:00.003-06:00

I had a lovely evening last night with my family. We stayed in and played a new game and had an amazing dinner. We made Beet and Blue Cheese Risotto, a lovely salad full of colorful fresh vegetables, and toasted ciabatta bread. We were feeling in a bit of a rut with our meal choices, so it was nice to have something new.
After dinner we all played a new game called Carc assonne. It's a highly addictive game of strategy. Joe and I both had dreams last night about playing it.

I'm including the recipe here but I have to say that this was my first try at risotto and if you read any recipes it is suppose to be something hard to learn and to be afraid of. I found it very doable and it turned out wonderful, but I'm not Italian and it could have been an abomination for all I know.
Beet and Blue Cheese Risotto ( adapted from my friend Brandy's recipe):
Ingredients-
1Tbl plus 1Tbl butter
1Tbl Olive Oil
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic chopped
salt
1 carrot diced
1/2 medium onion diced
1 cup rice - I used Carnaroli
5 cups water or broth, warm
1 large pre cooked and diced beet
1/2 cup parmesan
1/2 cup blue cheese
A heavy medium sized soup pot ( you can use the same pot for the everything)

-Saute diced onion in the o.o. and 1tbl butter for about 5 mins add the carrot and garlic , continue to saute about 5 more mins
-Remove from pan
- Add the rice( you may want to add more butter or oil) saute until the rice turns slightly brown...keep stirring!
- Stir back in the onions and carrots
- Add the bay leaves and some salt
-Add a cup of water, let cook for a few minutes, continuing to stir
-Add liquid to cover the rice and cook for about 30 minutes , keep adding the broth/water as it cooks down. Continue to stir every couple of minutes. I started checking to see if it was done around 20 minutes in.
- When the rice is done turn off the heat and add the 1 tbl butter, 1/2 cup parmesan and 1/2 cup blue cheese. Stir and let sit for a few moments, serve and enjoy!

I had some for breakfast this morning and it was even better after the flavors had melded overnight. Delicious!

The Real Food Challenge

2010-01-29T10:00:00.002-06:00

I love accepting challenges but I have a real hard time seeing them through. The Green Smoothie challenge last year is a great example. That said I still accepted to do this one in February. It's 28 days of eating nourishing real foods, something we are pretty good at doing anyway but I'm hoping this will help remind us to be better at it. I'm especially interested in the kicking the sugar part. I'm hoping to get Sylvia on board with this one as she's in need of an sugar intervention anyway. Anyone know of a sugar's anonymous meeting? :^)
Anyway. I will keep you posted on our progress....or lack there of.
I've also made the move to go to the Y 3-4x a week. I figure it's better for me than prozac and it has a similar effect. I feel so much better about myself and my day when I work out . On my good friend's suggestion I picked 4 class that 'fit' into our 'schedule'. ( we have schedule?) I'm going to look at it like a 4th job that I have to show up for . I'm also still doing my year and day jazz. It was on hold over the holidays but I plan to pick it up full force soon. Oh, and I'm also working on getting my Reiki business back in business. If you feel inclined you're welcome to plaster my website around( I'd appreciate it and do the same for yours if you want!). www.reikiforabundance.com
I'm off to organize the kitchen!

BookMooch

2010-01-29T06:38:00.002-06:00

I just found out about the coolest website! It's called BookMooch . You get to swap books with people all around the country. If you send a book to someone you get a credit to use for getting a book from someone else. I'm very excited to try it out as I love to read but hate to spend money on a book. I have a few bookshelves full of books that I keep as refrences or as 'friends' ( you know, the ones that make you feel happy just seeing them there). I also have a quite a few books that I read once and don't plan on reading again. I forsee a new home for them soon!

Random Photos

2010-01-15T11:56:00.005-06:00

This is what my twelve year old looked like on her birthday morning.

Delicious Gingerbread cake with Lemon-Lime Icing
Project Day

Good Morning Muffins

2010-01-04T10:52:00.003-06:00

Dates, hemp seeds, carrots, lemon zest, oatmeal, oh my!
I threw these together this morning with the help of my assistant.

They turned out so moist and flavorful that I'm going to record the recipe to make again. At least as well as I can remember it. :)

Dry ingredients:
1/2 cup oat
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
a lot of cinnamon
salt

Wet:
1 egg
1/2 cup yogurt(blueberry was good)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbl maple syrup
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 chopped dates
1/4 raisins
1 banana ripe and mashed
1/4 grated carrot
lemon zest
vanilla

combine....combine.....then combine :) being careful not to over mix dry and wet ingredients
bake for 25 mins in 350 degree preheated oven.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-02T11:35:00.002-06:00

I suggest stepping outside of your own way this year and allow for the expansion of your perceived reality. Step away from the mainstream news(what is more poisonous than Fox?) and make up your own! Do your own commentary and fact checking. Allow for weaker personal boundaries and uncomfortable social situations. Accept the kookiness of others and embrace your own ramblings.
Re write your personal history to reflect the person you've chosen to be today.

You won't regret it. Or maybe you will. As always, the choice is up to you.

Introducing.......Ginger!

2009-12-21T15:03:00.003-06:00

I've waited all year to find the right dog for our family and Saturday we did. We went to the ARL in search of a Cairn Terrier that was up for adoption. I'd called the night before to make sure she was available and they assured me she was. We ( my mom and her wife,Crayola, Jasper and I) were at the front of the line waiting outside of the ARL the next morning. I went straight to the first staff I could find and asked for the dog, Cocoa.
They searched their database and found that sometime from when I'd called to when they opened today she had been adopted or taken away due to medical reasons. They seriously couldn't tell me which one. While we where waiting to find out about Cocoa, Crayola was scouting the other dogs. She spotted a cute shitzu terrier mix and got us a 'hug' room. Needless to say we loved her and adopted her straight away. We had a list to the universe of criteria for our dog. Small but not to small, not yappy, doesn't shed(much), playful and independent. Ginger fits this bill and then some!
Thank you Crayola! You gave us an awesome gift :)

Gingerbread House

2009-12-13T19:17:00.003-06:00

Building a Gingerbread House sounds like a pleasant activity to do with your family, right? Joining in the holiday spirit while creating memories that will last a life time?
Sounds good, count me in!
Costco has had a pre-built all necessary items included ginger bread house on sale for the last month. It kept tempting me by it's pretty colors and promise of ease until I finally gave in and bought it.
We waited until we were all available to help on this great project. With two snowdays last week we agreed to combat a couple hours of cabin fever by decorating the (mostly) pre assembled house. Easy and merry and fun.

