POPPYSEED CHICKEN INCIDENT

We placed a (glass) pan of Poppyseed Chicken in the oven, and not more than 20 minutes later . . . it EXPLODED!  Yeah, all over the inside of the oven.  Never had this happen before, and hope it never happens again. We were really looking forward to eating Poppyseed Chicken.   : (

Check out this delicious recipe in my RECIPES button under my Stick Family at the top of this page. (I now recommend using a metal pan, however.)

BIRD MIGRATION

We had LOTS of birds in our area this morning.  The field was nearly black with birds when I first noticed them.  Too bad I didn't get to my camera fast enough.  O'Man managed to take this video, but it was after most of the birds had flown away.

Here's another video.  Don't be fooled, those aren't leaves flyin' around. ;)

WORLD'S BEST JUGGLER

Hubby showed us this video when he returned home from work today.  We were impressed.  I don't know about all of the "frolicking" he does in this clip, but nonetheless, as far as juggling goes, "THIS GUY IS AMAZING!!!"



Watching Francis Brunn juggle reminded me of Psalm 139:14 which says, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

FREE LAUGHS



"In-bread" Cat

I just LOVE blonde jokes!

I love dry humor.  ;)

Hey, Look! Even the little smiley face doesn't look too "hot." [Pun intended.]

  

If dogs could talk.

   

Why men should not have action figures.

"OO-RAH!"

TEMPTING TRUFFLES



These truffles are appropriately named.  So yummy!

Tempting Truffles

(Recipe taken from Taste of Home - Yields 1 dozen)

   1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 tsp butter

   1/4 tsp almond extract (we used vanilla)

      2 milk chocolate candy bars, 1.55 oz. each, chopped (we used Hershey's)

      2 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped (we used Baker's)

   1/3 cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds (we used pecans)

In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbles form around the edge of pan, stirring constantly.  Remove from the heat.  Add extract, candy bars, and semisweet chocolate; stir until smooth.  Press plastic wrap onto surface of mixture.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle. 

Shape into 12 balls; roll in nuts.  Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.  Store in the refrigerator.

We easily tripled this recipe.  It hardly seemed worth all the work for only 1 dozen tempting treats, however, 3 dozen divided between five chocolate lovers didn't last more than two days.  You have been warned. ; )

A LESSON IN LIVING

A young banker was driving his BMW, in the mountains, during a snowstorm.  As he rounded a turn the vehicle slid out of control and toward a cliff.  At the last moment he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped from the car.  Though he escaped with his life, his left arm was caught near the hinge of the door and torn off at the shoulder. 

A trucker passing nearby witnessed the accident.  He stopped his rig, and ran back to see if he could be of help.  There standing in a state of shock was the banker at the edge of the cliff moaning, "Oh, my BMW, my BMW." 

The trucker pointed to the banker's shoulder and said, "Man, you've got bigger problems than a car." 

With that the banker looked at his shoulder, finally realizing he'd lost his arm, and began crying, "Oh, my new Rolex, my new Rolex!"

The pull of the world can easily steal our affections away, and cause us to live for the wrong things, but believers must live in light of eternity. Lord, please help me to have the right focus.

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:  for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Hebrews 11:24 - 26

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Do we long to do more for God?

Hudson Taylor replied to such a question with these words,  "The Lord was looking for a man WEAK enough to use, and He found me."

It was D. L. Moody who once said, "We may easily be TOO BIG FOR GOD TO USE, BUT NEVER TOO SMALL."

GOOD ADVICE

"O' LORD, PLEASE HELP ME TO KEEP MY

OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS."

WORDS OF WISDOM

Feel glum?  Keep mum.

Don't grumble.  Be humble.

Trials cling?  Just sing.

Can't sing?  Just cling.

Don't fear - God's near.

Money goes - He knows.

Honor left - not bereft.

Don't rust - Work! Trust!

- E. B. Allen

MR. YUK

After finding out Mr. Yuk stickers are still around I was prompted to look up this 1970's commercial and revisit a childhood memory.   Do you remember this?

NEW CRITTERS AND HAPPENINGS AROUND HERE

The past week was full of critters at our house. Between the hot temperatures outside, and major cleaning on the inside, things been gettin' stirred up.

One of the first of our "visitors" to show up were the ants ... BIG ANTS. We put out some yummy, sweet poison for them, and boy did they take the bait.

