tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29822475878398580242024-03-14T00:24:09.324-05:00the punchbowlTexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-33377248632604021542014-01-13T16:14:00.001-06:002014-01-13T16:14:40.753-06:00Apple Pinkie Pie Cookies<p> Saw these apple pie cookies on www.ohbiteit.com. </p>
<p>I LOVE PIE! </p>
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<p>And to convert it to cookie form: GENIUS! Thank you, Amy for posting your fine ideas!</p>
<p>This was my first attempt and there is always a learning curve for me when it comes to baking ooey, gooey,sticky, oozy, pastries. I don't mind really. Even if it's a hot mess, it's still a yummy mess! </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XKvXj7gxfp8/UtRjocKpvqI/AAAAAAAAAAo/iKxPf4JDtuQ/s960/Photo%252520Jan%25252013%25252C%2525202014%25252C%2525203%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XKvXj7gxfp8/UtRjocKpvqI/AAAAAAAAAAo/iKxPf4JDtuQ/s500/Photo%252520Jan%25252013%25252C%2525202014%25252C%2525203%25253A07%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1389651239844.5457" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p>Seriously, cobbler cookies is what they turn into at worst, right! (unless they burn. And if burning your pie is your thing, then maybe you should...I don't know...maybe <em>not make pie?</em>)</p>
<p>Anyway, I made these and I burned my pinkie. So, I guess I'll name them apple pinkie pies cookies.</p>
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<p>I had some English tea and a <strike>few </strike>cookies. (After I slathered my ouchy with lavender oil!)</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-84196330452149477852013-12-22T16:23:00.000-06:002013-12-22T16:28:18.867-06:00Tub of TeaIt's nearly Christmas.<br />
<br />
Shopping, schedules, shindigs....cooking, crafts, craziness.<br />
We're enduring.<br />
We may be limping, coughing, wheezing, bleary-eyed, over-stuffed, under-rested & generally ready for something a bit more relaxing but oh by jolly, we are enduring.<br />
<br />
I know, a tub of Epsom salts would be great. But, why not consider a <i>TUB OF TEA</i>?<br />
<br />
I'm sure you have all you need in your kitchen or house, so there's no need to run off to yet another store.<br />
<br />
Here's some things to look for:<br />
<br />
Green Tea, Peppermint, Rosemary, Orange peels, Rose Petals, Lavender, Chamomile Tea, Essential Oils (Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree Oil, etc)<br />
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">Green Tea:</span> Energizing & stabilizes mood. Also a great antioxidant, anti-aging, healing tea.<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Chamomile Tea:</span> relaxing and anti-inflammatory. It's great for irritated or dry skin.<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Rosemary:</span> Relaxing, helps with alertness, clarifies skin<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Peppermint:</span> Energizing<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Lavender</span>: Calming, anti-inflammatory, induces sleep<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">Sage</span>: helps with acne & oily skin<br />
<br />
Here's what you do:<br />
<br />
Brew about 2 cups of very strong herbal tea using existing tea or herbs. Strain the tea. Add it to your bath water. You can add essential oils to your bath water as well. If you used loose leaf tea or herbs, once strained, you can take the strained leaves and place them in cheesecloth or a wash cloth. Gather the ends of said cloth and tightly secure a rubberband, hair tie or string around the ends. Place in bath water while you soak all your cares away and rejuvenate. <br />
<br />
It's like a mini spa treatment. I think we can endure that!<br />
<br />TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-34036632986306534882013-12-06T16:21:00.001-06:002013-12-06T16:31:46.304-06:00What Brings JOYNow that the Holidays are here, I feel sentimental as I'm sure many do this time of year. This feeling leads me down several paths and one being the tea party path. Yes, I'm always thinking what would be a fun tea party, but during this time of year, when there seems to be perpetual busyness, I think of how warm, intimate and refreshing it would be to gather some favorite girlfriends for a party. These are friends whom I love dearly, and love spending time with and to be with all of them together would be like a small, special gift. A gift that <i>feels</i> like Christmas. A gift that doesn't always come at other times of the year. <br />
The Christmas season is special. It's a time of treasuring our loved ones and memories of times past. Sure, we can get depressed this time of year quite easily (I have). But I find that it's mostly due to our commercial culture where we live our everyday lives. A culture where we are constantly bombarded by the marketing of excessive luxury & the idea of joy and happiness. A culture where the images are of happy faces and fun times. Because of this, some of us can become sad & lose sight of what the season is truly about. We can become inwardly focused on the things we don't have instead of focused on the things we do have.<br />
This is the season where, if you believe in the Christian faith, you believe God sent his only son as fully man & fully God to this planet Earth to have relationship with humans.<br />
Relationship. It brings God joy. Isn't that what brings true joy to our lives too?<br />
So how about gathering those close friends & loved ones together for a tea party and celebrate relationships. Reminisce about the past, talk about the future, enjoy the present moment. Get sentimental. I promise you'll feel joy when they're gathered around your table. This is true meaning of Christmas. <br />
Now go put the kettle on and make a few invitations for a holiday tea (& if you need help, I'm truly happy to help you). <br />
jOY<br />
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TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-71529366065841164672013-11-20T15:08:00.000-06:002013-11-21T11:55:45.924-06:00A wee tea party in Forest Grove<p><font face="Georgia">During the early Fall of 2013, in a small town of Forest Grove, a tea party took place.Stella, a small 10" teddy bear visited a dear friend. In the friend's garden, a tea party was hosted in honor of Miss. Stella's visit. In fact, two tea parties took place in two different locations in the garden throughout the two week visit. Throughout the visit, when it rained, they partied in a small, warm attic room where all sorts of art, paper crafts and textiles hung from the walls and were stashed in little nooks and crannies. When it was sunny, the small bears and one duck partied outside or inside near a window.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I was able to capture a few photos of Miss. Stella and her lovely friends during the parties. Here are a few photos for your amusement:</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia"> </font></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zXyeXAbjwq0/Uo5Isps-fjI/AAAAAAAAAkU/VO9MfF4VnUw/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A19%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zXyeXAbjwq0/Uo5Isps-fjI/AAAAAAAAAkU/VO9MfF4VnUw/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A19%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1385056483037.6433" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_fRRY_OgLL8/Uo5Iu4C1_nI/AAAAAAAAAkc/AN4hBMgNc_A/s1024/Photo%252520Aug%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A20%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_fRRY_OgLL8/Uo5Iu4C1_nI/AAAAAAAAAkc/AN4hBMgNc_A/s500/Photo%252520Aug%25252031%25252C%2525202013%25252C%2525201%25253A20%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1385056483044.9622" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia"> The fruit tart was a huge hit with the guests. And the tea was a wonderful berry blend sweetened with local clover honey. Miss. Stella had a memorable time when she visited Forest Grove and she looks forward to many happy returns. </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia"> </font></p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-90827035251501692682013-11-19T11:59:00.002-06:002013-12-21T21:32:54.738-06:00about those Olive-Pecan Finger Sandwiches<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As promised, here is a wonderful yummy Autumnal recipe for those who love olives, pecans and cream cheese!