Random Pics

OK, so it's time to start blogging again... folks I never thought even gave it a glance have asked when I'm going to start again - who knew?! I'm feeling a bit rusty at this so we might get off to a rough start but hang in there... I'll get the hang of it soon.

I attended my first festival as a vendor this past weekend! What a hoot! And I made some bucks too. I make reusable lunch bags from 100% natural cotton and iron on catchy "green" phrases and images and it turns out people are willing to pay for them!

I'm plotting my strategy for the next event. I learned what sold, what didn't, got some good ideas from other vendors, need a better tent (I had to tie onto my neighbor's concrete block to keep from blowing away - and it was SO obvious my tent came from Dollar General), need a sign, etc.

The chirens are good. Holly and Jack are now sharing a bedroom together. They are like peas and carrots! It is such a HOOT to listen to the monitor after we've tucked them in. They giggle like little hyenas for a good 30 minutes each night. Holly will tell Jack stories - mostly about a princess named Holly and Jack will occasionally sing songs from his favorite movie of all times, Annie. He'll yell out, "Whomorrow, whomorrow, I LOVE YA whomorrow, you're only da day AWAYYYYYYYYYYAYYYYY!!!!!" Flipping cracks me up every time.

Jeff and I say he talks like a drunk German. If you hand him something or help him out he'll grunt, "TANKS, MAMA" except is sounds more like TONKS. If Jeff points something out, Jack will say, "WHAT, DADDY? WHAT?" Except he does it in a way that you're pretty sure he's ready to kick someones ass. Get your best drunk German friend over and ask him to read this paragraph and you'll get the humor.

Holly is 100% little girl right now. I noticed yesterday that she had on a pink tutu, a crown, three bracelets, a ring and clip-on earrings tromping around the backyard. Now, she is MY child so of course she wasn't wearing shoes and her hair was a mess but she gets the rest right down to a tee.

She is all about wanting to go to school. I had to get her a book bag, which she puts on every morning to ride to daycare with. She walks in and hangs it on a hook on the wall and dutifully grabs it up each day when it's time to go home. The last time I looked in there I found two pair of pink sunglasses, a bag of Cheerios, some stickers she must have swiped from Maddi and a plastic phone. She is ready - not sure what for, but she is ready.

My BFF, Jennifer, came to visit from Washington a few weeks ago. Jennifer I an were thick and thieves our school years until her dad plucked her up and moved her to California one summer - breaking my heart in the process. It was fantastic to see her again and took all of about 2 minutes to fall back into the comfy place that true friendship can take you. She emailed me from the airport on her way back home and when I still hadn't responded this morning, I got this ecard. You can't put a price tag on good friends and great senses of humor. This ecard website is hilarious, by the way. Check it out http://www.someecards.com/.

Well, this is about all I can think of right now and really should be moving on to Ryder stuff. I'll leave you with my latest favorite recipe. After looking for a recipe for the seasoning mixture used on rotisserie deli chicken, I compiled this one from the ones I thought sounded about right. It's wicked good - try it out!

ROTISSERIE-STYLE CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS
4 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 onions, quartered
2 small chickens


DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix together salt, paprika, onion powder, thyme, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Remove and discard giblets from chicken. Rinse chicken cavity, and pat dry with paper towel. Rub each chicken inside and out with spice mixture. Place 1 onion into the cavity of each chicken. Place chickens in a resealable bag or double wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 to 6 hours. Place chickens in a roasting pan. Bake uncovered at 250 degrees for 5 hours. Baste with the pan juices once an hour. Let the chickens stand for 10 minutes before carving.

What's New With Us

Well, we're moving into Fall and things are moving along pretty well. Maddi started First Grade this year and I still just cannot believe it. I'm amazed how well she can read and continue to be impressed with her school. They stress key "life skills" (patience, curiosity, perseverance, etc.) and actually give the parents feedback on each child's grasp and use of them. I think we should all evaluate our own grasp and use of these!