Not so much. Sylvia gave up after a few minutes of messing with the icing. Joe did a valiant job assembling the tree and ginger bread men. Though they eventually had to have a few emergency 'surgeries' to re-attach lost limbs. The box's promise of ease and beauty taunted me as I kept looking at it for support and reassurance. Jasper had the most fun as most of the candy was added by him. He was pretty mad though when they all started to slip down the sides in some gingerbread house meets haunted mansion massacre scene. It did take up a couple hours of our time and instead of going all 'Shining' on each other that night we where able to take it out on the box which ended up nicely mutilated by a pair of scissors and a 4 year old's zealous desire to destroy.

Baby Kirk Jr

2009-11-28T09:27:00.004-06:00

Here is a picture of my baby cousin. He's sporting the new hat that I made him. It's very fashionable, don't you think? I used the umbilical cord pattern from Stitch n Bitch.

Apple Bread Pudding

2009-11-23T15:03:00.009-06:00

I like food porn. I admit it. I love pictures of food, recipes for comfort food and exotic recipes that I'll never make but can imagine eating. I seek out peoples experience eating all sorts of meals and hope to come across some new ingredient.
The other night Joe was out and Sylvia was spending the night at a friends, so it was just Jasper and I. He fell asleep early and I found myself spending the next 3 hours surfing the internet for food blogs. Upon reflection, it was pretty sad, I could have been watching Cartoon Network or finishing my socks.
While I was cruising sites I came across a lot of posts dedicated to bread puddings, which I love. It's custard and bread, two of the best things in the world, all in one place. Of course I bookmarked my favorites so I could make them. Or at least I thought I did.
Who needs a recipe anyway? You do? Okay here is what I did for this delicious Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.....a total conglomeration of what I can remember reading on how to make it. Be warned.....this recipe is unnecessarily fattening, but totally worth it.

4 apples peeled and diced
4 cups ciabatta bread cubed
1 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
1 cup or so milk
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 eggs beaten
added with no particular measuring involved(use common sense):
cinnamon
almond extract( a tasty but non necessary addition)
vanilla extract
ginger powder
salt
chopped pecans
molasses
1/4 cup currants soaked in whiskey then drained....the soaking part is probably optional but it then it won't taste like whiskey!

To start, the bread was combined with the pecans,currants and apples in a greased 9x11 or so pan. Then I beat the eggs , sugars, spices and extracts together in a bowl.
I melted the butter over medium low heat in a saucepan than added the cream,milk and molasses while stirring constantly until the molasses melted. I then removed the pan from the heat and slowly added the egg mixture, again making sure to still stir constantly.
The egg mixture was poured over the bread and baked in a preheated oven at 350 for about 45 minutes.

I used this caramel sauce recipe except I substituted brown sugar for white. It all was very rich and delicious!

Elderberry Tincture

2009-11-22T14:57:00.005-06:00

In September I got some elderberries from GirlWithASword. I tinctured them in a quart jar with Bombay Gin. I waited until today to bottle it. I probably should have done it a few weeks ago but I was a little worried about getting the job done right.
So today I cleaned and boiled the bottles, found my funnel and cheese cloth and went to it. It was very messy. I wasted about half a bottle due to the funnel spout being the wrong size and elderberry is very staining. Cie la Vie.
It's another thing I can check of my to do list, which always feels good.

Outside

2009-11-21T18:17:00.003-06:00

I spent some time with my grandma in Harvey yesterday. As usual she made a delicious and simple lunch. We had oven roasted chicken breast with celery,carrots, and ginger accompanied by baked sweet potatoes, salad and caramelized corn. Then we went outside to work. I helped her wrap small grapevines for the winter so the rabbits won't eat them. We also did some pruning of the vines. It was a gorgeous day to be outside working. I feel so alive and happy when I do manual labor outside and yet I don't do it that often. I'm pretty good at identifying the things that make me happy, but it's pretty hard for me to do them. Things like walking everyday, working in the yard, keeping the dishes clean, drinking lots of water.....ah, it's okay. It's a process right?

Hellooo!

2009-11-19T16:41:00.003-06:00

Okay, it's been awhile. More than a little while really. It wouldn't suprise me if you never wanted to hear from me again. The way I just fell of the face of the interweb and into Real life.
Well I can tell you I've been a busy bee. It hasn't been for lack of news that I have neglected to blog. Rather it's been for lack of words.
I can say today that I am very happy and grateful for my life in all it's many layers. On November 1st I dedicated my self to a year and a day( the 366 kind) of self seeking and discovery. I intend this to be a deeping of my soul and a reconnection to my journey here on earth.
Cheesy and esoteric? Yep. Awesome and life changing. Yep.

Jasper and Sylvia are both growing and changing. I will post fun picks as soon as I reclaim my camera from a set of less than appropriate pictures ;)

You may or may not have noticed that I added two new links to The Place's I Go section. Abundance By Magic and My Everyday Magic are both magical places that you should visit. It's awesome to me that there are people out there doing such fun and positive things in their everyday lives. It something I am trying to incorporate into mine. Check them out and watch the magic unfold!

2009-08-30T08:58:00.000-05:00

I know I'm just throwing links out right now, but it's all I have in me.
Check out this blog for some inspirational tips on keeping house.

Geez Louis

2009-08-19T18:33:00.002-05:00

Interested in astrology? Check out this article(and blog) about the upcoming new moon in Leo.

For another plug...in Des Moines we have an awesome place called Geez Louis. Check it out here.

For the Grand Finale…

2009-08-18T13:08:00.000-05:00

For the Grand Finale…

Check out this link to win a Vita Mix.

Smoothie take 2

2009-08-18T09:20:00.003-05:00

Day two smoothie is a frothy mess. Which is very unappealing. I've gotten lots of great ideas though on how to make an edible and possibly tasty green smoothie. So today I'm off to the store to purchase bananas to cut up and freeze and other frozen fruits....I'm thinking a tropical blend and a bag of strawberries.
A nice cup and a straw for everyone is also on the list of must haves. At the least we need the straw to combat the inch of green foam.
Every one but Joe has had a smoothie now. I'm waiting until I perfect it to offer him a drink. He gags just thinking about things he doesn't like. Wussy. :)

12 steps for simplicity

2009-08-17T14:53:00.003-05:00

I certainly needed to read this today. Perhaps it will help you too.

Green Smoothie take 1

2009-08-17T08:41:00.002-05:00

Day one of the green smoothie challenge. Check it out here. I'm going to do it because I'm stubborn but getting everyone else on board is going to be,well, challenging. Even Jasper wasn't impressed and he'll eat anything.

Today's Smoothie:
spinach
blueberries
pineapple

Bread is Zen

2009-08-10T09:59:00.004-05:00

I picked up a new cook book at a garage sale last week. It's a nifty little 70's book simply titled Bread Baking. I'm enamored. Bread is a marvelous thing, pure magic really. There are about 50 recipes for different types of breads in this book. You know what? They all use the same ingredients! Just a handful of easy on hand items put in at different times in different combination produces completely different textures and tastes. Or so the book says.