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found this recipe in Tea Time Magazine and immediately went to my kitchen to whip some up! I had everything on hand except the "Very Thin Wheat Bread" so I just used my regular bread. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because of the noise from the mixer, I had a teenage boy show up in the kitchen. Teenage boys are sort of like pets; like when a pet hears the fridge(or a wrapper, a tater chip bag or even the tuna can leaving the shelf) and then suddenly are under foot, that's sort of how it works with teenage boys. So, here I am, chopping, toasting, mixing, spreading, cutting and someone else wants to eat the fruits of my labor!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok. I let him. He's a charming boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HOLY TOLEDO! We couldn't stop eating this. I gave up the bread and grabbed some crackers and we just about finished that up before there was any evidence for other house occupants to find (the dog new. He liked it too.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hubby ventured through the kitchen while teenage boy, dog and I had our cheeks stuffed with the stuff. That incriminated us as we couldn't really speak. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or hide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or run (we didn't want to leave the mixture).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hubby looked around and finished what was left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been told to make it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">shhh....they don't know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the link:</span><br />
<a href="http://gypsybellesteaparty.com/olive-pecan-finger-sandwiches.html" target="_blank">Olive-Pecan Finger Sandwiches</a>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-85914804174448882482013-11-16T11:05:00.000-06:002013-11-16T11:05:48.650-06:00Tea Sandwiches<div>
Tea sandwiches are so much fun to eat. You need to think beyond basic cucumber (though, I like those too, especially with some herbed cream cheese or some Boursin spread). How about some open faced tea sandwiches, which in some parts of the party sphere are called "canapés". Uh huh, I'm venturing into what the party elite call "horse doovers" or better yet, "or derbs". But hear me (or read me in this case), tea sandwiches are like the proverbial step child; they are underrated; they aren't really considered. It's a crying shame. They absolutely can be a great addition to a party menu. Take for example their ability to stretch a loaf of bread, the ease of preparation, the convenience factor of the leftovers. These little buggers can be a hostess' bestie! And, I should mention how they transcend age and gender. If you have kiddos, pb&j cut into four little handy sandwiches with the crust removed get eaten more than a whole big-a$$ sandwich does! AND...bbq pulled pork on miniature buns, as men fondly call "sliders", get gobbled up on game day like nobody's business. </div>
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Have I convinced you to re-think your ideas of tea sandwiches? </div>
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For the remainder of the month, I'll post some autumnal flavors that get served in miniature style on a wee bit of bread. </div>
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TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-18470053827371776292013-11-07T21:14:00.000-06:002013-11-07T21:14:08.752-06:00A Case for Tea PartiesI'm a tea party enthusiast.<br />
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So much so, I've started a traveling tea party business.</div>
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Yep.</div>
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It's what you're thinking. </div>
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I prepare the foods, find the teas, pack my wares and deliver the whole shebang to your place. All you have to do is invite 8-24 friends. I'll even give you the invites for a small fee, or for a bit more, I'll mail them out for you. I try to make this as painless as possible.</div>
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Parties and celebrations are something we all should have more of. Creating space for friends, families, co-workers and well...people, to come together and celebrate. Celebrate what? Do you really need a reason? If you keep a gratitude journal you will find that for every entry, it can correspond to a reason to celebrate. Are you thankful for your pet goldfish? Then how about a party celebrating pets? Are you thankful for sunny days? Then how about a little picnic with some special people? See how this works now? I knew you were smart.<br />
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One of the best things about a tea party is that it can happen at anytime of day and anytime of year and in any sort of setting. They can be for a party of two or a party of_##__. I personally prefer the smaller crowd for a more intimate time. Eight people is most delightful. It isn't too big or too small and everyone can feel like they have properly visited with each other. If you have a large crowd (over 24), then having seating for 8 per table is a must (for reason I mentioned above).<br />
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I also believe tea parties to be one of the best options for a bridal shower, baby shower or birthday party/anniversary. It can be as casual or as formal as the host/hostess desires. And because of the types of food served, it really is convenient. Dietary limitations are easily met with various menu options. With the addition of soups, salads & brunch foods, the tea party can be a rather filling experience.<br />
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I hope you'll consider a tea party as your next party. Hey! A holiday tea is perfect for gathering your friends and family. Call me. I'd love to help.</div>
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TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-36917423737507102722013-05-01T21:01:00.000-05:002013-05-01T21:01:03.249-05:00Small VictoryI<br />
I ran<br />
I ran 2.5<br />
I ran 2.5 miles.<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had a<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had a smile<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had a smile on<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had a smile on my<br />
I ran 2.5 miles and had a smile on my face.<br />
<br />
My iPod helped. (King of Pop. RIP)<br />
My commitment to health helped.<br />
My iPod helped. (zzTop)<br />
The threat of rain helped.<br />
50 degrees helped.<br />
My pedometer helped.<br />
My iPod helped. (Seal)<br />
Pushing through the pain (never done that before) helped.<br />
<br />
Small victory.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-89983917603404950522013-05-01T21:00:00.002-05:002013-05-01T21:00:32.465-05:00Back in TEXASHowdy!<br />
<br />
Our little family moved back home to Texas.<br />
We've had a few losses though. Murphy, our little mini schnauzer, received his wings May 5th of 2012.<br />
He was the best dog in the entire world. To us. He was loved by all who knew him. A very friend to all. I miss you Murphy.<br />