Holly is convinced that she's going to be Spongebob for Halloween. Puke. I've tried everything under the sun to sway her to something.... errrrr.... that I like, but I have finally decided that it's her costume and her decision, so if she wants to be an annoying little character lacking any educational value whatsoever, then so be it! Hell, maybe Jack will be Patrick.

Jack has finally started walking.... right on cue at 15 months just like Holly. He is amazing! He is clever in ways that I have a hard time conceiving he could be. He weighs 25.5 pounds! I wish I knew how he stacked up size-wise for his age but I have yet to take him to his 1-yr well visit. Yes, I know! It's scheduled, Nana! Can you tell this isn't my first child?!

Jeff and I are headed to Edisto for his cousin's wedding the first weekend in October. I'm looking so forward to seeing his Mom & Scott again and meeting his sister, Laurie and her family. I'd say that I'm excited about meeting the rest of his family too, but since they all sided with Jeff's ex after the divorce and she is actually doing a reading in the wedding, I'll say that my emotions are more accurately described as something a dorky white kid would feel pledging Omega Psi Phi (you're thinking of that kid in Road Trip right now, aren't you?). I might be black-balled, I might be welcomed in, I might be whispered about in the ladies room, I might dance on the table with the famed Uncle Chuck, but I can tell you that I will be wearing a fabulously bold & sexy dress, I will have a fantastic time and I will be at my husband's side. So there... put that in your hat and smoke it!

There's more to tell about this weekend too.... taheeheehee. Amy and Stephanie are babysitting! Right down to pick-up at day care, shitty diapers, Dora marathons and all. I emailed them a "Field Manual" that included schedules, suggestions, translations for all of the pet names they have for everything, emergency numbers, etc. Steph told me last night that Amy responded to her with one line, "Is she serious?" I have absolutely no doubt that these two will take wonderful care of my babies and wouldn't trust the task to anyone other! I am looking forward to getting the low-down when we return, though :o)

My birthday was this week and I have to tell you about my wonderful neighbors (yet again!). I arrived home Monday, having mostly forgotten that it was my birthday, to find a beautiful Tea Olive potted beautifully in a giant terracotta pot, trimmed with Spanish Moss from Barbabra. Then, sitting out front later, I bare witness to a procession coming from Lane & Jill's, complete with singing, cupcakes and the most precious little gift. Jill is a "crafter" and can turn just about anything into a beautiful little piece of sunshine. She made me a tiny little bud vase/vial from the base of a silver knife and gave it to me with fresh, fragrant gardenias. I love my neighbors - they are family.

The best thing that's happened since our last update is that we got a visit from my brother, Mike. It's been many years since I've talked with him. He called Dad.... I called him.... and viola, we got together. It was great to see him and he seems so GOOD. He and Jeff really hit it off and it was great to introduce him to his niece and nephew. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him and hope that we do!

The last thing worth mentioning is my discovery of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Now, if you've heard of it, you've either heard that it's life altering and inspirational or you've heard that it's hocus pocus hogwash. I found it to be profound. I won't tell you what the secret is, but I will tell you that I have buy-in for most of it. It's really not anything we haven't heard put other ways: goal setting, positive thinking, thankfulness, etc., but it's put out there in a way that some might be able to utilize more. I've implemented a lot of the secrets into my life and feel fantastic. I'm optimistic about the future, I am energized about the present and I feel so.... errrr... confident, yeah, that's it: confident. And hopeful! It's good stuff and even if it is hogwash, who cares?! I feel like a million bucks! How is that a bad thing?!?!

Secret messages I wrote to myself and taped on my PC screen at work. I read them over and over throughout the day and instantly feel motivated and energized when I do:

• All things that I can have, do and become begin here, today.
• Every thought I have impacts the quality of my and my family's future and quality of living.
• The opportunities for me to have all things are all around me.
• I am so thankful for all that I have now and what I will have in the future.
• Thoughts become things.... Choose good ones!