My plan is to work my way through this book, starting today and ending sometime in the future. ;)
Though time is not linear and therefore we shouldn't have to be, I decided to start at the front of this book for simplicities sake. I'm making a white bread(which I would normally not eat) using unbleached flour. It has an easy mixing and rising time. I'm thinking it should be moist and tender and slightly dense as the ingredients include milk as well as water. I'm hoping for some good french toast or Nutella sandwiches out of it.

I will say that this is not my first foray into bread. I've been making no knead bread, hamburger and hotdog buns, pizza dough and homemade tortillas fairly regular for a few years now. I also worked a small stint at a local bread shop.

There is something about bread that is so tactile and delicious. Both in it's making and consumption. There are so many life lessons to be learned and mastered through the art of bread-making, things that I could really use, like patients and forethought and patients.

What lies before you?

2009-07-26T18:53:00.005-05:00

Here are some great sites for online divination. I find them to often be eerily accurate and if nothing else amusing. Have fun!

Osho Zen - online tarot reading with one of my favorite decks

Enlightenment Pa ck - online tarot reading

Free Will Astrology - smart and humorous horoscopes

Astrodienst - you can do a free astrological chart that has an awesome application that tells you about each sign and house

Zucchini Zucchini Everywhere!!

2009-07-10T10:26:00.004-05:00

What to do with all that extra zucchini? Here are two recipes that might make a dent.

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

This first one I made yesterday with help from this recipe. I replaced the last two optional ingredients and added a generous cup of fresh blueberries instead. I poured some into a bread pan and into mini muffin tins. I had Jasper add chocolate chips to the top of the muffins. I added a 1/2 cup of coconut flakes to the rest of the dough and made that into another loaf.

Zucchini Cakes With Basil Garlic Aoili

This is one of my favorite summer time eats. I was introduced to this at a restaurant I worked at. It is simple and delicious. Note: I wing this recipe so what you see below is an approximation.

For the Cakes:

Grate 3 cups of zucchini.... lightly salt, cover with paper towels and set aside in a colander to drain off moisture for an hour or two.

When zucchini is dry combine with :

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove of garlic,minced
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour, all-purpose
2 eggs, lightly beaten
salt ( if you didn't use salt early to help zucchini dry)
pepper, black

Cook these like you would a pancake.....heat a pat or two of butter in a skillet and place 1/4 cup of batter in the pan. Brown and flip. Serve with aioli.

Garlic Basil Aoili

Again, winging it!

Place in a food processor:

4-6 fresh basil leaves
2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
salt/pepper
clove of garlic
1 cup mayonnaise

Blend well. Use leftovers on such things as sandwiches and fried potatoes.

Worms and More....

2009-07-09T13:41:00.004-05:00

My worm bin is still working. I've had a little trouble with fruit flies, which frankly, drive me insane. Small stupid bugs that swarm up from the bin every time I opened it and took up residents in my kitchen! I did a little Internet sleuthing and found out how to minimize the occurrence of fruit flies in the bin. So I did it and it's been better...still there...but better.

It's hard to imagine that under this:

Is this:Rich beautiful humus!

Here's a few pictures of my yard. Above is a sweat pea vine that pretty much takes over one side of my fence each year. Luckily it's pretty. Below is my container garden. I have several heirloom tomato varieties, a few that I started from seed and a couple I got from a friend. I also have carrots, dill,eggplant and peppers. Hopefully they keep growing.

The last picture is the front of my house. The blair witch project did what I hoped it would, which is be taken over by the morning glories. It's pretty cool if not incredibly messy. But hey that's my life.

4th of July

2009-07-05T10:07:00.003-05:00

For quit a few years our family has been going to Bussey,Iowa on the 4th of July to see my grandparents ride their mules in the parade. Well, time passes and people pass and new traditions must be made. What better way to celebrate America's own brand of freedom then with food! I mean is there really any other way to celebrate something?
Homemade waffles, whipped cream, fresh blueberries and strawberries, real maple syrup and pork and bacon sausages. (that's right....pork and bacon).
How's that for Patriotism!

Des Moines Swap-O-Rama

2009-06-30T12:19:00.003-05:00

Last night Sylvia and I along with Jessica and Sabbath went to an informational meeting for the upcoming Des Moines Swap-O-Rama. The original Swap-O-Rama was started by Wendy Tremayne in Seattle in the 90's.
For the Swap you bring a bag of clothes and 10 dollars(8 if purchased in advance) and your creativity. Clothes are layed out and sorted, everyone grabs what they want and goes to stations to rip and embellish. There will be demos and workshops and knowledgeable volunteers to help with all your creating needs.
This event is happening August 1st at my new favorite hangout....the Des Moines Social Club. If you haven't been to the DMSC yet and are in the area I highly recommend checking it out. Ping Pong and Bubblegum Martinis....just saying.
The women who are putting on the Swap here still need volenteers to work the event, be part of the street team and to do demos and workshops. If your interested you can contact them here. They are also still accepting sponsors for the event. There are three levels of sponsorship each with some cool perks.
And I bet you thought Des Moines was boring!

Bounty

2009-06-16T09:36:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a day of bounty!
It started with a call from my friend begging me to come take some lettuce and spinach off her hands. Apparently her garden was growing faster than her family could consume it. I was happy to oblige. I scored two large bags of lettuce and one of spinach....thanks Traci!
After a quick stop off at the park near our house, we picked up Sylvia and headed over to Brandy's house to cook.
We made homemade pasta then stuffed it with fresh ricotta cheese purchased at Graziano's, mozzarella, fresh herbs from her garden ,parmesan and feta cheese.
I was surprised at how easy it was to make the pasta. Messy, but doable. We used the left over pasta and cheese mixture and some Graziano sausage to make a couple of lasagnas as well.
We also made bread and chocolate chip cookies.

After we finished cooking I went to another friend's house and picked up a very large box of produce and a 2 dozen farm fresh eggs that she scored from another friend's father's farm. (whew! say that ten time's fast)
Since this farm is further south than me the box contained several tomatoes, which I used to make my sauce for the fresh ravioli's.
It has been a little while since I made homemade tomato sauce, so I used this recipe to refresh my memory. It never fails to amaze me how easy it is to make delicious homemade tomato sauce! Granted, Joe hates tomatoes so this dish ended up being more for me than him, but sometimes I have to cook for my taste too.

This picture is of Brandy's finished dinner.....delicious!

Mountian Man

2009-06-13T12:37:00.006-05:00

Joe spent most of yesterday working on cleaning up branches. There is still a bit of work to do, but it's coming along. I'm excited to do some more found object creepy lost in the woods inspired art in the yard.

