Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Police Beat
This was in the Police Beat for today....
Oct. 18: A female resident of Wymount Terrace called in a suspicious phone call in which a man made statements with the intent of hypnotizing the student. The student said she does not remember most of the conversation, but remembers she called him her master. Police say it is virtually impossible to hypnotize someone over the phone.
Oct. 18: A female resident of Wymount Terrace called in a suspicious phone call in which a man made statements with the intent of hypnotizing the student. The student said she does not remember most of the conversation, but remembers she called him her master. Police say it is virtually impossible to hypnotize someone over the phone.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Drag Race
Last night Will and I went to the drag race. (It was all my idea. As you can tell that I am an avid diesel fan.) For ten bucks you can race your own car as many times as you can wait in line to go. It was really fun. Will won both times. We beat a civic and an F-150!
The Secret Life of Bees
I just saw The Secret Life of Bees last night. It's a wonderful, touching movie about the need for all people to find real love and validation, set in the early sixties in times when racial tensions run high in the rural South. Beautifully acted and directed starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Alicia Keyes, Jennifer Hudson and others. It follows the book almost perfectly, which is often rare when a book is translated into film. Go here to see a clip and find more about it. The music is good too!
Healthy Skin-Nourishing Hot Chocolate
I found this recipe on a post from RealAge.com. Apparently, hot chocolate can be really good for your skin if it's made with the really deep, dark cocoa. Enjoy for those chilly, frosty mornings coming soon--we had one today!
Harry's Super Simple, Healthy Hot Cocoa
The secret to this easy recipe? Heat it slowly. Slow heat helps release the antioxidants.
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder with 70% or more cacao (such as Scharffen Berger natural cocoa powder or Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa)
2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup skim or low-fat milk
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently (do not let it boil), stirring frequently, until cocoa is just beginning to steam. Pour into a mug and enjoy.
Harry's Super Simple, Healthy Hot Cocoa
The secret to this easy recipe? Heat it slowly. Slow heat helps release the antioxidants.
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder with 70% or more cacao (such as Scharffen Berger natural cocoa powder or Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa)
2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup skim or low-fat milk
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently (do not let it boil), stirring frequently, until cocoa is just beginning to steam. Pour into a mug and enjoy.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tomato Onion Basil Pie
Okay. I know I keep posting recipes, but I think it's because Evan and I have been on a no-frills diet of very plain food and ever since Chris and Sarah and family came to escape the hurricane I got to cook again! And it's so fun to experiment, plus I was basically starving!
Anyway, I tried the Tomato Onion Basil Pie (using our fresh homegrown tomatoes and basil) that is in the Brookshire calendar for October that I gave each of you. I was going to try and be fancy and link the recipe from that site to this one, but it's not on their site because of some compatibility issues. It is so delicious! Try it and tell me what you think, (Will Chris eat baked tomatoes?) I even had all four cheeses on hand that the recipe calls for but you could probably get by with fewer, just use the same entire amount of cheese (2 cups). Next time I'll include a picture of my creation, but this half-eaten pie doesn't look so photo-worthy.
Anyway, I tried the Tomato Onion Basil Pie (using our fresh homegrown tomatoes and basil) that is in the Brookshire calendar for October that I gave each of you. I was going to try and be fancy and link the recipe from that site to this one, but it's not on their site because of some compatibility issues. It is so delicious! Try it and tell me what you think, (Will Chris eat baked tomatoes?) I even had all four cheeses on hand that the recipe calls for but you could probably get by with fewer, just use the same entire amount of cheese (2 cups). Next time I'll include a picture of my creation, but this half-eaten pie doesn't look so photo-worthy.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dutch Baby for Dinner
I saw this post on a new blog Katie introduced me to and it looked so yummy (Remember Dutch Pancakes that puff up in the oven?) I wanted to share it with you. Scrumptious!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What makes a happy family?
I was listening to the radio the other day in the car and heard John Tesh (Yes, that John Tesh who plays sappy songs on the piano, but he has an informative show and it's good!) talking about what elements are common to cohesive, happy families. Here they are:
1. Successful families CHEER for each other and support each other in their activities.
2. Happy families share and encourage SPECIAL TRADITIONS like picnics at Eastertime or a family program and talent show on Christmas Eve.
