The Needle in a Haystack

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together!

Last night Christopher and I got wrapped up in the Josh Bernstein show Digging for the Truth on the History Channel.  Last night was all about Genghis Khaan. One of Christopher's new interests happens to be that time period, and especially the Moguls.  It must come from him playing Medieval Two Total War on his lap top. It was a very well done show and Christopher has been spouting facts all day that he learned from the program. As a matter of fact, the most conversation he gave at lunch ( we ate with his Grammy Sue today)  was about the fact that scientist think 8% of the population , about 32 million folks, have the same DNA tracing back to the Khaans... Well, as if that wasn't just falling into our lap with information... We received a batch of pictures from Aunt Carolyn today ( BTW a HUGE Birthday shout out to the north...I hope the snow on Erie let up enough for you to have dinner out)..... the pics were taken of her trip in Sept . to.......... you guessed it ...Inner Mongolia!!!!!! When she signed up for the trip she expected a much larger crowd then what met her..... a translator...and a driver... but it was the trip of a life time ( if you overlook the nasty ecoli  virus she picked up)... I absolutely love the colorful building in the back and the fellow's shirt ( I know Aunt C, I should be impressed with you on the horse, but the fascination went away years ago after the pic of you on a camel in Egypt)...I so have to own a yurt and a shirt from inner Mongolia!!! This pic.  launched Christopher into a long dialog on if Aunt C could should one of the bow and arrows off the back of a horse like the Moguls.... uh no Christopher... she's good.... but not that good!!!  Now he's considering saving his money for a bow and arrow set for the back yard~sheesh~

So... learn what you can... travel vicariously... live life to the fullest.... don't drink the foreign water.....and have a fine day... all day long!!!!

Connecting the Dots

" Mom, what does syzygy mean?"....." Look it up son".... 

We have been a homeschooling household for 14 years now. I remember reading Hardtimes in Paradise by Micki and Dave Colfax and thinking.." this is it"... Chris read the book in one evening and the very next week we decided to take the plunge.  I can honestly say it was the best thing we have ever done! Despite the fact that every year around this time I get antsy about testing and college and if we're doing enough,  the truth is, our boys that have graduated  have proven my husbands theory " a bad day at homeschool is better then a good day in our public schools".  Neither one of us would say ALL public schools are bad, but the truth is, most public schools do not promote Connecting the dots... the day to day living that  teaches a person how to ask the questions... and find the answers.  By making learning a day to day experience, our boys have learned to question, they have the tools to find the answers and apply those answers to their lives....

Take Jeremy,the school system told us he was brilliant in math but learning disabled in reading... the structure of the tiny country school system didn't have an IEP to make sure he could advance in math but get help with reading....the answer?  We could.  By age 14 he had whisked through Algebra books and we found out he could read technical manuels with no problems and apply the knowledge he needed.  He was a great writer, but chose not to read the fluff stories being presented to him tagged as a slow reader.  So he spent his days doing what he loved best at home... computers... He built them, sold them, networked them, built websites, wrote programs ...after a few computer classes at the community college, at 24, he is now the Director of Technology at a fairly large company.  He proved himself to be an asset by knowing how to obtain the information he needed, and by applying what he had learned over the years...

and Josh.... our little school system said he was ADD... hmmm.... not so much that a total kinectic learning program couldn't help and total organization on his part... he liked to  work, he liked movement . The best way to read a book in his mind was while jogging.... and he did.  War stories, crime stories, mysteries...Then 911 happened and he had the opportunity at age 15 to  travel and help serve meals to volunteers and firefighters sifting thorugh the still smoldering rubble at Ground Zero.  Some officer( who will remain nameless) took such a liking to this kid he gave him his NYPD jacket, complete with patches.  The whole experince confirmes what Josh had been leaning towards any way.... he wanted to be a cop. So when he turned 16, he dual enrolled at the community college in Criminal Justice.  He even took it one step further and enrolled to serve our country in the Guard.....to protect and defend.... His experiences and high energy made his career choice a perfect match.... the dots connected...

