A Little Bubbly...

Most of us would agree that we don't get the physical activity we need and that goes for children too. Here's a website worth checking out if you want to encourage your children to ditch the video games or television and get a little exercise. It is called Get Kids Outside. You can find it at http://getkidsoutsidenow.com/.

Busy Busy Busy

LESS IS MORE. At least that's what I hear. I guess that holds true for blogging as well. I don't want the followers of my blog to get burned out so I won't be posting every day, unless I have something real important to say. I'll try to use my best judgement when making that decision. I'm still trying to establish a direction for my blog and am open to suggestion. It has been a jumble of topics so far. If you find any subject particularly interesting, let me know. I'll be happy to address it further.

Just Because

The past few days have been challenging and I'm a little weary. I'm looking forward to a little peace and quiet for the next couple of days. Being without the Internet may help, if I can adjust to being out of touch with the outside world that is. I realize that sounds rather pathetic but I do miss not being able to access my email or blog from home. Lightning is a powerful thing. I hope I'm up and running by the end of the week.

Fried Green Tomatoes

I realize this looks like a plate of chocolate chip cookies but they are actually the tomatoes shown in my previous post. This particular Fried Green Tomatoes recipe was found online. Cornmeal and flour are the main ingredients of the batter, along with a lot of cooking oil. I'm including the recipe if you would like to give it a try. I'll probably ditch the flour next time and just use cornmeal like my mother used to do. Hers is a lighter version — if there is such a thing. If anyone has a good recipe for FGT, I'd love to hear from you.

Fried Green Tomatoes

 

3-4 green tomatoes (slice approx. 3/8" thick)

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup corn meal

1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper

Milk

Vegetable oil (Recipe says to use 2" of oil but I used around 1" of oil. I think less oil could be used.)

Mix together flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Add enough milk to create a thick batter (it took quite a bit for the amount of flour, etc.). Heat oil in large skillet (I tested temperature by dropping a small amount batter into hot oil). Batter each tomato slice and wipe off excess. Carefully place in hot oil, browning on both sides (may or may not need turning depending on the amount of oil) To cool, drain in a colander to keep tomatoes from becoming soggy. Salt to taste.

Pretty, Oh So Pretty

TOMATOES ARE RED —

unless you're cooking up some Fried

Green Tomatoes that is. Here is a sampling of

fruit from my garden. Aren't they great?

Nothing unhealthy about these...

The Impact of Change

CHANGE

has considerable psychological

impact on the human mind.

To the fearful it is threatening,

because it means that things may

get worse. To the hopeful it is

encouraging, because things may

get better. To the confident it is

inspiring, because the challenge

exists to make things better.

King Whitney Jr.

I have lived much of my life fearful of change, but I now realize that change happens no matter how much we resist. I also know that it is much healthier to anticipate change than to live in fear of it. And I know that without change life becomes stagnant and restrictive. —Karen

Sea Troll: My Online Alaskan Friend

This recent photo of Sherry kayaking

was taken by her husband, Wade.

I'm not sure what Sherry Ball expected when she registered with South Beach Diet online but I doubt that she anticipated having another member ask so many questions about her personal life. Sherry, known as Sea Troll in the SB arena, lives in Alaska and is a commercial fisherman. Sherry and her family also run a remote hunting lodge on Kodiak Island. (I put a link to the Olga Creek Lodge website in my blog.). Not only does Sherry fish but she also likes to hunt, and I'm not talking about rabbits or squirrel. She likes to hunt (and eat) muskox. If you don't know what a muskox is, you might want to check Wikepedia. They're big! Sherry is also the lodge cook. It sounds like she really knows her way around the kitchen.

After hearing about the incredible desserts Sherry cooks up, I wondered how she can lose any weight at all, but she does. She's the incredible shrinking woman when it comes to weight loss. As a member of SB, I am able to log in and spy on her (she can reciprocate if she chooses). I'm always amazed by how much she loses, and how quickly. I recently asked her how she does it. Her answer should be no surprise. She literally works her butt off by doing something physical every day, and she eats all of the salmon (I'm so jealous.), halibut and crab that she wants.