Today I decided to make an asparagus tart,inspired by this post to bring with me to a potluck. I pretty much followed the recipe, but I used some basil pesto as well. I had to cut into it to try it....I mean I would hate to feed people something gross :)

Moving but Stuck

2009-06-11T09:33:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling like there is a lot of things going on in my life lately and many things left untouched. My house for example is a mess. Clean laundry is wrinkling in the baskets or near their respective drawer, toys are strewn about the house, papers are piling up. My yard is full of branches that were cut down from our magnolia tree Saturday. I don't know what the hell I'm doing with those. My 'gardens' are really weed patches with a few well placed interesting flowers. I'm sure it's an incubation ground for deadly mosquitoes. I haven't feed the birds for at least two weeks. I'm down to mice and raccoons as the main wildlife in my yard now.
We are still in the process of purchasing MC Ginsberg. All the wow I started out with has turned into annoyance and 'head in the sandness' ( ?). It's hard to want to put together something when
A. You don't know what your doing and B. You don't know if it's happening. The first part isn't that big of a deal, I often don't know what I'm doing and yet somehow manage to get shit done. The second part is the one that really has me immobile. I have a lot of places where my energy can go right now and I want to focus it on places that are productive.
I did do the Iowa Metaphysical Fair last weekend. I had a booth and did Reiki, I even have a website now www.reikiforabundance.com . The fair was fun and draining and the website needs a lot of work(ideas/suggestions appreciated). By the end of it I was pretty certian that I need to spend my time helping Joe construct MC Ginsberg and not focusing on Reiki. Yet, I still come back to this problem of non ownership....of what the hell is going to happen. UGH!
Anyway, that's my crazy life today.

Friends

2009-06-05T15:28:00.002-05:00

2009-06-02T09:03:00.004-05:00

While I haven't been blogging here much, I have been reading them. I'm hoping to get inspired to make meal plans again. I've been falling behind on everything around here. Cooking, cleaning, caring.
Here are some places I've been recently. Inspired? Feel free to share.

Kitchen Parade - This site is awesome. The photos make your mouth water and the recipes are easy and fun.

FoodBuzz - Be careful you might get lost in this world of blog links.

The Farmhouse Table - I have been using the grandmother's bread recipe for hotdog and hamburger buns.

Broke Ass Gourmet - I haven't used any recipes from here yet, but I like how she breaks the price down. The section on sex and food is fun too!

Spanakopita

2009-05-24T17:58:00.005-05:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile. It's not like I haven't been doing anything! On the contrary I've been way busy. Which is good, but it hasn't translated to anything fun for you to read.
I figured I need to update though, so here is a post on the spanakopita I made tonight. Even though the phyllo dough was hard to work with, it turned out that a little Bob Marley and a lot of 'who gives a shit' and anything is wonderful. :)

Haircut.....

2009-05-11T13:23:00.002-05:00

Cobbler

2009-04-30T13:39:00.002-05:00

I turned some of the rhubarb into a fabulous cobbler with homemade date rhubarb butter sandwiched between a buttery dough and a crumbly oat filled top. Eaten with a scoop of carmel ice cream....delicous!

Yep, he needs a hair cut.

Rhubarb

2009-04-28T15:26:00.001-05:00

I went to my grandmother's this morning and picked a garbage sack of rhubarb. Let me tell you something, a garbage bag of rhubarb is a lot of f@# rhubarb. I brought it home and cleaned them off, chopped them up and then placed them in gallon freezer bags for later. I saved four cups to make something delicious with tonight. I'm thinking about a simple crumble but I'm open to ideas. Do you have a favorite recipe?

2009-04-26T19:02:00.002-05:00

I put my desk(okay it's my sister's but she lives very far away and will not want it back because she will have enough money to buy a new one when she needs it) on my porch. It's sitting facing out to a large bush, my magnolia tree, a mulberry tree and a not so unpleasant side of my neighbors house. I have a neon green yarn plant hanger with plants from my grandfathers funeral above me, a blue ceramic pot with aloe vera and an orange candle for creativity on the desk . I've ran a power cord out here so I can plug my laptop in. It is by far the most relaxing and inspiring space that I have yet created in this home. Or anywhere for that matter. I want to write stories here, create poems, connect with friends new and old. I want to learn and teach, reach out and explore, stay still and meditate. I feel all is possible in this space. I am very grateful to have it.

Yay or Nay?

2009-04-23T08:37:00.003-05:00

The front of my house is very boring. I've been working on the garden part. I took out three bushes and put in flowers, some from seed and some tranplants. There was a height element that was missing though. This is how I solved it.....

The first thing out of Joe and my mom's mouth was "Blair Witch Project".
So what do you think....should I keep it or compost it?

I have seedlings.....

2009-04-23T08:26:00.002-05:00

Many seedlings to plant and many places to plant them. Though only a small space in my yard will be used for vegetable gardening. I thinned out seedlings yesterday and re potted some things into bigger pots. If everything survives, I will have tomatos and cucumbers and basil coming out my ears! Or some orifice ;)

Just another maniac Wednesday

2009-04-15T18:39:00.004-05:00

Okay, so the song is Monday but it's my blog so I say Wednesday.
Before 9:00am today I had done several loads of dishes by hand, several loads of laundry and started a batch of bread/cinnamon rolls. By 12:00 I had ran, had coffee with my friends,dug some yuccas, saved a toddler trapped in a car :)(not mine),and finished my bread and rolls.
Not that this is an entirely non-normal day. It just felt a bit fuller than usual, probably because I started my morning just wanting to lay in bed. Not an option.

Here is my bread experiment. I used this recipe. I made a double batch, using half for a loaf of bread and half for cinnamon rolls. They both turned out, but the loaf of bread got a little more than it's share of dough.

Yeast Rising

Second Rising
Big Enough For Ya?
Delicious.

Weekend

2009-04-13T12:08:00.004-05:00

We did a lot of work in our yard this weekend. It felt good to honor spring by playing in the soil!
We moved around plants and large stones, had dinner outside and an egg hunt. I'd add more text about our weekend,but this app is not letting me type anywhere but here. I love blogger.

Dinner

2009-04-10T08:06:00.003-05:00

homemade hamburger buns
brown sugar and butter carrots on the grill
hamburgers...patties from Gateway Market....one had jalapenos,bacon,and cheese in it
homemade refrigerator pickles and onions
(not the best picture of Sylvia, but hey who wants their picture taken when they are hungry and want to eat? She's a trooper!)

I don't have anything to say

2009-04-08T18:40:00.001-05:00

I just hate seeing the same old post every time I visit my page. I'm like " Why doesn't this lady update her blog already!" Then I realize that lady is me and sulk away to stalk someone else's page.

Brrr...

2009-04-05T12:07:00.003-05:00

It's a cold and snowy Sunday here in Iowa. My magnolia tree had started to bloom, but I'm guessing by tomorrow most of the buds will have fallen off due to the cold. I have several flats of seeds out on the porch. Many of them have started to come up but some are still behind. I'm using the power of positive thinking to help the rest emerge. I'll keep you posted on how that works ;)
It is beautiful, the snow. I moved my computer away from the dining room table and into the living room by the side window. I love that I can look out at my bird feeder. It helps me remember to fill it and I get to enjoy all the urban wildlife in my yard. There is a downy woodpecker that lives in the magnolia tree, a cardinal couple, a blue jay couple, many nuthatches and of course our state bird, the goldfinch. Apparently I'm also the hot spot for crows,squirrels and rabbits. By the way, we saw a beaver on the side of the road North of Grand the other day. Anyone know what beaver's stand for?