.... we're still watching Christopher connect his dots.... he likes to write.... he likes sports.... he likes stats.... who knows  what patterns his dots will make....

... but one thing I know.... they'll make something.... and it will be the right choice for him.... he has the tools.....

...............now go find out what syzygy means yourself!!!

....and have a fine day... all day long!

6 Weird Things About Me......

....I thought I had dodged this bullet when Irene picked  different folks  I breathed a sigh of relief........until wanda posted.......

So...

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

I teeter on eccentric so I'm not sure how to sort weird from just everyday stuff....

but... here's a few that might be a bit odd...

1. I could quote the Ryme of the Ancient Marniner , The Raven, Anabel Lee, and Pippa Passes in full by the time I was 4..I also knew the Latin names for several trees and plants and could discuss local politics from the president to local government.  Both my folks were in college and I was their best study buddy!

2. My main drink 365 days a year 24/7 is hot tea... On occasion I'll drink ice tea... but even when its 100 degrees outside...I drink hot tea..

3. I love peanut M&M's... but I bite the M in half... then eat the peanut out... then the chocolate shell...takes awhile to finish a bag ..but worth it!

4. I sang in a Rock and Roll band in the late 70's and we opened for a band called Nantucket before they became famous.....

5.  I love Vintage beautiful girlie things but blended in I also like art nouveau... makes for a straange deco scheme

6. My absolute favorite show is.......... Dog the Bounty HUnter.... which is really weird cause before it was Anne of Green Gables

so...

I tagg my HOnee

Shelley

Sarah

Jennie

Debs

....If you haven't been tagged yet... consider yourself tagged... just let me know so I won't miss it!

...I'm off to get ready for Chris the Older's return.... so  Let me know how weird you are.... and have a fine day.... all day long!

Pardon Me While I Faint

....Yes Honey, I AM going to blog about this.....

...I didn't sleep well, the heater went out and even with the heated mattress pad cranked to 6 I was cold.... and I don't sleep well when Chris the older isn't home anyhow.... but the worse came at 3:00 a.m.

... Now I'm use to Perri Possum showing up to eat at the back door.... He's been doing it for years and the cats just consider him another feline...

BUT.... I heard something in the duct work under the house.  I really thought it was a cat... but when I flipped on the bathroom room... the vent cover was off and the recognizable ugly little nose of Perri was popping through.... I screamed.... he screamed... Honey, if I wake up and he's sleeping at the foot of the bed...I'm getting a condo  in a big city somewhere!

...Yesterday was major busy!  Christopher had biology in the a.m. and then we came home to an email telling us he had a game in Cary last night... We hit the road again and drove the hour and a half ( no Honee, I didn't go through Durham) to the game.  I was so shaken by the time I got there.  We were sitting get a drink when out of know where a bad accident happened right in front of us.  Apparently an ambulance took a youngster who was in a car seat away .  So sad...

Jamie, my MIL & FIL all were able to make it to the game.  Christopher did well and their team won by  6 or 8 pts.  It was one of those very exciting games ...

Lots of little busy things to do today...My hooks are feeling a tad neglected after the last couple of days...

So.... appreciate wildlife ( just not in your bathroom)... say a prayer for those in need... root for the home team... and have a fine day... all day long...

Kits Kats Sacks and Wives

The winter weather didn't hit until  late Sat.  Plenty of time to tootle around Sat. morn.  I had lots and lots of crochet and reading time .  I put the finishing touches on the little "Gone Fishin" set for Jennifer's baby.  I just love all the novelty buttons out there these days.

