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Feb 29, 2008
Tulips
A few weeks ago, a good friend brought us a pot of tulips. So, I practiced my Macro Photo taking skills on them. Then I used Picasa to fix them up a little bit. It is amazing that such a simple to use and free program can give such great results. What do you think?
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Feb 28, 2008
Steaks and Shakes
First, an apology to Tammy. Sorry honey. I know how squeamish you can be about meat. I know you watched as the Hmong shopped at the slaughter house in Minneapolis last summer. The sights, sounds and smells were frightening – maybe sickening is a better word - and hard to forget. So, you might want to skip reading this blog. Go paint your toe nails, or eat an orange or prepare for your college graduation.
The official name of my kitchen is now Joyce’s Steaks and Shakes.
Veldon needs to gain weight or at least maintain his weight. Yes, I know, I know we all would like to have a problem like that. But having radiation treatments every day for 3 weeks is a crummy way to lose your appetite and feel nauseous all the time. So, when the nutritionist asked if he liked steak (the protein helps to heal the radiated area) he got this sudden craving for … you guessed it – Steak. Then she asked if he likes milk shakes (plum full of calories if made with Blue Bell Ice Cream, chocolate sauce and whole milk). So, wouldn’t you know it he got another sudden craving for…… you’re right - Milk Shakes. Well, I feel very competent in the Milk Shake making department. I first started making them in our olive green blender and raised 5 shake-drinking children. But for TWO reasons I was a little apprehensive about cooking a steak
1. I have never cooked a steak before.
2. That very same morning the newspaper headlines screamed “U.S. Orders Its Largest BEEF RECALL”. Throwing caution to the wind I headed straight to Kroger and bought New York strip steak then fired up the broiler. You need:
Rub both sides of steak with some oil then sprinkled on some salt and pepper.
Broil each side for 7-8 minutes.
After taking steaks out of the oven shake on a little garlic powder.
A finished steak will have a little pink in the middle.
I just didn’t know it could be that easy. And taste that good. Now I have a craving for steak. Bought some rib eye steaks. They were good. Went back to the store for some T-bone steak (my favorite). Pretty good too.
I just have to wonder if there is any correlation between the largest beef recall and the low, really low prices of steaks at Kroger through Tues Mar.4th.....
The official name of my kitchen is now Joyce’s Steaks and Shakes.
Veldon needs to gain weight or at least maintain his weight. Yes, I know, I know we all would like to have a problem like that. But having radiation treatments every day for 3 weeks is a crummy way to lose your appetite and feel nauseous all the time. So, when the nutritionist asked if he liked steak (the protein helps to heal the radiated area) he got this sudden craving for … you guessed it – Steak. Then she asked if he likes milk shakes (plum full of calories if made with Blue Bell Ice Cream, chocolate sauce and whole milk). So, wouldn’t you know it he got another sudden craving for…… you’re right - Milk Shakes. Well, I feel very competent in the Milk Shake making department. I first started making them in our olive green blender and raised 5 shake-drinking children. But for TWO reasons I was a little apprehensive about cooking a steak
1. I have never cooked a steak before.
2. That very same morning the newspaper headlines screamed “U.S. Orders Its Largest BEEF RECALL”. Throwing caution to the wind I headed straight to Kroger and bought New York strip steak then fired up the broiler. You need:
Rub both sides of steak with some oil then sprinkled on some salt and pepper.
Broil each side for 7-8 minutes.
After taking steaks out of the oven shake on a little garlic powder.
A finished steak will have a little pink in the middle.
I just didn’t know it could be that easy. And taste that good. Now I have a craving for steak. Bought some rib eye steaks. They were good. Went back to the store for some T-bone steak (my favorite). Pretty good too.
I just have to wonder if there is any correlation between the largest beef recall and the low, really low prices of steaks at Kroger through Tues Mar.4th.....
Walgreens Free Stuff for March
It is time to go to Walgreens again. Free things this month : Listerine Smart Rinse (the ad says it is available on the 9th but I found it at my local store yesterday), Garnier Fructis Hair Styling Product, Toothpaste, Face Lotion, and Body Butter (it doesn’t list it as Free but it is Free) Vitamins (I had no luck finding the right size) Oral Rinse (they were out of this)
Retail price of these 7 items – up to $52.70
Here is what you do:
Purchase these items before, 29 Mar 2008
Once you get into the store, Grab the Easy Saver Catalog (not the weekly sales flyer)
The free items are listed on the bright yellow pages (page 32)
Pictures of the free items are on pages 30, 31, and 37
Before you go –
Address and stamp an envelope with the following address
Walgreens/March 2008
Easy Saver Catalog
Offer #439-308
PO Box 200003
El Paso, TX 88520-0003
1. When you check out – hand the cashier the items in the same order that they are listed in the catalog. . It will make it easier to number the items on the receipt.
