I'm a married mom of 2 preschoolers. I have a part-time job and a couple PRN jobs. I like cooking, knitting, scrapbooking, and couponing. I have a busy life, but am never too busy for my friends.
My house has become an accumulation of pounds of candy overnight!!! Not only did my hubby buy 4 bags of candy; he insisted we keep 3 of them for our local trick-or-treaters. Last night we had all of 2 children ring the door bell for it. I can't believe that the old fashioned ways are going to the wayside even in a housing development where houses are close and streets are lighted. Families are going to bigger events sponsored by churches or communities. Halloween night we could've gone to any number of trunk-or-treats sponsored by churches, block parties, hayrides, the mall, etc. Some of these had inflatable toys for the kids to jump and play. The event at my church was so very crowded but fun to see everyone.
I made sure the little fella was fed a meal before we got in the car. As soon as we were finished, the candy bag was intercepted and hidden in the back of the car while he was distracted by one of us. Some of it was stashed in a cold place. We'll use a little of it at a time. I'm not sitting a bowl out or letting him see the bag of candy to keep asking for it every day.
I can only hope for the radio announcement I heard last year to replay. A local dentist was offering to buy back candy from kids to send it to Iraq. The soldiers could distribute it to the children over there. I'll be listening today!!
I was at a wedding shower this week, and the bride said something that opened my eyes. "I'm not good at cooking because I don't plan well." Wow, she was talking to the queen of plan ahead and then fly by the seat of my pants - me. Here's my strategy revealed - I keep a magnetic list on the fridge so throughout the week if I notice I'm out of something or didn't have an ingredient I wish I had - I write it on the list. Then, I watch the food network or Martha or some cooking shows and get hungry!! Most of the shows have a website where you can look up the recipes featured and print them out. Then, write on the list; ask my husband what he is hungry for, and write it on the list. Some nights I'll look up some recipes online or in books, and write whatever I don't have on The List or remember it in my head.
I like cooking meals that can be quickly repurposed into something else here are some expamles:
Baked Ham -Ham sandwiches - Ham salad sandwiches - Ham into greens or bean soup
This way you cook a large portion once and then have quick meals throughout the week.
For a working mom, this is the easy way to get supper on the table. I like watching Robin Miller on the Food Network. She has this concept, but her recipes are a little more involved.
I wish I knew why there aren't more singles put out by musicians today. In the 80's and 90's Mariah Carey did it right. You could look at the Billboard charts and see she was at number one with one song and debuting another. She had so many number one hits because people never got tired of requesting to hear her. She kept them interested. This was true of artists like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. So why do artists today wait until the radio has played their song till the rest of us are blue in the face? We are ready for new stuff. Where is the new music? I've listened to plenty of albums and thought, why didn't they release song #5 as a single for the radio?
I went into Walmart and Target recently and saw that the listening scanners were taken out of the music sections. MMMMm..... I don't know if anyone knows why. For me, if I had an album I thought I might want to buy, I'd pre-listen and then write down the songs I planned to download into my MP3 player later. So, is everyone like me? Do you pass on a CD based on that alone? Maybe it depends on the artist. If it's a new Carrie Underwood or Alicia Keys or Natalie Grant CD, I'm taking it to the register without any pretenses.
I am a music junkie. Just ask John. Let me tell you his collection of 80's Journey, Eagles, Phil Collins, and so on. . . is very thick. I wanted to buy him something for our 8 yr. anniversary, and as soon as he opened it, I got the look. He already had the 2 CD's I'd wrapped up for him. Back to Target. Frowns.....
Don't get me wrong, I love Christian music too. That's probably why I'm all over the place. Yesterday I was on a break and went off to the Christian Book store to do some homework. I wanted to listen to more of Babbie Mason. I went on a women's conference last weekend where we spent an evening with our guest, Babbie. I have not followed her too much. I knew she was teaching at Lee University. Her class is every Tues. on songwriting. She was so real, and made it look too easy. I suppose after you've been working in this kind of creativity for so long, it's second nature. She was so inspiring. She said she was driving to class one morning from Atlanta, and started humming a chorus, " God is in the room, God is in the room, Can you feel His touch, He loves you so much. God is in the room, God is in this room, Can't you feel Him, God is in the room." She went to class and gave it to her students. The assignment was to write 2 verses, and maybe a bridge. She said she had several that were good, and she picked her favorite to record on this new CD Everything. http://cdbaby.com/cd/babbiemason Babbie has so many CD's over many years, and we met her son, Chaz. Chaz is in college right now. (not sure where) Babbie is so proud of how Chaz is doubly talented compared to where she was in her gifting at the same age. Chaz is going to be great. He sang 2 songs and played a black painted guitar while singing to us ladies "Love Yourself". It was hard holding back the tears. I searched for Chaz on the internet, and his sites are still primitive, but he is slowly getting out here.
I have plans to get some pansies in the ground soon. Here in zone 7 in Tennessee they last all winter and will bloom into springtime. To get a good start I mix in some bone meal and time release fertilizer and a little granulated gel. The bone meal will help in root development, and it has the same effect as adding manure to soil. The time release fertilizer will help with blooms, and the granulated gel is great to absorb water and release it to water the roots as they need it. This will help if you forget to water them or just want to water less. You can calculate that if it has rained at least once a week, you won't really have to get out the hose. Oh, these little faces are great around my mailbox and in pots on the back porch. They are so worth it.
If you are really patient and want to encourage good roots, it hurts, but you can pinch off the blooms. It may take up to 2 weeks for the flower buds to come back, but you will sure have some hardy roots developing underneath. Remember when buying the best plants are short and have no roots showing on the outside. If you peek into the pack and see roots all wound around the bottom don't buy them. They have been sitting out too long. You want the roots to go deep into the ground.
For a little surprise, plant a few tulip or daffodil bulbs deeper than the pansies and plant the pansies on the top. In the spring, you'll have a full show.
At the end of each summer I schedule my yearly exfoliation facial. Oh, I know I'm young, and let's just keep it that way. One of my favorite Aveda salons could fit me in the other day, and as I walked in the door a familiar face greeted me. It was Rhonda!! I had no idea she was working there. Rhonda has a son who had a terrible car wreck a few years ago, he was in Neuro ICU with a head injury. They thought Josh would never come out walking and talking again, and Rhonda stepped up to the plate to stand in the gap and pray. It's no secret of how she daily sat at his bedside interceding for him, and praying scripture after scripture over her son. Rhonda said the newspaper reported it all. Today he is doing great and is a sweet young man in school. Rhonda was persistent, and God showed up.
