Saturday, March 31, 2012

Project 365 - Week 13

What a wild week of photo opportunities I have had....but then spring has definitely sprung around here and the flowers have been to die for....and it is softball season, and proms, and yard sales....and I am sure you get my drift.  Sarah is our host so if you would like to see some really amazing picutres jump over to her blog and check them out.

Sunday, March 25th






Sunday I went to Mrs. Betty Jeans and got her cilvia....and while I was there caughter her crabapple tree, azaleas, snowball plant, and tulip.  I actually got a whole lot more but thought these would be enough to show you how gorgeous her yard is.

Monday, March 26th
I stopped on the way home today in Daviston, Alabama and got my first dogwood tree. 

Tuesday, March 27th



The BRHS softball team played Handley today and I got to go to a game AND be closer to home since Handley is about 4 miles from my house.  The varsity lost to Handley 6-0, but I enjoyed getting to see students and former students play.  The J-V won 9-6.  Win our lose I love my Wildcats!

Wednesday, March 28th




Wednesday was a sad day.  I bought a wreath from a friend of mine and could not wait to get home and get it up.  I did not get home until after dark and walked out to change out the new wreath (top picture) for the bottom wreath(I know it is a little late to be taking down my winter wreath).  Unbeknowst to me there was a little family residing in the winter wreath.....and it was not until I put the old wreath on the hanger that I saw four smashed tiny eggs on my carport.  I thought the hawk had come through and dropped them.....but nope....it was me....Killer Karen.  The little nest was stuck to the old wreath and in picking it up.....I did the dastardly deed.  My heart was broken.

Thursday, March 29th


Thursday is bowling night and we have to kill a few hours in Alex City before we bowl.  Tonight we visited my godmother, Francis.  She was my mom's best friend.  I love this woman.  We caught her gardening and she fussed as I pulled up the camera to get her picture.  Her yard was full of blooming delights.  There were violets, azaleas, dogwoods, and the tree grancy(granny grandy) gray beard.  It looks like a tree of white beards.  Pretty cool. 

Friday, March 30th
Today was prom day for Handley.  I was asked to take some pictures for Marcie and Lyndi.  I was so honored.  Mrs. Betty Jeans was going to be our backdrop.  It was going to be a glorious day.... well, two out of three isn't bad.  I did get the shots, we did go to Mrs. Betty Jeans....but we took shots in light rain and between drizzles.  It was aweful!  They called the lead out inside sometime after lunch....but ended up having it outside in the rain. So here is a sampling of Jasmine and Lyndi - two of my favorite seniors.



Saturday, March 31st
Yardsale for Moldova Mission's Day
We left Roanoke Friday after photos, drove to Alex City to make a delivery, then on to Montgomery for the yard sale final prep, sleep and the yard sale.  I woke up at 5:30(I had shut the alarm off) and it was pouring rain, thundering and lightening....so much for a 10% chance of rain.  We picked up breakfast for the gang, coffee and headed over there.....and sat in the carport.  I wanted to cry.  At 6:30 the rain let off and we put stuff out that rain would not hurt....at 7...the sun actually began to shine....and by 7:30 we were in full swing.  They made over 600.00 for the trip.  All in all it was a productive day.  Here is some of the gang killing time between sales.


I had a great week and am looking forward to another one just like it.  I wish you the same.  See you next week.









Friday, March 30, 2012

Yard Sale for Moldova Mission Trip

(Last years team to Moldova)