I am happy to report that all but one or two of the big ants are gone. However, they must've told their lil friends where the party was. Now we have crazy ants flitting across our countertops at lightning speed here and there ... EVERYWHERE! It's enough to make a body go cross-eyed. They don't slow down enough to even notice the bait. I didn't try to capture them on film - too small, too fast, too CRAZY!

Next on the list are geckos. O'Man found a whole bunch of their eggs in our garage where we had some old boxes stored. He decided to keep them (the eggs - not the boxes), and try to incubate them so he could watch them hatch. He prepared a container, and set the eggs on the dirt.  It wasn't long after that one of those eggs went to shakin'. Sure enough we had a cute little baby gecko in our midst. It appeared to be stuck in its shell. Perhaps it was just tired? Whatever the case, O'Man, kind soul that he is, lent a helping hand by flicking away part of the shell. That was all it took, because that little lizard lit out lickety split with no word of thanks. (Try sayin' that 5 times fast. I dare ya! ;)


Awww, ain't it cute?



Adding the eggs to the container - "Ooooh, exciting." (yawn)



All hatched and ready to run. O'Man let it go so it could find food, but not before it saw him and cried, "Ma-ma!"

The last critter was in the backyard Sunday morning. I happened to see a cat pawing at something and then jumping out of the way. It did this a couple of times when suddenly it dawned on me ... he was fighting with a SNAKE! I called my hubby.  He watched for a few seconds then started to go out the door.

"Wait," I screeched. "What are you gonna do?"

"I gotta find out what kind of snake that is," he said.

"Well, put some sturdier shoes on first," came my swift reply. "Don't go out there with just your sandals. What if you get bit?"

He didn't listen. Just went anyway. (That's a man for ya. ;)

By this time we had attracted a small crowd at the door, and was eagerly waiting to see what was going to happen next.


Daddy shoulda put his boots on, huh?

That devoted cat was still swattin' and jumpin' and jumpin' and swattin'. Then it stopped.

"Hey," I said, "I bet it killed it!" (I'm always happy to see a DEAD snake :)

Our fluffy little hero kitty seemed to be sniffing its prey, when all of a sudden it shot into the air again!

By this time my hubby was next to the cat and started laughing. What in the world? We couldn't figure out what was so funny. He quickly turned and headed back into the house announcing that the cat had been "fighting" a banana peel, of all things!

In between his fits of laughter he managed to tell us that he noticed the poor kitty was cross-eyed. Obviously, the cat was having a hard time seeing. Every time it swatted at the peel, the cats' claws sunk in just enough to make it "strike" back - thus causing us to think it was a snake.

Afterwards, I couldn't help but think which of us looked more silly, the cat that couldn't focus ... or us. Haha!



"Focus. Focus, dude."

"Take that, you rascally kitty!"

WHAT TIME IS IT?

I've just been informed by one of my children that it is, "1, 2, 3, 4." They said they just love that. Haha!

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

1. Pray.

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many).

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, leave it with God.

12. Live within your budget, and don't use credit cards.

13. Have backups like an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the "Kid in You" everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its logical place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Find time every day to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud.

24. Make friends with godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite Scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good, "Thank you Jesus!"

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but do not take yourself seriously at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33 Talk less.  Listen more.

34. Slow down, and breathe deeply.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

'If God be for us, who can be against us?'

(Romans 8:31)

A SHREW IN OUR BACKYARD

When bagging up leaves in the yard today our son came across a small toad and a shrew.  Yep, you heard right.  It was a shrew.  We've lived in this same house a long time and we have never seen a shrew around here.  It was quite an exciting discovery.


It's actually kinda cute, wouldn't you say?

Getting ready to make its "Great Escape" off the driveway.

"Shrew is the common name for small, mouse-like insectivorous mammals.  They are characterized by a pointed snout, minute eyes, and small ears. Although their external appearance is generally that of a long-nosed mouse, the shrews are not rodents and not closely related.  Shrews have feet with five clawed toes, unlike rodents, which have four.

Shrews include the smallest known mammals, and also ones with the highest heart rate.  Shrews also have sharp incisors and a reputation for having a savage disposition, killing larger animals and eating incessantly to stay alive. Some are known to be venomous, which is unusual among mammals, and unlike most mammals some species also can use echolocation.