Vermicompost

2009-04-03T15:01:00.005-05:00

We've got worms! To make compost that is. In our basement even. I split an order with a group of women and ended up with 500 redworms. They are small and wiggly and kind of gross but their 'castings' make for great compost and it's a fun project for the kids....well Jasper really, I think Sylvia could care less!
Taking care of worms is harder than you might think. They need a dark moist environment with organic material to eat and gritty material to help them digest.
We have ours in a see through bin which is cool when you want to gawk at them, but isn't a very dark. To fix this I've put a tarp around the bin to make them feel at home. I put newspapers, some cardboard, coffee grounds, a glass of water, and kitchen veggie/fruit scraps in with the worms. It's pretty stinky when you remove the lid, especially with the large amount of garlic.
I'm thinking I need a big compost outside too because we go through a lot of kitchen scraps. I hate throwing any of them away, but I don't think I should give them all to the worms.
I guess that will be another project!

More New Bags!

2009-04-02T09:19:00.005-05:00

Check out my new bags. My bags are for sale at www.etsy.com/miajean or Vitae Design Collective in Des Moines.

This next one is already sold, sorry! :)

Deep Dish Challenge

2009-03-29T09:22:00.005-05:00

With the warmer weather and the end of football season comes a disconnecting of cable in our house. I love this time of minimal t.v. I have to admit we are all going to miss the food network channel. Even Jasper.

The other night was a Deep Dish Pizza Throw Down with Bobby Flay. Apparently Joe loves this style of pizza, while I prefer a thin crispy crust with minimal toppings and lots of sauce. By the end of the show though, I was intrigued enough to give it a shot.
It was pretty fun to make. The crust has a much higher fat content than regular pizza, making it more flaky and rich. I put half of the dough into a spring form cake pan and one into my cast iron skillet (thanks to Brandy for helping me bring my skillet back to life). On Joe's I put a layer of mozzarella, a layer of browned graziano's sausage, mushrooms,garlic,onions, then another layer of cheese and finally I put the sauce on. On mine I put mushrooms, raw garlic, a little cheese and a lot of sauce.
After they baked I topped them both with Parmesan cheese as is supposedly the traditional way of serving a deep dish pizza. The end result was an awesome pizza that Joe said was better than any other deep dish he'd had including his favorite at Felix and Oscar's. And that is the reason I cook.

2009-03-29T09:13:00.002-05:00

Have you finished your treasure maps?

Treasure Maps

2009-03-24T13:41:00.004-05:00

I am going to do something called Treasure Mapping this year and I think you should too!
I learned about this from a women named Tracy Cook . She is an astrologer who uses this technique to harness the energy of Aries(new beginnings) with the power of intention.
The first part of this process is something you can do today. Clear out your clutter. Clean your house and your mind; get rid of all the junk that has been holding you down. Be it a closet of ill fitting clothes, a drawer of miscellaneous bills or a bad habit or negative thought patterns. Tie up lose ends, finish projects or toss them out. Till the garden that is your life in preparation for a new season of growth.
You can think of this like Einstein's theory that two things can not occupy the same space. You are getting rid of the things you don't want which will create an opening for new energy to enter. This is where the Treasure Map comes in. You are in charge of what new energy you want to enter.

On March 26th at 12:06pm Aries enters her moon cycle. (currently the moon is in Pisces). With this Aries new moon comes a chance to envision and co-create what this next year will hold for you.
It is best to do the following activity on or within 3 days after March 26th. Don't even think about what you will put on your map before then, just get your stuff cleaned up and out! :)

You will need poster board, scissors,magazines and glue. You might also want markers,paints,glitter,string....be creative it's your Treasure!

You will essentially be making a collage that will map out your year. Don't worry about having concrete well thought out ideas. What images or words are you drawn to? How do they make you feel? How do you want to feel this next year? There really are no rules....do what feels good and see what you manifest.

If you need more structure though here is an idea for making your map utilizing the Feng Shui Bagua Map. Divide your board into 9 grids and place the images in one of the sections or overlapping.

123
456
789

1 is wealth, prosperity, abundance visuals
2 is fame, how you are known in the world
3 is love and relationships
4 is family
5 is health and vitality
6 is creativity/children (to a certain extent)
7 is knowledge
8 is work, career
9 is spirituality, angels, helpful people

Or not! It could look like a tree or a game of Life or intersecting circles. Do this alone, or with friends, or with your family. Just think of the conversations that could come from such a family project. Have fun!
BTW: The link to Tracy Cook's site now has a wonderful post about Treasure Maps. You should check it out too!

Natural Living Expo

2009-03-23T09:21:00.004-05:00

I will be doing Reiki at the Des Moines Natural Living Expo this coming weekend. It's free to get in and there is lots of workshops and booths to explore. I will be doing Reiki at 15min sessions for $15 a piece. It should be a blast! I'm using this event as a launching for my Reiki business. I'm pretty excited at the prospect of doing energy work again. I have a great space to work out of in West Des Moines. It's in a business called Healing Journey's, which also offers spiritual counseling and tarot.

I will also be selling my hand painted canvas bags at the expo. Here is a sampling of my new stuff:

Socks!

2009-03-21T11:48:00.003-05:00

These are my first pair of socks. They don't really match. I didn't really follow a pattern though I used one as a general guide. They fit Jasper's foot and I accomplished something I was afraid of doing, so it was, in some ways atleast, a success!

Twilight

2009-03-21T08:57:00.004-05:00

At 10pm March 20th a very courageous dad embarked on a journey. A journey to fulfill a daughters biggest wish. He gathered 3 girls together and ventured to the mall, to the weirdest store of all. Darkly dressed teenagers swarmed the store, while parents gathered in the hall and waited.
Luckily no one was bitten and all the girls made it home safe. To stay up until 3am watching teenager vampire romance.
Twilight.

2009-03-19T08:21:00.004-05:00

We killed some time at Jordan Creek Mall the other day. The Barnes and Nobles there has a great kids area with a Thomas the Train table. Jasper gets some train time and some social lessons, like don't hoard all of the trains, don't grab the trains from other kids hands,share... you get the drift. Sylvia can read teen magazines and drool over Robert Pattison ,who apparently does not like all the media attention but still finds himself in Teen Beat and Nickelodeon mag all the time. I always think I'm going to enjoy sitting there and looking at books and magazines myself, but alas, I ended up playing referee at the train table and convincing Sylvia that she is not bored and ready to go.

Aren't they cute?!

