Tempted...

While at work this morning I go into the cafeteria and I'm tempted by chocolate pop-tarts. Then during lunch I have a craving for a Baby Ruth candy bar. And I'm not trying to think about soft-drinks like Pepsi.   Temptations all around me today...got to think about healthy choices like tea.  I bet you are wondering if I actually consumed any of these junk food items...I am happy to report no I have not.   But I can still daydream. LOL.

Guess what I found creepin' around...

getting ready for work, I go to open my closet door to pick out my clothes..and there, crawling across and down my blouse..was a silvery-legged-bug!   It was much to quick to catch or bop!  When I called out to my hubby to come quick...it was already outta sight.   aaugggghhhh...
How gross of a bug to invade my clothing.   When we do see these things they are usually crawling around the baseboards...but somehow they get in.  *shiver*

                                                                                

Waiting for the ring...

It's all about the ring.

Where's the blue ring?

Master-Mind

This Is The Day...

Firery Sunset

Christmas kitty

mudpie

Paul Bunyan Jr.

pictures

 This is a result of our seed experiment.













Here's a drawing that one of the girls did in my class.

H

Self portrait of Josie.

A nice sunset.

chocolate walnut cake

Chocolate Walnut Cake
    
 
Source: © EatingWell Magazine
Active Time:  1 Hour
Total Time:  3 Hours 45 Minutes
Yield:  12 servings
This decadent, omega-3-rich cake was inspired by flourless Passover nut cakes. It's better if it sits overnight so the marmalade or jam can mellow with the chocolate and soak into the cake.

Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: 9-inch springform pan
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
8 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups toasted ground walnuts (about 2 cups walnut halves; see Tip)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup orange marmalade or other jam, such as apricot or raspberry
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar

Tip:
To toast and grind walnuts, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. Let the nuts cool on a plate then grind into a coarse meal in a food processor or blender.
   
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour a 9-inch springform pan, tapping out any excess flour.

Crack 2 eggs into a large bowl. Separate 2 more eggs, placing the whites in a second large bowl and adding the yolks to the bowl with the whole eggs. Separate the remaining 4 eggs, adding the whites to the other whites (reserve the 4 yolks for another use). You should have 6 whites in one bowl, 2 whole eggs plus 2 yolks in the other bowl.

Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer at high speed until foamy. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until soft peaks form. Set aside.

Clean and dry the beaters. Add brown sugar and the remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar to the eggs and yolks and beat with the mixer at medium speed until thick and light in color, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula; beat in the toasted ground nuts and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon just until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Fold in 1 cup of the beaten whites with a rubber spatula until smooth, then fold in the remaining whites with very gentle arcs, just until incorporated (some white streaks may still be visible). Gently pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Place the pan in the oven and reduce heat to 325 degrees F. Bake the cake until set, puffed and spongy but nonetheless firm, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 2 hours. As it cools, the cake will shrink away from the sides of the pan.

Remove the pan's side. Release the cake from the pan's bottom using a long, thin, metal spatula and carefully transfer it to a serving plate. Slice the cake horizontally into two layers with a long, thin knife. Gently lift off the top. Spread the marmalade (or jam) over the bottom layer and replace the top. Do not press down. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

Recipe reprinted by permission of © EatingWell Magazine. All rights reserved.

Soy Bars for a heart healthy diet at RevivalSoy.com

Soy Bars for a heart healthy diet at RevivalSoy.com

I didn't know that

I found out that when I drink a cola (whatever brand) even if its diet, it contains way too much sodium.  Too much sodium causes high blood pressure.  I know my hubby said he needs to watch his sodium intake- I don't know what he will think when I show him this post about cola's.. I will say that I'm addicted.  But I don't have a problem with high blood pressure.  Thank God.  When I have mine checked they usually say, you should have died a few days ago!  heh-heh.   Really tho, I've been in the normal range so that's good.  I don't want to be walking around dead, and don't know it.