I usually don't do much talking, but I couldn't shut up this time. We talked about how we really believe God's miracles are for today. I told her of how I have seen God working so much lately in the lives of my friends. She said she is praying for God to heal a few children with Autism. There was one report at the Todd Bentley healing revival in Lakeland, Florida of a little boy who was brought for prayer one day. The parents took him home, and put him to bed. The mother said the next morning her little fella made eye contact with her and said,"Hi Momma." My heart melted that day, and I broke out in tears. God is so wonderful, and I'm getting out of the way if he wants to do something for me. Anything.
A few things we really agreed on were:
* God wants to do the miracles today in the USA, if we believe.
* Believing requires action - praying God's word and reciting the scriptures that apply to what you need in your life. What are God's promises to the circumstances? Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of a miracle when we let life get in the way. The pain can come back, and that's when it's time to speak to it with God's word like Jesus spoke to Satan when he was tempted by him. He gave God's truth a voice.
* God will speak to those who are asking Him for His guidance. He will tell you what you should do about it. Just ask.
I'm sure I will go back again next year for my facial. I guess if Rhonda isn't there, I'll be more quiet. I just had a little trouble this time because God has been so good, and I cannot wait to see what is up his sleeve next. For today, I'm smelling like Esther with that Aveda moisturizing oil called "Beautifying". Put the whole bottle on me!
While this letter is really harsh, I wanted to post it on my blog. I was very upset at the cartoon published by the Washington Post this week. I think that we, as Christians, have an obligation to speak out against this kind of ridicule. If we let it be joked about, it will continue and our days of religious freedom will be numbered. If the press had anything to say about it, we would not have a voice. That's pretty sad.
Lately, I've been searching for bloggers similar to mine, and trust me there aren't alot of Christian working moms out there. There are plenty of feminists, agnostics, and new agers, but they are more eye-opening than inspirational. That makes me feel like I need not be quiet about who I am, or what I stand for in this world. They aren't quiet. So here's my stand, and if you are reading this and have never met me personally - you would not ever know I had this sternness in me. My own Mother said last night that she almost printed out this note to read to my Dad. LOL!!
Dear Editor,
I cannot believe that you have published the cartoon bashing Sara Palin speaking in tongues and then to say that you think that God doesn't even understand what she is saying! I want you to know that you are on shaky ground with that kind of blasphemy. The penecostal faith is not going to stand for your making fun of a God given gift that is Biblical to say the least. I hope you find it in your heart to repent of this terrible sin. I don't EVER EVER want to see this kind of sarcastic mess again. God will not be mocked, and I as a pentecostal believer wtih the gift of speaking in tongues myself, will Not be moved. We will not back down, and it is because of our faith working in God that this country is not wiped off the face of the earth. I am praying to God for your forgiveness and anyone else who holds your views. May God spare your soul.
Standing on stage Sunday morning singing with the praise team, the presence of the Lord was so electrifying. I was wondering if I was the only one feeling it, and I saw the crowd responding first from the youth group, and then coming over the front side of the audience. By the time the choir was singing again people were at the alter and up on their feet. I really don't know what was going on in the choir loft behind me; as I was hearing crying and feet and praying in the spirit. God's arms of love were wrapping around His people.
I'm so blessed to think that it's not just me standing up on stage Sundays. As a little girl, my mom and dad took me to church everytime the doors were open. Some summer weeks I went to stay with my Mom's parents. Grandma would be at the piano and Pappy on the guitar in their home church in Maryland. Pappy called me up to sing with him playing the guitar. I don't even remember how old I was. They passed on their love for music to me and my mom and aunts and uncle. Aunt Sharon married another church pianist's son who plays guitar, Uncle Jimmy. Uncle Bob plays piano every Sunday leading worship with cousin Dana on the drums, and cousin Ryan on the guitar, and cousin Crystal singing too. My sister, Lena, let's not forget- is secretly singing on Wednesday nights for youth group with "Rickey and the Band". I haven't been home to Pennsylvania on a Wed. to hear that hot, rockin' group yet. We must be decendants of the tribe of Judah, right? I have roots and wings to sing praise. Thanks, family. I hope you feel I'm right there with you, just like always.
We had a Dutton family reunion this weekend in Blountville. We drove up to John's parents' farm in Rural Retreat, VA first for a short visit. It was unbelievable how many apple trees were full of apples and the grape harbor filled with purple grapes. George, John, and I went out and filled a box with apples and a big bag of grapes. George said I'd have to let the apples ripen at home. He suggested me fill a large bucket with water, add sugar, and the grapes. He said after a little while I could syphon the grape juice off the top and the grape skins and seeds would settle to the bottom of the bucket. Then, it's grape jelly time!
John ran away from us when we started to see deer coming over the hill. They were eyeing up the apple trees. George has seen 15-20 deer and one buck he has on DVD with 10 points. John said he has some footage of 2 does washing each other. It's probably going to be a good hunting season on the farm this fall.
So, the mac n cheese was ok, but I was short on time and paprika.
I changed the recipe up to make more for the reunion. There wasn't enough sauce. I used 1 1/2 boxes elbow noodles and 1/2 stick butter 4 Tbsp. of flour and 4 cups of milk in the sauce. I combined 1 1/2 cups Velveeta, 1 1/2 cups of Cheddar, and 1/3 cup of Fontina cheese. It was enough to feed 30 people. My verdict? It was the right texture, but needed paprika (we didn't have any in the kitchen at the farm) and maybe even some pepper. I'm going to try this cheese combination again, using sharp cheddar and going with the Attempt 1 proportions of noodles/ cheese sauce.
I think I'll try Anna's suggestion about how to make Her mac n cheese. It takes 45min-1 hour, stirring midway. Sometimes I have that long to wait, but sometimes I need the 15-20 min version.
NanoWax<sup>®</sup>For the shower? Oh yes!! This is a housekeeping secret of plenty of maids that I'm doing now. When it's time to get out the gloves and scrub the shower turn on the power with a little grit and some tunes too. Then turn on the fan or open a window and spray down the shower with some NanoWax. Allow to dry and wipe off excess with a rag. Spray again, and allow to dry. Soap scum will have to slide right off! I like it alot!!
