Fancy That!

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.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=5560396

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^®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!!!

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

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.