  The drink that actually does better for health, is coffee.   Of course, if ya have to have all the sugar and cream frothy stuff its probably not that healthy.   But black coffee is good.    Now, I'm not sure about tea.   I happen to like Green Tea, Black Tea, White Tea... I really need to get back into drinking these kinds of drinks.   I don't like coffee so that's out for me.    But just wanted to pass this along.   Its good info.   Another bit of info that's good is Revival Soy. Revival Soy
We actually got on a Revival Soy kick a few years back...and I actually lost weight.   I really do need to lose some more weight, but I'm having a tuff time with dairy products.   I'm thinking seriously in getting those bars.   They've got a sale going on now...so go to the site and check them out!  Infact, if your a brand new customer they'll send a sample pack of things they offer...at least they did when when we first ordered.    I actually like Revival Soy better than Shaklee.   I know I have stepped on some toes, sorry about that...but I know what I like.  


Okay, well its raining here today...so its soggy.   Have a blessed afternoon.   C-ya!

Sunny Sunday ...burps...

11:00 a.m.  finally got out of bed.   walked into the kitchen grabbed a vanilla yogurt from the fridge, grab a small bag of chocolate chips dump a few in the yogurt.  yummy.

11:30 a.m.  go back to fridge get another yogurt this time peach, followed by chocolate chips.  love to mix the flavors with chocolate.

11:59 a.m.  now I'm back on the computer, try to get my brain (that is still in slumber mode) working again.   Mornings you gotta love em.  I meant that sarcastically.   I mentioned in another thread that I don't like milk, but I do like ice cream, yogurt, yes I do!   I just have to watch my intake.   Eating too much of a good thing over loads my tummy, causing a bermuda triangle to occur.   Mannn I do not like when that happens.  It can be terrible.  Feels kinda like I'm having a heart attack, which I'm not...cause I've been to the doctor about this...he told me this kind of pressure will happen if I do not watch my intake.   Pressure?  ha!  I know what yer thinkin'  just burp or release it somehow...another big HA.   It doesn't work that way.   I have a funny system.  yes I do.   I have gas related problems all the time...and as I get older it gets worse.   I never ever imagined that one day I would have enough gas stored up, with no release valve at all well most of the time I don't.  Did I say how the pressure is?  I did.  We won't go there again.  Ugh.  I think I have enough gas I should be able to power up my own vehicle.  Don't laugh- its true.   I can see you laughing.  stop.  this is serious.  I could be dying.  Do you know CPR?  Then just stop laughing.   Really, tho.... getting back to a more serious post.   I really know you weren't laughing...I was just kidding.   My mom can make herself burp on command.  Am I supposed to be jealous that she can burp on command?  heh.  I'm not jealous.  When I'm in hurtin' status.  She'll remind me just burp you'll feel better.  Yeah right.   I told her my system is weird.  If I tried to make myself burp...well...I won't go there.    
Wow.... I didn't know I had so much to say on this subject of burping.  gas.   I know my posts aren't very long by nature, they are really Blurps.

Brides First Recipe- Meat Loaf vs Turkey Loaf

Now the first recipe is from the book...you can try it and see what you think.  The 2nd recipe is the one I make now only with ground turkey, I know you can buy the seasoned turkey but don't for the recipe.  I will show what I use to "doctor" my meat. :-)

There are days for steak and days for meat loaf.  This is the *best* recipe around for meatloaf. (according to the author).  If it is an elegant occasion, you can call it a country beef terrine.  You do not need to change the recipe. Serves 4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


1 lb or pound ground beef
1/2 t. salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 slices of firm textured (Arnold or Pepperidge Farm) bread
1/2 C. parsley
1 t. oregano or chervil
1 egg
2 T. oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 T. soy sauce
4 slices of bacon
1 T. tomato paste


Place the beef in a bowl.  Break it up but do not handle it too much or the meat loaf will become compact and heavy.  Add the salt and pepper.  Place 1/2 slice of bread, broken into small pieces in the blender.  Add a little of the parsley.  Turn on the motor.  The blender will chop the parsley and form breadcrumbs, saving you a great deal of effort. Continue until all the bread and parsley is used.   Add to the beef.  Add the oregano or chervil and the egg, lightly beaten.  Fry the onion and garlic in hot oil for 3 minutes and add to the beef with the tomato paste and soy sauce.  Place in a 7" x 4" loaf pan.  Cover with bacon slices and cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour.  Pour off the fat and serve hot with a tomato sauce or slice and serve cold.  