Ok, so how bad could my toilets possibly be? Truthfully, the 2 bathrooms that DON'T get used are the ones with the worst stain rings. I guess the water minerals accumulate and viola! I know I've been to alot of Max Muscles classes and I should have plenty of elbow grease but. . . I had to use 2 Efferent Denture Cleaning tablets per toilet, scrub, and flush!! Stains were no match!!!
This movie flew by for me. Before I knew it, they were lighting torches to treasure hunt again. The lead actor looked 10 yrs. younger in this movie than the last National Treasure. Maybe it made so much cash for him that he's had some work done. I think it's the hair. (I know I shouldn't talk about guy's hair so much - um) I don't think I'll watch this again unless I need something to put me to sleep. It's ok the first time because you don't know what is going to happen, but after you've seen it there's nothing that you missed. You won't have to go back through it to see someting new. It's a clean film, no nudity or sex.
Fool's Gold (2008)This movie is worth watching again. Ok, so I guess you should be warned before you put it in the DVD player to watch that this movie is not for men. Don't rent it to watch with your son or your husband because there are way too many girls in bikinis. One girl takes her top off in the beginning few minutes to flash poor Matthew. That's way too much temptation and eye candy for guys. Girls may overlook all that and get with the whole treasure hunt thing. Matthew McConaughey and the wet curls looked a bit ragged and dried out towards the end of the movie. If I wasn't so blinded by the nice eyes, I'd say "get a guy with better wet hair next time - preferably dark hair please". I'm a historical fiction girl, and they get into that and a little more in the church basement. See what I mean, it's not for guys!
Jared asked me last night repeatedly and then cried for mac n' cheese. I've watched several different Food Network celebs make the cheese sauce from scratch, so I'm ready to get it going. Armed w/ my elbow noodles and some white cheddar and regular cheddar cheese. I gave it my first shot.
I took 3 Tbsp of butter in a skillet and added 2 Tbsp of flour and let it cook together while I measured the 2 cups of milk and grated the cheese. Next, I added all the milk and took a whisk to work out the lumps until it boiled. At the boiling point I added 1 cup of white cheddar and 1 cup of sharp cheddar, salt and pepper, and a dash of paprika. I set the temperature down to a medium to low heat. As the sauce cooled, I drained the noodles. It was ready!!
I'm a bit disappointed in the texture due to the fact that cheddar is a bit sandy. Jared ate some of it, but he didn't inhale it or ask for more. I'm going to try a few more cheese combinations.
When will it happen? The other week when I had a problem with my ultrasound machine I called the Biosound engineer. He came in and hooked up his computer to my machine for diagnositics. I know the day is coming when I'll hook up my machine's data port to my laptop, sign onto the internet to a shared site. Then the engineer will take over my computer and be able to access my machine and fix it. There won't be anymore traveling all over the state for bioengineers.
I have this capability now with my imaging archival software. If there is a problem where my images are stuck somewhere in cyberspace, I call into the tech center and allow them access through a shared internet website. Then I will see my mouse taken over by the tech. He usually can see where the hiccups are hanging up. The day is coming.
Oh, it's all Jared's fault for coming down with the stomach virus Wednesday afternoon. The daycare called me, and I went to get him. He came out to the car with his back-up outfit on and no shoes because they were in a plastic bag given to me. He threw up before I got there, and once we got in the car I was reaching for a gym towel in the backseat. It was a rough night. Thursday he was very fussy and wanted to be on the couch with me or have me rock him. He'd had the stinkies too. Can you say candles and room freshener? Friday morning I woke up with nausea. It felt like I was 8 wks pregnant all over again. Jared was full of energy and ready to take on the world. He went to daycare and I went to bed. It was my turn. John had been sick, but he had a very mild case of uneasy stomach that lasted some of the night. The pediatrician's office nurse told me not to give Jared milk. Friday night he wanted Cheerios and milk. Wrong move. After going to bed, I heard him crying on the baby monitor. I had to change his clothes and all the sheets off the bed. It upset his stomach. I'm not having milk for a few more days. I don't want to have any side effects. So we are better now. We went to the pool this afternoon as a family. Jared enjoys the 2ft. end of the pool and watching the kids swim. We got some burgers and grilled cheese poolside. The summer is going to be over after this weekend. The pool is closing Tuesday. No more swimming. I think Jared will be ready for swim lessons next spring. I'm thinking YMCA classes.
Sunday morning we were singing, "Our God is Faithful. . . I'm reaping the harvest God promised me, take back what the devil stole from me." Over and over as we sang, I was thinking of how it's harvest time. Jared and I got into husking corn Saturday. 54 ears later, they were into the boiling water and then cut off the cob and put into freezer bags. I'm so happy about storing up something so tasty to keep for winter. I thought my time to find sweet corn had passed. I was happy to find a truck load parked at the farmer's market on Saturday. That's not the only harvest I was thinking about Sunday. My harvest is my family. In my early 20's I spent alot of time living alone, and I worked a full-time day job and some nights and weekends at the hospital. I tried to hope I'd be a wife and mother someday, but it looked so far away. I'd had some disappointments, and I threw myself into school and learning ultrasound to keep my mind in the present. I was working one weekend when I met John at a health fair. He wasn't supposed to be there that day, but was called at the last minute. We met and couldn't stop talking; so we went out to lunch. We've been together ever since. God is faithful.
This week I read our choir devotion which asks us to work on looking up scriptures for our confessions to God. This is my list, Beth! Thanks for reminding me that my list is as important today as it was when I was going through my worst trials while I was having panic attacks. I just wrote to someone very close to me to let them know that confessing these scriptures really helped me. Patty Williams told me once that reading and memorizing scriptures edifies the mind. Mark 11:22 and Jesus answering saith, "Have faith in God". 23 for verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea: and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever that ye desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Corithians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Deut 23:14 For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you and turn away from you. Lam 3:19 Remembering my affliciton and my misery, the wormwood and the gall 20 My soul has them still in remembrance and is humbled in me 21 this I recall to my mind, I have hope. 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness 24 The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore will I hope in Him. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond waht you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Psalms 30:5 For His anger endures for but a moment in His favour is life, weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you 8 by this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples. Isiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 8:6 To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
I'm enjoying this fabulous weather tonight out here on the deck. The humidity is gone for a few days as we finally got some relief from the northern front dipping down into the mid-southern sky. Thank the Lord!!