Shrews provide a valuable service for human beings, as they consume pest insects and slugs that can damage crops. Beyond this, their small size, savage reputation, and unique behaviors have captured the interest and imaginations of people, adding to the wonder and mystery of nature."  (New World Encyclopedia)

FRESHLY BAKED

"Beauty" just whipped up a batch of these delicious treats. If you haven't tried this recipe, I encourage you to do so. You'll find it on my RECIPES page under my Stick Family. Oh, so yummy! Bon appetit! :)

"Chocolate Chippy Nutty Coconutty Cookies"

IN HONOR OF MY DADDY

 My Dad passed away, and everyday I would love to be able to spend some time with him again.  Since I can't, would y'all please be sure to wish one of your living  loved ones a Happy Birthday, hug them, tell them you love them, or just pick up the phone (or pen and paper) and let them know you are thinking of them?

Thanks.  I don't think you'll regret it.

BABY SLEEPING

We just LOVE this lil man! "Nighty-night. Zzzzzzzzzz . . ."

REVAMP YOUR "SHOULD DO" LIST

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until AFTER something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you, dear lady?

How often have our kids dropped in to talk, and sat in silence, while we watched the television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday. I had a late breakfast. It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday!" She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Junior toilet trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. (If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy!)

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round,

or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,

or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask, "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed

with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow,"

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die?

Picked up the phone just to say, "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day,

it is like an unopened gift . . . thrown away.

Life is not a race. Take it slower.

Hear the music before the song is over.

Now, go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to . . . not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?

And WHY are you WAITING?

THE DAD LIFE

FIRST HAIRCUT

Little Man had his first haircut, and behaved very well. He didn't cry or fuss the least little bit. He sat up straight, and managed to be quite patient through the whole process. He received a sucker for being so good. He liked that.

BEFORE - getting his hair sprayed with water.

"SNIP, SNIP"

A sucker for being so good. "Yummy, yummy!"

Look at the grip he has on that sucker. He's not about to let it go!

 

All done. "Thank you! Great job!"



A CHUCKLE 4U - "T-Shirt Slogans"

"I don't know what makes you dumb, but it really works."

"Do not disturb. I'm disturbed enough already."

"Buy me things and I'll be nicer."

"If at first you don't succeed . . . skydiving is NOT for you."

"If you can read thank a teacher. If you can read in English thank a Marine."

"Join the MARINES! Travel to foreign places, meet exotic people, and kill them."

"Here I am. Now, what are your other two wishes?"

"Ask me about my ability to annoy complete strangers."

"How do I block you in real life?"

"Annoy a liberal - get a job."

"I don't skinny dip. I chunky dunk."

"I can't wait to procrastinate."

"I'm confused, oh, wait a second, maybe I'm not."

"People like you are the reason people like me need medication."

"I know I should lift weights, but those things are HEAVY!"

"If a man speaks in the forest, and there's no woman around to hear him, is he STILL wrong?"

"Don't make me violate my probation."

"Don't steal. The IRS hates competition."

"I know karate, and like, two other Japanese words."

"Cleverly DISGUISED as an adult."

"Sometimes I wonder, 'Why is the frisbee getting bigger?' Then it hits me."

"I never finish anythi

SUNSETS

Ever give much thought to a sunset? A sunset is - 1) the setting of the sun below the western horizon in the evening 2) an atmospheric glow and coloring near the horizon as the sun sets



This was the sunset on our way home. I love how the sun's rays radiate out and upwards through the sky!

Seems to me that days can go by without my ever taking time to look outside my window, let alone pay attention to a sunset.  

However, this past week, since we had the rain, I've been noticing sunsets. I must confess that it's not because I decided to start looking out my window, but because I was already outside during those times.

Somewhere along the way, I put to sleep my desire to be outdoors. What a shame. God is good, and with His help I am happy to report that things are looking up for me.

As of late, God has re-aweakened my desire to see sunsets, plant morning glories, watch birds (we saw a Pileated Woodpecker and an Eastern Bluebird yesterday), rake leaves, and to enjoy the rustle and gentle touch of a breeze. "Thank you, Lord."



Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Bluebird



I've been holding my breath far too long.

It feels good to finally be able to exhale and . . . BREATHE DEEPLY. 

"Ahhhhhhhh ..."

LOVIN' IT

Here's our little man enjoying church.
 