My car is packed and we are headed to Montgomery for the 2nd annual Moldova Missions Yard Sale at Kat and Brian's house.  This will probably be the last one at their house on Northfield.  They have possibly sold that house and will be headed to the mission field on a full-time basis soon.  As a Sunday School teacher, Youth Leader, and the like....I spent many of my Sunday's and Wednesday nights talking about missions and how important they are.....to Kat and her friends.....I never dreamed my lessons would be lessons that God would use for my own child.  Kat found out about Moldova through Phillip Cameron's Ministries.  She was always a sucker for a Scottish brogue.  Let me tell you a bit about Moldova and what they hope to be doing.  The Republic of Moldova lies in the central part of Europe in the northeastern Balkans. Moldova occupies an area of 33,843.5 km2. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau. On the North, East and South Moldova is surrounded by Ukraine, and on the West it is separated from Romania by the Prut River. It sounds like a cool place to visit....but now...look at what they will be doing.  I am an orphan. No one cares about me. I am hungry. I am cold. I am despised. I am abandoned. I am abused. I am Stella’s Voice. A voice is all that is left of Stella, a handicapped orphan. Homeless, powerless, silenced. Used by evil men. Dead at nineteen. I am Stella’s Voice. I am the voice of orphans. I am their prayer for food, for warmth, for love. I am their cry for protection from sex traffickers. Will you be Stella’s Voice too? Together, we can make her voice louder. Together, our prayers are more powerful. Together, we can make a difference. Will you be Stella’s Voice?   So now you know what it is...let me tell you what they do.  Our vision(Phillip Cameron Ministries) is to be the voice that speaks for the orphans of Moldova, from the smallest child, to the aged out teen. With each voice that adds with ours, we are able to offer a loving home to more of these innocent children, raising them in a Christian environment as our own.  Never in the history of this Communist country has there been an advocate for the orphans. For twenty years, this ministry has been a part of the lives of thousands of orphans, providing Christmas gifts, warm coats, food, supplies, heating oil, clean water, and so much more. But more importantly, the ministry has shown the love of Christ in tangible ways, through regular visits, encouraging words, gentle hugs, and smiles.  As of spring 2011, we not only visit and minister to orphanages, we also own the nation’s first Christian orphanage: Providence House. This home is a model that we pray will be replicated across Moldova, Eastern Europe, and around the world.  Last summer....and this one too...Kat and Brian will be working with the orphanges in Moldova....they will be the arms that hold the orphans, they will be the hands that feed the orphans, they will be the hearts that love the orphans....and believe me....they can do that.....and finally, they will be voices that will protest the orphans.  Am I proud of the two of them....you betcha.  So, I have a favor to ask of you all, when you go to bed....or even right now....will you  pray that tomorrow is a beautiful day and they have a successful yardsale....and pray that I continue to find peace in their venture.  God Bless You All and I am off to photograph prom goers in between rain showers.  :-(
Crafting with the children was great fun according to Kathryn and the gang.

Learning about Moldova with the teens from the orphange.

Brian was afraid that this little one might have been Kat's souvenir of Moldova.  He reminder her....before he decided to go last year that they were not souvenir's....I think he went to make sure....but after he fell in love with one of the little guys....he was hooked just like she was.  Got to love them for their huge hearts that are so full of God.  Ok...I really am gong now...I think I hear the weather alarm going off and it is getting close to time.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Preserved Lemon Chicken Is Finger Licking Good

One of the days we were at Epcot we had planned to make reservations at a Japanese Hibatchi Restaurant.  I love those.  There is something really cool about watching the chef of your section prepare the scrumptious meal....but....we got finished earlier than we planned and decided to eat lunch instead.  The Japanese restaurants were packed...as were the ones in France, Canada....there was nothing... and we were idiots for deciding to eat at 12....along with 40 gazillion other park-goers.  As we walked on....there was this drop dead gorgeous woman on the outskirts of Morocco and I asked her how long the wait would be at their main restaurant....she swept her hand gracefully to the corridor and said to please go....and that there would be no waiting.  We would our way through the corridors and finally came to this palacial restaurant.  I was seeing 40.00 lunch meals....but to my surprise and amazement....not only were we seated immediately....the most expensive thing on the menu was 20.00.  This was my kind of place.....or so I thought.  I had never had Moroccan food and was not sure I wanted to start today.....but I saw this preserved lemon chicken dish that sounded pretty yummy and I thought I would take the dive.  Believe me I was not disappointed.  From the wonderful bread like stuff they brought out....to my meal to Frank's baklava...each bite was a taste of heaven.  When the waiter set my plate in front of me it looked like something a cowboy would eat on the trail...the food was touching (If you don't know I don't like foods to touch).  But....touching is necessary here so that all the flavors mix.  If you ever get a chance to eat Preserved chicken at a Moroccan place...jump on it.  I found a recipe...and it is spot on what I ate....so I thought I would share it with you.  It is so good.

Preserved Lemon Chicken
Ingredients:
  • 1 whole chicken, skin removed, cut into pieces
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or a mix of vegetable oil and olive oil)
  • 2 very large white or yellow onions (1 lb or ½ kg), sliced as thinly as possible
  • one small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • one small handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or pressed
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric (or 1/4 teaspoon Moroccan yellow colorant)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled (divided - optional)
  • 1 teaspoon smen (Moroccan preserved butter - optional)
  • 1 handful green and red(calamata) olives mixed
  • 1 preserved lemon, quartered and seeds removed

Preparation:

Cooking the Chicken

Mix everything except half of the saffron, olives, and lemon in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Cover the pot, and cook the chicken over medium heat, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is very tender and almost ready to fall off the bones (approximately one hour, but longer if using a free range chicken). Keep the heat adjusted so that the chicken doesn't scorch, and try not to add water as you cook; the chicken will braise in its own juices.When the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and cover.