I've had a good week. After getting back from a not-so-restful vacation, I was ready to hit the grind at the office with an extra day of patients scheduled to offset me being gone. Monday, I was scanning my first patient and everything was going great until I tried to use the color doppler. It screamed (aliased) at me when I turned it on!! The pulsed wave doppler was faint and hard to hear. I did all I could, and then called the Biosound engineer. I had to wait for him to come the next day with parts. I went home early Monday, and came in late Tuesday after he had time to fix it in the morning. I had some time to rest. Monday afternoon I took a nap before going to get Jared. Tuesday morning I had to take him to daycare before 9am - or they wouldn't except him for that day - I had to work that afternoon, so I had him there before 9am. I went to get my allergy shots and then took some time to study Adult Echocardiography. I reviewed my ESP inc. DVD's to get the video loop section refreshing in the brain.
I went out to my garden to find I'd picked 10 cucumbers and a bucket of tomatoes. Tuesday night I canned 11 pints of tomatoes and 2 pints of pickled beets. I called Mom and Dad to ask if 40min in the canner would be enough. The general opinion was favorable as the phone was passed from Mom to Dad to Grandma Wright who were all in the kitchen pickling their own beets in Pennsylvania. Apple cider vinegar and mustard seeds, sugar and allspice boiling into those tender beets filled my kitchen with a sweet savory smell. I can only imagine that multiplied by the gallon bucket of beets they were cooking up. Wow!
Today and yesterday were full of patients and the ultrasound machine was as good as new. The Biosound engineer thought the doppler boards needed the plug-ins cleaned and reseated. I didn't even need the new parts to fix the problems. Today I called John to ask, " Did you want any pizza tonight?" Jared has seen the Pizza Hut commercial and said, "Momma!!!! Pizza!!! Eat it!!!" When I told him yesterday that we didn't have any pizza, there was a tantrum over it. This morning we were going through the Starbucks drive thru and there was another billboard Jared saw, "Momma!! Pizza!! I see it!!" Oh boy, I think it wasn't too bad of a crying fit in the car. So John brought home 2 P-Zone's and a medium pepporini pizza, and Jared dove into it. That's the best he's eaten this week without asking constantly for cookies and ice cream.
Ok, so here it is, my work in progress. I think I started this project last Christmas on the way to Virginia or Pennsylvania while I was in the car for too many long hours. Yes, Christmas '07. I can't say I'd ever tried knitting a lace pattern before, so it got a frogging a few times because I miscounted or knit a row in the wrong direction once.
This is a picture of my inspiration pattern As you can see, I have made my corset a little differently because I usually don't like buttons down the front of anything. Now, think long and hard, have you ever seen me in a button down shirt? I took this pattern, and made it a V-neck. Hehehehe!! I couldn't stand it if something came unbuttoned or bowed out of a buttoned area. Enough said! . I've been on the lookout for a purple ribbon that will be crocheted into the border. I wish I had the gumption to take this off of the needles to try it on, but what a pain it would be to get it back onto the needles again. Oh well, I'll just keep on knitting and purling until it's long enough to finish. I'm going to change it up at the bottom also. I found this idea on the Ravelry.com. I plan to add these circular cables as the edging embellishment. I'm so excited. Usually, I've been picking this up to knit while I wait at the Dr. office after my allergy shots. They want me to sit around for 30min. to see if I have a reaction. I've been sitting and knitting. I am trying not to get too anxious for this project to be done, but I've had a shrug picked out to knit for a while now. I have the yarn waiting behind the couch!! It's going to be beautiful!
Our SUV pulled in from a long drive from Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday. We had a good time. You can't beat the Beachwalk Villas in Cherry Grove. They are on he second row from the beach, and if you walk across the street the building in front of it gave us access to an outdoor and indoor pool and a hot tub. The second floor of that building also had a game room and workout room. The second floor porch had rocking chairs where you could enjoy a nice view of the beach.
Cherry Grove is a great place for families. The best thing we found this year was The Black Pearl Mini Golf center. The one night we took the kids ( 2 2yr. old boys ) to get ice cream, we sat outside on the deck to eat it. We found an area to buy fish food and feed the fish and little turtle in the water tank surrounding the mini golf area. Remember, you can't play mini golf with a 2 yr. old. We walked up the stairs to leave and found a large arcade. It looked like Dave & Buster's in there! The boys had fun on the little kiddie rides. Our husbands were all into Wack-a-mole and football throws. I'd really recommend this for those rainy days.
For a night-time cool place, we stopped at McDonald's indoor play place. Jared had to have a place to get all that energy out. Our 3 bedroom condo with a small livingroom wasn't doing the trick. I'm hoping to find more indoor play areas for little ones in the future.
The best money we spent was on the Huriccane Fleet Dolphin cruise. The boat takes off north of Cherry Grove in Little River, NC. I've never been that far from the coast in such a small boat. The 3 foot waves rocked us heavily with water spraying into the front of the boat. The little guys really liked finding out the it was actually hard to walk from the rail to the seating area along the sides of the boat. Jared kept laughing while he tried to come over and sit next to me. After we got out to the shrimp boats the dolphins swam by our boat over and over. They were coming out to get any scraps left over from the shrimp nets. I'll bet I saw 20 dolphins. It was really great! We got some extras from the shrimp boats: a baby shark, a canonball jellyfish, ribbonfish, sand dollar, a baby squid, and a stingray, and a starfish.
I was shocked at the grocery store when my bill was $200 last week!! It was one of those times when I needed everything from detergent and toilet paper to meat and cat food. I have done a few things to tweak the budget, and this time I'm going to tweak it even more. Here's my plan:
1.) Disconnect the home phone line - I checked the caller ID for the month of June and there were only 10 calls received, and 4 were telemarketers.
2.) No more prepackaged foods - examples of this is pudding and fruit cups especially. I plan to buy the biggest can of fruit cocktail I can find and repackage in smaller tupperware for Jared's breakfasts. The large instant pudding box is only $1.29, and I'm going to make the pudding and repackage that also.