3. Happy families SHOW AFFECTION for each other and EXPRESS their love for each other everyday.
4. Successful families are SPONTANEOUS and do things to surprise each other often like going on a fun, impromptu weekend trip or bringing home flowers or making goodies for the family.
5. Happy families share FAMILY HISTORY together like watching family movies or making photo albums together.
Just thought I'd share this with y'all because I thought it was really good and I am going to work on the spontaneous suggestion. We need to put some more excitement in our lives up here in Tyler!
( BTW, I thought that John Tesh actually had a show in Jacksonville where this station comes from because the previous announcer always says things like "There's John Tesh coming through the door," or "John is walking in right now" but Evan assures me that his show is syndicated so I guess I believe him.)
1. Successful families CHEER for each other and support each other in their activities.
2. Happy families share and encourage SPECIAL TRADITIONS like picnics at Eastertime or a family program and talent show on Christmas Eve.
3. Happy families SHOW AFFECTION for each other and EXPRESS their love for each other everyday.
4. Successful families are SPONTANEOUS and do things to surprise each other often like going on a fun, impromptu weekend trip or bringing home flowers or making goodies for the family.
5. Happy families share FAMILY HISTORY together like watching family movies or making photo albums together.
Just thought I'd share this with y'all because I thought it was really good and I am going to work on the spontaneous suggestion. We need to put some more excitement in our lives up here in Tyler!
( BTW, I thought that John Tesh actually had a show in Jacksonville where this station comes from because the previous announcer always says things like "There's John Tesh coming through the door," or "John is walking in right now" but Evan assures me that his show is syndicated so I guess I believe him.)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Birthday Pics and other things
This is a pick from my birthday! Thanks mom and dad for the wii and wii fit. We love it!
Also, I am making a scary halloween plate wall. I originally wanted them all to be black with a white silhouette, but now I am thinking that some should be white with a black silhouette. Just the witch one is done. I can change it though. Should I keep them all black or should I have them be different. What do you think?
Also, I am making a scary halloween plate wall. I originally wanted them all to be black with a white silhouette, but now I am thinking that some should be white with a black silhouette. Just the witch one is done. I can change it though. Should I keep them all black or should I have them be different. What do you think?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
In the Mood for Soup!
In keeping with my new resolution to post more, here's a yummy recipe we had for dinner from my seminary student's mom, Pam Egan. Perfect for cool autumn nights coming soon (maybe not as soon in Vegas or Houston)
Tortilla Chicken Soup
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, undrained
1/2 cup instant rice
1 pkg. Knorr or Lipton Recipe Vegetable Soup Mix
2 1/2 tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tbsp. onion flakes
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
8 cups water
Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Heat to boiling and then simmer until rice is tender, 5 or 10 minutes. Stir and serve with crushed tortilla chips, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, and sliced olives as garnish, if desired. Yummy for a cool autumn night!
This recipe was adapted for a larger group from the below recipe which could be used for a teacher gift or a visiting teaching gift.
Tortilla Soup in a Cup
3 Tbsp. crushed tortilla chips
2Tbsp. instant rice
1 Tbsp. Lipton Recipe Soup Mix (mix contents in envelope before removing)
1 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp. onion powder (I used onion flakes..maybe 1 tsp.)
1/8 garlic powder
1/8 tsp. cumin
Mix all ingredients well in a plastic or Ziplock bag. Pour soup mix into a plain coffee mug that holds 1 1/2 C. liquid, with no metallic decorations. Add 1 cup water. Stir well and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir and cover. Let stand 3 minutes. Enjoy!
Tortilla Chicken Soup
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or shredded
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, undrained
1/2 cup instant rice
1 pkg. Knorr or Lipton Recipe Vegetable Soup Mix
2 1/2 tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tbsp. onion flakes
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
8 cups water
Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Heat to boiling and then simmer until rice is tender, 5 or 10 minutes. Stir and serve with crushed tortilla chips, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, and sliced olives as garnish, if desired. Yummy for a cool autumn night!
This recipe was adapted for a larger group from the below recipe which could be used for a teacher gift or a visiting teaching gift.
Tortilla Soup in a Cup
3 Tbsp. crushed tortilla chips
2Tbsp. instant rice
1 Tbsp. Lipton Recipe Soup Mix (mix contents in envelope before removing)
1 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp. onion powder (I used onion flakes..maybe 1 tsp.)