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We also lost Walter (the sourdough I created when we moved out of the old farmhouse in Forest Grove and into our "ranch" house in Forest Grove). Walter was Sid's companion and lived almost 2 1/2 years. Walter and Sid journeyed to Texas from Oregon in a styrofoam cooler (spare me the atrocities of the styrofoam, I know!!!) that sat in the passenger seat of a large UHaul. I sat squished between Mr. Friend and the cooler. Stella and Beary (two stuffed bears that keep my craziness company) sat upon the cooler enjoying the scenery. Every night, in the motel room, I would fret over and stir the two sourdoughs. Each of them took turns frightening me with a lack of bubbles (bubbles in a sourdough is a positive sign of life). Anyway, they survived the trip.<br />
<br />
It is my mom's fridge where Walter met his demise. Apparently, a fruit fly found its way to the starter and, well....fruit flies LOVE hootch (and sourdoughs make their own hootch, since they do ferment).<br />
Let's just leave it at that. The boys, Mr. Friend & I gathered around the sink and had a moment of silent reflection of all Walter gave to us. Then, we sent him to the sea.<br />
<br />
Sid, however, is ALIVE!! In fact, he has taken to bubbling and doubling in his jar that he has popped out and spilled over his jar a few times now! I had to stir him twice a day, just to stop the commotion. He's slowed down now. I'm not sure if that was the mourning process, or if it was just that Walter kept Sid from that sort of potential. Sid, now lives with the beer out in the small fridge in the garage.<br />
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I'm going to start another blog soon and just thought I'd update this one.<br />
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Not that anyone will notice.<br />
<br />
<br />TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-88157219306583398212011-03-24T15:02:00.000-05:002011-03-24T15:02:29.627-05:00He Nudged MeDay16 of the Lenten Journey finds me alive and well!<br />
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Since I've been attempting to deny my flesh of certain mindless indulgences or comforts I find myself inconsistent yet determined. My focus has been more on a physical level than a spiritual level; but didn't Jesus blend the physical with the spiritual when he fasted and journeyed through the desert for 40 days? Of course, He was led by the Holy Spirit.<br />
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Am I? Am I believer in Jesus? Do I believe in the filling of the Spirit when one accepts Jesus as their Saviour? Yes to both of those questions. So, when being led by Spirit, why do I tend to limit that to just an emotional experience? Actually, that nudging I had, to direct me towards the Lord before the Lenten season, was that not the Holy Spirit who indwells me? He nudged my intellect and my heart. My Bible teaches that the Spirit always testifies to Jesus, the Son of God. It wouldn't have been the devil encouraging my heart to move towards Jesus. And believe me, it surely wasn't my flesh either! My flesh would NEVER desire anything that wasn't pleasurable and didn't bring immediate gratification. That's just the nature of the flesh.<br />
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So yes, indeed I was led by the Spirit into this 40 day journey in my desert of sorts. I'm still battling the fleshly desires on an ever constant basis. I'm trying to be conscientious of my mind, will and emotions, my fleshly desires and my spirit man, who so desperately needs to built up in Jesus. I am more aware of my desert surroundings. I'm also more discerning regarding needs, wants and desires. I feel I'm slowly awakening. There is a Spring-like quality that is happening inside of me. This short path of death and darkness that I have chosen is allowing light to shine and define some things in my life.<br />
<br />
Following is a small list of physical victories and losses:<br />
- I walked out of three various retail stores within the last week without purchasing a single thing my eye lusted after. I even put stuff back. It was a sad but good feeling at the time.<br />
- I also confess that at other times, I did buy some stuff that I don't really need. I was lured by the $1 price tag.<br />
- I'm making good on a vow I made to myself for the last 20 years. I told myself that when I turn 40, I'd get serious about exercising for health. Basically, I'd eat a whole lot more salads and veggies, less red meat and less dessert and exercise everyday. It won't be about "looking good", it will be for health. Granted, I'm in the days of small beginnings, but I BEGAN!<br />
- I ate pizza, Cajun tots, homemade monkey bread (using Sid, my sourdough starter...he turned 1 year old on the 22nd) and had 1 pt. of Ruby beer.<br />
- I ran 2.3 miles today. I've never enjoyed running. But today, I felt different about it; only after starting the run. That leads me to tomorrow's story.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-66507144518221480722011-03-18T19:43:00.000-05:002011-03-18T19:43:59.566-05:00a misspelled question<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert being being tempted for forty days by the devil." Luke 4:1-2a </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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I think it is very important to read in Luke 4 about <i>Who</i> lead Jesus into the desert. There is a clue in there as to <i>Who</i> helped Him speak the very Word to cause the devil to back down. I believe this <i>Who</i> is also key in our living our lives as Christ followers. Jesus said all who believe in Him will be filled with the Holy Spirit.<br />
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I believe it is up to us to allow the Spirit to lead us. I think so many times, I see where God, through His Spirit would want to take me and if it looks uncomfortable or like there could be a "devil" there, then it must not be God or even Spirit-lead, so I actually end up denying the Spirit rather than the flesh. What would have happened had Jesus said "no" to the Spirit leading Him to the desert to be tempted by the devil?<br />
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Notice how Jesus didn't avoid the desert. I avoid.<br />
<br />
I know you know what I'm talking about.<br />
I'm specifically talking about not buying cookies.<br />
Or making cookies.<br />
Or having cookies anywhere in the proximity of where I live.<br />
I'm talking about not having to listen to the little package of cookies call out my name from wherever they may be stashed. Avoidance. How easy it is. I am wondering if it really is me resisting the temptation or is it really me avoiding the test all together?<br />
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If I change one letter, in one word, in that verse in Luke 4, then the story of Jesus being lead by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil would read like this: "Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the dessert being tempted for forty days by the devil." For you A+ spellers out there, I just changed a dry, arid place into a French bakery. Desert becomes dessert.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxB_uqk8kW8aPrYkAuCTb4j-IzBoVhJTH0VJRwbLeUsHyStbKBroR0bPkUPV3iuVZ9W1Ct_bcwtrY-XY5jV6FKeFYxv6kkbC8epFsN1CJmAdrix1utskzAzHz77RPZ79N4Te8rOFI00Q/s1600/Chocolate_cake_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxB_uqk8kW8aPrYkAuCTb4j-IzBoVhJTH0VJRwbLeUsHyStbKBroR0bPkUPV3iuVZ9W1Ct_bcwtrY-XY5jV6FKeFYxv6kkbC8epFsN1CJmAdrix1utskzAzHz77RPZ79N4Te8rOFI00Q/s200/Chocolate_cake_photo.jpg" width="171" /></a>This is getting trivial in a light-hearted way about something seriously spiritual. So, thanks to the English language, we'll just change one word so we don't have to dwell on this any longer. "Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness being tempted for forty days by the devil."<br />