^^^^^^


My Favorite Turkey Loaf


*Just an added note before I begin the recipe, I don't use exact measurements so you may have to experiment with the herbs and spices to suit your taste buds.  I hope you'll enjoy.*

1 to 1-1/2 lbs of ground fresh turkey
1/2 tsp. salt
Dash of dried parsley flakes
Pinch of Cavender's All Purpose Greek Seasoning
1/8 tsp. of Salt-Free Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend
1 jar of (your favorite) chunky Salsa (we like mild)
1 small plop of Honey Barbecue Sauce (I use Kraft)
Sometimes I add in rolled oats or bread crumbs to the mixture but I didn't last evening when I made it and it turned out wonderful! 

*Turkey is a moist type of meat and I have found doesn't require the use of eggs or milk*


Place the turkey meat in a bowl big enough to mix in.  Add in all of the dry ingredients first, you can mix with your hand or use a wooden spoon, careful not to handle the meat too much, just so the herbs are properly mixed throughout.   Now the fun part.  You're going to dump in about half of a 16 oz. jar of salsa on top of the turkey mixture, then add a plop of honey barbecue sauce.  Stir or fold into the turkey meat just until its not too saucy looking.  Don't forget to preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then find a loaf pan of your choice- either metal or glass works great.  Place handfuls of meat in the pan spread out in a rounded mound-like loaf.  Your turkey meat mixture should not look like chunky cake batter...if it looks like this then you added in way too much salsa.  (Be brave-just add in more turkey meat if you have it).   
So just set the clock timer to 1 hour and viola you've got yourself a meal.  This Turkey Loaf is good served with any side dish...we like fried potatoes or green beans, whatever you want to serve.   Delicious served cold too, makes for some super sandwiches!  

Brides First Recipes - Barbecue Sauce

For spareribs or chicken
Makes 1-1/3 cups

preheat oven to 350 degrees

3T. butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup. ketchup
1/4 cup vinegar
2 T. brown sugar
2 t. prepared mustard
2 T. soy sauce


Heat the butter in a small saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and add all the remaining ingredients.  Cook spareribs and chicken in a 350 degree oven for 50 minutes.  Brush with barbecue sauce every 15 minutes.
 

Bride's First Recipes

This really was my very first recipe book, thought I'd share some recipes with you.

Popovers
Serve for breakfast in bed with bacon and eggs, jams and marmalade, plenty of coffee and the Sunday newspaper.   

Makes 8   Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

1T. oil
1 C. flour
1 C. milk
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
1 T. melted butter or oil

Put 1/4 tsp. of oil in each section of a muffin pan and put the pan in the oven.   Sift the flour and measure 1 cup.   Place the milk, eggs, flour, salt, butter or oil in blender and blend until smooth.  Pour the mixture into the hot muffin tins filling each cup 1/2 full.   Bake 30 minutes in 450 degree oven until puffed and golden.

If you are tempted to fill the pans too full, the mixture which spills over the top will bake on the bottom of the oven...

Peeking Out

I

Sparrows Spring Fling

When I held my camera up to the window to get this picture I thought I was only getting the sparrow on top of the bird house, upon uploading the picture to my computer I saw the other sparrow flying out of the birdhouse!   How cool is that?     More pictures to 
follow....

Happy Spring!

G

Good Morning!  Yes, I'm eating Mulitgrain Cheerios.  You might be asking yourself where's the milk? I barely can stand drinking milk much less pouring very much on my cereal.  Even tho I usually rise very early on weekday mornings for work, I usually don't eat a regular kind of breakfast..I love to eat leftovers!  Like pizza, meatloaf, chicken,..its on rare occasions when I have cereal.  I have to have protein in the mornings to even function throughout my day...otherwise I get a listless feeling.  Since I work with children- I have to keep my energy levels going.  
I didn't think I felt like posting. Sometimes I would rather chat with someone on the phone, rather than plunking on my computer keys..but if I really think about it I am talking...not to myself, no, to you. Well now, that is just like chatting on the phone..but doesn't really cost as much.  Plus..I'm not put on hold every time I'm about to get to the "good stuff"...or "hey Mary, could you hang on while I go to the bathroom"--or worse actually go to the bathroom! Aaaccckkkk.  Of course, I wouldn't want you the "listen-eee" to have to stuggle to hold your pee,.. especially if you're about to POP!   Please then, excuse yourself..call me back if you wish...its far better than to hear the sounds of flush (swish-swish).***    As I look beyond my window pane..I see lots of sunshine. Welcome the sunny days of Spring!   Have a good day...its time to play!