3.) No more buying already made pie shells or frozen biscuit/ biscuit tubes or break and bake cookies/ cookie logs. I have recipes for all these, and I can make the cookie dough one day and put it in the fridge myself. I can just do one step of the mixing and then put it in the fridge to be baked another day.
4.) Rebate shopping - Every month stores like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, the Dollar Store all put out a paper with all the rebates offered for that month. If you watch the Sunday paper, most of the time there are corresponding coupons for these same items also. So if I go to the store and have my coupon, keep my receipt and the upc code off the item, I can mail it in for my rebate at the end of the month. Sometimes, it even works out to where the store is paying ME to take that item home!!! This is very cool!
5.) Menu planning based on the sale circular - I think the best day to shop for meats is Monday. There are left over meats are set to expire on Mondays and are put on sale for quick sale. Bi-Lo.com especially, has the circular on their website if you didn't get it in the mail. Also at Bi-Lo.com you can create your own log in and password tagged to your zip code. Then you shop before you shop; going thru the items on sale for that week and checking the box next to the items on sale you are interested in. At the end, you get a print out of all of that, and it has a bar code for the cashier to scan.
6.) Farmers Market shopping - our local farmers gather every Tues. Thurs. and Sat. at the Agricultural Building near the Cherokee Pharmacy by the big Dr.'s building. It's a wooded area and the cannery is behind it. Here's an example of some of their prices: Farmer's Mkt 1 qt blackberries $3.00 1 doz ears corn $4.50 4 zucchini $2.00 1 qt pickling cucmbrs $1.50
I drove out to the local peach orchard and found they were
15-17 peaches $8/box 12 lg peaches $9/box
7.) Shop for new car insurance. I feel like there's something better out there.
8.) Plan my errands to cover town all in one day canvasing the streets in a circle; no zig zagging across town back and forth.
9.) Unload the car. If I travel with a full trunk it takes up more gas.
10.) Buy gas on a cool morning. You get more gas and less is evaporated.
11.) Make sure the house is sealed up tightly. New weather stripping on the back door and foam sealant into all electric outlets where air can escape.
12.) Do laundry on one day keeping the dryer hot at all times. If I do laundry a little at a time, it takes more electricity to heat the dryer up over and over. Taking out a warm load and putting in more clothes will keep it going.
13.) Switch to buying rechargeable batteries.
14.) Cut out the coupons from the Sun. paper. If they don't have what I need I can find more coupons by searching on E-bay for groc. coupons. Babycenter.com forum for trading coupons. So if you don't need those diaper coupons someone else may trade you for them. I know this sounds like work, but if I treat it like it's a job where I get the rewards, it all seems worth it. I've walked into the groc. store after my son went to bed, with a pocket full of coupons and handed them to the cashier like ca$h.
15.) Check out Bi-Lo.com for Promotions. This week's meal deal is great. Meal Deal
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Feed a Family of 4 For Less Than $13.35
Get these items FREE: • FREE (1) Southern Home Premium of Lite Ice Cream, 64 oz. Assorted Varieties • FREE (1) Totino’s Pizza Rolls Snacks, 15 count Pepperoni or Combo • FREE (1) Kraft Salad Dressing, 8 0z Assorted Varieties • FREE (1) Lipton Tea, 1.5 Liter Bottle Assorted Varieties
When You Buy Two: • 12” DiGiorno Pizzas, 22.9-32 oz Select Varieties
Offer good July 16th- 22nd, 2008 with your BONUSCARD. Limit one (1) Meal Deal per shopping trip. For more great savings, view your Weeky Specials.
OMG, Kelsey got voted off this episode! RRRg! Ok so I get it, she just got out of school and doesn't have enough experience. She's a camera diva! I will miss seeing her. I'm not over it yet.
Lisa has got to get it together. I think she has the brains to pitch an interesting show idea. I'd DVR every episode! Give me all you've got, Lisa. Please!
Aaron, I want to get on the website and download all of his recipes from this Vegas throwdown. The pork chops with the mustard glaze are begging to come to my plate!
Adam's mac and cheese recipe is being printed on laminated index cards for me and Jared. If Paula Deen likes it, woah, it's gotta be mouth watering comfort food! Spin class here I come. Food Network keeps me coming back for more punishment.
Oh yes! My favorite jam is blackberry, and they are back at the farmer's market and produce stands near you!! At least, here in the south they are ripe for the pickin'. Someone else did the pickin' for me and I was so glad to find some for sale at reasonable prices. Most grocery stores are posting $5+/ quart. Wow!
I smiled over and over listening to these little babies seal and pop for hours after pulling them out of the canner. I've learned that my food mill is a glorious purchase from e-bay! I cranked that thing up for a whirl to get the pulp out and separate the seeds into it. Then out the back door they went - into the back woods, I threw the seeds with a prayer. Dear Lord above, could you germinate those little seeds next spring into some blackberry bushes for me? I'll let you know when I see some sprouting in 09.
I really like the sugar free Sure Jell because you really only have to add 1 cup of sugar for each cup of fruit pulp, and that's barely sweet enough. I don't need to be knocked over by a little jam, if you know what I mean. Then it's 15 min. in the canner, and they are singing songs of heaven. Yummy. I gave Sandy a jar of this jam, and Jared saw her putting some on a piece of bread. "I want it," he said. She handed it to him, and he quickly started licking it as fast as he could. I get that all the time. I just put as much bread in the toaster as I can because half of it will be eaten by my little guy as soon as he sees me with it. It's so cute!
Mom, this reminds me of home and being there with you canning. Wish you were here or I was there.
My next jam journey is taking me to the peach orchard. I've got a calling to make peach mango jam. Hmmmmmm. I like the sound of it. ************************************************************************************
I wrote this paragraph while I was at Church on the Beach.
The ocean waves of foam reach deeply into my spiritual feet gently rinsing away my cares. Over and Over. Layer by Layer. There is no place I need to be. Work is halted. Bills are on hold. Dishes are done. Laundry mounds are unseen. The essence of fresh salt water, deep woody sand, and coconut sunscreen are carried into me with each warm breeze. I can see myself again and my true heart. I close my eyes and dream as the heat comforts my soul. I am renewed.