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There, that should remove any attempt at relevancy to my life. No need to dwell there. I'm so glad I avoided those questions.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-11190929183550026122011-03-11T18:40:00.000-06:002011-03-11T18:43:24.930-06:00The Cookie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgOnpY5-wtD73Jsiz_yoXb_Wfe7Qwxgldyb5JJj0yiWbAtL07BZ8bv7Z2JOcFmbYXWpFIAEyiz7py2LIBbjoZ7wrfHmTjyJMi_87QTk_mPln2KulHZJh0opufht9ihrUyR9tvF3kc1xPO/s1600/cookie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgOnpY5-wtD73Jsiz_yoXb_Wfe7Qwxgldyb5JJj0yiWbAtL07BZ8bv7Z2JOcFmbYXWpFIAEyiz7py2LIBbjoZ7wrfHmTjyJMi_87QTk_mPln2KulHZJh0opufht9ihrUyR9tvF3kc1xPO/s320/cookie.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This chocolate cookie was a no-brainer temptation. What I mean is this: I was painting and while I was painting, the thought of the chocolate cookie came to mind, then I instantly recalled how good it tastes. It had been 2 hours since lunch and a little snackie would be good and tasty. So, I put my paint brush down, washed my hands and wandered into the kitchen. I popped open the lid and the fragrance of chocolate cookies wafted up to my nostrils. "Mmmmm", I thought. And then, an image of a glass of milk entered my mind. I poured a small glass of milk. I took a bite of the cookie. As soon I did, it occurred to me that I had just given into temptation. GASP! I finished the cookie. GASP! I stared at the small glass of milk. Cookies and milk go together like burgers and fries or pie and coffee. One without the other is sacrilege. So, I figured I had better take a photo of the culprits of my failure. (As you may or may not know, I'm on a mission for 40 days to resist temptation.) I grab another cookie (and smell that wonderful smell), I feel remorseful that a chocolate cookie is such an obvious temptation and yet, without even thinking, I was tempted and just gave in to it. INCONCEIVABLE! (you are now thinking about the Princess Bride, aren't you?) I set the cookie on a napkin and I position the milk beside it. I take several pictures of the offenders. I take a picture of the cookie, from different angles and lighting settings. (sigh) I scroll through my shots and delete the bad photos. I forward the good ones to my email. I got distracted by the dog wanting back inside. Mind you, this all happened in about 2 minutes. I let the dog back inside and see the cookie and milk. I pick up the cookie and mindlessly eat it. GASP! .........................FOOL! I DID IT AGAIN!!! How could I go through 2 minutes of realizing MY depravity regarding the temptation of cookies just to do it AGAIN?! INCONCEIVABLE!<br />
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The thing of it is, Jesus was going without food for 40 days in the desert and the devil came to Him and tempted Him to turn a stone into a loaf of bread. That was a temptation based on a legitimate need.<br />
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Cookies and milk?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIMvtJe-orT-Y9bAVT8ivCK0wI7cKxLoLplcDizZc3_oY0cnQ_Y-8kepXro-d_8tdJJKSalGrY5gxyPO7ZE0Dv8JgbuzikTmC9UrqjHZ2-rE3G-ZTvik8eqKrzRqp6RfI9RkS6dGLVZWj/s1600/cookiemilk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIMvtJe-orT-Y9bAVT8ivCK0wI7cKxLoLplcDizZc3_oY0cnQ_Y-8kepXro-d_8tdJJKSalGrY5gxyPO7ZE0Dv8JgbuzikTmC9UrqjHZ2-rE3G-ZTvik8eqKrzRqp6RfI9RkS6dGLVZWj/s1600/cookiemilk.jpeg" /></a></div>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-10644729788166962402011-03-10T23:56:00.000-06:002011-03-10T23:56:19.492-06:00It's Painfully ObviousIt's painfully obvious this resisting temptation thing for 40 days isn't going to work. At least on my own, it isn't going to work. Denying oneself and the lusts of this flesh just doesn't come easy. Jesus tells us if we are going to follow Him then we are to pick up our cross daily, we need to deny ourselves. Why would anyone <i>want</i> to do this? This will be 40 days of dying. Why?<br />
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This isn't going to make me holy. This isn't going to get me into Heaven. This isn't going to earn me any points with God. Why should I bother?<br />
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Why should I feel so compelled to prepare my heart for Resurrection Sunday, the day Jesus conquered death? It's amazing how I am already fighting against this inclination to "deny oneself". Quite frankly, I am comfortable right where I'm at. Or perhaps not just comfortable, but complacent.<br />
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....No, not complacent; because I still believe there is more to this Jesus than I've known for the last 27 years of walking with Him. There is something in me that needs to die in order for new life to emerge. I'm not sure what that is, or what it looks like, but I'm going to commit to this 40 day thing. I have a feeling that my failing on this human level is actually succeeding on some small spiritual level.<br />
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It's going to be painful, obviously.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-12006390869243277662011-03-09T16:14:00.001-06:002011-03-11T18:40:56.531-06:00Another 40 Day ProjectI'm not Catholic. I've never "done" Lent. However, this year, I am feeling compelled to prepare my heart for Resurrection Sunday (I prefer calling it what I celebrate; the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after His death.). Lent is a 40 day fast that is supposed to represent Jesus' 40 days in the desert overcoming the temptations by Satan. It's recorded in Luke 4.<br />
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I'm not fasting. I am on a mission. I am reading Luke 4 for 40 days. I am pondering this story. I am examining my own heart and ways. I am thinking about Jesus being in a desert and the lack of comfortable living he endured. I am thinking about how the text clearly mentions that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. I am thinking about the three recorded ways the devil tempted Jesus. I am thinking about how at the end of the temptation period, the devil departed from Him until an opportune time. I am thinking about how Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit and thus began His ministry.<br />
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I shall imagine what it would be like to live 40 days in the wilderness (in the area Jesus was in, it would be like living in Arizona). I don't know if He had a tent, a camel, and a 40 day ration of water. I don't know if he took any good scrolls to read. I don't know if he stayed out of the skin cancer inducing UV rays. I don't know if he traveled by night and slept by day. I don't know if he had memorized the constellations to know which direction he was going.<br />
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You see, if it were me going for 40 days into the wilderness (especially if I knew I would be fasting), I would pack my Jeep with all the Costco water bottles I could fit in it. I would have 5 vat-sized SPF 50 sunblock lotion bottles. I would have my sunglasses, my sunhat, a good pair of hiking shoes, a box of matches, some camp fire wood, a topographical map or a TomTom GPS, a portable chair, some chewing gum, my iPod with car charger, good books and magazines, a camera with some good lenses, a couple of pencils, a pen and a journal.<br />
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I would definitely be ready to capture whatever God wanted to tell me be it a scene, a word or some lyric from a great song. I would be quasi-comfortable...like camping, but with more of a spiritual intent. Right?<br />
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So here is what I'm thinking I'm going to do for the next 40 days (we don't count Sundays for some reason during the Lent season otherwise it would be 46 days), I'm going to try to overcome temptation. I know the difference between eating for sustaining my life and eating because I'm tempted (like the creme brulee on the dessert tray after I have already broken the law against gluttony). Or like when I'm tempted to run off to the store for something that I really don't need. There's so many things I can be tempted by. But the choice is up to me. I have the inconvenience of not being in a desert. Temptation is everywhere.<br />