My Frugal Lifestyle: How to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

My Frugal Lifestyle: How to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

Lucky Star Lane: Two Easy and Kid Friendly Valentine's Crafts

Lucky Star Lane: Two Easy and Kid Friendly Valentine's Crafts      

You've got to check this site out!   I'm inspired to get out my craft stuff and get going... 

Frustrating Possibilities

Fact:  I am frustrated.

A brief summary of why I feel frustrated:   Almost every blog out there seems to have "contests" or a free giveaway.. I know what a contest is but I'm not sure how giveaways work.   I've been feeling rather clueless these days.   I do have an idea what I would like to giveaway..its a secret for now..but any suggestions on how I get started would be wunnerful.  :O)   

Oh, another thing is... I see blog awards...everywhere...  I'm almost sure I  won't be getting any as I'm not part of any blogger associations... I've tried to find a ring to belong to like for artists, or photography or whatever... and haven't found a thing.  zip.    So I'm asking my few readers if ya'll have any clues or suggestions or ... I'm not sure what else. 

Update to say... I'm now trying out Blog Frog.   Please come visit my site and I will return the favor...how's that?   A square deal.    Who doesn't like square deals these days.    I'm trying out whatever will work to increase the "value" of my blog.   Not that I can place a value on my postings...cause some probably aren't worth much...well, they are to me...but that's not the point.    I know you can't see what I do in the background... but this evening I decided to visit other sites...mostly crafting sites... WOW!  I'm impressed with each and every one of their creativity for sure!   Makes me want to cry.   I haven't done that much crafting in a single day much less a single year.   These days my job takes away hours that I could be here at home doodling, or doing something craftsy.   or is that crafty?   Does not matter.   I would love, love to stay up and visit around some more...but my next day of work beckons me to quit this silly writing...and get some much needed sleep.      

Cocoa Lava Kisses

Cocoa Lava Kisses ~  Look so yummy delicious!   I'm sure you'll want to try it then freeze some for later...(if they make it to your freezer!)  ;O)

These heavenly clouds of sweet chocolate work great to take care of a chocolate craving.  Plus, they're fat-free!   They are intensely sweet, which will make it easier to stop at 3.   hee-hee.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper


You'll need:  3 egg whites, 1/8 tsp of salt, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp water, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder


Place egg whites in bowl. whip with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
Gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar to egg whites while constantly whipping.


Combine water & vanilla extract in a cup.  Add to mix, a few drops at a time, alternating with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar while constantly whipping.


Flake cocoa with a fork to break clumps.  Sift if necessary.  Fold completely into mix.
Place bite-size rounded teaspoons (not tablespoons) of batter onto the wax paper-lined sheets.


Bake approximately 30 minutes.  They will be dry on the outside, but moist and lava-like on the inside.  They will retain their shape.  If they become completely dry like Styrofoam, they are over baked. 
While kisses are still hot, remove from wax paper and place on a wire rack so they will not stick.   After cooling, store  kisses in an airtight container.


Makes 40 cookies.  

Good Habiets / Bad Habiets

Yesterday in class we talked about good habits and bad habits.  I asked the kids to make a list of habits.    Here's a list from one of the girls.  I'm writing it out just the way she did it.

Good Habiets:
 Please
Thank you
You look nice
I like your out fit 


Bad Habiets:
Aggghhh!
Oh, My Gosh
Talking out loud in the movies.
rolling your eyes
Sighing
Tepure   


This led to quite a discussion.  And a skit about being a good friend and what gossip does to ruin good friendships.   They all enjoyed acting out different characters.


Our day was fun and full!   

Sketches

Subjects for sketching come from different sources, this sketch came from looking at a newspaper photo.    This woman was originally looking downward however my drawing looks as if she is asleep.   Anyway its just fun to doodle around.   You never know what will come to mind.

Easy breezy skillet dinner

Monday night dinner.

This is how I put it together;  1 C. long grain rice, add in 2 C. water, and salt.   Let that come to a boil, turn down the heat, cover with lid.   In a separate bowl dump in 1 can of Campbell's Potato soup with just enough water to get it mixed, without being too watery.   Add this mixture to your rice.  Stir together.   Next, get out bag of frozen mixed veggies, put those in separate bowl and nuke for 4 or 5 minutes.  Now, add in veggies to your rice mixture. Leave the lid on, turn burner to a low simmer setting.  Now comes the fun part adding in whatever herbs and spices you want.  I like to use; dill weed, pepper, salt, paprika, onion soup mix, Mrs. Dash, and a tad bit of cayenne pepper for just the right kick.   This skillet dinner would be extra nice with diced up cooked chicken added in.. however, my chicken was still frozen.   What I like about making a dish like this, you can add what ever veggies to suit your taste!    