Reduce the Sauce

Continue cooking the onion mixture and sauce over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquids evaporate and the onions form a blended mass which separates from the oils.  Add the preserved lemon, olives, the rest of the saffron, and a few tablespoons of water, and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot, and heat through.

Serve the Chicken

Place the chicken on a serving platter, pour the onion sauce over the top and sides, and garnish the top of the chicken with the quartered lemon and some olives. Serve with whole boiled potatoes and crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Olives is a classic Moroccan dish. Salty, lemony and zesty, it’s one of my new personal favorites. Saffron is optional on the recipe I found...but it was used in the one I ate and it is a delicious, fragrant addition.  This recipe is for conventional stove top preparation in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. The trick to this method is two-fold: 1) Don't add any water during the cooking; and 2) reduce the sauce until the onions are a thick mass.This dish can also be made by cooking in a tangine(ebay here I come I definitely want one of these) or slow roasting it in the oven. The last method is useful especially when you are serving a large group of people.

I have to add a side bar because in order to do this you have to have or preserve your lemons.  I hunted everywhere and finally found the method and thought I would add it for you to use. 

Preserved Lemons

Ingredients

  • 8-10 Meyer lemons*, scrubbed very clean
  • 1/2 cup kosher salt, more if needed
  • Extra fresh squeezed lemon juice, if needed
  • Sterilized quart canning jar
* You don't need to use Meyer lemons, regular lemons will do, it's just that the milder Meyer lemons work very well for preserving in this way.

Method

1 Place 2 Tbsp of salt in the bottom of a sterilized jar.
2 One by one, prepare the lemons in the following way. Cut off any protruding stems from the lemons, and cut 1/4 inch off the tip of each lemon. Cut the lemons as if you were going to cut them in half lengthwize, starting from the tip, but do not cut all the way. Keep the lemon attached at the base. Make another cut in a similar manner, so now the lemon is quartered, but again, attached at the base.
3 Pry the lemons open and generously sprinkle salt all over the insides and outsides of the lemons.
4 Pack the lemons in the jar, squishing them down so that juice is extracted and the lemon juice rises to the top of the jar. Fill up the jar with lemons, make sure the top is covered with lemon juice. Add more fresh squeezed lemon juice if necessary. Top with a couple tablespoons of salt.
5 Seal the jar and let sit at room temperature for a couple days. Turn the jar upside down ocassionally. Put in refrigerator and let sit, again turning upside down ocassionally, for at least 3 weeks, until lemon rinds soften.
6 To use, remove a lemon from the jar and rinse thoroughly in water to remove salt. Discard seeds before using. Discard the pulp before using, if desired.
7 Store in refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Note:
You can add spices to the lemons for preserving - cloves, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon stick, bay leaf.
Bon Appetite....I hope you try it and like it.  I know I did.  Thank you Epcot for this great recipe....and thanks to all the other countries for being full.  I owe you one.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Hodge Podge - Vol 72

Yep, today is Wednesday and that means it is Hodge Podging with Joyce.  It is a time when she asks seven questions and we respond to them and link up on her blog.  It is a lot of fun and you learn alot about your fellow bloggers.  Want to read some of the other responses?  Want to participate?  Hop over to Joyce's blog and check it out.  I know you will love it.  Here are my answers for the week.
1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?  Cleaning the tile floor in the main bathroom.  When the house was painted last year the painter left some black residue on the tile when he used the bathroom.  I have tried numerous products to get it up, even the magic eraser (which did not erase it).  I would appreciate suggestions from any of you on what to try.  HELP!  I am tired of scrubbing this floor.
2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end...what sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?  We went to Disney World for Spring Break and I am going to Niagra Falls in June and we are in the last quarter of school...so between setting up trips and finishing out the year...I feel myself going....BWAAHHHH HHHHAAAAA!
3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?  I know you meant to say shops....plural so here are mine:  Shoe Carnival, Coldwater Creek, and Williams Sonoma or any of those Kitchen Shops.
4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?  I am sure the answer is yes....but I would not make it a habit.  If what you are doing is harmful....then definitely yes....if it is the easy way out....then most definitely not.
5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?  My all time favorites would be Carolina in My Mind by J.T.  It has my name in it.  The second one is Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins.  It is one of those songs that I sing when I am happy, sad, mad...I love singing it.
6. When did you first begin using a computer?  In 1996.  I bought one for my daughter to use at school and I became addicted to some word game on it....and doing genealogical stuff.  It was an Apple IIe.  LOL...can you believe it?
7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite?  I did not buy girl scout cookies this year.  If I had I would have bought Samoa's and Thin Mints.
8. Insert your own random thought here.  Did you know that today is Something on a Stick Day and it celebrates things on a stick. Isn't this just a neat day?   So what comes on a stick? Practically anything. The first thing that comes to mind is popsicles and fudgecicles. Hotdogs are poplar on a stick at campfires. There are also corndogs and they are on a stick.  So, what is your favorite food to eat on a stick????  Care to share?  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Replacement Wife