When Marilyn talked about shedding the layers of our cares during praise and worship on Sunday. I thought more about this.
We are made this way, in layers. It takes time to really get down to the core of the heart when so many things are going on in our lives. To go back to pure beginnings, and to find the beauty that is hidden and yet, still beaming, within each layer.
Have you ever tried to make something - out of nothing?
When I knit a pattern it comes together, row by row. Knit, purl, knit two together, slip, slip, knit, purl, and then. . It’s a dishcloth! With one handy extra button to scrape the mac n cheese off of my toddler’s chair.
In scrapbooking I have learned that the prettiest pages are brought together layer by layer; vellum paper coordinated with colored paper and patterned paper. Pictures on mats; brads, eyelets, and stickers, stamps and embossed ink all finish the page. It takes time to create. It is a work of art.
Musical composers build pieces with Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano voice chords, rhythm, and guitar, brass and piano. There are so many things going on dancing together as the music moves in time.
Art is the place where we can feel the pleasure God felt when he created you and me. When He began with beauty; He added layer upon layer, with creativity and depth.
Somehow, Satan too adds to our layers. Adding worry and fear, discord and disharmony. I don’t ever want Satan thinking he can add a stitch or sing a verse in my song. I don’t want him to contribute to any layer of the beauty that God made me to be. So I take time for focus and reflection. I can feel the rhythm of the ocean waves as they take my cares away. While getting a massage the other week, it took time for muscles to let go of the stress in them. Finally. Once again, I am pure. Once again, I am renewed, and I can see the true me.
Burnin' Bush hit it hard Sunday at the Freedom Celebration! Hootie Hoo! Jared and I are jammin' Don't tell Grandma! Hahahaha! Ok, so if you've never seen Burnin' Bush before it's crazy to watch him talk that fast. I can't believe he gets all those words out, unreal! Here's the link to his myspace where you can Hootie Hoo!
I've been talking to people who make jewelry off an on for years, buying my last piece from the Apple Festival from a lady who brought her stuff in all the way from Pennsylvania. I've bought bracelets from a girl who hosted a jewelry party. I think she was going to Atlanta to buy the sterling silver findings and clasps. A few weeks ago I met with Donna, who let me come over to show me how to make this stunning ensemble! I'd been brushing up watching the jewelry making show on DIY network. Unfortunately, the show is off the air and discontinued right now. I really love the wire wrapping people are doing with rings and beads. They are very detailed and have the type of flourish I like wearing. Also, I've seen a few actresses wearing simple seed bead necklaces with a larger pendent where they are wrapping them around two to three times. Those necklaces must be very long. There's quite a mix of shapes and colors of stones now. It's as if you cannot make a wrong move. Yesterday, I was watching DOOL, and Lexy had on this brown and white stone choker that was georgeous. Oh, yes. This is going to get me hooked.
Blankey!!! This is my newest fluff of fun knitted during our long, long bus ride to Panama City Beach this past weekend. 40+ women from my church took a charter bus to have Church on the Beach Thursday thru Sunday. I'll write more about that later.
I enjoyed getting my hands into some pink colors for a change. Made out of Baby Clouds Red Heart yarn colors Creamcicle and Pink Lemonade, I knitted three skeins at a time with #35 needles. Thick and quick! I'm sure baby will be snuggled in comfort for the coming winter months. I'll not say who this gift is for, but she will be getting a package soon!
I was so sad to see that my favorite for this year, Kelsey Nixon, was in tears last night as she met Martha Stewart. How could she have known that she was preparing her competition food to be judged by her? I would have totally chosen something else besides sloppy joe mix in a jar too. I think NOT letting the contestants know the secret judge was unfair.
I did agree with the judges that Kelsey needs to turn it down a degree with her personality. She can't help herself probably. I was that way when I was younger and drank too much coffee. Yes, it's embarrassing now to think of my giggly self. I am was impressed with Lisa's marmalade so much I'm thinking of downloading the recipe and getting the jelly jars washed up. Shane had a tasty idea with his cherry cognac sauce, and I have got to try Aaron's Bacon wrapped potatoes since the judges were raving about them so much. Bobby Flay even wanted to steal the recipe to use at one of his restaurants. Aaron and Shane are crankin' out tasty food, but the camera doesn't love them yet.
If you like a little kick with that Chipotle flavor, pick up a pack of these turkey strips at Walmart or Bi-Lo. They pack a punch for a quick fry the skillet with cherry tomatoes cut in half, and your kitchen will bring that man comin' in the door mouth watering for sure! I put these in tortilla wraps with lettuce, cucumber, and cheese topped with Peppercorn Asiago dressing to cut the heat. You could turn it down with sour cream, ranch dressing, or ceasar also. Raid the fridge and be creative, girls! For a biggie dinner, serve with fried rice, refried beans, chips and dip.
Jared is on an anitbiotic for an ear infection, again. And the little diaper rash began to appear. I went to the store and bought some yogurt for him, and treated the rash w/ Nystatin cream. He wouldn't touch the yogurt! Ahh I was so mad! Here's the solution. I found these little Buddy Bear probiotics at my local health and wellness store. They sell a whole line of children's formulas, but this one is going to renew the good bacteria in Jared's tummy the same way yogurt does. One little "candy" a day, and you are good to go. Unfortunately, they taste so good, he will ask for more. Heres the ad information I found at http://www.renewlife.com/Kids/Probiotic.aspx
* Natural ingredients * 1 billion active Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus cultures * Supports digestive and immune health‡ * FOS to nourish beneficial bacteria‡ * Delicious, natural Sun-Kissed Orange flavor Buddy Bear™ Probiotic is a natural probiotic formula with 1 billion active cultures, including Acidophilus and Bifidus, to help support digestive and immune health‡. Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) helps nourish the beneficial flora and maximize
Here's the powder form if you'd rather sneak it into their juice.
* 4 billion active cultures per gram * Contains 5 viable strains of beneficial bacteria, including essential B. infantis * Mixes easily with infant formula, juice, milk or other liquid * Pleasant taste Infants receive their first beneficial bacteria during the birthing process. Supplying additional beneficial bacteria throughout the early years can help support overall digestive and immune health‡.
FloraBABY™ provides 5 strains of beneficial bacteria specifically chosen for their prevalence in the digestive tracts of infants and toddlers, including B. infantis, the most important strain of beneficial bacteria‡.