Bloggy bits of mind

....this blog has taken a back seat..to watchin' old tv shows like Columbo.  
Been also workin' my butt off at school.   Hardly feel like I made a dent in our assignment of helping the kids learn manners.  I brought in old phones to help the kids feel more comfortable in talking on the phone, do's and don'ts.  I just had to quiz the kids on Friday...to see how much information they've retained.   Been feeling like I've been hitting my head against the wall.   It's almost depressing.   I have been depressed.  I thought it may have been the "change of life" I've been going through...but I'm really thinkin' its this class I'm teaching.  UGH.    Its been tough to lose an hour due to the time change too.  another ugh on that one.    I thought shopping for clothes was supposed to help in reducing "sighs" of stress... let me tell you it hasn't worked for me... it's not that I'm a shop-a-holic...no, no....I never go shopping except grocery shopping and that doesn't count.   And the occasional trips to other stores for odds and ends.   I seriously thought that buying clothes was supposed to "free" the mind...refresh the soul.... but it didn't...  maybe I went in with the wrong attitude... I just don't get what clothes shopping is all about.   All I know is, I needed to update my wardrobe a little nothing fancy mind you...   
...the runnin' behind thing is just bumming me out....  I've just been so busy with work....I haven't found the time to sit here for hours on end to figure out how to make my blog-betta....  sorry grammer wasn't my strong suit.   Sometimes I just don't give a rip...  after all, its not like I have to impress anyone....  I may feel like I have to...at times.... but I don't wanna.   

Hurry Spring!

Best Background's in Town

Thank you~ Caution Flag for listing the best source for background layouts.  A note to my readers~or for anyone looking for something unique for blogs, march yourself down to:    

to find the best deal around in background.   Don't end up wasting half of your day searching the internet for all things "free"...holy-cow... I've been sitting here so long my buns have conformed to the contour of the chair..and that's no lie. ;O) In my wandering search I did find something that suits me to a tee.. Daisy Gray Design's actually had what I was looking for..look to the right of this page and you'll find a link to her site as well.

 A quick glance at the time..tells me it's way past my bath time and very close to bed time.  

Have a blessed Monday!   ~Mary~

A Pocket Full of Seeds

Havin' fun

I had fun at the antique store-but now, you can have fun too~click on the link above.  

I was visiting Mrs. 4444 site when I found this unique editing tool...You'll get hooked too.   Just like I did. 
 

Feeding Her Young

Here's a lil' bird momma feeding her young.  This will be a coloring page for a children's newsletter.   I've got to get this finished before Tuesday's deadline.   If you would like to see what other pictures I've sketched you can find them in older posts, I've made young chicks, bunnies, just to name a few.   Have a look 'round.  

~Mary~

 Here's the same drawing modified just a tad.   I'm still in the process of inking it in..it will take a while since the roller pen I have isn't working out to well.  The lighter areas are still in pencil.    This just shows a portion of what I added in, I realized that I added some information that I don't want the entire world to know..with such limited readership-it won't be the entire world..but you get my drift.

 

Sunny Sunday

Blue sky, sunny, the snow has melted away...except in the areas where the sun can't reach... but it looks to be a beautiful day...so glad its almost Spring.   I would love to go to the store and buy plants to put in containers, large and small... I'm ready.   Until the weather really gets warmer that won't be happening.  

Yesterday, oh my~ I just couldn't wait~ so I opened the windows...yes, it was chilly...well it was quite cold really...but I couldn't wait another second!!     To help celebrate the coming of spring I just had to find a basket of flowers er a gif of flowers...their not real exactly so I don't need to water them...but aren't they pretty?    

Where are we?

week in review

My week of work went very well.  The group of children I have in my care are for the most part pretty good kids.   We've started working on manners this month.  Monday the children will receive 5 coupons, if they do well they get to keep the coupons and earn 5 points for that day, the next day it starts all over again.  If they forget to be polite, 1 coupon will be taken away...if this happens several times in one day, all 5 coupons will be taken away.   At the end of the month the children with the most points will receive a prize.  I'm excited that maybe this will help the children remember whats important.  Of course, they're all excited over the prizes...one little girl just gets way too excited. Just too cute!