...Heather called about the cats( remember I have been babysitting grandcats)...something about fleas and phobias and her dad... not sure exactly where the story was going but what it finally wound up at was that they weren't taking the cats.  I was a bit miffed since the cats are wonderful but we have our share of cats up here at End of the Road.  Pet Finders is full so its either I keep the cats ( not my first choice) or they take them to the pound. Very Very sad choice since the cats are great lap cats and very funny to watch.... grrrr.... I'll probably end up with 2 more cats.... I DID tell her that I certainly hoped when they have children this was NOT how it was going to be!!!!

....Chris the Older RARELY wants breakfast but yesterday morning he wanted the whole shabang since we were staying home from church... His intake?  5 pancakes... 2 eggs over easy and 6 sausage links with chocolate velvet flavored coffee.... held him over until our movie marathon in the afternoon when we HAD to have popcorn.  We rented V for Vendetta and...um... Ice Age 2...

a brief visit from Josh and his friend Sarah......always good to see my soldier since he'll be leaving April 2

...we finished up the evening with oriental chicken over rice  and several long sighs about it being Sunday evening.... I DESPISE Sunday evenings almost as much as Monday mornings...

... Almost time to head to Raleigh so Chris the younger can do his basketball thing... I nee to find something to keep my hands busy for two hours..almost all of the projects I had planned for Jan. are finished so who knows what I'll come up with....

..anyhow.... NEVER agree to watch someone's cats.... fix good things for those you love....snuggle in for movies with your sweetie... be safe if your facing this nasty weather... and have a fine day.... all day long!

What a Great Day

That's a teeny tiny pic isn't it? My fav pic of Jamie in one of his R&B moments taken a few years back.  Emily has the photo now , she borrowed it to make a charcoal sketch as a gift to Jamie. 

...Yesterday was just one of those days where you fall asleep with a smile on your face because things went so well...Chris the younger had ball practice  so we packed up the car and headed out... Chris the older  watched  and cheered on the practice while the mums and I visited and swapped homeschool war stories.....

...Next was a visit to MIL& FIL's... lots of visiting and goodie sampling.... ( love the white powdered donuts!!!!)

...Then a nice long dinner and visit with our friends the Sprechers...nothing like good friends and food!

I am hosting a mystery crochet along over at the Ville starting Feb 1st... everyday I'll post 5 new rows and the finished project should be done in a week.  It's Valentine related so it requires  white & pink or red 4ply cotton... plain ole WW will work if you want to use scraps and...an H hook.. I thought it might be fun to post it here too so get your hooks ready!

...I heard rumors that we might get another little taste of winter late tonight but the temps are hoovering in the high 50's and hte sun is shining bright with not a cloud in the sky... I was going to work on a little rice bag but decided I'd snag some outside time while the sun was shining..

Dinner tonight? Crockpot Honey Chicken..... (yum)

Crock Pot Honey Orange Chicken

8 chicken thighs; frozen

1/2 C. honey

1 C. orange juice

2 C. chicken broth

1/2 t. salt

1 T. dry mustard

1 -2 t. fresh garlic root, minced

1 -2 t. fresh garlic, minced

2 t. soy sauce

1 10 oz. package frozen broccoli flowerets, optional thawed

2 T. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 C. water

Cooked rice

Put the frozen chicken in the crockpot right out of the freezer. Whisk all other ingredients (except cooked rice, broccoli, cornstarch and water) together and pour over the chicken. Turn the crockpot on low and cook for four to five hours.

If you desire, you may top with frozen broccoli flowerets about one hour before the chicken is finished.

Before serving, remove the chicken and broccoli and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Put crockpot on high until the broth bubbles and thickens.

So.... Love your family... enjoy good times with friends.... prepare good foods for your family.... and have a fine day....all day long~

The Snowy day

I ran outside in my crocs and jammies just to get a few pics of the snow... I love snow!  It was the most perfect day to sip tea and crochet the day away. A friend of mine is having a baby in March.  Its a boy and the daddy, grandpa and Uncle Jeremy love to fish.  what better then a camo sweater with a gone fishin button to top it off... I'll post a pic tomorrow when I finish up....