Love dem Ribs

I have to post this recipe for two solid reasons: a) this picture is just too damn cute not to share and b) these were the best ribs I have ever wrapped my ghetto suckers around.

I've tried a few stabs over the years to cook ribs at home that were as good as the ones you get in the restaurants (fall off the bone, tender, etc.) without much luck. I've boiled, grilled, broiled, baked and every combination of the sort but Mom has perfected the art of cooking pork ribs! And the best thing? It's wicked easy!!!

Carol Richburg's Pork Ribs

2 racks of pork ribs

salt & pepper

red pepper flakes

garlic powder

1-2 large onions, sliced

braising liquid

1 bottle of your favorite sauce

Trim any unnecessary fat or scraps from the ribs. Liberally season ribs with spices to your taste. Arrange the onion slices in the bottom of a large roasting pan and cover with your braising liquid (Mom uses water but I think apple juice, white wine, beer or chicken stock would be fun to try). Do not submerge the onions as they will need to keep the ribs from setting in the liquid. Place ribs atop onions and cover with a tight fitting lid (if you don't have tight fitting lid, tightly wrap everything in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet). Cook at 300 degrees for 3 hours. Uncover and liberally pour your favorite sauce over ribs (I like honey barbeque sauce with this recipe). Continue to cook, uncovered for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Good Old Bob

Well, the polls are closed and it appears that you guys like to read about Politics the least! Shame on you! But since My Personal Thoughts come in at second place by a margin of only one vote, and since this is my blog, here's a daily dose of politics for you!


Good Old Bob & Those Stupid Ass Liberals
Bob gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffee pot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards.

With his first swallow of coffee, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to insure their safety and that they work as advertised.

All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Bob gets it too.

He prepares his morning breakfast: bacon and eggs. Bob's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate them eat packing industry.

In the morning shower, Bob reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some cry baby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.

Bob dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks to the subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Bob begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Bob's employer pays these standards because Bob's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.

If Bob is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a workers compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

Its noon time and Bob needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Bob's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Bob's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.

Bob has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Bob and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime.

Bob is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards.

He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal (FDR) stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, quiche-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Bob wouldn't have to.

Bob gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show.The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. Bob agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives!After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

Is there a problem, officer?

"and he kicked that ole drunk coyote..."

a line from Ginga's latest release

Ready for bed in their favorites - my or Jeff's t-shirts


Anybody seen my driving glasses?

Recipes Worth Remembering

In the last month or so, I have been wowed by two culinary concoctions to come from Lane & Jill's kitchen. I have to put these somewhere so I won't lose them and I need to do it before I forget the ingredients. What better place to do so than right here!

Jill's Sangria

Seriously, the best cocktail I've ever had. Period. The recipe went missing but she's pretty sure this is it (Jill, please comment if I get this wrong!).

1 cup vodka

1 cup triple sec

1 bottle dry white wine

1 cup sugar

1 can lemon-line soda

1 peach

1 lime

1 orange

1 lemon

Clean and slice the fruit. Mix the vodka, triple sec, sugar and fruit in the bottom of a pitcher and let set until the sugar dissolves. When you're ready to serve, add in the wine and soda. Serve over ice.

Lane's Wicked Good Fried Chicken Strips

Barbara comes walking across the street holding this crispy morsel in a napkin and says I have to try this new chicken tender Lane's just created. I look at it and think, yeah, OK chicken strips... woowee. Then I take a bite! Serious perfection!

I think he eye-balled the measurements so he didn't have a definitive recipe, but I think I've come close.

1-2 lbs chicken breast tenders

1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed

1 cup corn meal

1 cup flour

salt

pepper

garlic powder

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 hot sauce (my addition!)

Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk (add hot sauce if you want them a little spicy). Meanwhile, mix together crackers, corn meal, flour, salt & pepper and garlic.

Drain buttermilk from chicken. In a large plastic container or paper bag, toss in chicken and breading mixture, shake until evenly coated. Let set for at least 5 minutes. Fry until done!

Enjoy!