I have to admit that I was afraid the first time I gave these to Jared. I was hoping they wouldn't cause any side effects. We have not had any vomitting or diarrhea with them. He never got a stomach virus this past winter either. Maybe that's a coincidence, but there were a few kids in his class that came down with it. I'm just glad to have found a different way to get great results!
I'm so tired of those boring old scrubs it's not funny. I hope to get a stylish new look going on. I feel like I've been washing and wearing the same 4 outfits for 2 years. Now, with the help of washing a pen with my scrubs (not planned) I am shoppin'!!! The company I found making these tops is called Koi Warehouse.
John saw this recipe in a magazine he was reading while Buffy the Hair Slayer wacked all his hair off the other day. (Hate it when she does that!) So I attempted this recipe once, and the second time I got it right because I put it in the oven and got the noodles a little crunchy on top as it baked. For John, that was the best part! I used my favorite - Cream of Celery soup and added 2 cups of peas and carrots. My dad would say, "You ARE your mother's daughter." It's just because she likes to substitute ingredients sometimes. Hehehehe! At least this was a hit with Jared, and a good way to get him to eat his veggies.
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup 1/2 cup milk 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cups cubed cooked chicken OR turkey 3 cups cooked medium egg noodles (about 3 cups dry) Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
In large saucepan mix soup, milk, pepper, cheese, chicken and noodles. Over medium heat, heat through, stirring occasionally. Garnish with parsley.
TIP: For 2 cups cubed cooked chicken, in medium saucepan over medium heat, in 4 cups boiling water, cook 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed, 5 min. or until chicken is no longer pink.
I wanted to post the lyrics to this song, they are really great:
Have you ever heard a love song that Set your spirit free Have you ever watched a sunrise and Felt you could not breathe What if it's Him? What if it's God speaking. . .
Have you ever cried a tear that You could not explain? Have you ever met a stranger Who already knew your name? What if it's Him? What if it's God speaking?
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us Get our attention to prove He is enough He'll do and He'll use Whatever He wants to To tell us "I love you"
Have you ever lost a loved one Who you thought should still be here Do you know what it feels like To be tangled up in fear What if He's somehow involved What if He's speaking through it all
His ways are higher His ways are better Though sometimes strange What could be stranger Than God in a manger
Who knows how He'll get a hold of us Get our attention to prove He is enough Who knows how He'll get a hold of you Get your attention to prove He is enough He'll do and He'll use Whatever He wants to To tell us "I love you"
God is speaking "I love you"
My addition: Have you ever had a dream that You wondered what it means?
I was so excited to see this movie on PPV! Historical fiction has always been a favorite of mine. With their layers upon layers of elegant silky dresses and hair up in curls embellished with tiaras and flowers, the women of the 1800's are mesmerizing. Jane is a true artist playing the piano in the early morning when she's happy after composing a few pages of witty paragraphs. Artists without jobs have no concept of time, and dawn is a perfect quiet time for writing. When she meets Tom, their chemistry is apparent as they joust and fight with such grammatically descriptive vocabulary. I almost needed to pause the screen and get out my dictionary. Jane can not seem to settle on the idea of living in the most spacious mansion of a property with a husband (Mr. Wisley)of privilege whose personality of a cardboard box. He barely even talks, and is a chicken when it comes to playing ball with the guys. Jane is the one who knocks the ball out of the park in every sense of the word. This is the era where women with a brain aren't looked upon too fairly. I guess they are supposed to be submissive and sit around sewing lace all day. Jane's family is on the bottom of the social ladder, and their only hope is for one of the girls to marry into a rich estate. Otherwise, Jane's mother can expect to be doing laundry for the rest of her life. Jane falls for Tom, and is cautiously happy in going with him to London to meet his family. Tom's uncle despises Jane's wit and irony so much he forbids the marriage. Jane realizes later that Tom relies entirely on his uncle's allowance to send money back to his brothers and sisters. She knows the two would give up everything to be together and eventually resent the other.
Watching this movie was as satisfying as a juicy steak - while probably not as fattening. I would watch it with a group and not be embarrassed by the language or nudity or sex scenes (there isn't any). It is a prequel to Sense and Sensibility written by Jane Austen. If you like historical fiction from this period, some other movies I like are:
Little Women - with Wenona Ryder Ever After - Drew Barrymore The Count of Monte Cristo - James Caviezel First Knight - Richard Gere/ Julia Ormond Vanity Fair - Reese Witherspoon Pirates of the Caribbean - Johnny Depp
I thought I would try this recipe I saw on the Gormet Next Door / Food Network (my favorite). I first saw Amy Finley in the competition reality show "The Next Food Network Star". I fell in love with her 'cause she's little and short like me, but she sort of reminded me of Lena. Smiles! I went through my spice rack, and had to buy tumeric. Here's the recipe:
7 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon, zest grated and juiced (about 2 to 3 tablespoons juice) plus 2 lemons, quartered, for garnish 1 teaspoon harissa 4 skinless chicken thighs, (about 2 pounds) 1/2 cup chicken broth Pinch saffron strands 1 large onion, chopped 3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch half moons or chunks 3 yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch half moons or chunks 3 medium plum tomatoes, quartered 1/2 cup dried pitted prunes (about 10) 1/4 cup black olives, pitted Coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper 1/4 cup almonds 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Special Equipment: coffee grinder, Dutch oven Serving Suggestion: flatbread In a medium glass bowl, combine the spice mixture, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and harissa. Add the chicken thighs and stir to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours. Warm the chicken broth and add the saffron strands, then allow to steep at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade. In a Dutch oven over high heat, brown the chicken thighs on both sides in 2 tablespoons olive oil, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set chicken aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, and saute the onion until golden, about 5 minutes. Place the chicken thighs on top of the onions and add any accumulated juices from the plate. Arrange the zucchini and yellow squash and tomato quarters on top of the chicken and tuck in the prunes and olives. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour over the chicken broth and saffron. Cover and place on the bottom rack of the oven. Let cook undisturbed 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is falling off the bone. Remove from the oven and transfer the contents of the Dutch oven to a large serving dish.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small saucepan over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the almonds and fry until the skins begin to crackle, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the almonds and hot oil over the vegetables and chicken on the serving dish. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve, spooning over the sauce in the dish and garnishing each plate with the lemon quarters.
