Funny

I read this in a catalog a few days ago and I keep thinking of it and laughing out loud...

Normal is just a setting on the washing machine.

For some reason, it strikes a cord with me. :D

Hillary’s Picture

In her what, sixteen or so years in the public eye (at least that I’ve been aware of), Tuesday MSN’s home page had the first picture of Hillary that I can remember liking. It seems natural. Her hair seems tame. I like the background. I just kinda liked the picture.

During Monica Lewinsky, I remember thinking that the only reason Hillary would have stayed with Bill would have been for political / power reasons. I also remember, about the same time, that she might one day be our first Lady President. Now, here we have her in the running.

To be quite honest, I’m not happy about this Presidential election. It’s the first time when I haven’t been excited to go to the polls and vote for my candidate. I’m just not sure I like what any of them have to say. Is this related to the fact that the State of the Union seems so poor? It must be very difficult to campaign for the presidency of a Nation that is in such turmoil.

I just think it must be tough for all the candidates. I also know that only one candidate has caught my eye, and he dropped out of the race a while back. So, I sit and wait to see if there will be some sort of a “Dream Ticket” or just what. I truly wonder what the next few years will be like. I also tend to doubt there will be any sort of “magical turn-around” as the result of this Presidency. The troubles of our Country have been a long-time coming, and they can’t be fixed quickly by just one Presidency.

Mmm Good?

Yesterday the following “Mmm! This is good. I like this!” was heard at our lunch table.

Had I FINALLY found a meal that would delight my children? No. Jack had high praises for his sandwich, but it was made not by I, but by his brother, Frank.

“What’s on it?” you may wonder. Well, it’s a combination I’m sure I NEVER would have thought of. Here’s a picture of the inside of Frank’s similar sandwich…

• Butter or Peanut Butter
• Cheddar Cheese
• Sunflower Seeds (unsalted)
• Saltine Crackers
  

Like I said. I NEVER would have thought of this. Both of the boys (ages 3 years 4 months and 5 years 7 months) ate EVERY BITE! They did so without complaints, but with “this is really good” and “I like this.”

Now I guess I know why they complain while eating what I fix them! If they think this is “good food”, I also suppose they think my food looks really weird.

And, “no”, I didn’t even THINK to taste it!

Recipe - The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

One of my favorite things to do online is read Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Ree, the author, has recently redone her site to have several main sections, including cooking. For almost a year, I've been wanting to try one of her rich decadent recipes, Cinnamon Rolls, but just couldn't justify it until this past weekend. While staying at my cousins', his wife ask for Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast on Mother's Day. We substituted milk for the coffee in the frosting and were all delighted with the results!

If you are interested in trying these light, tender, sweet, buttery, maple-y rolls, you can view the complete article, including lots of pictures, at The Pioneer Woman's website. If you'd like a condensed version that reads more like a recipe, please take a peek at RecipeZaar, where I posted the recipe.

Let me know what you think.

Word of the Day - Graupel

At a recent Knitting Circle another lady new to town (from Texas) had done some research to find out about something that falls from the sky here. It's not rain, and it's not snow, and it's not sleet. They are about the size of small BB's; basically, they are tiny little white balls of frozen water, but unlike hail or sleet, they are soft and squishy when pinched. They are GRAUPELs.

You can read all about Graupel on Wikipedia, and even see microscopic pictures of the things.

If you're like me and can't figure out how to say "graupel", then, head over to Merriam-Webster Online, and click on the speaker by the word.

Or you can just say "soft hail", but I think it's much more fun to learn the "real word" and use it, especially if no one else knows what it is and then you can pretend you're a human dictionary and tell them all about it. :D

Recipe - Chicken Cordon Bleu in a Pot

In honor of, and for, Mother's Day, here's one of my Mom's newest recipes that is quite simple to make, even for novices. So... if you're still looking for ideas of something to do for your Mom/Wife tomorrow, take a peek at this recipe. It's rich and creamy and definitly a Holiday / Company recipe.

I've posted Chicken Cordon Bleu in a Pot on Recipe Zaar. It is a rich, creamy soup with all the flavor the popular baked dish, and all the warmth you need on a cool day. Take a look and try it out. I know you will find it as delightful as we have!

Enjoy, and please let me know (in this forum OR on Recipe Zaar itself) how much you love it!

Holy Photography! What a GREAT Giveaway!!!

Because I enjoy the fact that you visit and read my thoughts so much, I'm actually going to tell you about an incredible give-away for one Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera Kit, and one HP 8180 All-in-One Printer. I'd love to win it myself, but, I just HAVE to share this with you, it's the kinda girl I am.

They are both over at Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, today only. Just leave a comment with your website or your favorite website.

Personally, I've been talking about SLR's, with my friend's hubby, Joe Chott, trying to decide what to get for myself. He's recommended a Cannon, but I can certainly go for a free Nikon! If you win, be certain to remember who pointed you in the direction!

Best of luck!