Friday, January 20, 2012

This looks like fun! I think we can do it...whose in?


I have always wanted to do this, my aunt made pickles when I was much younger.  I was kinda of scared of them she kept them in a dark place, behind the recliner and they would make this burping noise!  Well, this recipe doesn't look so scary.
It was also one of my favorite things to get at Disneyland a really huge pickle!
Fat Free...low carbs.

Okay...whose in?  Who is going to try this with me?  Don't be scared :)

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

1-1/2 cups distilled white vinegar
1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
3/4 teaspoon dill seeds
2 cups hot water
2 pounds kirby cucumbers, sliced 1/4-inch thick
3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

Directions:

1) Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, coriander seeds and dill seeds in a heatproof bowl. Add hot water and stir until sugar dissolves and liquid is clear. Cool to room temperature.
2) Place cucumbers, garlic and dill in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Pour brine over all and turn to coat cucumbers. Cover them with a plate to weigh them down and keep them covered in brine. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, stirring once or twice. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to two weeks. Yield

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Curious...Am I the only one?

I have to say I have such a wonderful husband!  I have not been feeling well.  So he said he would go to the grocery store and he would cook dinner, BTW he is a wonderful cook!  He probably cooks about once every two weeks, sometimes more.  Of course, Chloe loves when he cooks...because lets just say it's usually comfort food.  High in fat, gooey and heavenly!  Things I would never cook.  The problem...me letting him go to the grocery store by himself!
Never again!  You see...Gunny...Bless his Heart...NEVER LOOKS AT THE PRICES! He comes home with things I never buy and I say...how much was that and he always say's "I don't know, I didn't look"! Are you kidding me!  You didn't look!  Please tell me does anyone else have this problem?


Monday, January 16, 2012

Jan. 16th, 2012

It has been a bitter sweet week...one filled with unspeakable joy...and one filled with incredible pain.

 The day before my 47th birthday...my two daughter's and son in law made me an incredibly delicious dinner.  Which started with a very unexpected present...one that changed our world.  One that well... made everything in the world okay, again.

 I had dreamed and fantisized about this day.  I was handed a very pretty gift bag...and my son in law was like a 5 year old on Christmas day...I was so anxious to open it because their excitement was so over the top they were actually jumping up and down.  I was dumbfounded.  I usually know what is going on in my family!

 I open up the gift bag ...to find a zales gift box...one that looked like there would be a bracelet in it.   I am not a jewelry person...  I kinda thought it was a gag gift.  So I opened the box...it was a pregnancy test...a positive pregnancy test!

 I didn't get it... I stood there and I stood there...then it hit me...my baby was going to have a baby!  I grabbed my face and then the tears started to flow...and wouldn't stop.  The day I had dreamed of for so long...more inportantly the day my little girl had dreamed of...finally.  But in reality...so soon.  She is only 21, and has been married for one year...just like me.  Married at 20, my first baby at 22.   All of us, could not get this stupid smile off of our face and we were all sooo silly and happy.

 The next day, Hunter, the father, our son in law, LCCP Hogan of the USMC deployed...following in the footsteps of both of their families... went to fight for his country.

 Yesterday, early afternoon the ambulance came and took my little girl to hospital...

It was confirmed today...she had a miscarriage.
I only wish I could take away there pain...but I know God can, and He will replace it with joy. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

Being present in the moment... A very popular statement...nice thought but!
If I was present for every moment...I would have slit my wrist or killed someone.  Honestly, if I was completely present for every moment it
just wouldn't be good.  In my older age, I have learned to remove myself...go somewhere else mentally at times.  Believe me it is for the best...makes me calmer, I don't react till much later or at all.  Really! try it...I think you might like it ; )  For instance, when your 8 year old has asked you what your name is for the 6th time in 5 minutes.  When your husband and daughter are antagonizing each other and you would swear they were brother and sister.  When you are waiting in line and the cashier is giving her review on each product being purchased by the customer ahead of you.  I could go on but I am sure you get it.  So join me in being somewhere else for some of those moments.  There are plenty left to be present for but by all means be choosy...
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, January 2, 2012

New day, New Year, New things we will accomplish this year...

One of the things we will accomplish this year is to go as organic as we can possibly stand.  I do believe in moderation and balance so we will sway on occasion.  One of the first things we will do is eliminate plastics from our every day life.  Which shouldn't be to hard because I have fallen in love with mason jars!
I challenge you to do the same...think of one thing you can do to be more kind to our earth and yourself.

  • Buy food in glass or metal containers
  • Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap
  • Do not give young children plastic teethers or toys
  • Use natural fiber clothing, bedding and furniture
  • Avoid all PVC and Styrene products