1/8 garlic powder
1/8 tsp. cumin
Mix all ingredients well in a plastic or Ziplock bag. Pour soup mix into a plain coffee mug that holds 1 1/2 C. liquid, with no metallic decorations. Add 1 cup water. Stir well and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir and cover. Let stand 3 minutes. Enjoy!
Refugees, Anniversaries, and Movies
I have a resolution to post a bit more just so we can all stay more connected! I'm even getting used to typing on my new laptop--I can still learn new things (I am a Seminary teacher for goodness sake) but it just may take a bit longer for me....
Recently, we loved having Chris, Sarah, Max and little Cooper here for a week and a half as they sought refuge from a powerless home in Houston. They were most certainly blessed with only minimal damage to their fence and debris strewn on their property. Sarah has posted great pics on their website , but after Evan downloads our pics (remember I learn very slowly...) I'll post some of our own pics from our adventures here in Tyler. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we went to the zoo, the park, the Discovery Museum and just had fun being outside in the cool fall temps. What a darling and fun family they have!
Evan and I celebrated 28 years on Friday, Oct. 3! I have the best husband ever! We went to a baptism (the Atwood twins) and then went to dinner at Potpourri House (Evan was willing but still complaining about the blue hairs we would dine with) and then we ran into the Murrays! So we all had a fun dinner together! Afterwards, at nearly 10 pm, we were still game for entertainment so we went to a great movie called "Flash of Genius" about the inventor of the intermittent windshield wipers (Robert Kearns). Very good movie and nostagic for Evan and me as it was set in 1962. We loved seeing the cars and the furniture and the clothes. Here's a link to the New Yorker article the movie was based on:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1993/01/11/1993_01_11_038_TNY_CARDS_000363341
Okay, I'm pretty sure I did that totally wrong. I didn't follow Sarah's directions--somehow I thought I could do it on my own (just copy and paste, right?), but you'll find it if you really want to . Some of it is a bit technical but it recounts how Kearns had that "flash of genius" to think of the idea and also his struggle with Ford in getting credit for his invention. It's a good "thinking" movie.
We also saw " The Ron Clark Story"---no, not the country western singer but the teacher who wrote the book we are reading in Great Books, "The Essential 55." A teacher develops 55 rules of conduct to teach his rough Harlem 6th grade class. Matthew Perry stars and the kids are quite believable.
I've gone on way too long, but I'm trying to catch up. Congrats Katie and Will on getting a great house! We'll help you paint when we come!
Recently, we loved having Chris, Sarah, Max and little Cooper here for a week and a half as they sought refuge from a powerless home in Houston. They were most certainly blessed with only minimal damage to their fence and debris strewn on their property. Sarah has posted great pics on their website , but after Evan downloads our pics (remember I learn very slowly...) I'll post some of our own pics from our adventures here in Tyler. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we went to the zoo, the park, the Discovery Museum and just had fun being outside in the cool fall temps. What a darling and fun family they have!
Evan and I celebrated 28 years on Friday, Oct. 3! I have the best husband ever! We went to a baptism (the Atwood twins) and then went to dinner at Potpourri House (Evan was willing but still complaining about the blue hairs we would dine with) and then we ran into the Murrays! So we all had a fun dinner together! Afterwards, at nearly 10 pm, we were still game for entertainment so we went to a great movie called "Flash of Genius" about the inventor of the intermittent windshield wipers (Robert Kearns). Very good movie and nostagic for Evan and me as it was set in 1962. We loved seeing the cars and the furniture and the clothes. Here's a link to the New Yorker article the movie was based on:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1993/01/11/1993_01_11_038_TNY_CARDS_000363341
Okay, I'm pretty sure I did that totally wrong. I didn't follow Sarah's directions--somehow I thought I could do it on my own (just copy and paste, right?), but you'll find it if you really want to . Some of it is a bit technical but it recounts how Kearns had that "flash of genius" to think of the idea and also his struggle with Ford in getting credit for his invention. It's a good "thinking" movie.
We also saw " The Ron Clark Story"---no, not the country western singer but the teacher who wrote the book we are reading in Great Books, "The Essential 55." A teacher develops 55 rules of conduct to teach his rough Harlem 6th grade class. Matthew Perry stars and the kids are quite believable.
I've gone on way too long, but I'm trying to catch up. Congrats Katie and Will on getting a great house! We'll help you paint when we come!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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