SLEEPY HEADS

Almost every morning, and for sure after little man has had his bath, we look in the mirror and make silly faces. He usually takes the lead, and I follow. I love watching him as he comes up with new expressions.


"Bed Heads"

After we took our picture, Maximus had the pleasure of rousing his sisters out of bed. Here's how that went. 

"Wake up, sisters! Wake up!"

 

"Hmmmmm ... it's not working."

"One down, and one to go!"



WILL THE WORLD END IN 2012?

Please take a few minutes out of your day to view this video.

It could change your life!



 

A CHUCKLE 4U - "Warning Labels"

I finally figured it out.  As I was washing my hair in the shower this morning, I took time to read my shampoo bottle.  I AM IN SHOCK. 

The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body clearly says, "For extra volume and body."  Why haven't I noticed this before?

 

Tomorrow I am going to start using Dawn dish soap.

It says right on the bottle:

"Dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove."

HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A VEGGIE TRAY

I'm not a new-bie at putting veggie trays together, but this time I decided to try my hand at decorating with parsely. It really added that extra "ooomph" for which I was looking.

If you've never tried your hand at making a veggie tray - I highly recommend that you give it a shot. You'll save yourself a bit of money if you do it yourself, and I'm pretty sure you'll have fun doing it, too.

"Go ahead . . . Make a tray!" 

 

 1. Purchase a variety of your favorite veggies.

2. Wash and dry the veggies - checking and removing any damaged parts.

3. Slice the veggies into sticks, circles, or just leave them whole.

4. Arrange neatly on a vegetable tray. Try to mix up the colors a bit.

5. Mix up your favorite dip. [I use a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dip and 16oz. sour cream.]

6. Place the bowl of dip in the center of the tray.

7. Place parsely in between the veggies, around the dip bowl, and on the outer edge of the tray.

8. Carefully seal down the plastic cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

9. Don't forget a serving spoon for the dip.

10. It's always a good idea to make two batches of dip, and to have some extra veggies in resealable bags that are "ready-to-go" for when you start to run low. This allows you to refill the tray in a pinch.

Some good veggies for trays are:

cherry tomatoes

bell peppers (in all colors)

celery

carrots

cucumbers

squash

zucchini

cauliflower

broccoli

mushrooms

string beans

radishes

just to name a few. 

I love these trays! I purchase mine from our local Walmart Deli department. They cost about $2.00, and the cover is included.



•♫♪ RAIN, RAIN COME OUR WAY ♪♫•

Yesterday we received some much coveted rain. It was a beautiful sight! The Lord is so good to us.

The first inkling of the rainfall to come clung to our dining room window in dewy drops.

The wind picked up outside our back door and it was then that I saw the rain falling from the roof. It was just a drizzle at first . . .

. . . soon it had begun to pick up speed, and the drops grew bigger.

 

In less than 10 seconds the spray from our summer shower had me and my camera running for cover. We were getting wet, wet, WET!

Below is a short video I took just so I could "hear" the melodious sound of our much needed rainfall.

This was the sight I saw later yesterday evening. My picture does not do the sunset justice, but I couldn't resist taking this snapshot.

IN HONOUR OF MY MOM

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM!
"Mom, I am so thankful to have you as my mother. Thank you for wanting me, for keeping me, and for loving me. I will always be here for you. I miss you very much."

Me and Mom - 1996 Glamour Shots

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.            

~Elizabeth Stone

As I Look Back...

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering...

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me?

For all of the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,

good judgement, courage, and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you

for the simple things...

The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

For any of these things,

I am thanking you now...

and I am hoping that you've known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated.

(Author Unknown)

♪♫• AT THE KEYBOARD - WHAT A HOOT! ♪♫•

♫♪ We caught little man messing around on the keyboard. ♪♫ He shakes his booty, and really starts to "feel" the music. ♪♫  Ah, the innocence of a child. Gotta love it. ♫♪

GREEN FRIED TOMATOES

Here's how my Momma taught me to make Green Fried Tomatoes:

Make sure your tomatoes are GREEN.

WASH your toms, and then SLICE 'em (Careful! Not too thin - not too thick).

BATHE 'em in an egg bath.

 

FLOUR 'em up. (Some folks like to dip 'em in CORNMEAL instead.)



FRY 'em!



DRAIN 'em on a wire cooling rack. (You could also just use paper towels.)

 

SALT 'em, and EAT 'em!!!