Just because.....

2009-03-18T08:43:00.003-05:00

Apparently I have to update my blog. While I'm flattered, I really don't have much to say. So I'll tell you about our day yesterday. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Sylvia,Jasper and I a went to a new (to us) park with our good friends and played and snacked. I discovered a new hummus to love(thanks Sarah!). It's Raspberry Chipolte by Wild Wood . They have an Indian Spice one to that is suppose to be delicious too.
After we left the park we went home and cleaned. This is the time that everyone needs to be getting rid of all the stuff that clutters up their lives. Be it clothing , unused dishes, old journals, broken relationships, bad habits, harmful thoughts. Get rid of it all. Soon.....Wednesday March 26th at 12:06 pm to be exact........you need to sit down with a poster board, scissors, magazines, pens and glue. This will be the time to set your intention for this next year. Out with the old, in with the new.
I'll post more about this later. What you need to do know is not think about what you want, but what you don't want.
After cleaning we went to Jester Park for their first Night Walk of the season. We learned about owls and bats and then walked a trail. The trail was pretty muddy but the kids where troopers. It's so awesome to be outside at night outside of the city limits. The sky is so vast and clear, I tend to forget about the stars in the city. I'm excited to be able to get out and be active this year!

Let's do lunch....

2009-03-08T19:26:00.005-05:00

or breakfast....or stop off for a pastry....

Joe,Jasper and I went to Florene's Bakery for breakfast Sunday morning. We were able to support a local business, see my good friend Brandy and enjoy an awesome breakfast all in one fell swoop.

Florene's Bakery
This quaint bakery and restaurant is located on the South side of Des Moines. They offer a small breakfast menu with items rich in real butter. Seriously it says so right on their menu.
We started our breakfast with a nice cup of coffee and orange juice. The coffee was pretty good which was a pleasant suprise.
I asked our server (my friend Brandy) what she would eat if she was going to have breakfast. She was no help in narrowing down the options, it seems everything was worth trying.
Joe went with the biscuits and gravy. I was going for the pancakes before I changed my mind at the last minute and ordered 3 eggs with freshly made toast( I choose pumpernickel onion),a sausage patty, and hash browns. If I wanted to I could have substituted my toast for something from the pastry counter for only a $1.00 more.
The biscuits and gravy where hands down the best we've ever had. The biscuits were rich and soft and the gravy was thick and flavorful. I wasn't that impressed with the scrambled eggs or the hash browns, the eggs were a little to moist for my taste and the hash browns could have been cooked longer. The sausage patty was tasty though and the bread...well it is a bakery...the bread was dense and moist and flavorful. Delicious!
After breakfast we decided to take a few things with us for later. I got 4 dutch letter 'toes', a bag of 2 ginger cookies with icing, and 2 sticky buns.
The sticky buns were good, but for the amount of butter they use in everything, I expected them to be a bit softer. The 'goo' had light molasses flavor and was well caramelized.
The ginger cookies were awesome. They were the real deal as far as ginger goes. I'm guessing they use real ginger extract or even crystallized ginger that they've blending to a pulp in these as the flavor was intense, almost hot on some bites. The cookie itself was perfect, soft and chewy on the inside, with a hard crunchy icing top. In fact I wish I had another one right now!
All in all, I would say that Florene's is definitely worth a trip to the South side.

Attack and Destroy

2009-03-04T10:45:00.002-06:00

Amidst the clutter of clean clothes, he creates his castles and knocks them down.

Notice him in mid clap....not only is he proud of himself but he's making sure there is nothing else to 'bonk' down.

Beware......for he is

JASPER THE DESTROYER

Really?

2009-02-27T21:54:00.003-06:00

We went to Costco tonight to have 'dinner'(if cheap pizza and hot dogs qualify as dinner) and buy a few things. I'm always surprised at how few items I buy compared to how much I spend when I leave there! Anyway, I was looking at there display of nicer wines and and came across the bottle below. The label is nice and the price was decent...... but the description! I mean really?

Bacon with menthol? Is that suppose to be enticing? Bacon,menthol, espresso,berries, and vanilla? Umm...no. nope. gross.

Sunny Day.... Play Day

2009-02-25T19:34:00.004-06:00

Jumping back on the picture bandwagon....

2009-02-24T22:29:00.005-06:00

Vinnie

2009-02-22T13:09:00.003-06:00

My mom and Crayola just got a new dog. It's a rescued cairn terrier named Vinnie Visser England. It's a year old and very very lovable. The people at the shelter said that he was rescued from a house that was doing dog fights with pitbulls and that Vinnie was going to be used as practice. Then he was taken to a shelter in Chariton where they euthanize the animals if they aren't adopted, he was scheduled to be put down next week. Luckily they found him!

He was just neutered last week so he still wants to pee on everything which hopefully will be something they can train him out of doing. Other than that he is quiet and playful. Jasper and I are excited for it to get nicer outside so we can take him for walks during the day.

A mountain of dishes.....

2009-02-21T15:56:00.002-06:00

Perhaps I'm a bit maniac today, but I have been going non-stop. I made truffles. Cayenne Pepper and Cinnamon ones, toasted coconut and curry ( inspired by my mom's favorite muffin at her favorite coffee house), coffee with sugar, and Indian Spiced Chai tea truffles.
I rolled some in cocoa, some in powdered sugar, others in toasted coconut and some in toasted pecans...( a few I threw in everything). I know I posted a recipe for truffles earlier, but as I was searching for ideas I realized that there are several ways to make a ganache. With these truffles I choose to make some with the earlier recipe and others with a hybrid of the recipes I found online. They all turned out wonderful, because it's chocolate, and really it's hard to go wrong with chocolate.
I also created a macaroni and cheese casserole for a potluck tonight utilizing some of the leftover pepper jack potato soup. I'm excited and hopeful that it will be delicious. It's scary to create a brand new dish right before you showcase to your friends, but that's what keeps cooking interesting!
Also, my mom and her wife went and adopted a dog today. It is hands down the cutest and bestest dog I've seen in a long time. I love it and wish it was mine, but I will settle for taking it for walks and watching it when they let me. I got out both my sewing machines and some fabric scraps to create a few bean bags for them to use as training toys. Of course neither machine worked very well, in the end I think I broke both of them. What's the point of having tools if they don't function?!
It is my intention to make the space that was currently occupied by my brother into a craft/sewing/painting/mediation room for me. Hopefully I can create an organized and well stocked space to get my creative juices flowing. Or it will turn into a messy catch all that is a mirror for the rest of my life.
Well see.

PepperJack Potato Soup

2009-02-19T16:10:00.005-06:00

Joe made this lovely soup tonight. It's rich and velvety and filling. Yummy!