2. If you purchase other items – buy them separately so you have a separate receipt in the event that you have to return something.
3. Follow the instructions for “How to get your Rebate Savings” on page 36.
4. Put the receipt and Total earnings sheet and the customer info form in the envelope – Mail it when you get home. In a few weeks you will get a check from Walgreens.
Feb 26, 2008
Two Down – Two to Go
One more girl for Ryan and JaNae
The many cute, cute faces of Alice Eliza
Big sister Hayley
Maya loves accessories
The many cute, cute faces of Alice Eliza
Big sister Hayley
Maya loves accessories
Feb 7, 2008
Walgreens Free Stuff for February 2008
I love to get things for free. With a little work on your part you can get shampoo, deodorant, a Venus razor, travel contact solution, and shower soap for FREE.
Retail price of these five items - $28.75.
Here is what you do:
Purchase these items before Feb. 23, 2008
Once you get into the store, Grab the Easy Saver Catalog (not the weekly sales flyer)
The free items are listed on the bright yellow pages (page 32)
Pictures of the free items are on pages 42-44
Before you go –
Address and stamp an envelope with the following address
Walgreens/February 2008
Easy Saver Catalog
Offer #439-208
PO Box 200003
El Paso, TX 88520-0003
1. When you check out hand the cashier the items in the same order that they are listed in the catalog. It will make it easier to number the items on the receipt.
2. If you purchase other items – buy them separately so you have a separate receipt incase you need to return something.
3. Follow the instructions for “How to get your Rebate Savings” on page 36.
4. Put the Receipt and Total Earnings Sheet and the Customer Information Form in the envelope – Mail it when you get home. In a few weeks you will get a check from Walgreens.
Retail price of these five items - $28.75.
Here is what you do:
Purchase these items before Feb. 23, 2008
Once you get into the store, Grab the Easy Saver Catalog (not the weekly sales flyer)
The free items are listed on the bright yellow pages (page 32)
Pictures of the free items are on pages 42-44
Before you go –
Address and stamp an envelope with the following address
Walgreens/February 2008
Easy Saver Catalog
Offer #439-208
PO Box 200003
El Paso, TX 88520-0003
1. When you check out hand the cashier the items in the same order that they are listed in the catalog. It will make it easier to number the items on the receipt.
2. If you purchase other items – buy them separately so you have a separate receipt incase you need to return something.
3. Follow the instructions for “How to get your Rebate Savings” on page 36.
4. Put the Receipt and Total Earnings Sheet and the Customer Information Form in the envelope – Mail it when you get home. In a few weeks you will get a check from Walgreens.
Feb 6, 2008
You Know You Are a Hippie When….
Lately I have been wondering if a little bit of some inner Hippie characteristics have been creeping to the surface of my being. I just wasn’t sure if grinding wheat into flour, making whole wheat bread, eating a lot less meat (I don’t have anything against eating meat but when I have a choice between eating bread and or eating anything else I tend to choose bread – especially homemade bread), knitting, wanting to buy less, consume less, and produce less garbage was part of the Hippie lifestyle. So when I found The Hippie Handbook on the clearance shelf at Half Price Book I knew I would find the answers within its flower power pages.
Here are the Hippie Things I Have Done In My Lifetime
1. Worn my hair like Joan Baez – long, straight and parted in the middle
2. Anthropomorphized (a great new word I just learned by reading this enlightening book) an inanimate object. Yes, I did. I named my car Bart and talked to him “How are you on this cold morning?” “Do you think your engine will start for me today?” “Sorry about the whole hood-flying-up-ordeal while driving around the point of the mountain.”
3. Macraméd many groovy belts for my hip hugger bell bottom jeans.
4. Spouted an avocado seed in a jar.
5. Owned a sweet hippie ride – a 1965 VW Beetle named Bart.
6. A Sun Salutation – a series of yoga positions.
7. Danced around the May Pole.
8. Made a dandelion crown.
9. Used a cable spool as a table.
10. Read The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
None of my five children but all four of my granddaughters have acceptable Hippie names. Haley, Maya, Avery, and Alice
Man, what a bummer. I guess being a hippie it is not my bag. I am not down with the many new things I would need to do to be a true Hippie like – Flash a Peace Sign at appropriate times, Howl at the Moon on occasion, Build a Compost Pile, Panhandle, Hitchhike, Take care of Birkenstocks, Draw Psychedelic Letters, Tie Die a T-Shirt, Employ a Mantra while Meditating, Paint a Mural of rainbows, sunrises, or unicorns on the side of my house, Tree Sit, Smoke Bananas and Say things like “Can you dig it?” “I have to split.” Peace.
Here are the Hippie Things I Have Done In My Lifetime
1. Worn my hair like Joan Baez – long, straight and parted in the middle
2. Anthropomorphized (a great new word I just learned by reading this enlightening book) an inanimate object. Yes, I did. I named my car Bart and talked to him “How are you on this cold morning?” “Do you think your engine will start for me today?” “Sorry about the whole hood-flying-up-ordeal while driving around the point of the mountain.”