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I'll blog each day about my triumphs and (most likely) failures. This is an attempt to realize my real, true need. Jesus. Because like I said, if I were going somewhere for 40 days, I would...TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-78833988151355705532010-11-04T23:21:00.000-05:002010-11-04T23:22:48.952-05:0010 Weeks!Well, it's ten weeks until the big 4 OH!<br />
I'm taking stock.<br />
I'm pondering.<br />
I'm hesitantly moving forward.<br />
I'm grasping new truths.<br />
I'm letting go of familiar lies.<br />
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It's a good place to be.<br />
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I was thinking back to my childhood to see if I could recognize what was in my heart way back then. What sort of things did I like, what games did I like to play, what did I like to do, who or what did I pretend to be? What happened to <i>that </i>girl? If I imagine myself so young and small like <i>her, </i>and I could talk to <i>her</i>, what would I say? Or would I say anything? Perhaps I would just listen.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-16077722678445104512010-10-26T20:50:00.000-05:002010-10-26T20:50:47.491-05:00New Dough in TownI made a new sourdough starter. I still have Sid.<br />
Sid is good.<br />
Sid is easy going.<br />
Sid still reigns supreme.<br />
<br />
Now I have Walter. Where Sid is a milk-based starter, Walter is a water-based starter.<br />
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I made Walter 20 days ago. Ten days later, I made a some artisan loaves with him. He tasted yummy. Not quite as yeasty as Sid, but still, he was good. Then I fed him. The little guy was a glutton! It was my fault though. I gave him 3 times the amount of sugar! I realized that and then had to adjust his flour and water accordingly! I'm not sure how he'll taste the next time I make bread with him.<br />
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Flash Forward one month later: Walter is the Shiz.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-70340766381562265112010-10-07T00:47:00.000-05:002010-10-07T00:47:57.337-05:00Oh Walter...Here's a blues song. After each sentence you can flourish it with your own "blues sound" (i.e. bum <u><b>DUH</b></u> <i>da</i> <u>dum</u>, da dum, da dum, da dum, bum <u><b>DUH</b></u> <i>da</i> dum<i>,</i>etc.)<br />
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I woke up this morning (insert blues sound)<br />
I mixed up some dough (blues sound)<br />
I was in a hurry (blues sound)<br />
I had somewhere to go! (blues sound)<br />
<br />
I heated up the water (you know what to do)<br />
I waited for the right temp (.....)<br />
I added some more flour (....)<br />
I did not add hemp (.... okay, okay, so I needed a rhyming word + it's a true statement! Of course, I wouldn't know where to get such stuff. I've seen it in health food stores, not-so-secretly- added to chips among some other things. Oh, and it's in the craft shops too; in yarn and jewelry supplies. Back to the blues!)<br />
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Here's the part of the song where you can really let it go....think House of Blues....think laundry!<br />
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The dough mixed up nicely (blues sound)<br />
It smelled pretty good too (blues sound)<br />
I dumped it out on the counter (.....)<br />
It was a big gob of goo (...)<br />
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More flour was <s>kneaded</s> needed (blues sound)<br />
The dough wouldn't let it in (get grungy with it, because my frustration at this point is high. The dough was NOT letting the flour incorporate)<br />
I fussed at the dough ball and looked at the jar and when I realized that Walter was still in the jar, I felt real apologetic, because I wasn't making sourdough at all, I just had a big ball of gooey dough and poor Walter wasn't a part of it at all! (okay, so I'm not much of a song writer and I ruined your groove. My groove was ruined too).<br />
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Song over.<br />
Story not over.<br />
<br />
I added 1 cup of Walter <i>(the new sourdough starter,yes I still have Sid) </i>to the dough and got my hands reeeeeeeeeeeal goopy. Then I got all improvisational with it and added a tad more flour and a tad more Walter. When it was all said and done, I had a very dense ball of sourdough. And because Walter was such a glutton after to first time I fed him <i>(I gave him 3x the amount of sugar and had to compensate with more flour and water)</i> I'm not real sure how it's all going to turn out.<br />
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I've got the sourdough blues.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-2949934657951390182010-08-28T00:02:00.000-05:002010-08-28T00:02:21.654-05:00Flipping-out on this Freaky Friday over Flirtatious Femalesnuf said.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-32018047230803768432010-07-27T12:49:00.000-05:002010-07-27T12:49:43.754-05:00Michelle's Summer 2010: 10 Things10) COLD and CLOUDY June.<br />
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9) Started process of buying house in Forest Grove.<br />
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8) STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES AND TAYBERRIES<br />
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7) Snag in the home-buying process<br />
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6) Home-made freezer jams<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytF4uN3PJ0GaxLDVDUjN5IgW3ttzxfEwTVmh99HkordOGEhPY9uztvPc17-0iuhWwW5RAX3G76dIrWqFHyKjt4-URvKPRmFuWVmKg0tcshNOEs9xHC9Sdnz1SvdN8YiRXWDUlj5rusDOW/s1600/20100629152155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytF4uN3PJ0GaxLDVDUjN5IgW3ttzxfEwTVmh99HkordOGEhPY9uztvPc17-0iuhWwW5RAX3G76dIrWqFHyKjt4-URvKPRmFuWVmKg0tcshNOEs9xHC9Sdnz1SvdN8YiRXWDUlj5rusDOW/s200/20100629152155.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
5) Theater In The Grove Children's After School Theater Productions: "The Saddest King" & "Music Man, Jr." with Charlie acting in both and Autry as a Stage Technician<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xU0E_jEgZM5PdGEitnTa3kGISxrRnrsNQsL5qn_tvJQRKjQPaLSgf0fGTcUj4zNraJI8IVJd_ghlY8yC4cLqkHftv0QZjFCI4lrXV4Ir8MEcaEBPa3T6w5ykJ62ur2Nprb6XK0zE2zQv/s1600/20100616145606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xU0E_jEgZM5PdGEitnTa3kGISxrRnrsNQsL5qn_tvJQRKjQPaLSgf0fGTcUj4zNraJI8IVJd_ghlY8yC4cLqkHftv0QZjFCI4lrXV4Ir8MEcaEBPa3T6w5ykJ62ur2Nprb6XK0zE2zQv/s200/20100616145606.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>4) Another snag in the home-buying process.<br />
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3) Trip to Port Townsend, WA. for 4th of July.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2) Beach trip</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKde-kQSJyRrOG9vsAm1afx71MDzFoobtnJGcDUpoTFJ6kCtyTO2CcoHXWKJopa91yP3qyvBHf6xCkvmtrTmKRQlOO2USl_gBhQawu82dyZrlQmCsoUeJYZeck7tYZo1LQv0RfuHbaAkS/s1600/20100709204615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKde-kQSJyRrOG9vsAm1afx71MDzFoobtnJGcDUpoTFJ6kCtyTO2CcoHXWKJopa91yP3qyvBHf6xCkvmtrTmKRQlOO2USl_gBhQawu82dyZrlQmCsoUeJYZeck7tYZo1LQv0RfuHbaAkS/s200/20100709204615.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1) BFF from high school visits for a week. What fun! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We are still awaiting the closing of our house. Will keep you posted!</span> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-57531912145601390922010-07-14T23:39:00.000-05:002010-07-14T23:39:07.967-05:00Accessories For SidSid is my sourdough starter that lives in my fridge. He's about 5 months old now. He had a <a href="http://punchbowl-friends.blogspot.com/2010/06/sid-slipped-in-shower.html">near death</a> experience a couple of weeks ago and since then, I have really been more sympathetic towards him. <br />