You'll need:
2 cups carrots, diced
4 cloves garlic,minced
4 mushrooms, diced(that's all we had, we would probably have used more if we had them)1/2
1 small valdilia onion, diced
14 oz chicken broth
2 cups milk -- more for thinning
3 cups mashed potatoes(we had some in the freezer leftover from potato enchiladas so they were already seasoned with chili powder,butter,garlic powder, onion powder and cumin)
8oz pepper jack cheese, grated
2oz Colby cheese, grated
1/4 cup butter
2 tbls flour
I think it would be good with green onions, chopped for garnish, but we didn't have any.

1.place the butter,garlic,onion,mushroom,carrots in a large soup pot and saute for until onions are tender, about 3 mins.
2. add the flour, stirring to make a roux
3. slowly whisk in the broth and the milk
4. stir in the potatoes
5. simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 mins.
6. remove from heat, stir in the cheese , add more milk to thin if needed. ladle into bowls and top with green onions.

Ours was delicious with the taste of chili and cumin from the mashed potatoes. Since you probably won't have chili flavored mashed potatoes you may want to add spices:

1-2tsp chili powder
1-2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 - 1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper

or we think it would be tasty with just salt and pepper.

Chicken Talk

2009-02-17T10:04:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to come to Mar's Cafe (2318 University Ave Des Moines) at 7pm tonight. Come meet others interested in raising chickens and ask questions of those who have raised chickens in town before.

Truffles

2009-02-15T17:43:00.007-06:00

My family has banded together to support each other over the last week. My sister and cousin flew in from Alaska, my cousin's came from Denver and my Aunt came in from Washington state. There is so many things to do in the after math of death. Especially with one that was so sudden and tragic. Many cooping mechanisms have arisen...things at my grandma's are really clean where ever my mom has gone and our bellies are full with the brilliant food that my Aunt cooks.

She even taught us how to make truffles.

I have always wanted to learn how to make these. Like most things, I needed it demystified for me before I could do it on my own. We made 3 kinds of truffles....candied ginger, black walnuts and cayenne pepper and cinnamon. They were all delicious!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients(all measurements are approx. per my norm!)

8 oz of chocolate, such as Ghirardelli 60% Cacao bitter chocolate chips

2 tbls coconut oil

about 1 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 tsp vanilla

You can add anything into the filling. Here is what we used:

1/2 cup finely chopped black walnuts

1/2 cup finely chopped candied ginger

1-2 tsp cinnamon plus 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler until all chocolate is melted. Pour melted mixture into bowl. Add the vanilla and what ever other ingredient your using( such as the walnuts or the ginger). Mix well with a fork and then place in refrigerator until the chocolate mixture is hard enough to roll into a ball.

Sift the cocoa powder into a bowl. Place a tray or plate out to place the finished truffles. Roll the chocolate into a ball, do so quickly or you'll just have a melted chocolate mess(which is rather tasty!), then roll the ball in the sifted cocoa and place on the tray. Once you've rolled all your truffles place the tray in the refrigerator to set.

Enjoy!

Grandpa

2009-02-15T10:11:00.005-06:00

My grandpa died last Tuesday after living for 74 years. He was one of my most favorite people in the world. He was a hard working man, always busy with some project. He was a kind man, always willing to give a stranger a hand. If you knew him you liked him or atleast admired his tenacity for life. When he was in his early twenties, newly married and with one small child, he was in a horrible accident and had to have his arms amputated. My grandma says they would have left him to die, his injuries where so severe.
My grandpa planted trees,had a small vineyard in his back yard, grew fruits and vegetables. If you needed to know the name of a tree or bird or piece of furniture all you had to do was ask him. He painted and drew pictures,made wine with my grandma, built things like back bars and often constructed pieces of art.
When I was young I would spend the days with him riding in his truck and playing Zip(who can spot a windmill first),going to auctions, helping him fix things and tie knots ,swim, eat food and watch tv.
He taught me to tie my shoes, drive a stick, change a tire, check my oil,be kind to children and old people.....the list goes on and on.
He never gave me (to much) shit for shaving my head or getting tattoos or piercings though when he handed me money, which he often did, it came with the caveat of not buying cigarettes(which I often did).
In his life he along with my grandma rode 17 Ragbrais and also biked from Melbourne to Sydney. I can only hope to be as amazing as my grandpa(and my grandma!).
My grandpa was my pal and I will always miss him.

Felted?

2009-02-07T12:47:00.006-06:00

My latest finished knitting project was a wool coffee coozie. Even though I winged the pattern I had high hopes for it. I used cool handspun hand dyed wool that I picked up at the yarn swap. I made it bigger than I wanted it so it could shrink up nicely.

This is what it looked like before I tried to felt it.

This is what it looked like after I washed it and dried it multiple times.

Pretty much the same f$@# thing. But it was a trial project, so I can't justify getting mad about it. I just have to figure out how to do it better next time.

You know what's really gross?

2009-02-04T11:04:00.002-06:00

Bathroom sink drains. OMG! Ours gets so backed up because of Joe shaving in it and everyone's long hair. Plus it's an old sink anyway, who knows how long it's been there collecting hair and odds and ends. So every once in awhile I take a metal hanger and twist it apart. Metal hangers suck for clothes but are pretty useful for odd jobs like breaking into old cars and unclogging drains.
I didn't take a picture of the stuff I pulled out of the sink. I know I should have,I had a rare moment where I thought it would be better to not show and tell. Yet, here I am still telling you about it sans gross pictures.
After I used the hanger to pull out about a cup full of hair and what looked like black toilet paper/snot I used the hanger to scrap the toilet. The plumber told me to scrap with a hanger as far down the drain as you can go to clean off the mineral build up. Also a gross yet strangely satisfying job.
Now to tackle the kitchen!

My little artist:::head in hands::::

2009-02-01T19:16:00.004-06:00

So, I left Jasper alone upstairs today. I was thinking it was take a nap time, but apparently he thought it was arts and crafts.

Anyone know how to get crayon off of walls?

This sample of an original Jasper Countryman is currently being shown on the wall of our bedroom. He's also showing his art on the hallway walls. All the way down the hallway walls. Lovely.

Is it Spring already!!

2009-01-27T08:34:00.005-06:00

It's snowing outside and all I can think about is my yard. As it's functional for the first time since I've lived here, I have no excuse not to do something with it. Let me tell you I'm dreaming big too. Maybe it's cabin fever, but if my yard turns out to look anything like it does in my head, it will be spectacular. So here's the plan thus far:

The front yard gets the most sun, so instead of having it be the kick the ball around area, I'm going to use it for the garden space. I'm planning 3-4 square foot garden boxes. When the city finished their mess last fall they put in sod. I having a feeling it died, so it should be easy to place the boxes in their wake. If the sod is still viable, I'll cut it up and put it on the side of the house where absolutely nothing grows because of the huge magnolia tree. The sod will grow because I plan to cut the tree down. It's old and losing branches and knocking down shingles from both my house and the neighbors house. I have no clue how I'm going to afford to do this, but I think it's an integral part to my 'fix the yard up' plan as well as the 'save my roof' plan.