3. Macraméd many groovy belts for my hip hugger bell bottom jeans.
4. Spouted an avocado seed in a jar.
5. Owned a sweet hippie ride – a 1965 VW Beetle named Bart.
6. A Sun Salutation – a series of yoga positions.
7. Danced around the May Pole.
8. Made a dandelion crown.
9. Used a cable spool as a table.
10. Read The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
None of my five children but all four of my granddaughters have acceptable Hippie names. Haley, Maya, Avery, and Alice
Man, what a bummer. I guess being a hippie it is not my bag. I am not down with the many new things I would need to do to be a true Hippie like – Flash a Peace Sign at appropriate times, Howl at the Moon on occasion, Build a Compost Pile, Panhandle, Hitchhike, Take care of Birkenstocks, Draw Psychedelic Letters, Tie Die a T-Shirt, Employ a Mantra while Meditating, Paint a Mural of rainbows, sunrises, or unicorns on the side of my house, Tree Sit, Smoke Bananas and Say things like “Can you dig it?” “I have to split.” Peace.
Feb 4, 2008
I've Been Tagged
I have been tagged by my niece, Melanie, and have been asked to write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about myself. And now I am supposed to choose 10 people to be tagged but I will only tag 3 people. Read to the very end where you will learn if you have been tagged.
1. Recently I have been obsessed with making bread. Lots of bread. Plain bread. Bread with cinnamon. Bread with nuts, seeds and cooked wheat berries. There is no room for meat or frozen veggies - the freezer is stuffed with Bread.
2. I need to travel more. I’ve only been to 40 of the 1000 places to see before you die. My favorite places are all in Italy.
3. In 1975- 76, as a stay at home mom, I earned enough money by making and selling bread dough baskets, sock monkeys, and quiet books to pay my hubby’s tuition to Brigham Young University for 4 semesters. Go Cougars!!
4. I love fabric – especially flannel – don’t forget you can buy it the day after Thanksgiving for $.99 per yard.
5. I love yarn and taught myself to knit when I was about 14 yrs old.
6. I really don’t like jewelry. Of course I love my wedding ring and the 5 diamond (small diamonds) ring that reminds me of my five brilliant and shining children. I also wear my hubby’s wedding ring. Oh, I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 41 years old.
7. I still cut my own hair and my hubby’s. I used to cut all of the kid’s hair. Now when I travel to see my girls I always take my scissors with me.
8. When I was about 6 I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle. More on this story later.
9. I hate having to wear reading glasses but since I love to read, I am happy that I can purchase them at the Dollar Tree. My all time favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
10. I love Walgreen’s Free Stuff. Watch for my Blog on Thursday when I will share with you how to get your own Free Stuff.
So, Gina and Rhonda and Natalie, if you made it to the end of the random things about me you now know that you have been tagged.
1. Recently I have been obsessed with making bread. Lots of bread. Plain bread. Bread with cinnamon. Bread with nuts, seeds and cooked wheat berries. There is no room for meat or frozen veggies - the freezer is stuffed with Bread.
2. I need to travel more. I’ve only been to 40 of the 1000 places to see before you die. My favorite places are all in Italy.
3. In 1975- 76, as a stay at home mom, I earned enough money by making and selling bread dough baskets, sock monkeys, and quiet books to pay my hubby’s tuition to Brigham Young University for 4 semesters. Go Cougars!!
4. I love fabric – especially flannel – don’t forget you can buy it the day after Thanksgiving for $.99 per yard.
5. I love yarn and taught myself to knit when I was about 14 yrs old.
6. I really don’t like jewelry. Of course I love my wedding ring and the 5 diamond (small diamonds) ring that reminds me of my five brilliant and shining children. I also wear my hubby’s wedding ring. Oh, I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 41 years old.
7. I still cut my own hair and my hubby’s. I used to cut all of the kid’s hair. Now when I travel to see my girls I always take my scissors with me.
8. When I was about 6 I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle. More on this story later.
9. I hate having to wear reading glasses but since I love to read, I am happy that I can purchase them at the Dollar Tree. My all time favorite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
10. I love Walgreen’s Free Stuff. Watch for my Blog on Thursday when I will share with you how to get your own Free Stuff.
So, Gina and Rhonda and Natalie, if you made it to the end of the random things about me you now know that you have been tagged.
Feb 1, 2008
Cupcakes by Gina
You have got to see the fabulous cupcakes Gina made. The best part – the frosting is FAT FREE. And it is so easy to frost the cupcakes. All you do is hold the cupcake upside-down and dip it in the frosting, turn the cupcake right side up and TA DA you have a cupcake with a cute curly cue on top. Sprinkle on the colored sugar and you are done.
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