We had a visitor too, Tiny Tim the turtle paid us a visit, for show n' tell.    He's a cute lil' guy. 
Thursday of next week we'll be working on a special science project.  Shhhh-its a secret for now.  I will tell about it on another post (next week).  ;O)  


 In the month of April we'll be learning about Safety.  With summer vacation around the corner, children will need to learn the importance of staying safe.   I will have all kinds of projects for them to work on...I don't think there will be a contest this time. 

This weekend, like I mean today...I'm busy with drawing a picture for children to color. And writing out little tid bits for a newsletter for work.   So I'm keeping busy as usual.  

Also, I just want to thank you all for coming by to visit my blog last week, thank you Mrs. 4444's for taking the time to link me up to your blog!  How nice.   Once I get things done that have to be done, I want to visit all my visitors blogs.  Really, I do.   I will.  

And I'm really hoping that I get the hang of getting my button posted up...I know I've done it before for another blog I did...so I CAN do it.    See you all later gators... and I hope you'll all come by to read another time! 

Late night stitches

 

Don't pull those weeds!

Dandelions are another.   Its name comes from the French “dents de lion” meaning “teeth of lion.” You may also know it by puffball as it turns into a white puffball when it goes to seed. While many people think of them as annoying weeds, dandelions are actually a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. The edible herb has been used to help stimulate digestion, cure warts, and relieve symptoms associated with the common cold and PMS.

Thought this would be interesting to know about Dandelions.  Here's the site to check out more info on weeds.  A Weed Is A Weed Right? 

*Today we will be learning about seeds, how they germinate and grow.  Each child will get to participate in the experiment.*

*zucchini seed
*snow peas
*pole beans 

Mudpie

Bug

I found this creature crawling around in one of our drinking glasses...it must have thought cool place to live..its not a true lady bug...just a bug.

flakes

I cut & clipped these out one afternoon, way back in 1984.  I must have been extremely bored.   Look how dingy those old panel walls looked.. I strung those up in the hallway.   

I know, who wants to look at more snow?!?!?!  

Me

This is not the best ever picture.  Its old & faded out..plus, this is the digital form of the original.  
This is me, when I was 9 yrs old.   The big fat hairy cat in my lap was our Maine Coon cat his name was Sylvester.    I don't recall why I was dressed up...but I do remember my mother having a fit cause I wanted to hold the cat in my lap or I wouldn't sit for the pic.  I was stubborn.  haa.
Well, my mother tells me that I surely did not get the stubborn ways from her....no, no, no...she says its from my father's side of the family tree..after all they were Irish & American Indian.
My mother's side of the family are German.  Hmmm....I don't really know the real answer to this question...nor do I really really care.   I'm just happy to know that I have a rich heritage.  And its sad that both of my grandparents were dead by the time my cousin's and I were born.  

Okay....enough of the family "his-tree".  

Macrame Bracelets

I showed the girls how to make macrame bracelets today in class.  They had a blast!   Each girl wanted to make tons of them, but I only had enough cotton cord for so many.    Here is a small selection made by my busy 8 year old's. 

I was 11 years of age when my friend showed me how to make them.   Back then there weren't very many color selections of cord, just a basic tan, dark brown, and white, oh~I remember an olive green color also.    There used to be a cool store downtown that sold all kinds and sizes of beads...I recall some little tiny square wooden ones...I loved those!    I would curl up beside by bed and work on knotting the cord so carefully.    I probably made at least 4 or 5 bracelets.   I'm sure I had some big ideas about selling them for profit..but that idea quickly faded into the background...when I discovered a new hobby.. I remember it was making sun catchers and string art projects.      Remember when string art was a hit?   And just now I'm thinking of some fads that were "hits" as well.

Pet rocks.      Now my mind has gone blank again.   So, how many of you remember some of the fads back in the mid-70's to early 80's??    We're you the kind of kid that just had to have the latest greatest gadget or whatever it was?      I'm just curious.   :O)   ~Mary~

...me thinks I got it...

guess what, I think I may have figured out what I did wrong before...I was having trouble posting my grab-button.  So after lunch, I tried posting a banner I made several years ago..the one at the top, duh- it worked... however, its only for use as a banner...its no button...blah.   I thought the robin added a spring time charm.  