The back yard is basically an L shape. in the corner there is a piece of an old something....some concrete structure, that will make an excellent place for a grill and a smoker...just FYI this is the year of smoked meat at the Countryman's. So in front of this grill area is a 10foot x 12foot grassy section that I will either leave as is and set a table and chairs on or try and put a small patio for the aforementioned furniture.

The other side of this L is a silly mess that is akin to a flower garden. It's slightly terraced and full of hostas and columbines and peonies and other odds and ends. It's never really flowed well. It was here when we moved in and I just left it, adding a plant here or there. This year, though, I'm taking it out and building Jasper a play house.

Now for the uber cool part that is quickly becoming my new obsession.

I'm going to get 4 or 5 bantam(small) chickens. I'm still researching what breed to get, though it will probably be an ornamental heirloom.

To house them I will build a movable coop, often referred to as a chicken tractor. Here is an idea of one.....keep in mind this one is like the Cadillac of chicken tractors .....

Wedding!

2009-01-25T06:42:00.004-06:00

We went on a trip to my sister's wedding last week. It was a long car trip south even though she lives in Alaska and is from Iowa. Her now husband is from Alabama and stationed in Iraq, so on his two week leave they decided to get married. It was a small but beautiful wedding in an old haunted mansion called Buena Vista. in Prattsville, Alabama.

The trip down was uneventful, which is awesome! Although, before we left we had to wait two hours and get two new front tires. Thankfully we figured out our tire was crap before we got on the road.

Because we decided we were really going at the last minute and because she decided that since I was coming I was going to be a bridesmaid, we spent the day before the wedding looking for dresses. Suprisingly, this went fairly well even though I was due to start my time of the month any moment(that night).

On the morning of Micole's wedding Sylvia,Micole, and I went to a local spa ( in a haunted house) and got our hair and nail's done. It was a relaxing way to start the day, even though our hairstylist kept going on about the deer she's killed and the deer she's going to kill ...she was even calling and texting her boyfriend who had just 'bagged' the biggest buck ever! I think she was more interested in murder than in fixing our hair. We left there and grabbed McDonalds for my sister, who apparently had a pre wedding grease craving. Actually, who knows what they add to their food, there might be a sedative in it.

We arrived at the mansion about an hour before the wedding was suppose to start. We went up stairs and put on our dresses and hung out trying to entertain Micole as she waited with nervous anticipation for my mom to tell us we could come down the stairs . The wedding itself was short and sweet. A little to churchy for me( the preacher was Southern Baptist)...but then again, most things are. The bride and groom looked radiant, smiling into each others eyes with devotion and love.

After the ceremony we took pictures and hugged strangers and ate cake.

The newly married couple left to go to there bed and breakfast( in a haunted house) and we went back to the hotel.

We left the next day to travel the first leg of the 15 hours back to Iowa. On the way down we didn't do much sight seeing,but on the way home we stopped and had lunch at ' the best' Thai restaurant in Nashville. I like Cool Basil better. We stopped for a much needed cup of coffee in Paducha which is actually a pretty cool little town, with a wall of murals and a quilt museum. We even visited Mark Twain's birthplace, though we decided it was to cold to check out the fabled caves.

It was kind of depressing driving back North though. It had been easy to think that it was Spring when we were down South....no snow and 'warmer' weather ( 30's-50's) but as we drove home the snow slowly started to appear again. By the time we reached Des Moines it was obvious that winter was still here. In fact as I type this it's snowing outside. Blah. All in all it was a wonderful trip.

Everyone needs a pair of arm warmers.....

2009-01-17T16:01:00.004-06:00

or maybe not. They are easy and fun to make and they aren't half as tacky as leg warmers (which btw I'm making a pair of soon). I love tacky....gnomes,trans-ams,leg warmers, leslie and the lys. I also heart macrame owls,green and yellow squared kitchen carpet,wooden rolling pins, orange shag carpeting and wood paneling. Nice.

2009 Friend Survey

2009-01-17T07:27:00.005-06:00

I recieved this from a friend in my email today. I figured it would make a decent blog post. You should copy it to your blog and let me know so I can learn more about you.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7AM
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Twilight
4. What is your favorite TV show? Avatar The Last Airbender
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Coffee
6. What is your middle name? Jean
7. What food do you dislike? Umm..I love food.
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Blue October
9. Whats your favorite car? 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am
10. Favorite sandwich ? I've rarely met a sandwich I don't like....current fav is hot ham and cheese.
11. What characteristic do you dislike? Stubborness
12. Favorite item of clothing? cardigan
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I don't have time to think about vacations
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Tapemeasure. They use to carry it at Younkers, but know I don't know where to find it. They had the best dress pants and button up shirts.
15. Where would you retire to? New Mexico
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 30th
17. Favorite sport to watch? my daughter playing soccer
18. Furthest place you are sending this?not really applicable is it?
19. First person you expect to respond? Please respond! leave a comment or post it to your own blog and let me know you did. I'd love to learn more about you out there in cyberland!
20. When is your birthday? November 10
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning
22. What is your shoe size? 8.5 or 9
23. Pets? Nope
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nope :)
25. What did you want to be when you were little ? A Mad Scientist
26. How are you today? Ready to get stuff done!
27. What is your favorite candy? black licorice
28. What is your favorite flower? Tiger Lily or Peony
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Umm....none and all?
30. What's your full name? Mia Jean Countryman
31. What are you listening to right now? Jasper singing on my lap
32. What was the last thing you ate? leftover chicken marsala
33. Do you wish on stars? often
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? orange
35. How is the weather right now? freakin freezing. Negative something still
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? I actually haven't spoken on the phone yet, though I'm guessing it will be my mom.
37. Favorite soft drink? Coke
38. Favorite restaurant? I really suck at picking a favorite food/place/thing. I can see the good in them all.....or the bad....depending on my mood.
39. Real hair color? I'm not sure. No really, I'm not. When I was little it was really blonde. I know it's not really blonde anymore. That's all I'm sure about.
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? books--fantasy mostly
41. Summer or winter? Fall
42. Hugs or kisses ? Hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea? Coffee
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? not applicable....
46. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday
47. What is under your bed? Nothing. It's on the floor.
48. What did you do last night? Attended a birthday party for my grandpa,mom and daughter.
49. What are you afraid of? things I can't control...hmmm no wonder I'm alittle loony!
50. Salty or sweet? Both at the same time
51. How many keys on your key ring?3
52. How many years at your current job? >1
53. Favorite day of the week? Monday
54. How many towns have you lived in? 7
55. Do you make friends easily? Yes

Yum!

2009-01-15T18:13:00.003-06:00

Here is my husband slaving over a hot stove. He's making a delicious chicken marsala. If given the chance he would cook us divine dishes every night.

Guess who'd clean it up?