Combine the spices in a coffee grinder and grind to a medium-fine powder. Add the kosher salt and pepper. Store in an air-tight container, if not using immediately. Yield: 2 to 3 tablespoons
I omitted the harissa and used dried plums and dried apricots instead of prunes. Wrong move. Without the harissa this recipe tasted like dirt. "Laughing now". So, my advice is to take the extra time to make your own harissa or buy it. From my research, it's a chili paste - and THAT would've been the punch this recipe thrives on.
I taught my first few students how to knit on President's Day. I had one mom call and ask me to come over and get her and her two daughters going. They were ready to get started with some of my scrap yarn in hand. Casting on the first row was probably the hardest thing to teach. In about an hour's time they were knitting and purling up a storm!! I called this week to ask how it was going. The exciting news is that the girls had gone to the store and bought fun chunky yarn, and one was almost done with her first scarf!!! Yeah, you go girl! She keeps asking how to finish it, now. If you'd like to learn, give me a call. Let's knit!
When Mrs. X hires the Nanny, she is getting a "type C" job. It's a 70hr. week for Annie, and she puts her heart out there trying to win over Grover. I'll never forget babysitting a few siblings who insisted on eating the peanut butter out of the jar w/ a butter knife. I chose a spoon for them instead. This movie touches those heartstrings, especially of a part-time working mom, like me. I'm not sure I'd ever install a Nanny Cam. . I am thankful to the mother/daughter team who were Jared's Nannies for a few months. They got me through those teething fevers that would have otherwise got him kicked out of formal daycare. (My Nanny had to go back to daytime college classes.) I was so glad to see a change in Mrs. X as Grover was such a sweet boy, and really a pleasure once he decided to stop testing the Nanny. I only recommend this flick if you can stand to love your children even more when the credits roll
I was flipping thru channels Saturday, and found this show. The recording studio scene pulled me in. Watching the 2 groups stack and layer voice parts was cool, and I really thought the girls and guys were doing a great job. Then the music started playing and Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Puffy, Sean John, Sean Combs - whoever he wants to be these days - walked in all "pimped up" wearing his fur coat and dark designer glasses. He listened to 2 tracks being sung, and throwed out, "Ya'll just singing! I need to be able to feel the wind blowing in my face and see in my mind where you are when you are singing a song. I ain't feelin' it. For now, ya'll just singing!" Ok, so these are the newbie's he's talkin' to. Guess what, Puffy, I get it. I get it that you know the difference - spiritually speaking - from the singers who have been "annointed" versus the newbies who don't have it yet. You're looking for a supernatural experience. You ask me how I know? I'm a Christian, and when I sing with my group/ choir the Holy Spirit annoints the songs, and the words are felt with power. Sure, we are "just singin'" too, but it's a whole different realm. When our praise goes up to the Father, blessings come down! He is exalted, and healing flows. It sure is sorry when Puffy can tell whose music has been annointed, annointed for the Wrong purposes of lust, and temptation, of adultry and fornication. How do they ever reach that level? I'm sure I don't even want to know.
It was the middle of last summer when John and I drove to Savannah for the day. We started downtown on the Grayline Trolley Tour at the old train station. The trolley route took us through all the many squares and the driver knew a lot of historic facts. If I could recommend a stop or two to get off the trolley and get some shopping in it would be the Riverstreet and the City Market. Originally, I wanted to go to Paula Deen's restaurant, the Lady and Sons. After seeing the line of people gathering in the smoldering heat, it was a bit discouraging. It was early afternoon and the doors wouldn't open until 5pm. Plan B was to get lunch at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House. We walked in at 2:40pm, and lunch seating is over at 3pm. It's a little bit off the beaten path, and that's what made the view of the river so stunning. We sat in the blue room seen on some of the Paula's Parties shows. I can still taste the buttery garlic Georgia steamed shrimp. Can someone get me the recipe out of the Uncle Bubba's cookbook. I was told that if you want to attend one of Paula's parties, you've got to submit your request by the website a few months ahead of time. They are probably doing a background check before inviting you to the party. If you go to www.unclebubbas.com you can see the menus for lunch and dinner. That night we drove on to Hilton Head Island. Since we were on a budget, we stayed at the Comfort Inn. It was pretty close to the beach, and there is a free shuttle from the hotel. It's this retired guy who drives a golf cart with stops at hotels and public beach access. The beachfront Holiday Inn looked great. (maybe next time) It was too hot for tennis, but there were alot of villas with tennis courts around. I'll bet this place is a great place to play in the spring and fall. I'm sure the best place to stay if you love tennis is at the Sea Pines Plantation. Doing my research online, I found THE best little bakery and sandwich shop ever was featured by Rachel Ray's $40 a Day!! Signe's Heavenbound Bakery was a treat for the senses. I think John and I had to stop by twice that week in itself. Signe if you could please FedEx me a Hot Nancy Sandwich, I'd kiss ya! The bread was sweet, but the dressing - can ya give me a hint? What can I do 8 hrs. away to get that taste! I wish there was a baker with this much attention to detail in so many different ways here. I sampled the chocolate mud daubers and one day savored a piece of smooth pina colada cake. Don't think me and John can eat all this high calorie stuff without going to the gym. We found a cool place to pump some iron too at the Breakthrough Fitness Center nearby. www.breakthrough-fitness.com Even our gyms don't have personal tv screens w/ remotes to change channels while you plug in your headphones to watch. They had some aerobics classes, but no spin classes for the week we were there. Sometimes ya just gotta get those endorphins going! Don't forget the sunscreen if you book a dolphin cruise in Harbour Town. John and I booked a few hours on a big boat. We went out toward the fishing boats to find dolphins jumping a twirling in the air. I wanted to reach out and pet one! The drivers took us out Calibogue Sound toward the Atlantic. The closer we got - the more nauseated I felt. It was rough!! I don't think I'll try deep sea fishing - at all. There were plenty of other water sports you could do in the sound like boating, water skiing, and jet ski rentals.
It was a coincidence that we were at the Crazy Crab at Jarvis Creek the Friday night when there were fireworks from Harbour Town. We could see them from the back patio just as the sun was going down. Our last night was perfect, and we had enjoyed ourselves
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