The sun is out there today! yea!!    Enough of the winter-blahs.  


 

Squirrels just wanna have fun....and eat on the run...

 Spotted this critter eatin' out of my bird feeder, that hangs just below my bathroom window, ...I gently pulled the blind open so I could press the camera up to the window for a better shot..but the turkey (I mean squirrel) got freaked out and ran over to the tree.   I bet he thought I had a gun.   Its okay Mr. Squirrel, you can come back to the feeder now.

button frustration & more frustration.....

I have a button that I've made however, when I try to copy and insert my info it doesn't appear correctly on my blog.  This is frustrating.   I may try it again here in a minute.  ugh.

ok. This is what I'm wanting to know...in photobucket, which "link" do I use to get my button to show up on my blog...thats the main thing I'm having trouble with...why...I'm not sure...maybe...its because I woke up 3 times last night...one to change into my pj's cause I fell asleep on the couch in my clothes, up again to eat a snack, up again cause I thought I over slept.   There...I'm just not thinkin' straight...or something....hep!   

So...anyone have any suggestions out there...let me know....my button is all nice and pretty just waiting for its debut.   

Getting ready to eat lunch.   :)




*BTW*  Thank you for all your kind comments!  Gosh, its nice that Mrs. 4444 has featured me, my blog, and I ... thanks so much...one of these days very soon I've got to get to out into the blogosphere and visit!  






Mary

"Hanging Out" to dry

I have lots of memories...but there's one that I enjoy recalling.   When we were just married we moved down to North Carolina..(husband was in the Air Force).   Our mobile home wasn't  anything fancy just a plain place to call home.  During the day, while he was at work, I was at home trying to figure out how to use a "broken" washing machine..after much frustration of pulling & pushing buttons to see if it would rinse, wash or spin... I decided it would have to run on the manual setting. Me.  I would have to decide after hearing the water run into the tub, if it was in the start mode or finish mode and every cycle in between.   I made check marks as I turned the dial, to see where it would "click"..  now remember a click didn't mean it was the right setting...sometimes the click meant... agitation...(the machine) not me.  Haww!    One time after setting & forgetting about the dumb machine, I sat down to look at a magazine hoping that it would follow through,  water trickles in, agitation, ...you get the idea.    I was having a relaxing moment when I got up from my black, fake leather couch, to see how the machine was working...it certainly was making all the right sounds.   As I got closer in.... I opened the lid to find that all the water had drained out...and as I reached in to check the feel of the clothing...it was all DRY.   What the heck?!!!....  I remember, uttering some not so nice things...I stomped around....now I was agitated!!    I spent a good part of the early morning & afternoon trying to see what would work.  Finally, the machine and I came to an understanding.  I simply gathered up the heavy wet clothing...and thunked it down into the small metal kitchen sink.   I was through with that dumb thing.   So, well, you can imagine how each piece of clothing had to be washed...and it wasn't easy.    You're probably thinking-duh-why not use the bath tub, eh?  Well that's another story...*rolling my eyes*.  Eventually- each piece of clothing got washed...put clothing into the basket..tote it back to toss into the washer tub and gee whiz the washer actually spun out the water.  Yea!  By now, it was well into the early afternoon ...and I was bushed.   Opening the craggy door to let in the fresh sunshine, I stepped out into the lovely Carolina day.  Everything smelled so good, including my freshly hand-washed clothes.   
As I reached up to clip the clothes to the line...I had noticed I wasn't alone.  A young woman on the other side of the chicken wire fence, had glanced up from her basket of clothes...we exchanged a friendly greeting...and went about our task.    After our first greeting, we developed a clothes-line friendship.   Where we gathered together to "hang out" while our clothing dried!

*Poof*

Well, after 2 interruptions during the time I was posting my computer decided to "crash"....so poo!   I will post again another time. 

Howdie

Howdie, I should be in zzzzz land..but I'm not.  This weekend had many "plans" for me to do...instead I slept a lot.   Saturday was a sleepy day...and yesterday (Sunday) I got 3 hours of extra sleep during the day...so that threw grocery shopping very late, plus a trip to the computer store to buy a new McAfee program.   Our old program was set to expire on March 3rd.    I'm happy that Spring is almost here!  Who wouldn't be with all the snow we've been having...mercy sakes. 

Button update;  I have finally made one...I will be getting it up on my blog hopefully in a day or two. 


Have a good day...Mary