Author:  Eileen Goudge
Publisher:  Open Road Media
ISBN: 9781453225028
About The Book:  From New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge comes a poignant new novel that asks the question, “What would you do if you were told you had only six months to live?” For one professional matchmaker the answer is heart-wrenching: She must find her husband’s next wife. Camille Hart, one of Manhattan’s most sought-after matchmakers, has survived more than her fair share of hardships. Her mother died when she was a young girl, leaving her and her sister with an absentee father. Now in her forties, she has already survived cancer once, though the battle revealed just how ill-equipped her husband Edward is to be a single parent. So when doctors tell Camille that her cancer is back—and this time it’s terminal—she decides to put her matchmaking expertise to the test for one final job. Seeking stability for her children and happiness for her husband, Camille sets out to find the perfect woman to replace her when she’s gone. But what happens when a dying wish becomes a case of “be careful what you wish for”? For Edward and Camille, the stunning conclusion arrives with one last twist of fate that no one saw coming.  At once deeply felt and witty, The Replacement Wife is an unforgettable story of love and family, and a refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings. Want to read an exerpt?  Click Here:
About The Author:  Some say writers are born, not made.  Eileen Goudge thinks it’s both: Natural-born talent is basically useless without the persistence to go with it.  She was lucky enough to have been blessed with a deep and abiding love of books and writing coupled with an insane stick-to-it-iveness, which, let me tell you, is a double-edged sword (great when carrying on in the face of rejection and hardship; not so great when it comes to relationships that should’ve died an early death).
As a child, she read voraciously–as many books per week as she could carry home in my bike basket.  Her early writings were inspired by fantasy and mystery (She was a huge fan of Nancy Drew).  She won praise from her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Cherry, for her short story “The Secret of the Mossy Cave,” which is probably what inspired her to become a writer. An aspiration cemented, in high school, when she won third prize in a state-wide poetry competition and took Honorable Mention for another poem, in a nationwide contest.  When she took up writing as a profession, as a young single mom, mostly what she did those first few years was collect rejection slips. However, she persisted and went on to publish 32 novels for young adults (starting with the successful “Sweet Valley High” series), and, to date, 15 novels of women’s fiction, as well as numerous short stories and magazine articles. Also a cookbook, inspired by my passion for baking, titled SOMETHING WARM FROM THE OVEN. Her first adult novel, GARDEN OF LIES, enjoyed many weeks on the “New York Times” bestseller list, both in hardcover and paperback.  She can still recall the thrill she felt when she saw it displayed in the window of the Barnes & Noble store on Fifth Avenue, in New York, where she lived.  Goudge's definition of success? Getting up one more time than you fall down.
My Thoughts About The Book:  When I started reading the book I thought, "Oh No...not someone dying....but from page one until the end I was hooked.  This book was one of the best written books I have read in a long time.  I did not want to put it down.  It was the kind of story that broke your heart one minute, had you laughing the next, and getting mad at one or more characters in the story.  I thnk everyone should read this book because it is one of those stories that could happen....and by the end of the book you feel Paul Harvey saying...."and now the rest of the story."    I could hardly wait to post a review of this book and have already ordered three of Goudge's books, Woman in Red, Such Devoted Sisters, and Otherwise Engaged.  That should keep me busy for a while.
Disclaimer:  I was given this book to review by Net Galley and Open Road Media.  I was not paid for my opinion or my review, they are mine.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Facebook - To Use or Or Not To Use