I plan on sharing more about Sherry's life in Alaska (with her permission). The life she leads is quite different than my own and I find it quite interesting. I think you will to.

Memories

Happy Camping...

Blazing Sky

This was taken the same evening as the

one shown in the previous post. I believe

it must have been out of focus. It looks

more like a painting than a photo.

Stormy Midwest

This photo was taken Sunday as storms

moved through the area. There were three

tornados west of here. The weather had calmed

down considerably by the time it reached

this area but still presented us with

an interesting skyline.

Recipes for Jes

Here are a couple favorite recipes. Super Bowl of Gualcamole is great any time of the year so don't let the name fool you. It's the best gualcamole I've had so far. Marinated Vegetables is a great way to use your homegrown vegetables. I like to use cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and red and green peppers.

Super Bowl

of Guacamole

4 large ripe avocados

1/2 red onion, diced

1 t. fresh garlic, minced

2 T. chopped cilantro

1/2 lemon

1 t. hot pepper sauce

1 t. worchestershire sauce

Salt & pepper.

Seasoning salt or taco spice.

Peel and seed avocados. Add all ingredients except the lemon juice and seasonings and mash together roughly for a chunky consistency. Squeeze lemon into a bowl and add a little at a time to the avocado mixture. Add salt and pepper and seasoning salt or taco spice to taste. Serve with chips or fresh vegetables.

DORIS'

Marinated Vegetables

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

Salt and pepper

to taste.

Cut up vegetables and place in a large bowl. Bring vinegar, sugar and oil to a boil. Pour over vegetables and chill.

Interesting?? Tidbits

A

few things I

learned today...

• Cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) will destroy cucumber, squash, pumpkin and melon plants by feeding on the leaves and blooms. Their larvae feed on the roots, killing the plant. They also feed on peas, bean, corn and the blossoms on other plants. Another thing I learned about cucumber beetles is that they're non-drinkers. Someone said they are attracted to beer and would fall in and drown if I put a dish of it in my garden. It's been two hours now and nothing so far.
  
• To preserve your homegrown herbs, wash and dry them, place on paper towel and microwave on high power for 30 - 40 seconds. You can then crumble the dried herbs and store into an airtight container. Fantastic!
  
• Each of us has a clear gel-like fluid inside our eye called the vitreous and as we get older, especially if we're near-sighted or have certain other conditions, it can begin to thicken or shrink and pull away from the back of the eye. This is called posterior vitreous detachment. When this happens you can experience your own personal "light show." This happened to me this past weekend. I saw continuous shooting stars in the peripheral of my right eye. I questioned my sanity for a while since there was no rhyme nor reason for it. Thanks to the doctor I now know exactly what caused it and when I turn out the lights and see shooting stars inside my house, I won't be so surprised.
  
• Rose Marie Terenzio, John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s personal assistant and confidant was on Good Morning America talking about her relationship with John, and the kind of person he was. According to Rose, John used to say, "Nothing is ever as good or as bad as the current situation will have you believe." I like that.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

LIVE EACH DAY

"All too often we are living in the past,

preoccupied with something that has happened to us;

or we are living in the future, waiting for a time when

life will treat us magnificently and we will be happy;

or worrying about what lies ahead and how we will cope...

But every day of our lives brings the opportunity

for a new beginning, and there was never

a better time to be."

Eileen Campbell

Who Would Have Thought?

I saw this report on Good Morning America. That is when I first heard the word cankles. Surprisingly, I knew exactly what they were talking about. I don't consider my own ankles to be cankles but a few others did come to mind.

Cankles: The New Muffin-Top? - ABC News

Open to Interpretation

Lone bird. Blue sky.Wispy clouds.

Does this photo speak to you?

If so, what is it saying?

What Flavor Is Pink ?

PRETTY

ENOUGH

TO EAT

I snapped this photo outside my mom's house

this past weekend. She is so eager to show off her flowers when I visit. There were a few new additions to the perennial garden since my last visit.