I did have a few goodies in my inbox to play with today.  My bud Debra, Jennie and I were going through the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.... I'm up to a three degree according to this calculator .  My cousin Gregg Russell is quite a dancer out in Tinseltown and the calculator says he's a 2...that would make me three out and I guess for reading this blog that makes you a 4... me, Gregg, Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Bacon....Yep, great thing to do whne its snowing outside...

The second thing was from our buddy Warren. In Oct. the peeps all went to a corn maze.  We have been getting together every few months since 1989 and it seems like the older we get, the sillier our escapades become.  You can find the slideshow here .  It is hysterical!  We all had the best time that day.

I did finish another row on the monster blanket...there is a new stripey blanket flicker group.  It will be forever before mine is finished .. at 8 feet wide and 250 stitches... this thing is no quick work in progress....I gained new inspiration from  Posy Gets Cozy who is the absolute yarn stash guru... Amazing stuff... you'll have to scroll down a day to get a pic of her WIP but I wanted you to read the sit on my butt pizza delivered to the couch quote which will soon have to be a classic....

So... enjoy the snow...have fun with friends.... finish what you start... and have a fine day... all day long!

Tomorrow is French Toast Day in Central NC

....well... not officially... but we have a winter weather advisory up with a light glazing of ice.... sure enough the grocery stores were packed tonight and all the bread, milk and eggs were gone from the shelves ( I went after Diet Pepsi and Chips ahoy).  The only thing I can think of with the three ingredients milk, eggs and bread would be french toast.. so I guess homes across the Piedmont will wake up to a light glaze of snow.... and french toast.  It really really got me in the mood for french toast so Friday morn when Chris the Older will be home and it will be a tad chilly outside I'll try this recipe :

Pecan French Toast Recipe presented by Rosewood Inn Bed & Breakfast

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Yields: 8 servings

6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp (generous) ground nutmeg
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 tsp Vanilla
1 - 16 inch loaf French bread (cut into 1-inch slices)
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Beat eggs, milk, nutmeg, orange juice, sugar and vanilla with a wire whisk. Place bread slices in two 13 x 9-inch pans. Pour half of egg mixture in each over bread. Cover tightly. Refrigerate overnight. All the egg mixture will be absorbed.

Melt butter and divide between two jelly roll pans. Place soaked bread slices without sides touching on buttered pans. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake in preheated 400 degrees over 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup.

Variation: chopped macadamia nuts and serve with cream of coconut

It sounds yummy!  The recipe is from the Rosewood Inn Bed and Breakfast in Paducah KY.  I have very very fond memories of Paducah.  My father was assigned there when I was in 4th grade and I spent a delightful year in a John Holt test school.  They called it an " Ungraded Primary" school at that time with each group of students working and exploring at their own levels.  I loved it and flourished.  Many of the concepts that were used I have carried over to my own children.  We lived in one of those nifty big huge houses with lots of nooks, crannies and hiding places right across from a park... beautiful town Paducah.  Chris the Older and I spent some time there a few years back on one of our treks across the country.

I spent the day today boxing up 4 boxes of books and games from our homeschool that we no longer need.  Goodness  the shelves look so much different! After the homeschool dejunking...I listed a few books I want to read in the next couple of months.  I joined a 50 books in 2007 challenge .  What a great encouragement to tackle some of the books I've been wanting to read.

....I'm off to fill a couple of jugs wiqth water.  A good sneeze tends to knock power off here at End of the Road... which means the well pump won't pump... and I HAVE to have my hot tea in the a.m. ( thnk goodness for the camp stove)...

So.... stay warm... enjoy a spot of french toast....read a good book... be prepared... and have a fine day... all day long

Today I wish I were a........