My brother-in-law, Bill posted this on his facebook this weekend and as I read it I had to agree with him and whoever created this poster.  I joined facebook to share pictures with friends, talk to my children, get a message to someone who has a blackberry and gets updates on their phone, catch up with old friends from when I was growing up in Florida, and when I did join in.....it was pretty much like that.  I am the kind of person who does talk to you on the street.....a people lover.  I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my school classmates and finding out what they have been doing for the past 40+ years.  My high school page administrator is awesome at spreading news about everyone, from deaths to sucesses.  This to me is what facebook is for.  I have found former students, I got to see Amy's picture of our grandchild that will be born in July. I have celebrated weddings, births, and successes with people who used to be a major part in my life and are now a major part of my life.  This concept makes me love what facebook is. Frank and I can keep up with his family who live far away and my family who live also live near and far.  I love this aspect of facebook.  What I don't like about facebook is how fast someone can get mad at you with one hit of the button de-friend you.  I don't like the drama.  I don't like the game requests, hearts, jewels, etc.  I just want to know about you.  I understand that you can misread something in facebook....it is all in how you read it.  You type something and I am happy....so I take it in a good sense.  You type something and I am sad....you get my drift.  Nothing will ever replace the human voice. Facebook has good and bad points.  You can see gorgeous pictures and read scripture and uplifting comments.....and you can be defriended, meet an old love and pick up where you left off, and read slamming comments.  By the way....when and if I post a status....I promise you it is not about you and if I make a comment to you....I do not respond in all caps.  My comments are always user friendly. What do you want to get out of facebook?  I have been defriended a time or two, friended back, only to find myself defriended again, "c'est la vie".  Life happens.  Yep...when it is family that defriends me....it stings for a bit...but then I realize....this is facebook.....and my life goes on.  When I weigh the good and bad of facebook....I find more good....at least for me....than bad.  I still enjoy keeping up and finding old friends....and I love the pictures.  It is a different way to keep up with the lives of those you know and love and for that reason....I will continue to use it.  For those of you who send me messages....I may not answer them immediately because I don't hang out on facebook.....it interrupts my playing time of Words With Friends....ahhhhh the electronic age....you have got to love it.  What are your feelings about facebook?  Care to share?  If so...leave me a comment and I promise to respond.  Happy Monday!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Project 365 - Week 12

Frank and I spent most of the week at Disney World and all the parks that go with it.  I hope you don't mind my photo journaling of our trip.  If you want to see more pictures then hop over to Sarah's blog and check them out....or link up and share your photos.  It is never to late to join in.


Sunday, March 18th







We went down a day early and could not check into the hotel until 3 so we decided to do Universal Studios.  All of the pictures except for the last two are from Universal.  I spared you downloading all 800 of them.  The next to the last picture was what was on our bed in our room when we checked in and the hot air balloon was from Downtown Disney where we ate supper on Sunday night.  Great Day.

Monday, March 19th






Part One of today, thanks to Magic extended hours for Disney Resort guests got us into Animal Kingdom.  Our favorite things there were the Safari and It's A Bugs Life. We left Animal Kingdom and went to Magic Kingdom.  After a few hours there we went back to the hotel and laid out by the pool for a bit til it got cooler.  Then we went to Epcot to eat supper at the German section at the Biergarten Restaurant.  The food was fabo.

I had to buy socks....and could only find Disney ones....20.00 for two pair.


Frank and I got involved in pin swapping while we were at Disney.  We have quite an impressive collection.

The Oompah band at the German Biergarten Restaurant where we had supper. We stayed long enough in Epcot to see the 9:00 Illuminations of the World Show.  We then hopped a monorail and went to the Magic Kingdom to see their final fireworks show and the Electric Parade.  All of it....awesome!






Tuesday, March 20th





Today was all Epcot.  We ate lunch at the Moroccan restaurant.  It was my first time to eat Moraccan food and it was delicious.  We went back to the hotel and had pizza for supper. 

Wednesday, March 21st



Today was Magic Kingdom Day all day.  Frank hurt his knee so he was in an electric chair.  Let me tell you it is better than a fastpass.  Disney is definitely handicapped friendly and accessible.  We ate dinner off campus tonight, first time my car has been cranked since Sunday.  We went to International Drive and ate at Joe's Crab Shack after a quick run to Ron Jon's and Bass Pro Shop.  Tomorrow morning we head home.

Thursday, March 22nd

Got home and checked out my herb garden.  The rosemary is taking off as is the basil and oregano. 

Friday, March 23rd
My first rose blossom of the year.  I can't wait to have a bush full of these pretty pink babies.

Saturday, March 24th
My azaleas are beginning to bloom too.  It was great to come home to all of my growing pretties.  Have a great week and I will see you next week.