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My family and I went strawberry picking last week for our first time EVER. We picked 20lbs of strawberries in 40 minutes. They were $1/lb. We paid $20 for our strawberries. They should've weighed us before we started picking, because I'm sure between the four of us, we ate 5lbs worth. I only ate two strawberries. It was my boys who ate in poundage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVd8ADjrEFSuf147LXFwZHVgQTwo1stqPwbMTtRg5fulQaxRMmlzu6QqktAtLsDr6PG5s7dVfvmic6KmDXC4BKHX0DBNrX-5mbjasWYkbf75XORstiwIe0h6M25TaXFbNm7NdKYzVa_JU/s1600/20100624155101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVd8ADjrEFSuf147LXFwZHVgQTwo1stqPwbMTtRg5fulQaxRMmlzu6QqktAtLsDr6PG5s7dVfvmic6KmDXC4BKHX0DBNrX-5mbjasWYkbf75XORstiwIe0h6M25TaXFbNm7NdKYzVa_JU/s200/20100624155101.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Unlike blackberry picking, there aren't any thorny briers that scratch up your skin or clothes. There are just small, green clusters of plants and if you move the foliage out of the way, you will see under the green leaves and stalks, a red cache. It's beautiful. Red strawberries hidden under the shade of the plant, resting peacefully, waiting for someone to find them and pick them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh2IG0K7P1yujBfin3hqTlXFTobyip_RUnQ7A4YqBo2LuK-Xl5PaiFu9MGGFbqAb__7JrHetnkl8JpsOYauQJ24KSBT0bHLguH3S2BnrZdQalF30BwWHgqTNPmx9xjTG6MFrVqVNO_SwB/s1600/20100624155544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh2IG0K7P1yujBfin3hqTlXFTobyip_RUnQ7A4YqBo2LuK-Xl5PaiFu9MGGFbqAb__7JrHetnkl8JpsOYauQJ24KSBT0bHLguH3S2BnrZdQalF30BwWHgqTNPmx9xjTG6MFrVqVNO_SwB/s320/20100624155544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Pick them we did!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoA1PqMb5lb5mzEICZzQJIQVdPslOlKnPjk_C4uwWaQL6aJSIBpmFB8IShbycilATKrNmgwwOF9v5s83yL5lL3FwexzVl6osgK_lfyPsKcvWPO8dj8dCdruQnsg5JL_149X1W4Q2nPMqX/s1600/20100624160719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoA1PqMb5lb5mzEICZzQJIQVdPslOlKnPjk_C4uwWaQL6aJSIBpmFB8IShbycilATKrNmgwwOF9v5s83yL5lL3FwexzVl6osgK_lfyPsKcvWPO8dj8dCdruQnsg5JL_149X1W4Q2nPMqX/s320/20100624160719.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64K_LJeAuIAPAjsgrbFUaPuqcNUv_43T6lkRtan6VGLQgtDD4WQ30tqnHsFpR03ufSppf3WPSmyU6acJWZYwxQ1OLYcV3X-s2IrI72eqUqXROS4cx1uXy3P__S76KEZ0Gu9r6F-F6QLaT/s1600/20100624221443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64K_LJeAuIAPAjsgrbFUaPuqcNUv_43T6lkRtan6VGLQgtDD4WQ30tqnHsFpR03ufSppf3WPSmyU6acJWZYwxQ1OLYcV3X-s2IrI72eqUqXROS4cx1uXy3P__S76KEZ0Gu9r6F-F6QLaT/s320/20100624221443.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We took our 20lbs of strawberries home. We ate our dinner, went to see Charlie in his play at the Theater in the Grove, ate ice cream and then, at 9:30pm began the cleaning/de-stemming/pureeing/jam process. It took <strike>us</strike> me 2 1/2 hours to process all of those strawberries. It was my first time. I wasn't sure how to set up the system. I had my food processor out and started the puree process with that, but realized that the blender would hold more. I had 4 bowls to begin with but realized 2 were sufficient. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">About 1 1/2 hours into the whole shebang, I had this thought: "Puree can later be made into jam. Jam does not have to be made RIGHT NOW". </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXOqNhAatg6FVhiezLnjA2kGXKBHY04zE-HD0-4m8pfPvd0BXmAOma_eKw7RzHeV3Ej11I4jIfQ0DywFu2b0xEELyfPc4iI141W_XP2pNK4afvTRN-KyFIJmoTXrE4hNHFjXYWPE9D0jU/s1600/20100624221356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXOqNhAatg6FVhiezLnjA2kGXKBHY04zE-HD0-4m8pfPvd0BXmAOma_eKw7RzHeV3Ej11I4jIfQ0DywFu2b0xEELyfPc4iI141W_XP2pNK4afvTRN-KyFIJmoTXrE4hNHFjXYWPE9D0jU/s200/20100624221356.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCEL7w0EnXMfk451ZnLieu39mJFKloAsdBBe-pnxa7tTzHuDHzq613NiDnncxr4j2QNzsA6I-rd0CCmi8issJwYrzo4TEn6784GiXTKfKJoDQzYUM2hbLo_OSDafR4MC8XjZsssKAAnGk/s1600/20100624221411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCEL7w0EnXMfk451ZnLieu39mJFKloAsdBBe-pnxa7tTzHuDHzq613NiDnncxr4j2QNzsA6I-rd0CCmi8issJwYrzo4TEn6784GiXTKfKJoDQzYUM2hbLo_OSDafR4MC8XjZsssKAAnGk/s320/20100624221411.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, you might think that was a little long to take to have that thought, but this was my first time. I was a strawberry jam-making virgin. It took awhile for the "Aha" moment to happen. If you don't have anyone there giving you advice or pointers, then it takes a little longer.</div><br />
Needless to say, I hastened the process by just making puree and freezing that in Ziplocs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS1EZ_fBrFzkVW1QlqKC6h2_Ch4jMYwNeuErbVCpNUAVASwZpfd7j91XPlDC4YaZ3CsBsGnZz_qlmcDycDFrLrLHSYdElHQxlccAyx-53aNlPP3YV6q8hwdtcOGv1vQBOGYvCDhoh2E_9/s1600/20100624221522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS1EZ_fBrFzkVW1QlqKC6h2_Ch4jMYwNeuErbVCpNUAVASwZpfd7j91XPlDC4YaZ3CsBsGnZz_qlmcDycDFrLrLHSYdElHQxlccAyx-53aNlPP3YV6q8hwdtcOGv1vQBOGYvCDhoh2E_9/s320/20100624221522.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I will return to the strawberry field and pick some more and freeze more puree. I will make jam in January. It will be like a Beatles song, "Strawberry Fields Forever".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnG-6_T20z6GW-28L1JTbunyRHY0nYhb4h8Hun3FoGYzCRpz5qski_NZPoEvDvsJet9K_bgJRBOAvV8ijWkSmbE7YGXJZ6lveWmBzY_x8S6MqdSiCH0Cc72aoHC5-R_bX5tG8HlJNgmq_/s1600/20100624224957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnG-6_T20z6GW-28L1JTbunyRHY0nYhb4h8Hun3FoGYzCRpz5qski_NZPoEvDvsJet9K_bgJRBOAvV8ijWkSmbE7YGXJZ6lveWmBzY_x8S6MqdSiCH0Cc72aoHC5-R_bX5tG8HlJNgmq_/s200/20100624224957.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Oh yes, about Sid.<br />
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Sid was accessorized (after 20 minutes of cooling from the oven) with fresh, homemade strawberry jam. The strawberry jam dressed him up quite nicely. And as ZZ Top says, "Every girl's crazy about a sharped dressed man" (bread). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMoVGBj6prkOZKPNfHOrgA8XaQelyFN0LnfKKBeTykQ7oBQomz5BmcyPJYzjNlzEeM29KFV17MPtufJ3PDeYxjffVPd2vpWWPWv31szDDfpy2ueCH_9DDBDPzwa3b1MsSMeLZaJOrVgOG/s1600/20100629152155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMoVGBj6prkOZKPNfHOrgA8XaQelyFN0LnfKKBeTykQ7oBQomz5BmcyPJYzjNlzEeM29KFV17MPtufJ3PDeYxjffVPd2vpWWPWv31szDDfpy2ueCH_9DDBDPzwa3b1MsSMeLZaJOrVgOG/s400/20100629152155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The love affair has begun.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Sid was consumed within his first hour of accessorization</em></span>.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-26667974188051011872010-06-28T00:58:00.000-05:002010-06-28T00:58:54.886-05:00My Most Recent Encounter with the Po-PoThis unfortunate story took place in April and I have been hesitant to share it with you. Though, at the urging of a few friends and family, I am now sharing this story.<br />
