Jun
17
2010
You know what really rots my socks? If you guessed sweat, you’re dead wrong. Take another shot at it. Go ahead. I’m waiting. Do ya give up? Need my help? Okay. I’ll give you a hint. It starts with a “the” and rhymes with leaves. Did you get it? How about I spell it out for ya T-H-I-E-V-E-S! Ha! You guessed it. You get a cookie.
Why do I loathe this patheticness of sneakery? Not because it’s wrong. We all know it’s wrong. Most of us have heard at some time in our lives, “Thou shalt not steal.” We already heard that story. But did ya hear the one where the father goes in the house for a refresher of Diet Dew and comes back out 60 seconds later to find his career gear removed from his outdoor office space? And everything he had worked so hard for during the last several years he had stored in his lap top; and, it had been taken from him without permission? And not just work-related items, either. We’re talking photos, videos, and his very own songs he created that he was piecing together for an upcoming music show and album debut.
And what about the job? His home business. His files. How could he complete the work without the equipment? It’s like asking you to think without a brain. It’s just not possible. And if that’s not possible, you know what else is impossible? Paying bills. That’s hard enough already. But if you add another hit to the equation, such as no computer, well you’re all out of turns with a name called “Homeless” and a sidekick of “I’m starving.”
I’m sure these stories don’t get shared. Most of the morally sound rules we hear about growing up have to do with lines we must never cross. But these are presented to us as just guidelines we are supposed to live by.
What if instead of just telling your kids what and what not to do, you explained how the actions cripple and devastate lives? Make it real personal. Put them in the story and have them imagine what could happen if they stole something from someone. Discuss how your children are heroes when they are kind and respectful of others and their belongings. Kids don’t want to hear the same old speeches. Spare them your sagas and let them experience a little bit more of the reality of their decisions in life. Their good behavior could keep a family sheltered. Their understanding of morals could save lives.
Photo Credit
May
05
2010
Caramel apples. Sugary fruit smothered in a thick layer of sugar, peppered with rainbow colored sugar dust on a stick. How can it get better for a child?
As for me, I’m not a fan of the apple at all. Funny, because in Autumn we do the apple picking thing…and…we have “Apple Week” in school. In fact, if you ask my husband who some of my role models are, beside Paul Revere for spreading the message of an invasion…I hope Hubar could remember to tell you that I am rather fond of Mr. Johnny Appleseed. Reason = Spreading seed that cultivated new life. Brilliant. And he treaded on the soles of his toes. That part I don’t understand, but I still think he’s pretty outstanding for his legacy to society.
This is the baby’s first time to try apples drenched in caramel. She is especially interested in the sprinkles. I wonder how many sprinkles her tiny pinchers can retrieve in one grasp.
We had some friends over this morning. When the kids were finished with sculpting their snack, one lonely apple lay in the towel. Poor little apple. Maybe it’ll make friends with the banana bunch that’s moving in. I guess you can say, I’m hopeful.
May
04
2010
I am all about eating some fresh food when I get the chance. I love getting out the cutting board and seeing a little color in my kitchen, instead of just bland old brown all the time.
I found this recipe in a cook book I use called “Cooking Light: Fresh Food Fast.” The only complaints I have would be that the french bread was too fluffy. I bet if you stuffed some portobello mushrooms or grilled chicken in there, and maybe some mozzarella melted cheese, it would even out the bread a little bit. Otherwise, it was surprisingly good.
So here’s how you work with these ingredients:
- Cut up the zucchini, squash, and red onion and mix in a bowl.
Look at all the vibrant colors!!!
- Spray the veggies with cooking spray as well as a skillet or little grill like a George Foreman. I tried both ways. The Forman made them more tender.
- Slice grape tomatoes into halves and measure 3 tablespoons of Italian dressing. The recipe calls for “Ken’s Steak House Lite Northern Italian Dressing” as an example. Pour some basil in there. We were out. Oh well! The show must go on.
- Cut a couple french loaves into fourths and either stick them on the grill with cooking spray on them, or do as I did and butter them up and toss them in the oven at 350 degrees until they are slightly crunchy, which is somewhere around 10 minutes.
- When your grilled veggies are a little brown and tender, remove from the heat and mix in with the tomatoes, basil and Italian dressing mixture.
- When the bread is toasted, fetch it from the oven or grill and scoop the veggie mixture onto the bottom half of the bread and top with crumbled feta cheese. Call the babies and get your grub on.
You know what really rots my socks? If you guessed sweat, you’re dead wrong. Take another shot at it. Go ahead. I’m waiting. Do ya give up? Need my help? Okay. I’ll give you a hint. It starts with a “the” and rhymes with leaves. Did you get it? How about I spell it out for ya T-H-I-E-V-E-S! Ha! You guessed it. You get a cookie.