SHMOO.... Shmoos have this wonderful ability to be all things to all people... I could be in New Bern cheering up Chris the older , I could be in Raleigh helping Jamie with being short staffed, I could help Jeremy and Heather pick out their new car ( they bought a Honda Accord...good job kids!!!! now come get the grand-cats)...I could continue to beg the president NOT to send my precious Josh to the sandbox... and I could have been there to see Chris the younger score his token 14 Pt's at the basketball game in Greensboro...none of those things happened...

...I did manage to email my cousin ( closest thing to a sister I have on the planet).  She wants to be a knitter... a good thing when your 44 years old with 2 yo twins running around....great therapy!  AND I managed a hour long phone visit with my 88yo Grams in WV.  She is the one person I can just sit and crab to and she totally escalates and agrees with me... my absolute BEST gossip partner... I think we just about covered everyone in the family.... gosh I love that woman...

.... I think Chris the older's sadness must have hit here to..no delightful meals for one.... 2 granola bars and a peanut butter sand which .....he sat in a motel room eating chicken salad out of a container followed by a dozen white powdered donuts... goodness we are pathetic!!!!  I'm not sure what I would do as a military wife.... Major kudos to you ladies with the courage to stand strong while your hubbies are gone... I'm a wimp... I admit it....

.... Tomorrow is another Shmoo day... I need to drive Chris the younger to biology class in the a.m.  then to get his contacts..( of course 1800 contacts do NOT carry proclears~sigh~)... then an hour the other direction to a basketball game.  Dandy... just Dandy.... I've got my craft bag packed to the Gilly willies with all sorts of handy work to keep me busy.  The class is an hour away and it lasts for 2 hours.... A big thermos of tea  and I'll be set! ( Thinking those white powdered donuts are sounding really good at this point)

so.... do the best you can.... love your family....try to eat healthy..... prepare for the day.... AND have a fine day... all day long

Corner of My Home

I am so sorry for my central US friends who have the nasty weather, we're sitting at a balmy 72 degrees here this afternoon.  A fine  fine day to relax after church and a big meal.

This bench is on my list of absolute favorite things.  About 14 years ago  Chris the older made it for our anniversary.  At the time we were living in a HUGE Victorian in the middle of town and it became the prime spot to sit and watch the neighbors walk and ride to and fro.  Our initials are even carved in it!

Before we moved to End of the Road, we had purchased a bit of land in the Sandhills of NC, and we took the bench one evening for a campfire we were hosting.  A week later we went back and some one had stolen the bench!  I was so sad and Chris promised another... but it wasn't THAT bench... Two months later we were taking a drive int he country before moving up here to northern NC, the land in the Sandhills was just unperkable. Low and Behold there was our bench in the yard of a house.  We screeched the brakes and knocked on the door.. claiming my beloved bench( the nerve of some folks).... driving home that day, the bench flew off the back of the truck and roll across Hwy 421... My hubby is a master craftsman... the wonder bench didn't have a ding on it.  So here it sits at End of the Road.  It was  back by the BBQ area but it serves so much better now that the hickory tree gives a bit of shade between the house and the mailbox.  Many mornings I take my tea out there and read over the mail or my Bible.  The wildlife is constant. This is my very own little piece of goodness in our yard.

...Christopher had ball games yesterday... He did well but I must admit I went into sports mode... Goodness I can get caught up in a game.  I hate to lose.  I spent the evening sipping my ginger/ peach tea and crocheting a few ( like 24) snowflakes.. they were sort of like potato chips... " Nobody can crochet just one"... AND unfortunately I had time to visit Inspireco  take a look-see at her shop and you'll go just nuts.... I heart polka dots and had to order a key fob/ photo album...tooo cute!  All this while Chris the Older was on a medieval literature kick and we sat through Jason and the Argonauts and a take on Beowulf.  I've never been much on that time period for lit...A few travelers in the Canterbury Tales and my limit was maxed...

... Off to box up some etsy orders and perhaps get to those Valentine pressies I promised....

...Enjoy the day... love the things made for you by those you love....make things to love for those you love... but a little pretty... fight the dragons....and have a fine day... all day long!