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I'm over at a friend's house (mind you, I do not have my own car, so she had to pick me up). I am there for about 45 minutes when my phone rings. It's Charlie. "Mom, I'm stranded at the library". (He rides his bike to the library frequently since we live so close to it). "What? What do you mean stranded?", I ask and a little annoyed that he's calling me while I'm visiting a friend (he knows to only call if it's a true emergency). "I mean I am STUCK at the library!", he replies, a little annoyed with me for asking him to define "stranded". "O.K, so you're stuck at the library. You rode your bike down there, so you can ride back home...right?", I inquire. "Yes, but I can't get the bike chain lock to unlock", he informs me. Grrrrr.... I sigh and respond with,"Did you line up the letters (it's a "Word Lock" which uses 4 letter words as your "code")? Did you try it several times?". "YEEEESSSSSS!", he says, exasperated. I sigh heavier into the phone and tell him to get an adult to help. He says as quietly and pleadingly as possible, "no." I grunt and sigh into the phone. I want him to know how displeased I am that I'm being inconvenienced by this and quite possibly will have to inconvenience my friend to drive me down there. I ask him why he can't get an adult to help him. He informs me or actually reminds me that the code word on this particular lock isn't one he wants to seek help with.<br />
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Flash back to two years ago when we bought the two bicycle chains with the word locks. Autry had his bike stolen and we bought "the best locks out there" as well as the easiest. You choose a four letter word that you would remember and presto, secure bicycle! We NEVER thought we would have to share our code words with anybody. It would be an inside family secret. We needed a word that we would all remember, however absurd or crude it was. We chose two words, one for each lock, "Piss" and "Fart". (I am blushing as I write this.Truly. I live in a house of boys, what can I say. "Shop" and "Mall" are not going to make the cut.)<br />
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My gracious friend hauls me to the library. I get out, walk over to the bike. I figure it'll be like the pickle jar lid. You know, where it's been loosened with the first three twists but the original "twister-of-the-lid" has given up too soon, so the next person comes to the rescue and "pop", it comes right off with minimal effort and the first "twister" feels like a dork while the second "twister" feels quite proud. No, that never happens at your house?........yeah, it doesn't happen here either.<br />
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Anyway. That is NOT the effect it had. That sucker wasn't budging! I said a four letter word, "crap". I asked my friend to take me to my house so I could get the instructions. She hauls me over to my house, I go searching for the instructions. Found them in the first place I looked. (WOW!). I also grab the other lock. I hop back in her van to go back to the library. I read the instructions. There isn't anything about unlocking a stuck lock. Nothing. Nada. Zip, zero, zilch.<br />
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The Police Dept. is next door to the library. I tell Charlie to walk over with me. I release my friend on to her life, so our dramatic life can finally reach a resolution. I'm wearing a pink sweater. My hair is curly. I have makeup on. I'm looking cute that particular day. (WOW!) We walk into the station (a 39 year old mom with her 7th grade son). We ask for help. Dispatch sends out a cop, complete with gun on the hip. I smile and breathe. I tell him what's going on. I show him the instructions as well as the other chain/lock that I picked up when I went to the house. He examined the chain/lock and commented how bicycle chains are better than they used to be. He may not be able to saw through it if that is what it comes down to. I think to myself a four letter word, "crap". He plays with chain/lock in his hand and asks for the word. I blush to about 3 shades pinker than my sweater and smile and say non-chalantly, "fart". His expression tried to hold a poker face, but I saw a flinch. He wasn't expecting a cute 39 year old mom of a 7th grade boy who happened to be with us to say "fart". He asked me again, pretending like he didn't hear me the first time. I'm pretty sure I shouted it the first time! Why he didn't hear it the first time, I don't know. So, I nodded my head and grinned and said, "fart".<br />
Grrr...I'm thinking this is a long afternoon. We arrive at the bike. The reason Charlie called to tell me he was stranded. The reason my visit with my friend was cut short. The reason my friend had to schlep me and her kids to the library/my home/library. The reason I'm standing here, a good, up-standing, homeschooling mom of a 7th grader who happened to wear clothes, hair and makeup (all 3 on the same day. WOW!) having to ask a police officer for help with a stuck bicycle chain/lock. He squats down to examine the lock. He grapples with it. He then looks up at me (I know what his question is), I answer his unspoken question with a four letter word. "Piss". <br />
Grrrr.<br />
I was seriously hoping it didn't have the afore mentioned pickle jar effect. It didn't. He had to go get some wire cutters. (I'm sure he didn't say a word to anyone back at the station. Right? uhmm...Right!) He came back with some serious wire cutters! They were HUGE! He cut the chain. We thanked him and parted ways. Me embarrassed. Charlie relieved. Po-po with a new anecdote. <br />
You're welcome Mister Officer. Glad to have contributed some humor to your typically stressful job (and to be the star of your next story at the water cooler).TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-32792846662969866912010-06-17T14:36:00.000-05:002010-06-17T14:36:55.695-05:00Sid Slipped in the Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7VCdTVVFfUh4bVQJYdql8e6cdwZxz5tNAP0aSGdkjKMqkNK0c0aCBUtqYJbt87mqwA77k0y5AeZSiZOnwAdWl2YvedK8kS9kN4M0FHJC2JvGWClcs3xQ17V2nQoMXK1bxUS1zgA1U39e/s1600/when+sid+met+sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7VCdTVVFfUh4bVQJYdql8e6cdwZxz5tNAP0aSGdkjKMqkNK0c0aCBUtqYJbt87mqwA77k0y5AeZSiZOnwAdWl2YvedK8kS9kN4M0FHJC2JvGWClcs3xQ17V2nQoMXK1bxUS1zgA1U39e/s320/when+sid+met+sally.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sid, my 5 month old sourdough starter who lives in my fridge, was in the ICU of my kitchen recently. Sid has doubled in size within the last 5 months and abides in a large (warehouse size) pickle jar. He is quite happy there and doesn't make quite as much hooch as he used to make when rooming in the smaller mason jar. Sid has made several loaves of bread and rolls for our family and friends. He gets attention every day with a wooden spoon (no, not a spanking, but a good stirring). He gets fed every 11-14 days (like he likes it). He shares himself. We've had a great 5 months. Until...<br />
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I, being a good mommy, ignored the messy room for a while. Then, I had enough of the caked-on-ooze on the sides of the jar. I missed glancing in the fridge and seeing Sid and looking through the clear glass jar (it is big after all) to see what was behind his "room". I removed Sid from the fridge. I poured him a bowl. He bubbled and was happy. I soaked the pickle jar. I fed Sid. I put a Saran Wrap Quick Cover on him (they look like shower caps, so I'm going to call it the shower cap). BUT, I left one side of the shower cap off of the rim of the bowl because I knew Sid would need air to breath as well as not to suffocate himself with his "gas" that he gives off. So, Sid wore the shower cap for 24 hours before I noticed that the shower cap must have slipped over his bowl securely. OH NO!!!! MY LITTLE SID!!!<br />
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I peeled back the shower cap. There were only two tiny, minuscule little bubbles floating on top. I wasn't even sure if these could be considered true bubbles. Was my Sid dead? Could Sid be revived? <br />
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I kicked my little boy friend off the computer and Googled a solution. My little Sid was made with milk, sugar and flour. Every sourdough starter solution I could find was assuming water and flour was the base. Then, my sourdough mom's intuition kicked in. I left Sid out on the counter so he could come to room temperature. I stirred him vigorously. I fed him. I saw a few more bubbles. I poured him into the clean pickle jar (his room) and placed him back in the fridge. Three days later, I made two loaves of bread with Sid. Yum.<br />