The question of the day is, "How many of you have sold things on eBay and how satisfied were you with the results? I spent hours shooting photos and writing descriptions for the few items I want to list. I'm selective about what I put on the site and research most items. The problem is pricing. I'd like to make a few dollars for my effort but feel there is a lot of competition, especially on eBay. Considering the cost of shipping, I'm never quite sure how to price things. If I price them too high, they won't sell, but if I give things away I could end up spending money. I guess eBay is more of a game than a money making venture. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions about how to play the game.

I'm a Dr. Phil watcher and amused by all of the Phil-isms. Here's one he used today: "You gotta rise above your raisin." So.. what do you think it means?

Have you tried Sudoku yet? If you aren't sure about how to play or just want to see a list of rules, check out Wikipedia.

A Word of Caution

BE A SMART PET OWNER

I suggest you secure your pets in a separate room

prior to watching the newly released DVD, Coraline.

I failed to do so and this is the result.

My cat, Lelu, will never be the same.

Peace To Restless Souls

When will you start to realize

that life is simply passing by?

 Open up your eyes and see all

the things you're meant to be. 

Peace to restless souls.

Coraline Is Out On DVD Today!

C O R A L I N E 

has just been released.

For a limited time you can get four pairs of 3D glasses with the purchase of the DVD. I'm looking forward to settling into my favorite chair, slipping on my hot new shades and downing a gargantuan bowl of popcorn while I take in the most creative movie I've ever witnessed. I recommend the same for you. 

I've got the perfect candidate to play Coraline if a remake is ever done using real people. Meet Lydia. She will be 9 years old this September and is a long lanky and exceptionally inquisitive little girl. As I watched Coraline on the big screen, I imagined Lydia as her character.

The Coraline website has great information about the making of the movie and some interesting activities to try. The website address is www.coraline.com.

Discovery of the Week

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

• Melt half of a square of bittersweet or semi-sweet baking chocolate in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds. (The chocolate should still hold its shape but be warmed completely through.) 
• Swirl 1 to 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (I prefer chunky) into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon to create a lovely pinwheel pattern. 
• Eat with eyes closed. 
  

I'm on South Beach and both ingredients are allowed in Phase 2.

Short and Sweet

T H E

grass is green, 

the sky blue. 

Perhaps a gift 

for me and you.

An Iguana Can Dream, Can't He?

This iguana disappeared not long after this photo was taken. It looks as though he is planning his escape. I wonder how the neighborhood dogs reacted when they caught sight of him.

I Wanna Iguana

Dog. Cat. Iguana. What type of animal person do you consider yourself to be? I know someone who had an iguana. The unusual pet made its escape through an open door one day. I suppose the iguana grew to be quite large and ran around terrorizing the neighborhood after that. The owner of the iguana was an interesting character, to say the least, with his own unique perspective of the world. I considered him to be a little off-beat and colorful. Since I truly do enjoy such qualities, maybe I should refer to myself as an iguana person. 

My Best Friend

I've never considered myself to be much of a cat person. That is until I unexpectedly ended up with one. Her name is Lelu and she is a domestic white with yellow eyes that turn a shade of green under certain conditions. I now consider myself to be a dog and cat person. I think I might actually be an all out animal person because I even love iguanas. Lelu is my best friend (no offense to my human friends). It's true, cats are persnickety in many ways but they are also extremely loyal. Lelu wants to be by my side whenever possible. It may be my imagination but she seems to know when I'm feeling out-of-sorts and tries to comfort me. It's hard not to be a cat person when you have a feline friend like that.

Loyal to the End

If you've ever owned a dog, you probably know that dogs are loyal to the end. They aren't concerned about your looks or whether you decide to skip your bath for a day or two, or three, or four. In fact, they'd probably love you even more if you did. I'm a loyal sort myself but whether I can offer that same degree of commitment, I'm not so sure. But I do know that loyalty is an attribute to be cherished. I guess that definitely makes me a dog person.

What Kind of Person Are You?

Are you a Dog, Cat or Iguana person?  Why?