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Sid and I have now bonded.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-51052940494463418442010-06-09T16:00:00.000-05:002010-06-09T16:00:40.646-05:00RED ALERT! RED ALERT!I am aware that I haven't completed my 40 Loaves in 40 Days bread project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M_TwrX35g2PgWAelbPLnFXOsfUxZ-SaZ5S9uj8pTD7oCRQJaukkbIDnsntmYIomYGzpDwQ1j2prHsLvfDrCOC5OF1jkgV427Df-zqxt8jY8aTLbeVKZwpIkxCG-V4o4SfqgYiy1LVb-n/s1600/paintedSD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M_TwrX35g2PgWAelbPLnFXOsfUxZ-SaZ5S9uj8pTD7oCRQJaukkbIDnsntmYIomYGzpDwQ1j2prHsLvfDrCOC5OF1jkgV427Df-zqxt8jY8aTLbeVKZwpIkxCG-V4o4SfqgYiy1LVb-n/s320/paintedSD.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yet.</div><br />
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I'm lost in space, in the bread galaxy, warp speeding along in my hunk of junk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-EW4OQ4xe9AnGwD5VvllWwJ6eAmhV3530GLj-AQ8r401rtPL-mk-oMYZG17xm1bteOcNccEsgeyaNQNt_iIxetSWAMwBIHqZxOemA0zY_yYmLroKWXdiIY80BkoLhJ4VMEN1UE3Qy5-6/s1600/hunk+of+junk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-EW4OQ4xe9AnGwD5VvllWwJ6eAmhV3530GLj-AQ8r401rtPL-mk-oMYZG17xm1bteOcNccEsgeyaNQNt_iIxetSWAMwBIHqZxOemA0zY_yYmLroKWXdiIY80BkoLhJ4VMEN1UE3Qy5-6/s320/hunk+of+junk.jpg" /></a></div>I've gone through a meteor storm and my dog was almost taken out. He was hours from death. That happened twice. Currently, he's recovered (I think) and he's still with me. But he was almost toast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_irZK_T5TePH83-B6UEeWS-UGePkZidKF01Vw_JRWZQ0JZNioXWbACBPHqU7WHAUh2TUr-VqpjsOkLOvdZTiyK-5F8TjfroCwJ0l1xWSWW0xXBWxqylVT6G5JV2_c9ewGZw_z_IZY_jIC/s1600/0322001544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_irZK_T5TePH83-B6UEeWS-UGePkZidKF01Vw_JRWZQ0JZNioXWbACBPHqU7WHAUh2TUr-VqpjsOkLOvdZTiyK-5F8TjfroCwJ0l1xWSWW0xXBWxqylVT6G5JV2_c9ewGZw_z_IZY_jIC/s320/0322001544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then there's the issue of the young Padawans. Their formal instruction to tend to. We must finish that in a reasonable amount of time (they would like a Summer break, as would I). <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQHRiJfS7dCb6hLWXmb-O6cpUnPUJKrIdhC3Bbcujd4Dnrl84Fi1A8QytjMhi-Nmsd7UPc_ep6bhKx3pzYGVSTs_KMzQOpcyXQd9WZEDlD_nIcyGHh6yBtaUWa1TNpHg13jYQ0oo5nD1c/s1600/padawan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQHRiJfS7dCb6hLWXmb-O6cpUnPUJKrIdhC3Bbcujd4Dnrl84Fi1A8QytjMhi-Nmsd7UPc_ep6bhKx3pzYGVSTs_KMzQOpcyXQd9WZEDlD_nIcyGHh6yBtaUWa1TNpHg13jYQ0oo5nD1c/s200/padawan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have received intel about a possible change in docking stations, also. Our family is attempting to purchase a home here in the vicinity of Forest Grove, Oregon. We have made 3 attempts and 2 of them have failed. We are in the middle of attempt #3, but have hit a big snag. We do desire to land soon as this ship is not going to carry us too much longer. It's just costing us too much dough.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmnpTqeni9j01Q8NEVig2rFHjk6Ph_2_Wl-7VXrZAxgA5HfvTFJkqCtQmLmkIFjBPFX0mZLKfdXKd9TKkh74t64mv0YC7I50p1y_-twNj-rSMU0UFmqS6jkHGMsjMsDGeUApkkf8xvQM9/s1600/got+dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmnpTqeni9j01Q8NEVig2rFHjk6Ph_2_Wl-7VXrZAxgA5HfvTFJkqCtQmLmkIFjBPFX0mZLKfdXKd9TKkh74t64mv0YC7I50p1y_-twNj-rSMU0UFmqS6jkHGMsjMsDGeUApkkf8xvQM9/s320/got+dough.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Captain Friend has switched employers and we are now on course for a less turbulent journey, but one can never be too sure. Turbulence is what keeps me awake! Turbulence is my life. Turbulence makes me happy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I hope you can hear the sarcasm in that. Hey, how do ya like my pilot's hat?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once we find a place to dock or rest, I'll explore my last 3 bread recipes.</div>TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-87188773249266843862010-05-19T10:41:00.000-05:002010-05-19T10:41:29.846-05:00Wondering Through the Bread Galaxy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KUkkKip6oY0W5BgQhEtvl2ztRAvi2UPpoLC5Vrloz1xehqAT9VkVdTnrzGuOJkEgpHeUlEtC0Iez_ZhEfH-mxPaF35m1XJGNnUVV8TMSq5t9raXdyfn5jYKLbXbBh8M2EWiIcaStcql3/s1600/jw_new_rho_meade12md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KUkkKip6oY0W5BgQhEtvl2ztRAvi2UPpoLC5Vrloz1xehqAT9VkVdTnrzGuOJkEgpHeUlEtC0Iez_ZhEfH-mxPaF35m1XJGNnUVV8TMSq5t9raXdyfn5jYKLbXbBh8M2EWiIcaStcql3/s400/jw_new_rho_meade12md.jpg" width="317" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
If you have been reading about my bread journey, you have likely noticed that I haven't posted anything new. That's because I haven't baked anything new. My last entry was how I was going to warp speed ahead to the last frontier of bread making (the last 3 breads/days). Well, let me tell you right now that my life has truly been in warp speed since I posted that. I really had no idea at the time of that Captain's Log entry what was awaiting.<br />
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1)James had two companies interviewing him (one that would require a move to PA. and one would allow us to stay here).<br />
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2)James went to Dallas to interview/hire-on with the company that would allow us to stay here and managed to get delayed there an extra night and day because of the weather @ DFW airport and the Metroplex.<br />
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3)The boys and I have started volunteering at Harvey Clarke Elementary in a first-grade classroom<br />
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4) Moving...we are considering that "M" word again. Staying in Forest Grove, yes. Just perhaps not in this $ pit rental. That's all I'll say about that for now.<br />
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5) End-of-School push = planning, pacing and re-structuring and possibly extending some subjects and finishing some sooner....hmmmm..<br />
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That's it. That's my life in "warp".<br />
I will get to my next bread destination. I'll find time to stop and explore. <br />
We'll be amazed.TexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982247587839858024.post-9448162964879570882010-05-10T17:42:00.000-05:002010-05-10T17:42:52.934-05:00Warp SpeedBread Captain's Log. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Stardate</span> May 2010.<br />
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I have made several bread recipes over and over again because we like them. I did not blog about repeated attempts unless something was noteworthy. Honestly, I've gotten pretty good at making some of the bread so there really hasn't been anything worth writing about. So, because I have made more than 40 loaves of bread already, I am skipping 5 recipes/days/loaves. (<em>if you don't like my math, then count the individual total # of rolls, doughnuts, scones and bagels I have made and then let me warp ahead with good conscience.</em>)<br />
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<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">PSHEWWW</span> (said as if the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Starship</span> Enterprise was going into warp speed to some other part of the universe).<br />
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I am now looking at 3 days of bread making left. <strike>Days</strike> planets 38, 39 and 40 await my exploration.<br />
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Planet 38: <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Sopf</span><br />
Planet 39: Croissant<br />
Planet 40: CrankyTexyEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10748064074127575989noreply@blogger.com0